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Chapter 18
The succession ceremony party finally ended after four days.
That dazzling, beautiful, extravagant party.
“Honor, power. Power… so much power.”
I lay sprawled out in the royal guest chamber, muttering the same words over and over.
The scar between my parted robe throbbed for no apparent reason.
“The party only ended yesterday, so why are there so many invitations already?”
I skimmed through the stack of letters, nearly as tall as the documents for my new duties as a duke.
“I guess I have to attend some of them, right?”
My head was about to explode.
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
The person who entered was a palace maid.
“His Majesty sent this.”
With a brief message, she withdrew, leaving behind an unmarked envelope.
I took it in hand. When I opened the letter, its contents made me scoff.
“So, I rolled into his lap so easily that he’ll use me however he pleases, is that it?”
Inside the envelope was an invitation to a party—sent from a family hostile to the Emperor.
✦ ✦ ✦
The succession ceremony had just ended, and the Emperor was already sending me on errands.
It was frustrating—infuriating, even—but what could I say? I’m the one who promised to be his sword or shield or whatever else.
The carriage drove for a while before stopping in front of a mansion.
“This is the Tetra family’s estate.”
It was where tonight’s most extravagant party was being held.
The Tetra family—one of the most vocal anti-Emperor noble houses.
They had recently opposed the Emperor’s latest agenda, so the reason for sending me there was obvious.
He wants to keep them in check.
Not just the Tetras, but me too.
Everyone would see that I, as the Emperor’s hand, didn’t even hesitate to carry out such dirty work.
In other words, this was a clear message: the new duke is nothing but the Emperor’s pawn.
Well, not that I actually intend to let myself be treated like an easily handled chess piece.
I may have just become a duke, but I had no intention of obediently cleaning up after the Emperor.
For that reason…
“Ashid, let’s go.”
I had brought him as my partner for the evening.
“This way. Come on, just take my hand.”
I took his hand, thinking his lovely smile even carried a hint of sweet floral fragrance.
The moment we entered the noisy ballroom, the surroundings fell silent.
There are faces I didn’t even see at the succession ceremony…
I scanned the room as I walked in.
Most of the guests looked surprised, but soon their eyes gleamed—no doubt seeing us, the Crown Prince and a Duke, as juicy targets.
Actually, this is an opportunity.
I planned to use even the Emperor—just as he was using me.
My goal is simple.
To seize power.
“Oh dear, did we arrive too early? It seems Count Tetra isn’t here yet.”
I nodded at Ashid’s mumbled words as we walked through the parting crowd, like the sea splitting in two.
“Shall we dance, Inerea?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then maybe we should sit?”
“Hmm… no. I think I’ll mingle a bit.”
Ashid’s low whisper in my ear tickled, making my shoulders flinch instinctively.
“I didn’t know you were interested in the Tetra family.”
I grumbled silently at his words, as he took a drink from a servant.
Your father’s the one who sent me here, you know?
As the musicians played a graceful melody, people began to approach.
“Your Highness, Duke! I didn’t expect to see you again so soon!”
“Oh, you are…”
One of the men I’d seen at the succession party.
I decided to engage politely for now and replied,
“Nice to see you here.”
“It’s an honor. You haven’t met the Count yet, have you? I heard his daughter fell ill suddenly, so he may be running a bit late.”
Really?
I sipped from the glass Ashid handed me and gave a slight nod.
Ugh, champagne. Gross.
It was a fine champagne, but not to my taste.
I’ve always hated bitter things.
I drank nothing but bitter liquor during the succession ceremony, and now this again…
“You don’t have to drink that. Give it to me.”
“…?”
Just then, Ashid took my glass and exchanged it for a fruit drink.
How did he know? I was doing a great job hiding my expression.
Surprised, I stared blankly at the glass that now wafted with the fresh scent of oranges.
“Oh, Ashid.”
A sweet aroma enveloped me.
