The Duke of Alanka, the leading figure in the Alsmone Alliance, boasted immense power, and the Duke of Alanka was an excellent politician who knew how to maintain and wield that power.
No, he used to be an excellent politician. As time passed, even the mighty would crumble. The elderly Duke, not in his right mind due to the tragic death of his beloved eldest son, was not himself.
“I greet the Imperial Sun.”
Certainly, when Ru assumed the position of Countess Calleta and first met the Emperor, the Duke of Alanka, who had been present at that time, aged rapidly within just a few months. His gray beard and hair began to turn white, and his face was embarrassingly shabby.
Hayden, with a deeply sympathetic expression, quickly grabbed the Duke’s arm, who was trying to bend down, and helped him up.
“Are you eating well? You look much paler than the last time I saw you.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
If Count Elsh Lamber had not died, Duke Alanka would still be the biggest threat to the young Emperor.
The Alsmone Alliance had been in constant friction with the Emperor since his ascent, mainly because Duke Alanka regarded the Emperor as a thorn in his side. To the aged Duke, the young Emperor, who looked like a toy, appeared no more than a plaything.
But now, the Duke was older than the Emperor and had lost a sturdy heir. Losing his most significant asset, he not only lost his pride and vitality but also his self-respect.
“You don’t have to come out.”
The Emperor, who had politely refused the Duke’s offer to come out and meet him, looked at Duke Alanka, who appeared with etiquette, with a pitying gaze.
That was the pride of the nobles with blue blood flowing through their veins. Unlike the Emperor, who was nothing more than a rootless upstart without the guarantee of Dragon Lords and Matopism, these nobles adhered to manners and formality.
“How could I not?”
Especially in the East, nobles loved courtesy that cost them nothing. When it came to showing courtesy to suppress the opponent, they flocked together.
With these people, the Emperor couldn’t just pass by. It was a matter of the pride of the nobles.
“Your Majesty, passing through Alanka, it’s only right for me to come out. Please stay for a few days, Your Majesty.”
In the rigid East, refusing such a request was considered impolite, but accepting it was also against etiquette. The Emperor faced a delicate challenge, subtle and dangerous. If he couldn’t smoothly overcome even this, he would be treated worse than a person in the East.
“If it were an ordinary day, I would have gladly accepted, but now is not the time. Can it be so?”
The Emperor shook his head.
“You have suffered too great a tragedy, and appropriate rest is necessary. Besides, I am deeply concerned about the health of the Duke and the Duchess.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“I, too, will quietly pass through Alanka in mourning. Even in such sorrowful times, the noble character of a minister devoted to the royal family will be remembered by all.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Appropriate compliments, humility, and subtle rhetoric that never delved into deeper matters were exchanged.
The Emperor, who never crossed dangerous lines, tactfully discouraged the Duke of Alanka and his wife from entering.
If he straightforwardly accepted their offer and stayed at the Duke’s mansion to mourn, he would become an unwelcome guest who brought unwanted condolences and an uninvited storm to the mansion. Moreover, the nobles would not let the matter go until the Emperor’s death.
“Then, Your Majesty, when you finish inspecting the territories and return, please visit.”
Duke Alanka looked at the Imperialle and the creatures they were leading behind him. It was regrettable that such ominous and cursed entities had come to the eastern territories, but there was no other choice.
“Will the sorrow ever fade away completely? It’s a lifetime of grief, and the territories won’t run away. Take a rest this year, free from worry. I will ensure that no one disturbs Alanka.”
The Emperor declared solemnly, making it clear that the elderly Duke and his wife should return to the mansion.
No one would disturb Alanka’s mourning. It was a moment when the disgraceful death of Count Elsh Manuel Lamber could somewhat convincingly be concealed with ugly rumors. Since the Emperor provided comfort, at least the parents’ face had been saved.
After numerous calculated condolences and expressions of gratitude, the Duke and his wife returned to their mansion. Hayden, who watched the long procession of the Duke, muttered.
“To have such strength even after losing a child.”
“Your Majesty, I was curious about who you would bring and head to Turington.”
There was much to be found out under the pretext of greetings. How large was the inspection team, who were the Emperor’s close aides, and many other questions must have aroused curiosity.
They would have scrutinized each detail with critical eyes.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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