Dante, deep in thought, slowly opened his mouth.

“Did you say it was an assassin’s job?”

“Yes. Haven’t the Dawn members been taking on murder contracts for a long time to raise funds for rebellion?”

That’s right.

Dante tapped the desk, tap, tap. The hypothesis that came to mind was as follows:

Ten years ago on that day, the Dawn received a murder contract and dispatched members to the Parze Forest.

And while carrying out the request, they realized a little girl had gotten involved but couldn’t kill her.

Years later, a persistently pursued Dawn member mistakenly thought the Duke was chasing him to avenge his wife’s affair from back then…

If the hypothesis was true, the conclusion was simple.

‘It was murder.’

That day, Ariana’s maternal grandfather and mother were killed at someone’s instigation, not in a carriage accident.

“…Should we inform Lady Ariana as well?”

Rio asked cautiously.

At those words, Dante recalled the servants’ complaints.

“She’s not eating properly.”

“She’s not getting proper sleep either. Even when she does sleep, if something occurs to her, she immediately rushes to her desk.”

Ariana was already pushing herself to the limit.

It was an immersion that neither Dante nor anyone else could stop. Whether the cause was revenge or creative passion… probably both.

If they told Ariana, who was in such a state, that her family members were actually murdered… well.

She might break down. After all, a full cup overflows with just one more drop.

Dante shook his head briefly.

“No. Keep it confidential for now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rio nodded. He also thought it would be better not to tell her until after the Founding Festival was over.

Dante stood up and continued:

“And have everyone withdraw from that person.”

“What? But he hasn’t properly confessed much yet…”

Rio suddenly closed his mouth mid-sentence.

Ah, could it be.

Putting on his outerwear, Dante said:

“I’ll interrogate him personally.”

* * *

Colorful spring flowers began to burst into bloom.

Savoring the spring that had come to the threshold, people shed the thick coats they had worn all winter.

Then, celebrating another year of surviving winter safely, they raised toasts here and there.

Among the excited voices, the most frequently mentioned topic was undoubtedly the upcoming Founding Festival.

“The stream of carriages entering the capital today was endless!”

“I heard that today, dignitaries from the Kingdom of Ende and the Kingdom of Hesty arrived. They say a prince himself came from Ende.”

The Kingdom of Ende was smaller than the Empire in both size and national power, but was famous for its unique artistry and sophisticated sensibility.

“But after sunset, there was a line of oddly shaped carriages too. Which country’s dignitaries did those belong to?”

“Ah… you mean those skinny black carriages?”

Someone whispered:

“They must have been from the Kingdom of Karka. I hear their envoys are attending this year as well.”

“Oh my.”

The Kingdom of Karka, situated in the middle of the great desert, was a nation of desert tribes.

The cold and belligerent Karka people were objects of fear.

“Is it true that Karka people keep snakes as pets?”

“They say it’s true. I’ve also heard they annihilated the barbarians who plundered their territory and drank alcohol from their skulls.”

“My goodness, how frightening. Anyway, even the Kingdom of Karka, which rarely interacts with the outside world, is sending dignitaries. It really makes you realize how grand a festival the Founding Festival is.”

“Of course! The Founding Festival is our Empire’s greatest attraction and pride.”

As if to prove the pride of the Empire’s people, the capital began to bustle excitedly long before the festival’s start.

Street trees were pruned, signs were repainted, and huge banners were hung everywhere.

People happily observed these sights, chattering about how splendid this year’s Founding Festival would be.

And finally, on the day of the festival.

The vast gardens of the Imperial Palace, open to all, were filled with people.

Carriages moved continuously along the main road leading from the palace gates to the main palace.

Enthusiasts took up positions at the main palace entrance to watch the procession of arriving carriages.

“Those must be the Ende Kingdom envoys.”

“My, their attire is all so strange again this year.”

Though they said that, everyone knew that by next year, the styles worn by the Ende Kingdom would start becoming fashionable in the capital as well.

“Is that the First Prince of Ende? The one said to be so well-versed in the arts…”

“Gasp, I see the Karka Kingdom envoys over there too.”

Thanks to their brown-tanned skin and distinctive silver hair, people could easily recognize the Karka people.

Befitting a warrior nation, capital residents furtively avoided them, glancing at their fierce gazes and stoic expressions.

“Oh my. What’s that flower carriage? It’s so lavishly decorated.”

“That’s the Lopez family crest… Ah, yes. Look, that woman is getting out.”

