The crystal rod imbued with Valter and the Emperor’s blood emitted a deep blue color.

Whether analyzing Helen and Portrion Jak’s blood or attempting to prove Valter’s relationship with Duke Lexion, there had never been such a clear result.

The significance of this fact was singular: a parent-child relationship.

‘If Valter’s biological father is the Emperor, it means Valter is the Emperor’s…’

Since he was the Emperor’s only son, it was more likely he would be referred to as the Crown Prince rather than a mere prince.

As this thought crossed her mind, even the strength in the arm supporting her body waned. Edith, sliding down as if slipping, sat on the floor and grasped the situation dumbfoundedly.

It was not crucial why the Emperor didn’t think Lexion’s lady was his child.

What mattered was the racing heartbeat, reminiscent of the things done to Isaac all these years.

“Portrion seems to have a subtly beautiful natural landscape. It would be better if this place developed a bit more.”

When Isaac said that on a hill they climbed together, she replied, “Isaac, sometimes you sound like a prince.”

“…What?”

“You always talk as if you’re ruling the country. Wouldn’t a lord’s son act differently? So, you’re having prince fantasies.”

At that time, Isaac certainly had much to say, but he made a face that he wouldn’t open his mouth, probably indicating he wouldn’t acknowledge defeat in their verbal duel.

‘Before losing my memory, he must have known that he was Lexion and Lady Huang’s child, so he probably said something like that. Isaac knew who his father was.’

The memories that came to mind were not just that.

There were countless times when she smacked his butt for not coming to visit the market, citing not wanting to disturb someone who came alone.

He seemed to grumble when he didn’t think Isaac liked him.

Other times, he would sulk as if he didn’t like her, and the face he made in the past, acting like a cheeky troublemaker, came to her mind countless times.

Even when she found out Valter had the bloodline of Duke Lexion, it was awkward, but now that she knew it was the imperial bloodline, her mind was confused.

Crunch—

While Edith organized her thoughts, Valter slightly opened the door and peered into the room where she was.

After the Emperor’s stroll, Edith’s actions seemed somewhat unnatural. Whenever she came home, she always sought out Adrian first, and it was strange for her to suddenly head to Theos.

To be honest, seeing Edith spending time with the Emperor, whom she considered ‘handsome,’ made Valter a bit jealous.

So, following them, when Edith sat on the floor, he had to knock on the door a couple of times and enter.

“What’s going on?”

Valter locked the door, entered, and immediately lifted Edith. Then, he noticed the familiar crystal rod, which he had used several times and was now accustomed to.

“I’ve never seen such a vivid blue color. Whose blood did you use?”
“I have something to say, Valter.”

Edith took a light breath before speaking.

“What I used the crystal rod for was to distinguish the Emperor’s blood, which I stole from the imperial clinic, and the four blood samples Theos had.”

“…….”

“And this intense blue color…”

Edith didn’t explain any further. Seeing Valter looking at the crystal rod without saying a word, it seemed he already understood the meaning of the results.

“My father is the Emperor.”

Valter muttered with a hint of mockery. In truth, he had never thought much about who his father was.

He planned to focus solely on removing the threat alongside his grandfather, providing blood to calm the mana surge in exchange for money and then leaving.

Now that Edith had become someone who could give him everything he wanted, the father who hadn’t shown up until now was just a useful tool, an existing but dispensable presence.

“Valter. There’s no noble higher than Duke Lexion.”

Franz had told me that during my successor training. Since that statement was not a lie, Valter planned to concentrate only on eliminating the danger alongside his grandfather and then enjoy a peaceful married life with the woman who had preserved his forgotten childhood.

But the Emperor.

“Things are getting interesting.”

Patricia, the Huang Empress who wanted to pull Lexion down, held a card. That card was revealing that she had given birth to the heir to the Huang family, now at the verge of being cut off.

Discovering that he had such a strong card to lightly eliminate the enemy’s pretext made him unable to suppress a smile.

“Valter. Actually, during the Emperor’s stroll today, Lady Lea’s story came up. I don’t know what happened, but His Majesty seems to know that Lady Lea left with another man.”

“Then, as a loyal subject, I might as well go and pay my respects to deliver the truth soon.”

When a relaxed voice came out of his mouth, Edith swallowed dry saliva.

Of course, she didn’t think Valter would shed tears of emotion and create a space as soon as he found out who his father was.