4.

When Daniel, the new master of the Theon ducal residence arrived, he saw the protocol officer waiting to deliver the Emperor’s decree immediately.

“Sir Daniel Theon, this is His Majesty the Emperor’s decree.”

The imperial flags fluttering over the empty mansion created quite a peculiar sight, but he knelt on one knee before the knight holding the decree, as custom dictated.

“I, Daniel Theon, receive His Majesty the Emperor’s decree.”

The head chamberlain unfolded the elegant scroll and began to read distinctly.

“There has been an unfortunate incident in the Theon ducal family that has served the imperial family for many years, and because this has brought disgrace upon the imperial family, we punish this crime by banishing the former head, Beriat Theon, and his wife, Lorelaine Theon, from the capital, and bestow the position of family head, the ducal residence, and the right to attend council meetings to the second son, Daniel Theon.”

Daniel, with his head bowed, smiled in a way that no one could notice.

“This is the command of I, Rockfort Petrion, and I declare it upon the three sacred treasures of the Holy Petrion Empire: the mirror, the shield, and the sword.”

“I humbly accept His Majesty the Emperor’s decree.”

The head chamberlain folded the scroll and carefully handed it to Daniel.

“You may rise now, Duke.”

When he had knelt, he was Daniel, the eternal second son of the Theon family, but when he rose, he was a proper duke holding the scroll containing the imperial decree.

“Peterson.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Peterson, Daniel’s loyal knight, responded with an equally glorious expression.

“See the envoys from the Imperial Palace off with respect.”

“Yes, understood.”

At those words, the imperial messengers tactfully paid their respects to the duke and withdrew.

Daniel gazed at the grand and magnificent ducal residence for a while. The mansion that could never have been his simply because he was born later was now his home.

“Life is truly unpredictable.”

The ducal residence, once overflowing with wealth and glory, had always bustled with people coming and going, but the empty garden and entrance before him now seemed desolate.

The former duke and duchess had been banished to their territory, and the servants and maids involved had likely been quietly executed. The rest of the servants and maids had left the family and disappeared.

“My brother’s era ended overnight.”

Daniel’s lips twisted. Beriat, the firstborn, was ten years older than him and had a domineering personality, treating Daniel as strictly as their father had.

“What was it my great brother said……”

Beriat had long ago recognized Daniel’s ambition.

—Remember this, Daniel. You can never become duke.

The former duke and duchess always favored their younger son, who was always gentle and never lost his smile, but only his brother seemed to see through him.

—Even if…… I die first, even if I cannot have a son, I will never pass the title of duke to you.

Daniel replied that he had never harbored such greed, but his brother never believed him.

—If worst comes to worst, I will adopt an heir from a branch family to continue the succession, so give up.

—Why do you hate me so much, brother? I have no ambition at all……

—Daniel.

The look in Beriat’s eyes as he saw through him was still vivid.

—You are a monster. As you yourself know better than anyone.

And Beriat’s judgment was correct. As he predicted, beneath Daniel’s handsome and gentle smile lay both outrageous ambition and cruelty.

“For someone who knew that, he treated me with such arrogant honesty.”

Heh, Daniel let out a small laugh.

From that day on, his goal shifted from his brother’s life to the fall of his authority. If he became a criminal, no will would have any power.

“Duke, I have brought the remaining servants and maids of Lady Elia. They say they have served the lady for a long time at the ducal residence.”

Daniel’s thoughts were abruptly cut off. As he turned around, indeed, familiar servants and maids lined up and paid their respects.

He couldn’t understand why that cold-hearted Emperor was treating only Elia so generously, but he would soon find out.

“My niece, Elia? Ah, I heard Briana is here too.”

“Yes, Master Daniel. Right now on the second floor……”

Slap.

Before Dain could finish speaking, Daniel’s leather glove struck his cheek hard. Dain managed not to let out a groan and lowered his head.

“I apologize, Duke.”

When he immediately corrected his mistake, Daniel smiled brightly.

“From today, the position of steward in this mansion will be given to my servant. Soon, servants from my territory will take care of the ducal residence, so you need only concern yourselves with Elia.”

