Chapter 20

The banquet hall stirred with commotion.  

The long-whispered rumor, ‘Lady Olden will become the Duchess of Herrington,’ had just turned into reality.  

The reactions of the Emperor and the Princess were no different.  

Just like the astonished nobles murmuring amongst themselves, Carian and Bianca exchanged bewildered glances.  

The expressions of the Emperor and the Princess, staring at each other with mouths agape, were strikingly similar—proof of their familial bond.  

“Ahem, well, I trust everyone has enjoyed today’s victory banquet sufficiently. It’s time to conclude. That is my decree.”  

Carian dismissed the crowd filling the hall.  

Even as they left the banquet hall in compliance with the Emperor’s command, the nobles could not hide their shocked expressions.  

Among them, the most stunned was Euphrasia.  

“You’re the illegitimate child of the late Count Olden, aren’t you? Could it be, just maybe, that your claim that this child is my son is a lie? Blood doesn’t lie, after all.”  

In the drawing room of the Duke’s mansion, Eric’s voice, dripping with contempt as he insulted her, echoed vividly in her memory.  

After that, he had imprisoned her and her child in the mansion, demanding proof of Louis’s bloodline.  

Eventually, when he brought up the Elixir of Truth, he demanded that Euphrasia stake her life on this “proof.”  

“So, I’m to drink the Elixir of Truth?”  

“If you’re confident, prove it.”  

The conversation she had with Eric before the banquet resurfaced in her mind.  

She couldn’t fathom what whim had driven him to give her this chance, but thanks to his caprice, she finally saw a glimmer of hope: the chance to escape his tyranny and live freely with her child.  

Euphrasia was confident. There was no doubt—Louis was indeed the son of Duke Herrington.  

There was no reason to refuse Eric’s proposal, and so, she willingly accompanied him to the victory banquet where they could obtain the Elixir of Truth.  

During their time together en route to the Imperial Palace, she even found herself receiving unexpected kindness from him. Though it slightly softened her perception of the man who had always seemed terrifying and oppressive, her goal in attending the banquet remained singular: to acquire the Elixir of Truth.  

To Euphrasia, the Elixir was the sole, perhaps only, means to prove Louis’s bloodline to Eric.  

But at this very moment, Eric had acknowledged both her and her child with a single declaration.  

Louis was the legitimate heir of the Herrington duchy, and Euphrasia was the lady of the house of the Herrington household.  

It was a simple yet unequivocal guarantee, stronger than any other method.  

His proclamation was like a spell that shattered the chains tightly bound around Euphrasia’s neck.  

Eric had promised that if the Elixir of Truth confirmed Louis’s bloodline and she wished to leave, he would allow her to do so and provide more than enough support for her and the child.  

Having staked the honor of the Herrington family, Eric was a man who would undoubtedly keep his promises.  

Now, there was no longer any need for the Elixir of Truth.  

Euphrasia could take the financial support she desired and live a peaceful, comfortable life with Louis.  

Yet, instead of feeling liberated, a strange sense of emptiness surged through her.  

‘Is this it? Really? Could it all be resolved this easily?’  

What had been a desperate opportunity for her seemed to be nothing more than a trivial game to him.  

Had he regarded my earnest wish as nothing but a fleeting amusement in his otherwise monotonous life?  

If so, wasn’t that too cruel?  

Euphrasia’s lips twisted bitterly.  

Unknowingly, she had started to develop a small sense of reliance on him.  

This realization only deepened her sense of betrayal.  

“Your Majesty, Your Highness. My wife seems a bit fatigued, so we will take our leave as well.”  

A firm warmth settled on Euphrasia’s shoulder.  

Eric, confidently shielding her, turned and began to walk away, speaking in a low voice.  

“…Was there a secret about your birth? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”  

Euphrasia’s face contorted. Jumping to conclusions about the cause, Eric carefully chose his next words.  

“I’m not blaming you or angry. Whether you’re the illegitimate child of the Count of Olden or of uncertain origin, it makes no difference to me.”  

It was a sincere attempt at comfort, given to the best of his ability.  

He couldn’t deny that he was curious about the secret he had inadvertently learned, but he considered it a minor detail to uncover later.  

“You know now that the Elixir of Truth is no longer necessary. I acknowledge it. Louis is my son. So… I wonder if you’ll truly leave the duchy.”  

Adding a touch of childish pride, he hoped she would recognize the magnitude of his decision.  

By publicly acknowledging Euphrasia as his duchess and Louis as his son, Eric had effectively eliminated any pretext to keep her by his side.  

Eric’s feelings towards Euphrasia remained unclear.  

He found her baffling, intriguing, and infuriating.  

He was annoyed at how she had exploited his goodwill from that one night… and yet.  

Amidst the whirlwind of emotions that shifted dozens of times a day, one thing was certain: he didn’t want to part ways with her. He wanted to keep her close, just a little longer.  

Eric optimistically believed that circumstances were in his favor.  

With her title as Lady of the Count Olden family stripped away, Euphrasia, a sheltered noblewoman, would face significant challenges living as a commoner while raising a child.  

“If you wish, you may stay in the duchy a bit longer. I promise you’ll live comfortably as the Duchess, admired by all.”  

Eric swallowed nervously, his words betraying his true intentions.  

Euphrasia, who had been walking like a puppet under his guidance, suddenly stopped in her tracks.  

“Your Grace.”  

They were only a few steps away from leaving the banquet hall.  

“Please request the Elixir of Truth from His Majesty. Attending the banquet and drinking the Elixir was part of our agreement… or rather, our deal. Deals must be honored. I ask this of you.”  

Her words, spoken after a long silence, were unexpected.  

“I will drink the Elixir. I will prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that Louis is your son and not an illegitimate child born of infidelity.”  

Although Euphrasia knew the Elixir was no longer necessary, her resolve was unwavering.  

Before leaving this place, she was determined to obtain the Elixir of Truth.  

Eric’s expression hardened as he grasped her intent.  

His mood soured.  

This feeling…  

It was disappointment in Euphrasia for failing to recognize his efforts.  

“Lady, have you not been listening to me? Why are you being so stubborn? I’ve acknowledged you and the child. The Elixir of Truth is no longer relevant to you—”  

“Why do you get to decide that unilaterally?”  

“What?”  

Eric’s sharp reaction was met with an even sharper retort from Euphrasia.  

Her swift response left him speechless, his brow furrowing as he stared at her, waiting to hear her reasoning.  

“If you refuse my request, then I will ask His Majesty myself, Your Grace.”  

Euphrasia abruptly walked back toward the center of the banquet hall.  

“Ha! You don’t seriously think that’s a reasonable demand, do you? Do as you please!”  

Eric, drained from the constant back-and-forth with Euphrasia throughout the day, left the banquet hall.  

Meanwhile, the Emperor ascended to the second floor of the hall.  

As Euphrasia hurried to catch up, she stumbled.  

“Ah!”  

“Are you alright?”  

A man in the attire of the Kingdom of Kettlin appeared beside her, catching her before she fell.  

“I’m fine, thank you.”  

Euphrasia steadied herself and stepped back.  

“Greetings. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, Duchess. I am Albert Clemen, a senior knight of the Kingdom of Kettlin. Please, feel free to call me Sir Albert.”