Capital of the Aschild Empire. Main residence of Grand Duke Alberic.
Ashid was in the middle of work when he received a report from Lowell about the proceedings of the noble council. Letting out a deflated sigh, he muttered:
“To think that preserving Adrian’s honor would be considered more important than rooting out the people who tried to kill my wife… Truly a decision befitting the Emperor.”
“Duke Lambert expressed his dissent, but His Majesty didn’t even pretend to listen. …Damn it. Your Highness is also of royal blood, the Emperor’s son! I can’t begin to understand how he could make such a decision!”
“Has he ever once taken my side? To him, the only son he has is Crown Prince Adrian. He cast me aside long ago—he hasn’t considered me his son for quite some time.”
Ashid replied bitterly to Lowell’s indignation.
Outwardly, he maintained a composed demeanor, but internally, he was seething with cold rage.
It wasn’t the first time the Emperor had favored Adrian over him, but never before had the fury in his chest burned this coldly.
At the same time, he felt a wave of inferiority toward Adrian that he had long tried to suppress.
Would His Majesty have let it slide if Daniela had been Adrian’s wife instead of mine?
Ashid’s fist, clenched so tightly that the veins bulged, turned pale.
Thinking that his family—first his mother, now Daniela—were being treated unfairly simply because they were his, a murderous intent naturally rose within him.
Should I just cut them all down with my sword? The Emperor, Adrian, every one of those nobles who attended the council.
Ashid’s navy-blue eyes glinted with a dangerous light. Just imagining slaughtering them all was enough to cool the rage in his chest. He was seriously considering it—until he suddenly recalled Daniela from a few months ago, blocking his path.
[No! Please, rescind that order, Your Highness!]
She had risked her life to stop him from massacring the people of the Duchy of Resinia. Even though it had been a justified act of revenge against enemy nationals, she still intervened.
And now, if the one he planned to kill was Adrian?
Daniela would stop him with even more determination than before.
If he ignored her pleas and actually killed Adrian, she would curse and resent him for the rest of her life.
She might even try to destroy everything he wanted from her—everything the Duke of Enchanto left behind.
…Damn it.
Ashid cursed inwardly, unsure of what to do. He felt stifled by the fact that, despite wanting to cut them all down with his sword, he kept hesitating—because of Daniela.
It frustrated him even more that he didn’t fully understand why he felt this way.
Sensing his master’s mood, Lowell asked cautiously:
“What shall we do? Should we try to find a way to persuade His Majesty?”
“You think he’d listen if we tried? Don’t waste time on useless efforts.”
“…Then… do you intend to just let this go?”
“No. I can’t let it go.”
Ashid replied firmly, prompting Lowell to pale as he urgently exclaimed:
“You’re not thinking of raising a rebellion against His Majesty, are you…?!”
“I don’t intend to go that far… yet. So relax.”
With that, Ashid stood, picking up his sword. He turned to Lowell, who was watching him with growing anxiety.
“I’ll decide what to do after hearing from the person who suffered most in all this—Her Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
“…Understood.”
“For now, investigate those with ties to Marquis Linburton. That’ll naturally lead us to those involved in this matter.”
“…As you command, Your Highness.”
Lowell respectfully bowed as Ashid left the office.
After leaving the office, Ashid immediately sought out the head butler. When the man arrived hastily in response to the summons, Ashid asked in a curt tone:
“Where is the Grand Duchess now?”
“After helping the maids unpack the luggage in the annex bedroom, Her Grace is having tea in the drawing room.”
Ashid frowned slightly at the answer. Helping the maids while still not fully detoxified? Clearly, she had no intention of resting properly. Her behavior didn’t sit well with him.
Leaving the butler behind, Ashid descended the stairs quickly.
As he turned toward the right corridor on his way to the main drawing room, he saw Daer entering through the front door with a large flower basket. Ashid stopped and called out, puzzled.
“Sir Daer.”
“Ah! Your Highness!”
Daer quickly dropped to one knee and paid his respects. Ashid eyed the flower basket with suspicion.
It was overflowing with white lilies and peonies—at least several hundred blooms. In the center was a bottle of healing potion that shimmered with a mystical glow.
Having spent time on battlefields, Ashid instantly recognized it as a potion crafted by the Empire’s highest-ranking white mage.
Attached to the basket was a card made of luxurious paper.
After quickly taking in the scene, Ashid asked in his usual flat tone:
“That’s quite an extravagant gift. Is it for you?”
“Well… actually, it was sent by the Crown Prince for Her Grace the Grand Duchess.”
“…What?”
Ashid’s face twisted with displeasure at Daer’s reply.
He glared at the basket with sharp eyes, then yanked off the card and read it.
I send this gift to express my apology for the unfortunate incident that occurred recently. I sincerely pray to the goddess that you recover in good health.
—With affection, to Daniela.
Adrian Aeric Castria
“…Ha.”
Ashid let out a dry chuckle.
The warm and thoughtful message—so kind it felt fake—made him inexplicably irritated.
The words “with affection” especially grated on his nerves.
Even if they weren’t passionately in love, Daniela was still his wife. Her former fiancé had no business using such an intimate phrase.
Ashid glared at the card as though he could burn it with his eyes, then crumpled it and tossed it to the floor. Daer flinched in shock.
“Your Highness!”
“…As far as today is concerned, nothing has been delivered to the Grand Duchess. Understood?”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I’ll say it again. As of today, nothing has been delivered for the Grand Duchess. You received nothing.”
“Th-Then what should I do with the flowers and potion? What should I tell the Crown Prince’s palace?”
“Do I have to decide everything? Share it, throw it away—do what you want. As for the Crown Prince’s palace, tell them: ‘Don’t send such pointless things again.’”
“A-As you command…”
Daer nodded, flustered. Ashid watched him leave the main residence with the basket before turning toward the drawing room.
Daniela was in the drawing room, having tea and chatting with Mela.
The tea the butler had brought was pleasantly warm, and the raspberry cookies and chocolate muffins baked by the maids were perfectly sweet and delicious.
Mela’s stories about the empire’s history and diplomacy were engaging and fascinating. Daniela leaned comfortably against the plush sofa, enjoying it all.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
“Who could that be? The butler?”
“Maybe?”
Mela paused mid-conversation and went to the door. When it opened, Ashid stood there. Daniela straightened up and spoke.
“Your Grace?”
“Stay seated.”
Ashid gestured for her not to rise and sat in the chair across from her. Daniela tilted her head curiously.
“What brings you here?”
“There’s something I urgently need to ask you.”
Ashid answered curtly, then ordered Mela and the maids to leave the drawing room. After they respectfully exited, only he and Daniela remained.
Daniela found herself growing nervous. Her throat felt dry.
As she lifted her cup to take a sip of tea, Ashid spoke.
“Could I have a cup too?”
Daniela gestured toward the teapot and an empty cup.
“It’s right there. Please help yourself.”
“As you can see, my arm’s in this condition. If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you could pour it for me.”
He raised his bandaged left arm slightly as he spoke.
A request—but also, unmistakably, a command.
