“Where did you say the stone used in the sculpture was quarried? I heard it earlier, but I’d like to hear it once more.”

“It’s a special mineral that can only be quarried in the border region between the Anden Kingdom and our empire. It’s so rare that even its name was given by this sculptor.”

“Hmm, yes. It is rare indeed.”

The Imperial Consort, as if recalling something, turned to Duke Zamoti and spoke.

“Brother, didn’t we have this mineral at the duke’s residence?”

“Y-yes, Your Highness.”

The duke answered, seemingly prepared, but whatever made him so nervous, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and let out a short sigh.

“The previous duke, my father, had a hobby of collecting unusual minerals, and since he cherished Your Highness, he allowed you to play with them, so it’s natural that you remember.”

“That’s right, no wonder it looks familiar.”

The Imperial Consort chuckled, then spoke again with a serious expression.

“But somehow, the color of that sculpture seems strange.”

“Could you explain what you mean?”

When Cassian asked respectfully, seeking instruction, the Imperial Consort momentarily couldn’t hide her satisfaction.

“Prince Cassian, do you know why this mineral is nicknamed the ‘couple’s stone’?”

“Because it only emits a special light when it meets an even rarer mineral.”

“Yes, but this couple’s stone doesn’t seem to be emitting any special light.”

“What do you……”

The Imperial Consort let out a brief sigh.

“I mean it looks no different from the stone I used to play with as a child.”

“How is that strange……”

Cassian deliberately didn’t hide his puzzlement as he asked the Imperial Consort again.

“If it’s no different from the stone you played with as a child, isn’t that normal?”

“Oh my, Prince Cassian. I should have taken better care of you.”

The Imperial Consort spoke to the Emperor, looking deeply regretful.

“The Anden Kingdom shows such disrespect to our empire, and you can’t even recognize it!”

“Pardon?”

Along with Cassian’s foolish response, the nobles’ whispers suddenly grew louder.

“So, you’re saying the Anden Kingdom didn’t send the stone that should have been paired with it?”

“It seems so. They even sent their precious prince as a marriage partner, yet this……”

The Imperial Consort then personally provided the answer to the riddle.

“The kingdom must have been concerned too. Even though they thought highly of Prince Cassian, the sacred stone that pairs with it is so precious that even only a few temples have it, so they couldn’t send it, it seems.”

At those words, the Emperor’s face hardened.

“I truly am inadequate, Your Majesty. I should have informed you of this beforehand to prevent our empire’s face from being lost in front of so many people.”

The Imperial Consort even dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

Then, as if taking all responsibility upon herself, she turned to Duke Zamoti.

“And you too, Brother! I sent you there to prevent things like this, how could you have been so careless with your duties!”

At the stern rebuke, Duke Zamoti hurriedly lowered himself.

“N-no! How could I have been careless when I went to assist Prince Cassian on Your Highness’s orders?”

“Then?”

At the Imperial Consort’s words, Duke Zamoti answered as if truly regretful.

“The Anden Kingdom, which has formed a marriage alliance with our precious Third Prince, couldn’t have disrespected our empire, this is……”

Duke Zamoti cautiously trailed off.

“It’s alright, Brother. If you have any doubts, please speak them quickly. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

When the Imperial Consort sought permission, seemingly encouraging him, the Emperor nodded, barely suppressing his anger.

The Emperor was already sending murderous glares toward Cassian.

“Prince Cassian, how dare you try to cover this up! When I first examined the exhibits, and the second time too! That sculpture was emitting a brilliant light completely different from now.”

“That means……”

“Your Highness, quickly ask for forgiveness honestly. Admit that you lost the sacred stone due to negligent management!”

Duke Zamoti’s voice rang out confidently.

“Cassian!!”

The Emperor’s thunderous voice followed.

“Losing the sacred stone, are you in your right mind! And trying to hide it?”

“Your Majesty, please calm down.”

“Do you think this is something I should be calm about? Imperial Consort, covering for Cassian like this won’t solve anything!”

“I know, but Prince Cassian is still young……”

“Young? It’s been years since his coming-of-age ceremony! This could even become a diplomatic issue. And to do this with what Princess Alexis personally entrusted!”

The Emperor criticized Cassian without hiding his emotions.

But Cassian, rather, spoke calmly, even more composed than Duke Zamoti.

“Your Majesty.”

He lowered himself before the Emperor without showing any sign of trembling.

“I believe the Imperial Consort and Duke Zamoti have misunderstood something.”

“Misunderstood?”

“Yes, certainly the sculpture sent by the Anden Kingdom was emitting brilliant light as they described. Both I and my assistant Miss Saliche saw it.”

“Then……”

The Emperor’s voice softened somewhat.

Instead, it was the Imperial Consort’s side that seemed flustered.

