Chapter 6

“Miss, it seems you are gravely mistaken. There is no space in this mansion that I, as the head of the Herrington family, cannot enter.”  

Eric stretched out his arm, blocking Euphrasia’s view of the cradle.  

“Where do you get the audacity to make such demands? As for the child, at least while staying in my home, I, the homeowner, also have the obligation to protect and care for him.”  

Eric swiftly grabbed Euphrasia’s hand, which was still holding the small knife, and effortlessly snapped the blade with his fingers.  

“If you understand, then quietly think of a way to prove the child’s bloodline. Your stiff attitude is starting to irritate me.”  

Clang!  

The broken blade hit the floor, creating a sharp sound.  

“Waaaah!”  

Startled by the noise, Louis, who had been peacefully watching the mobile, burst into tears.  

“My baby!”  

The eerie strength with which Eric had snapped the sharp blade as if it were a child’s toy sent shivers down Euphrasia’s spine, but only for a moment.  

As soon as she heard the baby’s cries, she instinctively pushed Eric aside and rushed to the cradle.  

“Hush, hush… It’s okay. It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here.”  

Her movements as she picked up and comforted the child were practiced and gentle.  

“Such a precious baby. Is there another child in the world as good as this one? As lovable as this one? Who could this adorable baby belong to? Ta-da! The answer is—Mommy’s baby!”  

As the baby nestled in her warm embrace, soothed by her familiar scent and soft whispers, he seemed to quickly calm down.  

Louis smiled up at her, and Euphrasia returned the smile with a tender expression. For that moment, it seemed as though she didn’t even notice Eric’s presence in the room.  

Watching this scene, Eric’s face twisted subtly.  

She was clearly ignoring him.  

“If you’re done talking, please leave. It’s time to nurse the baby. Surely, the esteemed Duke Herrington wouldn’t want to witness an unrelated woman nursing a child who isn’t even of his bloodline, would he?”  

She continued to speak as if she hadn’t heard a single word of his warnings, her tone sharp.  

Then, as if to emphasize her point, she began to loosen the front of her dress, preparing to nurse the child. This action caught Eric off guard.  

“The child… I believe I arranged for a wet nurse. Why are you doing this yourself…?”  

“What’s so strange about nursing my own child?”  

“You said you haven’t eaten anything for three days. If you’re going to nurse, you should eat something first.”  

It wasn’t concern for her. Eric rationalized his conflicting feelings as worry for the child, who would be left hungry and malnourished by drinking from her.  

“I’ll inform the chef to prepare nutritious meals suitable for a mother who has just given birth. Stop this ridiculous hunger strike.”  

With that, Eric left the room without hesitation.  

‘Her gaze toward the child, her natural way of soothing him… She’s not a woman without maternal instincts.’  

As he walked toward the kitchen, Eric reflected on the Euphrasia he had just encountered.  

As a mother, Euphrasia was different from the image he thought he knew.  

An illegitimate daughter blinded by ambition. A cunning young lady hiding her schemes beneath a façade. He had assumed she would use the child as a tool to gain something—perhaps the title of Duchess or a hefty sum of money under the guise of child support.  

He had thought the child would be nothing more than a means to an end for her, devoid of any genuine maternal love.  

‘What am I missing?’  

For the first time, Eric wondered if he should take her actions at face value. Perhaps her claim that she didn’t need the child’s father wasn’t a lie after all.  

If that were true…  

Did Euphrasia truly believe that I, Eric Herrington, the head of the Herrington family, was unworthy of being the child’s father?  

‘Why?’  

He couldn’t understand it. Anyone could see the child was his, so how could she think he wasn’t qualified to be the father?  

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.  

Without realizing it, Eric found Euphrasia occupying a significant space in his mind.  

“Your Grace! There’s an urgent matter to report!”  

Just as his thoughts were beginning to spiral, Eric stopped in his tracks at the sound of a hurried voice behind him.  

It was Demian, the loyal butler, hurrying toward him.  

“Weren’t you going to fetch the Young Master?”  

Noticing Eric’s empty arms, Demian tilted his head in confusion.  

“Mind your own business. Just tell me the urgent matter.”  

