Chapter 7
“What method?”
Daniel looked unconvinced, but still gave Luke a chance to speak.
Despite being a rather unruly knight who relied only on his skills as a master—carefree and constantly involved in scandals with women—he was, oddly enough, experienced when it came to matters of women.
Thinking this was his chance to make up for being late, Luke began confidently.
“Everyone here probably knows I have seven older sisters. And that they’re all married.”
“So?”
“They all say that the type of man women dislike the most as a marriage partner… is a man with ‘woman problems.’”
“…Woman problems?”
“Yes. A man who can’t forget his ex, one who can’t settle down and keeps chasing different women, or someone who still clings to traces of past relationships.”
Luke spoke proudly.
At the same time, the retainers’ faces filled with confusion.
Who was Daniel Praus?
A man said to be as modest and upright as the High Priest.
And now—woman problems?
‘He’s the kind of man who politely refuses even dance invitations from noble ladies.’
‘A scandal with a former lover? He doesn’t even have anyone you could call an ex…’
‘Our lord is the furthest thing from promiscuous. What nonsense is that idiot knight spouting now?’
Unaware of the suspicious looks directed at him, Luke continued.
“What I mean is—if rumors spread that His Highness the Grand Duke doesn’t have a clean private life, Princess Frey will lose interest.”
“……”
“After all, isn’t His Highness currently raising two abandoned children?”
Luke recalled a basket Daniel had found under a wall about three years ago.
[Grand Duke, please take good care of these children.]
Inside the basket were two newborn baby boys, along with a careless note.
[“They are no ordinary children. Prepare a residence in the annex and take care of them.”]
That was what the kind-hearted Grand Duke had said.
The fact that an unmarried man had taken in two boys was known only to the staff of the ducal estate.
“They were picked up, yes—but we could spread it as if those children are actually Your Highness’s blood…”
“Luke.”
A stern voice cut him off.
It was his grandfather, Baron Divine, the butler of the ducal household, standing among the retainers.
Hearing Luke’s creative yet low-class solution, the retainers clicked their tongues in disapproval.
“Sir Divine, no matter what, there is dignity to uphold as the Grand Duke of Praus. To frame the young masters as illegitimate children is a bit—”
“Butler Baron, you’ve raised your grandson remarkably well.”
“I am deeply ashamed, Your Highness. I will properly discipline this grandson of mine this time.”
“Ah, Grandfather!”
The office quickly descended into chaos.
Amid the noise, Daniel rested his chin on his hand and fell into thought.
[“Daniel… I’m sorry.”]
A scene buried deep in his heart replayed in his mind.
A middle-aged man holding the body of a dying human woman, clutching a half-empty bottle of poison.
It was Duncan—Daniel’s father, the former Grand Duke of Praus.
[“Daniel… your mother… Julia… has just passed away.”]
Muttering blankly, he let the poison bottle fall.
The poison he had already drunk began to spread through his body.
It was the end of Duncan Praus—a transcendent being who lived over a hundred years, yet dared to love a human.
[“Father!!”]
[“Daniel… I’m sorry… I cannot leave her alone, not even for a moment.”]
Thud.
His father’s body collapsed over his mother’s.
The only sound left was Daniel’s own breathing.
[“Father… Mother…”]
No.
At the moment when the two beings who were his entire world disappeared, Daniel stared at the poison bottle.
If he drank even a drop of what remained… he could be with them forever.
[“……”]
But he couldn’t.
More than his desire to be with the ones he loved, his fear of falling into darkness after death was stronger.
I’m scared.
I… I’m scared.
I love them… but…
If I survive, won’t Praus survive as well?
Yes… I…
I have to live.
He justified not following them and collapsed, crying until the retainers came running.
At the same time, something etched itself into his heart like a scar.
[“Daniel. Praus is the guardian of time. Never forget that.”]
The reason his great father—always so strong—had abandoned his son and turned his back on the world in an instant…
Love for his mother.
Love.
‘…I will never do something like that. Never.’
Daniel trembled as he looked away from the poison bottle.
Even when those he thought would protect him lunged at him for power and wealth, he had to endure alone.
