Chapter 100
#100. A Family in Need of Conversation
Indeed, he was a more handsome man than the rumors suggested. At the same time, he was a Knight who exuded tremendous pressure.
Duke Kiwel swallowed hard as he looked at the Grand Duke.
Unlike his lips, which were curved in a languid smile, his red eyes were narrowed and sharp. It was as if he were trying to gauge Duke Kiwel's inner thoughts.
There was no need for a prolonged probing. Duke Kiwel carefully chose his words.
"...I never imagined that the one who stole our smiles would bestow one upon us in this way."
The formidable opponent who had turned Heferti into a defeated nation was now helping the Imperial Family avoid disgrace in front of the Heferti Delegation. Unprecedented events were continuously unfolding in the Franz Empire.
Should he become angry, or should he ignore it? Or perhaps... Duke Kiwel unknowingly clenched his fist. And the reaction that followed was the one he had most desired: laughter.
"As you know, Duke, it was not I, but His Imperial Majesty who achieved the victory. All the congratulatory speeches at the beginning of the banquet were directed at His Imperial Majesty."
The meaning behind the leisurely tone was clear. Duke Kiwel swallowed a sigh.
The Emperor's dog, Grand Duke Vikander.
The rumors that circulated in secret were rampant even in Heferti.
If he had fallen out with the Emperor for some reason, perhaps he and his homeland, Heferti, could become closer.
"...I came prepared for the worst, but I keep seeing only unexpected things."
"I hope they are positive ones."
"In many ways, I understand that you have rescued us from our predicament."
Duke Kiwel emphasized "in many ways."
The Duke was more than willing to express his gratitude to the Grand Duke simply for ensuring fair treatment of prisoners of war and the protection of civilians.
However, seeing the Grand Duke's face break into a grin as if he had been waiting for it, Duke Kiwel realized his mistake.
"In many ways, you say? I tend to collect my debts thoroughly."
"..."
"Of course, I also tend to repay debts generously."
It was a dangerous statement, as precarious as a double-edged sword.
An inscrutable smile, impossible to decipher, looked down at Duke Kiwel. Among the generous expressions that offered a choice, the phrase "repay debts generously" kept beckoning to Duke Kiwel.
The powerful Franz Empire, or the Grand Duke?
Perhaps it was a trap set by both the Empire and the Grand Duke.
Duke Kiwel gazed at the Grand Duke, who was smiling with dazzling brilliance, and slowly parted his lips.
"That's... fortunate."
The Grand Duke's smile deepened as the first syllable fell.
Duke Kiwel shrugged. In fact, the answer had already been decided.
From the moment he could no longer bear to watch the Emperor's clownish performance at the banquet and burst out laughing.
"...I also tend to collect debts with interest," he said.
From the moment the Grand Duke, who had been staring intently at him, smiled and shifted his gaze as if to seize control.
.
.
.
Duke Kiwel, having shown the utmost courtesy until the end, re-entered the banquet hall.
After watching Duke Kiwel's retreating figure, his head bowed stiffly, Howard looked at the Grand Duke with a gaze of awe for a moment.
He had no certainty that Duke Kiwel, who had a reputation for being unyielding even in Heferti, would agree to this reckless conversation. The Grand Duke, as if he had known this would happen from the beginning, simply shrugged.
"I hope this has conveyed our position well."
"Even if Duke Kiwel doesn't, there are many within the Heferti Delegation who harbor animosity toward the Empire. If the Duke, as the representative of the delegation, even mentions it, everyone will be stirred up."
"They harbor animosity?"
"The process by which the delegation came to be is too..."
Howard paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully.
"...sudden, isn't it?"
"Rude, more like. To the point of being foolish."
Edwin smiled coldly with his beautiful face.
The Emperor, drunk on arrogance, always placed only precious things in the hands of his child. He only took jewels and riches from Edwin's blood-soaked hands.
How easy must the world seem to the Crown Prince? He can do whatever he pleases, and the most precious things are abundant everywhere.
The Crown Prince, who failed to properly handle even the mere reception of the delegation at this banquet, had drunk a cup of poison.
"...Has there been any new contact from Bethany?"
The Grand Duke's voice grew softer. A brief shadow crossed Howard's face, which had been expressionless.
"No. She has not yet discovered the secret of 'that place' that the late Grand Duchess spoke of."
"Lord Interfield, why the disappointed face? It's a precious place that she's only just entered."
"...I apologize. I'm just impatient."
"It's alright even if Bethany hasn't discovered the secret. The hint might be here."
Howard swallowed hard at the Grand Duke's voice, laced with laughter. Even with the comforting words, Howard could not erase the anxious look from his face.
Edwin chuckled. Howard, who was usually so composed, mostly expressed his emotions when it came to matters concerning the Territory of Vikander. Among those, it was especially related to the 'White Crystal Mine' these days.
Edwin gazed into the distance for a moment.
The unforgettable voice of his mother echoed clearly in his ears.
"It's a secret passed down through generations only to the royalty of Lowell who have come of age. I hope the day comes soon when I can tell you this secret."
According to Olivia, there was a 'White Crystal Mine Document' in the Imperial Family's document archive that only royalty could view. Perhaps a hint about the secret was written there.
Edwin planned to seize the 'document' on this occasion, no matter what.
Whether it was to make the negotiations with Heferti as favorable as possible for Vikander, or to lower the mineral tax rate to an absurd degree. Or perhaps...
A dangerous thought flashed across his red eyes.
Meanwhile, Howard, who had not yet met the Grand Duke's eyes, spoke in a bright voice as if to change the atmosphere.
