“You still haven’t learned proper manners, it seems.”

Meanwhile, Odin, who had been observing this whole process, couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.

It was a gathering where the emperor himself, the empress, and other imperial family members were all present.

On any other occasion, he would have indulgently watched the young man showing off his youthful spirit.

However, today’s gathering was one where everyone had to mind their manners.

Especially Lloyd, who was once Clea’s fiancé.

“It seems I have been too lenient with the nobles lately.”

A smile still lingered on Odin’s lips, but his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

If Lloyd had crossed the line a bit further, Odin would have personally taken action.

Fortunately, thanks to Barwin suppressing him without dragging things out, Odin didn’t have to step in.

Grand Duke Percy, who watched this scene from the side, apologized to Odin with a bitter expression.

“I am deeply sorry. I should have raised my child better.”

“Isn’t it ridiculous to blame you now?”

Odin didn’t even spare a glance at the apologizing grand duke.

Suddenly, old memories came to his mind.

Images of his younger days leading the government alongside the grand duke and reforming the empire’s problems.

Now, the two of them had grown old with graying hair before they knew it.

However, Odin was neither dumbfounded nor lamented over it.

It also meant that as much time had passed, young people had started to emerge to take responsibility for the future in their stead.

He considered this entire process to be natural.

And in the process of generations changing, disharmony always existed.

In his eyes now, Lloyd Percy seemed to be such an existence.

“No matter how old I am, you know my ears are still fine.”

Only after finishing his thought did Odin turn his head to look at the grand duke.

“There is no room for objection.”

The grand duke understood what Odin was trying to say.

Odin already knew what kind of secret agreement the grand duke had made with Admund.

It was a matter not discussed at all with the emperor, who could be considered the master of the empire, but Odin just left it alone.

After all, Admund would inherit the imperial throne anyway, and he also liked that promise.

“If that rascal inherits the grand ducal title, the grand duchy will likely completely collapse.”

Odin had thought of thoroughly correcting Lloyd’s bad habits at some point.

As a high-ranking nobleman, he was originally meant to inherit the Percy family.

If he lacked ability, he should at least have had a sense of responsibility and mission, but he didn’t even have that.

It was all too obvious what would happen if Lloyd, who had squandered the grand ducal family’s wealth roaming Curtis Street, inherited the Percy family.

There are those who come to their senses after being sternly scolded, while there are also those who prioritize their pride and rebel.

Odin had planned to patiently and generously watch how Lloyd would act.

No matter how much of a rascal he was, he was still the child of a close friend.

However, that thought completely disappeared when he took Clea as his daughter-in-law.

“Even if it doesn’t collapse, I will definitely make it collapse.”

The grand duke was grateful that Admund had given him a chance.

If Admund had not stepped up and proposed the contract at that time, he would surely be wandering like Duke Herscher by now.

The grand duke, who had been by Odin’s side for a considerably long time, could be certain.

If he had kept Lloyd as his successor to the end, the family would have been ruined.

Faced with his ruined son, the grand duke felt a sense of guilt for not fulfilling his responsibilities as a parent.

He tried to avert his gaze from Lloyd and changed the subject.

“Is it alright to also announce the grand duchy’s new successor today?”

“Didn’t I already say it’s fine?”

In a gathering where numerous nobles from all over the empire had gathered.

On such an occasion, the people who should be in the spotlight today were naturally Admund and Clea.

Under normal circumstances, he would have discouraged announcing a new successor on such a day.

Because it divides the focus.

However, if that successor is to be the crown princess, the story changes.

‘Right now, Clea has no title.’

Currently, Clea was publicly considered a commoner.

He had no intention of discriminating against commoners, but when it came to matters related to Clea, Odin didn’t want to leave even a single issue that could become a problem.

She was already a child who had been hurt enough, so he had a small wish to only give her happy days from now on.

‘Even if I said I would grant her a decent title, she would have firmly refused.’

It wasn’t difficult to create a plausible title and bestow it upon her.

However, Odin couldn’t bring himself to do it, thinking that Clea, who had already refused the proposal once, would find it burdensome.

Odin’s gaze now turned elsewhere.

What caught his eye were two people. Unlike Lloyd, they were huddled in a corner, conscious of others’ gazes.

Seeing them, Odin couldn’t help but laugh.

“If the previous duke were alive to see this sight, he would have shed tears of blood.”

“That’s right. Who would have thought the Odoi family would be so ruined in just one generation?”

