Grand Duke Eustace had suspected the use of black magic long before Huon mentioned it. He hypothesized that the emperor had stolen Lila’s magical powers and transferred them to the crown prince.

After all, the crown prince was now the most gifted mage of his generation, save for the Grand Duke himself. Yet, Eustace doubted the prince had the innate talent for such abilities.

The emperor, nearing fifty, was already an accomplished mage. At that age, failing to reach the Fifth Circle would make achieving significant breakthroughs unlikely, even by draining an infant’s magical energy.

But the crown prince was different. While innate talent varies, the younger the individual, the greater their potential. Education and environment could easily tip the scales.

Thus, if the emperor had indeed stolen Lila’s powers, it was likely he had transferred them to the crown prince rather than keeping them for himself. Especially since Lila, as the prince’s twin, would have made the transfer more seamless.

“But I cannot let this slide. As someone devoted to the path of magic, I cannot tolerate this.”

“And what will you do? Report the emperor to the Magic Tower yourself?” 

“I…”

“Huon, calm down.” 

“Your Grace!”

“This matter is too significant to raise accusations based on mere suspicions. Exposing the emperor as a black mage would cause an international scandal.”

“But Your Grace, surely you could uncover the full truth.”

“Even I can’t attack the emperor without solid evidence.”

Even a toothless tiger is still the emperor. Attacking the empire’s sovereign required justification and proof.

“This is a matter of the empire’s dignity. Even if evidence is found, the nobles would try to suppress or cover it up in the name of national interest.’

Though Grand Duke Eustace commanded the support of many nobles, he had just as many enemies. A hasty move could backfire. He had no choice but to restrain Huon’s eagerness to inform the Magic Tower.

‘Hold on, I must hold on.’

Lowering his gaze, the Grand Duke repeated this to himself. Though he had calmed Huon, he shared the same frustration. However, now was a time for patience.

Politics was a game of endurance. No matter how furious he was, he had to act rationally. Acting impulsively could ruin everything. Dragging Lila into the fray prematurely would only invite backlash.

Currently, only three members of the Esteban imperial family held recognized succession rights: the crown prince, the Grand Duke, and Lila. However, to the nobility and citizens, Princess Lila Brenda Esteban was already considered dead.

Even if Eustace openly backed her, the nobility, who revered and simultaneously kept the royal family in check, and the citizens, who worshipped the monarchy, wouldn’t suddenly rally behind a princess who had supposedly died.

Even if the emperor were ousted and the crown prince neutralized, Lila would remain politically vulnerable without her own foundation of support. The Grand Duke knew he had to wait for the right moment. Yet, facing the repugnant emperor, his anger surged.

“I hear you plan to grant a barony to someone of questionable origins.”

“Oh my, has news of that already reached Your Majesty’s ears?”

Feigning calm, the Grand Duke smiled as the emperor scowled down at him.

“Even if it’s a reward, isn’t that excessive?”

“Granting titles is my prerogative as a Grand Duke. I alone decide whether it is excessive.”

The emperor’s blatant provocation was met with Eustace’s barbed retort. In the Esteban Empire, high-ranking nobles could confer titles to their retainers, whether they were mages, knights, or other extraordinary talents.

However, the extent varied: earls could grant baronies, marquises could grant viscountcies, and grand dukes could grant earldoms.

“Hmm, Grand Duke, that’s going too far. His Majesty is merely concerned about the recent proliferation of titles—”

Chancellor Nike coughed, his discomfort evident. While it was true that the emperor couldn’t interfere with a noble’s right to confer titles, Eustace’s tone and behavior seemed excessively bold, even toward the emperor.

“I understand His Majesty’s concerns. However, I am repaying a life debt. I ask for leniency.”

At the mention of a life debt, the room stirred. The Grand Duke fixed his gaze on the emperor’s subtly twitching crow’s-feet and continued.

“It’s an unpleasant matter to bring up, but since it’s mentioned, I’ll disclose it here. Not long ago, a Raven entered my chambers. Caught off guard in the dead of night, I was in grave danger. Fortunately, a guest residing at my estate sensed the commotion and saved me.”

“Gasp.”