Hannah tried to say something, but Dain stopped her with a desperate look.

“You may go. I will slowly look around my house.”

Daniel’s imposing figure as he crossed the threshold into the entrance alone was impressive.

Soon, his servant efficiently directed the arriving staff.

Hannah and Dain, who had been guarding the empty ducal residence, were completely excluded from the scene.

“Make way, this mansion is now under our care!”

In an instant, the hall was so packed with luggage unloaded from carriages that it nearly blocked the way to the staircase.

“It’s time to bring tea to Lady Elia and Lady Briana on the second floor, so please clear the way.”

Hannah protested at the large luggage placed in front of the path to the second floor, but the new servant paid no attention.

“We are supposed to take care of Lady Elia……”

As Hannah shouted loudly, Dain grabbed her sleeve and pulled her to a corner.

“Even with the new duke’s arrival, taking care of the lady is still our job, right? It’s the Emperor’s order.”

Dain nodded.

“True. But they deliberately piled bulky luggage on the stairs. Right after the new duke went up……”

“Could it be that what the new duke whispered to that man…… But why block our way?”

Sigh, Dain exhaled.

“No one knows.”

“I felt relieved when Lady Briana arrived……”

Hannah muttered but couldn’t finish her sentence.

Daniel’s smile gave off a unique sense of discomfort. The sight of him harshly striking Dain’s cheek was still vivid.

“In my memory, Master Daniel, no, the Duke, was kind even to mere servants…… Somehow, he seems like a different person.”

But that wasn’t for the two of them to judge.

“Let’s go around the back.”

“The back?”

“There’s a simple ladder used in case of fire next to the water path that maids use to draw water for the bathroom. Since it’s urgent, we should use that. Taking care of the lady is our job.”

Indeed, Dain nodded at Hannah’s correct words.

* * *

The first person Daniel met when he reached the second floor was his younger sister Briana.

“You’ve arrived.”

Briana bowed her head slightly. Though it seemed like it had been a very long time since they met, her elegant figure hadn’t changed at all, making it feel like they had parted just yesterday.

“Briana……”

“Yes, brother.”

Daniel took both of Briana’s hands with a gentle smile. Then he immediately frowned, surprised by her roughened hands.

His eyes, filled with mixed emotions of pity and joy, shone completely differently from before.

“I’m fine. I’m completely fine. It’s Elia you should be worried about.”

“I’ve heard all the details of what happened. I can understand Cecilia, but how could brother and sister-in-law make such a foolish choice……”

“It’s all over now. God will judge Cecilia’s sins. I’m more concerned about Elia who remains……”

“Honestly, I was…… most surprised that Elia reported all the facts to His Majesty.”

This was Daniel’s sincere feeling. This possibility wasn’t in any part of his plan, but thanks to it, his entry into the capital became much easier.

“If she had hidden it, we would have suffered an even greater calamity. Elia made a wise decision. His Majesty…… would inevitably have investigated the truth.”

“True. I was…… just surprised that Elia, whom I always saw as young, did such a brave thing. She’s only 2 years older than my daughter.”

“Though Elia appears delicate, she has a strong heart.”

Daniel hadn’t known this about her. That’s why there was a flaw in his plan.

He had assumed that given the former duke and duchess’s nature, they would naturally try to cover up the dirty truth, and when the truth was revealed, the whole family would face the Emperor’s wrath…

He never expected that Elia would report everything to the Emperor and survive.

“It’s fortunate. His Majesty recognized the child’s sincerity and gave a generous disposition.”

“Yes. That’s right…… I should teach our Kayla the same.”

Fortunately, the former Emperor didn’t break the engagement with the Theon ducal family. However, unlike the former duke and duchess, Elia’s survival was outside his calculations.

His perfect plan—Daniel becoming the new duke and his daughter Kayla ascending to the position of empress—had been cracked.

“First, shall I greet Elia?”

“No. Elia needs stability right now…… Let’s have tea together first. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, brother.”

Daniel reluctantly moved to the reception room at Briana’s request.