Chapter 22

“I am offering you a favorable proposal.”

After a brief silence, he spoke again, his voice slightly excited, which was uncharacteristic of him.

“Gregory Hanover planned to betroth you to Remington Cadler.”

Remington Cadler was the brother of Isla Cadler, the Queen of Shatonwell. He was infamous for his cruelty and debauchery, even hunting people for sport, living parasitically off his sister’s power.

From the Hanover Duchy’s perspective, aligning with the rising Eastern Kingdom of Shatonwell rather than the already strained Imperial family was a strategic move to become an ‘important’ force between Ardgold and Shatonwell.

This level of behind-the-scenes maneuvering wasn’t detailed in the original story, so Rohana felt a hollow futility at her father’s swift response.

“You know what kind of person he is, don’t you, Lady Rohana?”

“But that wouldn’t have mattered to the Duke.”

Ignoring Rohana’s bitter murmur, Kaiden continued with cold detachment.

“As you might guess, an alliance between the Hanover Duchy and Shatonwell is a burden to the Empire. I don’t know if Emperor Bardi can consider that, but…”

Kaiden added with detached coldness.

“Nopthal doesn’t want to handle another war.”

Rohana’s eyes met Kaiden’s again.

Though he might be plotting a rebellion to take Aurelia, he appeared, at least before her, to be a loyal royal making the best choices for the Empire’s stability.

He had the face of a Kark tribe traitor who had eliminated Axebone.

“For Nopthal’s sake, I must prevent threats to the Empire.”

Rohana’s eyes blinked slowly. Kaiden’s firm, low voice continued, capitalizing on his momentum.

“It’s all about joining hands.”

A cold night breeze swept past them.

“I guarantee your safety.”

His long black hair fluttered in the wind. Rohana, turning her gaze away first, walked towards the duchy. Kaiden, following her, suddenly stopped.

His black eyes looked back at the path leading into the forest. What once seemed wide now looked narrow and rugged.

“Let’s go.”

He extended his arm, looking down at Rohana with a familiar yet subtle gaze.

Rohana slowly linked her hand around his arm. Despite wearing only a thin shirt, he felt hot, as if ignoring the cold weather.

Though she was looking at the face of the man who would eventually kill her, his gaze wasn’t frightening. Despite him being someone most people viewed with fear.

“You said you would let me go later?”

Kaiden paused, seeming to hesitate, then nodded briefly. A barely noticeable smile flickered and vanished.

“When and how will you end our marriage? Will you inform me of that too?”

His arm was surprisingly firm. Standing so close, she realized how much taller he was, and she shook her head slightly to dispel the involuntary tension rising within her.

“It sounds like you want to be involved in the contract.”

“Given that the Hanover Duchy will always be a threat to the Empire… I’m not sure how you’ll set a deadline.”

“I will create a time when he is no longer a threat.”

Rohana looked up at him.

“I hope that time comes quickly.”

Imagining herself being killed by Kaiden Delcliff on the longest day of the year, a beautiful summer day, Rohana spoke.

“That’s beneficial for you too, right?”

Kaiden’s eyebrow twitched.

“Is it difficult?”

“I didn’t realize your relationship with Duke Hanover was that strained.”

Rohana silently lifted her bag.

“Guess I’ll have to work hard.”

He replied with an unusually casual joke.

As they passed through the garden path, all eyes turned towards them through the glass of the grand hall, pouring light.

Among them, the newly crowned Emperor Bardi Constance Rentworth’s blue eyes focused on Rohana.

She smiled again with crescent-shaped eyes, just as she did before. It was time to hide behind a smile again.

***

The night before the imperial succession ceremony.

Despite the mild weather, oak logs were already burning in the Hanover Duchy’s study.

The study, filled more with documents than books, was eerily spotless.

Two men sat facing each other in heavy mahogany chairs decorated with red leather.

“It’s uncommon in our empire to have a succession before the Emperor has passed away.”

Gregory swirled his whiskey glass and spoke. He studied the man sitting across from him, who had eyes that, though similar to Rohana’s, had a different sharpness.

“What’s your opinion, Duke Delcliff?”

Contrary to Gregory’s expectations, Kaiden, sitting comfortably, took a sip of whiskey and started without a smile.

“Let’s get to the point.”

Gregory’s eyes narrowed.

“Did you receive my message well?”

In response to Kaiden’s calm voice, Gregory’s red eyes widened. How could he forget the stacks of documents? Personnel issues, taxes, trade corruption.

