(BL) Rejected by daughter's second male lead-Chapter 60

The party was even noisier than before. The high-ranking royals and their partners were either sitting and resting or had slipped outside, while the somewhat inebriated nobles were all dancing together to the upbeat music. Yuan and Gillon stealthily blended in among them.

But there was someone who had been continuously conscious of their empty spot, and that was Lora Pores, who had been scanning the banquet hall with fiery eyes since a while ago.

"Ah, Your Grace the Duke! Where have you been? I, Lora, have been searching for Your Grace!"

Lora, with a retinue of glamorous ladies behind her, snapped her fan shut and quickly approached. She turned her body toward Gillon, her round and seemingly innocent eyes twinkling. Her body’s orientation showed a firm resolve to not even look at Yuan.

"Your Grace the Duke, would you ask me for the next dance?"

Lora asked, gracefully extending her hand. She seemed to have no doubt that Gillon would accept her offer. In fact, while it was common to dance with one’s own partner for the first or second dance, after that, people would often dance with others who were not their partners to build friendships.

Among them, Gillon was known for being good-natured and generous, getting along with everyone. Although he chose his partners politically, he was famous for not discriminating based on faction, status, or manifestation, as long as they showed favor to House Blake first.

No matter how steeped in privilege and elitism the nobles were, they were still human. Most nobles genuinely liked Gillon, who treated them without regard to their political leanings or rank.

That was why Gillon was always the most popular man at any banquet hall. If Cecilia was the lily of the valley of high society, Gillon could be called the world tree of high society.

But there was one thing Lora had overlooked. Standing next to this massive tree was an extremely ill-tempered beast.

"Ah, as for the dance—"

"I decline."

Yuan cut in before Gillon could finish his sentence. Lora looked up at Yuan, startled, and then frowned again. She couldn’t get used to Yuan’s beauty and kept scowling, but to others, it just looked like Lora was extremely displeased.

"I asked His Grace Duke Blake, Marquis."

"I am also answering on behalf of Duke Blake. I said, I decline."

"No, what I mean is, why are you, Marquis, answering on his behalf?"

Lora and Yuan’s gazes clashed aggressively. Gillon stepped in as if to mediate between them.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! My friend Yuan and I have a lot to talk about. As you may know, Lady Pores, it has not been long since Yuan and I became close, and he is not used to parties like this. I think it would be best for me to stay by his side and reassure him today. Therefore, I must sadly pass on the honor of dancing with Lady Pores to another."

Gillon laughed heartily and gently placated Lora. The longer he spoke, the more Lora’s and Yuan’s expressions softened simultaneously. Lora completely melted at the part about ’sadly passing on the honor of dancing with Lady Pores’, while Yuan completely melted at the parts about ’a close relationship with me’ and ’I’ll stay by your side and reassure you today’.

"Oh my, how romantic of you, Your Grace the Duke."

A young lady standing behind them took the opportunity to step forward and speak. Her eyes were fixed on Yuan’s face. It seemed she was overreacting out of a desire to admire Yuan from a closer distance. Gillon inwardly held back a laugh.

Yes, even I am surprised every time I see him, so how much more so for you all. Cute little things.

Since they were all around Cecilia’s age, the young ladies fanning themselves, pretending to be elegant, looked only cute in his eyes. He could also see right through them.

In fact, Gillon was also aware that Lora harbored feelings for him. He had unilaterally concluded that it probably wasn’t a very serious emotion, but he had read the direction correctly. It was thanks to his age and experience.

However, one thing that remained a mystery was why it was so difficult to know the heart of Yuan, who was of a similar age to Cecilia and these young ladies. What on earth was this guy thinking?

"You don’t have to say such embarrassing things in front of others. Anyway, let’s go over there. It’s a bit noisy here."

Yuan said in a softer voice than before.

See, I don’t know why he’s suddenly in a good mood again. Gillon thought, but he was relieved that Yuan’s mood had improved.

However, before they could move, the doorkeeper’s solemn voice was heard.

"His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and Her Highness the First Imperial Concubine and Her Highness the Second Imperial Concubine are entering!"

The orchestra, which had been cheerfully playing a dance tune until then, put down their instruments. A bustling silence fell over the large banquet hall. Everyone bowed their waists or curtsied, welcoming the ruler of the empire.

