The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 17: An Offensive Proposal

Chapter 17: An Offensive Proposal

The next day, Eleanor did not attend the pig prince’s dinner.

With the interest repayment deadline looming, she placed her final hopes on attending a dinner and ball hosted by the Granblue family.

The vast ballroom of Duke Granblue’s estate was elegantly decorated, bustling with many nobles.

Eleanor, escorted by Alexander, walked through the room with a tense expression.

Tonight was a crucial night for her.

A dinner to meet Alexander’s father, Duke Granblue, and plead for aid.

This was her last hope.

“Are you alright?”

Alexander asked softly.

His hand rested supportively on her back.

“Yes…”

Eleanor gave a faint smile.

In truth, she was far from alright.

Four days remained until the deadline.

She felt time slipping away.

And then, the person she feared most came into view.

Prince Victor.

He held court in a corner of the ballroom, already surrounded by many nobles.

To her shock, he was accompanied by two beautiful women.

One was a mature woman, the other a girl around Eleanor’s age.

Both were dressed in luxurious attire, exuding refined poise, but their presence at the prince’s side suggested…

“His mistresses, no doubt.”

Eleanor muttered without thinking.

For royalty to bring mistresses to a public event was an unprecedented breach of etiquette.

But for Prince Victor, it was hardly surprising.

“Miss Eleanor!”

Her thoughts were interrupted by the prince’s booming voice.

Noticing her, he grinned and approached.

The two women followed him.

“Well, Prince Victor.”

Eleanor responded coldly.

“How are you faring?”

“Splendidly!”

The prince spoke loudly, heedless of the surrounding gazes.

“I was terribly disappointed you declined my dinner yesterday.”

Eleanor felt her face flush.

She had sent a polite refusal to Earl Silver’s proposal.

But for the prince to mention it publicly was humiliating.

“Your Highness…”

She chose her words carefully.

“Such matters…”

“No worries!”

Victor said cheerfully.

“I’m always waiting for you.”

His words drew soft chuckles from nearby nobles.

Eleanor’s cheeks burned.

“I realized the castle might be too conspicuous. My apologies.”

The prince continued.

“As an apology, take this.”

He offered a small box.

It was a finely carved jewelry box, adorned with small gems.

She couldn’t imagine what was inside.

“I cannot accept it.”

Eleanor said firmly.

“It’s a surprise, locked by magic for a few hours.”

The prince grinned.

“A treat for when you’re home.”

Eleanor glanced at Alexander.

Anger was evident on his face, but in a social setting, he couldn’t openly defy the prince.

“Your Highness, such a…”

“It’s custom-made. Please accept it.”

The prince’s voice carried a commanding tone.

Reluctantly, Eleanor took the box. She recognized its intrinsic value but despised herself for even briefly anticipating its contents.

“Thank you.”

She offered perfunctory thanks.

The prince smiled with satisfaction and continued.

“For next time, I’ve arranged a discreet high-end restaurant.”

“Next time?”

Eleanor frowned.

“Operated by Earl Silver.”

Hearing that name, Eleanor’s body tensed.

Earl Silver… that man’s name again.

She began to suspect a connection between the prince and Silver.

“I truly just want to enjoy a dinner.”

The prince said in a feigned innocent tone.

“But it comes with luxurious accommodations, so feel free to drink and stay the night.”

At his blatant invitation, Eleanor’s face reddened.

She felt her cheeks heat with anger and embarrassment.

“Your Highness!”

Alexander stepped forward.

“Such remarks are…”

“Unrelated, but…”

Victor continued, ignoring their reactions.

“My body is large, but that part is even larger than most.”

Eleanor couldn’t believe her ears.

To speak so crassly in public…

“It might be tough for a first-time lady, but once accustomed, it’s quite addictive, they say.”

“What are you talking about?”

Unable to contain her anger, Eleanor raised her voice.

“Oh, I mean the size of my heart.”

The prince laughed innocently.

“Some women can’t handle my big heart at first, but once they do, they’re captivated by its magnitude.”

“Utter nonsense!”

Eleanor’s suppressed anger finally erupted.

“Cease your vulgar jests! I question your dignity!”

Her words silenced the room.

To openly criticize a prince was unprecedented.

Yet, instead of anger, the prince laughed gleefully.

“Miss Eleanor, I love your honesty.”

His words only fueled her rage.

“I’ll be waiting at the restaurant every night for the next four days.”

With that, he left with his two women.

“Four days…”

Eleanor grasped the meaning.

He knew.

He knew the Frostheart family’s debt repayment deadline was four days away.

“He knows everything…”

Eleanor said in a trembling voice.

The prince was fully aware of her family’s plight.

And he was exploiting it.

His humiliating proposal was all calculated.

“Eleanor, are you okay?”

Alexander placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Yes… but that prince…”

She faltered.

Alexander’s expression was grim.

“His behavior is unforgivable. But as a prince, confronting him directly…”

“I understand.”

Eleanor nodded faintly.

Openly opposing royalty would only worsen her family’s situation.

“Let’s speak with my father.”

Alexander took her hand.

“There must be a way…”

Eleanor tried to hold onto hope, but deep in her heart, anxiety spread.

The prince’s words, Earl Silver’s involvement, and the looming deadline.

Everything was closing in on her.

“Yes… let’s talk with him.”

Eleanor nodded weakly. But in her heart, she harbored great doubts about how much the duke could help her.

In the face of this world’s cruel reality, love and pride seemed all too fragile and fleeting.

—

Duke Edward Granblue gazed out the window of his study at the castle’s garden.

The evening light illuminated flowers that once shone brightly.