Hearing the grand duke’s words, Odin reminisced about the past.

Indeed, as he said, the Odoi family had belonged to a considerably influential family until Grit Odoi took over.

Because the previous duke, who was treated as an elder within the noble faction, had some power.

However, with an incompetent successor, its collapse was instantaneous.

“No matter how noble and pure the bloodline, it’s bound to rot when left alone for too long.”

A considerable amount of time had passed since the founding of the empire.

The meritorious families who had assisted in the founding still existed.

They had passed down their family lines for generations and were dedicating themselves to the empire.

However, in any generation, impurities like Lloyd and Aria were bound to pop up.

“If they lack ability, they should be thoroughly prevented from inheriting the family.”

Odin’s eyes narrowed fiercely.

“Then, I shall take my leave now.”

“Oh my, is it already that time?”

Meanwhile, the grand duke rose from his seat.

Because the wedding ceremony was about to begin soon, so he had to go see Clea.

Realizing this, Odin put away his cold gaze and smiled.

“Who would have thought you and I would become in-laws?”

“Please don’t tease me.”

“Tease? I’m just stating facts.”

As Odin said, it was true that the imperial family and the Percy family had become in-laws by taking Clea in as an adopted daughter.

But the grand duke didn’t want to acknowledge it.

He had never thought he would have such a relationship with the emperor.

Soon, when the new successor is announced to the world, people will talk.

They will say that the grand duke is being greedy, forcibly maintaining a relationship with the imperial family by bringing Clea.

But what can be done? Things have already turned out this way.

‘Lloyd.’

Thinking that, the grand duke looked to where Lloyd was.

Lloyd, who had been furiously angry until just now, quieted down when Aria Hersher appeared.

The grand duke hoped Lloyd would stay quiet until the end.

Because he still had the desire for Lloyd to no longer bring shame to the family while bearing the grand duchy’s surname, and the concern of a parent worrying about their child.

‘Please, I beg you. Don’t cause any more trouble.’

However, unfortunately, the grand duke’s wish was something that could not be fulfilled.

If he had had the chance to see the clothes Admund was wearing, he wouldn’t have had such a wish in the first place.

The grand duke and his wife went to find the bridal waiting room.

Only the bride’s family and female guests could enter the bridal waiting room.

In other words, no male who wasn’t family could enter.

Nevertheless, when the grand duke headed to the bridal waiting room, people began to speculate.

They said the grand duke, as Odin’s closest aide, had specially obtained the opportunity to meet beforehand.

They thought the grand ducal couple and Clea would discuss various stories related to Lloyd.

However, all their speculations were wrong.

“May I walk alongside you, Your Highness?”

The grand duke had visited as her father.

And he was not asking for forgiveness, but asking if he could escort her.

Walking down the virgin road with the bride was something only the bride’s father could do.

Of course, he had already legally become her father, but the grand duke still wanted to confirm Clea’s intentions.

If she didn’t want to, he was going to step back, thinking it couldn’t be helped.

However, Clea didn’t show any signs of displeasure; rather, she welcomed the grand duke taking the initiative.

“If you do that for me, I would be the one to be truly grateful. I was worried about what people would think if I walked down the virgin road alone.”

Clea had already imagined the scene of the bride walking down the virgin road alone to stand beside the groom.

The grand ducal couple was relieved to hear Clea’s words, saying it was fortunate.

But then, they suddenly felt a sense of incongruity when they saw her dress for some reason.

Meanwhile, Clea slightly raised the corners of her mouth when she saw the grand ducal couple’s expressions harden in an instant.

It was easy to understand why they made such expressions.

Because her dress would look like a set with the suit Lloyd was wearing today.

The grand duke looked at Clea with a doubtful gaze, but Clea had no intention of revealing the main dish yet, so she remained silent.

‘Aria, I think I know how much you hate Lloyd.’

She knew well enough that Aria hated Lloyd.

So she could easily figure out what she desperately wanted.

That was to somehow prevent the marriage with Lloyd from happening.

She could wait for her own death, as she had a terminal illness, but the marriage with Lloyd was something she had to stop.

Because if she married him, all opportunities would completely disappear.

Aria would try to get the most out of this opportunity.

Even if a considerable number of people would be harmed as a result.

‘But do you know? You have also fallen into my trap.’

Clea was already looking forward to seeing Aria, who had fallen into the trap, struggle.