Despite her somewhat bitter expression, Daphne spoke very calmly. This made Werner’s heart ache even more.

“If one person’s sacrifice brings happiness to many, that would be better.”

“Daphne, I don’t want such a sacrifice.”

“That’s a wise decision. It wouldn’t end with just me enduring. How arrogant would House Mücke become? It might start with just me, but later they would gradually demand more. Eventually, people would say that the Armins live under the Mückes’ thumb.”

Daphne spoke bluntly and observed Werner’s reaction. His face was utterly dejected.

‘Does he think I’m exaggerating too much?’

Then Werner opened his firmly closed mouth.

“Daphne, I’ll give you more time to think it over. Not because I’m against it, but because I hope you won’t regret it.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Unaccustomed to rejection, Werner doubted his ears.

But he recalled the letter he had received at sea. He couldn’t make up for his past indifference all at once, but he wanted to do at least this much.

He tried to persuade her once more.

“Daphne, your thoughts might change once your anger subsides.”

Daphne responded with a serious expression.

“If you’re going to play an unfamiliar role as a father, I’d prefer you stop.”

“…What do you mean?”

“My mind will absolutely not change. Do you really think that in a few days I’ll forget what he did and start giggling again?”

Daphne tilted her head slightly as if genuinely puzzled.

“I said this because you seem to know so little about me.”

The implication was clear: don’t try to act like a father when you don’t even know me.

Daphne emphasized once more.

“I want to break off the engagement.”

Werner looked at his daughter, from whom all traces of innocence and childlike energy had vanished.

Her purple eyes, unfathomable in their depth, held the determination to achieve her goal no matter what. She seemed ready to leave the nest of the Armin family immediately if denied.

Werner spoke with a slightly cracked voice.

“Alright. I’ll do as you wish.”

“We should also receive compensation for breaking the engagement, shouldn’t we?”

Daphne immediately relaxed her rigid expression and spoke as if this was the main point.

“Is there something you want?”

“Please demand this land as compensation.”

Daphne pointed to a section of the Empire’s map hanging on the wall.

“Surely not… the Hill of Stones?”

“That’s right.”

It was truly incomprehensible.

A sudden demand to break the engagement, and asking for a useless piece of land.

Reading the bewilderment in his expression, Daphne elaborated.

“I’ve wanted that place for a long time. But since it was inherited by Leonhardt from Duke Mücke’s mother, they absolutely refused to sell it.”

“So you want to get it as compensation for breaking the engagement?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“But why specifically there… There’s nothing but stones. You can’t farm or raise livestock, and there aren’t even any mineral veins.”

“Let’s just say it has a certain meaning.”

“Meaning?”

It wasn’t a lie since the land held significance for Gustav.

Daphne rose from her seat, leaving Werner still curious.

“If you’re finished speaking, I’ll take my leave now. Her Majesty must be waiting impatiently.”

“Yes, you’re right. But I… I’m so sorry I was at sea while you were going through all this…”

“Father?”

Daphne interrupted him and smiled faintly.

“You were never there.”

Daphne’s voice was plain, but the truth it contained was anything but.

The place where Werner spent most of his time was the sea. Next was by Christine’s side, and the remaining time was divided among his two older sons and youngest son.

The smile on her lips had transformed into a sneer.

“You never once made time for me. It makes me very uncomfortable when you suddenly act this way now.”

Should she thank him for finally caring?

No, there was no need to thank parents who had consistently failed to provide what they should have.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Daphne bowed her head slightly and turned away.

Werner, who couldn’t take his eyes off her, only exhaled the breath he held after the door closed. He hadn’t even realized he was holding it.

His heart ached as he watched his daughter’s retreating figure, which somehow seemed desolate in its determination.

‘My heart aches?’

This had never happened before.

Pirates were simply killed, and Christine just needed to be cherished. He believed his sons would grow up well on their own.