How many pieces of advice had he heard while sitting in a chair so large his feet didn’t even touch the ground?
[“From today, you are the Grand Duke of Praus. You must fulfill your duty as guardian of time.”]
[“Stop crying now.”]
[“It is unfortunate there are no elders left in your family, but in times like this, you must be strong.”]
Yes—if that was his duty, as the one who turned away from love and survived alone.
Daniel erased the memory from his mind.
His belief—that his duty as the Grand Duke of Praus was to protect the order of time and his territory—had never changed.
Nor had his resolve to never love again, after seeing the terrible result it brought.
“Luke Divine.”
As Daniel finally spoke, the arguing room fell silent instantly.
“I’ll grant you authority. Try tarnishing my reputation as you see fit.”
“…What?”
Luke—and all the retainers—froze.
But Daniel did not take back his words.
If Luke damages my honor appropriately, even those pointless advances will stop.
No one would willingly marry their daughter to a man rumored to be promiscuous with illegitimate children.
And if anyone still pushed, he could simply refuse, using a nonexistent “real lover” as an excuse.
“I’ll give you a few days off. Spread rumors and make me out to be a debauched man, Luke.”
He had no interest in marriage or romance.
With dragon blood in his veins, he would live long enough—he simply wanted some peace from all this.
“The sooner, the better. His Majesty, who dotes on his daughter, might even use absolute authority.”
“Your Highness… are you truly—”
“I have no intention of impressing noble ladies now or ever, so don’t worry.”
As if to show he wouldn’t take it back, Daniel picked up his pen again.
* * *
“Princess Frey, His Majesty requests that you join him for lunch.”
“Alright. I’ll go right away.”
Frey stood up as if she had been waiting.
She already knew her father would summon her today.
After all, she had gone to the temple, used the divine power measuring device, and told no one the result.
‘He called me sooner than expected. That means he’s very curious about the result.’
This was the perfect timing to reveal her plan.
The moment she entered, the Emperor stood and asked:
“Frey. I heard you went to the temple. You used the divine power tester?”
“Yes, Father. Please dismiss everyone first.”
With a single gesture, the Emperor sent the attendants away.
“Frey… you’re making me anxious. Tell me the result.”
Instead of explaining, Frey extended her hand and focused.
Fwaa—
A faint light began to bloom from her palm.
Divine power—the power of the gods that purifies undead and brings peace.
The Emperor quickly placed his hand over hers.
“This is undoubtedly divine power.”
Frey nodded with a bitter smile.
If only she had realized sooner… had the courage earlier…
Perhaps she could have prevented her mother’s death.
But she had been too afraid of the Empress and Crown Prince, and in the end, could only watch her mother die.
‘…I won’t run away anymore.’
After making that vow, she spoke.
“Father. I plan to use this power to form a marital bond with the Grand Duke of Praus.”
“……”
The Emperor was speechless.
What she showed was certainly divine power.
But this level… even the Grand Duke possesses it.
With training, it could grow stronger—but for now, it was average.
The Grand Duke would not take her as his wife just for this.
The Emperor only felt uneasy, imagining his daughter rejoicing over such a conclusion.
‘In this state of judgment, going to the North would be suicide.’
Near the end of the meal, he carefully spoke:
“Frey. I’m sorry, but divine power alone is not—”
But Frey smiled as if it didn’t matter.
“The Grand Duke also has divine power, so it’s not much of an advantage, right?”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“Did you know? When I used the tester, I went in alone. No one knows how strong my divine power actually is.”
She smiled subtly.
Normally, no one should even know whether she had divine power or not.
But given the High Priest’s experience, he likely sensed that she possessed it.
‘Since I tried to hide it, he’ll probably assume I have a large amount—like typical imperial heirs.’
Everyone in the capital knew:
Frey Obelir had a habit of hiding and avoiding anything that might provoke the Empress.
‘So the High Priest, who has observed me closely, will likely misunderstand and think I’m hiding great power.’
She intended to use that misunderstanding to the fullest.
“Father, if you use your absolute authority… I will make a proposal to the Grand Duke.”
