As they returned to the villa entrance, the head attendant and head maid serving the Emperor and Empress were waiting.

“Welcome. We apologize for not coming out to greet you earlier. Please forgive our rudeness.”

“It’s fine. Where is His Majesty?”

“The Empress and His Majesty are taking a nap. They instructed us to wake them when the Duke and Duchess arrived.”

“Let them sleep. Are the rooms ready?”

“Yes. I will guide you.”

Their respectful and courteous demeanor showed not just respect but also a hint of fear towards Lahart. Given that these were the people who served the Emperor and Empress closely, their attitude carried significant weight.

Iren, feeling tense, hesitated to step forward. Noticing her state, Lahart wrapped his hand around hers.

“You look uncomfortable.”

“I’m nervous. It’s my first time meeting His Majesty and Her Highness the Empress…”

“I don’t know about Her Highness, but His Majesty is not a bad person. He’s a strange person, though.”

Iren’s face turned pale at Lahart’s blunt words. What was he thinking, saying such things in front of the head attendant and head maid? Demeaning the Emperor could easily be considered a crime of lese-majeste. Pulling Lahart’s arm in distress, she received a puzzled look from him.

“Why?”

“It’s better to refrain from such remarks.”

“I’m just stating the truth. He knows it himself, so it’s fine.”

“Duke.”

Iren’s gaze grew sharper. Lahart shrugged and lifted Rian with his free arm. Feeling uneasy with Iren’s tension and the presence of strangers, Rian buried his face in Lahart’s chest.

Finally, the three of them arrived at a door. The head attendant opened the door and handed the key to Lahart.

“You may use this room.”

“What about the other room?”

“Another room?”

“I informed His Majesty in advance. Didn’t you hear?”

“There were no other instructions besides preparing the room…”

Lahart let out a low, short sigh. Seeing his displeasure, the head attendant and head maid conferred but found no immediate solution.

Lahart waved them off lightly.

“I’ll handle it. You may leave.”

“We apologize. If you need anything, please pull the bell. We will come immediately. When should we inform His Majesty?”

“I’ll take care of that too.”

“Understood. Please rest comfortably.”

The spacious room was excessively large for the three of them. Besides the large bed, there was also a separate bed for the child.

Rian, who had been following Iren’s lead and feeling tense, brightened up upon seeing the child’s bed.

“Wow.”

“No. Remember, you change clothes before getting into bed, as Mom said.”

“There’s an adult bed and a baby bed! The beds are a family.”

Even though Iren caught him before he could jump onto the bed, Rian remained cheerful.

We should have a bed made as soon as we return to Sirencia. Lahart made a mental note as he watched Rian, who couldn’t take his eyes off the bed.

“Aren’t you tired from the long carriage ride? Rest until dinner.”

“Shouldn’t we greet them first?”

“I’ll handle that. Meeting them at the banquet will be enough for you.”

Lahart decisively cut off Iren’s concern. While it was meant to encourage her to enjoy the rare outing without worries, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it.

‘Does he not get along with His Majesty?’

Iren considered asking Lahart but decided against it. In a world entangled with various interests, personal relationships didn’t matter much. Even those closest by blood could betray and stab you in the back at any moment.

Lahart had solidified his position with cold rationality and decisive actions more than anyone else. There must be a significant reason why he was so wary of the Emperor.

“You should rest. I’ll bathe Rian.”

“Is Rian going to take a bath with Uncle?”

“Don’t you want to?”

“I do! But Mom should join us too. Mom would be lonely by herself.”

The innocent, naive child didn’t realize the impact of his words. Embarrassed, Iren looked away. It was a perfectly reasonable suggestion from a child’s perspective, but she felt self-conscious and blushed. Lahart laughed at her reaction.

“Unfortunately, the bath will have to be just the two of us.”

“Why?”

“Because Iren…”

“Stop saying strange things and go in quickly.”

Sensing trouble, Iren pushed Lahart’s back. Lahart, pretending to give in, took Rian to the bathroom.

Until the door closed, Rian’s voice could be heard chattering about why they were leaving Mom alone.

Left alone, Iren opened the window to cool her flushed face. She thought she might be overreacting, but it was a reflexive response she couldn’t control.

It was strange. Kissing didn’t bother her at all. Lahart wasn’t someone she hated or feared anymore.

Perhaps it was because he was the exact opposite now.

As Iren took a deep breath, she lowered her head against the bright light that stung her eyes. The pure white gem reflected the sunlight brightly.

A smile crept onto Iren’s lips as she fiddled with the ring.

* * *

The villa, which had been quiet during the day, showed a completely different face at night. It was astonishing how it transformed into a splendid banquet hall as if by magic.

