She still couldn’t believe Edward had decapitated the gray bear alive. The bear’s head alone was so massive that it would take two grown men to encircle it with their arms.

Later, the servants brought in the bear’s body, which was as large as a house and so grotesque in appearance that even Duke Quito, who came to see it out of curiosity, clicked his tongue in astonishment.

Most of the noblewomen present had their legs give out beneath them, collapsing on the spot, or fainted like Hester.

“You weren’t the only one who passed out, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you for such heartfelt consolation,” Hester said sarcastically, narrowing his eyes at Yelodia. Then, as if suddenly curious, he asked, “But why is His Majesty heading to your fiancé’s estate?”

“Oh, that,” Yelodia replied, squinting her eyes as if trying to suppress a laugh.

“His Majesty is going to grant Lady Selina a title.”

“What…?” Hester’s jaw dropped in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom what might have transpired while he was unconscious.

Instead of elaborating, Yelodia simply shrugged at her brother.

“That’s why I woke you up. We’re almost there.”

“Where? Don’t tell me—”

“We’re heading to the baron’s estate as well. His Majesty said he needed witnesses.”

“…”

At that moment, the coach came to a halt with a loud neigh from the horses.

“We have arrived,” the servant announced.

Hester drew a sharp breath and straightened his posture. If this was indeed Edward’s estate, as Yelodia claimed, he would need to present himself properly.

Even though he had steeled himself, Hester’s mouth still fell open in shock as the carriage door swung open.

The Emperor’s knights stood in two solemn rows, their expressions icy. The atmosphere was so grave it felt like stepping onto a battlefield.

Between the knights, the Emperor and Edward walked side by side toward the estate.

Lady Selina, who had been stepping out onto the front porch of the mansion, froze in her tracks, startled.

“Edward?”

Hester turned to Yelodia with a look of confusion.

“Yedi? Lady Selina seems utterly bewildered.”

“We have to get out. Our role is to act as witnesses, remember?”

“Ah, right.”

Hester stepped down from the carriage and extended his hand to Yelodia, who took it and gracefully disembarked.

Lady Selina alternated between looking at the Emperor and Edward with a more bewildered expression than Hester’s.

“Your Majesty? What is the meaning of this?”

“Lady Selina, kneel and show your respect,” the steward commanded with dignified authority.

Startled, Selina dropped to her knees and bowed her head.

The Emperor drew his sword from its scabbard and rested it on both of Selina’s shoulders.

“I, Raodin Philoes Edaltan Feorn, bestow upon Selina the surname Hyperion and the title of Viscountess. Along with this title, I grant an estate, vassals, and servants befitting her rank.”

“…”

“Do you swear to serve me with unwavering loyalty and to benevolently care for my people?”

Selina looked as though the sky had collapsed upon her.

The Emperor pressed her, his tone sharp.

“Do you swear?”

“Y-Your Majesty, I…”

“Do you swear?”

Unable to endure the steward’s stern gaze, Selina hastily stammered, “I swear.”

With that, the Emperor sheathed his sword, apparently satisfied.

“The witnesses to this conferment are Duke Bliss Quito, Baron Adrian, Yelodia Xavier, and Hester Xavier. I shall personally grant the newly titled Viscountess Hyperion a reward of gold coins in the near future.”

“…”

Selina, realizing she could expect no explanation from the Emperor, turned to Edward with a pleading look.

She was certain her nephew had caused some sort of trouble, but she had no idea what it could be.

Her heart pounded with inexplicable dread and unease.

“In case Viscountess Hyperion requires clarification,” the Emperor began, “your nephew recently saved my life. To honor his heroic act, I intended to confer the title of viscount upon him. However, the baron claimed that he had participated in the hunting competition as your proxy knight.”

“Ah…”

Finally, the story had gained some context.

Selina, unable to even imagine how Edward had saved the emperor, couldn’t help but ask.

“Forgive me, but may I ask what happened at the hunting ground?”

“You should ask your nephew directly. I must return to the imperial palace as I am busy.”

With that, the emperor turned away as though he truly had urgent matters to attend to. His knights and attendants immediately followed.

Selina realized there were far more people she hadn’t noticed.