When I looked up at him, he smiled as he tilted his head.
Wrapping an arm around my waist, he whispered in my ear,
“I gave this to you, so it should be fine, right?”
He was giving me an excuse—so I wouldn’t be treated like a child for drinking juice instead of alcohol at a party.
He even winked.
Touched by his thoughtfulness, I said nothing and just fiddled with the glass in my hands.
“…”
Then I collected myself and took a small sip of the sweet drink.
“Come to think of it, do you have children?”
We continued chatting with various people.
Those who approached.
Those watching me from afar.
As I glanced around while sipping my drink, Ashid stepped even closer.
“Your Highness, Duke.”
Just then, someone spoke as Ashid’s arm tightened around my waist.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Ron Tetra of the Tetra family.”
I looked up.
“I came in a hurry when I heard you were attending our family’s party. It’s an honor.”
There stood the very man the Emperor wanted me to step on.
Showing his face now, huh?
But now that I was here, how was I supposed to fulfill the Emperor’s wishes?
Smiling and exchanging small talk, I thought quickly.
To gain power, I need trust first. I can’t just insult him rudely.
Besides, that’s not really my style anyway.
Then, Ron Tetra called over a servant and accepted something.
“I couldn’t attend your succession ceremony due to personal matters, so I wasn’t able to deliver a gift.”
I tilted my head slightly at the shift in tone.
Now what’s this?
“I prepared a small gift. I hope you’ll find it satisfactory.”
A gift? When he’s clearly uncomfortable around me?
What’s his game?
“Though I’m not sure it’s something you’ll actually need.”
I opened the box he handed me.
And then, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
What he gave me was—
“A beautiful ring.”
It looked ordinary.
Or… was it?
“Ashid, do I not know the Empire’s latest trends? Or is this how he sees our relationship?”
The room went silent.
A ring.
It’s a common gift, yes.
But in the Empire, a white ring has a very specific meaning.
“Is he telling me to go find a fiancé?”
Unmarried noblewomen wore white rings to indicate they didn’t have a fiancé.
Did he know? That he had just handed me a tool that would make it very easy to fulfill the Emperor’s exact wishes?
Clack.
The sound of me shutting the box echoed loudly.
“H-ha, that’s not what I meant. I just thought it would suit your black hair…”
Count Tetra flinched as I snapped the box closed with a blatantly displeased expression.
Didn’t expect this reaction, did he?
This was clearly an insult—but most women in high society wouldn’t dare speak up about such things.
Apparently, that’s considered “graceful.”
“I see. Well then, thank you. I understand perfectly.”
But the problem is… I’m not the kind of demure noblewoman the Empire wants.
I don’t need that kind of mask.
I called over a nearby servant.
“I don’t need it. Dispose of it.”
With a smile, I gently pressed a hand on the Count’s shoulder as the gift disappeared.
He hesitated for a moment but eventually came over, as if dragged.
His slouched posture looked so pathetic.
“You.”
Locking eyes, I gripped his shoulder tightly.
“What was your name again?”
My voice rang out cold and sharp in the silence—even I was startled by it.
The Count’s lips trembled.
“R-Ron Tetra…”
“Actually, never mind. I don’t even need to ask.”
I loosened my grip.
“I don’t think it matters.”
That one sentence said a lot.
Noble families may hate each other, but they still maintain a strange coexistence.
For me to so openly make an enemy—this was a real threat to the Count’s house.
“Ashid, I’ve lost my mood. Let’s go.”
He must’ve thought I was soft from the gentle image I showed at the succession ceremony.
“Duke!”
Realizing things weren’t going as he’d hoped, the Count desperately tried to stop me.
But before he could touch me, Ashid blocked him.
He gripped the Count’s wrist tightly and smiled.
And with his next words, I couldn’t help but smile too.
“Even I find her too precious to lay a hand on.”
Who I am—
And who stands by my side.
