Chapter : 27
Murmurs spilled toward him from all directions. Earl Saltrein sharply raised his eyes, scanning the surroundings with a fierce glare. The people who had been whispering just moments ago quickly averted their gazes and pretended to be busy with something else.
But the unfriendly atmosphere was unmistakable—like a tangible weight pressing against the skin. Viscount Jeffman grabbed his arm.
“Let’s go rest in the lounge for a moment. Have a cigarette or two while we’re at it.”
“If I just stand by after suffering this humiliation—”
“We were actually going to discuss the progress of the canal project anyway. Our schedules didn’t align earlier, but we’ve met here instead.”
At that moment, someone stepped out from the crowd at a leisurely pace. With an easygoing expression, he smoothed over the situation.
Uncle Walter?
Jacqueline’s eyes widened in surprise. Earl Greenwood, who had just winked at her, turned his gaze toward Saltrein.
“It’s been a while, Lord Greenwood.”
“This is an important matter.”
Walter lowered his voice meaningfully. Saltrein, as if conceding defeat, allowed himself to be led away. Only then did the banquet hall regain its original atmosphere.
Benjamin, who had approached Jacqueline’s side, covered his mouth with both hands and whispered quietly. The voice of the child who had endured patiently according to her teachings now held half resentment, half delight.
“You’ve turned a small enemy into a big one, Miss Somerset.”
“Hmm.”
Jacqueline glanced sideways, rolling her eyes. As if he had been watching her, she immediately met Windsor’s gaze.
He raised his eyebrows. Three deep lines formed on his forehead—strangely alluring creases.
“I couldn’t just stand by and let Lord Saltrein ruin your birthday.”
Jacqueline smiled gently and took a step back. The child’s cheeks flushed red.
William cleared his throat loudly—“Ahem!”—and announced in a booming voice:
“We will now unveil His Majesty’s birthday gift!”
All attention shifted from her to the gift. Everyone looked eager, curious about what the King had sent.
Windsor leaned in and whispered to Jacqueline, who was slowly backing away.
“Lord Saltrein has become not only a major enemy of the Preston family, but also a major enemy of Miss Somerset.”
“He’s someone with great influence in high society. He’s called the ‘outlaw of the banquet hall,’ yet he’s impossible not to invite.”
“Like raisins in bread?”
“Exactly.”
Jacqueline let out a light laugh. Windsor really was an excellent student—he remembered even his teacher’s jokes.
“If Lord Preston had humiliated him, Lord Saltrein wouldn’t have stayed silent. Being insulted publicly, in front of so many witnesses… that kind of grudge lasts a long time. He’ll obstruct everything Lord Preston does. Don’t underestimate his connections.”
At that, Windsor looked slightly taken aback. So she had preempted him, anticipating his intervention.
As Windsor’s gaze deepened, Jacqueline turned away with a bright smile.
“But what could you possibly do to me? I’m already a penniless noble lady. So isn’t it better that I take his resentment instead?”
In an instant, Windsor’s expression disappeared. He stared at her intently.
Had she calculated everything in such a short moment?
“Shh. I’m curious about His Majesty’s gift.”
Jacqueline looked at the white cloth with sparkling eyes. William straightened his shoulders and pulled the cloth away.
“The complete set of the Kingdom’s history books, with gold-gilded covers!”
“Waaah!”
Soft exclamations rose from the crowd. A set of books lay on the black cloth. Their gilded covers shimmered under the chandelier light.
Admiring murmurs spread in every direction.
“There’s nothing better than the Kingdom’s history books for a six-year-old’s birthday.”
“Excellent choice. I would’ve chosen the same. After the mythologies of the continent, the history collection is the natural next step.”
“And gold-covered bindings too? It must be a one-of-a-kind set made by a master craftsman. It really shows how much His Majesty values young Benjamin.”
Despite the praise from all around, Benjamin’s expression did not change much. He simply turned to William with a composed look.
“Please thank His Majesty for me.”
“Yes. And now, we will unveil the gift from the Duke of Preston, who could not attend due to unavoidable circumstances.”
Click.
A cold laugh escaped Windsor’s lips. The history books were usually a gift given by a child’s parents for their birthday.
Since Benjamin had no parents, it was Windsor’s role as guardian. Yet the King had given it instead—as if deliberately disregarding him.
And not just any history book, but an elaborately gilded one. If Windsor had given Benjamin a history book, it would have been directly compared to the King’s gift.