‘That woman’, Elena Lopez, stepped out of the carriage, flaunting a dress so extravagant it was almost bewitching.

While some admired her beauty, others cast unfavorable glances.

The scandal that had shaken the capital ended with Lucas Fedegrin’s imprisonment, but that didn’t mean the impact of the popular song’s lyrics that had hit the capital had disappeared.

“The Lopez Count is beside her. By the way, I hear part 3 of is finally being unveiled today?”

“Ah, you’ve heard old news. That was cancelled, and they say the Lopez Count’s own performance will be staged instead. My acquaintance who saw the orchestra rehearsal says the level is incredible.”

“Oh, is that so? I’m looking forward to it.”

The eyes of the chattering enthusiasts suddenly widened like never before.

“Oh my, look over there. It’s the Duke’s carriage!”

The first to step out of the massive silver carriage was a black-haired man.

‘It’s His Grace the Duke.’

‘This is the first time seeing him in person since the victory ceremony.’

People forgot their conversations and eagerly observed his appearance.

The Duke’s figure revealed in the sunlight was so perfect that even other men couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

A height a head taller than others, a sturdy physique not hidden even by the perfectly fitted uniform. Features so handsome they drew gasps even from afar.

Even the arrogant composure the Duke wore like a cloak seemed ornamental.

When he extended his hand towards the carriage, the much-rumored Duchess finally made her appearance.

Everyone eagerly took in her appearance.

‘My goodness… she’s like a single flower.’

A small white face peeked out from between long platinum blonde hair draped like elongated petals.

It was as if a lily or daffodil had been personified into human form.

‘Indeed, she has the dignity befitting a Duchess.’

Countless gazes of envy were fixed on the Duke and Duchess, who were not at all inferior to the rumors, but rather surpassed all imagination.

* * *

“His Grace Duke Heigenberg and Her Grace the Duchess!”

As the attendant announced, all heads turned in one direction.

Those who spotted the ducal couple exchanged whispers.

“My, this is the first time seeing them in person, but they really are a perfect pair.”

“Of course. They say His Grace the Duke treasures the Duchess so much. Why, even at that banquet held at the Lopez mansion last time…”

“Ah, you mean that anecdote where he personally came to fetch her because he hadn’t seen her for half a day?”

“Goodness, their honeymoon phase is quite passionate indeed. Hohoho.”

It was the first moment the ducal couple had appeared at an official event.

Since neither the Duke nor the Duchess were ones to frequent social circles, this was a golden opportunity to establish connections.

As the nobles were eyeing each other to see who would speak first,

Stride.

A silver-haired man with brown skin boldly stepped towards the couple.

‘Gasp.’

‘It’s a Karka person!’

Those who had been about to approach the ducal couple startled and stepped back.

The Karka man continued walking with an impassive, cold face.

Could that foreigner really be approaching His Grace the Duke? The Karka man’s gaze, closer to quadruple-fold eyes than triple-fold, was fierce enough to be scary just glancing at it.

Headlines like ‘Duke and Karka Envoy, Violent Clash’, ‘Founding Festival Turns into Sea of Blood’ flashed through the nobles’ minds.

The Karka man, who had reached the Duke, placed his hand over his heart.

“Your Grace.”

“Tomen.”

The Duke calmly replied as he turned to the Karka man.

Observing this, people whispered in excited voices.

“Ah, come to think of it, His Grace the Duke formed an alliance with Karka during the last war, didn’t he?”

“I wondered why Karka people, who don’t interact with outsiders, had come all the way to the Founding Festival… It was because of their connection to His Grace the Duke.”

“What a relief. I thought the two of them were going to clash, hohoho.”

It was a moment when the nobles felt relieved.

“This person is…”

Tomen, the Karka man, moved his lips as he turned to Ariana.

Dante slightly furrowed one eyebrow. It was a subtly displeased expression.

“My wife. Ariana Heigenberg.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Ariana.”

Ariana greeted him, gracefully lifting the hem of her dress.

“I hope you have an enjoyable time in the Empire, and…”

Ariana couldn’t finish her sentence.

Tomen knelt on one knee before her and looked up at her respectfully.

Like a knight offering his oath. Or like proposing to a loved one.

Those who had been watching the three with great interest were shocked.

“Wh-what is this?”

“Am I seeing things…?”

In the air filled with astonishment, Tomen opened his mouth.

“Would you grant me the honor of offering the desert oath to my lady?”