Isekai: Princess Marquess Becomes Entrepreneur of Tempe

Chapter 67. Disillusioned

One week earlier, in the city of Rudiyart.

"Oh, God!! Arthur!! What's the matter, son??"

Duchess Nania shouted hysterically when she found her son's body covered in blood. His clothes were torn here and there, and scratches and cuts were also visible.

For a year, Nania had not seen her only son covered in blood like that. The woman is grateful for the presence of Elona Locke in Arthur's life, which can change the nature and behavior of her child.

But this afternoon, Arthur was like returning to his previous self, who loved to hunt with a grimace. What was different was simply, a deep sadness emanated from his eyes.

Arthur walked up the stairs and sat at the bottom of the tiller. The man immediately covered his face with both hands.

Nania who was in the top step step saplings immediately went down and approached him. Looking up close, his son's back shook like he was crying.

The mother immediately sat down next to Arthur and rubbed his shoulders. "Art... What's wrong?" ask carefully.

"I'm guilty of Elona, ma'am... I don't deserve him." the sound of a stifled sobbing seeped from his son's lips. He still slid his face between his hands and knees.

"That's how? Is he mad at you? You guys quarreling?" ask Nania further.

"Yes, Mum... But he didn't do anything to me, it was me who was angry with him." explained Arthur.

Nania smiled hearing that. The woman did not expect her son who was always naughty and brutal to his game animal, it turned out to be able to submit to a girl. Nania also stroked Arthur's head which had the same golden hair color as her.

"Mom doesn't know what happened to you, but if you feel guilty about her, apologize. Elona's a good boy, she'll forgive you."

"It's not that easy, Mom... This time my mistake was too big. I've hurt her heart without knowing the misery she's going through. I've been selfish, Mom... I don't deserve her anymore..."

"What's this?" a voice entered the room. Ron Eckart had just returned home from his meeting with business colleagues, when he found his wife and son sitting on the steps.

"Dad..."

Arthur lifted his face. His red, puffy eyes could not hide. Ron who saw the look of his son like that immediately walked over.

"Eh, what's up? What the hell's going on? Nania, what's going on?"

Asked so by her husband, Nania could only shrug her shoulders and shake her head in ignorance.

Arthur looked at his father's face seriously and asked, "Dad, can I be crowned duke, without having to have a fiancee first?"

"What's? Arthur, but why?! Fight for Elona first! Don't give up that way!" Nania yells in disbelief, but Arthur doesn't listen. He was waiting for an answer from his father.

"could. But later the affairs of household and family management will be a burden for you if there is no wife. Plus, the other girls that you've been thinking of as bullies, will be getting closer to you. Are you willing?"

Ron asked hesitantly, but was answered with a nod of his head by his son. "I'm ready, Dad. Let's have a coronation in the capital."

This made Nania even more surprised. "Arthur, think again! If you don't chase Elona back from now on, you won't be able to go back to her forever!"

"Already, Mom..." Arthur stepped up from his seat and walked upstairs and continued, "Elona can still get a man who is more worthy than me..."

"Whose other man is faster than you?! You are a duke's son! The duke's other family his son already has all the partners, unlike you! Arthur!!"

However, Nania's shout was only considered as the last wind, making the woman even more anxious about her son's behavior.

"Huh, you son! The turn of hunting alone he did not want to lose, but if it was about women why he became so mushy! I'm the one who tastes bad!" nania said furiously.

"Oh, he's an adult. Let him take responsibility for his own choice!" Ron said he tried to calm his wife, but instead got a glint of anger.

"Can't be so! I want Elona to be my daughter-in-law, not another! You're the same as your son Arthur it's the same!!"

"Lho, how am I wrong?"

Nania breezes into the room, leaving Ron alone.

*****

Currently, in the royal palace hall, in the capital.

"To Lord Arthur Eckart, welcome to advance to the front of the throne." a secretary to King Valcke asked Arthur to approach the king.

Once in the courtyard, Arthur is immediately enveloped by a thick fur coat, which symbolizes majesty and holiness. In the Kingdom of Lightz, the only ones to receive this kind of coronation were from the rank of Duke and King. So honorable this event, so that all nobles want to participate in his session.

The grand magus priest was also present in giving a blessing and recitation of holy prayers. After dripping the crown of Arthur's head with holy water, the priest's hands extended a book before the prospective duke.

"Put both your hands on this holy book, and close your eyes." orders the grand magus, followed by Arthur.

"Follow my words: I swear, that I will keep the good name of the kingdom and the dominion which he has entrusted to me. I swear, will devote myself to the people of the Kingdom of Lightz and His Majesty King Valcke as the legitimate descendants of the leader of the Kingdom of Lightz. Wouldn't betray, and wouldn't ignore them."

"I swear." said Arthur, then followed by a series of swear words just uttered by the grand magus.

When he was finished, the pastor walked away from Arthur with his book. Then Arthur knelt down. The king rose from the throne, approached Arthur and pulled the sword blade from the sheath to the left of his waist. The blade of the sword is thrust on both shoulders Arthur alternately while saying, saying,

"With this, Arthur Eckart, has officially become the Duke of the Kingdom of Lightz. Do your job well."

