Such an overwhelming shower of gifts was something he had not experienced even at Julius’s comingofage or wedding ceremonies.

“……”

After a day’s schedule from dawn till dusk, the duke and duchess, who had barely found a short break, were looking down at the piles of gifts scattered in the front yard from the main building of the mansion.

Observing the piles of gifts piled up in the garden without even entering the mansion, the Duke reflected on the busy schedule that had lasted all day and the underwater negotiations that had taken place within it.

It was unbelievably satisfying.

Even for Julius, who had been a noble since birth and the richest man in the empire, this kind of extraordinary treatment was a first.

The most prominent people of the empire and haughty nobles came each with their gifts, expressing their humility.

The fact that there were not a few gifts left with only short cards saying “Congratulations. Wishing you prosperity.”, “Congratulations. With respect and love.”, without any conditions or hopes of meeting, was shockingly impressive to him.

They send such expensive gifts with only this kind of message?

If I were them, I wouldn’t end up shaking with fear after spending such a fortune on a bribe.

Such gifts that made him think so were continually coming in.

Ordering Head Butler Jim to record all the people who sent the gifts and messages along with their family names without missing any, Julius indulged in this monumental spectacle of piled gifts with a clear head.

‘So… that’s what it was. Indeed…’

The Duke of Julius was completely engrossed in the taste of honor and power brought by ‘Arthur.’

It felt like a new world he had never known had opened.

There was a world I didn’t know.

I can’t believe I’m just finding this out now.

What motivated Antonio Julius more than anything was that the people, who he had treated as ‘difficult and important trade partners that need to be adjusted to the advantage in any way’, began to treat him as ‘the most dignified noble and the most respected power.’

People’s attitudes towards them had clearly changed.

Antonio Julius realized.

‘The richest man in the empire’ was not the top of society.

‘An honorable predecessor, a powerful prospective power holder who is also rich’ should be at the top of society.

Julius’s view of power, having reached that position, was elevated to a completely different horizon.

Why he had to pursue honor and gain power while spending so much meaningless money, Julius felt it bitterly for the first time.

Remembering how much his father, the late Duke Ronald Julius, had longed for it all his life, Antonio Julius was deeply indulged in nostalgic regret, looking at the moonlit spectacle of bribes.

‘Father, I’ve finally done it.’

The Duke, immersed in new insights and quiet emotions, recalled his mother, the duchess dowager, who used to reprimand his deceased father.

‘Honor and power are another currency that allows you to buy things you can’t buy with money.’

‘Mother, now I truly understand the meaning of your words…!’

“What should we use to appease Arthur’s anger?”

The sharp voice of the duchess broke his meditation.

“……”

Whether she was devoid of sentimentality, the Duchess, despite witnessing this beautiful spectacle, seemed unable to feel the same emotion and murmured with a serious face.

“……What could we possibly have that Arthur would want from us?”

Even though the interruption to his immersion was disappointing, the Duke, who was feeling particularly generous, did not snap at her like a small person, but merely grumbled.

“Give him whatever he wants. What can’t we do? We’re ‘Julius’.”

“He has to at least say what he wants in order to do that.”

The Duke sighed with a grimace.

The Duchess’s nagging was tiring.

Her demeanor, not maintaining dignity commensurate with the elevated rank, was displeasing.

“First, we need to set up a schedule with Arthur.”

To see when we can fit into our schedule……

“……”

It occurred to her that while she was busy attending to the external guests, she hadn’t paid any attention to the most important person, Arthur.

After all, the soninlaw is the guest of a hundred years.

Of course, it was a considerate act, considering Arthur who would just want to rest and might be uncomfortable with our attention.

Surely, he wouldn’t take it as neglect?

Duke Julius rubbed his chin and rolled his eyes.

Regardless, the soninlaw played a big role in the considerable achievement that the family had accomplished, and it occurred to him that they ought to put in more effort to ensure he didn’t feel slighted.

“Is our soninlaw getting enough rest? Is the chef paying attention to his meals? Everything that can be done with the highest level of hospitality…”

The Duchess looked at the Duke with a ludicrous expression, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You… are you forgetting that Arthur is right next to you right now?”

There was irritation in the Duchess’s voice.

The Duke’s mood gradually soured, and his expression hardened.

‘Christina. That nasty, fussy daughter of mine causes all kinds of trouble…’

If she had obediently followed my advice five years ago, none of this would have happened.

Having completely forgotten that he had joyously contemplated selling his own daughter twice, the Duke coldly retorted.

“I know. But what am I supposed to do? If Arthur wants it, he should bring it up with the government. It’s about time he learned that if he makes a mistake, he needs to take responsibility for it. Why, can’t he handle even that much when it’s me who’s at the chopping block? Even if he’s naive, he should know better!”

The Duke babbled nervously.

“Why can’t I handle his temperament, who on earth did he take after? He doesn’t even think about cleaning up the mess he made! What is he doing, exactly? Where is he?!”

“I’ve come to cool my head.”

Suddenly, a soft voice intruded from another direction.

The Duke and Duchess, who had simultaneously turned their heads, widened their eyes.

There, their daughter, whom they were just berating, was standing in a white dress with a relaxed smile.

As if she had just taken a stroll on the beach, she carried a white lace parasol that didn’t match the moonlit night, and her white bonnet was adorned with jewels and feathers.

Swoosh, gracefully pushing her hair back from behind her ears, Christina gently put down the parasol she had been twirling over her shoulder.

“Christina!”

The Duchess hurriedly descended the stairs.

A few handsome footmen were following behind her, carrying luggage in both hands.

Christina, leading the way, smiled from beneath her bonnet.

“I guess it’s time to apologize. How is Arthur feeling? Is Raina doing a good job soothing him?”

The Duke and the Duchess looked down at their daughter with surprised faces.

Christina, brushing back the blonde hair that had slipped over her head when she closed her parasol, smiled coldly.

“I couldn’t even say ‘take care of my husband’ before I left.”