“You have a son……?”
“Yes.”
“With the Chieftain……?”
“No.”
“Then, is your wife in the Sernerd Barony? The Dane Kingdom?”
“No.”
“I don’t mind riddles, but this is a bit frustrating. Where is your wife now?”
“She’s no longer here.”
At Fernandez’s words, Rene was startled. A sticky, gloomy air lingered between them. Rene straightened her posture and cautiously asked.
“She passed away……?”
“…….”
It was a kind of farewell. He had seen her death with his own eyes on that stormy day. The shattered emotions, the boiling grief—none of it remains now. It’s all turned to dust, the soul split apart, and the memory of that day remains more like a phantom than a recollection.
Vaitas had detached himself from the emotions of his past life. It was unforgivable, but if there was any silver lining, it was that he didn’t need to dwell on regrets or sorrows beyond what was necessary.
“I see…… I’m sorry. Truly.”
“There’s no need for you to feel that way, my lady.”
“Where is your son now……?”
“Far away.”
Very far away. Rene’s eyes gradually lit up as she seemed to understand Fernandez’s words. She fell into deep thought for a moment, then nodded her head.
“Well, among nobles, such flaws are hardly even considered blemishes. I’m fine with it.”
“What are you talking about……?”
“Let’s get married. Us.”
“No.”
An immediate answer. Rene stared blankly at Fernandez. No emotion could be seen in his eyes. The corner of her lips trembled.
“There’s…… much to gain, isn’t there?”
“There’s also much to lose.”
“I’ll compensate you……?”
“Where do I sign the refusal clause?”
“You’re so stubborn.”
“…….”
“Give me the strawberries.”
The Duke’s reply had arrived. Accompanied by a grand procession and a noisy band. The Duke frowned as he watched the heavily armed knights enter the outer gates of Ribue.
At the forefront was a flag-bearer, dressed in splendid armor, striding in with a pompous expression. And for good reason. The style of that armor belonged to the Knights of the Radiant Spear, the oldest traditional knight order of the Imperial Palace.
There was no way the Knights of the Radiant Spear would escort a mere envoy. The flag-bearer carried two types of flags. One was a small flag with the knight order’s emblem embossed in grandeur. And the other—
“The Imperial Palace has come forth……?”
A purple cloth with golden threads depicting tulips, a crown, a sun, an eye, and a deer. The tulip represented the Empire, the crown the nobility, the sun and the eye symbolized Shield and the Temple of the Gods, respectively. Finally, the deer represented the current Imperial family—the House of Tremule, the Count of Tremule.
The golden threads of the crown shimmered in the sunlight. The second prince, it seems. Duke Erbe stroked his chin and slowly prepared to receive the envoy.
Even if the other party is a prince, the throne is not hereditary. Therefore, the prince is merely a titular honor, and his actual rank is that of the second son of a count. If the House of Tremule adheres to the primogeniture principle, this young man will likely end his life as nothing more than a common noble in a robe, let alone a count.
Thus, as the Duke and the Supreme Commander of the Empire’s Expeditionary Legion, Erbe had no need to lower himself. His vassals wouldn’t want that either. Yet, the Duke dismounted without hesitation and stepped forward himself.
“Glory to the great Leviathan! The legitimate second son of the Imperial family, the noble Marshal of the House of Tremule, and the Imperial Treasurer, Sir Robert Benitier de Tremule, has arrived!”
A herald beside the flag-bearer shouted at the top of his lungs. It was a ridiculous envoy procession. Erbe suppressed a laugh and bowed his head. Even if it’s a nominal position, a prince is still a prince. The power of politicians often stems from titles and legitimacy.
And the House of Tremule is a great noble family that holds military and commercial power far beyond what Ribue could ever compare to.
“Welcome, Sir Robert. It’s been a long time since the last celebration banquet.”
“Indeed, Duke Carvelier! I hope you’ve been well? I should have visited more often to lighten the burden of the Empire’s Supreme Commander, my oversight!”
“Thank you for your concern. Haha, please come in. A banquet has been prepared!”
“I’m grateful for your hospitality.”
Robert was a handsome young man who looked splendid in his lavish coat. The dazzling golden hair characteristic of the Tremule bloodline shimmered in the sunlight.
An ivory-colored dress suit with intricate golden embroidery hugged his lean body flawlessly. Prince Robert walked over to Rene, who was standing beside the Duke, and lightly kissed the back of her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lady Carvelier.”
“Yes…… Sir Robert. It’s been a while since the last social gathering.”
“The victory banquet for the Western campaign was the last.”
The Western expedition was officially recognized by the Imperial Palace as a ‘victorious war.’ The reason was that it had repelled the Sultan’s offensive and secured the Empire’s territory. She remembered the grand banquet held here when Ribue was still at the center of power.
It could almost be called a grand funeral. It was the day Ribue’s political and economic lifeline was cut. The exact conversations among the nobles at that banquet remain unknown.
But after that day, Ribue’s financial arteries were severed one by one. No more logistics flowed through Ribue. And it was clear that the Imperial Treasury had a hand in that flow.
Traditionally, high-ranking positions in the Imperial Palace were given to the Elector Counts. Just as Duke Erbe held the position of Supreme Commander of the Imperial Legion, the heads of various departments were handed over to the Elector Counts.
But beyond these nominal powers, there were others who actually ran the departments. The Imperial Treasurer of the Treasury, the Palace Chamberlain of the Palace Affairs, the Captain of the Levans Knights of the Legion……
The real power that moved the Empire lay with the Emperor’s appointed aides, alongside the throne. The Elector Counts, beyond their nominal positions, also held their own territories.
