131. Luka Smirnov
“Stop this nonsense. Are you trying to ruin what I’m about to achieve in Hersen when it’s right within reach?”
Vikentiy Oblonsky spoke, trembling with rage.
His eyes swarmed with ambition and desire.
Luka smiled weakly as he saw his father who had become a monster consumed by l*st for power.
“What kind of world are you trying to create, Father?”
“What?”
“A world where high nobles rule the entire country again with all people under their feet? A nation where the masses groan while the ruling class fills their already full bellies? Is that the achievement you speak of, with the Oblonsky family at its center?”
“You……”
“Do you think you can create such a world again by removing His Highness who listens to the people?”
“What thoughts could those ignorant masses who haven’t learned anything possibly have? Their only worry is about what to eat tomorrow. It’s foolish to even listen to the words of those who have no interest in the nation’s welfare!”
“Who created this world where class differences lead to gaps in wealth and education? Wasn’t it us boyars?”
The difference in opinion between father and son showed no signs of narrowing.
They thought they would never understand each other for life.
Most nobles in not just Hersen but every country shared Vikentiy’s thoughts.
That giving up noble privileges and sharing opportunities fairly with the lower classes was itself wasteful, hypocritical, and foolish.
That if they just guaranteed the people enough to not starve to death, the masses wouldn’t think of anything else.
“Learning can never be equal by nature. If we try public education like Grand Duke wants, it will only lower the quality of education and level everything down as it eats away at the government budget. Since ancient times, a country becomes prosperous only when ruled by an educated elite minority!”
“How do you know without even trying?”
“One doesn’t need to taste failure to know something is hopeless. We cannot waste national resources on something so obviously futile. Leading the country responsibly in place of ignorant citizens who cannot decide for themselves—that is the duty of the ruling class. People like you who are drunk on ideals and dreams will only end up ruining the country.”
“Wake up, Father!”
Luka finally shouted, unable to bear his father’s sophistry born from inability to let go of what he had.
Vikentiy was quite shocked at his son’s defiance.
It was the first time this child who always quietly watched his father and brothers’ moods had raised his voice before him.
“The ones ruining this country are you, Father. You and the boyars who share your views. And hypocrites like me who stay silent making excuses about lacking power or not wanting to fight while knowing things are wrong.”
“Luka Oblonsky!”
“We are all ruining Hersen. If you truly care about the country, change your thinking even now. Open your eyes, Father! Not one thing we eat or wear hasn’t passed through the hands of the common people. The world doesn’t belong to nobles alone. All citizens who make up the nation are its masters.”
“I don’t want to hear it! Youth’s vigor prevents proper thinking. I was once like that too. I fell under the delusion that I could create a better world. The Grand Duke’s radical changes will only make citizens suffer more.”
“……”
“Hersen is already a wealthy nation. You’ll understand how difficult and great it is just to maintain the status quo once you actually participate in politics. The power to see the world correctly only comes with age and experience.”
“Putting off changes due to political burden and pushing them to the next generation is negligent. I will not become a cowardly ancestor to future generations. I will stand by His Highness to achieve his vision.”
Luka finally revealed his political beliefs to his father.
It was a declaration that he would break free from the shadow of House Oblonsky and take the opposite path from his father.
He had long shared Nikolai’s vision, but volunteered as a spy to watch his father and Oksana’s every move.
Therefore, except for Grand Duke, no one in noble society knew that Luka stood on Grand Duke’s side.
Even his family in House Oblonsky thought he had no interest in politics.
Luka revealed his intentions here today because Nikolai had persuaded him.
“Stop doing this now.”
“It’s for Your Highness’s safety.”
“I never ordered you to become a spy.”
“I know. I insisted despite Your Highness’s opposition.”
“I don’t want you to be in danger. Don’t you understand?”
The Grand Duke wanted to protect his friend from the risk of being discovered.
Standing officially on Grand Duke’s side meant he could formally protect him.