"Ready-done!"

As soon as Arthur said that, immediately the spacious hall was filled with cheers and applause. The music group sang a tone of respect, a sign the coronation was over.

*****

His Majesty King Valcke invited the audience to enjoy the event, as he returned to his room to rest.

Arthur answered one by one as much as he could, but clearly he could not cover the void in his eyes. In his heart he hoped that among the crowd of girls, there was a figure of Elona in between. But obviously that's impossible. Elona must be busy at Armelin. There was no way he could be present at the duke's coronation event held in the capital.

Even so, Arthur's two eyes continued to circulate his gaze.

They were all nothing like Elona. I miss the face of Elona whose aura still looks beautiful despite sweating due to the heat in the field. As for all of them who were here, how could possibly know that.

Ah, that one over there. Who is he? It's like Elona... Did I start hallucinating because I kept thinking about her? It can't be Elona...

But why is he so similar?

Why is she crying when she looks at me?!

Arthur rubbed his eyes violently, trying to make sure that what he saw was real or not. But the girl shed tears in blank stare as she looked at Arthur. The man widened his eyes as soon as he realized the figure of the girl.

"Elona...?"

And the doubt became certain, when the girl immediately ran away with her disappointed face, and was followed by Louis Vandyke who was chasing behind her while half shouting.

"Elona, wait!!" call Louis.

Louis's call to the girl instantly made Arthur rush through the crowd of girls who were blocking his way. The man tried to chase after Elona from behind the crowd, but could not. Only Louis managed to be near her at this moment.

"That was Elona?! Is she really Elona? In the capital??" arthur asked his former rival. Louis nodded his head.

"Fast catch up with him! Elona looked extremely disappointed and furious at this moment!!"

*****

At Locke's residence, in the capital.

"Elona? What the hell is going on?? What's the matter, honey?"

Iris was so surprised to find her sister-in-law running into the house while crying bitterly. Iris just rested in the room because she was nauseous. He thought that Elona was in his room.

Elona looked at Iris with a pushy voice, saying to her sobs, "Sister Iris is evil! Brother did it to me on purpose!!"

"Huh? What was? What am I wrong?" asked the confused Iris not understanding.

"Sister Iris knows right, that Art is actually a duke's son, right? That's why, big brother wants me to be close to him, is that it? Why did you hide your identity from me?! Why??"

"Eh, Elona, I-I"

Without waiting for more explanation, Elona climbed the stairs to her room on the second floor. Iris was really surprised and wondered why Elona could find out the truth.

Shortly afterwards, the sound of a horse-drawn carriage stopped in the front yard, and someone entered the room. Iris looked at Art who was dressed in a full white-coat, with various royal emblems on his chest and arms. The clothes were so official as if they had just been facing the king.

"Arthur?! Why are you dressed like that?" Iris asked her cousin. But instead of answering, Arthur asked back.

"Where is Elona now?"

"He ran upstairs crying. What is this really??"

"I've just been crowned duke in my father's place. Then I saw Elona attending her invitation and was shocked to see me. Where's Stefan? Why isn't she present but Elona!"

"Stefan was in Armelin, there was a fire explosion at the factory" Iris explained briefly.

"What?! And what about Elona?"

"That's why he asked Stefan to come here to calm down, but this happened instead! I'm sorry to help you keep your identity a secret! Now Elona is also getting pissed at me!!"

Arthur was stunned to hear Iris' words. He just wanted to get away from Elona. But as soon as she saw Elona crying for her mistake again, and also when she heard the misfortune that had befallen the girl, she became even more guilty.

Without thinking long and without permission, Arthur just entered the stairs to the second floor, to find Elona's room. By asking the servants who passed by while running, he managed to find the girl's room that was tightly locked from inside.

"Elona, it's me! Open the door, please! I'll explain everything! You want to forgive me or not, that's your right. At least, give me a chance to explain!"

Only silence is welcomed. Arthur knocked on his door again.

"Elona.. please! Listen to my explanation this time! Elona!"

"Art, stop." Iris stopped the actions of Arthur who had earlier banged on Elona's room without any results. "Go home first. Let me persuade him."

"But-"

"That's it. He needs to calm himself down. Now go home first."

Arthur thought for a moment before deciding and said, "No. I'll stay outside to wait for him to open his room."

"Have you heard that, Elona?!" arthur asked half-screaming at the door of the girl's room. "I'll stay around here until you listen to my explanation!!"

From inside the room, Elona clearly heard the man's words. He peeked out the window. Unlike in Armelin, on the outside of her bedroom window in the capital there were no trees standing opposite her. The window of her room immediately faced the front fence of the house, and it was there that Art was waiting, looking at the window of Elona's room from a distance.

Elona peeks at him a little, then quickly closes the window curtain, blocking Arthur's view. The man stood there alone, until the rain poured down on him.

*****

...\=\= original writing by @author.ryby \=\=...

...\=\= cover art by @fuheechi_ \=\=...