Chapter 76
The word engagement slowly stiffened Ian’s expression. His visibly changing face brought a sense of unease to the others sitting around the table.
This wasn’t the first time Ian and Aisha’s engagement had come up. Though it had never been discussed with a definite timeline like now, it had long been a verbal promise, and since the two had always acted more or less like lovers, the family believed they would inevitably get engaged sooner or later. Even Sophia, who disliked Aisha, had believed so.
“Of course, Aisha is still young, but girls often get engaged early. I don’t think the timing is too bad…”
“You better treat my sister well. You know how much she’s cared about you all this time, right? Once you’re engaged, you’ll have to carry her around on your back. Got it?”
Count Parden stepped in to diffuse the chilly atmosphere, and Daniel chimed in playfully. But Ian still didn’t respond.
The silence lingered until the sorbet in front of them had melted into red liquid.
“Ahem.”
At last, Count Parden cleared his throat to urge Ian to say something.
“Later…”
Ian finally spoke after a long pause. He muttered in a hesitant voice and turned his head. Meeting Aisha’s pale blue eyes, he bowed slightly and said,
“Let’s talk about this privately. Sir.”
After speaking with Count Parden and his wife, Ian met Aisha waiting for him outside. As soon as their eyes met, Aisha turned her body away. She said nothing, but it was clear she wanted him to follow. Silently, Ian walked after her.
The place Aisha led him to was the same spot where Ian had once cried in her arms under the lemon tree. Watching her stand with her back turned, Ian spoke in a quiet voice.
“…I hope you don’t take it too personally, Aisha.”
At his words, Aisha pressed her chest without realizing it. From the expression on Ian’s face after he spoke with her parents, she had somewhat expected it—but it still hurt. Their engagement was not happening. And it was because Ian had refused.
Why?
Aisha couldn’t understand Ian’s heart. She had never thought their feelings differed. Why had it come to this? Had she done something wrong? Or… had his feelings changed?
Even imagining that was terrifying, and Aisha froze in place. As he watched her tense back, Ian slowly reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel hurt. But I’m just not ready yet.”
“…”
“There’s too much I have to do right now. That’s all. I hope you’ll understand.”
“…”
“Aisha.”
Even his gentle voice couldn’t dispel her disappointment. Still, what could she do? She knew how busy Ian was.
“…It’s okay. I thought it was a bit early too.”
Aisha turned around and smiled brightly at him. But when their eyes met, Ian tilted his head slightly and looked away. Aisha grasped his hand tightly, her voice slightly choked with emotion.
“Still, when you are ready… tell me first, okay?”
“I will.”
Ian nodded without hesitation.
But even years later, that word engagement never came from Ian’s lips again.
“Well, look who it is. Ian… no, I suppose I should call you Marquis now?”
While walking down a corridor in the imperial palace, Ian was startled to see the middle-aged man approaching him from the opposite side.
“Professor Levant?”
The man with stylish gray hair was Count Levant Dunal, who had taught political science during Ian’s academy days. A renowned professor from a young age, he was famous for his wit and insight throughout the empire.
Despite Ian’s reserved nature, he had a deep respect for Professor Levant. The man had treated Ian solely as a student, counseling him like an adult while imparting deep knowledge.
“Professor? Marquis, this is no longer the academy. You should call me Count.”
“You’ll always be Professor to me. Please speak comfortably.”
“Shall I? Then Ian, it’s been a while. Let’s chat.”
“Yes, of course.”
Because of their history, Ian treated Levant with genuine respect. The professor, delighted to see his student again, draped an arm around Ian’s shoulder and led him somewhere.
“Is it alright for us to go in here…?”
“It’s fine. The person who uses this office is away on a diplomatic trip to the Principality of Ladan.”
On the west side of the palace were office buildings for high-ranking officials, and Levant often borrowed the office of a close friend who worked there.
“Come on in.”
Acting like the owner of the place, Professor Levant gestured for Ian to sit. Ian smiled slightly and sat in the indicated chair, while Levant boldly took the seat behind the desk and began rummaging through drawers. He pulled out a cigar and offered one to Ian, who declined with a shake of the head.
