“Foolish!”

A furious voice echoed through the study. The Crown Prince hunched his shoulders, lowering his head like a criminal.

“How could you act so recklessly?”

Unable to hold back his anger, the Emperor threw the crystal ball in his hand.

“Do you know what people are saying right now? You’ve tarnished my name!”

“F-Father.”

The Crown Prince, overwhelmed by the sharper-than-expected rebuke, didn’t know how to respond. The situation was escalating far more than he had anticipated.

“‘The Crown Prince caused a commotion at the Grand Duke’s residence and was humiliated and thrown out.’”

The events at the Grand Duke’s estate had spread across the capital overnight. As though acknowledging the rumors, the Grand Duke had not attended the state council meeting and had sent a formal letter of protest to the royal family through his aides.

In his letter, the Grand Duke pointed out that the Crown Prince had come to the Grand Duke’s residence without scheduling an appointment, slapped the butler, caused a commotion, and behaved disrespectfully towards Baroness Lila Knox.

“The public opinion is not favorable.”

“To resolve this issue amicably, I think it would be best for you to apologize for the disrespect shown to Grand Duke Eustace.”

The faction of nobles who had long been waiting for an opportunity to strike was now eager to press the Emperor’s faction. Even among the Emperor’s supporters, murmurs of dissatisfaction arose. They pushed the Crown Prince to apologize to the Grand Duke as soon as possible, all the while keeping a wary eye on the Emperor.

“The Council deeply regrets that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince caused a disturbance at Grand Duke Eustace’s residence.”

Even the Council, which usually maintained neutrality, openly sided with Grand Duke Eustace this time.

“Sigh.“

The Emperor, who had been grumbling for a while, sat in his chair, pressing his fingers against his eyes, his face weary. Not only was his research at an impasse, but his son had also caused trouble, adding to his frustration.

“What will you do now?”

“Grand Duke Eustace used magic against me yesterday. Hurting a member of the royal family is a grave crime. If we retaliate based on that fact…”

“Foolish!”

The Emperor’s thunderous voice erupted. He glared at his son with a look of disbelief.

“Could the public opinion change? It’s true that the Grand Duke attacked me!”

The Crown Prince raised his voice, his frustration boiling over. He felt hurt that the Emperor did not comfort or support him but instead rebuked him.

“How pathetic.”

The Emperor sighed in exasperation. Seeing his son fail to understand the consequences of his actions left him speechless.

“After watching the magic clip, you still say that? What if the Grand Duke spreads it to the nobles?”

The crystal ball had been sent unofficially by Grand Duke Eustace. The footage clearly showed the Crown Prince struggling under the pressure of the Grand Duke’s magic and the scene where a confused knight tried to charge at the Grand Duke. It was an unspoken threat—if the issue were raised, the video would be released.

“Are you planning to proudly advertise how poorly you were treated by the Grand Duke? How thoughtless you are!”

“That…”

The Crown Prince’s face turned pale at the Emperor’s criticism. If the footage were released, he would be humiliated, and the royal family’s reputation would be tarnished.

“Politics is a battle of power and justification. But you lost both to the Grand Duke!”

“Father!”

“Enough!”

The Emperor raised his hand as if to stop him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the raging magic within him.

“…You will be confined for a while.”

A heavy voice emerged from his lips.

“Stop all your duties. You will withdraw from state affairs until things settle down. This is a command from the Emperor to the Crown Prince, who has wronged Grand Duke Eustace. During your confinement, you are forbidden from attending state meetings or engaging in personal exchanges.”

The unexpected confinement order caused the Crown Prince’s eyes to widen in shock.

“Father, I was wrong! I will make it right! Please, give me a chance…”

The Crown Prince, restless, clung to the Emperor. Fear gripped him as he realized his father might abandon him.

“How will you make it right?”

“Pardon?”

“Even the Council has expressed their regret. The Grand Duke has got you in a corner. The gossips are spreading, and there are whispers in the marketplace. How do you plan to fix this?”

The Emperor spoke coldly. Normally, he would have been the first to console his son, but now there was no room for that.

“I don’t want to see you! Get out!”

The Crown Prince, unsure of what to do, looked at the chamberlain for help. But the chamberlain could do nothing. It had been a long time since the Emperor had been this angry.

“…I will leave.”

When the chamberlain silently shook his head, the Crown Prince had no choice but to leave.

“Sigh.“

After the Crown Prince left, the Emperor let out a deep sigh. His neck was stiff, and his eyes were tired. He pressed his temples and then slowly spoke.

“…Uden.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Uden, who had been hiding unnoticed, now appeared.

“I never thought even you would disappoint me.”

“My deepest apologies. I have failed to serve Your Majesty properly… Everything is my fault.”

At the emperor’s rebuke, Uden lowered his head with a devastated expression. It was an inexcusable blunder.

“So, what do you think? Do you believe Lila Knox is the Raven?”

“…I cannot be certain yet.”

After a moment of hesitation, Uden replied cautiously. When he first saw Lila Knox, he was shocked. A little later, he was convinced she was the Raven. But now, he wasn’t sure. Being a cautious man, he couldn’t claim something as certain without absolute confidence.

“If you can’t be sure, we must consider other possibilities.”

Uden had spent more time with the Raven in the palace than anyone else. If even he couldn’t be sure Lila Knox was the Raven, no one else would be able to confirm it.

“One thing is certain: Grand Duke Eustace knew the Raven’s identity.”

“That much is clear.”

The emperor muttered darkly. He had no choice but to admit he had acted hastily.

“To think I’d stoop to such foolish games.”

“Your Majesty…”

“It seems we’ll have to explore every possible avenue now…”

Spilled water cannot be gathered again. If that’s the case, the emperor resolved to uncover the truth and ensure it didn’t spill onto him.

“Has there been any word from the investigator?”

“He’s just crossed the border.”

“Order him to proceed to Muwon as quickly as possible. Send someone to the Eustace estate as well and thoroughly investigate whether Lila Knox was truly there. And…”

The emperor, issuing commands without hesitation, suddenly paused. Initially, he had intended to summon Grand Duke Eustace and Baroness Lila Knox to the palace. With a formal invitation, the Grand Duke would have no excuse to refuse.

But the crown prince had complicated matters. The Grand Duke would undoubtedly come up with various excuses to decline now.

“Find an opportunity to bring Lila Knox before me.”

“As you wish.”

The emperor turned his gaze to the chamberlain standing by the door.

“Gale.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Send someone to Grand Duke Eustace immediately and order him to appear at the palace.”

“Do you think the Grand Duke will comply?”

The chamberlain asked cautiously.

“Make it happen. Tell him I wish to meet with him privately.”

“Understood.”

“Now, go and carry out your tasks.”

Uden and the chamberlain bowed respectfully. Once they left, the emperor sank into his chair, his face weary. He felt particularly exhausted today.