Chapter Eighteen
_ The Condition Set by the Emperor
"My young and dear brother, Prince Eric von Di Roshan, first hero of the war and commander of the Orlin Knights, I wish to grant you the Duchy of Estroyn and make you the Duke of Estroyn, but...."
Eric looked calmly at the words of his brother, who continued..
"As everyone knows, the Estroyn region has been abandoned for over sixteen years. Therefore, for my brother who spent most of his life on the battlefield, the life of a Duchy and political life will be exhausting for him. Because Estroyn is the inheritance of our late mother, I have decided to give you the Duchy on one condition..."
The gazes of all the nobles shifted between the Second Prince and the Emperor, who was smiling kindly like a loving brother. The Second Prince spoke with a playful smile..
"And what is the condition?!..."
"..."
"Your Majesty, you are my eldest brother and the one most concerned for my safety and interests..."
"I like that... My condition is for your sake and to protect the legacy of our late mother.."
"..."
"Brother, to obtain the Duchy, you must marry a noble and wise woman, and most importantly, the Council must approve..."
"The Council must approve?!"
"Not for the sake of restriction, but out of my concern.."
"Really?!..."
The Emperor nodded yes. Eric's reaction was very spontaneous; in fact, it seemed like a normal and simple matter. Everyone felt astonished, for it was a provocative condition, yet the reaction was very lighthearted...
"Umm, Mr. Robert..."
"At your service, Your Highness..."
He was an old man in his sixties, always standing by Arthur's side, representing the Council. The Emperor trusted him deeply..
"Sir, do you not represent the Council?"
"Certainly.."
"Umm... and I believe the condition stemmed from the Council's concern for the late Empress's legacy.."
"Without a doubt..."
"And surely the Council desires a suitable lady to support me in rebuilding Estroyn..."
"That is correct.."
"Well... is Duchess Elite di Altan suitable as a Duchess?!..."
"Certainly.. she is the best..."
"..."
"Excuse me, Your Highness?! What are you aiming at??.."
Eric had a habit of rambling to draw out what he wanted. He smiled at Marquis Robert, who was focusing intensely and spoke his words with a spontaneity that didn't match the persona of a man in his late fifties. Eric's expression brightened, and he scratched his cheek as he spoke with feigned shyness...
"You told me to find a beautiful, wise bride accepted by the Council... Instead of searching for a debutante, why don't I go to the very best of them? Isn't that the best I can offer Estroyn?!.."
The members of the Council present at the party looked at each other with a sense of conviction regarding Eric's words; no interest rose higher for the Council than that of Sardia. Arthur clenched his fist tightly because he realized his brother's intentions: Eric was trying to find a loophole to make the Council back down or proceed as he wished. He looked at the Duchess and thought that even if he asked her, she would surely refuse him. Even if she possessed feelings for him, he had acted recklessly and without regard for noble etiquette...
The nobles looked at Duchess Elite Altan, who was holding her son quietly. It seemed the child had inherited her calm, as he was silent like everyone else. The Emperor decided to break the stalemate and said, pretending to be considerate of the Duchess..
"I apologize for my brother's inappropriate behavior toward a lady.."
"Your Majesty!!!..."
Everyone turned to Elite instead of the Emperor who was speaking. As soon as Elite opened her mouth, all eyes shifted to her; she smiled kindly with a light blush on her cheeks...
"..."
"Your Majesty, isn't the Second Prince being a bit hasty?"
Arthur smiled at Elite's response, which seemed like she was insulting the Second Prince. Arthur said, attempting to soften the mood...
"The Prince's behavior is reckless..."
"I do not mean that, Your Majesty..."
"..."
The guests were puzzled by her calmness as she placed her fan in front of her face to cover her mouth, despite her visible pink cheeks. She looked with sharp eyes at her target...
"If the Council truly agrees, I mean... isn't it better for His Highness to marry a beautiful maiden?!..."
"Does the Duchess refuse me?!..."
"It is not that.."
"..."
"Rather, it is a great honor for me to marry the first hero of the war..."
"..."
"But, I would feel the burden, for Your Highness is a young bachelor and I am a widow..."
There was a slight hint of sadness on Elite's face; no one, even those close to her, could distinguish whether it was genuine or a calculated performance... Eric stepped elegantly toward Elite, bowed gracefully, and said with kind eyes:
"My Lady... will you accept a marriage with me?!..."
"I would be very happy with that..."
When Elite extended her hand, Eric took it and kissed it in an elegant manner...
The people were in a state of awe. How was the condition subjugated so quickly? There was no chance for the Emperor to manipulate the situation. One of the nobles loyal to the Second Prince stepped forward and spoke with confidence...