Gillon grabbed the hem of Yuan’s clothes, who was dawdling as if reluctant, and made him bow. He really was a guy you couldn’t take your eyes off for a second.

"All may raise their heads."

The emperor’s dignified voice echoed softly through the banquet hall. With the emperor at the lead, a long procession slowly walked toward the innermost part of the hall. During this time, the nobles raised their heads but kept their eyes downcast, showing their respect for the royal family. The only one among them who was freely rolling his eyes and looking distracted was Yuan.

The emperor and empress sat on the imperial thrones placed in the banquet hall. The imperial concubines stood beside them.

"I hear the Moore Empire has had a bountiful harvest again this year. That we are able to hold a grand Harvest Thanksgiving Festival again this year is all thanks to the grace of the goddess Retina and the hard work of the nobles, who are the pillars of the empire. I hope you all enjoy the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, which will be held for ten days starting from today."

As the emperor finished speaking, a thunderous applause erupted. The orchestra began to play a majestic and jubilant piece. At the right moment, magical sparkling powder scattered from the ceiling, and fireworks exploded in the sky outside the banquet hall. Everyone exclaimed in excitement.

From now on, it was time for the nobles attending the party to line up, offer their greetings to the emperor, empress, and imperial concubines, and present gifts to celebrate the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival. And, of course, Gillon’s turn was early.

"Yuan, come here. Since you attended as my partner, you can present the gift with me."

Yuan also knew that he had been notified in advance and was supposed to prepare a gift. So he had grumbled and complained while grabbing something random from his storage.

"What did you prepare, Duke?"

"I have procured an astronomical telescope that His Majesty has been coveting for a long time. I waited a whole five months to have it imported from a foreign country. Now that things have turned out this way, I feel fortunate that I went to the trouble of preparing the gift. As I am in a position where I especially need to make a good impression on His Majesty the Emperor right now."

"An astronomical telescope? He wanted such a piece of junk? The emperor of the Moore Empire is really nothing special."

"Yuan! Shh!"

What on earth does this guy have to back him up to act so willfully? Gillon turned pale and placed his index finger on Yuan’s lips. Even though Yuan made a fuss, "Ptooey, ptooey!", Gillon was just worried about him.

"Watch your mouth. It’s the same outside, but in the Imperial Palace, there are ears everywhere."

"I got it."

Yuan retorted, rubbing his lips vigorously with the back of his hand. Oh, you precious child... Gillon swallowed a sigh.

While they were bickering, the Hexion and Cecilia couple, the princes, and the imperial concubines finished their greetings. Finally, it was Yuan and Gillon’s turn.

"We are honored to see His Majesty the Emperor, the sun of the Empire, Her Majesty the Empress, the moon of the Empire, and the Imperial Concubines."

Gillon greeted them calmly, then discreetly nudged the small of Yuan’s back from behind. Yuan also muttered the same greeting as Gillon and bowed perfunctorily.

"Have Duke Blake and Marquis Hampton come as partners?"

The emperor asked, as if surprised. It was a superb act of pretending not to know, even though he must have known they were partners before even entering the banquet hall.

"That is correct. We somehow formed a good bond and ended up attending as partners. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Gillon smiled without a shadow of a doubt.

"The two of you, being so tall and handsome, look like a picture together. But... aren’t both Duke Blake and Marquis Hampton alphas?"

The empress asked, blinking her eyes slowly. The empress, Hexion’s mother, was famous for her sharp political sense and strategic prowess. Gillon hid his nervousness and laughed even louder.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Her Majesty the Empress has spoken correctly. We are both alphas. But I have found that the heart does not follow one’s manifestation. I, too, am surprised every day."

"Oh my, I knew Duke Blake was a romantic and deeply devoted person, but this is truly amazing."

"Indeed. After being celibate for over 20 years, the partner he suddenly brings is a fellow dominant alpha male? Hoho, the Duke always surprises me. Or is it the Marquis who is surprising me? For he has opened the heart of the iron-walled Duke Blake."

As the empress and emperor exchanged remarks, Yuan let out a smirk. He bowed slightly in a show of courtesy and replied. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"As Your Majesty is well aware, I always make only the right choices. And you also know how strong and wise I am."

"...?"

Gillon turned to look at Yuan in disbelief. Is this guy... boasting about himself in front of the emperor?