Chapter 45

Diana’s eyes widened at Evan’s unexpected words.

“So, you mean you’re happy to dance with me?”

“Yes.”

“Is it really that much? It’s not like this is the first time we’ve danced together. I don’t think it’s anything to be that happy about.”

“I’m still happy.”

“…….”

Evan’s lips curled into a smile as they held hands. Diana was momentarily at a loss for words, falling into silence before she spoke again.

“Well, there might not be another chance to dance with me in the future…”

Practice dances, official ballroom dances—all of those would soon be reserved for the future Empress who would dance with Evan. But Diana couldn’t bring herself to say the rest and closed her mouth again.

The music continued, and Evan and Diana moved in step with it. As she danced, Diana looked up at Evan. Being so close, she could see his face more clearly than usual—even the way he smiled at her. All of it.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Would Evan show this kind of smile to the woman who would become Empress?

The sudden thought left Diana feeling strange. She didn’t know why she was thinking about such things out of nowhere. But imagining Evan smiling at another woman made her feel odd and unsettled, and that feeling tangled in her heart until the dance ended.

*   *   *

Silence filled the Daian Dukedom’s office. Arthur, who had left the ballroom early, sat quietly. But that silence did not last.

“Father!”

The office door burst open and Irene entered. She’d searched for Arthur as soon as she arrived at the mansion, not even removing her dress or jewelry. Despite her shout, Arthur only looked at his daughter with cold eyes.

“You came home early? From the ballroom?”

“I had no choice. Did you already know, Father? About His Highness’s true nature?”

Seeing Arthur’s calm demeanor, Irene’s shoulders began to tremble.

“How, how could you do this to me?”

“…….”

“How could you try to marry me to someone like that Grand Duke?”

Irene’s complexion was still pale, unable to forget Kahil’s behavior at the ballroom. But Arthur remained firm.

“Watch your tongue. He’s the man you’re set to be engaged to.”

“What do you mean… Even after seeing him act like that, you still want the engagement to go ahead?”

Irene was just as resolute, shaking her head violently.

“No, I won’t do it. I will never marry a man like that.”

“…….”

“I’ve always listened to you, Father, but not this time.”

Tension filled the space between Arthur and Irene. Arthur let out a small, derisive laugh.

“What foolishness. If you don’t get engaged to him, then who will you marry? Will you fall in love and marry some insignificant man from a meaningless family?”

“That’s…!”

“You’re really going to throw away the chance to marry into the Karbel Grand Duchy just because you dislike him?”

After the Prince’s Rebellion, it was a rare chance to connect with the Imperial bloodline. Arthur’s eyes burned with ambition.

“The engagement will proceed. Stay quietly in your room for now. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

“Father!”

“Is there anyone outside?”

Arthur refused to listen to Irene any longer. Instead, he called out toward the door, and a few servants entered the office.

“You called, Sir?”

“Take Irene away. Until I give permission, do not let her out of her room.”

Irene’s eyes widened at the mention of being confined. The servants exchanged nervous glances at the tense atmosphere, but at Arthur’s command, they seized Irene’s arms.

“Stay in your room and reflect quietly. If you agree to the engagement, you’ll be allowed out.”

“…….”

Irene realized Arthur was serious about locking her up. But this time, she was just as determined.

“No.”

“…….”

“No matter what you do, Father, I will never marry a man like that.”

“Take her away.”

Further conversation was pointless. Arthur turned his back on his daughter. The servants dragged Irene out of the office. Silence returned, and Arthur was left alone. But his expression was dark.

“Such foolish behavior at the ballroom…”

Arthur frowned, recalling Kahil’s actions. He hadn’t shown it in front of Irene, but he too disliked Kahil’s behavior.

But Kahil’s background couldn’t be ignored. In terms of lineage, he was the most suitable for the throne. Arthur had thought he could correct Kahil’s behavior, but after seeing him at the banquet, it was clear that even re-education wouldn’t help. Arthur began to formulate another plan.

If a child came from those two…

A child born from Kahil and Irene would unite the Imperial bloodline, the Karbel Grand Duchy, and the Daian Dukedom. Such a child would be perfect. Even if Kahil couldn’t be re-educated, Arthur could raise the child himself from birth.

That way, the Empire would have the finest Emperor.

Arthur’s grand plan unfolded in his mind. Yes, it would be best if a child of his blood became Emperor. Kahil was happy with the current engagement, and Irene, though opposed now, would eventually yield. There were some bumps, but things were still on track. Yet, one thing still bothered him.

“That’s what keeps bothering me…”

Arthur thought of Evan. He recalled Evan entering the ballroom with Sophia, perhaps to emphasize the alliance with the Christine Marquisate. Watching Evan and Sophia dance so splendidly before everyone was irritating. The alliance between the Imperial family and the Christine Marquisate was now Arthur’s biggest obstacle.

“It would be wise to prepare for any eventuality.”

Arthur couldn’t just sit back and watch. If Evan managed to marry Sophia, it would be disastrous. But in his earlier conversation with Philip, Arthur saw an opening.

The Christine family always acted for maximum benefit. Philip wasn’t definitively committed to an engagement with the Imperial family. He always kept his options open regarding his daughter’s marriage.

“…….”

Arthur opened his desk drawer. Inside was a sheet of paper bearing the Dukedom’s crest. He took out the paper and spread it before him. Arthur picked up his pen and quietly began to write.

He wrote the letter word by word, placed it in an envelope, and sealed it. Then he called for a servant again.

“You called, Sir?”

Perhaps because of what had just happened, the servant entered the office more cautiously. Arthur handed him the letter.

“Send this quickly to the Marquis Christine mansion.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The letter passed from Arthur’s hand to the servant’s. As Arthur watched the sealed envelope, he leaned back in his chair. The letter’s contents were simple: he wished to arrange a meeting between Aaron and Sophia. The word “engagement” did not appear, but Philip would surely understand.

The Imperial family or the Dukedom?

Now, who would be the first to secure an engagement with the Marquis family was the new issue. Evan or Aaron—which of them would take Sophia’s hand was now Arthur’s focus.

That was the day Arthur longed for. The day when, together with the Karbel Grand Duchy and the Christine Marquisate, he would drag Evan down from the throne. The day that arrogant face would fall and look up at him from the ground.