Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Bang! Bang!

The sound of someone pounding on the table resounded loudly.

“This is too much!”

Duke Tria shouted in anger.

“What on earth is going on? The pests are so rampant that we can’t even farm!”

At that, Marquis Avalanche chimed in subtly.

“Have you heard about Garnet, the territory right next to ours? They say the drought and pests are making it extremely difficult.”

At his words, Duke Tria agreed enthusiastically.

“The unusually warm winter wasn’t entirely a blessing.”

“That’s what I’m saying. The problem isn’t repairing the dike right now. It’s the drought right before our eyes…”

As the chatter continued, Marquis Port, who had been listening, chuckled incredulously.

“Ha, what are you talking about?”

“What?”

“Precisely because of the drought, we must also prepare for floods.”

He pounded his chest in frustration.

“How is it any different from saying we should eat next year’s seeds because we’re hungry now?”

“Isn’t the immediate farming more important than preparing for rain that hasn’t even come yet?”

“The fastest places have already started digging. Besides, the farms that have already failed are still functioning somewhat thanks to this project!”

“So you’re saying we should all starve to death!”

Bang! Bang!

The sound of fists hitting the table stopped the loud argument.

The Emperor, with a deeply furrowed brow, spoke without hiding his discomfort.

“…Food. Let’s think about how to procure food.”

Then, Marquis Baroque, who had been observing the fight with his arms crossed from afar, stepped in.

“The situation varies by territory. Some places urgently need food after the harvest, and as mentioned earlier, some are suffering doubly from pest damage. These aspects must be considered, Your Majesty.”

“I’ve heard about that. So first, let’s think about where we can procure food.”

“First, tax relief is necessary, Your Majesty.”

Hedges frowned at Marquis Baroque’s words.

“Tax?”

“A sharp decline in production is expected, but the amount of grain stocked by each territory will differ. Accordingly, the support measures should also vary.”

Hedges let out a deep sigh before speaking.

“Fine, I’ll accept it. It seems discussions are needed by territory, so each of you should devise relief and pest control measures, set possible limits, prepare the grounds for those limits, and report back.”

Next agenda!

As Hedges hurriedly wrapped up the troublesome matters and shouted, an attendant approached and spoke quietly.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for the Crient divorce court.”

“Oh, now?”

Instead of taking the next agenda, Hedges took out his pocket watch to check the time.

“…Three o’clock. I see.”

Hedges began to swiftly organize the documents scattered on the desk.

“The meeting has gone on long enough today. Let’s adjourn here.”

As he busily tidied up, the lords, observing him, began discreetly checking their watches.

“It’s already this late.”

Marquis Baroque muttered quietly, and Duke Tria chuckled and glanced sideways at Gillian.

“Let’s go quickly. Might as well sit in the best seat.”

“Changing where you sit won’t change what’s happened. Let’s take our time.”

Marquis Baroque stood up leisurely.

As those two exited, it signaled the rest to exchange glances and start rising from their seats.

Left alone in the conference room, Gillian watched their retreating backs.

With a movement that clearly conveyed his displeasure, he slammed the file shut.

“…They’re nothing more than beasts.”

Gillian soon pushed his chair in with an irritated kick and followed them with audible footsteps.

Upon entering the hall, he saw that it was already bustling with people who had come early to wait.

It was obvious they had rushed here, eager to secure the best seats.

Frowning at the sight, Gillian quickly composed his expression at the sound coming from beside him.

“Duke Krembell, I’ll guide you.”

As he entered, the person waiting led him to his seat as the main party of today’s court.

The man pointed to a seat at the front right as they reached the center.

“You may sit there, Your Grace.”

“Understood.”

As he took his seat, he saw the Crient family sitting across from him.

What caught his eye first was her condition.

He had heard she was using a wheelchair, but today she appeared without it.

‘It seems she has recovered quite a bit.’

Gillian let out a faint sigh of relief without realizing it.

However, he soon felt his previously calmed nerves begin to stir again.

He had spotted Ellen’s cold, expressionless face.

‘It’s that face again today.’

