After his conversation with Duke Rosalind, Patrick realized his own shortcomings.

He had gone to confront Rosalind, assuming—without evidence—that the duke was scheming against him. He had hoped to provoke him, yet in the end, all he found was his own foolishness.

‘I lost again.’

Above all, Duke Rosalind had understood that Patrick was misunderstanding him, yet he had not reacted with anger.

Instead, he had acknowledged that such a misunderstanding was possible.

His words did not seem like a lie. The conservative noble factions and students from powerful families were no longer seen around him.

Patrick had no choice but to believe it.

No matter how much he wanted to deny it, Rosalind was proving himself through his actions.

Patrick glanced at those around him.

His own circle had remained unchanged. People still followed him, eager to win the favor of the Crown Prince.

In fact, he had even heard rumors that his popularity had risen after he began avoiding female students in the wake of the Michaela incident.

‘A devoted lover? What a ridiculous notion.’

Patrick found himself troubled by Rosalind’s change.

‘How can I improve? How can I become someone I’m not ashamed of?’

****

Patrick had told his mother, Sophia, that the breakup was a lie.

However, after the whole ordeal, Patrick seemed dejected, which worried Sophia.

No matter how much she or Robert pressed him, his answer remained the same.

“I just feel so inadequate. There’s still so much I need to learn.”

At this point, Sophia started to wonder if he had been lying about not actually being dumped.

But all she could do was wait.

‘He has to overcome this on his own.’

Meanwhile, Gloria Gareth knew the truth. She knew Patrick hadn’t lied—he hadn’t been used or manipulated, either. He had simply been caught off guard, unable to respond.

From what she knew of him, Patrick wasn’t someone who confessed first or opened up easily.

He was always overly cautious—frustratingly so.

That only made her angrier.

‘What exactly happened for him to be this miserable?’

***

Fuming, Gloria Gareth wrote a letter to Duke Gareth.

The Crown Prince was the one who got dumped. And he can’t even bring himself to say it. Like an idiot. I met with him, and he keeps denying that he was taken advantage of. Should I step in? That would just cause an even bigger mess, wouldn’t it? People would think I have my eyes on him.

I want to intervene, but I’m holding back because I don’t want to stir up more trouble. He’s the Crown Prince—shouldn’t he act like one? More confident, more commanding? He’s so frustrating. I really don’t like him.

Duke Gareth had been spending his time at his estate, enjoying peaceful days with his grandchildren.

His energetic son and daughter-in-law handled the tiresome and complicated matters of nobility, leaving him free to play the role of a kind, doting grandfather.

But Gloria’s letter made him consider making a trip back to the capital.

She claimed she didn’t care for the Crown Prince, yet her entire letter was about him.

“She’s already debuted in society, yet she still acts like a child.”

Since childhood, Gloria had dragged Patrick around however she pleased, despite his quiet and cautious nature.

Now that they were older, she was restraining herself—but only because she understood things weren’t the same as before.

What she didn’t seem to understand was why she was so fixated on the Crown Prince in the first place.

Gloria was a clever girl. When her parents and the duke opposed her attending the academy, she accepted their reasoning without protest.

She had even said so herself,

“I may be close to the Crown Prince, but not close enough to get caught up in his affairs.”

Duke Gareth chuckled.

‘But why is she so eager to get involved?’

This situation was different from what had happened with Parma.

Parma had not chosen any of the imperial princes and had eventually married Sol Finega.

In the end, it had been the best choice for both her and her family.

‘Patrick will undoubtedly become Emperor.’

Contrary to popular belief, Duke Rosalind’s position was not particularly strong.

He was fourth in the line of succession and, unlike his father, Prince Frederick, he did not have a powerful maternal family to support him.

Rosalind was simply more presentable than Patrick.

It was all an illusion.

‘The Emperor is cunning. But that’s better than being foolish.’

Emperor Robert had faithfully continued the reforms of his predecessor.

Because of this, he had a whole group of eager bourgeois and newly risen nobles vying to serve him.

Neither the imperial princes nor the Imperial Family itself were weak or easily swayed like in the past.

The Imperial Family had become, without question, the most powerful noble house in the Empire.

‘Not just in name, but in reality.’

If House Gareth were to become an imperial in-law, the Emperor would not see it as a threat.

‘No, he might even welcome it.’

After Parma’s marriage to Sol Finega and the dissolution of her title, the traditionalist faction had taken control of high society.

If Lady Gloria of House Gareth were to step in, she could take command of the noble faction that Empress Sophia had never been able to control.

Duke Gareth reread Gloria’s letter.

‘First, I need to understand why Gloria is so fixated on Patrick. Is it really just friendship, or…?’

Having made up his mind, Duke Gareth rose from his seat.

It was a pleasant feeling to know that, even at his age, there was still something he could do for his young granddaughter.

***

Instead of sending a reply, Duke Gareth traveled to the capital himself, where Gloria greeted him.

“Grandfather, is something wrong? Did Mother send you to drag me back? She didn’t, did she?”

The person Gloria feared most was her mother.

Anne, Duke Gareth’s daughter-in-law and Gloria’s mother, had always been strict in raising her children.

Rumors had even spread that she whipped them.

In reality, the children had merely been playing with a riding crop, but because of the Duchess’s already formidable reputation, the story had taken on a life of its own.

Duke Gareth reassured her.

“Your mother is busy. She simply wants to know that you are doing well.”

Gloria leaned in conspiratorially.

“You don’t know how much she scolded me for making my debut too extravagant. But Father was the one who allowed it!”

Duke Gareth chuckled.

“And don’t you think your father went a bit overboard? You’ve enjoyed yourself plenty, so a little scolding is fair trade.”

Gloria grinned.

“I know.”

