Chapter 13
Today, the young master was showing a wide range of expressions rarely seen before, which made it especially entertaining for his butler.
“Well, truthfully, this isn’t something for you to worry about, young master.”
“I don’t like that about you, Hemington.”
“And why is that?”
“The way you subtly manipulate me.”
“Haha. As if you ever do as I say, young master.”
Hemington feigned ignorance with a sly tone, which was irritating, but Kaisar said nothing. All he did was wave Hemington away, saying he was tired.
“You’ll attend tomorrow.”
Knowing his master too well, the butler muttered under his breath. After throwing this new source of concern at Kaisar, Hemington left with a light bow and gently closed the door behind him.
“Butler Hemington, are you all right?”
“Did something happen?”
“You’re always cool, but today you seemed even more upset than usual.”
The servants waiting outside approached him. They seemed worried, having sensed Kaisar’s unusually cold demeanor. Clearly, they were concerned he may have been harsh to Hemington.
Hemington chuckled and looked around.
“I’m fine. Thank you, for worrying about this old man.”
All of them had been working here less than three years. They had no idea that Hemington knew Kaisar like the back of his hand.
“You should be more worried about the master.”
“Sorry?”
“I hope tomorrow comes quickly. It’ll be fun for the first time in a while.”
“Um, what do you mean?”
“Nothing important. It’s late—off to bed with you all.”
Still confused, the servants were practically ushered off to their rooms by Hemington. As he turned back to the firmly closed door, a small smile crossed his lips.
‘Will the young master waver a little when he sees her in that pure white wedding dress?’
Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, the butler’s prediction turned out to be only half right.
The Twollen Grand Duke’s estate was awash in shades of pure white. The straight pillars of the mansion were wrapped with flowing white fabrics that draped like water. As those delicate, butterfly-wing-like cloths fluttered in the breeze, the light coming through the windows shifted ever so slightly.
Sparkle.
The light reflected off the pristine marble walls and floor, drawing admiration from the guests. Peonies heavy with morning dew adorned corners of the floor and walls, adding to the elegance.
Among all this beauty, there was one person who stood out for all the wrong reasons.
“Ahh, this is nice.”
Duke Kainan gulped down champagne. He could feel the sidelong glances of the other nobles, but he chose to ignore them. Their gazes were laced with mockery and subtle contempt. Though unrefined and uneducated, Kainan was quick to pick up on such things.
‘Yeah, look down on me while you can. That ends today!’
After draining another glass in one go, Duke Kainan slowly rose to his feet. A long red satin carpet symbolizing the union of the bride and groom was laid across the immaculate floor. At the end of it sat the High Sage who would be officiating the wedding today.
Nearly 100 years old and frail with age, the sage was resting in a chair before the ceremony began.
“An honor to meet you, High Sage. I am Count Polsen.”
“A great honor, High Sage. I am Marquis Jedran, and this is my wife, Alisa.”
“High Sage, I am…”
Nobles vied to approach the renowned sage. It was rare—almost unheard of—for the High Sage to appear in public. He had traveled a full day to the capital just to officiate the wedding of his prized pupil, Grand Duke Dorian of Twollen.
‘Ugh, how tiring.’
The noise and crowds were a burden to the sage, who hated such commotion, so he merely nodded out of obligation. It seemed the heads of all the most influential families were gathered here. For the nobles, who valued honor, education, and refinement, this was a golden opportunity to exchange even a few words with the continent’s sole High Sage.
“Pathetic creatures. Buzzing around like moths to a flame.”
Duke Kainan clicked his tongue loudly, then pushed past the nobles with squared shoulders.
The nobles frowned at his sudden intrusion but moved aside anyway.
‘See? Even those snobs can’t ignore me now.’
Wearing a confident smirk, Duke Kainan reached the front row with no trouble.
“Duke Kainan, at your service. It is an honor to meet you, High Sage.”
“…Kainan?”
The wrinkles on the sage’s perpetually weary face shifted into a look of recognition.
“Oh, so you’re Duke Kainan.”
“To meet the one and only High Sage in all the continent—nothing could be more of an honor.”
“You are to be Dorian’s father-in-law, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. I hope our request didn’t trouble you too much, bringing you all the way to the capital amidst your research.”
“Trouble? Not at all. My dear pupil is getting married—of course I would come to bless him.”
Kainan was not speaking in his usual crude manner.
Somehow, he had picked up the refined tone of noble speech.
‘What a shameless man.’
