Chapter 77
Grand Duke Halbern wore a convincing smile. Even in this moment, it was an astoundingly beautiful one.
“I told the Regent of Loch to return my sister, whom he had taken by force. As you can see, he refused.”
“Mmgh.”
Duke Mübisk, Duke Sperom, and even Emperor Edward were at a loss for words and remained silent.
“Instead, the Regent of Loch grew indignant, claiming that I had stolen my sister from him.”
“……”
“So I guess there must be some trouble between them.”
Emperor Edward recalled the long, complicated scandal tied to the House of Halbern.
That the late Grand Duke of Halbern sold off his only daughter to the Regent of Loch in exchange for political favors.
Lady Ione, sister of the current Grand Duke Valer and now Duchess of Loch, was rumored to have been forced into a marriage she never wanted.
No one knew where the rumor had started, but most dismissed it as nonsense.
Except for those who knew the truth.
For Grand Duke Valer, it was his reverse scale—the one taboo no one should touch.
“…Perhaps it was better when I was holed up in the northern castle.”
Duke Mübisk fell into thought, silent, while Duke Sperom’s mind whirred furiously.
The only one who looked unruffled was Grand Duke Halbern himself.
For Albrecht, the fact that its pillar, Grand Duke Halbern, had such a terrible relationship with the Regent of the Southern Empire, Paital, was hardly welcome news.
“Valer, you’re not planning to spirit your sister away, are you?”
Suddenly uneasy, Emperor Edward pressed him insistently.
“You wouldn’t, right? Hm? Valer. If you do that, it’s war with the Southern Empire. You know that, don’t you?”
“Do you think Albrecht would lose that war?”
“The best war is the one not fought!”
“I’ll conquer the Southern Empire and hand you the whole continent. Still not good enough?”
“Uh, no. Not good. Just leave it alone, please.”
Grand Duke Halbern laughed silently.
“Our Majesty has little desire for land, I see.”
“If you conquer there, the Shughra–Yuyo alliance will kick up a fuss again. Do you know how much the Holy Nation nags me, saying not to oppress the weak? I just want to live quietly.”
If the world order shifted unnecessarily, work piled up. If work piled up, it meant less time to spend with his beloved wife.
That was what Emperor Edward hated more than anything.
Even now, he was suppressing the urge to toss aside his duties and run off with the Empress.
Edward massaged his brow, speaking soothingly.
“Your sister might be living well there, you know.”
“……”
Halbern’s expression vanished.
The depthless gloom in his eyes was so dark that Emperor Edward instantly regretted saying it.
“Well… maybe not. But at least she hasn’t sent word that she’s suffering. Right?”
Edward prodded him nervously, but Halbern’s eyes only stared into some distant void, unreadable.
The mood plummeted in an instant.
Clap!
“That’s enough. Your Majesty, perhaps you should tell us why you summoned us.”
Duke Mübisk’s timely interjection dispersed the tension for a moment.
Edward glanced at Halbern, then nodded.
“It’s about the upcoming Founding Festival…”
Duke Mübisk quickly went to find Grand Duke Halbern, who had already left.
Duke Sperom muttered about dragons and trailed after, but Halbern was already gone from the imperial palace.
Quick, as always.
“Why did you leave so suddenly?”
“Simon would’ve pestered me.”
“Ah. Dragon byproducts.”
Mübisk nodded knowingly.
A short silence fell between them.
Among their peers—who had no true equals—he was the only one Halbern had long crossed swords with.
In pure swordsmanship, Mübisk believed himself superior, but Halbern was the only opponent he could never guarantee victory against. Even now.
Halbern keeps too many secrets.
Not knowing an opponent’s full strength meant that even superior skill couldn’t control all the variables.
“Valer, honestly, I thought you’d never come. I figured you meant to die in that northern castle.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Oh? But here you are.”
“I felt I’d regret it if I didn’t.”
His languid voice was shadowed.
“I’m sick of regrets.”
His violet eyes wandered in the void, unusually unstable today.
What those regrets were, Mübisk couldn’t guess. He chose to keep quiet instead of prying.
“Are you back for good?”
“Probably.”
“…Stay strong.”
At the belated comfort, Halbern gave a faint smile.
“If you ever need to talk, tell me. We’re friends, after all.”
“Friends, hm.”
A nice word.
“Quaion.”
“Yes?”
“Has no one ever told you you’re too kind? Don’t go saying that sort of thing to just anyone.”
“You’re not just anyone, are you?”
Halbern shrugged.
“I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine. Halberns don’t share secrets.”
Just what kind of secrets does he carry?
Mübisk suppressed a sigh.
“Your daughter’s adorable.”
“You saw her?”
“My son says they’re friends.”
“You have a son?”
Friends? He remembered the small body that had shrunk away from him. He thought she was timid and quiet.
“I have two.”
“I think I saw them that day.”
“In any case, treat her well. From her perspective, isn’t this the first time she’s meeting her father? Imagine how much she must have longed for you.”
“Well…”
From what he recalled, her eyes hadn’t been so tender.
Halbern chuckled, remembering how she clung only to Mehen’s robes.
Really, who was the parent here?
“Be gentle with her. Whatever your circumstances, a child doesn’t know anything. Be kind, be affectionate. Understand?”
“You make me sound like trash. You think I can’t do at least that much?”
“I know you, Valer…”
“That’s harsh.”
Anyone watching might think he was abusive.
Halbern gave a faint smile, recalling Mehen calling him the world’s worst father.
World’s worst father—well, not wrong.
“What are you laughing at all of a sudden?”
Mübisk frowned as Halbern burst into sudden laughter.
Then both sensed someone approaching, Halbern with his sharper intuition.
“Quaion, go on ahead.”
“We’ll finish this later.”
Mübisk left without a word. As he disappeared, Halbern stopped smiling and turned to face the small figure.
“Grand Duke Halbern.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Pession glared up at Halbern, his face full of discontent.
Pession looked up at the Grand Duke, his displeasure plain. The height difference alone was vexing.
Halbern gave a crooked smile and bowed first.
“An honor to meet you, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am Grand Duke Halbern. May the divine radiance accompany the little sun.”
“Crown Prince Pession Allermain.”
He returned the courtesy but kept his disgruntled expression.
“I will permit you to use my name in private settings.”
“I couldn’t dare speak a noble name so freely.”
“You’re a Grand Duke, though.”
Halbern only smiled gently in response. His manner clearly said that, permission or not, he refused.
Pession decided then that Halbern was an infuriating man.
“Do you have something to say to me, Your Highness?”
Pession frowned petulantly. Still a child with baby fat, even that sulky look was simply cute.
He’s Edward’s spitting image.
One might wonder what happened to Empress Azeny’s genes—he was practically a miniature Edward. Though, Halbern thought, Pession might even be prettier.
Halbern clicked his tongue inwardly.
If only he hadn’t spoken nonsense about being his son-in-law, he could’ve been kinder to him.
“If there’s nothing, I’ll be on my way.”
Finally, with a deeply wounded pride, Pession spoke up.
“…Grant me permission to visit House Halbern.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I want to see Arellin!”
The words burst out without hesitation. Halbern’s eyes widened slightly.
Behind him, Griam buried his face in his hand in despair.
