The Beatus Duchy’s seat was closest to the throne, as they were one of the most prominent nobles in central politics.

The seats at the huge round table were arranged in order of the family’s power, wealth, and military strength.

Count Gordon Bruser, who confidently took the Beatus seat, was in a foul mood.

Not only was he late, but the gaze directed at him was blatant.

Rodrick Schwartz was staring at him like a sharp awl.

‘That young, green lad. Tsk. How dare he stare at me like that without any manners?!’

He clenched and unclenched his thick fingers adorned with rings, trying to control his anger. Count Gordon frowned deeply at Rodrick’s cold gaze.

Rodrick, who had taken his seat as directed by the attendant, was still watching Count Gordon.

It was an illusion of a beast entering. It wasn’t merely due to his tall, well-balanced, and dignified appearance.

A man who had lived through bloody battlefields. His unique aura created a sense of gravitas that couldn’t be treated lightly and exuded a dangerous energy.

However, Count Gordon also had a great presence due to his large physique.

Thus, as befitting the status of a duke’s family, Gordon did not cower when facing Rodrick Schwartz, who was seated across from him.

Rather, his bulging temples only showed his discomfort.

No conversation took place. The invisible battle of wills continued.

It was a silent battlefield. Felice, who was standing behind Rodrick in the observer’s spot, had armed himself with a mask-like smiling face. However, upon seeing a familiar figure, that face nearly shattered.

‘That person, I haven’t seen him at the mansion, why is he there?’

Behind the duke representing the west was Nathan Beatus.

When Nathan, who had completely erased his usual playful demeanor, made eye contact with Felice, he grinned meaningfully.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is entering. Everyone, please show your respects.”

The door to the conference room closed. The inner entrance of the grand conference hall was bustling. The door to the passage through which the emperor moved opened wide.

Dozens of nobles rose from their seats in unison.

The crown prince appeared through the doorway. Possessing the bloodline of the imperial family, the crown prince looked down with his radiant golden hair and golden eyes.

Asher Elikyrus Graham.

The successor who would protect the absolute imperial power of this empire. It was the appearance of a man whom everyone endlessly praised.

At the entrance of the man boasting stunning beauty, the nobles bowed their heads in unison.

“We are in the presence of the empire’s little sun.”

“Everyone, be seated.”

The crown prince’s languid voice settled over the heads of the nobles. The nobles representing their families straightened their backs and sat in their seats at his words.

The crown prince, who smiled as sweetly as honey, was no less beautiful than his fiancée, Vanessa Beatus.

“Thank you all for taking your seats. His Majesty the Emperor has delegated authority to me to preside over this meeting, so I would appreciate it if you keep that in mind.”

It meant that regardless of the inside story, they should know to handle it well.

It was a well-known fact to those who were aware that the emperor was bedridden, but it was officially a secret, so everyone kept quiet about it.

Crown Prince Asher sat down, crossed his legs at an angle, and tilted his head.

“But it seems there’s a face I haven’t seen before.”

His noble voice carried the thick authority of an absolute ruler. From the moment he entered the conference room, the crown prince’s gaze had been fixed on Rodrick.

“……”

It was a silent gaze asking why he hadn’t introduced himself yet, but Rodrick calmly met the crown prince’s eyes.

“Judging by the fact that you’re sitting in the Schwartz family’s seat, you must be the duke’s eldest son.”

In the end, the crown prince directly revealed his identity.

“Yes, Your Highness. I am Rodrick Schwartz, the eldest son of Duke Declan Schwartz.”

The crown prince’s aide, standing beside him, announced his name in a loud voice for everyone to hear. Asher smiled as if intrigued and rested his chin on his hand.

“Rodrick Schwartz.”

At the crown prince’s call, Rodrick finally bowed his head slightly and responded.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“The one who refused even His Majesty the Emperor’s victory party, how did he come to attend the meeting? And directly to the capital at that.”

His voice was light, but the meaning behind it was by no means trivial. He was the one who had always refused to come to the capital, citing various reasons.

Rodrick raised his blue eyes to look at the crown prince seated on the throne.

“I merely came in place of His Grace the Duke. There is no greater meaning.”

“Is that so?”

The crown prince smiled leisurely and narrowed his golden eyes.

“Even though I already know you have a separate purpose?”

Everyone in the grand conference hall knew he was referring to the marriage proposal sent to the Beatus family. However, Rodrick remained composed. He maintained his expressionless demeanor and answered.

“Does that have any relevance to this meeting?”

His deep voice reverberated inside the grand conference hall.

A chilling silence settled between the crown prince and Rodrick.

The nobles who were being cautious held their breath at his brazen words, disregarding any sense of tact. He had dared to be rude to the crown prince.

Looking up at the crown prince’s beautiful face to see if he was angry, laughter burst out. Haha.

“It has no relevance. I was out of line.”

The nobles widened their eyes. Why was he being so generous? Especially Count Gordon, seated in the Beatus seat, raised his eyes fiercely.

What had that viper-like crown prince eaten wrong? This wasn’t like him. Once he caught onto something, he would tear into it until the end. It was a well-known fact among the nobles in the central region.

