Duke Rosalind enjoyed meeting Casey.

Part of his reason for approaching her was because she came from a background that his mother and the traditionalist would despise.

That’s why he appreciated how Casey remained wary of him yet didn’t bother to hide it.

People around him were uncomfortable with how often he was meeting Casey.

A few days after enduring Isabelle’s angry lectures, Patrick visited Duke Rosalind.

Duke Rosalind greeted the crown prince with a respectful attitude, as Patrick had waited for him until the end of class.

Patrick spoke with an awkward expression.

“You don’t have to bow like that at the academy. I’m here partly because of a request from my mother… You know what it’s about, right?”

Duke Rosalind nodded.

Patrick gave a bitter smile.

He and Duke Rosalind were similar in many ways. Even a minor affection for someone could easily be ruined or destroyed under the scrutiny of others.

Patrick now felt a certain camaraderie with Duke Rosalind.

It wasn’t until they reached the crown prince’s chambers that Patrick began to speak.

“Casey Gunther… my mother is fond of her. She’s also a close relative. And since she’s related to Gloria as well, I’m… getting a bit of grief over it.”

Duke Rosalind understood the situation from Patrick’s words, as he was well aware of Gloria’s personality.

The duke explained, “The first few meetings were by chance, and after that, I deliberately sought her out. I enjoy talking to Miss Gunther.”

Patrick replied, “That’s my mother’s message: don’t feel pressured. Miss Gunther isn’t a fool.”

Duke Rosalind smiled.

‘Of course. She probably already knows.’

The duke firmly stated, “It’s not a joke or part of any plan. You don’t have to worry.”

“I get it. I just wanted to let you know that there are a lot of eyes on you. That comes with both a wish for caution… and a hope for things to work out.”

Duke Rosalind nodded and looked around the crown prince’s chambers.

“This is my first time here.”

Patrick responded, “It’s the first time I’ve brought a classmate here too.”

The two exchanged natural smiles.

***

As Sophia had said, Casey was no fool.

She remembered that Duke Rosalind hadn’t asked for her name when they first met.

‘He already knew who I was. Even if there’s no plot, there’s definitely a reason he chose me.’

Considering that Duke Rosalind’s main goal at the time was to push people away, the answer was simple.

‘Someone with a background that the people around him would hate. That’s me.’

Realizing this made Casey feel more at ease. Though she hadn’t completely let her guard down yet.

Meeting Duke Rosalind also had its benefits for Casey.

She could finally write the kind of letter her mother had been eagerly waiting for.

‘Meeting the famous Duke Rosalind. Mother will definitely be surprised.’

Casey enjoyed her encounters with the handsome duke.

Her father sent a worried letter, and her mother wrote more often than ever.

Casey continued to meet Duke Rosalind while reassuring both of her parents.

Even though all they talked about were books and trivial matters, Casey was satisfied.

‘He’s handsome, has good manners, and is fun to be around.’

She especially liked that he was someone she could only meet in the capital.

The enthusiastic reactions of those around her only made it more entertaining for Casey.

Since their conversations and meetings were always lighthearted, she found them enjoyable.

Their meetings continued longer than expected. Even if not frequently, they met at least twice a month.

Casey also decided on her post-graduation plans: staying in the capital to help with her maternal family’s business.

Since she had observed and assisted her mother Helen with trade matters, it wasn’t too difficult for her.

Even after Casey graduated from the academy, she continued to meet Duke Rosalind.

Occasionally, she even received invitations from the former Duchess of Rosalind.

Invitations also arrived from noble families with whom Casey had no prior connection.

Casey declined all of these invitations, primarily because she found the former Duchess terrifying.

Moreover, she had no intention of participating in high society.

Since she had made no promises for the future with Duke Rosalind, she didn’t feel the need to change her life.

When people discreetly asked Duke Rosalind about Casey due to the circulating rumors, he would simply say that he was still focused on his studies.

Both Casey and Duke Rosalind acted as if they weren’t in any kind of serious relationship, despite the buzz surrounding them.

