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Chapter 30
The Duchy of Frezzier occupied a third of the Briyang Empire.
Even so, the empire was so vast that the journey to the capital would take some time.
“Though, even so, it’s only about a week by carriage.”
“My condition is simple,” said Schuls Schmidt. “You must follow the plan as originally intended.”
“…I’m not sure I understand.”
“Why would the youngest Pneuma be assigned to the Duchy of Frezzier, which isn’t on good terms with the White Tower?”
When a standout talent from any organization is suddenly dispatched to a remote post, it’s always because a greater reward awaits afterward.
“Sir, aren’t you planning to go to the Imperial Palace afterward?”
“…Do you happen to learn the ways of the world through studying ancient texts?”
“I’ve learned a lot from my grandfather.”
“Indeed. It seems the Duke cherishes you greatly,” she added.
The Duke?
‘I’m not sure what kind of misconception that is…’
Regardless, the deal between Schuls Schmidt and me that day was finalized.
Just as in the original plan, Schuls Schmidt was to go to the Imperial Palace as a Pneuma of the royal family.
‘I nearly panicked when he told my grandfather he’d settle in the Duchy just to teach me!’
Schuls Schmidt was certainly clever—no, brilliant. He had even secured the Duke of Frezzier’s permission for me to visit the palace.
‘I wonder how he persuaded him. Incredible.’
I gazed out from the moving carriage. Thanks to the luxurious carriage, padded with multiple layers of fine cushions, a week-long journey was surprisingly comfortable. The capital was already in sight.
‘But…’
I glanced at Asis Frezzier, who sat across from me reviewing documents.
‘Why is the Duke coming to the palace with me?’
I tilted my head in confusion, though no answer came.
“Soon, the Duke of Frezzier will arrive.”
Emperor Alexandro of the Briyang Empire murmured as he entered the central audience hall, already prepared.
Even to the reigning Emperor, the Duke of Frezzier was an elder.
In fact, Alexandro was closer in age to Astor Frezzier, the Marquis and Tullia’s father, than to the Duke himself.
“Your Majesty,” a gentle voice called. A beautiful woman, surrounded by countless attendants, appeared. Her attire was noble and flawless.
“Empress.”
Empress Karmi.
Her reddish-brown hair shone, and a crown of emeralds and sapphires rested upon her head, glittering with dignified elegance.
“Your Majesty. I have come to pay my respects before taking the Crown Prince and the Second Prince to the White Tower.”
“Hm.”
“The Pneumas assigned will be highly knowledgeable, of course,” she continued. Normally, several Pneumas would come from the White Tower to the royal family—it was customary.
But upon hearing that the Duke of Frezzier would personally visit the palace, Empress Karmi changed the plan.
The Duke despised her—or, to be more precise, he held her in contempt.
A woman who had tarnished her noble honor.
Karmi did not wish to meet the Duke’s cold, contemptuous gaze directly.
“The Second Prince is still too young. He is not yet ready to meet Duke Asis Frezzier,” she said elegantly, using her son as an excuse.
Normally, Alexandro might have scoffed, “He’s just a noble below the royal house.” But not today.
Duke Asis was of a generation older than Emperor Alexandro’s father. And the Frezzier family had never lost the prominence it had gained during its rise—a colossal fortress built on solid foundations.
The taxes the Frezzier family paid to the empire were staggering, and Astor Frezzier, the Duke’s eldest son, had accumulated extraordinary merit at the border for over a decade.
Though Astor did not leave out of patriotism, his service had nonetheless elevated the family’s standing. Even the twin sons of the Marquis were renowned in the Academy.
‘And there’s a daughter as well.’
The one accompanying the Duke today was, in fact, that daughter of Marquis Astor.
Alexandro quickly dismissed the thought. The Briyang Empire contained thousands upon thousands of nobles. Even the children of prestigious families who had been ostracized held no reason for the emperor to remember them.
“I am concerned about the Crown Prince,” Empress Karmi said, and Alexandro’s expression immediately darkened.
“What do you mean?”
“Obviously, he will blame himself for losing the opportunity to meet such a powerful figure as Duke Frezzier because of the Second Prince. As his mother, I feel terrible, Your Majesty.”
Everything she said irritated the emperor.
Alexandro had betrayed Empress Olivia, secretly meeting Karmi, her attendant. Olivia, shocked while carrying the Crown Prince, fell gravely ill and eventually died. When Karmi became the new empress, it was Duke Frezzier who publicly criticized Alexandro in front of the court.
‘He dared lecture me, a mere noble, and now my own son is also a topic…’
His anger surged. “Even if Ferdinand is the Crown Prince, would he dare defy my orders? If he does not obey, report it immediately! Even if he disregards the Second Prince, report it to me!”
“Your Majesty…” Karmi interjected softly, flustered.
“That is not what I meant. I only worry as a mother… Though I am not the Crown Prince’s biological mother, I cannot help but be concerned…”
“Even though I am his real father?!”
“The Crown Prince carries a great wound in his heart,” she said.
“What child? He is only a child in appearance!”
Had Olivia not infused the unborn Crown Prince with her divine power, the child would not have been so fragile. But the shock caused lasting effects, and people continued to speak of it even years later.
Alexandro muttered under his breath, unusually quietly, “That damn divine power…”
No knight or servant in the hall flinched. Nobles standing guard like retainers did not react either. The air was tense, yet not peaceful. This was a common occurrence, yet none could get used to the emperor’s quiet but sharp curse.
Even Empress Karmi remained silent for a moment. Then, in her usual gentle voice, she continued:
“Then, I will take the Crown Prince and Second Prince to the White Tower. It is unfortunate, Your Majesty, that you cannot meet Duke Asis Frezzier in person.”
“As we approach the capital, the villages become more frequent,” I said. The Briyang Empire’s prosperity was evident even in the smaller settlements.
The journey had been comfortable, and soon I would see the Crown Prince—the main candidate for the male lead. My heart raced with a mixture of tension and excitement.
Then came Schuls Schmidt’s shocking words.
“We split here? Going to the White Tower? Why?”
He had come to my carriage to ask.
Startled, I blurted out in casual speech. Schuls Schmidt, having officially relinquished his Pneuma position in the Duke’s household, was technically my subordinate under imperial law.
Of course, most nobles, out of respect, continued to speak formally to their Pneuma even after lessons ended.
Tullia, the heroine with her sharp tongue, had always spoken bluntly in <The Secret Bread>, so this was normal for her.
“Both the Crown Prince and Second Prince are at the palace,” I replied.
Though for certain reasons, Schuls Schmidt would teach the Crown Prince instead of the Second Prince, it was certain that the youngest Pneuma would enjoy the honor of instructing a member of the royal family.
“…?”
For a moment, Schuls Schmidt looked puzzled.
“Miss,” he said.
“Yes? Why?”
“I never informed you that I would teach the royal family—only that I was going to the palace…”
His sharp eyes glinted.
“How did you immediately figure that out?”