Regardless of whether the nobles were surprised or not, the crown prince smiled pleasantly and looked at the scribe.

“Well, enough with the small talk. Let’s begin the meeting. Scribe, are the preparations complete?”

“Yes, Your Highness. The preparations are complete.”

“Then let’s start with the year-end report. The agenda meeting will begin after that.”

The nobles’ meeting, which lasted for a full ten days, longer than the anticipated one week, began in that manner.

At the same time the family heads were attending the meeting.

The ladies of the families were largely participating in the tea party hosted by the empress.

Vanessa Beatus, who was late in preparing her attire, strode down the corridor, her red hair fluttering.

“Eek!”

Perhaps it was due to her hasty pace.

The maid who was following Vanessa with quick steps while arranging the long train of her dress tripped and grabbed the hem of Vanessa’s dress.

As a result, the dress at Vanessa’s chest nearly slipped down.

Vanessa, whose steps had abruptly stopped, turned around and looked down at the fallen maid.

“I, I apologize. Lady Vanessa.”

Her red eyes flashed dangerously. Vanessa gritted her teeth and grabbed the maid’s hair, pulling her up.

It happened so quickly that the other court ladies had no time to stop her.

Slap− The maid’s head, lifted by her hair, turned to the side as she was slapped on the cheek.

“Lady Vanessa!”

Despite the head maid’s cry, Vanessa slapped the maid’s face a few more times as if possessed by something.

“Lady Vanessa! Please stop. As the future crown princess, you should set an example!”

Even with the head maid’s overstepping, Vanessa couldn’t think clearly as if under a spell.

It’s strange.

Vanessa released the maid, whose cheek had swollen from the slaps, and took a step back, her shoulders heaving with deep breaths.

Then she looked down at her own hand. The trembling hand wouldn’t stop shaking.

If it were the usual Vanessa, a single slap would have not only swollen the other person’s cheek but also rendered them unconscious.

She was a Beatus. The eldest daughter of the Beatus family was skilled in combat techniques that utilized monstrous strength surpassing men. However, now that power had diminished immensely. As if she had become an ordinary person.

“Lady Vanessa, I will report this incident to Her Majesty the Empress.”

At the head maid’s stern voice, Vanessa was perplexed. She had no intention of hitting the maid in the first place. Raising her hand was not of her own will. A chill ran through her chest. Fear arose at the lack of control over her own body as if it weren’t hers.

“I, I…”

It was then. Darkness descended upon the sight of her trembling red eyes that wandered aimlessly.

“Shh− Vanessa. Take deep breaths.”

As her eyes were covered by a large hand, Vanessa finally regained her senses.

“L-Lord Debir Beatus?”

The court ladies froze at his sudden appearance.

He was a tall and handsome man with black hair and the Beatus family’s characteristic red eyes, which he used to casually sweep over the court ladies.

Yet, he firmly supported Vanessa’s back, allowing her to lean against his chest.

“T-This is a place where outsiders are prohibited from entering. Even if you are Lady Vanessa’s family…!”

“You will all forget what you just witnessed.”

As Debir Beatus spoke, a dark red magical energy seeped out from his body and moved. Enveloped by the dark red magic, the head maid closed her mouth as if it were a lie.

“If the empress asks, come up with the most natural reason and conceal Vanessa Beatus’s whereabouts.”

The eyes of the court ladies standing nearby turned hazy.

“Leave.”

The maids who had been guarding Vanessa’s side all left the corridor at his words.

“Debir Beatus?”

At Vanessa’s calm voice, he lowered the hand covering her eyes and turned her around.

As her gaze slowly rose, his figure filled her vision. He was the same as always.

Quiet like an emotionless statue. However, that usually expressionless man raised the corner of his mouth crookedly.

“You don’t call me elder brother anymore?”

“Ha, when have we siblings ever been close?”

In public, she treats him as an elder brother, but she never directly calls him elder brother to Debir.

“Now you’re acting like the Vanessa Beatus I know.”

He reached out and tucked Vanessa’s fallen red hair behind her ear.

“Why are you here?”

Vanessa frowned as if embarrassed and slapped Debir’s hand away.

Seeing Vanessa’s pale face and haggard appearance, Debir’s red eyes darkened. He should have come sooner, but it wasn’t easy to approach Vanessa while avoiding the crown prince’s eyes.

Contrary to the rumors of neglect, the crown prince was always keeping an eye on Vanessa. He lowered his voice while glancing around.

“Vanessa. From now on, listen carefully to what I say and act accordingly. This is not only for your sake but also for Diana’s path.”

Diana. At that name, a previously unseen spark ignited in Vanessa’s eyes.

“Debir Beatus. You know, don’t you? Why my condition is like this.”

He sighed calmly, looking at his unstable younger sister.

“Do you love the crown prince?”

“What?”

“I’m asking if that emotion is real.”

“What do you…”

Vanessa couldn’t finish her sentence.

Both Vanessa and Debir sensed someone approaching them with agility.

Vanessa grabbed Debir Beatus’s hand and quickly headed towards the palace assigned to her.