“What’s the rumor?”

Valentine gently inquired. It was evident that he wasn’t asking out of ignorance but rather displayed a clear attitude that this topic was unpleasant.

Under normal circumstances, she might have backed away, but now she needed to summon courage, even if it was nonexistent. If things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before not only Valentine but the entire Ansgar was in danger. The land they currently stood on was the Emperor’s territory, and it was a meticulously woven plot by the nobles. Moreover, she wasn’t well-versed in politics.

‘I need to speak up.’

Still, did it have to be now? The resolute determination she had until she opened her mouth for the first time kept diminishing.

Even though she knew better than anyone that time was running out.

It felt strange at times. Lately, as if my heart wasn’t truly mine…

“It seems like silence, Adele.”

She snapped out of her brief contemplation. He, leaning against the windowsill, was staring at her with a languid gaze.

“…Valentine, I thought you might feel uncomfortable discussing this.”

Adele continued, purposely avoiding eye contact with him.

“Did you happen to hear the conversation between Margaret and me last time?”

The smooth smile that had adorned his lips slightly faded.

“Yes.”

“You need to understand the context of that conversation. Strange rumors are circulating about the gifts you received.”

“That trivial amount of gold, you mean.”

“That trivial amount of gold is quite significant by human standards. Especially, the ‘gifts’ Her Majesty has been giving lately are excessively extravagant. Anyone would think it’s favoritism.”

“…”

“Favoritism arouses unnecessary suspicion. If you make the slightest misstep, it will lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Valentine let out a short laugh. As Adele furrowed her brow, he caressed his lips and said, “I didn’t know you were so concerned.”

“I’ve heard enough in pain, stuck in my room. Please don’t take it lightly and listen carefully.”

“Adele’s opinion is not the least bit amusing to me.”

He said, firming his expression as if to show he was serious.

Adele narrowed her eyes as if gauging whether his words were genuine, then quickly continued.

“Especially the rumor that at this assembly, His Excellency prioritizes the succession rights… That rumor is fatal. If even the common nobles start to believe it, the situation will become uncontrollable.”

Succession rights. The mere mention of the word sent a shiver down her spine.

Adele clenched her fists again, which had begun to tremble.

“If this situation continues, unnecessary misunderstandings about His Excellency’s birth might also…”

“Oh, that’s not a misunderstanding.”

“Not a misunderstanding?”

Adele’s eyes widened. Valentine chuckled, seeming to find her reaction cute.

“It seems like you’re surprised. I thought discussions about lineage were common among humans.”

“Not at all, Valentine, I truly…”
Adele blinked her stiff eyelids in shock. Then, a sudden thought crossed her mind, and she hastily spoke up.

“So, does Her Majesty know everything… Are you cherished by her? Not just because you’re her nephew?”

“At least the Empress knows. She used to give me such a stern look every time our eyes met.”

He said, grabbing the corners of her eyes with his fingers in a playful manner.

Even in the face of this playful gesture, Adele’s expression did not loosen. Rather, she paled even more and asked.

“The Empress too?”

“If that’s an important issue for Adele, should I check it thoroughly? It might require turning my brain upside down a bit.”

Turning my brain… Adele pretended not to hear the dreadful words and continued to ask.

“Then, how about Duke Oscar… I thought you two were blood brothers.”

“Oscar?”

Valentine momentarily narrowed his eyes as if he couldn’t recall who that was. Then, with an indifferent reply, he said, “Well, we don’t look alike even if you just look at our faces.”

“Are you saying that he’s not His Grace’s blood relative… Is that what you mean?”

“The mothers are different. The woman the Duke loved died right after giving birth.”

The woman the Duke loved.

Was that woman Valentine’s biological mother? The more she conversed with him, the more her curiosity intensified.

Where did Valentine find out all this information? Just a few weeks ago, he was unclear about things, to the point of being almost forgetful…

As if sensing her doubts, Valentine smoothly smiled.

“People seem to easily forget, but, in fact, they don’t forget anything. They just pretend to forget.”

“…”

“The past of humans looks like a somewhat challenging book to read for me. It might be troublesome, but there are many ways to find out if you want to know.”

Adele crumpled the hem of her skirt with both hands.

‘If the stories I just heard are all true.’

If the Emperor is not just cherishing Valentine but has decided to transfer the position of Crown Prince to him? The sudden thought sent a chill down her spine.