“Duke Raphael, I have something to tell you.”

Lucas Aedon said, slowly exhaling and showing a gentle smile.

If getting angry wouldn’t solve anything, he decided to coax him carefully, ensuring he wouldn’t go any further.

“Yes, Your Majesty, please speak,” Raphael replied.

“Do you know what punishment Kristin Edith received from the council after she broke off the engagement with you?” the Emperor asked.

“Pardon?” Raphael was taken aback.

Punishment?

However, it was only natural that he didn’t know about the situation. The Emperor had handled everything regarding Kristin exclusively through the council, without informing anyone else.

He had even threatened to demote anyone in the council who leaked the information to other nobles, forcing the ministers to keep their mouths shut.

“I believe you know that in our Empire, a lower-ranking noble who brings disgrace upon a higher-ranking noble can be subjected to severe punishment, Duke,” the Emperor continued.

“However, as the Emperor, knowing that the Edith family was already in decline, I took pity on her situation and sentenced Kristin to a three-year marriage ban. In truth, it’s hardly a punishment, but a crime is a crime, and a punishment must be served.”

“A three-year ban on marriage?” Raphael thought to himself.

With three years, the Emperor probably expected that he would have enough time to connect him to Princess Rebella somehow.

If that were the case, he would have to devise another plan. He had no intention of marrying Princess Rebella instead of Kristin Edith.

“But there is a way,” the Emperor continued. “If Duke Raphael gives up on Kristin Edith and forms a connection with Princess Rebella, I won’t stand in the way of Kristin Edith marrying the Marquis of Winston. After all, I can lift that ban anytime I want. I am the Emperor of this Empire.”

‘I am the Emperor of this Empire.’

The Emperor emphasized this statement on purpose. No matter how powerful a duke might be, he could never surpass the Emperor unless rebelled.

The idea of overcoming the Emperor’s power was inherently nonsensical. In the face of the power of authority, nobles were no different.

“If His Majesty were to do that, wouldn’t it be a great opportunity for Kristin Edith?” Princess Rebella added.

“I don’t know her well, but for a woman to be unable to marry is akin to not being able to continue her family’s lineage, which is a disgrace, is it not? In our empire, such a thing is unthinkable.”

“However, if Duke Raphael continues to desire Kristin Edith, I will extend the marriage ban from three years to a lifetime. She will live alone until the end of her days,” the Emperor said.

Hearing the Emperor’s words, Princess Rebella looked at Raphael with a look of even greater surprise, tinged with pity.

However, Raphael’s expression did not change.

Instead, he calmly raised the corners of his lips in a smile and addressed the Emperor.

“What happens to that punishment if I renounce my title and leave this Empire?” he asked.

“Wh-what do you mean, leave the Empire? Are you saying that you intend to give up your title as Duke of the Union Empire?” the Emperor stammered, surprised.

“Who would accept someone from a neighboring country? It is extremely difficult for nobles to relocate to another nation. The documents needed for that must be issued by this Empire, and that is not an easy task.”

“If Kristin suffers because of me, then it would be enough for me to disappear, wouldn’t it? As a Duke, I have done many valuable things during my time, so surely issuing those documents wouldn’t be too much to ask,” Raphael replied, maintaining his unwavering stance.
Faced with Raphael’s unyielding attitude, the Emperor found himself at a loss for words.

Raphael was not someone the Union Empire could afford to lose.

The current situation wasn’t simply a matter of the Emperor being swayed by the Duke’s words; it was due to the larger circumstances that made it impossible to continue the conversation.

That’s how the Emperor rationalized it.

A noble capable of leading the empire to victory in war, like Raphael, was rare. However, if such a Duke were to leave this Empire, it would be unacceptable.

Lucas, the Emperor, needed talents who would lead the empire forward, and Raphael was one such talent that he could not afford to let go.

There was only one remaining course of action. The focus now was to make Kristin Edith give up on Raphael.

Having seen the Emperor’s power, Rebella intended to resolve the matter herself. She had seen enough of the Emperor’s power and signaled that she would handle the situation from here.

She couldn’t stand losing to a mere viscount’s daughter. She could no longer bear the humiliation of listening to the conversation between the Emperor and Raphael.