Then she clung to his arm and said,

“I heard from Aunt Parma that they’re planning a ball for Patrick’s birthday.”

“Ah… many young ladies will be invited, I presume?”

Gloria pouted.

“Patrick is definitely going to hate it. But with all the rumors going around, he has no choice but to act as if everything is fine and gather people for the occasion. Don’t you think so?”

Duke Gareth suddenly felt how peaceful these times were.

‘To think they’re holding a ball just because the Crown Prince had a breakup.’

Still, he saw it as an opportunity.

“Alright. Then I should meet with Patrick and corner him until he confesses everything.”

“Really? Can I watch?”

“Of course not.”

Gloria didn’t mind.

‘I’ll just ask Patrick.’

If she pestered him enough, he would eventually give in. He had never refused her before.

***

Patrick despised balls.

Especially ones meant to prove that he was doing just fine after the rumored rejection.

As he wandered through the ballroom with a miserable expression, Gloria trailed after him like a shadow.

In an effort to escape her, Patrick wove through the crowd, engaging in conversation with various guests.

Compared to dealing with Gloria, conversing with imperial elders, noblewomen, and unfamiliar young ladies was far easier.

As a result, Gloria was only able to corner Patrick midway through the ball.

“Why do you keep running away?”

Patrick sighed and replied.

“Why do you think so? Why would I be avoiding you? Maybe because you’ll latch onto me and badger me until I finally spill everything?”

Gloria had always admired Patrick’s patience in putting up with her.

However, seeing him voice his complaints so openly in front of her today left her feeling somewhat upset.

‘So he avoids me but talks so much with all those young ladies…’

Feeling slighted, Gloria said,

“I won’t do that today.”

“Oh, what a relief.”

“Because Grandfather will do it instead.”

Patrick let out a dry, awkward laugh, but when Duke Gareth appeared behind Gloria, he immediately clamped his mouth shut.

‘Ah… my luck today is just…’

****

Duke Gareth pretended not to notice the Crown Prince’s pale, stricken face.

With a polite tone, he said,

“It has been a while since I last visited the capital, so I wonder if I might hear some recent news, Your Highness.”

Given Duke Gareth’s age and courteous demeanor, even Patrick, as the Crown Prince, could not refuse him.

“Of course, Duke Gareth.”

From a distance, Robert and Sophia observed the scene with satisfaction.

They had both been hoping for someone to shake some sense into Patrick.

Duke Gareth, speaking in a leisurely tone, asked,

“So, it wasn’t heartbreak? Then was it the disgraceful behavior of the nobles?”

Patrick hesitated for a moment before answering.

“It’s not so much about others being disgraceful… It’s about me being disgraceful.”

“Hmm…”

Duke Gareth was not the easiest person to deal with, but he was trustworthy. Patrick’s father relied on him, and even his mother held the duke in high regard.

Finally, Patrick spoke.

“After the whole incident, I kept waiting for Duke Rosalind to take some kind of action. But he did nothing. So, I went to see him.”

“And what did he say?”

“He said he was disappointed in the people around him. That they stirred up such a commotion and took pleasure in it… that this was their level.”

Duke Gareth chuckled to himself.

‘It’s true—Duke Rosalind is surrounded by nothing but fools.’

Patrick continued.

“Then he spoke about his own situation—the difficulties of growing up as a young duke. Something about him felt different. I never expected him to be so… honest with me. I had always thought of him as an enemy, but now… I realize he might not be an enemy at all. That he might be a better person than I assumed. It’s confusing.”

Duke Gareth thought that it had been a good thing for both Duke Rosalind and Crown Prince Patrick to have attended the academy.

“Rosalind’s circle may be lacking, but he had no choice but to rely on them. It would be good if he can find a better path in the future.”

Patrick asked,

“But if Duke Rosalind changes… what should I do?”

Duke Gareth smiled warmly.

“Was Duke Rosalind so important to Your Highness? Important enough to make you this troubled?”

“It’s not about importance… I just always thought I had to surpass him, that I had to be better than him. But now… I’ve realized how lacking I am.”

“That is actually a good thing. It means Your Highness has gained some self-awareness.”

Looking at the still-young crown prince, the duke’s expression softened.

“Experiencing such commotions is necessary. It allows you to see just how low some people can be, but also recognize that there are better individuals among them. You will go through many more incidents like this. Don’t let it drain you too much.”

Patrick agreed. But even so, something still felt unresolved.

“Do you think… Duke Rosalind and I could ever become friends?”

“Why not? That could be interesting in its own way.”

The fact that Patrick had come to see Duke Rosalind not as an enemy but as a potential friend was already a significant development.

Duke Gareth hoped both young men would continue to grow.

‘The more they clash, the more they’ll improve.’

Then, he turned to Patrick and said with a tone of apology,

“I know Gloria has been a nuisance to you. And I know you’ve been patient with her. Thank you for that. But as you are aware, Gloria must start being careful when visiting the palace. I will do my best to keep her from bothering you too much, so please bear with her just a little longer.”

But Patrick sighed internally. He doubted Gloria would change.

She had always clung to him, pestering and coaxing him until he gave in to her demands.

Fortunately, most of the things she asked for weren’t too unreasonable.

‘Well, she only begs for things she knows she can get, anyway.’

Patrick chuckled and said,

“Well, Gloria is just Gloria. Let her be. She’ll do as she pleases and eventually choose someone she likes.”

“Still, the other party’s feelings matter too, so how things will turn out…”

Patrick smiled and replied,

“With Gloria’s personality, if she decides she likes someone, she’ll make sure to have them. Don’t worry. The other person will give in to her eventually anyway.”

Duke Gareth nodded with a pleased smile. The young man had no idea.

‘Yes, I suppose so. Ah… But the truth is… For now, it’s better that you don’t know.’