“Have you been well? I heard you personally take charge of resolving the situation with the Vincent Orphanage. The inspector sent to the Vincent Orphanage was dismissed because he didn’t do his job properly.

As the Emperor, I truly regret that I didn’t notice the problem sooner. And I heard that both Duke Raphael and Lady Kristin were involved, and though you were injured, I’m very relieved that you didn’t lose your lives.”

“Think nothing of it. As one of the few dukes of the Empire, it was my duty to act.”

To most people, this conversation would seem to indicate that they were concerned for each other, but in reality, Emperor Lucas Aedon did not truly like the Duke.

He continued to see Raphael involved with Kristin Edith and working on her behalf. He no longer felt that Raphael was genuinely working for the Empire.

Strangely enough, he sensed that Raphael genuinely liked Kristin, which made the Emperor uncomfortable and prompted him to speak again.

“Duke Raphael, what feelings do you have for Kristin Edith?”

Raphael paused for a moment upon hearing the Emperor’s question.

He realized that the Emperor was curious about his feelings, but what he said next made Raphael feel uneasy.

“I heard that Marquis Winston Zenon also went to Vincent Orphanage with investigative authority to look into Director Blair. Weren’t Marquis Winston Zenon and Kristin Edith childhood playmates? They’ve known each other since they were young, so their feelings for each other must be quite tender.”

Tender feelings for each other? As Raphael imagined Kristin smiling beside Winston rather than him, he felt a twist in his heart.

However, the Emperor, seemingly oblivious to this, spoke to him with an innocent expression.

“It seems that Marquis Winston Zenon is also quite fond of Kristin Edith. What about you, Duke Raphael? Do you have no intention of bringing the two of them together? After all, you have already broken off your engagement with Kristin Edith, haven’t you?”

Raphael could no longer hold back. He took a deep breath and met the Emperor’s gaze.

Emperor Lucas Aedon was sipping from his teacup with a faint smile on his lips.

He even nodded slightly, as if to say there was no problem.

“I too love Kristin Edith.”

“You love her? Who? You, Duke Raphael? As far as I know, over the past few decades, Duke Raphael has never liked anyone.”

The Emperor looked surprised as if he didn’t expect to hear such a resolute declaration from Raphael.

From what he knew, the Duke had never acted out of affection for anyone, nor had he ever done anything that would bring him even the slightest disadvantage.

The Emperor believed that even his relationship with Raphael and his participation in wars were motivated by the great rewards he stood to gain.

It was hard to believe that someone who found joy in using others had just confessed to having genuine feelings.

“You seem to think you know everything about me. Being by Your Majesty’s side, I have learned a great deal. I have indeed contributed to the Empire, but I believe that the recognition of those contributions is entirely due to Your Majesty’s generosity. Now that the Empire is relatively peaceful and I have accumulated quite a bit, I have lost interest in using others.”

Raphael deliberately phrased his words in this way. He wanted to express the feelings he had harbored towards the Emperor all this time.

While other nobles might have taken cues from his relationship with the Emperor, his ties with Lucas were strictly limited to that extent.

There was a lingering distrust, as he considered the possibility that the Emperor might have disliked him in a past life and caused his death.

After marrying Princess Rebella, Raphael found no happiness in his married life with her.

On the surface, nobles praised him for abandoning Kristin Edith and marrying Princess Rebella, but that didn’t justify his actions.

He didn’t understand it back then, but now he could see it. After experiencing the feeling of being used by the Emperor, his thoughts gradually began to change.

He had thought that marrying Princess Rebella would make a difference.

However, whenever he talked with the shameless and selfish princess, he felt like he was talking to a wall.

Even though the Emperor knew about Princess Rebella’s character, he still insisted that Raphael had to marry her.

Not wanting to repeat the same mistake, Raphael spoke to the Emperor again.

“I doubt I will feel any emotion when I meet with Princess Rebella today. Furthermore, Your Majesty, I must tell you that the only woman who will become the Duchess of Rodney in the future is Kristin Edith.”

“Is that true? Is it not just mere curiosity? I am well aware of the circumstances surrounding Kristin Edith’s family. With her father and stepmother committing such grave crimes and being imprisoned, it must be difficult for her. Truly a pitiful young lady. However, Duke Raphael, if your feelings are merely pity or sympathy…”

“That is not the case, Your Majesty.”

As Raphael interrupted the Emperor, the ministers and knights standing nearby all wore surprised expressions.

It was not a common situation for an emperor to be interrupted by a duke.

Everyone in the audience chamber looked at Raphael in astonishment, while the Emperor, as if he had anticipated this situation, maintained a calm expression as he spoke.

“I understand. Very well. I accept your intentions, Duke Raphael, but I hope you won’t avoid meeting with Princess Rebella today. I trust you won’t evade even this.”

“Of course. This concerns the glory of the Empire, and I would never disrupt a public occasion for personal reasons. You have nothing to worry about regarding my meeting with Princess Rebella and the other nobles.”

After addressing the Emperor, Raphael spoke again, intending to draw the Emperor further into his plot.

“There is one thing I’d like to ask Your Majesty. What would you think if Princess Rebella were to marry another noble?”

“Haha, Princess Rebella marrying another noble? I believe that Princess Rebella is coming here to meet with you, Duke Raphael, so I doubt she’d pay any attention to other nobles.”

Emperor Lucas was now on the verge of anger at Raphael’s words.

Not long ago, Raphael had been his loyal follower, obediently listening to his every word, but now he seemed to be breaking free from that role.

The Emperor was so irritated that he almost wanted to accuse Raphael of treason.

However, he laughed it off and continued speaking.

“If that were to happen, I would accept it. But if the Duke I once favored were to reject such an important proposal, I might consider stripping you of your title—of course, I’m just joking.”

After saying this to Raphael, the Emperor gestured to one of his ministers.

It was a signal to end this useless and infuriating conversation.

Yet Raphael responded calmly to the Emperor.

“A few days ago, Kristin Edith received a threatening letter. The sender is still unclear, which has made the investigation quite difficult. Considering the Vincent Orphanage incident and Lady Kristin’s dedication to the people of the Empire, would you be able to look into this matter as well?”

After saying this, Raphael locked eyes with the Emperor.

The Emperor, visibly flustered, glared at Raphael for a moment before softening his expression. He then motioned for one of his ministers to come closer and whispered something to them.

Raphael, however, was not at all unsettled and did not break eye contact with the Emperor. He continued to look directly at him, waiting for the Emperor to speak, until finally, the Emperor opened his mouth.

“Of course. If necessary, it will be done. Once today’s important gathering concludes, I will order the investigation to begin tomorrow. Rest assured, Duke Raphael.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”

Raphael bowed his head to the Emperor.

He didn’t need to make such a request to the Emperor, but he did so on purpose.

If the Emperor had nothing to do with Kristin’s death, the culprit would be found quickly. And even if they weren’t, the Emperor, to hastily conclude the matter, might falsely accuse someone, which would still give Raphael a chance to investigate the real culprit.

“I will do my best at today’s meeting. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will head to the grand banquet hall.”

Raphael smiled as if he had achieved his goal, while the Emperor also smiled back at him, though he was struggling to suppress his rage.

Watching Raphael leave the audience chamber, the Emperor thought to himself.

‘Very well,

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