He clenched his teeth.

He couldn’t understand why she wore such an expression.

If it had been like that from the beginning, he would understand.

But until a few months ago, there was no sign of it, which made it utterly baffling.

Of course, there had been recent complaints, but that wasn’t the cause of this mess.

Even when he offered to correct everything, she refused and left.

‘Since then, everything has been going off course. I can’t even guess what variable is causing things to go awry…’

With a complicated heart, he reflected on the past events.

He unconsciously clenched his fists, then opened them at the pain in his palms.

‘Enough. It’s come to this. If it’s going to go wrong anyway, it might be good to cause a proper stir.’

Once they realize it’s to their disadvantage, they won’t dare act like this again.

He let out a small sigh and closed his eyes, organizing his thoughts.

“His Majesty is entering!”

The Emperor entered through the entrance next to the throne.

Striding in, he plopped down on the throne.

“Ahem, hmm. Everyone, raise your heads.”

The noisy crowd fell silent in an instant.

The Emperor looked around and spoke.

“There was an unfortunate incident at the recent tournament. I express my deep regret for it and announce that the Crown Prince will conduct a thorough investigation.”

At those words, the surrounding gazes began to sweep over Gillian and Kaiden.

Will they really investigate thoroughly, given they’re on the same side? It sounds like they’re saying they’ll prove it wasn’t Krembell…

“Duke Krembell denies the charges, but Lady Krembell strongly suspects him as the culprit. And regardless, Lady Krembell’s life was threatened. Therefore, House Crient and Lady Krembell have requested this divorce from me. Do you both acknowledge this?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Ellen and the Count replied, people began to murmur.

This is different from what Countess Periwinkle said.

As expected, she tends to speak based on her own thoughts.

You need to take her words with a grain of salt…

Hearing such comments, the faces of Count Periwinkle and his wife, who had come to see Krembell’s divorce, turned red.

“The identity of the demonic beast will gradually be revealed. Both families have promised to humbly accept any compensations that may arise from this. Do both sides acknowledge this?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, we acknowledge it.”

As Ellen and Gillian answered consecutively, the Emperor continued with his prepared speech.

“Good. Everyone present here will be witnesses to the facts confirmed so far. Now, we will begin the trial regarding the complaint raised by the Crient family. Ellen Krembell, you may start.”

Ellen stepped forward.

“Honorable Emperor, it was Duke Gillian Krembell who attempted to kill me. Of course, I know we must wait for the Imperial investigation results. However…”

Ellen clasped her arms and trembled slightly.

“If he is indeed the culprit as I say, and if I must continue living in this marriage, I will have to live under constant threat from the culprit in the same house.”

The nobles began to discuss again what they had witnessed at the Imperial tournament.

Duke Krembell did indeed treat his wife harshly.

It’s understandable she would be afraid…

Hedges surveyed the surroundings and spoke.

“I have heard your words. Is there anything else you wish to assert?”

“He treated me like a mere object and ultimately threatened my life. Please consider my earnest plea, Your Majesty.”

“Very well. I will keep it in mind. Now, Duke Gillian Krembell, you may speak.”

At Hedges’ designation, Gillian opened his mouth.

“…I understand my wife’s concerns.”

Gillian’s first words caused a stir.

Everyone had expected he would try to avoid the divorce somehow, but their expectations were shattered.

“She recently faced a life-or-death situation and experienced something truly terrifying. I want my wife to regain her peace. Even if I hold on to her, if she cannot feel safe, it will only cause us both suffering…”

He spoke as if he were sacrificing and enduring something, with a look full of sadness, lightly clenching his fist.

“So I will accept her request.”

It was an emotional speech that surprised everyone. But Hedges, seemingly eager to conclude the matter, asked.

“Does that mean you agree to a consensual divorce as Lady Krembell requested?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Gillian Krembell, with eyes submerged in sadness, calmly expressed his inner thoughts.

At least at that moment, he seemed like a man who genuinely loved his wife.

“Very well. I accept.”

Having received confirmation from Gillian, Hedges cleared his throat and proclaimed in a loud voice.