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Chapter 103
Albrecht’s fifth ducal house had one of its pillars in diplomacy and mediation: the Edikels.
Even the Duke of Edikel, who had always been well-liked thanks to his polished diplomacy and pleasant personality, found this type of person difficult to deal with.
“Duke of Edikel.”
A natural ruler who stood above all others.
Regent Duke Locke questioned him coldly, his eyes like emeralds set in a masterfully cut gem.
“I hear that Duke Halbern has returned to the capital. Were you aware of this?”
“No, I wasn’t. Having spent so long in the Southern Empire, I’m somewhat unfamiliar with affairs in my homeland.”
Without applying any lip balm, the Duke of Edikel replied boldly.
There was no way such a rumor could have escaped the Duke of Edikel, who had eyes and ears everywhere.
“That is surprising… that he has returned to the capital…”
Locke, having skimmed the information sent by the Marquis, looked at him with cold eyes.
“Has the ‘punishment’ decreed by your Emperor concluded?”
The Duke of Edikel suppressed his tension.
Past karma was catching up.
When Duke Halbern’s actions had enraged Regent Duke Locke to the point of nearly starting a war, the dispatched Duke of Edikel had to somehow appease him.
Although the Empire’s army would not lose to the Southern Empire in war, the ongoing depletion of military resources due to internal issues and the northern front meant that stability on the southern front was preferable.
At that time, the Duke of Edikel had slightly fabricated the situation for his purpose.
He claimed that Duke Halbern’s demotion to the northern fortress was merely punishment from the Southern Empire’s regent for provoking them unnecessarily.
“Well, if His Majesty didn’t summon him personally, I suppose Duke Halbern returned of his own accord.”
“…”
Amid the chilling silence, the Duke of Edikel swallowed and forced a smile.
“Regent, who in Albrecht would dare oppose Halbern? Even Your Majesty would find it troublesome. Please remember the diligence His Majesty has shown over the past six years.”
Regent Duke Locke only moved his eyes to look at the Duke of Edikel. His gaze, as if trying to uncover the truth, was razor-sharp.
“You speak very well.”
“Haha.”
“Your tongue is what keeps you alive.”
“Hahaha, thank you for the compliment.”
He had passed a critical moment.
The Duke of Edikel quietly breathed a sigh of relief and checked the favorability rating he could see with his unique ability.
[♥ 25 Moderate]
A number neither rising nor falling.
‘Thank goodness.’
This was the secret behind how the Duke of Edikel had maintained a delicate balancing act against the Southern Empire’s regent for six years: the Edikel family’s ability to see others’ favorability.
Members of the Edikel family were naturally adept at finding ways to earn others’ goodwill—and even measuring it numerically.
Tap, tap.
Regent Duke Locke’s fingers drummed again on the desk.
He recalled the young Duke Halbern, whom he had met only once.
A mere rookie, not even having inherited the title yet.
“How well do you know Halbern?”
“Well… not very well. Our families hardly interact.”
The secretive Halbern and the open Edikel rarely had any connection.
“Surely the Duke himself knows better than I.”
Since the Duchess was the daughter of Halbern, this one remark almost made the Duke of Edikel bite his tongue in panic.
‘I nearly died.’
He knew that any comment regarding Duchess Sione was forbidden, but he hadn’t expected even this small remark to be unacceptable.
“Perhaps no other family in Albrecht knows Halbern as well. Haha.”
Skillfully changing the subject, the Duke of Edikel let out a quiet sigh of relief and glanced toward the palace interior.
Even after staying here for six years, he had never seen the grand Duchess Locke, Sione.
“Wow, amazing! There’s an island in the sky!”
Arelrin’s voice rang out loudly.
Mehen, watching Arelrin marvel at the sky tower from outside the office window, smiled warmly.
“So you can smile like that too.”
At Valer’s voice, Mehen’s expression instantly turned cold.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Just bearable.”
“The aftereffects last a long time.”
“Indeed.”
“Arel said you made some strange noises.”
“Ah… that.”
Valer closed his eyes.
“I had a dream.”
“A dream?”
No answer came back. Mehen sighed.
“My lord, don’t we have unfinished business?”
“You mean the wedding?”
“Do you want to die for real?”
“I’m scared, dear.”
“Do you really want to be sued?”
Mehen floundered while Valer chuckled softly.
“Do you want something? I’ll grant it.”
“Diligent childcare.”
“Denied.”
“Diligent performance of duties.”
“Haha. Denied.”
“My retirement approval.”
“Denied.”
Mehen threw his pen. Valer dodged it skillfully and clicked his tongue.
“Why do you only wish for things I can’t grant?”
“I have no other wishes.”
“Money, perhaps?”
“Enough.”
“Power?”
“Not really.”
“A woman?”
“…?”
“A marriage?”
Mehen’s face crumpled. Valer laughed at his never-had-the-thought attitude.
“You’ll need a family. Like everyone else, ordinary and peaceful.”
“Me?”
“Yes. If you want, I could even give you the marquis title.”
“Not needed.”
“How heartless.”
“Then, my lord, will you not marry?”
“Me?”
Valer tilted his head.
“Me? With whom?”
“Anyone.”
“You know, Mehen…”
His pale violet eyes fixed on Mehen.
“I will never become part of a family again.”
A dry declaration followed.
“Halbern ends with my generation.”
Or perhaps:
“Or it ends with Arelrin’s generation.”
Mehen felt a surge of emotion at that.
“You never know, if love happens.”
“Love.”
Valer smiled. No emotion showed in the dry expression.
“Mehen.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think I could ever… love someone?”
His long eyelashes blinked slowly.
“Aren’t you already in love?”
Mehen looked out the window. Outside, Arelrin was still marveling at the sky tower.
“That’s not love.”
“What’s the difference?”
Mehen protested.
“Cherishing, embracing, protecting at all costs to avoid losing—while risking everything.”
“Then answer me.”
Valer gave a hollow laugh and brushed his hair back.
“What I’m trying not to lose is…”
His violet eyes turned cold.
“Is it the last thread of connection to my lost sister, or my daughter Arelrin?”
A blunt, unflinching question.
Mehen faltered.
“See? You don’t know either.”
“….”
This was not an easy question to answer. Especially since…
“She’s not your biological daughter, right?”
“If she’s on my register, she’s my daughter.”
“Hah, what a way with words.”
Mehen glared at Valer’s shameless face.
“So, what will you do now?”
“Do what?”
“When the truth comes out, we will be at a disadvantage. Legally too. No matter what anyone says, Duchess Sione is the grand duchess, and parental rights lie with Duke Locke.”
Mehen knew why Valer had done the reckless thing of registering Arelrin as his daughter under Halbern’s family.
“Regent Duke Locke will not stay idle.”
“Indeed. Neither will I.”
