Chapter 36
Dave’s complexion shifted through a spectrum of sickly shades, settling on a bruised mixture of crimson and indigo. The sting of public shame was written plainly across his features. It was easy to guess the thoughts churning behind his eyes; he was clearly revolted by the notion of offering a formal apology to the daughter of a mere marquis—especially one plagued by such unsavory rumors.
While he bore a striking physical resemblance to Empress Carmi, he evidently lacked her talent for maintaining a composed facade. Spoiled heirs rarely possess the discipline for emotional restraint, a fact no one understood better than his mother.
“Grand Duke Frazier,” Empress Carmi interjected, stepping forward to intervene. She cast a meaningful look at her son, causing Dave to retreat, his teeth audibly grinding in frustration. She attempted to minimize the incident, suggesting that since neither child had yet reached their debutante age, the entire matter should be viewed as a simple misunderstanding between youths—a minor clash of temperaments that could be overlooked.
Assis Grand Duke Frazier turned his attention toward her. A heavy silence settled over the room, though it lacked the sharp edge of a typical standoff. Instead, the atmosphere felt lopsided. The Grand Duke’s expression remained entirely detached, like a man casually holding a rope with one hand while his opponent strained with both. It was glaringly obvious who held the power in this exchange.
Even though the Empress surely realized he viewed her as an inferior, her mask of warmth never faltered. That unwavering, pleasant smile sent a chill through me. It was the same expression she likely wore while tormenting the Crown Prince in the shadows, ensuring her cruelty remained a private affair.
“The son of the Empress,” the Grand Duke began. As the highest-ranking noble in the Briyang Empire, he was the only individual who could address her without the requirement of formal titles. He fixed her with a gaze as piercing as a raptor’s. “Kicked a person in the gut because of a ‘clash of wills’?”
He didn’t stop there, his words cutting like a surgeon’s blade. “He struck a young lady in the solar plexus. If this represents the height of gentlemanly conduct, I find myself wondering who provided his education.”
Empress Carmi’s poise remained unbroken. “The Second Prince’s instruction in the arts of etiquette was overseen by His Majesty the Emperor himself,” she countered smoothly. It was a masterful stroke of rhetoric, using her beauty and silver tongue to shield herself behind the Emperor’s authority. Any other high-ranking lord would have backed away at the mention of the sovereign.
However, she had failed to account for the temperament of Assis Grand Duke Frazier—the most formidable man in my world.
“In that case,” the Grand Duke replied coolly, “let us depart for the Imperial Palace immediately so I may consult His Majesty on the matter.”
The Empress’s composure finally wavered.
“She is a lady, a noble, and above all, a human being,” he continued, his voice firm. “My granddaughter represents all three. I wish to hear from the Emperor personally if he truly instructed the Prince to kick her in the stomach during a disagreement.”
“Grand Duke Frazier!” she cried out. For the first time, the affection vanished from her tone, replaced by a sharp note of panic. Her hands began to tremble as her carefully constructed mask fell away. She stammered that the fault lay with her for failing to supervise the Prince properly and begged him not to bother the Emperor with such trifles while he was occupied with state business.
“The welfare of the Empire’s citizens is a matter of state,” the Grand Duke countered, his intent unwavering. Seeing that he would not be swayed and that the evidence of the assault was undeniable, the Empress turned a pale, furious face toward her son.
“Dave!” she snapped.
“Yes… Mother?” he stammered.
“Offer your apologies to His Grace at once! And to Lady Tulia Frazier as well!”
Later, as our carriage rolled away, I spoke up tentatively. “Grandfather? I thought we were going to the Imperial Palace, but we’ve returned to the White Tower instead.”
He let out a sharp click of his tongue. “That Ruk… he can’t keep a secret to save his life.”
Ruk chuckled from the side. “It is the truth, though, Your Grace. You mentioned it would be unwise to leave your young granddaughter alone before her debut and decided to drop the matter.”
“The man would keep talking even if he were underwater,” the Grand Duke grumbled.
I felt a surge of quiet confusion. Was he actually concerned for my well-being? The legendary Assis Grand Duke Frazier? It was a startling realization, but I had other worries on my mind.
“Grandfather,” I said softly, “were you perhaps a bit too aggressive with the Empress and the Prince? Forcing an apology like that…”
He looked at me, his dark green eyes appearing more shadowed than usual. “Does the Second Prince frighten you?”
“No,” I admitted. “His Highness isn’t scary. He’s just… foolish.” I took a breath, deciding to be honest since he had defended me so fiercely. “It’s Empress Carmi I fear.”
He watched me for a moment before asking a question that seemed to come out of nowhere. “Do you like that ornament the Empress gave you?”
I looked down at the heavy gold hairpin in my palm, glittering with sapphires and diamonds. It was an incredibly valuable piece that she had forced upon me, claiming I would one day be the crown jewel of high society. Receiving jewelry directly from the Empress was usually a monumental honor, but given the circumstances, it felt tainted.
I remembered how I hadn’t dared touch it until I sought his permission. When the Grand Duke had let out a short laugh at my hesitation, I had seen the Empress’s eyes turn cold. I knew where my true loyalty had to lie; he was the one holding my leash. Besides, I couldn’t bring myself to trust a woman who could smile while beating the Crown Prince bloody.
“I do like it,” I said, hoping he might take the hint and offer me something better.
“Tulia Frazier,” he said, using my full name. “Did you hesitate to take it because you thought I would be angry?”
“Not at all,” I replied quickly, shaking my head. “I am your granddaughter. It’s only right that I value your opinion over hers.” I made sure to emphasize our family connection. Despite the whispers that I wasn’t truly my father’s child, I needed him to see me as his own. I hoped that the time he spent raising me would outweigh any doubts about my lineage. “After all, our eyes are nearly the same color, aren’t they?”
The Grand Duke remained stoic, but Ruk broke into a laugh. “The young lady certainly has a way with words. Her eloquence is unmatched.”
A tiny, almost imperceptible curve touched the Grand Duke’s lips, suggesting he was pleased. “Rhetoric is a tool of the high-born. Tell me, Tulia, what did you think of the Empress?”
“She seemed regal and lovely,” I answered carefully, “but also freezing and heartless.”
“Heartless, you say?”
I didn’t mention Ferdinand, but I added that beneath her kind exterior, she seemed capable of great cruelty. “But I suppose that’s what it takes to stay at the top of the social hierarchy, isn’t it?”
The Grand Duke stared out the window at the fading rain. “Expensive trinkets and the ability to dictate to others are superficial things,” he said quietly. “True nobility requires a soul filled with righteousness, a grander purpose, and an unwavering sense of grace. Only those who carry that in their hearts truly stand at the summit.”
I started to agree, but the loneliness in his profile stopped me. He looked stripped of his power, appearing more like a man burdened by memory than a ruler of the Empire. I toyed with the gold hairpin, thinking of someone who might have fit that description.
“Like Grandmother?” I whispered.
The Grand Duke snapped his head around, his gaze sharp and intense as it landed on me.