The emperor’s physician, secretaries, servants, and even nobles who had come to spectate had gathered, forming a near-circle around Edward’s estate.

As the emperor boarded a grand carriage, Duke Quito quickly followed him, apparently intending to accompany him back to the palace.

Seated opposite the emperor, Duke Quito frowned and spoke.

“This time, Your Majesty owes me a favor.”

“Didn’t you want to come along? Now you’re complaining?”

“I didn’t join as a spectator.”

“Did you think you could enjoy such an excellent show for free?”

“In any case, I’m adding this to your tab.”

Duke Quito retorted, unwilling to concede.

As the carriage carrying the emperor and Duke Quito departed, the nobles who had come to watch also began heading back to their respective estates.

At last, a calm silence returned to Edward’s estate.

Now, the only ones remaining in the garden were Edward, Selina, Hester, and Yelodia.

No one dared to speak until Edward broke the silence with a sigh.

“Would you like to come inside for tea?”

“Yes… I think you should sit down for a moment,” Hester replied, noticing Selina’s pale face, as if she might collapse any second.

The butler quickly instructed the servants to set up a canopy, table, and chairs in the garden.

Hester finally let out a sigh of relief after taking a sip of tea filled with sugar and cream.

“Now, could someone please explain to me how you managed to catch the gray bear?”

At the mention of the gray bear, Selina flinched and looked at Edward. The emperor’s remark about saving his life wasn’t a metaphor—it seemed to be literal.

Edward succinctly explained what had happened at the hunting ground.

When he described tackling the gray bear from behind as it charged at the emperor, Selina pressed a hand to her forehead.

“His Majesty narrowly avoided serious harm. Well done.”

“‘Serious harm’ would be an understatement—he would almost certainly have died. I’ve heard that even a minor swipe from a gray bear’s claws can easily tear through human skin.”

Hester, who loved clarifying right and wrong in any conversation, instinctively added this, only to press his lips together when Yelodia shot him a glare.

“How could such a dangerous beast appear there…”

Selina’s voice was tinged with reproach as she glared at her nephew, clearly harboring resentment. Edward responded with a wry smile.

“Didn’t you already prepare for this possibility?”

“Even so, how could you go hunting and come back with a Viscount title?”

“If they offer it, how can I refuse?”

Selina raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

Hester, finding their conversation amusing but physically drained, felt his energy waning. Perhaps the incident with the gray bear had taken a toll on his heart.

“I think I need to return to the estate and rest. I’m not feeling well,” Hester said, rising and bowing. Yelodia, concerned, stood as well.

“I think I should accompany my brother. Baron, Viscountess, my apologies for this unannounced visit. I hope to properly congratulate you next time.”

“Congratulations? That’s far too kind. It was my honor to have you as witnesses,” Selina replied, standing to respond formally, while casting a glance at Edward.

“I’ll escort you back to your estate.”

Edward followed Yelodia, but she shook her head softly.

“I think you should stay here and look after Lady Selina—or rather, Viscountess Hyperion.”

“Will you be all right?”

“Yes, the servants are with us. We’d prefer to return quietly on our own. I’m worried about my brother, and frankly, I’d like to rest as well.”

Yelodia, just as exhausted as Hester, felt drained from the eventful day.

The fear she’d felt upon thinking Edward was gravely injured still lingered in her chest.

“Then I suppose I’ll see you at the engagement ceremony,” Edward said.

Startled by his remark, Yelodia looked up at him. The whirlwind of events had made her forget about the ceremony scheduled two days later.

Edward extended a hand toward her.

“May I at least escort you to your carriage?”

“Of course.”

Yelodia took his hand, and the two walked side by side through the estate’s garden.

Hester, watching from behind, shook his head and trailed after them at a distance.

“How unfortunate,” Edward remarked.

“What is?”

“I thought I’d have the chance to ride alongside you at His Majesty’s hunting ground.”

“Really?”

When Yelodia asked, Edward nodded lightly.

“I heard you’re an excellent rider. Were you not looking forward to this as well?”

“…How did you know?”

“You went out to purchase hunting attire.”

“…”

Yelodia bit her lip, gazing up at Edward with a glint in her eyes as though expecting something.

Edward’s lips curved into a soft smile as he recalled Yelodia crying in his arms.