Luka’s only life goal was to serve the Grand Duke with complete loyalty as long as he lived, regardless of what happened to his own life.
“But we must stop Father and the former Grand Duchess. Now when everyone is in the capital, it is a good opportunity to expose their true nature. Politically it’s important—”
“My friend and family’s safety is more important to me.”
“……Family?”
“We’re about to become in-laws, aren’t we? I’ve always thought of you as family, but now it’ll be official too.”
But meeting Bianca changed his mind.
He wanted to live.
He wanted to live in this world together with Bianca.
He grew greedy for happiness too.
So now he decided to accept Grand Duke’s protection.
“Do you think you can dare defy your father’s will and still live in this country?”
Duke Oblonsky was right.
Noble society was conservative, with political beliefs being inherited like property.
A family’s position essentially became one’s own position.
In such a place, Luka was nothing but a heretic.
“You’re worried, aren’t you? Afraid your name will be on thoughtless people’s lips saying you raised your child wrong.”
“What?”
“I can’t bring shame to the family, can I? I’ll leave on my own.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll abandon the Oblonsky name.”
“You’ve completely lost your mind over one woman. Abandoning your family means giving up all the privileges you had as an Oblonsky. Do you think that woman will accept you when you’re not even a noble?”
Vikentiy hadn’t known his son was such a fool.
How could he be like this, even if he didn’t know the ways of the world?
Idealists are only called dreamers—a fancy term—while they’re nobles.
When commoners or lower classes talk about ideals, they’re treated as the desperate acts of incompetent people.
Just then, the door burst open from outside without a knock.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Baptiski Smirnov stood beside the flustered butler who had been caught off guard by the surprise visit.
Vikentiy immediately controlled his expression and greeted him.
“Duke Smirnov, what brings you here without notice?”
“I’ve come to get my son-in-law.”
“……Pardon?”
Baptiski, who had entered abruptly, approached his second son-in-law who stood opposite.
Seeing one of Luka’s cheeks swollen red, he let out a small groan.
He had hurried after finishing his work but was delayed when the horses pulling his carriage caused trouble after seeing a mouse.
Baptiski, who usually wore a kindly smile, turned to Vikentiy with a stern face.
“I well understand the Duke’s thoughts about not wanting to form marriage ties with our family.”
“You misunderstand. I just have some concerns—”
“If you’re worried your son might abandon his family and live as a commoner to pursue a marriage you oppose, you need not worry about that.”
“What do you……”
“I’ve decided to take Luka as my adopted son-in-law. It works out perfectly since our family has no sons. From now on, this child’s name will be Luka Smirnov. He will succeed me as the Duke of Smirnov in the future.”
“Duke Smirnov! Even for a Duke, I cannot tolerate such rudeness. Are you saying you’ll take my child without parental permission?”
“His Highness the Grand Duke has approved it.”
Baptiski unfolded the royal decree his first son-in-law had written.
After confirming its contents, Vikentiy was left speechless.
With approval from the Grand Duke, the country’s ruler, one could marry without their family’s permission.
“That’s how it is, so I’ll be taking this child now. Luka, do you have any belongings to gather?”
“What? N-no sir.”
Caught off guard by his unexpected father-in-law’s actions, Luka stammered his reply.
Everything felt surreal.
Not only Bianca but Baptiski too had been deceived by his lie when he said he was a tutor.
That meant he was another person Luka needed to apologize to.
He had planned to visit separately to ask forgiveness but hadn’t expected to meet like this.
“Right. You won’t need separate belongings since you’ll stay with us at the Winter Palace until the wedding. Let’s go now. His Highness is waiting.”
“Yes……”
As Baptiski was leaving the room with his son-in-law, he paused briefly and spoke to Vikentiy who stood there blankly.
“This child is now my son who will inherit my name. So I hope there will be no more laying hands on my son.”
“……”
“If you harm my child from this moment on, I will take it as a declaration of war against our family.”