The flow of power manipulated by assassination could easily be overturned at any time.

‘That schemer can’t be unaware. He won’t believe in Gwendhil’s death unless I bring his neck.’

Who was Leodelt Gwendhil? He was the Duke of Newton Empire, an invincible sword defending the Newton imperial family, and being labeled a traitor was an absurd accusation. However, to execute him immediately, he had to be declared a traitor.

Knowing it was a risky move, Darian pushed forward.

The dead don’t speak. That’s why it was even more crucial to bring Leodelt Gwendhil’s neck without fail.

‘Foolish people, dropping off the cliff.’

As a result, due to not finding Leodelt Gwendhil’s corpse, the flawless plan faced a setback.

Darian quietly sharpened his knife at the nobles who were foolishly laughing and chattering in front of him.

‘These parasites.’

It was a completely different attitude from the one that had tolerated the nobles’ excitement just a while ago.
‘Perhaps I should tidy up soon.’

It would suffice to fabricate some suitable crimes and drive them away.

Currently, it might be inconvenient to let the number of the noble faction decrease, but soon the factions supporting the nobles would grow larger.

‘With Gwendhil gone and the emperor collapsing in the same manner, the young imperial prince is nothing more than a scarecrow.’

Everything was going smoothly.

Although Gwendhil’s subordinates were still lurking around, a headless body couldn’t move properly.

‘Once the official announcement of Leodelt Gwendhil’s death is made, the Gwendhil ducal family will be torn to shreds on that day.’

Then, naturally, the extensive Gwendhil estate would become the possession of Bridend.

The wealth and power that would soon be in his hands, envisioning them, softened the cold gaze that had been chillingly settled in Darian’s eyes.

“By the way, Lord Viscount, when do you plan to make up your mind about marriage?”

“Yes. All the ladies of Newton are eyeing your vacant side.”

The nobles, sensing Darian’s unspoken cues, smoothly changed the topic.

Darian casually lifted the corners of his mouth.

He shrugged lightly.

“It’s hard to turn a blind eye when the summit is right in front of you.”

“Hahaha, that’s right. Lord Viscount, your standards are naturally high.”

“Of course. Finding a spouse who quietly manages her dowry while nestled beside a man doing important things is not easy.”

Everyone was aware of Darian’s flashy female companions and scandalous private life, but externally, he maintained the demeanor of a bachelor without any illegitimate children. As long as he could secure the position of the noble faction’s leader’s wife, Darian’s personal life was not a problem.

“Lord Viscount, do you happen to have a young lady you’re currently interested in?”

The gazes aiming for the position of Viscount Bridend’s wife were glaringly obvious.

Darian smiled slyly and answered.

Yet, he had no intention of entangling himself with a mediocre family.

Noble marriages were alliances between families. Having already secured considerable power, Darian had no desire to divide what was rightfully his.

At that moment, the door to the banquet hall opened, and the announcement of the entering couple echoed throughout.

“Lord Gathers Knochaff and his fiancée, Miss Eris Vian, are entering!”

The title of Viscount in the Newton Empire was not common.

Naturally, Darian’s gaze crossed the banquet hall to the man and woman entering.

“… Ho.”

An intrigued smile spread across Darian’s face.

Not only him but all eyes in the hall were directed towards the young lady escorted by the portly middle-aged noble.

“Erin Vian?”

“I’ve never seen her before…”

“Heh… Was there such a beauty?”

“Erin Vian?”
The young lady who drew everyone’s attention in the hall, ‘Eris Vian,’ had half of her long hair twisted up with a lace pin, revealing her figure in a snug-fitting dress.

Her bright gray hair seemed to shimmer like silver under the banquet hall lights.

“Truly beautiful.”

With her mysterious hair color, reddish-brown eyes, and a charming eye-smile with a refreshing smile, she appeared exceptionally alluring. Above all, the mole under her left eye looked incredibly seductive.

In an instant, Eris Vian, the new star of the banquet, concealed her satisfaction with a contented smile from a successful social debut.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Five years. It had been a considerable time spent in the prime of her youth to become ‘Eris Vian.’

However, the moment she entered the banquet hall, it felt like the five years of idle time had been rewarded.

Finally, as ‘Eris Vian,’ the perfect identity makeover was complete.

“Everyone, the princess… no, only my fiancée, is in my sight.”

The portly middle-aged man escorting her chuckled with a satisfied expression.

He was a typical spendthrift, consolidated by vanity and a sense of superiority.

‘How foolish.’

Aris Vian, who had started a new life as ‘Eris Vian,’ inwardly sneered at the pathetic man who unnecessarily vocalized the obvious.