Any of those problems wouldn’t dethrone Gregory, but a misstep could ruin many of Hanover Duchy’s financial sources.

“Haha.”

Gregory’s exaggerated laughter filled the room. He rubbed his chin, meeting the cold, unfeeling black eyes across from him. The ten-year-old boy now had eyes that knew blood.

Feeling an odd anxiety creeping in, Gregory exaggerated his voice further to mask it.

“So, should I ask what it is that you want, Your Grace?”

A sly smile appeared on Kaiden’s otherwise expressionless face.

“Two things.”

Gregory clasped his hands together and sank deeper into his chair.

“Hand over the Zitni Trading Company to me. I think it’s better if I own at least one maritime trading company.”

Gregory clenched his teeth at Kaiden’s brief statement but did not add any further comment.

“And the other?”

“Rohana Hanover.”

Gregory’s lips stiffened at the unexpected word. He hadn’t anticipated his daughter’s name coming up. Why?

“No, my daughter is…”

“It seems you’re looking for a mediocre marriage match…”

“No, marriage match, you say…”

“Spare us the talk that neither of us needs.”

Kaiden cut off Gregory’s words and paused.

“I intend to marry her.”

Gregory’s eyebrows shot up. It was true that ever since the affair with the Crown Prince, now Emperor, had fallen apart, Gregory had been seeking the best possible marriage match for Rohana.

Every time he received reports of her cleverly planning to escape, he expedited the marriage talks, sabotaging her cunning plans in advance.

But this proposal was unexpected, a tantalizing offer that prompted Gregory to speak slowly, uncharacteristically for him.

“You, Duke, and Rohana?”

Kaiden drained his glass and set it down, a relaxed smile on his face. He once again wore a friendly expression.

“Duke Hanover, you wouldn’t want Captain Brandt Hanover entangled in the Aurelia affair, would you? Not to mention the embezzlement and personnel corruption cases.”

Gregory, who had been refilling his glass, froze. Only now did he realize the extent of Aurelia’s involvement.

Reports had stated that the two were lovers, and it seemed like he had saved her like a ghost.

Though his sudden enmity was masked by a smile, his eyes held a murderous intent towards the man before him.

“Brandt in the Aurelia affair? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Right, sure.”

Kaiden laced his long fingers together and tilted his head. His expression indicated that he saw no need to waste energy denying the obvious.

“You’ve lived so comfortably for so long that it wasn’t even difficult to figure out. Your caution is greatly lacking.”

Gregory silently poured two glasses of liquor. Kaiden merely stared at the filled glass, not touching it. The amber liquid glimmered in the firelight.

“Then I’ll take that as a yes to the engagement.”

“I didn’t expect you’d want to form a family alliance with us.”

Kaiden, who had risen from his seat, paused and spoke. His downward gaze was sharp.

“Who would refuse an alliance with the Empire’s most powerful and wealthy family?”

Gregory frowned. Regardless, his proposal wasn’t entirely bad.

The fact that he had gone to such lengths to form an alliance with him suggested a cunning and secretive nature befitting a Kark half-blood.

He was a descendant of a dangerous tribe that used strange powers, willing to do anything for profit.

There was no hope for the new Emperor, already completely enamored with that woman Aurelia. Kaiden Delcliff of Nopthal wasn’t a bad choice.

The only thing that bothered Gregory was that he didn’t trust Kaiden Delcliff like others did.

The world believed in Kaiden because he had eliminated Axebone, the spiritual leader of the Kark tribe, but Gregory thought differently.

Unless Kaiden suffered from amnesia, would he really be on the Emperor’s side, the Empire’s side, as others believed?

“About the Axebone matter…”

As expected, Kaiden’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.

“I’m grateful.”

Kaiden paused for a moment, noticing Gregory’s sarcastic tone.

“Of course, it’s a painful past for you, Duke.”

“Why should I care?”

“Ah.”

Gregory raised a hand, stopping Kaiden.

“Let’s skip the talk that neither of us needs.”

Returning Kaiden’s earlier words, Gregory elicited a faint, bitter smile from him.

“Let’s proceed with the engagement.”

Gregory said leisurely.

“For now.”

Kaiden clenched his teeth at Gregory’s added words, then turned and walked towards the door without hesitation.

With a bang, the door closed, and Gregory involuntarily exhaled the breath he had been holding.