As the empress left the audience chamber with Luana, the emperor’s gaze turned fully towards his son. It was time to forget the past years and accept the present.

“Hmm…”

Though he always acted disapproving, as a father he couldn’t help but feel proud of his grown son.

“Come closer. Let me look at you.”

Lucas nodded and ascended the steps to stand before the throne.

“It reminds me of my prime.”

Richard murmured contentedly as he looked his son up and down. Though he resented the son who had upset his beloved Adeline, as a fellow man he could more than understand the passion of youth.

“In the past, I too roamed this world with like-minded companions.”

“Yes. You rode for many years with Duke Astel.”

From a young age, Lucas had heard to the point of exhaustion how impressive and strong an emperor his father was.

In particular, it was a famous story that he had gone to the front lines and achieved merits despite being the crown prince at the time, and everyone knew that by the age of 10 he was already far beyond his peers and had to compete with opponents five or six years older.

−Mother, why am I smaller than Cedric?

In his naive childhood, he had troubled his mother several times with such innocent curiosity.

From his tutors to everyone in the palace spoke of how strong and dignified the men of House Tern were, yet Lucas’s height alone refused to grow.

−You’re still young, that’s why. Someday you’ll be as tall as your father.

−But… they said father was already much taller than me at 10 years old. And Cedric, and all the noble children my age, they’re all taller than me.

Empress Adeline could only quietly soothe her young son’s complaints. Richard had never once worried about such things, so he completely failed to understand the seriousness of the issue.

−All men of House Tern are strong. So you will be too.

Lucas believed his mother’s words and did his best within his capabilities. Even so, he always measured his height against the wall in the crown prince’s chambers with the head maid.

Perhaps as compensation, at age 15 he earned praise from his tutor for excellently grasping academics and kingship.

−…Smaller than me.

However, his vague hopes and pride were cruelly crushed at his engagement ceremony at 16.

After hearing the sneer of his much taller fiancée, Lucas lost his reason and spat childish, nasty words at the woman who was to be his bride, then realized how pathetic he was.

−Until I become a dignified figure, I will not return.

His solitary vow was firm. When he first left the palace, he wanted to turn back several times, but recalling his fiancée’s sneer allowed him to endure even harsher training.

And gradually he realized. The humiliation of an immature boy was for no other reason than being scorned by the woman he fell for at first sight.

It was a bit twisted, but it was clearly the first and only love of his life.

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

Richard’s question broke Lucas’s reverie.

“Yes. Haven’t you already given permission?”

“That was the empress’s wish. I’m not… entirely pleased.”

Conventionally, it was natural to break off an engagement after 4 years. Moreover, from this era’s perspective, 24-year-old Serena was an old maid. With the imperial succession at stake, they couldn’t simply prioritize the son’s wishes.

“My intentions have not changed. Wasn’t it you, father, who arranged the engagement back then? Please consider it decided at that time.”

“Things are different now.”

“Surely you’re not about to say it was a penalty from losing a bet with Duke Astel?”

Richard immediately shook his head. No matter how playful a man he was, he wouldn’t so lightly decide a matter concerning the empire’s succession.

“Duke Astel is a man of excellent qualities, and his family is noble. Even without any bet, I thought Lady Astel was the only choice for your fiancée.”

“Please continue to think so.”

“That was 6 years ago. The empress held you in her arms at twenty-two. Have you not thought about heirs?”

“Of course I have.”

Lucas eagerly answered as if it was exactly what he wanted to hear.

“It’s not something that can be delayed.”

He had waited 6 years. Now he didn’t want to wait even a moment longer after marrying Serena.

“I saw with my own eyes, the lady is very healthy and full of vitality.”

Conviction overflowed in Lucas’s eyes. From the start, he hadn’t sought a suitable woman to continue the imperial line, but wanted to take Serena as his wife, so it was only natural.

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

The emperor shuddered at Lucas’s declaration.

“Alright, alright!”

Tsk, the emperor glared disapprovingly at the son already surpassing him in stubbornness. Though the men of this imperial family were known for their strong will, experiencing it himself made him feel sorry for his own father emperor.