Eric’s firm tone made Demian realize his mistake, and he quickly straightened up.  

“His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you to the palace immediately.”  

“Ah, yes. I suppose it’s today. Not that I’m particularly eager.”  

“Whether you’re eager or not, you must attend. By protocol, you should have presented yourself at the palace the day you returned victorious. His Majesty granted you a few days’ rest as a gesture of kindness.”  

Demian’s words grew longer, and Eric, from experience, knew just how nagging the old butler could become in moments like these.  

“I know. I know everything, so stop stating the obvious. It’s His Majesty’s command; I can’t refuse. Prepare the carriage.”  

“Yes, it’s already waiting. You can depart immediately.”  

Eric sighed inwardly. The formalities of being congratulated by the Emperor felt like a complete waste of time.  

‘There’s bound to be a grand banquet celebrating the victory, and as the guest of honor, I won’t be able to leave early.’  

Already feeling drained, Eric turned away from the kitchen and toward the palace.  

Before leaving the mansion, he gave Demian one last instruction.  

“Prepare a meal for Lady Olden in her room. I’d prefer if you handled it personally.”  

If he left it to the maids and she resumed her hunger strike as a form of protest, it would be a hassle to deal with.  

Demian, understanding the subtle implication, smiled warmly.  

“Don’t worry about Lady Olden and the Young Master. I’ll take care of everything.”  

“I’m not worried, so don’t misunderstand.”  

“Of course, Your Grace.”  

***

Eric arrived at the palace with a deeply furrowed brow, his expression betraying his annoyance.  

He strode into the Emperor’s office without hesitation.  

“To the eternal pinnacle of the Lockvela Empire and its blazing sun, I greet His Majesty.”  

“I’ve heard of your brilliant achievements at the border, Duke. You’ve worked hard. Thanks to you, the lives of the Empire’s citizens near the border must have improved somewhat.”  

“It wasn’t particularly difficult.”  

Eric’s indifferent tone made it clear he was unimpressed.  

His gaze, sharp and detached, fell on the Emperor, who smiled broadly with satisfaction.  

Carian Lockvela.  

The 23rd Emperor of the Lockvela Empire and a close friend of the late Duke Herrington, he rose from his seat with a benevolent smile.  

“I was worried that a reckless brat like you might lose control and slaughter everything indiscriminately.”  

Even though Eric was well past twenty, the Emperor still spoke to him as if he were a child.  

“There was no need to worry. I have no interest in massacres.”  

Looking around the room, Eric tilted his head.  

“The palace is unusually quiet. Does this mean there’s no bothersome banquet to celebrate the victory?”  

“I summoned you simply to say a word of thanks. Do you feel disappointed that there’s no banquet in your honor?”  

“Not at all. I’m simply grateful for your rare display of consideration, Your Majesty.”  

Eric bowed deeply.  

“Now that your purpose is fulfilled, may I take my leave?”  

The Emperor often sought to pair Eric with the princess. For once, it seemed he was letting him off without such schemes, and Eric wanted to leave before the Emperor changed his mind.  

“My business with you isn’t over yet.”  

At that moment, the Emperor’s cold voice stopped Eric in his tracks.  

“I hear you’ve gained a son who looks just like you.”  

At Carian’s words, Eric raised an eyebrow.  

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, have you perhaps planted spies within the Herrington estate?”  

“Anyone who needs to know already knows. The Count Olden family seems to have deliberately spread the rumors. Besides, there’s no place within the Empire where my eyes and ears cannot reach.”  

“How fitting for the eternal, unyielding sun of the Lockvela Empire.”  

Even his sarcasm was sharp.  

As always, his attitude was irreverent to the extreme.  

However, Carian chose not to reprimand Eric for his insolence. Instead, the Emperor snorted dismissively and smirked.  

“You’re truly shameless. If Bianca hears of this, she’ll be very disappointed.”  

For the first time since entering the Emperor’s office, Eric’s face showed a flicker of surprise. Carian didn’t miss this momentary hesitation and pressed him even harder.  

“First of all.”  

Riding the momentum, Carian didn’t give Eric a chance to respond.  

“Go see Bianca. This is an imperial order.”