But his daughter, who didn’t even know who her father was… that was difficult. Perhaps that’s why he had avoided her.

This indifferent man, who had never felt heartache for another person, didn’t know how to handle this emotion he was experiencing for the first time.

⁕⁕⁕

Werner sent a separate message to Gustav requesting a meeting before heading to the imperial palace.

When he entered the audience chamber, there was one more person besides the Emperor. It was Margo.

Kartun’s arrival in the capital was one thing, but the appearance of Margo, his former superior, was completely unexpected and confusing.

Werner first paid his respects to the Emperor.

“The Empire’s Sun, Your Majesty the Emperor…”

But the Emperor waved her hand, cutting off his words.

“Marquis, is that truly how you think of me?”

Werner raised his head as if to ask what she meant.

“Why are you entering with the Grand Duke? I heard you arrived at the port a full four hours ago. It seems you prioritize your home over the palace, and treat the Grand Duke as someone higher than me.”

The Emperor was generally fair.

She was sharp with the aristocratic faction, the imperial faction, and Werner alike. If she had any exception, it was perhaps Daphne.

The same was true for Werner. This taciturn man, cold to everyone except Christine, never engaged in unnecessary conversation unrelated to business, even before the Emperor. He rarely showed emotion.

‘But what’s with that expression?’

Both the Emperor and Margo, his former superior, were surprised.

Werner made no attempt to hide his dejected appearance.

“Please forgive my disloyalty. During this voyage, I received a letter from my daughter for the first time in my life. But…”

“Wait a moment.”

The Emperor interrupted him again.

“For the first time in your life?”

Werner hesitated at the Emperor’s reaction.

To receive a letter for the first time from a daughter over twenty years old—he was once again struck by how distant their relationship had been.

But the Emperor said something completely unexpected.

“As far as I know, Lady Daphne wrote countless letters to you. She wrote and wrote and wrote again, despite never receiving any reply.”

“Is, is that true?”

Seeing Werner’s dumbfounded expression, the Emperor snorted contemptuously.

“Of course. Would someone like the Empire’s Sun dare lie to Your Grace the Marquis who appears four hours after returning to the country? Don’t even think about asking if I might be mistaken!”

Werner, who had indeed been about to question that, closed his mouth.

“I always mocked her, asking why she would write again to a father who never replied or even acknowledged reading her letters, so I couldn’t possibly be mistaken.”

The Emperor taunted Werner further as she noticed his tightly clenched fist.

“You spent your life sailing ships without even realizing there was a letter thief in your house. How pathetic. I wonder if I can preserve my throne trusting such a marquis. Don’t you agree, Dame Margo?”

If there was anyone Werner truly respected, it was Margo.

This was because she had saved him countless times as a clueless rookie officer on the battlefield and taught him practical skills.

Margo looked at him with the same expression of contempt as before and answered:

“Your words are most wise, Your Majesty.”

Margo greeted Werner.

“Marquis, it’s been a long time.”

“Lady Margrit, have you been well?”

Werner responded politely. While his greeting to the Emperor was merely respectful, his words to Margo contained genuine admiration.

But Margo, as if taking the baton from the Emperor, pointed out even more sharply:

“Marquis, have you discussed this situation with your wife?”

Christine.

Indeed, as usual, he should have been spending intimate time with his wife by now.

After hearing about Daphne’s situation and realizing his past indifference, he had put everything aside to meet his daughter, only to be told, “It’s uncomfortable, so just act as you always have.”

‘But Christine…’

Werner recalled Christine’s whereabouts as relayed by Anton.

A salon gathering.

Yes, it was definitely a salon gathering. Such gatherings were typically for patronizing artists or socializing.

Daphne had suffered that humiliation at the ball while discussions of breaking the engagement were ongoing. And just today, that rascal from House Mücke had stormed through their home and nearly harmed Daphne.

In the midst of all this—a salon?

He realized something was seriously wrong.