Chapter 63
“Empress.”
The Emperor’s voice was low and calm, but within it lay a clear warning.
“Today is meant to celebrate Your Majesty’s birthday. Do not spoil the essence of this banquet by raising matters unbefitting of the occasion.”
At that, the Empress finally put a hand to her lips with an awkward expression.
“Oh… it seems I have made a mistake.”
Feigning ignorance, she continued.
“Grand Duke, I apologize. I must have gotten carried away when I saw you arrive with the children, since you so rarely attend banquets. I thought at last you had found a proper heir to inherit the Decarte lineage. I misspoke.”
The Empress offered her apology with grace.
But even within that apology lay another dagger aimed at Serdian’s legitimacy.
A brief silence fell, and then Elbadin exhaled slowly before answering in a cold voice.
“The reason I brought the children chosen by the elite corps to this banquet was because it overlapped with the Grand Duke household’s field training period. Furthermore, His Majesty expressed his wish to see the children currently being educated under our household.”
The Emperor nodded.
“That’s correct.”
“I merely honored that request. Of course, I did not expect Her Majesty the Empress to misunderstand it so. And…”
Elbadin paused.
The entire hall held its breath at his silence.
Though Elbadin stood motionless facing the Empress, a faint pressure leaked from him, rippling across the hall like waves, making the atmosphere even heavier.
“Your Majesty the Empress… it seems you misunderstand the nature of Decarte’s legitimacy.”
His voice was quiet, yet firm.
The Empress narrowed her gaze at him, and Elbadin replied even more slowly, his voice dropping lower.
“Decarte’s legitimacy is not bound by blood alone.”
“…”
“It is proven through the strength and qualities necessary to guard the harsh North.”
Then Elbadin gently pulled Serdian forward by the shoulder to stand at his side.
“And here stands the heir of House Decarte—my son.”
“…!”
At the word “son” from Elbadin’s lips, Lucilea’s eyes widened in shock.
But none was more surprised than Serdian himself.
His shoulder flinched slightly.
He tried desperately to control his expression so as not to betray his confusion.
With one hand resting on Serdian’s shoulder, Elbadin continued.
“Serdian Decarte has proven his worth with his own hands. No one has the right to question his legitimacy. To do so would be to deny both the history of Decarte and the decision of its head—me.”
It was a declaration brimming with the unyielding pride that only the Grand Duke’s household could display—even if it meant standing against the Empress herself.
The Empress gripped the armrest of her chair tightly.
“Grand Duke, I—”
“Your Majesty the Emperor. Your Majesty the Empress.”
“…”
Elbadin cut her words short, lifting his chin slightly, his gaze locked on the Empress.
“This child’s very existence is the new legitimacy of Decarte.”
It was a final, decisive blow.
With those words, Elbadin completely overturned the Empress’s definition of “legitimacy.”
Bloodline, an innate condition, was redefined into ability and merit—a proof earned.
He was declaring, in the heart of the imperial palace, who his heir was and why.
The gentle smile that had lingered on the Empress’s face was nowhere to be seen.
At last, Elbadin inclined his head lightly.
“I trust this clears Your Majesty’s misunderstanding.”
“…”
The Empress could not utter a single reply.
She barely managed to maintain a stiff smile.
Wow… isn’t this what you’d call utterly crushing her?
The attention that had been poured onto Lucilea because of the Empress’s reckless remark shifted instantly toward Serdian.
And in a decidedly favorable way.
Until now, Serdian had been nothing more than a boy of unknown origin, unrecognized as the heir of the Grand Duke household.
That was his standing.
But now—
Serdian was declared, by the Grand Duke himself, as his acknowledged successor.
It was the very outcome Lucilea had dreamed of.
Not just an heir in name, but one who truly held the reins of power!
In this moment, Elbadin had placed that sword of authority directly into Serdian’s hands.
So this is… the Grand Duke’s house.
The kind that could speak its mind even in front of the Emperor and Empress.
This was the true power of House Decarte!
Lucilea looked up at Elbadin’s back, broad and immovable like a great mountain.
Today, more than ever, that back looked reliable and unshakable.
***
Once all the nobles had offered their greetings, the Emperor and Empress departed the hall.
The Emperor privately summoned Elbadin to apologize again for the Empress’s misunderstanding and mistake.
It was an issue he could have brushed aside, yet the Emperor insisted on apologizing once more—a gesture showing his respect for the Grand Duke household.
Now, the banquet belonged solely to the nobles.
“At last, I can eat in peace!”
Lucilea exclaimed as she returned with a plate piled high with food.
At her words, Irnel chuckled in disbelief.
Did she ever look uneasy from the very first plate?
Lucilea leaned toward her sister and whispered.
“Sis, let’s go eat out on the balcony.”
Irnel followed her gaze.
At the far end of the hall stood the balcony entrance.
A yellow parrot was flapping one wing repeatedly there, as though signaling that the place was empty.
Clearly, Cookie had already checked it out.
Irnel stared at the parrot for a moment before shaking her head.
“I’ll stay here.”
“Huh? Why? Since when do you like noisy places like this?”
Lucilea asked, and Irnel’s eyes turned back to the hall.
Her gaze sharpened.
“This is something I need to remember.”
The banquet was a microcosm of noble society.
Which families allied with which, which were in decline, which were on the rise.
The exchange of glances, the expressions hidden behind smiles, the invisible boundaries and subtle tensions between them.
One day, when she would take on missions for the Grand Duke household, this experience would prove invaluable.
Wow…
Lucilea marveled inwardly at her sister’s focus as Irnel scanned the hall without blinking.
So Irnel plans to stay with the Grand Duke household, huh.
Unlike Lucilea, who had already planned to leave as soon as she came of age, Irnel’s resolve was different.
Lucilea decided to respect that.
“Fine, I’ll go alone then?”
“Yes, but don’t wander off anywhere else.”
“Okay. I’ll just be on the balcony.”
With that, Lucilea headed to where Cookie was waiting.
[Luci! Over here! Here, here!]
It’s empty here!!
Go now!
Lucilea slipped through the crowd and stepped out onto the balcony.
Thud—
The heavy balcony doors closed behind her, shutting out the banquet’s noise.
Instead, the chirring of insects filled the night.
Lucilea walked to the railing, glancing around.
So this is the palace garden…
She hadn’t had the chance to properly look at it, having been rushed nonstop since arriving at the palace.
Even the night sky is beautiful!
The capital’s night sky was different from that of the North.
Pitch-black, without a single gray cloud—so the stars shone all the brighter, glittering brilliantly.
The night air was cool, but not unpleasantly so—likely because spring was ending and summer was just beginning.
Lucilea set some fruits and nuts on the railing for Cookie.
Quiet and nice.
[Me too! It was way too crazy in there!]
I felt the same.
Lucilea picked up a pie from her plate and took a big bite.
Delicious as always!
Mmm~ She smiled contentedly as the sweetness spread in her mouth.
For a while, she lost herself happily in her food.
But then—
She sensed movement below the balcony.
Huh? Is someone down there?
Chewing slowly, Lucilea leaned over the railing, peeking down between the balustrades.
Cookie stuck his head out too.
Huh?
In the dark garden maze, someone was moving stealthily.
That man…
It was the same figure she had seen earlier inside the banquet hall.
That man with the cloak… the one who was alone, wasn’t he?