***

Meanwhile, Isabelle did not give up.

She repeatedly tried to persuade Duke Rosalind to act according to the traditionalist’s preferences. Each time, her son would respond,

“The issue isn’t that I’m meeting a woman they dislike. Don’t rely on the traditionalists. We don’t need to pay attention to the elders anymore.”

Isabelle said to him, “Do you know how many people have told me they’re disappointed simply because you’ve been associating with a woman from that kind of family?”

Duke Rosalind scoffed.

“Let them be disappointed. And what happens if they are? Do they have anyone else to put forward instead of me? Are they going to step up in front of the emperor themselves?”

Isabelle paused momentarily at her son’s response.

The traditionalists would only criticize Duke Rosalind’s actions without taking any further steps.

Isabelle didn’t fully trust them either, but they were the only ones she could rely on.

She said, “Still, is there a reason to deliberately provoke them? If your relationship with her isn’t that serious, why not just…”

Seeing her son hesitate, Isabelle softened her tone.

“I’m not planning to depend on them entirely either. But it’s better to have the elders’ support and backing than to go without it, isn’t it?”

Tired of the repeated conversation, Duke Rosalind answered as politely as possible.

“I understand your point, Mother. I know that having allies is important to wield influence as a duke. But anyone who says they’re disappointed in me over such a trivial issue wasn’t really on our side to begin with, were they?”

In his son’s gentle but firm tone, Isabelle recognized that he would not change his mind.

Though his stubbornness frustrated her, she was also proud. It was a determination that even Frederick, the emperor, hadn’t possessed.

Isabelle spoke with mixed emotions.

“Then I’ll tell others that you’re open to meeting young noblewomen. Just make sure you attend the gatherings I mentioned.”

“Just say that I’m meeting different people while I’m still at the academy. After all, I’m still a student, and I have things to learn.”

“Fine. Let’s say you’re gaining experience.”

Isabelle considered the matter temporarily resolved.

Duke Rosalind didn’t share his true thoughts with his mother.

‘I need time, Mother. Time to earn the emperor’s trust and to gain the strength to pressure them.’

***

A year and a half later, Duke Rosalind and the crown prince successfully graduated from the academy.

The tension that had existed between them when they first enrolled now felt like a distant memory.

They were now on good enough terms to congratulate each other on their graduation.

The first thing Duke Rosalind did after graduation was propose to Casey.

“I don’t think I can deceive myself anymore. Casey Gunther, will you become the Duchess of Rosalind?”

Casey was overcome with both joy at the long-awaited moment and anxiety about what lay ahead, leaving her unable to cry or laugh.

But when she saw Duke Rosalind waiting desperately for her answer, she couldn’t refuse.

“Of course.”

Neither Sophia nor Emperor Robert was surprised by the news of their engagement.

Given Duke Rosalind’s age, he had made a wise and calculated decision.

Duke Rosalind was well aware that Robert intended to gradually weaken the elders.

Rather than confronting the emperor on behalf of the traditionalists, Duke Rosalind worked to mediate between the two sides, always with proper decorum.

While he showed respect and upheld their dignity, he did not comply with their unreasonable demands.

Some accused him of being cunning, but even those critics weren’t willing to stand up to the emperor themselves.

Having matured over the years, Duke Rosalind remained calm.

‘If they don’t like me, they can step forward themselves.’

But no one did.

For now, Duke Rosalind was the only one keeping peace and maintaining negotiations between the emperor and the elders.

The elders weren’t foolish. They knew they couldn’t risk opposing the emperor, who had plenty of replacements ready to take their places.

The traditionalists were also consistently losing battles against rising new nobles and the bourgeoisie. They were slow to realize that no leader could solve their problems for them.

Isabelle was disappointed.

When his som should have been more aggressive, he backed down, and when he should have secured his position with a powerful marriage, he chose instead to marry a woman from the minor Gunther barony.

“Of all things, a descendant of the Finega family!” Isabelle shouted in anger.

