To The Eternal Knight (2 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 142

It was nearly midnight when the Grand Duke and Count Illautzer returned once more to Count Rosa’s residence.

The drawing room, kept off-limits to servants, received the Grand Duke as he rushed in frantically—and upon seeing the marriage contract, he let out a hollow laugh.

“The groom’s and bride’s signatures share the same handwriting. Even though this is the name His Majesty used before ascending the throne, it’s clearly different from how he signs documents now.”

Suspicion rising, the Grand Duke’s first instinct was to examine the Emperor’s signature.

As ruler of Valer, the Grand Duke had received many imperial edicts bearing the Emperor’s own handwriting.

Edicts ordering the release of the intruder who had devastated Valer, and others commanding him to transfer credit for his personal expenditures in calming Valer’s border unrest to the Crown Prince.

The familiar imperial signature he had scrutinized countless times was unmistakably different from the one on this marriage contract—especially since both the groom’s and bride’s signatures looked identical. That alone was conclusive.

“Ah…”

Count Illautzer, who had been tense alongside him, slowly leaned forward and braced himself against the table. Apparently having harbored great hopes, he chuckled bitterly and said,

“So the signature really isn’t His Majesty’s. If this had turned out to be genuine, my heart would’ve burst.”

His sigh at the end carried the thawing chill of intense tension. Unlike Count Illautzer, who tried masking his disappointment with humor, Nerea and Alejandro kept their expressions calm and composed.

Perhaps their disappointment ran so deep they couldn’t even show it outwardly. Just as Count Illautzer struggled to understand their detached demeanor—

“The Head Maid who gave us the box containing this marriage contract mentioned something: back when this document was written, it was common for either the groom or the bride to sign alone, register the marriage, and later present the contract itself as a gift.”

Though the remark seemed abrupt, both the Grand Duke and Count Illautzer instantly grasped its implication.

Color had just started returning to Count Illautzer’s face—but now it drained away again, leaving him pale. Veins rose on the back of the Grand Duke’s hand as he gripped the marriage contract tightly.

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