Chapter 11

Then ‘that day’ came suddenly.

In less than a week after the coronation of the new Emperor.

It was a very good morning.

My father was preparing to enter the palace after breakfast, and because I fell asleep, I had to have breakfast not in the dining room, but in the living room where my mother was sitting.

The menu consisted of a tasteless porridge, some seasonal fruits and yogurt made from fermented cow’s milk.

I heard that the original breakfast had fresh sausage, well-done scrambled eggs, and salad.

He must have changed the menu mercilessly because he had slept late. Originally, my parents hated it the most when the nobility showed signs of indolence.

My mother was elegantly using a paper knife to open the envelopes. It was a check of her mail, one of my mother’s morning routines.

I kept putting honey on the porridge, while I watched my mother. Originally, it was honey to put in yogurt, but I couldn’t help it.

I didn’t like porridge. How are you supposed to eat something that tastes like paperweed? But, I couldn’t give it up. My parents don’t like to give up food.

Now that I’ve spilled so much honey, then it’ll be okay, right? I took a spoonful of honey-covered gruel. It was at that moment that I took a bite with a satisfied expression.

She opened her mouth in a quiet manner, her eyes fixed on the bulletin she was reading.

“Daughter, why don’t you go on an arranged date?”

“Fuh-hmm!”

The mush I was eating got stuck in my throat. Not to be rude, I quickly covered my mouth with a napkin, but I still coughed so hard several times that the tears started to flow.

“Ah, a…! What?”

“Why don’t you go out on an arranged date?”

“What the hell are you talking about? Out of nowhere!”

That’s when I screamed. My mother left the Pacific Times on the living room table, very loudly.

My eyes went to the newspaper in the capital. On the first page was Rubellus’ face, and underneath it was written in big letters.

(The Immediate Scandal)

Did the new Emperor misread the oath before the nobility? Get the original texts of this article!

Did you misread the oath? Your Highness?

It was time to stretch my head to watch the news.

“It is not at all surprising.”

At my mother’s stern tone, my head turned to her.

My mother spread out the mail that had been carefully sorted. It was a bunch of colorful, charming letters.

“What is all this?”

“This is the wedding invitation that will be issued in two months.”

“A wedding invitation?”

Why so much? I picked up the invitation and swallowed my breath.

The young heir to the Count of Morelli… It’s a familiar name.

As I looked at the wedding invitation, my mother sighed and explained.

“The nobles of the capital are marrying in a hurry. If the Emperor declares he will marry, naturally, it will be a year after the wedding, and in that period no nobleman can marry and so the marriage will take a long time to happen.”

Whether it was a political marriage or a love marriage, they apparently intended to marry quickly before the marriage was completely blocked.

But what does this have to do with me?

I hesitated, looking at my mother.

“But I haven’t thought about it for a while…”

“Ira, I’m not forcing you to get married.”

Mother took a sip from the tea cup in front of her and then sighed.

“And let me tell you beforehand, there are many other ways beyond what you are seeing. You are a member of the Waldenbiston family. I would like you to have a loving marriage. But I can’t help but see that you’re not doing anything like this.”

I raised my head and looked her straight in the eyes as she listened. Her eyes were covered with love and concern.

“I’m not asking you to have a wedding for the honor of the family. When you enter the market, everyone will rush to try to benefit from our family. Our family is still strong. But, therefore, use it and you will gain something. Someone who has eyes to see people, who can be objective, reasoning to achieve full profits and good luck. Someone who can support you like that.”

My mother raised her lips and smiled.

“I know it’s been difficult so far. But know that your mother is worried about your future and your life.”

“Yes…”

I nodded, according to my mother’s words.

I couldn’t help it. I got up from my seat with my shoulders down. The porridge, which I had only eaten one spoonful, was completely hardened.

“I’ll think about it, so please forgive me for skipping breakfast.”

“It’s okay. But keep in mind that you’re still grounded. You must spend the day in your room. Be sure to tell me when you use your studio.”

“Yes…”

* * * * *

As Ira slowly climbed the stairs, Duchess Waldenbiston noticed a shadow over her shoulder, looked back and smiled weakly.

It was her husband.

With his moustache extended, Duke Waldenbiston handed Duchess Waldenbiston a handkerchief as if she were waiting.

“You didn’t choose it, so I chose it, I understand if it doesn’t match.”

“That’s a great choice.”

She smiled and took off his handkerchief, skillfully folded it and placed it on his chest.

Though it looked like a small hand gesture, the scarf hung from his chest like a flower.

“Thank you.”

The Duke gently kissed his wife’s forehead. She kissed him with her eyes closed, then whispered softly to him.

“I told Ira to go out on a date.”

“Well done. What did she say?”

“She’ll think about it. But even if she doesn’t want to, I’ll send her. I think she needs a new change. I have a feeling I can’t leave her like this any longer… Are you going to the Imperial Palace?”

At her words, Duke Waldenbiston nodded and stroked his moustache. The Duchess laughed again at his words.

“I know you will retire soon, and many people in the palace are trying to stop you.”

“It’s not that.”

“Yes?”

In the Duchess’s replica, the Duke had a strange expression on his face.

“Well… Madam, I will tell you soon, but we may have to postpone the change. Let the workers know the schedule again.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Last night, Count Walden’s temporary successor was arrested in case of emergency. On charges of bribery, and it appears he made a deal with the northern nobles. The Emperor is very angry. He too is a central figure in the new aristocracy and a person the Emperor has trusted since he was Crown Prince. Today is an emergency meeting. Because we have to take countermeasures.”

The Duchess covered her mouth with a surprised look and then nodded.

“So you’ll be staying in office for a while?”

“I’m not sure, because nothing has been said yet. The appointments of the nobles working in the cabinet were completely postponed. The House of Lords had already established a new cabinet according to his personal preferences, but since Count Walden became like that, it may take much longer to vet the rest of the staff… No.”

The Duke frowned and thought for a moment.

“And that… I really don’t know, ma’am.”

In fact, the Duke was very confused. Because things are becoming completely different from what they expected and planned.

The Duke of Waldenbiston remembered a contract he’d previously made with the Emperor. A secret promise that he couldn’t tell his wife and companion, the Duchess.

When he was the Crown Prince, he desperately needed power, so he made a pact of trust with the Duke.

And according to the covenant, now was not the time for Count Walden to be punished.

Obviously, this time it was his turn.

Things are going badly.

As he thought about it, the Duke continued to slowly go back on his feet.

“The Emperor has long been upon me, and the Emperor’s intentions are not something I dare understand. The present emperor, having to adapt a fierce temperament to prevent his enemies from rising up against him, has had to be more cunning and calculating than before… sometimes having to sacrifice what he loves most to keep him safe.”

Still.

However, we must not give up on finding out what’s going on.

I must find him and ask what’s going on. What the hell is going on and what is he planning?

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The point is that…

The Duke’s eyes, which had been thoughtful for a moment, shone with a momentary light. A few weeks ago, the coronation ceremony had a single point that woke the Duke’s nerves.

Anger.

Don’t tell me…

“Is it because of your daughter?”

The Duke’s eyes narrowed.