Hearing the muscular noble's words, Roland couldn't help but feel fed up. Of course, it had to be Eugene Lyon.
Out of all the candidates—who either ignored Roland or looked at him with disdain—this young marquis was the one who picked on him the most during every encounter.
The corners of Roland's mouth twitched slightly as he fiddled with his cuff.
"Thank you for your concern. As you can see, I'm still alive, Eugene Lyon," Roland replied sarcastically, offering a polite smile.
"Heh, no problem!" Eugene scoffed, casting his gaze away as he walked over to the sofa opposite Roland and plopped down.
This bastard... Roland felt his blood boil as he struggled to maintain his calm composure. If only I wasn't so weak and he wasn't built like a damn fortress, I'd love to give him a good smack in the face!
While this brief encounter unfolded, both the cold and refined Alice and her handsome knight remained unfazed. Alice casually picked up one of the square-shaped pastries from the table, nibbling on it.
In contrast, Enzo was practically fuming with rage. Despite his calm and calculating demeanor, he was actually quite emotional. However, as Roland's proxy, he often suppressed his feelings to better fit the role.
Touching the crystal monocle on his right eye, Enzo leaned forward and whispered to Roland, his voice laced with barely contained frustration. "When you become Emperor, the first thing you should do, in my opinion, is give that gorilla a proper punch."
"I couldn't agree more, Enzo," Roland replied with a soft, amused smile.
Great minds think alike! Roland mused inwardly.
Soon, a maid entered the room, carrying a porcelain teapot adorned with delicate golden engravings. With practiced grace, she poured steaming black tea into the exquisite porcelain cups set before the three young nobles.
Roland glanced at the hot cup of tea before him and picked it up with a calm, steady hand. Instantly, the tea's aroma enveloped him—bright, earthy, and tinged with a subtle sweetness.
Bringing the cup to his lips, the rich, dark liquid flowed into his mouth, coating it with warmth. He closed his eyes, savoring the complex flavors.
A very distinct taste—slightly malty and sweet, with a hint of smokiness. As expected of the Imperial Black Tea.
Roland thought.
The name wasn't just for show. Imperial Black Tea was a rare blend, its leaves cultivated almost exclusively for the imperial family. Its rich, layered flavor was a luxury few outside the palace ever experienced.
Next, Roland reached for the plate of pastries and picked out a circular one, biting into it with careful delight. The flaky crust crumbled perfectly, giving way to a rich, creamy filling that melted on his tongue. Like a true connoisseur, Roland was determined to savor every bite.
The perks of transmigrating into a noble aren't that bad! Roland thought happily, resisting the urge to grin like a fool.
After finishing the pastry, Roland couldn't help but reach for a second one. However, at that very moment, the door to the lounge swung open, drawing everyone's attention.
Standing at the threshold were the final two imperial candidates.
The first to enter was a handsome young man, slightly taller than Roland. He had striking crimson red hair and a pair of intense ruby-red eyes. His sharp, well-defined features lent him a naturally stern and commanding presence.
He was dressed in a sharp navy blue military outfit, tailored to perfection. Embroidered on the left side of his chest was a striking crest—a three-legged crow perched before a blazing sun. On the right, an array of medals and badges glittered, each one a testament to his military accomplishments.
Strapped to his waist was a sleek blade, its design eerily familiar to Roland. It closely resembled a katana from his original world, its sheath and hilt both a deep, unyielding red that almost seemed to glow under the light.
This young man was none other than the Ilios Empire's celebrated hero, Archduke Cryus Solaris. Over the past three years, during the Emperor's absence, the neighboring Frecil Empire had grown increasingly aggressive toward Ilios.
Though they had yet to officially declare war, their actions spoke volumes—they had begun amassing troops along the borders and covertly hiring bandits to raid Ilios supply shipment.
Similar to the imperial family, the former Archduke and Duchess vanished mysteriously one night, leaving behind a seventeen-year-old Cyrus to inherit both their title and the immense responsibilities that came with it.
During the turmoil that followed, Cyrus Solaris was dispatched to the front lines to repel the growing threat of bandit attacks. Despite his youth, he led his forces to victory time and time again, earning both the admiration of the people and the fear of his enemies. His relentless courage and sharp command on the battlefield earned him the title Archduke of Crimson—a name that echoed through the empire making him to most favored for the throne.
Behind the Archduke was a petite young girl who moved with a quiet, graceful air. Her long silver hair flowed like moonlight, catching the light with every step, while her emerald green eyes sparkled with warmth and curiosity. She wore a flowing green dress adorned with elegant frills, perfectly tailored to her small frame. Around her neck hung a golden necklace, its centerpiece a deep blue gem that shimmered like the night sky.
Her round cheeks still held traces of baby fat, giving her an innocent and endearing appearance. The gentle smile she wore only enhanced her charm, radiating a sense of calm and purity that contrasted starkly with the stoic presence of the man ahead of her.
Compared to Lady Alice's cold elegance and refined beauty, this young girl possessed a joyous and youthful charm. Where Alice stood as a poised noblewoman, graceful and untouchable, this girl seemed to glow with warmth and life, effortlessly drawing attention with her gentle smile and open expression.
She was none other than the only daughter of Marquis Augustus—Aurora Augustus.
It seems the rumors about Aurora and Cryus being engaged are true, Roland thought, watching the pair make their way toward the sofas.
"It seems all the sofas have been taken," the youthful Aurora said to Archduke Cryus, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
But… isn't there enough space for them to share a seat with either me or Eugene? Roland questioned inwardly, puzzled.
"Oi, Roland Eckhart. It's only right that you give up your seat for our war hero Archduke and his fiancée," Eugene said with a grin from across the table.
What? That scum... Roland fumed inwardly. Sure, it's true I should give up my seat for someone of higher status—but isn't Eugene the same rank as me? Why can't he give up his seat instead?!
At that moment, both Archduke Cryus and Aurora turned to look at Roland in silence, their gazes unreadable.
Dammit! If I point out that Eugene could also give up his seat, I'll come off as arrogant. Roland's thoughts raced. What do I do…
He was stuck in a dilemma.
The fear wasn't just about offending nobility—it was deeper than that. One wrong move, one misplaced word, and someone might start suspecting he wasn't truly Roland. And if that happened… well, dying and transmigrating twice was already traumatic enough. He wasn't eager to repeat the experience.
"I will give up my seat."
To everyone's surprise—except Archduke Cryus—the refined voice of Alice rang out.
"What? Forgive my arrogance, Lady Alice, but shouldn't Roland be the one offering his seat?" Eugene interjected with a smirk.
"It doesn't matter," Alice replied in her usual indifferent tone, standing up with grace. "Archduke Cryus outranks me as well. Besides..." She glanced briefly at Eugene, "...couldn't you have offered your seat too, Eugene Lyon?"
Both Archduke Cryus and Aurora didn't object as they made their way to Alice's former seat, sitting down together on the sofa.
Similarly, Alice walked over to Roland's sofa and sat down at the far end.
Why is the world of nobles so damn complicated... Roland couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Not long after, a butler entered the room, bowing politely before speaking.
"Candidates, the council is awaiting your presence. Please follow me."