But now, with fewer gardeners, their former beauty had faded.

“Father.”

His son Alexander’s voice made the duke turn around.

“Come in.”

Alexander entered with Eleanor Frostheart.

Her face was filled with tension and anxiety.

The duke invited them to sit and settled heavily into his own chair.

“I understand what you wish to discuss.”

The duke let out a deep sigh.

“The Frostheart family’s situation.”

“Yes, Father.”

Alexander leaned forward.

“At the dinner earlier, we met Prince Victor. He was… toward Eleanor…”

“I’ve heard of the prince’s behavior.”

The duke cut off his son.

“Have you forgotten I have eyes and ears in the court?”

“My apologies.”

Alexander drew back.

“Duke.”

Eleanor spoke in a small voice.

“Could you please help my family?”

Her voice carried a desperate plea.

The duke looked at her, choosing his words carefully.

“I want to help my son’s fiancée.”

The duke said quietly.

“But…”

His words trailed off.

He glanced at the stack of papers on his desk.

Reports detailing the Granblue family’s financial state.

Red numbers lined up, with graphs showing a steady decline in assets.

“Our house faces similar straits.”

Hope drained from Eleanor’s face.

“Is there no way at all?”

Her voice trembled.

“Please… my family… my sister…”

“Miss Eleanor.”

The duke spoke gently but firmly.

“Your family needs 500,000 gold coins. That amount exceeds half of our current liquid assets.”

“But Father, if we sell some assets…”

“I’ve considered that.”

The duke turned to his son.

“But in today’s market, asset values have plummeted. Selling would lead our house to the same fate.”

Disappointment crossed Alexander’s face.

“But surely there’s another way…”

“Son, think calmly.”

The duke pressed his forehead, weary.

“When I think of your sister, your mother, your younger brother… I have no room to save my eldest son, let alone another family.”

“Another family…”

Eleanor’s voice quivered.

The duke regretted his choice of words.

“I didn’t mean it that way. Miss Eleanor, you’re my son’s fiancée and dear to me.”

But it was clear her heart was already wounded.

“I understand.”

She said, trying to be strong.

“Of course, protecting your own family comes first.”

“Eleanor…”

Alexander reached for her hand, but she pulled away.

“In fact, this dinner was partly to seek new investors.”

The duke explained, almost desperately.

“I invited wealthy merchants and nobles to attract investment.”

“Father, you mean…”

Alexander looked shocked.

He likely hadn’t realized the severity of their situation.

“The times are changing.”

The duke continued quietly.

“The value of magic stones is falling, and the power of traditional nobles is waning. We must adapt or perish.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

Tears welled in Eleanor’s eyes.

“I see…”

She finally spoke.

“I’m sorry for not meeting your expectations.”

“Miss Eleanor…”

She stood.

“I’ll find a way myself.”

“How?”

Alexander asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

“I… I’ll figure it out.”

Eleanor’s expression was resolute, but her eyes held a glimmer of despair.

“Miss Eleanor, there must be other options.”

The duke tried to stop her.

“Negotiating with Earl Silver again, perhaps…”

“I won’t turn to the earl again.”

She said firmly.

“There’s something behind his proposals.”

“That’s…”

The duke fell into thought.

“There’s no time.”

Resignation mixed with Eleanor’s voice.

“In four days… our house…”

Her words caught, and she suddenly burst into tears.

“Eleanor!”

Alexander tried to embrace her, but Eleanor twisted away.

“Excuse me.”

With that, she fled the room.

A heavy silence fell between Alexander and the duke.

“Father…”

Alexander’s voice carried reproach.

“Son, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Is that truly so? 500,000 gold coins…”

“That amount would endanger the Granblue family’s future.”

“Eleanor is my future!”

Alexander’s voice echoed through the room.

The duke understood his son’s anger.

The frustration of being unable to help his young love.

But he also wanted his son to understand his duty as head of the family.

“Alexander, listen…”

“No more.”

His son spoke coldly and left the room.

The duke was left alone again.

“How frustrating that I can’t do more…”

He murmured, sinking wearily into his chair.

He wanted to help his son’s fiancée.

But he also had to protect his own family.

Caught between these conflicting desires, he suffered.

“Our house may not have much time left either…”

Market shifts, new products, the falling value of magic stones… the foundations of the Granblue family’s prosperity were crumbling.

A knock came at the study door.

“Come in.”

The duke called out, and a butler entered.

“Your Grace, Earl Silver has arrived.”

The duke looked up, surprised.

“Earl Silver? That wasn’t scheduled…”

“He says he’s here to discuss financing.”

At those words, a ray of hope flickered in the duke’s heart.

The timing was peculiar, but perhaps…

“I’ll meet him at once.”

The duke stood, adjusting his attire.

Earl Silver was a new noble, but his wealth was among the greatest in the kingdom.

Depending on this negotiation, the future of the Granblue family—and perhaps the Frostheart family—might change.

“Show him in.”

Following the butler, the duke headed to the guest room.

His heart was filled with both expectation and caution about what this meeting might bring.

“Earl Silver says he’ll be staying the night.”

The butler’s words surprised the duke slightly.

But business discussions could stretch long.

Especially if they concerned financing…

“Prepare the finest room.”

The duke ordered.

There’s a saying that the end of money is the end of ties.

Right now, a good relationship with Earl Silver was essential.

Eleanor’s and Alexander’s disappointed faces lingered in his mind, but the duke steeled himself and moved forward.

For the future of his house, harsh decisions were sometimes necessary.

“Earl Silver… what will this meeting with you bring…”

The duke murmured quietly as he climbed the stairs to the guest room.