Cedeloi bent one knee and bowed before lifting his head to look at her again.

“I am grateful for your deep grace and consideration, Your Majesty.”

Elmerat, with a subtle smile, nodded. However, the moment Cedeloi turned his back on her, Elmerat called him again, making him pause.

“As I mentioned before, what do you think about moving your residence to the capital? I know very well that the Duchy holds deep meaning for you. However, it’s time for your daughter, Ariante, to learn how to interact with her peers by frequenting the palace. If you decide to come to the capital, I will find suitable accommodations for you. How many times have I told you?”

Cedeloi’s head tilted slightly. It was his habit to tilt his head when he had concerns.

After a while, he spoke, “I will carefully consider it, Your Majesty.”

“I know it’s the same answer I’ve heard before. That’s fine. If your heart inclines, let’s talk about it then. Now, go and comfort your child.”

As they exited the audience chamber, the sound of the closing door behind them seemed heavier than usual. It felt as if the very ground was shaking, like a massive boulder had moved.

No, it was an illusion. Cedeloi felt it that way only because his own heart was heavy. He didn’t even realize whether the weight of his emotions and the burden he carried were reaching their limits.

He immediately went back and packed lightly. Since he planned to return within a few days, he didn’t need much.

Upon hearing the news, Coleman offered to fetch the fastest horse. The attendants were all dismissed, leaving Cedeloi alone in the room.

“Duke!”

Just as Cedeloi finished packing, a choked voice struck his back like an arrow.

It was Swan. Cedeloi had already heard the rumors that he would return to the Duchy.

Swan looked alternately at Cedeloi’s luggage on the bed and his face. Unable to hide his sadness, Swan cautiously lowered his gaze.

“Duke, are you leaving already?”

Cedeloi, exhaling a short sigh, replied, “I received a letter saying there’s an urgent matter in the Duchy that needs my attention.”

“Urgent matter? It’s not a fire, is it?”

It was a concern typical of a young boy. Cedeloi smiled faintly and lightly ruffled Swan’s hair.

“No need to worry about that. Actually, I received word that my daughter is a bit unwell.”

“Your Grace’s daughter… yes? The one you mentioned last time…”

Swan’s face suddenly turned red.

“Sorry, Your Grace. I forgot the lady’s name.”

“It’s possible. Her name is Ariante Wiyora von Walterminster.”

“Where does it hurt? Is it severe?”
Cedeloi firmly pressed the lock to prevent the bag from opening, then lowered his head.

“You don’t need to worry, Swan. Instead, you should visit your father more often.”

“I want to do that too. But always… because my brother is here.”

Viscount Huzzle occasionally visited Glodon Mansion. It wasn’t for conversation or to console the sick; rather, it was a repeated act of pressure on the Viscount. And it was solely to keep a watchful eye on the Viscount’s son, Swan, preventing him from secretly leaving something for his son.

Cedeloi was aware of this, but who could stop Viscount Huzzle under the pretext of a formal inquiry? Neither Cedeloi nor King Elmerat could intervene.

“For your father… you need to toughen up more, Swan.”

Swan weakly nodded his head. While trying to console him, Cedeloi fell into a feeling of empty futility, wondering what all of this meant.

It was a phrase he had heard countless times before. After both parents had passed away, leaving only him and his younger brother… every person who came to console them said the same thing, as if reading from a script.

Words that offered no comfort, no strength…

But now that the situation had changed, Cedeloi found himself with nothing more to offer Swan than those meaningless words.

The fading voice of Viscount Glodon echoed vividly in Cedeloi’s mind once again. He looked down at the lifeless Swan with pitiful eyes.

“Swan, by any chance…”

At that moment, Coleman, who had gone to fetch the luggage, returned. Swan looked curiously at Cedeloi, wondering what he was about to say, but Cedeloi just forced a faint smile.

“…If there’s something you want, write it down. I’ll give it to you as a gift when I come back.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

A disappointed smile flashed across the boy’s face. Cedeloi pretended not to notice and left the palace with his luggage.

“Meiana, Meiana! Something terrible happened!”

“Oh, Lady! What if you come out now!”

Meiana, who had spent the whole day wandering around the village and was covered in dust, dragged Ariante into the bathroom and exclaimed as she took out a large towel. Ariante, nearly in her undergarments, almost rushed out to the living room.