Edwick moved briskly, his steps rigid, heading somewhere. An unexpected visitor had caused an unplanned situation to arise.

He had heard the news while getting dressed after waking from his sleep.

“[My Lord, the Crown Prince has come to see you.]”

The unusually flustered butler entered the bedroom, delivering unbelievable news.

Edwick, in the midst of threading his arms through his sleeves, forgot what he was doing and turned his head.

“[What did you just say?]”
“[The Crown Prince came a little while ago and discreetly requested to meet with you, My Lord.]”

“[…Where is His Highness at the moment?]”

“[We have seated him in the reception room for now.]”

Even after hearing it twice, he couldn’t believe it. Who was the Crown Prince? The sole heir to the empire and the man to become his daughter’s husband.

Yet, this was the same Liurian Petrov who flaunted his affair with a rumored mistress, showing the least bit of courtesy toward his own daughter.
Such a man had come secretly to visit the Duke early this morning; he had no idea what the ulterior motive could be.

Edwik quickened his pace even more. Recalling the Crown Prince’s past reckless behaviors made him feel that turning him away at the door would still be insufficient. Nonetheless, this man was his daughter’s husband and the esteemed Emperor’s son.

That alone was reason enough to meet the Crown Prince, Edwik rationalized to himself.
The entrance to the reception room appeared before him in no time. Passing by the nearby attendants, who greeted him in a somewhat cursory manner, Edwik hastily grabbed the handle of the door to the reception room.

“Your Highness.”

As he stepped in, he saw Liurian sitting at a table. The atmosphere around him was quite different from the Crown Prince he was familiar with.

That brought about a strange tension, but first and foremost, Edwik bowed respectfully.

“I am honored to see you, Your Highness.”

“You’ve arrived, Duke.”
Liurian stood up from his seat as if he had been waiting, welcoming Edwik. At that seemingly trivial gesture, Edwik momentarily felt his bones stiffen.

It was strange. This was an action Liurian, as he knew him, would never have taken. Moreover, the gentle smile gracing his lips rendered the meaning behind this unexpected behavior completely incomprehensible.

Edwik’s pupils slightly quivered. However, striving to maintain composure, he took measured steps towards the Crown Prince.

“I apologize for making you wait, Your Highness.”
“Not at all. Rather, I should apologize to you, Duke. I hope you weren’t startled by my early morning visit.”

“Not at all. You could have sought me out in the palace; I’m grateful that you took the trouble to come all the way here.”

Edwik subtly lowered his gaze. Kaliph couldn’t help but hold his words at that sight.

From the response to the ensuing actions, nothing forsake the propriety of a subject. It wasn’t something one could accomplish with just any mindset.
He, too, would consider himself Liurian, so how could there be not a trace of resentment to be found?

“What brings you all the way here, Your Highness?”

Even in his straightforward voice, no other emotion could be discerned. Kaliph momentarily lost his words and stared intently at Edwik.

Come to think of it, he seemed to have been like that even in what could be called his youthful days.

[Evelia will be taken to her room by me, so you should quickly call for the doctor.] Even when he appeared in shabby attire, carrying Evelia whose fever was boiling over, he didn’t so much as furrow his brows.

On the contrary, even while holding his precious daughter in his arms, he couldn’t take his eyes off me for a while. Then, seizing the moment, he grabbed a passing maid and ordered,

[Get that child a set of clothes and some warm tea. Also, prepare a room for her to stay until the rain stops.] Kalif couldn’t forget that day’s Edith for a long time. It was the first time he had received a warm gaze and attention from an adult. Although unfamiliar, it wasn’t unpleasant, and he envied Evelia for having such a father.

“Your Highness, is there any discomfort?”

Breaking the elongating silence, Edith spoke again. Only then did Kalif hurriedly respond.

“……No.”

“If there is even a little discomfort, please feel free to speak.”

“That’s not it. The reason I’ve come to see the Duke is that there’s something important to discuss.”
Kalif, bowing his head slightly, spoke about the reason he had sought the Duke. It seemed as if Edith had been waiting, as she half-lowered her head.

“Speak, Your Highness.”

“Before that, someone has yet to arrive. I would appreciate it if you could wait for a moment, Duke.”

Edith lifted her gaze, which had been consistently directed downward. Her green eyes, reminiscent of Evelia, were full of questions. However, Kalif provided no small hint.

The one they were waiting for would arrive shortly.
As expected, it wasn’t long before the heavy sound of a door opening echoed through the once-silent reception room. Simultaneously, a gaze filled with hostility was directed at Kalif.