Chapter 3 – The Crisis of the Imperial Family (Part 4)

“The one and only sun of the Empire, the most noble, I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

Ruby Haisen’s beautiful voice rang clear.

“Lady Haisen.”

Catheon leisurely accepted her greeting. Kyle couldn’t understand what was going on.

After breakfast, the Emperor had summoned him to the Emperor’s palace, not the audience chamber of the main palace.

He expected it to be about the title of Sword Master or an order to leave for the North immediately.

But summoning him to the Emperor’s palace, where he had never been called before, was completely unexpected.

“I greet Prince Kyle, the son of the Sun.”

Ruby smiled at him.

And a guest who wasn’t even a member of the Imperial Family.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Haisen.”

Kyle greeted her politely but remained cautious.

“I am delighted to have young people favored by me gather in my palace.”

Catheon said kindly.

Since when have I and Ruby Haisen been favored by the Emperor?

Kyle knew that Ruby Haisen frequented Tristan’s bedroom. But Catheon officially pretended not to know.

“Forgive my impertinence, but I wish to know why Lady Haisen and I are seeing Your Majesty at this early hour.”

“Straight to the point, are we?”

Catheon laughed like an emperor.

“I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.”

Catheon maintained a smile, like a predator playing with its prey in its grasp.

“If it weren’t for Tristan, I wouldn’t have thought of it until now.”

“Just like the almighty Emperor, the Crown Prince is undoubtedly exceptional as well.”

Ruby flattered smoothly.

‘Is this something the Crown Prince is involved in?’

Kyle’s face hardened.

In an instant, the puzzle pieces that had been jumbled in his mind fell into place.

Kyle understood the intentions of Catheon and Tristan.

“Yes, Tristan arranged your marriage with Lady Haisen.”

Catheon said.

Kyle momentarily lost his words but maintained his composure.

“It seems the Crown Prince holds me in very high regard.”

Kyle said, bowing his head.

“However, Lady Haisen is too much for me. I am a sword protecting the North, and the situation is not favorable for me to take a wife, Your Majesty.”

Catheon chuckled.

“As my son, what could be lacking for the daughter of the Haisen family?”

Only a son when necessary. 

Kyle swallowed his sneer.

“As the daughter of Haisen, it would be a great joy and honor for my family to serve the Hellis Imperial Family forever.”

Before Kyle could speak, Ruby interjected.

But Catheon was looking at Kyle instead of Ruby.

“My father would also be very pleased.”

Ruby smiled sweetly at Kyle, slightly tossing her red hair back.

It was a bewitching smile that could make any ordinary man feel dizzy as if smelling a strong perfume.

“As the Prince is older than the Crown Prince, it would be best to marry as soon as possible, wouldn’t it?”

It was a question, but not really a question.

Kyle looked at Catheon with a blank expression.

“When should it be done?”

“Call the priest today to make the marriage vows and oaths, and hold the ceremony grandly after you receive the title of Grand Duke.”

It was an absurd arrangement.

Meeting Ruby Haisen and marrying her immediately was already nonsensical, but delaying the grand wedding of the Prince and the daughter of the most powerful family in the Empire?

Even if he were marrying a commoner as a knight commander, it wouldn’t be this rushed.

‘Tristan must have intervened.’

Kyle had no choice but to think so.

“If the environment in the North is harsh, Lady Haisen can return to her family and stay with Duke Haisen, can’t she?”

Catheon spoke as if everything was already decided.

“Your Majesty, if I am to serve the Prince, I will keep my place wherever that may be.”

Ruby said without blinking.

Of course, it was a lie. If Ruby Haisen married him, she wouldn’t need to be cautious about entering the palace anymore, and since Kyle would often be in the North, Tristan could easily summon Ruby.

‘And it would make me a married man early on.’

It was a measure to preemptively block any potential scandal with Seia.

“I understand. I will do as you say, Your Majesty.”

Kyle answered calmly.

Catheon raised an eyebrow at his obedient response.

“I am truly delighted, Your Highness.”

Ruby smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling.

But Kyle did not return the smile.

Since he had anticipated that the Emperor would want to arrange his marriage, he had a plan to counter it.

Although he hadn’t expected things to progress so quickly.

‘It means Tristan feels that threatened.’

Unable to control Seia at all, he must be desperately trying any means possible.

“It is an honor that Your Majesty personally arranges this marriage.”

Kyle said.

Now was not the time to irritate the Emperor.

Catheon glanced at Kyle with indifferent eyes, then quickly looked away as if bored.

Ruby alternated her gaze between the Emperor and the Prince, smiling brightly.

Maintaining such a consistent expression was a remarkable talent.

“Then, before calling the priests, shall we have a toast to celebrate the marriage, Your Majesty?”

Ruby suggested.

“A toast?”

Catheon finally looked at Ruby.

Ruby seized the opportunity and smiled broadly.

“Actually, the Crown Prince presented it as a congratulatory gift, Your Majesty.”

Kyle sneered inwardly.

“I entrusted it to Your Majesty’s attendant. May I bring it in if you permit?”

Ruby bowed her head politely.

“Bring it in.”

Catheon called towards the door, and a short attendant appeared, looking timid among the guards.

“To see both my daughters-in-law at once in my lifetime, I must be a fortunate Emperor.”

The transparent white wine filled the glasses.

The attendant poured exactly the same amount into three glasses and then stepped back and left the room.

“You might even see grandchildren, Your Majesty.”

At Ruby’s words, Catheon’s face relaxed slightly. He smiled and downed the wine in one gulp.

Kyle did not touch the wine. He adhered strictly to the chivalric code that those who wield the sword should not drink.

Although few still observed this code, Kyle adhered to it rigorously.

Ruby seemed to only wet her lips with the wine.

“What is the North like, Your Highness?”

Ruby, noticing Kyle’s gaze, spoke first.

“It is not a suitable place for a lady, so Lady Haisen should stay with her family instead of following me.”

Kyle did not mince words.

It might have been a slightly insulting remark to the new bride, but Ruby maintained a nonchalant smile.

“You are so considerate and kind; what woman wouldn’t follow you? I am already worried, Your Majesty.”

Ruby’s frivolous comment made Catheon laugh along with her.

It was as if the two of them were a family and Kyle was an isolated outsider.

But Kyle was used to such a feeling.

“When the priests arrive, we will make a simple vow, and the rest of the procedures will be left to the Haisen family.”

The Emperor said.

“And I have something urgent to discuss with the Prince, so Lady Haisen, please excuse us for a moment.”

Ruby quickly bowed and stepped back.

She was about to knock on the door to have it opened.

“Cough, cough!”

Catheon suddenly coughed loudly.

Kyle swiftly looked up.

The Emperor, now choking and dropping his wine glass, was clutching his throat.

His face turned red in an instant.

He struggled to breathe, gasping for air, and then collapsed forward.

Kyle quickly approached and supported Catheon’s body.

“Chamberlain!”

Kyle shouted, and the door burst open.

Seeing the Emperor collapse from the throne into Kyle’s arms, the chamberlain’s face turned pale.