Instead, she wanted to step in and wrap things up neatly. If Kristin Edith desired something, Princess Rebella thought she would simply give it to her as a gift.

‘This isn’t difficult at all. I always get what I set my sights on,’ she thought to herself, regaining her composure.

With a composed expression, Princess Rebella addressed the Emperor.

“The atmosphere here feels quite tense. Even I, who came from the Praga Empire, am at a loss. How about we conclude today’s meeting here? I have things to attend to as well. In fact, I’ve always wanted to visit Sharon Boutique in the Union Empire. I’ve heard their dresses are exceptional.”

Upon hearing her words, Emperor Lucas smiled as if to conclude the matter.

“Very well. This conversation with the Duke was uncomfortable for me as well. Duke, you may leave now, and Princess Rebella, you are welcome to explore the Union Empire. I will arrange for a carriage and escort for you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Princess Rebella replied.
The Princess smiled and lightly bowed to the Emperor and the Duke.

With that, Emperor Lucas stood up from his seat, and Raphael also rose to his feet, his brow furrowing slightly as he had been forced to end the conversation due to the Princess.

* * *

Kristin received a letter from Beatrice Charlotte.

While it was commendable that she had joined the charity gathering of the nobles, the letter urged her to be cautious.

It warned her that entering Vincent’s orphanage was quite risky and that without Raphael’s intervention, she could have faced real danger, urging her not to overextend herself.

The letter also mentioned that, when she had the time, Kristin should visit the Sharon Boutique.

With that in mind, Kristin decided to head to the Sharon Boutique today.

She wanted to have a relaxing time with Beatrice Charlotte, sipping tea and enjoying the moment, so she set out with Lenci and Cindy to 7 Wellington Street, the location of the Sharon Boutique.

Little did Kristin know what awaited her at the Sharon Boutique.

***

Upon arriving at Sharon Boutique, Kristin had not yet told Lenci and Cindy, but she had decided to choose new dresses to wear with them for the upcoming festival.

Lenci and Cindy had expressed their wish to attend the year-end Margaret Festival with Kristin, which led Kristin to come to the boutique in search of dresses as a way to lift her spirits.

Additionally, Kristin was curious about the well-being of Beatrice Charlotte, whom she hadn’t seen for a while. With a smile on her face, she entered Sharon Boutique.

Inside, the ladies who were selecting custom-made dresses turned and were startled upon seeing Kristin enter.

But this time, their reaction was markedly different.

Instead of avoiding her as they used to when someone they disliked entered, they all greeted Kristin politely, as if she were a well-known and esteemed figure in high society.

Moreover, they no longer whispered among themselves when they saw her.

In fact, one of the young ladies, noticing that Kristin had come to choose a dress, even told the staff to attend to Kristin first, saying she could wait.

It was a clear sign that Kristin’s reputation had been solidified again after the incident with Vincent’s orphanage.

Lenci, who had accompanied Kristin on shopping trips in the past, was amazed by the change in the reaction of those around them.

Just a few months ago, at the debutante ball, Kristin had been surrounded and subjected to hostile remarks from numerous young ladies and gentlemen. Now, their reactions were completely different.

“Lady Kristin.”

“My lady, the other young ladies are making room for you.”

“Thank you so much,” After seeing this reaction, Kristin expressed her gratitude to the young ladies, and then she spotted a dress that caught her eye.

For the upcoming year-end Margaret Festival, there was a predetermined dress code, which this year was the color purple.

Participants were expected to either wear a dress with purple accents or have purple in their accessories. Kristin decided to choose a dress with purple incorporated into its design.

Although Lenci and Cindy were maids, Kristin decided to gift them dresses as well. Since it was a festival, she thought it would be better for them to wear beautiful dresses rather than their usual maid uniforms.

“Let’s pick out dresses for Lenci and Cindy too.”

“Are we allowed to choose as well?”

“I heard that even plain dresses without decorations are quite expensive here. You already gave us gifts last time; you really don’t have to buy us anything,” Cindy said hesitantly.

Kristin lightly waved her hand and reassured them.

“It’s alright, go ahead and pick. You should wear something beautiful to the festival.”

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories