~Chapter 81~
The Escalus Grand Duke family council.
On the luxurious round table made of chestnut wood, the Grand Duke’s fist slammed down.
Bang!
“Do you think anyone automatically gets a title just because of marriage?! Ridiculous!”
Even the Grand Duchess, who had been too unwell to attend until now, had gathered, and Dane placed his marriage certificate on the table first.
The seals of the viscount and Grand Duchess were affixed to the witnesses’ and notary’s stamps.
The Grand Duke had gripped the back of his neck, shocked that his son had rushed into marriage without even his permission.
But Dane replied with a crooked smile.
“No, Father. You will give it. The vassals will never oppose it.”
The gathered nobles were silent.
The Escalus family’s left arm, the Lionel family, and the right arm, the Dunbarton family.
The Lionel family’s real power was Dane’s aide, and the only bloodline of the Dunbarton family, Eugenia, was Dane’s sword.
Those Dane had recruited made this sudden marriage possible.
“To do this while your mother is ill! Will you really oppose the Empress Dowager?”
Raoul Escalus, the Grand Duke, trembled with anger at his son’s audacity.
Dane silently watched his father and whispered:
“I cannot acknowledge a traitor, so it must be done.”
“What do you mean by that?!”
They knew of the Empress Dowager’s absolute rule due to the Emperor’s madness, but there was no proof of treason—until now.
When Dane gestured to his aide, Hans placed a red herb in the center of the table.
“A mutated poisonous herb that causes madness.”
The Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“Impossible…”
“It still needs more research, but experts say it can distort vision and time perception, causing madness.”
Camilla hadn’t made the antidote yet, but she understood a lot about the herb.
Dane felt a thrill remembering Camilla. Clenching his fist to suppress it, he stared at his father and drove the point home:
“Though more research is needed, this is evidence of the Empress Dowager’s assassination attempts. And to Mother as well.”
“Wait… what did you just say?”
Shock crossed the Grand Duke’s face.
The Grand Duchess, Renellia, added:
“The sleeping incense in my quarters also contained the same herb.”
“Good heavens…”
“This is a declaration of war against the Escalus Grand Duke family!”
The nobles whispered in anger. Raoul’s hand shook.
He looked at Renellia, unable to speak.
“…Does that mean my wife’s illness was caused by that herb?”
“Not entirely, but the recent madness is definitely its doing.”
Dane nodded at the herb.
“This isn’t a common plant; it’s only found in the Empress Dowager’s private palace.”
The Grand Duke’s face twisted in anger. Bang! His fist struck the table again.
“…The Empress… she even touched my wife…!”
His eyes were bloodshot with rage.
“…Shamefully, as a researcher, I did not notice this myself.”
Renellia whispered, eyes lowered.
“Then…?”
The head of the Lionel family cautiously asked. Renellia pointed to the marriage certificate:
“Camilla Mowin. This girl suspected the madness and uncovered it herself.”
“Wow!”
“I’ve heard the Mowin daughter is a genius pharmacist, but this is remarkable.”
The nobles murmured in approval. Raoul’s eyes trembled.
‘That girl?’
He swallowed dryly. The girl he had rejected for being illegitimate had saved his wife once again.
“Once the antidote is complete and delivered to His Majesty, the Empress Dowager’s treason will be undeniable.”
Raoul asked Dane:
“Is she also researching the antidote?”
“Yes. She is now my wife.”
Raoul was at a loss for words.
“And the head of the Everit family personally brought the herb.”
“What?! That family is never trustworthy—!”
“Grand Duke?”
Renellia looked at Raoul, then shook her head slowly.
“This person brought important evidence. We must not neglect them.”
Raoul flinched. Dane added:
“The Everit family also played the biggest role in helping Camilla expose Baron Mowin’s corruption.”
The nobles nodded.
“They are indeed called a heroic family.”
“The citizens’ reaction is very favorable now.”
But some were skeptical:
“Can we trust a family that caused trouble before?”
Dane looked at the whispering nobles and shouted:
“Kabul Everit remembered the estrangement caused by the Mowin family 50 years ago. He asked me to remove the Empress Dowager and defeat Mowin completely.”
Those who didn’t remember the past looked puzzled; those who did widened their eyes.
“If you cannot trust them, then now is the chance to clarify.”
“Dane, choose your sword carefully,” his father cautioned.
Dane remembered Kabul Everit’s earnest eyes, full of hatred for Mowin.
“I have judged carefully. Once the evidence is clear, I will unite with the Everit family and strike the Empress Dowager.”
The nobles exhaled sharply. Dane turned his gaze back to Raoul.
“Again, I ask you, Father. Will the Escalus family remain silent in the face of treason—or will we fight?”
The question brought a new wind; the nobles all watched Dane.
“If we fight, let me lead the charge.”
Raoul’s head spun at his son’s determination. He remembered the day Dane asked him for the title of Grand Duke—and now saw his son would never back down.
‘…I have kept my eyes closed for too long.’
He looked at Dane and then at his wife, feeling the layers of pride and stubbornness inside him crumble.
Raoul rose slowly, heavy but resolute.
“…I cannot give the lead to someone who is not the head of the family.”
The succession followed law and procedure, but in war, it became simpler: the most capable heir would lead.
The nobles noticed and knelt immediately.
Raoul declared with them on either side:
“Dane Escalus. Kneel on one knee and extend your hand.”
Meeting his father’s blue eyes, Dane realized the moment he had longed for had arrived.
He knelt and extended his hand. Raoul removed the family seal ring and placed it in Dane’s palm.
“The title and authority of the Escalus Grand Duke are yours from today. The trial against Baron Mowin is also your authority.”
The council room stirred.
“I could not fight for my wife when her hand was threatened. I am not worthy of this task.”
“Father.”
“Defend the family’s honor. Our family has always been loyal to the crown and the city’s prosperity.”
The vassals bowed and shouted:
“Long live the new Grand Duke of Escalus!”
Dane slowly clenched the ring. He felt he now held not just power, but the will of the entire family.
“I accept.”
‘Camilla.’
It was the opportunity she had given him—and now, a new chance to protect her. His heart raced.
The doors of the main hall opened.
Dane, now the new Grand Duke, wanted to see Camilla immediately.
But as the door swung open, something felt wrong.
A thin, crying child’s voice came faintly.
“…Lucy?”