If that was the King’s intention, it was a petty move.
While Windsor suppressed his anger, William lifted several white cloths one by one. Each time, Benjamin politely thanked them with composure uncharacteristic of a six-year-old.
“Finally, the gift prepared by Lord Preston.”
All scattered attention gathered again on the table. The last remaining cloth stood out under the chandelier.
Without ceremony, William removed it in one motion.
“….”
A brief silence fell over the hall. Everyone stared at the object on the table.
“What is that…”
After someone’s stunned voice, Benjamin’s eyes widened.
Inside a large glass case stood a magnificent warship.
The flagship of the Black Fleet.
The meticulously crafted model looked so lifelike it seemed ready to set sail at any moment. Even miniature sailors were placed appropriately throughout it.
A sailor saluting on the deck and another holding a telescope in the crow’s nest stood out in particular.
“Uncle, thank you!”
For the first time, Benjamin broke into a bright smile. His eyes were filled with pure joy.
Windsor froze for a moment. It was the first time he had ever seen that expression.
—“I just wanted to see Benjamin smile.”
Jacqueline’s words suddenly came to mind. He slowly turned his head. She, who had been warmly watching Benjamin, noticed his gaze and looked up.
Their eyes met. She subtly lifted the corners of her lips.
See? I told you. I said Benjamin would like it.
Her eyes were triumphant. Just as Windsor was about to speak, the children who had been quietly holding their mothers’ hands rushed toward the glass case.
“Wow, amazing!”
“It’s a Black Fleet ship! I saw it in a toy shop!”
“This is the admiral’s flagship among the Black Fleet! You can tell just from the flag!”
“Father, please buy me this too! I want one!”
“Oh my, Justin! Come back here!”
The hall quickly became noisy with children’s excitement. Parents who couldn’t control them looked embarrassed.
Benjamin still gazed up at Windsor with sparkling eyes. In a low, calm voice, Windsor replied, “You’re welcome.”
“Ah!”
Only then did Benjamin notice the crowd of children surrounding the ship. His face turned pale as he rushed forward, afraid his birthday gift might be taken.
He spread his arms wide and hugged the glass case protectively.
“This is mine. Uncle gave it to me. No one can touch it.”
“We’re just looking!”
“Move! I can’t see!”
The children’s scuffle silenced the nobles. Even those who had scoffed at Windsor earlier now looked awkward.
The King’s gift had been excellent—an appropriate, luxurious choice for a six-year-old. No one could deny that.
But Benjamin liked Windsor’s gift the most. Enough to break into a bright smile and rush forward.
In this match, Windsor had won. Unexpectedly so.
People were surprised that the usually stoic Duke of Preston understood his nephew’s interests so well.
For the first time, rumors that Windsor might truly take over the Preston family began to waver.
“It’s becoming more interesting how the custody battle between His Majesty and Lord Preston will unfold.”
“I thought Lord Preston was forced into guardianship, but they seem quite close.”
“Right? Otherwise, he couldn’t have chosen such a gift.”
Whispers spread as people began predicting the outcome of the coming dispute.
Jacqueline quietly turned away. It was time to slip out unnoticed.
“There you are, Miss Somerset. I’ve been looking for you.”
A friendly voice came from behind her. She turned—and froze.
Windsor also slowly shifted his gaze past her shoulder.
“Mr. Evan Knox?”
A young man with a kind face smiled brightly at her. His slightly drooping eyes gave him a gentle, puppy-like expression. His brown hair added to his soft appearance.
If he had a tail, it would surely be wagging nonstop. That was how pleased he looked.
“How have you been? I sent you several letters but got no reply and was worried. I even visited your estate, but it seems ownership had already changed.”
At that, Jacqueline gave a bitter smile without realizing it.
She remembered Earl Knox’s last angry expression, when he had forbidden any further contact with his son.
No need to bring that up.
She could understand Lord Knox’s feelings. If her son’s fiancée had gone bankrupt, she might have reconsidered the engagement too.
Jacqueline maintained a polite social smile.
“There’s no need to continue something already ended. It’s better for both sides.”
The gentle-looking young man immediately looked hurt. Guilt pricked at her conscience.
Just as she bit her lip awkwardly, Evan quickly returned to a smile.
“I don’t know if you read my letters, but the broken engagement wasn’t my decision.”
At that moment, Windsor’s eyes narrowed.
He finally seemed to recognize who Evan Knox was. Slowly, he scanned him from head to toe.