The duke’s door also carried a similar weight.

There must have been a reason when the butler opened the door.

“Empress?”

Although she refrained from going in and out, it wasn’t to the extent that he couldn’t recognize a woman’s face.

It was the newly enthroned empress, Canaria.

The overly thin Canaria had a deformed appearance with a swollen belly.

Canaria looked somewhat hunched, and the maid standing next to her seemed more energetic.

Duke Cloud narrowed his eyes and gestured to Canaria.

“You’ve taken a precious step. If you were looking for me, you should have come to see me directly.”
“…No, Duke. The person making the request should be the one to move.”

“A request…”

“Spare my life, Duke.”

Canaria spoke in a trembling voice.

“Lenisha has returned to the palace now. No one knows what that wicked woman might do to me!”

At the sudden statement, Duke Cloud frowned.

Expressing emotions openly like this was not his style.

The more intangible things are discreetly concealed, the more power they exert.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about. While I know that Lenisha has entered the palace, it was according to the will of the Emperor. What harm could she do to Empress if she follows the will of Empress?”

Canaria trembled.

Could Lenisha do nothing?

That woman, even if thrown into the desert, came back like a demon to strangle Canaria.

If Lenisha had truly forgiven Canaria, it shouldn’t have been right to take Barbara away that day.

She shouldn’t have starved Canaria until she confessed her secret.

In the end, did Lenisha not tighten the noose around Canaria’s neck?

Lenisha was a person who should never be underestimated.

“Do you really mean that? I say Lenisha can’t do anything!”

“Well, I cannot fathom her heart.”

“I am currently looking for someone who can make my child the emperor. No matter what it takes.”

Canaria glanced behind her.

Barbara nodded as if saying she did well.

Barbara had emphasized that Duke Cloud was the last string.

If Canaria missed even this, nothing would be left for her.

Canaria swallowed dry saliva.

“And I believe you can do that for me.”

“…In the course of reason, the Emperor’s bloodline should ascend to the throne.”

“I am not speaking of reason!”

Canaria raised her head firmly.

“I am going against reason. I wish for this child to become the emperor the moment it is born. I hope this child will have the power to protect me!”

Duke Cloud closed his mouth.

Canaria had expected somewhat from the moment she came with an anxious face.

The story of the emperor favoring the empress who had his child had spread among the nobles.

There were even rumors that the emperor was truly mad or had some strange barrier.

Regardless of the truth, Duke Cloud belonged to the class that believed that Hientre’s bloodline must protect the throne.

If that law were to be broken, chaos would ensue.

The foundation of this vast empire would shake.

Duke Cloud rubbed his chin.

From a strategic standpoint, Canaria’s choice wasn’t bad.

Even if she had to use her child, she would try to secure her own life.

It was a better choice than running away with the emperor’s child to a foreign land.

Could she really abandon the child in the imperial family?
If that’s the case, what Duke Cloud should consider is whether it’s worth getting involved in this war. Even if he patiently waits, just protecting the child would be enough to safely become the emperor. Likewise, when Lenisha, who is currently causing a commotion, reaches that time, she would have to yield. If, against reason, he were to make the child the emperor now and kill Lexus, there had to be a valid reason for that. Specifically, what could Duke Cloud gain through him?

“…It seems the Empress doesn’t understand the basics of a deal.”

“No! If my child becomes the emperor, I’ll make your daughter, niece, or granddaughter the Empress. Even if they marry right after the child is born, it doesn’t matter!”

Canaria quickly brought out the prepared pawn. When she gave up fleeing to a foreign country and came to Duke Cloud as the head of the Hientre family, she was prepared for this.

She hadn’t been swayed by Barbara’s proposal; it would have been a lie if she had. Then greater temptations came to Canaria. She dreamed of becoming the mother of the emperor, just as she had wished. No one could break Canaria if she desired it. Even the formidable Lenisha would have to surrender the palace if Canaria wanted it.

Sweet temptation conquered fear. Duke Cloud smiled at the determined Canaria.

“That alone is not enough.”

Duke Cloud added, “Give me the military authority that House Rothera had. Give it to me.” The military authority held by the baseless slave knight tempted him. With that power, he could control the emperor, Canaria, and even this empire in the palm of his hand. Considering the precedent set by Duke Rothera, he had made Lexus the emperor with that power. It was a foolish choice for the sake of his daughter, for life and power are not something that can be brought back. “If you promise this too, I will try to do what you want.”

Duke Cloud revealed the ambition he had been hiding. He might be able to grasp something precious in his hands—a power that could shake Hientre.
Looking at Duke Rothera alone, didn’t he make Lexus the emperor with that power? It was a foolish choice to self-destruct along with that power for the sake of his daughter. You can give birth to a child again, but life and power are likely not among those things. “If you promise this too, I will try to do what you want.” Duke Cloud revealed the ambition he had been hiding. He might be able to grasp something precious in his hands—a power that could shake Hientre.