‘This man could beat me even if there were three of me…’

Why was he going through this ordeal?

Yannick, the manager of the Wellington Hotel, recalled the conversation he had with a guest who had hurriedly visited him that morning.

[Dash] Is that really true, Lord Russel?

[Dash] Why would I lie? Viscount Puart will arrive here within two days.

[Dash] No, why isn’t he going to the Duke of Ertman, but coming to the hotel instead?

[Dash] …There’s a reason. Just remember, when Viscount Puart arrives, contact Ertman. Make sure he does not leave the hotel until someone from Ertman comes.

Russel left as abruptly as he had arrived.

‘He said within two days, I thought I had some time!’

Who would have known that Arnold’s carriage would arrive just as lunchtime was ending?

Technically, he could have called the security to stop him.

This was the Wellington Hotel, where elite guards were stationed for the safety of the guests.

But how could he do that to Arnold?

And so, in an unprecedented move, Yannick, the manager, found himself throwing his whole body in the way to stop Arnold.

“My Lord, could you please wait a moment? Shouldn’t you at least have a meal? We haven’t seen each other in so long, it would be rude for me to see you off without even a chat.”

It was almost the end of tea time.

It was an inappropriate time to discuss meals.

However, Yannick had no time to consider such things, as his mind was filled with the thought of stopping Arnold.

Almost begging, he led Arnold towards the hall.

“Right this way, please wait a moment and I’ll bring some refreshments. Really! We have some really good and rare tea. So, for my sake at least…”

Finally, Arnold swatted his hand as if shooing away an annoying fly.

“Ah, you’re so bothersome. Give me 5 minutes!”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll give you 5 minutes. Go prepare a meal or a tea table or whatever. Do I have to tell you twice?”

“No, no you don’t!”

“Tsk, what a nuisance…”
Arnold clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Though he had reluctantly entertained Yannick’s incessant nagging, his gaze was far from pleased.

The reason was simple.

‘I need to go meet His Majesty right now, but I’m stuck here dealing with this nonsense. Tch, they say old age mellows you.’

He was in a hurry.

Furrowing his brows as if he were a petulant child, Arnold recalled events from a few days ago.

.

.

.

“What?! Walter is going to marry the Fourth Princess?!”

Upon receiving urgent news from the capital.

In his surprise, Arnold had spilled hot coffee all over his desk.

As a result, his closet, filled with cherished vests, lost its fifth collection.

It was a rarely well-polished white, so beautiful that even Arnold saved it for special occasions.

But there was no time for Arnold to lament over his lost vest.

“This damned Emperor, has he finally lost his mind? Using Ertman to this extent and now marrying my grandson to some illegitimate princess?!”

“Yo- Your Lordship, that is an insult to the royal family…”

“Can’t you shut up! Ertman is being insulted right now, and you talk about royal insult?”

It had been only two months since Walter returned to the capital.

Arnold was well aware that Walter had begun to engage in social activities.

‘Hmm, it’s about time to resume activities.’

Although people said Ertman was still strong despite closing off for a long time, the situation inside Ertman was far from that.

It was only natural. How could there be minor losses when they hadn’t been active for so long?

Still, Ertman had committed sins, so they dare not speak up.

At least until Walter returned from the battlefield with significant accomplishments.

‘Hmm, Walter may be brash and have a peculiar temperament, but he does have a knack for warfare, considering whose grandson he is.’

Walter’s contributions to the royal family already numbered more than one could count on a hand.

So now was the time to finally remove the label of a sinner.

Arnold was also preparing to throw a grand party when Walter would return to the Ertman Duke’s territory after the social season ended.

‘At this rate, I might also bring in a virtuous granddaughter-in-law.’

The days of sunlight would return even to the long-empty Ertman estate!

Just yesterday, he had reviewed the list of young ladies to pair up with Walter.

And now what?

“He’s marrying Walter to a Fourth Princess who’s not even the Third, but an illegitimate one? This is an insult to Ertman!”

“But Your Lordship, it might be the Duke’s own doing?”

“What nonsense is that?! Do you know what kind of person Walter is?!”

Arnold slammed the table.

“I can say this with my honor on the line!”

It was!

“Without a doubt, a wicked scheme by the Emperor!”