“You probably won’t say it, but… life at the palace isn’t easy, is it?”
Levant asked as he lit the cigar. Ian hesitated, then nodded silently.
“The guys at the Foreign Ministry can be quite territorial, you know. Tsk.”
Ian, who had graduated at the top of his class from the academy, was now a mid-level official in the Foreign Ministry. Unlike low-ranking officials, he had the privilege to propose policies and gather votes. But despite submitting several solid proposals, none of them had ever been accepted.
Both he and Levant knew the reason. With old and new noble factions locked in a stalemate, anyone who wanted real influence had to choose a side. Ian had yet to pick one.
“You were always too diligent, even at the academy. Always had to be in the top three, no matter the subject.”
After a brief pause, Levant made an unexpected comment. He looked directly at Ian with eyes filled with sympathy.
“People like you usually destroy themselves chasing a clear goal. And your goal is probably… power, right?”
Ian answered with silence, but that silence was enough of an answer. Levant was right—Ian wanted to be acknowledged, to wield real influence.
It wasn’t strange to dream of rising in one’s own society. But in Levant’s eyes, Ian’s ambition was excessive. True, his family had suffered after losing his parents and their household had declined somewhat, but even considering that, Ian’s urgency felt extreme.
“I think I asked this before—but why do you want power so badly? Do you have a reason?”
At the question, a faint image of light brown hair flickered through Ian’s mind like a vision. But even as he silently mouthed the name of that person, he shook his head.
“…I don’t know.”
“Same answer as before. Then let me ask again: Ian, do you really not know?”
“…”
Ian remained silent again, and Levant sighed and tried to console him.
“You’re brilliant. In brains, talent, appearance—you’re nearly perfect. And despite your parents’ passing, the House of Marquis Lloyd is still among the empire’s most prestigious families. Within ten years, you’ll have influence no one your age can match.”
“…”
“What I mean is—don’t rush. Setting goals too high and punishing yourself to reach them doesn’t help.”
“I’ll be part of the Central Noble Council within two years.”
At Ian’s determined words, Levant looked slightly taken aback.
The Central Noble Council—attending meetings hosted by the Emperor and making the empire’s most crucial decisions—was the pinnacle of noble power, held by only a select few.
Levant stubbed out his cigar and sat upright. As he had during Ian’s student days, he began offering advice.
“Then there’s no choice. You’ll need to pick a side.”
“…”
“In this climate, you can’t stay neutral and expect to gain power quickly. If your goal is clear, the fastest way is to choose a faction.”
Levant was telling him to align with one of the noble factions. Ian’s blue eyes sharpened at the suggestion.
“…In your opinion, which side should I join?”
“With your situation… the Duke of Levantus. They’re short on talented young nobles from prestigious families. With your skills, they’ll gladly back you—if you align yourself with them.”
Levant was recommending the Old Nobles. Ian had already been considering them but found it surprising, knowing which faction Levant himself belonged to.
“…You’re telling me to go opposite of you, Professor?”
“It pains me, but I won’t lie to my student. And anyway, I may be in this faction, but I’m just an academy professor. No one cares what I do.”
He said that, but in truth, Professor Levant was one of the most influential figures in the New Nobles, with connections across many fields. Ian felt reassured yet hesitant.
“Is it Count Parden that’s making you hesitate? But if you stay under him, you’ll never escape his shadow. People will keep saying you’re only where you are because of him.”
“…”
“Everyone avoids saying it, but you know the tide is shifting. More and more New Nobles are marrying into the Old Nobles, and usually, those marriages pull them toward the old faction. For nobles, legacy is just as valuable as money.”
“…”
“Don’t choose the hard road. Choose the easy one. It might sound odd coming from a teacher, but hardship isn’t always noble. Like I told you—politics comes down to legitimacy, then efficiency.”
Reading through Ian’s inner conflict and giving this heartfelt advice, Professor Levant helped Ian reach a decision. Ian stood up and bowed.
“Thank you for your guidance, Professor.”