“Such a thing…!”

The nobles, realizing the rumors were true, each reacted with gasps and exclamations. Those quick-witted among them immediately deduced the identity of the “Raven” mentioned by the Grand Duke.

“An assassin.”

The “Raven” that Grand Duke Eustace referred to was undoubtedly one of the Emperor’s shadow assassins. Eustace had just vocalized what many had suspected but lacked evidence to bring to light.

The nobles were universally astonished, particularly those in the faction supporting Grand Duke Eustace. Their faces hardened as they absorbed the revelation that the Emperor had attempted to eliminate him.

“Then, the Raven you mentioned earlier—is she the guest you just spoke of?”

“Indeed. Her hair is as dark as the night sky, hence the nickname. Isn’t it amusing, Chancellor? One raven nearly ended me, only for another to save me.”

Grand Duke Eustace’s lips curled into a gentle smile, a stark contrast to the provocative grin he had directed at the Emperor earlier. This smile was sweet, as though dripping with honey.

“Although I was bedridden for a few days due to my injuries, I’ve recovered completely without a single scar. There’s no need to worry—it won’t interfere with my duties.”

Eustace, having reassured the nobles of his health, turned to the Emperor and bowed politely.

“This is why I’m bestowing a title, Your Majesty. I hope you won’t take it amiss. Frankly, I’d have preferred to grant her a countship, but since she has yet to make a significant contribution to the Empire, I’ve restrained myself to a barony.”

“…I see. I misspoke without knowing the circumstances.”

The Emperor, after a brief pause, slowly responded, suppressing his crumbling expression. His voice, though calm on the surface, belied the force with which he gripped the armrests of his throne, veins bulging with tension.

“It’s quite alright. I understand that your words came from concern for me.”

“…Have you identified the mastermind who sent the Raven against the Grand Duke?”

The Emperor inquired with a concerned expression. To an uninformed observer, he might have seemed genuinely worried for the Grand Duke.

“Regrettably, no. The Raven couldn’t tell me who her master was.”

Eustace played along, knowing this wouldn’t completely dispel the Emperor’s suspicions but hoping it would serve as a partial distraction. A few astute nobles coughed awkwardly, recognizing the pretense in the exchange.

“What a shame. So, the mastermind remains unknown?”

“It can’t be helped. Whoever they are, they should count themselves lucky to have avoided being hunted down by me.”

The Grand Duke quipped with a derisive chuckle. Across the room, the Crown Prince, his face flushed with anger, opened his mouth to speak but was promptly stopped by his attendant.

“Since she saved your life, it’s only right for me to express gratitude. Can you share her name, the future Baroness of the Empire?”

“That will remain a secret until the title ceremony.”

“You’re being overly protective for someone not in danger.”

“She’s no easy prey for anyone. Still, she’s not fond of attention, and I’m afraid she might fly away if burdened by prying eyes. I hope you’ll understand my need to keep her close.”

“Then I’ll send a gift through the Crown Prince at the title ceremony.”

The unexpected remark caused the Crown Prince to widen his eyes in shock. He parted his lips in protest but, realizing the many eyes upon him, refrained from speaking.

“After the ceremony, I hope to meet her.”

“If she’s willing, I’ll gladly introduce her.”

The Grand Duke’s lips curved into a deep, graceful arc. The nobles, observing the conversation, were visibly bewildered whenever he spoke highly of the mysterious Raven.

Regardless of her being his savior, it was unusual and improper to elevate someone of a lower status above himself. Yet, none dared to voice their disapproval openly.

“Now then, shall we begin the meeting? It seems much has happened in my absence, so we have plenty to discuss.”

As Eustace steered the conversation toward the meeting, the nobles found it difficult to focus. Their minds were preoccupied with pondering the relationship between the Grand Duke and the Raven.

Those seasoned in the Empire’s political games instinctively knew this commotion would not simply fade away.

That afternoon, rumors about the Eastern swordswoman who had saved the Grand Duke spread rapidly beyond the capital and throughout the entire Esteban Empire. Wherever people gathered—on the streets or in taverns—they excitedly discussed the “Grand Duke’s Raven.”

***