"Bethany says she will not give up and will continue to stay at the mine. Her enthusiasm is remarkable."
Howard glanced around again and lowered his voice. His voice became infinitely small, as if he were telling a secret.
"...In addition to discovering the secret of the late Grand Duchess, Bethany has another driving force."
"My marriage being moved up?"
"Did you know?"
Howard was taken aback by the nonchalant answer. He continued with a deflated expression.
"That's why everyone is being careful. No matter how the secret of the mine is revealed and we proceed as planned with the first goal, wouldn't Lady Jade still value etiquette and try to fulfill the one-year grace period regardless?"
At those words, Edwin smiled languidly.
"Once I become a Sovereign Prince, I won't be bound by etiquette, so it'll be fine."
"What do you mean by that...?"
Understanding slowly dawned on Howard's bewildered face. Edwin smiled and added,
"A woman who has ties to the Imperial Family cannot form a relationship with another noble for a year, right? But we have all the preparations ready, so if we discover the secret, we can become independent right away. Then it's a proposal as a Sovereign Prince, so strictly speaking, it's not 'another noble,' is it?"
A loophole that no one had thought of.
That loophole became a breakthrough and stimulated Edwin.
Howard blinked and said blankly, as if he had been caught off guard.
"...So, that's why you've always reacted lukewarmly, but now..."
"It's all for the best. Everything is falling into place perfectly, so from tomorrow, you'll see the landscape change dramatically."
Edwin was silent for a moment. From tomorrow, he thought. As he had said earlier, Olivia would probably go down to the Territory of Vikander at the latest by the day after tomorrow, or as early as tomorrow.
What on earth had caused this change of heart?
Edwin quickly reviewed the events from yesterday to today.
But all he could think of was Olivia's confident appearance, telling him to watch and see, and her dignified appearance as she emerged from the audience with the Princess after speaking with her.
Edwin swallowed a faint sigh.
He didn't care if she didn't get involved with the people of the Imperial Palace any further. In fact, he would be happy. But Edwin knew better than anyone else that suppressing something like that made a person desolate.
"What if I want to receive more apologies?"
Did she want to receive apologies, or did she want to forgive?
A strong and resilient Lady.
Edwin knew better than anyone else that beneath that exterior was Olivia, who had burst into tears in the middle of the night and said she had nowhere to go.
His lightly clenched hand gradually tightened.
His red eyes grew darker. He was usually quick-witted, but when it came to times like these, he didn't understand her inner thoughts at all.
At this moment, Edwin decided to quickly do what he could do for certain.
A complete severance from the Empire.
Fortunately, his goal was perfectly aligned with what was best for Olivia.
* * *
"Make sure the Princess's matter doesn't leak out!"
The Emperor's enraged roar erupted even through the closing door of the office.
Duke Madeleine stared blankly at the completely closed door.
The attendants standing in front of the door could not bring themselves to raise their heads.
"His Imperial Majesty seems very angry. Well, even I'm so angry that my body is trembling."
A familiar voice approached. It was Duke Elkin. The face, identical to the Empress, glared at Duke Madeleine, and then at Conrad, Jade, and the Viscount and his wife, as cunningly as a snake.
"Judging by the situation, I would think that Duke Madeleine is part of the Aristocratic Faction. How could an aristocrat of the Empire humiliate Her Highness the Princess in front of a foreign delegation...!"
Duke Elkin frowned, as if he couldn't say any more. He then knocked on the door of the office. Soon, permission was heard, and Duke Elkin entered the office.
Duke Madeleine gazed into the distance for a moment. As Duke Elkin had said, the Princess's authority had been undermined in front of the foreign delegation.
As the leader of the Imperial Faction, there were many things to do. The matter of Viscount Katangta and his wife, or the conversation with the delegation.
Numerous tasks filled his mind. But the words he spoke to Sir Huxley, the adjutant who was running towards him from afar, defied everyone's expectations.
"...Sir Huxley, would you arrange accommodations for the Viscount and his wife?"
"Yes? We have accommodations, Duke."
Viscount Katangta waved his hands in surprise. He had been emboldened earlier by having Lady Jade Madeleine behind him, but the situation was different now.
He had lost all his energy just from witnessing the Emperor's wrath. He wanted to return to his lodgings and rest as soon as possible. The Viscountess seemed to feel the same way, her hollow eyes glistening with tears.
But the Duke said calmly, with a composed expression, as if nothing had happened.
"We need to investigate this matter, so it's best if you stay with those we know."
"B-but..."
"Sir Huxley will guide you to a suitable place."
"...Send the Viscount and his wife back, Duke."
A calm voice opposed the Duke's words. It was Jade. Her face was so cold that it was hard to believe she had just experienced the Emperor's rage.
The Viscount and his wife, including Sir Huxley, were constantly glancing around. The atmosphere was strangely and sharply suffocating. Sir Huxley gestured towards Conrad.
Conrad was the only one who could resolve this situation now. Conrad, who would normally subdue Jade gently, was acting strangely today.
"...You."
Breaking the heavy silence, the Duke looked at Jade with a terribly calm gaze.
His son, whom he had known all his life, seemed like a complete stranger today.
"It seems I need to have a word with you now."
"...Let's go to the mansion. I would like to speak in your drawing room, Duke."
The son's voice, addressing him as Duke until the end, was unfamiliar. The Duke nodded.
.
.
.
Under the bright moonlight, three carriages that had departed from the Imperial Palace entered the Madeleine ducal residence.
The faces of the three men, reflected in the windows, were terribly similar, yet completely different.