Iren, Lahart, and Rian, having finished their preparations for the banquet, encountered several people on their way to the hall. Whether they were nobles or servants, their reactions were the same.

First, they were surprised by Lahart, who had never appeared at such events. Then, they were shocked again by Iren, who had been the subject of many rumors. Finally, they were astonished a third time by Rian, who looked just like Lahart.

However, no one behaved rudely or sarcastically. The sword hanging at Lahart’s waist was a clear display of his power and authority. He was the only noble allowed to carry a weapon at a banquet attended by the Emperor and Empress.

Standing before the door leading to the banquet hall, Iren took a deep breath.

What kind of scene would unfold beyond this door? What would happen? Would she be scorned for being alive despite having Phaeson’s vile blood? Would she be pointed at and called the runaway Duchess who staged a ridiculous act?

All sorts of thoughts and worries crossed her mind. It was natural for her, given that she had never had a pleasant experience at noble gatherings.

Looking at the massive door reminded her of her wedding. There were no drapes around the handles, and she was wearing a different dress, but she felt a similar sense of pressure.

What had she thought when she saw her husband in his pure white ceremonial attire entering the hall? The hopes she had secretly harbored were shattered, and the ground beneath her felt like a swamp filled with despair.

Realizing that Lahart had saved her from the execution ground only to exact his revenge, she wanted to sit down and cry.

It was miserable and horrific. Yet, she loved him.

Iren closed her eyes. Even after several years, thinking about that time still made her heart ache.

Just then, Lahart lifted Rian with one arm and held Iren’s hand with the other.

Iren opened her eyes. The apparition of Lahart in his white ceremonial attire, looking as if he wished for her death, vanished.

In his place stood a kind husband with affectionate eyes, looking at her with boundless love.

“No one can treat you poorly, Iren.”

Lahart’s voice continued gently.

“I will protect you.”

Iren, who had been silently gazing at Lahart, nodded. Rian, held by Lahart, also smiled brightly at Iren.

Yes, we are no longer who we used to be. The name Cardius, once a dreadful shackle akin to death, is now a sturdy shield and an impregnable fortress that will not crumble under any hardship or sorrow.

“Shall we go, Lahart?”

Lahart smiled, seemingly overjoyed. He signaled to the knight guarding the door. The knight opened the door and announced loudly.

“Duke Cardius, the Duchess, and the young duke are entering!”

All eyes in the banquet hall turned to the three of them. Rian clung tightly to Lahart’s neck. Lahart kissed Rian’s cheek. The nobles who witnessed this were silently shocked.

The Duke of Cardius, known as the demon of the battlefield and infamous for his cruelty, kissing a child? And smiling while doing so?

That can’t be the Duke of Cardius. It must be someone pretending to be him, or another person’s soul inhabiting his body.

“What a rare sight. It was worth coming all this way.”

Amidst the stunned nobles, a man and a woman stepped forward. It was the Emperor and the Empress. Lahart set Rian down and took his hand.

Lahart and Iren bowed, and the quick-witted Rian followed suit, bowing to the Emperor and Empress.

“Irelaide Cardius greets the two suns of the empire.”

“Your humble servant apologizes for the late greeting. Please forgive me.”

“A humble servant? I never thought I’d hear the Duke say that. Let’s see, it’s not because you’re in front of me or the Empress. Is it because you’re in front of your wife?”

“I always respect Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Stop with the nonsense. If you respected me, you would have replied to at least one of my letters.”

Lahart had no words. It was true that he hadn’t responded to the Emperor’s letters. The Emperor chuckled at Lahart’s silence and approached Iren, who was still bowing.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you. I’m glad to finally have the chance.”

“I apologize for not coming to greet you sooner.”

“No need. If you had, I would have already lost my head to the Duke’s sword. Yes, indeed.”

Though the Emperor’s tone was light, Iren turned pale. Was he implying that Lahart was planning a rebellion? The Emperor asked her again, seeing her shock.

“Aren’t you curious why I wanted to meet you?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know.”

“Well, that’s because…”

The Emperor paused, glancing at Lahart with narrowed eyes. For a moment, a chilling sound of teeth grinding came from Lahart.

Iren instinctively looked up at him. As expected, Lahart was glaring at the Emperor with a murderous expression.

The suffocating silence continued. It was broken by the Emperor’s laughter.

“Hahaha, this is good. Yes, very good. Enjoy yourselves. This event is prepared for you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, I have something to discuss. Could you spare a moment?”

“You’re not planning to drag me to a secluded spot and kill me, are you, Duke? Your expression is terrifying.”