Chapter 161

Theodore, upon seeing David suddenly appear, thought Meia would be delighted. However, her expression was colder than usual, and she didn’t seem pleased at all.

Instead, she asked him a strange question.

“Staying out overnight and stress-induced illness.”

Theodore tilted his head in confusion, alternating his gaze between the two. Meia still didn’t relax her expression.

David, on the other hand, smiled brightly, looking satisfied.

“The retainers of the Florence family seem to do their jobs exceptionally well, son-in-law. Especially spreading the news that the fiancée of Grand Duke Florence is none other than our Meia. That story has already spread across the entire empire through the newspapers. Oh, and Duke Rockbellion informed me about Prince Demian’s situation, which is why I hurriedly came here.”

“I see.”

Theodore smiled broadly, as if pleased with the retainers’ accomplishments.

“Since you’re not married yet, I ask you to refrain from even touching a single fingertip of my daughter.”

“Touching fingertips is inevitable when escorting her, Father-in-law.”

“Wait a moment!”

Meia naturally looked back and forth between David and Theodore, who were casually conversing.

It was already surprising enough that her father was alive… But to think the two of them knew each other? However, what piqued her curiosity even more was…

“Where is Mother? And how do you know my fiancé?”

“Your mother wanted to come along, but her morning sickness was too severe.”

“Morning… sickness?”

“Meia, shouldn’t you look a little happier now that you’re getting a sibling?”

Meia widened her eyes and stared at David.

“Mother… is pregnant?”

“Well, somehow… it just happened.”

Having a sibling was certainly something to celebrate. But everything was happening so suddenly.

“So where is Mother now?”

“She’s staying at Grand Duke Florence’s residence.”

At his words, Meia looked at Theodore with an expression that seemed to ask if he had known about this.

“Meia, I had no choice.”

As Meia looked at him in disbelief, David gazed at her with a gentle smile.

“It’s going to be a long story.”

The story began from the day Meia first met Prince Demian.

“And don’t be too harsh on your fiancé. We begged him to keep our survival a secret.”

David gently stroked Meia’s hair with a warm look.

It was the beginning of a long yet short tale.

***

As news spread like wildfire, it was revealed that Demian von Mavro, the second prince of the Carpen Empire, had been aiding dark sorcerers in illegal activities. When discovered, Demian was immediately assassinated.

“Prince Demian made a pact with dark mages?!”

Crown Prince Patzraelli, seated at the head of the meeting table, kept pressing his temples, seemingly tired of hearing the discussions.

“Enough…”

Evidence had arrived from the Sirius Empire showing that Demian had not only made a pact with dark mages but also had connections with the Holy Kingdom’s monsters. Because of this, Emperor Argen’s funeral couldn’t be properly held, and his body was still in storage.

“How can you say ‘enough’?! If we’re not careful, other empires might misunderstand and accuse us of collaborating with dark mages! What if they declare war on us?! Crown Prince, you must find a solution immediately.”

“The nobles who supported Prince Demian should keep their mouths shut!”

“What did you say, Count Raisten?!”

“Did I say anything wrong? If it weren’t for Grand Duke Florence and Lady Meia, Prince Demian would have killed Crown Prince Patzraelli and taken over the Carpen Empire!”

The murmuring of the people grew louder.

“Enough!”

The murmuring ceased.

Patzraelli was well aware of the current situation. Demian had used black magic to kill his father. And when he came to kill him next, the one who stopped it was none other than Theodore.

<Crown Prince… No, I suppose you’ll soon be Emperor?>

<What are you trying to say?>

<Prince Demian joined hands with dark mages to kill the Emperor. He’s also deeply connected to the Holy Kingdom. What do you think other empires will say about the Carpen Empire?>

Patzraelli couldn’t say anything in response to Theodore, who smiled like a child playing with a fascinating toy.

<If you accept my proposal, you can escape this situation.>

Sweet words.

<Will you accept?>

Even though the answer was already predetermined, giving him a choice probably made Theodore feel generous.

“Our empire will not be accused of harboring dark mages as you all fear.”

The murmuring grew louder again.

With a loud bang, the door swung open, and a large man entered. A servant hurriedly announced his arrival.

“Presenting His Grace, Grand Duke Florence of the Sirius Empire.”

At the servant’s words, everyone froze. Theodore, wearing an uncharacteristically expressionless face, scanned the conference room and then walked to the head seat where Patzraelli was sitting. He sat down as if it were his rightful place. Luman looked at him with pride and squared his shoulders.

“Crown Prince, you don’t mind if I sit here, do you?”

“…No.”

Theodore leaned back slightly against the chair, crossed his legs, and sat in a way that exuded arrogance. But no one dared to point it out. No, they couldn’t. After all, he was Grand Duke Florence.