‘No kidding. He’s not even fit to be called a noble. Strutting around like he’s someone important.’
‘To think he dares show his face in society after what happened ten years ago… it’s almost impressive.’
The whispers of mockery and disapproval were clearly audible, but Duke Kainan didn’t care.
He had once been nothing more than one of these pathetic moths himself, but everything had changed now.
Why?
“Master.”
At the sound of a low, melodious voice, everyone turned their heads. A quiet gasp spread through the crowd.
“Oh my.”
“It’s Lord Dorian.”
“My goodness.”
Dorian Vladimir Twollen.
The man who had stolen the most hearts in noble society. Already handsome, his wedding attire made him shine even more. The white ceremonial suit complemented his neatly combed silver hair, creating an almost ethereal presence. Each step he took compelled people to part before him as if under a spell.
“My pupil, Dorian.”
“Yes, Master. It’s me. I’m honored you came.”
“My, my. You’re getting married already. My prized pupil!”
“Indeed. Having you here to bless me is the greatest joy I could ask for.”
“Oh dear, I almost forgot. I should be calling you Grand Duke now.”
Dorian smiled and, without hesitation, knelt on one knee. He gently guided his master’s aged hand to his forehead.
“I will always be your student. Please continue to call me Dorian.”
“You truly are my pupil. You’ve always been my greatest joy—and you always will be.”
A warm smile spread across the High Sage’s face. The nobles watching were not only filled with admiration but with a sense of awe. That young and beautiful man was clearly the most cherished disciple of the High Sage. Not only that, but he was the current Grand Duke of the Twollen family—one of the Five Ducal Houses known for its honor and scholarship.
All the nobles in attendance were thinking the same thing.
‘What a waste!’
To anyone’s eyes, Dorian was the most promising man in the entire Baskor Empire.
With Crown Prince Hector having no interest in the throne, it was widely expected that Dorian Vladimir Twollen would become the next emperor. Any noble family with influence surely dreamed of having him as a son-in-law.
And now, that dream had been stolen by none other than Duke Kainan, a man most nobles scorned.
“Your father-in-law and I were just having a chat,” the Sage said.
“Haha. Greetings, Grand Duke Twollen. Feel free to call me father—”
“Duke Kainan.”
“!”
Dorian still wore his angelic smile, but Duke Kainan could feel the chill in his eyes.
“The ceremony will begin soon. You should wait in the family seats.”
It was a warning: Until our deal is sealed, don’t overstep.
‘Not yet. Know your place, Duke Kainan.’
Kainan’s face flushed with frustration.
That sly fox. No one knew what he was thinking. Behind that pale, gentle exterior was a sharp and cunning mind—but Kainan had no other options.
‘Damn it. If only I had another choice, I’d never have made a deal with that bastard!’
Crown Prince Hector wasn’t aiming for the throne. Duke Ikarud was of mixed blood and held even less honor than Kainan. House Hilder, with their long line of knights, had no interest in ruling.
Kainan himself had ambitions for the throne, but the “incident” ten years ago had ruined everything. It had tarnished his reputation as a noble. The emperor had publicly scolded him, and the nobles turned their backs. The press had a field day with it. Even commoners whispered behind his back.
As a noble of one of the Five Ducal Houses, he never expected his honor and pride to crumble like sand.
‘A man who betrays trust is no true duke? As if any of you are so righteous!’
He clenched his wine glass tightly. The memories of that dreadful day resurfaced, filling his eyes with venom.
‘Any of you would’ve done the same. I simply made a rational choice—for my house.’
And so, Dorian was the only reasonable ally. Dorian, too, clearly needed a large sum of money—for reasons unknown.
‘We’ll see. I’ll bow my head for now, but one day I’ll be the one looking down on you. Once you become emperor and Trisha bears a son… then!’
Kainan grit his teeth inwardly.
“Guests, please take your seats. The ceremony will begin shortly.”
Whether he noticed or not, Dorian smiled brightly as he urged the guests to be seated. The High Sage stroked his white beard and glanced around.
“But Dorian.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Where is your bride?”
“She should be in the bridal waiting room.”
“Then go fetch her. I’d like to offer her my blessing before the ceremony begins.”
“Thank you, Master. Bring the bride.”
Three waiting maids exchanged uneasy glances. As Dorian looked at them, puzzled, they hesitated before one finally replied, stammering.
“Um… I’m sorry, Grand Duke Twollen.”
“…Sorry?”
“The Lady has not arrived yet.”
