Chapter 8
But contrary to his words, the Crown Prince’s expression was vicious. His eyes gleamed with killing intent, his clenched jaw twitching as his face hardened. It seemed that if anyone provoked him now, disaster would surely follow.
The reason Count Winhem remained as the prince’s confidant was because he was exceptional at soothing the prince’s temper.
“The Duchy of Daphania really ought to recognize His Highness’s great magnanimity.”
He bowed deeply as he spoke.
At that, the Crown Prince gave a scornful chuckle and resumed walking. His footsteps echoed down the corridor, calmer than before.
After a long stretch of silence, the Crown Prince suddenly spoke, as though something had occurred to him.
“That woman.”
“……?”
“The one who married Quinlan. She was from Roxburgh, wasn’t she?”
“Do you mean Lady Ludice, Duchess of Daphania?”
Count Winhem subtly left out the name of Daphania’s house.
Berzé noticed this too, but only let out a small, derisive laugh without commenting further.
“She and Quinlan don’t get along, do they?”
“The wedding itself was rather strained, and on the wedding day not a single member of the Roxburgh family showed up. Surely, she doesn’t hold much affection for the Duke. And no doubt, Duke Daphania himself wasn’t entirely pleased either.”
“……”
The Crown Prince fell into brief thought, then tossed out his next words casually, as though in passing.
“They say they didn’t even have a proper honeymoon and only reunited after a year. Let’s hope the Duke and Duchess can get along. But with all these meddling interferences, it must be troublesome. An old fiancé, that Roxburgh wastrel… there are so many things standing in the way of their marriage.”
“……”
The Count listened carefully, mentally tracing the names mentioned. Instead of replying, he only bowed his head deeply.
At last, the Crown Prince arrived before the Emperor’s inner chambers, lavishly decorated.
The guards and attendants posted outside bowed at once.
“His Majesty is expecting you. Please, come inside.”
With a slight nod from the Crown Prince, the guards opened the doors.
The doors to the Emperor’s chambers swung open like the gates of a fortress.
“Come in, Berzé.”
The Emperor did not even glance up as the Crown Prince entered.
Since his presbyopia, he had begun wearing spectacles, which he seemed to quite enjoy; nowadays, he often kept them on as he looked over documents—just as now.
Though he looked relaxed, seated on his long, gold-trimmed chair, the sheets of paper in his hand could determine who would live and who would die.
Crown Prince Berzé approached, knelt, and paid his respects.
“I greet the sovereign of the mighty Empire.”
“Enough with the excessive courtesy.”
The Emperor offhandedly handed a document to his chamberlain.
Despite his words, the Crown Prince did not rise, maintaining his kneeling posture. He reminded himself that the Emperor had not told him to stand.
Only after some time, when the Emperor removed his spectacles and gave the final papers to the chamberlain, did his gaze finally turn toward the Crown Prince.
“No need to be so stiff. Sit, won’t you? The floor’s too cold for kneeling.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Berzé rose and took a seat on one of the chairs set slightly apart from the throne, where ministers usually sat.
Though he was a son, the Crown Prince was still a subject. The Emperor never allowed him a higher place, as though to remind him of his station.
“Quinlan has won a great victory, I hear.”
The Emperor’s voice was cheerful, his face glowing with a smile like that of a father proud of his son.
“…Yes, word has already reached the Crown Prince’s Palace. I rushed here in joy.”
Berzé replied with a soft smile, as if sincerely rejoicing in his cousin the Duke’s triumph.
“My heartfelt congratulations, Your Majesty. This is all thanks to your grace.”
At his words, the Emperor laughed heartily.
“Yes, I knew you would offer your congratulations sincerely. He is practically your brother, is he not?”
“That is true.”
Berzé answered with his smile still intact, speaking as though sharing in the Emperor’s delight.
“With this, the western borders will be extended further.”
“Indeed. I’m considering granting that land to the Duchy of Daphania.”
“…What?”
The Crown Prince’s response came a beat late. The words were so unexpected that his smile faltered, his face stiffening.
The chamberlain, as if waiting for this moment, presented another document.
“Quinlan lost his lands in the chaos of old, and he grew up with difficulty. Since he’s reclaimed it by his own strength, it’s only right to grant it back.”
“…Duke Daphania refused Your Majesty’s offer of lands before.”
“Yes, he did. But how is it the same, when this time it’s his own reclaimed ancestral land?”
“……”
The Crown Prince bit down on his lips, barely holding back harsh words.
He knew the Emperor was testing him. He knew. Yet it was still unbearable.
Was it not the Emperor himself who turned a blind eye when the previous Duke and Duchess of Daphania died under suspicious circumstances?
And was it not the Emperor who fattened his coffers through the events that followed?
Who would believe his words of pity now?
If the land Quinlan had reclaimed had not been mountains and deserts of the western frontier, the Emperor would never have considered granting it back.
Forcing his smile to remain, Berzé spoke.
“Your Majesty’s decision to honor the Empire’s hero is most appropriate.”
“Yes, so you agree.”
The Emperor smiled and turned to Chamberlain Hanel.
“At one point, I thought we’d have trouble, but Quinlan has grown splendidly, splendidly indeed. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hanel bowed respectfully, and the Emperor’s laughter grew louder.
“Good. Then I shall grant the newly conquered western lands as his duchy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It shall be done.”
“Berzé.”
“Your command, sire.”
Fearing his true feelings might show, the Crown Prince bowed his head as he replied.
“Be sure to maintain good relations with Quinlan. He will be a strength to you. After all, he is still your cousin.”
The Emperor’s voice was endlessly kind and benevolent, but the intent behind it was unfathomable.
Maintain closeness with Duke Daphania, with whom relations had long been cold?
Why now?
Berzé struggled to keep his expression steady.
The Emperor always prodded his insecurities—using Quinlan Daphania, of all people.
And still, despite knowing it was all manipulation, he had no choice but to accept.
Damn it! I had planned to eliminate him this time, but he just had to win that war!
Had it gone differently, Berzé might have absorbed the last of that house and even had grounds to challenge the Emperor.
He swallowed his bitterness, forcing his smile wider.
“I have been too negligent toward him until now.”
“…!”
“As soon as Quinlan arrives in the capital, we shall hold a victory celebration and an investiture ceremony.”
“…The Duke of Daphania will surely be most delighted.”
Soothing his sinking heart, Berzé added politely,
“All will proceed according to Your Majesty’s will.”
Once again, he bowed, grinding his teeth as he hid his hardening face.
The morning in the Daphania household, with the Duke returned, was calm and quiet.
The air felt warm though the skies were gray, and the only sound at the table was the repeated clink of cutlery.
Gordon, the head butler, served breakfast with more pride than ever.
Normally, such service was beneath his rank, but this was the Duke’s first meal home after a year. How could he entrust the Duke and Duchess’s breakfast to anyone else?
It was Quinlan who first spoke as they ate.
“Have the Evnia knights returned?”
“They’ve all made it back safely.”
“I must thank them properly.”
“I already rewarded them sufficiently before sending them off.”
Quinlan glanced at Ludice.
“I treated them well, without slight. After all, they aided us in a time like this.”
“…I troubled you unnecessarily.”
Though curiosity lingered in his eyes, Quinlan did not question further.
“About Phil…”
Ludice suddenly spoke, as if remembering something.
Quinlan turned to her at the unexpected name.
“This time, I noticed he’s rather capable.”
“Ah, yes. That’s his strength—quick on his feet, sharp-witted.”
He would know. They had worked together for four years.
