The Empress left the audience chamber with Luana, and the Emperor’s gaze turned entirely towards his son. The time had come to accept the present and forget the past.

“Hmm…”

Though he always seemed displeased, he couldn’t help but feel proud of his mature son as a father.

“Come closer. Let me take a look at you.”

Lucas nodded and ascended the stairs to stand in front of the throne.

“You remind me of my glory days.”

Richard nostalgically scanned his son from head to toe. His son, who had stirred the heart of his beloved Adeline, was regrettable, yet as a man, he fully understood the vigor of youth.

“In the past, I also roamed this world with close friends.”

“Yes, you spent a lot of time with Duke Astel.”

From a young age, Lucas had constantly heard how magnificent and powerful his father was.

Particularly, the story of how the crown prince at the time went to the front lines and earned merit was famous. By the age of ten, he had already surpassed his peers and had to compete with someone six years older, which was a well-known tale.

Mom, why am I shorter than Cedric?

In his innocent youth, he had caused his mother difficulty with such innocent curiosity several times.

Everyone from his mentors to the palace told him how strong and dignified the men of the Thern dynasty were, but Lucas was the exception as he just wouldn’t grow taller.

You’re young. You’ll grow tall like your father.

But… Dad was already much taller than me at ten. And Cedric, and all the other noble children my age, are taller than me.

The Empress, Adeline, could only quietly console her young son. Richard had never experienced such worries, so he couldn’t understand the gravity of the issue.

The men of the Thern dynasty are all robust. So, you will be too.

Lucas believed his mother’s words and did his best within his abilities. He always measured his height at the crown prince’s residence and recorded it on the wall.

By the age of 15, he had received praise from his tutor for his excellent grasp of academics and royal studies.

…Still shorter than others.

But his vague hopes and self-esteem were cruelly crushed at his engagement ceremony at the age of 16.

Hearing the scoffs of his much taller fiancée, Lucas lost his composure and spewed childish and improper words at the woman who was to be his bride, realizing how pitiable he was.

I won’t come back until I become dignified.

His solitary oath solidified. When he first left the palace, he often wanted to return, but remembering the scoffs of his fiancée made even the harshest training bearable.

And he gradually realized. The humiliation he felt as a young boy wasn’t for any other reason but because he was ignored by the woman he had fallen for at first sight.

It was twisted, but it was certainly his first and only love.

“Speaking of Astel, do you really have to marry her?”

Richard’s question interrupted Lucas’s reverie.

“Yes, haven’t you already permitted it?”

“That was the Empress’s wish. I… don’t like it.”

From a traditional perspective, an engagement lasting four years should naturally be annulled. Moreover, at 24, Serena was considered an old maid in this era. Given that the succession was at stake, they couldn’t prioritize their son’s wishes indefinitely.

“My intentions have not changed. Wasn’t it you who arranged the engagement back then? Consider it decided since then.”

“Things have changed.”

“Surely you’re not suggesting that you arranged the engagement as a penalty from a bet with Duke Astel?”

Richard immediately shook his head. No matter how playful he was, he wouldn’t decide on an issue involving imperial succession so lightly.

“Duke Astel is a man of excellent qualities, and his family is noble. Even without the bet, I would have considered only Lady Astel for your engagement.”

“Please continue to think so.”
“It was six years ago. At the age of twenty-two, the Empress embraced you. Have you not thought about it?”

“Of course, I have.”

Lucas replied as if he’d been waiting to hear those words.

“It’s something that can’t be postponed.”

He had waited six years. Now, he no longer wished to wait even a moment after marrying Serena.

“I’ve seen it with my own eyes; Her Highness is very healthy and vibrant.”

Conviction filled Lucas’s eyes. Initially, he hadn’t sought a suitable woman to succeed the throne but had wanted to welcome Serena as his wife.

“And I have no intention of marrying anyone but Her Astel Highness.”

Upon Lucas’s assertion, the Emperor winced.

“Fine, fine!”

Tsk, the Emperor looked disapprovingly at his stubborn son, who was already besting him. No matter how stubborn the men of the imperial family were, he himself felt sorry for how he had been towards his own father.

“Six years ago, you had the same expression when you left. I only have you as a son, and I can’t leave the heir’s position vacant any longer.”

This too was within Lucas’s calculations. He had already clearly shown the world that he could stand his ground.

“Leave the national marriage to the Empress.”