“After the first day of the hunting competition, the entire nobility in Belua was shocked by the astonishing news that Countess Plache, who had not been seen since the first day of the competition, and the Southern Sage, had become engaged to the Emperor.

Of course, the Eastern nobles, who had never doubted that their daughters would become empresses, were the most shocked. Meanwhile, the non-conformist nobles who supported Countess Plache walked around with smiles on their faces, their lips practically torn apart.

“What wonderful news! I shall personally buy this meal!”

Newspapers all reported this sacred engagement news. The non-conformist nobles raised their glasses without a care, and market merchants recorded tremendous sales while shouting joyful exclamations.

Now was the time for the era of the Eastern aristocrats to fade away, and the era of the Emperor reigning over the Perseta Empire to arrive. The completely unexpected decision of the Emperor, who had not paid any attention to the Eastern nobles’ opinions, was incredibly bold.

‘Who are you to criticize and gossip about my marriage?’

The Eastern nobles, who had been speculating about who would become empress, now looked ridiculous. Especially the Viscount and Viscountess Svenya, who were nowhere to be seen. Cedric could imagine how angry they were and how they were boldly returning to Svenya.

“The North is truly a dreadful place! I will never come back.”

The Duchess Alanka, shedding tears immediately by his side, would surely want to leave this place as soon as possible.

However, taking the body of Duke Alanka was quite challenging. Moreover, since his father’s death was an unfortunate ‘incident,’ the opinion of the Cabinet Blue was crucial. Yes, that annoying, meticulous, and troublesome Cabinet Blue.

“We won’t come back, not at all. It’s so dreadful that I don’t want to be here for a single moment. Cedric, when can we leave?”

“The telegraph will come soon, Mother.”

“It’s truly irritating! Your father going back from a place where those dreadful monsters come out! What is the Emperor thinking? Why not consider the sacred marriage more wisely…”

“Mother.”

Cedric interrupted the Duchess’s words by then.

“I’m afraid someone might hear. It’s better to stop around here. This is Belua, after all.”

This is the Emperor’s domain, a place where non-conformist nobles praise the Emperor everywhere, that is, in the North, West, and Central regions.

“Who’s here, Cedric?”

The Duchess shouted, sitting on the fourth floor of the Vyateng Hotel they occupied.

“Even so, Mother. We need to be careful with our words here. In the future, rumors about Duke Alanka will continue to circulate.”

“Oh, right. You’re right, Cedric. Catherine is over, it’s over…”
Now that Cedric has become the new Duke Alanka, the Duchess Alanka easily accepted his words, and she lamented sadly.

“They say that child has made a syrup bottle into that state. Who would take her now?”

“At least it won’t be the Emperor, Mother. Rest for now. If you collapse as well, I won’t be able to bear it.”

The Duchess grumbled with dissatisfaction for a while but eventually admitted that Cedric was right and lay down.

Cedric, amazed at his increasing skill in handling his mother, left the room. The Duchess was right. Who would propose to Catherine, who accidentally killed her father? But Cedric didn’t care.

“I’m not in a position to interfere with that child…”

On the decorative table in the corridor lay neatly folded newspapers for the day. They all reported the Emperor’s sudden engagement news on the front page.

Cedric Lambert vaguely knew that Countess Plache Yeongae would marry the Emperor.

He recalled the Emperor walking toward the monster annex sales warehouse in Mel River Port on a dark night. Now, thinking back, it wasn’t a confrontation with the Eastern nobility as an Emperor, but a restraint against another man showing interest in his lover.

“The Emperor isn’t confronting the Eastern nobility. The Emperor rules, and we are nothing.”

In the eyes of that great man, the Eastern nobles were probably beings naturally placed under his feet. Cedric instinctively understood. Hayden Constant Rostana Vellera couldn’t win, even if he came back to life. So, all he could do was kneel.

In any case, the number of nobles who tried to foster friendship by seating their daughters as empresses was quite limited. He couldn’t foster friendship with an opponent he couldn’t confront.

In that sense, Catherine Lambert, his beloved sister, would probably be happy that Countess Plache Yeongae became empress. After all, she never wanted to be empress.

“Cath…”

Lyn. Cedric, who was about to call his sister by her name, curious about how she was doing, stopped walking. Chuckles, the sound of suppressed laughter, echoed.

Catherine Lambert, sitting by the window, covered her mouth with her hand. Today’s newspaper was on her lap. It was the same newspaper as the one in the corridor. Without unfolding it, Catherine’s cheeks were puffed up in delight.