The prince’s palace chef had put great effort into preparing the meal, but it had gone cold as both Herald and Austin had barely touched it. They were too engrossed in their conversation.

“…And that’s what happened.”

Herald recounted everything to Austin, from the incident where Megan, the caregiver who had looked after Lily’s mother, died to the recent meeting with Derius.

Of course, he left out the details about the confrontation with Fredrick at the nursing home, begging for Lily’s time, confirming their feelings for each other, and the deep kiss they shared. There was no need to mention such private matters, and Austin would surely be shocked if he did.

“Derius said that…”

Austin stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before asking Herald,

“Do you remember when the Kingdom of Hermann sent me a marriage proposal 4 years ago?”

Herald nodded. How could he forget? It was an absurd incident where they had the audacity to ask Austin, who had been married for less than a year, to take the second princess as a concubine. Even Sonia, who was skilled at concealing her emotions, had frowned and openly criticized their rudeness.

The empire tacitly allowed the government to have concubines, but in principle, it was not possible. The emperor was no exception, and naturally, there were no concubines.

However, the Kingdom of Hermann permitted kings to have multiple wives under the pretext that it was the king’s mission and virtue to leave many descendants. The current king of Hermann had as many as four queens.

As a result, while the emperor of the empire was bewildered by the marriage proposal from the Kingdom of Hermann, he also saw it as a mishap resulting from cultural differences. Austin and others felt the same way.

“At that time, His Majesty the Emperor personally handwrote the reasons why the proposal could not be accepted and sent it, but the Kingdom of Hermann did not understand.”

Austin moistened his dry lips and continued, tracing the rim of the cup with his index finger.

“They argued that concubinage was not unprecedented in the history of the empire, and that accepting it was the right thing to do to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. They questioned why it wasn’t allowed when the government tacitly permitted it.”

“I wish they would just get to the point.”

Herald did not have the mental capacity to reminisce about the past and chat leisurely. There were many problems to ponder and solve, and the words Derius had left behind in the name of advice weighed heavily on his mind.

Although Derius might seem to say a lot of nonsensical things on the surface, his words were actually full of sharp thorns. They couldn’t be simply ignored.

“I heard the Kingdom of Hermann sent another marriage proposal.”

“To you?”

“No. To Derius.”

What did this mean now? Herald’s eyebrows rose diagonally.

Unlike Austin, who had long been engaged to a young lady from a prestigious family and followed the natural course of marriage, Derius was not even engaged, let alone married. So it wasn’t strange for the Kingdom of Hermann to send him a marriage proposal, but the problem was that Derius was an illegitimate child.

Even if the emperor recognized him as a prince and put his name on the imperial family registry, the stigma attached to him since birth did not disappear.

Moreover, Derius was highly likely to be exiled abroad the moment Austin ascended to the throne. There was no way he would leave a hyena coveting the throne alone. Austin was even making plans to eliminate his half-brother if necessary.

Perhaps Derius’s desperate struggle for the throne was a kind of death throes to survive.

However, Derius’s position within the empire was not very good. It was because of the strange practice where the government tacitly acknowledged illegitimate children but did not recognize them. There were nobles who supported Derius, centered around the wife of Count Ariand, but their forces were clearly weak.

The empress and Austin treated Derius and his mother like a fishbone stuck in their throats, but they didn’t take action right away for that reason. They couldn’t break their necks to remove one bone.

As long as the emperor cherished Countess Ariand enough to recognize Derius as a prince, it was dangerous to touch them carelessly.

The Kingdom of Hermann must know this fact, which every imperial citizen knew, so it was absurd and ridiculous that they sent a marriage proposal to Derius.

“They have ulterior motives.”

As Herald muttered to himself, Austin nodded.

“I thought so too, so I discussed it with others… It seems Derius is trying to fight me with the help of foreign powers.”

Herald let out a hollow laugh and tilted his head.

“No matter how blinded he is by the throne, would he be foolish enough to put a dog collar around his own neck?”

“I also think it doesn’t make sense, but looking at the unfolding situation, it seems to be the case.”

“Unfolding situation?”

