“It’s said that lightning is striking in Shaléa. No one dared to approach the imperial palace.

The citizens of Shaléa held their breath in fear that could be felt just by getting closer. The momentum was so remarkable that the news spread throughout the entire Perseta Empire.

The spies stationed in Shaléa immediately reacted to the approaching danger. Each of them pulled and shook the strings reaching the palace.

Whenever the emperor, who suddenly appeared, took a step, the imperial authority soared uncontrollably, and the power of the nobles plummeted to the ground. At a time like this, when the emperor was once again furious, everyone held their breath, eager to know the reason.

“Could he have noticed?”

Count Svenya, who was preparing to strike the back of the emperor’s head, discreetly examined the escape route but was cut off firmly by Duke Negerette.

“If he did, he would have come to catch us before! It’s clear that he’s the only one with a twisted mind!”

Even as he spoke, Count Svenya hoped that his cousin, Lady Gordio, who was in Shaléa, would bring news quickly. All rebellion must be prepared based on information. Duke Negerette glanced thoughtfully at the eastern barrier gate opened towards Kaleta.

“Anyway, we need to drive him out of this land quickly. The entire country is turning upside down; what a mess!”

To gauge the emperor’s mood, it was an impossible task! However, those in power were sensitive to the flow of power, especially those who had recently gained power were even more on edge. The two noble families in the eastern part were in chaos, so Duke Allanka was no exception.

The new Duke Allanka was too busy mourning his father, holding a funeral, and proceeding with the succession process. Moreover, in his house, there was also the murderer who killed his father. She went into hiding and rarely came out.

“Brother.”

However, Cedric Lambert often checked on his sister. Yes, it was not asking about her well-being but ‘checking.’ The head of this house had the obligation to always be attentive to how the murderer was doing.

“What’s the matter?”

Katherine, who was in the annex, came out for some reason. Cedric calmly looked up at his younger sister.

“I just wanted to ask something.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Father’s funeral is over now.”

Ignoring the unsightly event, the unfortunate Duke Allanka was laid to rest in the family’s mausoleum without a proper funeral.

“Are you going to Shaléa, brother?”

Shaléa. Cedric thought that his sister seemed to have heard rumors about how frightening a presence there was in Shaléa right now.

“There’s also the upper branch in Shaléa, so I have to go check on it.”

“No.”

Catherine hesitated, lowering her head. She spoke very cautiously.

“Since you’re now the new duke, you should go and swear loyalty.”
“Loyalty oath. Isn’t that an outdated story? Originally, when there was an emperor in this land, nobles usually went to Shaléa to pledge loyalty to the emperor when they newly inherited their titles.

As the era of the Grand Council continued, everything related to the emperor disappeared, and the story of loyalty oaths became obsolete. However, with the return of the emperor, there emerged cases of nobles in the west gradually pledging loyalty.

The high-nosed nobles in the east adamantly refused to do such a thing. But is it necessary? If not, the position of Duke Allanka in the Eastern Union will be pushed down even further. Already, the new duke is young, and the status of Allanka itself is shaken by the ongoing tragedies.

“I’m still considering it. Haven’t there been any cases of pledging loyalty among the eastern nobles yet?”

“I hope you become the duke, brother. Mother would probably object, but… the times have changed now.”

Catherine especially emphasized the phrase ‘the times have changed.’ She appeared to be a passive and cautious young lady to everyone. It seemed as if she found it challenging to deal with her brother, thinking that he was difficult even to smile after killing their father.

“Of course, I know that others don’t think the same way. But I hope you become the duke.”

Cedric put down the documents he had been looking at.

“Why do you think so?”

“I honestly find it surprising that people still don’t think differently. Haven’t they learned anything from Moiquepel? Everything has already… changed.”

Catherine shook her head as if she sincerely couldn’t understand.

“Then why did the empress oppose it?”

When Cedric asked abruptly, Catherine’s eyes widened even more.

“The empress… The empress is too… too frightening to be close to, brother.”

Cedric thought that it was his sister’s true feelings.

“And because I said I wanted to become it, it’s not a position that can be obtained.”

That’s just a way to make it acceptable to others.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Cedric nodded.

“I understand what you’re saying. I’ve felt that Svenya and Negerette have started to ignore us a lot, and there’s more to think about.”

“Brother. Svenya is a fool. Negerette is nonexistent.”