Edwin let out a sly laugh. Usually calm Howard tended to express emotions, especially when it came to matters related to the “Backwater Mine,” these days.

Edwin glanced at a distant place for a moment.

The unforgettable voice of his mother vividly brushed his ears.

“It’s a secret that has been passed down for generations only to the royalty of Lowell who come of age. I hope the day comes when I can tell you this secret soon.”

According to Olivia, in the imperial family’s archive, there existed the “document” that only the imperial family could see about the “Backwater Mine.” Perhaps there might be hints related to the secret.

Edwin planned to seize the “document” by any means necessary, whether to make negotiations with Hepherti as advantageous as possible for Beckendorf, ridiculously lower the mineral tax rate, or maybe…

A dangerous thought flashed above his red eyes.

In the meantime, Howard, who hadn’t yet seen the Grand Duke’s eyes, spoke in a bright voice, renewing the atmosphere.

“Veserny also says he won’t give up and will continue to stay at the mine. His enthusiasm is remarkable.”
Howard glanced around for a moment and lowered his voice as if sharing a confidential story. The voice became infinitely softer.

“…In addition to uncovering the secret of the former Grand Duchess, Veserny has one more thing that motivates her.”

“My marriage being pushed up?”

“Do you know?”

At the nonchalant response, Howard’s tension eased. He conveyed the message with a glance at Kim San.

“So, everyone is being careful with their words. Even if the secret of the mine is revealed and the initial goal is achieved, wouldn’t the lady prioritize etiquette and try to fill the one-year grace period regardless of that?”

At that remark, Edwin chuckled lazily.

“Once I become the king, I won’t be bound by such things as etiquette, so it should be fine.”

“What do you mean…?”

Gradually, understanding dawned on Howard’s face, which had been perplexed. Edwin added with a sly smile.

“A woman who has been touched by the royal family cannot form a union with another noble for a year. But since we are fully prepared, if we uncover the secret, independence is possible right away. Then, as a king, it’s technically not a union with ‘another noble,’ isn’t it?”

A flaw that no one had thought of.

That flaw became a breakthrough and stimulated Edwin.

Howard blinked and, as if stabbed by something, spoke absentmindedly.

“…So, you’ve always reacted lukewarmly until now.”

“It’s give and take. Since everything fits perfectly, you’ll see a significant shift in the situation starting tomorrow.”

Edwin fell silent for a moment. From tomorrow on. Olivia would probably come down to Beckendorf no later than the day after tomorrow, or maybe even tomorrow.

What kind of change in mindset could there have been?

Edwin quickly reviewed the events from yesterday to today.

However, what he remembered was Olivia’s appearance, who asked him to watch her more carefully, and her dignified exit after finishing the conversation with the princess.

Edwin swallowed a faint sigh.

Not getting entangled with those in the imperial palace anymore was fine. It was even better. However, Edwin knew better than anyone that deliberately holding back something made a person desolate.

“If you want more of an apology, what should you do?”

Did she want an apology, or did she want forgiveness?

A firm and strong lady.

Underneath, there was Olivia, who burst into tears in the middle of the night street, saying she had nowhere to go.

The strength gradually returned to the hand that was casually clenched.

The red eyes became darker and thicker. Normally, he was quick-witted, but at times like this, he couldn’t understand her feelings at all.

At this moment, Edwin decided to quickly do what he could be sure of.

A complete break with the empire.

Fortunately, the actions for Olivia and his goals aligned perfectly.

“Find a way to prevent the news about the princess from leaking!”

Even between the closing doors of the office, the enraged emperor’s roar burst out. Duke Madelaine stared intently at the firmly closed door.

The courtiers standing in front of the door dared not lift their heads.

“It seems that Your Majesty is quite angry. Well, even I am so furious that my body trembles like this.”

A familiar voice approached. It was Duke Elkin. With a face as deceitful as the empress’s, he glared at Duke Madelaine and, behind him, Conrad and Jade, the imperial priest.

“Judging by the situation, I assume that Duke Madelaine belongs to the nobility. No, how can an imperial noble act in front of a foreign diplomatic mission, with the princess…!”

Unable to speak any further, Duke Elkin furrowed his brows as if he couldn’t bear it any longer. Then he knocked on the office door. Soon, permission was granted, and Duke Elkin entered the office.

Duke Madelaine gazed into the distance for a moment. It was as Duke Elkin had said. The authority of the princess had declined in front of the foreign diplomatic mission.

As the leader of the emperor’s faction, there were many things to be done. Matters concerning Duchess Cattanta, or conversations with the diplomatic mission.

Numerous thoughts filled his mind. However, all the words spoken by the approaching subordinate Huxley Kane were unexpected.

“…Kane. Will you arrange accommodations for Duchess and Lady?”

“Yes? We already have accommodations, Your Grace.”

Duke Cattanta was surprised and extended her hand. Earlier, she had boldly faced Jade Madelaine while holding Jade in the background, but now the situation had changed.

Even though she had only witnessed the emperor’s anger, she felt a drain in her spirits. She wanted to quickly return to her lodging and rest. It seemed the duchess felt the same, as her sharp eyes turned hazy.

However, the duke calmly spoke with a composed face as if nothing had happened.

“We need to investigate this matter, so it’s better for us to stay where we are familiar.”

“But, but…”

“Huxley Kane will guide you to a suitable place.”

“…Duchess and Lady, please return. Your Grace.”

A calm voice opposed the duke’s words. It was Jade. Her face was as icy as if she couldn’t believe that she had experienced the emperor’s wrath just a while ago.

Including Huxley Kane, the duchess was all eyes on him. The atmosphere was peculiar and sharp, almost suffocating. Huxley Kane gestured towards Conrad.

In this situation, Conrad was the only one who could resolve it. Normally, Conrad would gently suppress Jade, but today he acted a bit strangely.

“…You.”

Breaking the heavy silence, the duke looked at Jade with a profoundly calm gaze.

To the son who had seen him throughout his life, he seemed like a stranger today.

“We need to talk now.”

“…Let’s go to the mansion. I’d like to speak in Your Grace’s reception room.”

The son addressing him as “Your Grace” until the end felt unfamiliar. The duke nodded.
In the midst of the shimmering moonlight, three carriages that had departed from the imperial palace arrived at the residence of Duke Madelaine.

In the gleam through the windows, the faces of the three wealthy individuals were remarkably similar yet entirely different.