I inwardly sneered at her expression, which showed she couldn’t understand at all why the Emperor’s anger was subsiding when he should have been more enraged.

‘Well, His Majesty has been outmaneuvered by Cassian quite often.’

The deal before the royal marriage, and all the administrative matters before that.

The Imperial Consort probably didn’t know about any of it.

“Due to the recent unfortunate incident, the report was slightly delayed as we hurried to make an agreement with Princess Alexis.”

Cassian said this while pulling out a letter bearing the Anden Kingdom’s seal.

“What unfortunate incident? And what agreement did you make?”

“I apologize for not giving you advance notice due to the urgency, Your Majesty. However, as this was a task you entrusted to me and gave me authority over—”

“Enough with the formalities, explain first, Cassian.”

Cassian couldn’t have missed the words the Emperor left unsaid.

He answered like a subject swearing loyalty before the Emperor, as if pronouncing a verdict.

“I gladly accept your command, Your Majesty.”

*

“Did you so desperately want to offer up your neck, Brother?”

“I-Imperial Consort.”

Duke Zamoti was feeling more fear than ever before.

How today’s exhibition had ended was already evaporated from his memory.

“You heard clearly how His Majesty praised that woman’s son, didn’t you, Brother?”

“Y-yes……”

How could he not have heard? With each word the Emperor spoke, he truly felt his breath stopping and his throat constricting.

‘You really prepared everything so meticulously, Cassian. Despite the large number of exhibits, there wasn’t a single crossing path……’

‘You flatter me, Your Majesty.’

‘I could see at a glance what was most precious from the Anden Kingdom! And which artists we should pay attention to in our empire as well.’

‘It’s thanks to Princess Alexis preparing such good materials. And as Your Majesty knows, my assistant Miss Saliche is very thorough.’

‘Such modesty! Don’t you know that having a good assistant is also part of your ability?’

‘Thank you.’

‘For the empire, nothing is more important than judging the worth and usefulness of those who will work together. You truly are my son.’

Not just those final words, but how he praised every single thing — it was overwhelming just to hear.

Though it was probably to cover up today’s shameful incident by building up Cassian’s reputation even more.

But that only added to the humiliation for his sister, the Imperial Consort.

Naturally, anger poured out toward Duke Zamoti, who not only ‘failed to do his job properly’ but even ruined the Imperial Consort’s damage control.

“Can’t you do even this one thing properly? Must I hold your hand and teach you everything step by step?”

“I am deeply sorry, Your Highness.”

It wasn’t like this when they were young.

Over the decades, as the power dynamic with his sister had reversed, Duke Zamoti could only bow and scrape.

No, he had no choice but to rely on her.

“I was inadequate. Please, please tell me how to survive this.”

Duke Zamoti pleaded while lowering himself pathetically.

He and his sister the Imperial Consort knew better than anyone how devilishly perfect Prince Cassian’s handling of matters was.

Once he set out to secure evidence, there seemed no way to escape without the Imperial Consort’s help.

Though they had used people through several layers, there was no hope that demon wouldn’t catch them.

“Should have died back then, but came back alive……”

Duke Zamoti swallowed his breath for a moment.

Though he knew she meant Prince Cassian and not himself, the Imperial Consort’s words felt like they were piercing and clawing at his skin.

‘Was it about ten years ago when Prince Cassian started to change……’

It was probably after Prince Cassian returned from his first expedition.

Maybe it hadn’t even been that long.

He often got confused because Cassian’s infiltration, counterattacks, and harassment felt like decades rather than years.

Crash—!

While Duke Zamoti was lost in thought, tracing the wallpaper pattern with his eyes, the Imperial Consort finally shattered a teacup.

At that sight, the duke rather felt relieved.

It meant the Imperial Consort’s thoughts were somewhat organized and it was time to calm her emotions.

“Sigh, yes. I cannot let your foolishness ruin the House of Zamoti that I’ve cherished and raised.”

The Imperial Consort spoke while letting out a heavy breath.

“Prepare to cast out your second nephew. That cunning one probably won’t think he can cut off the ducal house with something like this.”

With a chilling smile, the Imperial Consort smoothed back her disheveled hair.

“Since it’s our fault, we must give up what needs to be given up.”

“Y-Your Highness. But he’s still your nephew!”

“Who said anything about killing him!”

The Imperial Consort screamed, her voice raw.

“I’m telling you to prepare to lock him away for a few years.”

Duke Zamoti swallowed.

“I’ll handle the cleanup with that, and you……”

The Imperial Consort spoke while tapping the bowing Duke Zamoti’s forehead with her finger.

“Handle the failed temple and sacred stone deal.”

“Y-yes……”

“You should be able to handle at least this simple task properly.”

At these words dripping with contempt, Duke Zamoti could only bow his head deeply.