"His Highness is wise in his choices..."
"I believe so.."
The reply came from the Marquis of Elexia, who was in a state of shock. He had heard of the Second Prince's madness and recklessness, but he never imagined that Elite—that cold and firm woman—would join him in his recklessness..
"Am I not very lucky? I finally get my inheritance and a wonderful bride..."
Eric looked at Elite while speaking with a puff of pride and confidence, and the guests supported him, congratulating him on the match..
Ian looked at everything happening around him with outward calmness, while his small fist almost tore the edge of his mother's dress...
As for Arthur, he felt for a moment as if the sky were falling. How had everything shifted? His perfect plan to corner his brother had been completely diverted...
* * *
"The Duchy of Estroyn...
"..."
"It is your actual inheritance, but do you think the Emperor will hand it over to you easily?!..."
"I know nothing in my life but the sword; tell me what is to be done.."
She looked at him with her ruby-red eyes while sipping her cup of tea with complete elegance, despite her pale, simple brown cloak...
He contemplated her; despite being in this crowded, dilapidated place, this woman still maintained her pride and her cold gaze...
"The Duchy of Altan will help you, trust me..."
"What kind of help?!..."
"Anything..."
"Then it is a deal.."
He had decided which side he belonged to beforehand, but he wanted to meet her. This woman was very special to him. When she sent him a message saying she wanted to meet to finalize the deal, she agreed and gave him the right to choose the meeting place...
He chose this suspicious tavern, so they would be further away from his brother's surveillance...
* * *
Despite the storm that occurred inside the royal banquet hall, calmness returned in a strange way...
"I did not expect His Majesty to bless this marriage.."
"Was he not strangely quiet for a while... perhaps he was thinking.."
"The Imperial Family will be the winner either way.."
"The Duchess will certainly be able to provide an heir."
"Also, the Duchess is a genius personality; she will rebuild the Estroyn Duchy.."
"He has broken the hearts of the young noble ladies..."
"Haha, the widowed Duchess has stolen the most sought-after groom in the Empire..."
"Everyone knows the Duchess is still young as well..."
"I believe she is about two years younger than the Prince.."
Viola looked quietly at the crowd of nobles, who were in groups, unable to stop talking about the matter...
"The Emperor's silence is suspicious..."
She sighed and patted the hand of Gorin, who expressed his concern. She spoke calmly, contrary to what was storming in her mind...
"The Second Prince is crazy, but Her Grace has a thousand ways to support him. Why did they choose this method?"
"As for me, I do not object to the Second Prince.."
"Really?!"
"Didn't Fermin tell you? He trusts him very much. He said he is worthy of loyalty..."
"I truly feel confused, but what is the Young Duke's position on the matter?"
"Our Young Duke was upset; I saw him..."
"I hope things turn out well, Rin."
"I hope so.. let's go see everyone."
Gorin moved with Viola to the private lounge of the Altan Duchy. They walked with steady steps, ignoring everyone who tried to approach them. When they reached the door of the room, the knight guarding the door looked at them and then allowed them to enter...
Elite was sitting quietly, and Ian was in another corner with Johann. Those sitting looked at Viola and Gorin, who bowed respectfully..
"We greet Your Excellencies.."
"Rin, Viola, has something happened?!..."
Viola was flustered and looked at Gorin, who was looking at Elite with sad eyes but lowered his head. Viola hesitated and looked at Johann and Ian, so Ian stood up quietly..
"Mother, I will go play with Johann nearby..."
Elite wanted to object, but she knew Ian was frustrated and feared making things worse, so she nodded affirmatively and said with a friendly smile..
"Don't go far..."
"Alright.."
"Goodbye, Duchess.."
Johann smiled as he bid Elite farewell and moved obediently behind Ian; it seemed he was matching his friend's mood..
After the children left, Elite looked at them as if to ask what was going on. Both hesitated, but Gorin, with tearful eyes, spoke..
"My Lady, we are very worried..."
"What?!"
"Madam, Rin and I trust Your Grace's decisions, but this man is planning something very bad.. He has no heart, he will not hesitate to do something evil.."
Elite did not deny that she had acted rashly; she had decided to help Eric with the Emperor's condition, but his final silence truly terrified her. She felt grateful for the reaction of Gorin and Viola..
"I know what I am getting into, but now there is no room for retreat..."
The siblings nodded in agreement. Elite thought for a moment:
"Where is Fermin?! I haven't seen him since the announcement..."
Gorin looked at Viola and took a deep breath...
CHAAAK!!!!
"My Lady!!!"
... To be continued ...
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