“First of all, I heard that woman expressed her willingness to accept the marriage proposal.”

That woman must refer to Countess Ariand, Derius’s mother.

Even though the second prince’s future was not very bright, there were some families who sent marriage proposals, blinded by the immediate gains. The families that followed the second prince had long sent proposals.

However, the countess rejected them all, giving the strange excuse that she wanted her precious son to meet true love and have a pretty family. But if she accepted the proposal from the Kingdom of Hermann, there was only one reason, no matter how much he thought about it.

The power of foreign forces. Herald, who had denied it as a foolish act, finally acknowledged the fact and let out a hollow laugh.

“The nonsense Derius spewed at you too… It seems he’s trying to fight against me, even by borrowing the power of the Kingdom of Hermann.”

“I don’t think the Kingdom of Hermann will be of much help though.”

“Still, it’s better than nothing. They might be able to annoy me more than now.”

Austin chuckled as if he had heard an amusing story and leaned back in his chair. His upturned lips were cheerful, but his eyes were icy cold.

“Oh my, I don’t want the thorn in my throat to grow any bigger…”

As Austin stared into the air, pondering how to deal with this problem, his eyes suddenly sparkled. He looked at Herald with eyes that seemed to have stars in them.

“Herald, about that…”

“I won’t do it.”

Before the words were even finished, a blade of rejection flew in, and Austin looked at his old friend in bewilderment.

“How do you know what favor I’m going to ask and reject it already?”

“It means I will refuse no matter what you ask.”

“It could be something that helps you.”

“I’ll still refuse.”

After showing a firm will to never grant the request, Herald demanded,

“You handle the issues with the Kingdom of Hermann and the second prince on your own, and just answer what I asked.”

“What you asked?”

“About informing Liliana Benjamin that the second prince is digging into the Benjamin family.”

“Ah, that.”

Austin sighed briefly as if he had just remembered that fact and shrugged.

“It’s pitiful for the countess who doesn’t know anything and is being deceived… But I don’t think it’s right to tell the truth. It’s not certain that Derius is the culprit who killed Lady Madison Benjamin.”

Austin moistened his dry lips and continued.

“Even if it becomes certain, what good would it do for the countess to know? It would only put her life in danger. Given Derius’s personality, there’s no way he would let someone who knows his flaws live. That woman who despises her son might even take action.”

That’s true. Herald also agreed with that part. But keeping a secret from Lily and deceiving her felt as grating as chewing sand, so he made a wry face.

“You must really like Countess Benjamin. Or do you pity her?”

At the sudden remark, Herald flinched. Austin, who met the slightly shaken eyes, grinned.

“I don’t know which one it is, but do it in moderation. Getting deeply involved with a married noblewoman will only tarnish your reputation.”

“…I know.”

I know it too well, but… It’s already too late.

Herald swallowed the words he could never say along with the red wine.

Liliana Benjamin, the wife of the head of the guild, personally visited the guild. This news spread throughout the entire guild in less than 10 minutes.

Although it had been well over a year since Lily married Fredrick Benjamin, this was the first time she had come to the guild in person. She had never even shown her face at the small parties or anniversary events held at the guild.

So the guild members were all puzzled by her sudden visit. Moreover, Lily’s expression was as solemn as a soldier going to war as she barged in and looked for Fredrick, making them even more curious.

“I think the president must have done something wrong to his wife.”

“I think so too. Otherwise, there’s no way the countess would come looking for the president with such a terrifying force.”

The guild members chattered based on someone’s speculation.

“Even if that’s the case, I don’t think it’s right to come to the guild. Family matters should be resolved at home.”

“That’s right. Doing this only tarnishes her husband’s reputation.”

However, as the saying goes, the elbow bends inward, so they took Fredrick’s side. Regardless of Lily’s reason for coming, they all criticized her, saying this was not right.

“…”

Although the entire guild was abuzz with talk about her, the reception room where she was actually present was as quiet as a mouse.

Is this the right thing to do? Should I go back now?

Lily, who had been fiddling with her teacup with her eyes downcast as questions piled up one after another, raised her head when she heard the door open.