“You had the same expression 6 years ago when you left. You’re my only 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 his determination to stick to his convictions, so there was no reason he couldn’t do it twice.

“Leave the royal marriage to the empress.”

“Are you giving definite permission?”

Being thorough to the end was also a family trait.

“Yes!”

Richard shouted as if venting his frustration at the son who resembled him too much.

“If I’d known it would be like this, I should have had another son.”

“Your eyes didn’t look that way when you saw the princess earlier. Did you wish Luana was a boy?”

The emperor shook his head vigorously as if he’d heard something terrible.

“Luana is my love, how dare you!”

It was clear how much his parents loved their new little sister even at a glance. Lucas was simply grateful to have a sibling who filled the void during his absence.

“More importantly… did that lady agree to the wedding?”

Richard suddenly recalled the commotion at the engagement ceremony. Though 6 years had passed, it was not an easily forgotten disturbance.

Even if she was older, how could they face each other and exchange sneers right after their engagement ceremony, with such behavior towards her fiancé?

“As I remember, she absolutely…”

“Don’t worry about the lady.”

Lucas smiled slyly.

“Suspicious.”

“The wedding will proceed smoothly. There won’t be any need to serenade for a year like you did, father.”

An impertinent son is certainly not lovely. Richard frowned deeply and clicked his tongue.

“Do as you will. But if you teach Luana those impudent speech habits, I won’t let it slide.”

Lucas was his son, so he could be sent away once he grew up to some extent, but right now Luana was a treasure he cherished more than his own eyes.

If that lovable child were to disrespect her father emperor with an impudent tone like Lucas, Richard’s heart would crumble.

“The empress missed you terribly, so go talk with her more.”

Richard said, waving his hand dismissively. Though they were the same parents, how could his longing and joy be any different from the empress’s? But there was only so much to discuss between men with a fully grown son.

“I’m sorry for causing you worry by acting selfishly all this time.”

Lucas voiced the words he’d been holding inside. Richard nodded his head slowly. It seemed he had properly raised an heir after all.

“After the wedding, I will live up to my duties as crown prince.”

“Well, you’d better.”

In the end, there was no chance of Lucas backing down on the marriage issue. But there was nothing to reproach him for either. Even Richard had been just as stubborn in his youth, unable to forget Adeline, and as a result hadn’t he won his current happiness?

“Go on to the empress now.”

“Yes.”

As he watched Lucas bow and leave the audience chamber, Richard’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Indeed, exactly like me in my prime.”

His muttered words held pride for his grown son. Now no one could deny that the Tern Empire had a strong heir, no matter what they said.

A few days later, a newspaper arrived in Astel detailing how grand the crown prince’s return had been and how he had captured the hearts of the people in an instant.

“This is a bit exaggerated.”

The portrait artist had depicted the crown prince entering the palace on horseback with a rather awe-inspiring and dignified appearance.

However, after being momentarily captivated by the portrait, she became troubled upon seeing the emphasized text in bold letters stating that a royal wedding was approaching.

“I said I’d accept the outcome, but…”

She had spoken those words not knowing the imperial family, the papal office, and even her own father would take the crown prince’s side.

“But does that mean I should just go along with it without question?”

Serena still couldn’t forget his appearance at her bedroom window.

His gaze then, looking at her as if he were the most romantic man in the world, was still vivid, yet he had left like this, making it all seem like lies and leaving her feeling empty and even more angry.

“We’ll see about meekly getting married.”

Though she couldn’t dare say such words to the crown prince, she had already kicked his noble shin, so there was nothing more to fear.

“My lady, my lady…!”

Anna came running hurriedly to Serena, who was letting out frustrated breaths alone.

“What? Don’t tell me there’s even worse news?”

“No, the duke has arrived!”

Serena blinked slowly. She hadn’t been this surprised even when told the crown prince had come, but had that free spirit, the Duke of Astel, really returned home?

“It’s true! I was surprised too, but it’s really the duke!”

“I see, that’s good.”

Indeed, listening closely, there was a commotion outside.

“I had something I wanted to ask him anyway.”

With the thought that she needed to know what her father was thinking right now, her steps quickened as well.