“Because of Prince Demian’s pact with dark mages, the Carpen Empire might be accused of the same crimes as the Holy Kingdom. However, I can assure everyone here that such accusations will not spread. Nor will there be any risk of war.”

“Is that true?”

“By tomorrow, everything will be quiet. Just make sure to hold a proper funeral for the late Emperor Argen.”

“Thank you.”

“Crown Prince Patzraelli, if anyone should be grateful, it is you.”

For unilaterally hurting Meia and announcing the annulment of the engagement.

“And make sure to keep your promise after I leave.”

“I will implement it immediately.”

After Theodore left the conference room, Patzraelli resumed the meeting.

“What exactly is Grand Duke Florence doing to help us?”

The reason he helped was that he didn’t want Meia’s hometown to be labeled as a haven for dark mages. And also…

“The Duke and Duchess of Hatzbellua are alive…”

<My father-in-law must reclaim the title of Duke Hatzbellua, Crown Prince.>

A funeral had already been held, and Luman had inherited the dukedom. But for David to reclaim the title, he needed the approval of the retainers and the Emperor.

Since the Emperor was dead, Patzraelli, as the acting representative, had to grant his approval.

<Threaten or eliminate any opposing retainers to gain their consent and stamp the approval. Oh, and…>

Theodore’s final suggestion was, fortunately, something they wanted.

Patzraelli informed the nobles in the conference room of David and Violet’s survival. While some were delighted, the noble faction nobles sat with sour expressions, as if chewing on dog food. The person with the worst expression, however, was none other than Luman.

“Luman Hatzbellua.”

“Yes.”

“You must relinquish the dukedom.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Shouldn’t the Grand Duke of Florence’s father-in-law be the Duke of Hartzbellua?”

Luman’s face grew pale.

The retainers of House Hatzbellua rejoiced at the news of David and Violet’s survival and supported David reclaiming the dukedom. Although some still supported Luman, Patzraelli’s strong push for approval left no room for opposition.

“And I hereby announce the annulment of my engagement to Meryl of House Hatzbellua.”

Since Meryl was no longer the Duke’s daughter, the annulment was expected, even without Patzraelli’s explanation.

The position that had been claimed in an instant was lost just as quickly.

***

The House of Hatzbellua had a reason to ensure that Meryl’s engagement was annulled.

“Ugh, ugh.”

The servants informed Meia about Meryl, who had been vomiting and missing her monthly cycle for some time.

A physician was secretly summoned to examine her.

“……She is pregnant.”

There was no need to guess whose child it was. It was Thomas’s. Upon learning this, David became extremely furious.

Even though David was preparing to reinstate the title of Duke of Hatzbellua, he had not considered Meryl becoming the Crown Princess a significant issue. But now, this had become a serious problem.

Thus, David asked Theodore to help orchestrate the annulment of Meryl and Patzraelli’s engagement.

“Meryl Hatzbellua is hereby expelled from the family.”

“Brother…… please, forgive Meryl.”

“Luman, are you seriously speaking of forgiveness? My niece, who was the Crown Prince’s fiancée, has brought disgrace to the Hatzbellua family name by carrying another man’s child. The mere occurrence of such an incident in a family like ours, which values honor above all, is already a disgrace!”

Luman knelt and begged for forgiveness. However, David coldly turned away.

“Bury Meryl’s matter deep in your heart and return to where you belong.”

At the mention of “burying it in his heart,” Luman’s lips trembled.

“Let me take Meryl with me.”

“That is not possible.”

“Please, brother, I beg you.”

“The Earl of Kurundal has asked for the child in Meryl’s womb.”

“What?!”

“Thomas, the young master, has already been exiled from the Empire. Naturally, this means that the Earl of Kurundal has no heir.”

“Are you saying……!”

“Once the child is born, it will be taken to the Earl of Kurundal. Though it will live its life branded as an illegitimate child, the fact that it is the precious heir of the Earl of Kurundal will not change, Luman.”

Luman lowered his head and wept.

If the Crown Prince’s fiancée became pregnant with another man’s child, both families would have to pay the price for insulting the Imperial Family. Thus, the grandchild to be born would grow up believing its mother was a commoner. Luman himself would never be able to call himself its grandfather.

Despite inheriting noble blood, the child would live as a lowly illegitimate child, pointed at by others……

“That cannot be. It bears the blood of the Hatzbellua family.”

If only they hadn’t engaged her to the Crown Prince.

If so, the grandchild to be born wouldn’t have been branded an illegitimate child, and Meryl could have proudly become the Countess of Kurundal……

“If it bears the blood of the Hatzbellua family, then our family must pay the price for insulting the Imperial Family.”

David approached Luman, bent down slowly, and whispered into his ear.

“I don’t want to sew your lips shut, Brother. So, keep your mouth shut.”