“No, wait! It’s better that she’s a Finega. If she were fully from the Finega family, we could at least gain political leverage and wealth. But she’s just a granddaughter. I’ve never even heard of the name Gunther. And that woman is now becoming a duchess!”

“Baron Gunther, actually. And there’s already a Cinderella in my maternal family, isn’t there? It’s just fate.”

“How dare you say such things in front of me!”

“His Majesty has already approved the marriage.”

“Hah! So, in the end, it was a conspiracy between the Emperor and the Crown Prince. They wanted to tie you to that woman to isolate you from your supporters!”

The Duke of Rosalind spoke in a soothing tone, as if calming a child.

“Mother, your dream will never come true. I will never be Emperor. I made this decision because there’s no way to strengthen our family’s position by opposing the Emperor as the Duke of Rosalind. It wasn’t anyone’s conspiracy.”

Isabelle knew this in her head but still couldn’t give up.

“That woman clung to me to make her debut and even partnered with a man I rejected. And now those two are Emperor and Empress. There’s no way I’m giving up like this. My position… my…”

Isabelle couldn’t accept her defeat.

The Duke of Rosalind felt that his mother’s lingering resentment had become too faint and powerless.

“I will make us stronger. Please trust me. Even if I can’t fulfill your dreams, I’ll build Rosalind into a proper duchy.”

Isabelle gave a bitter smile.

“Do you think I’ll stand by and watch that girl become the Duchess? I’m going to the territory. Don’t come looking for me.”

The Duke of Rosalind watched his mother walk away.

He had always tried to meet her expectations.

But he could no longer be dragged down by her old anger.

“That’s not the right way to protect our family. I am the Duke of Rosalind. I must choose what’s best for us.”

Isabelle had raised a family head capable of leading their house with care. She had only failed to make him act according to her will.

****

Mav felt genuine concern for the newlywed couple. He attempted to persuade them once again with respect.

“Sailing to Netunia… I cannot approve. As this is your honeymoon, please travel safely by land. The sea is dangerous.”

Casey, now the Duchess of Rosalind, smiled brightly and whispered.

“Actually, my grandfather owns the ship, and he said it’s safe. Plus, this trip doubles as official business, so knights will be coming along.”

After a moment’s thought, Mav replied.

“Is that so? Then I’m relieved. When are you leaving again? What if I accompany you? It’s been a long time since I visited Netunia, and I’d love to go again.”

The Duke of Rosalind was racking his brain for an excuse to decline, but nothing came to mind.

Casey asked, “Are you allowed to leave the Uranus Empire? I’ve heard spies follow every time someone leaves the empire.”

At Casey’s innocent remark, Mav gave a sad smile.

“Surely not… I mean, traveling with many knights and the duke and duchess, would spies dare follow?”

Casey found it amusing.

“Wouldn’t it be fun to test it out?”

The Duke of Rosalind listened to their conversation and thought to himself.

‘No way… Surely not.’

When Robert heard about the conversation between the three, he saw it as a great opportunity.

“Good. There could be spies trying to get close to the Duke of Rosalind. If a major figure gets caught, all the better.”

The fact that Mav would be accompanying them was enough for Robert to be certain spies would show up.

Sophia wondered whether it was right to send Mav along with the newlyweds.

“Doesn’t Patrick need Mav?”

“No. I’m planning to assign Vian to assist him with his work.”

“A chamberlain’s duties for the Crown Prince? That’ll stir things up again.”

“Even if I have to elevate Vian’s title, he must learn the chamberlain’s role. No one understands the empire’s workings better than the chief chamberlain.”

Sophia sighed, then embraced Robert.

“First, we’ll get Patrick and Gloria engaged. Gloria will protect Patrick.”

Patrick was cautious but vulnerable to criticism, whereas Gloria remained unfazed by people’s opinions.

Sophia thought they resembled Parma in that regard.

“Just like Gareth. They’re such a fitting pair.”

Sophia had one hope.

“I just want my children to be a little more at peace.”

Sophia and Robert worked not only for the empire’s benefit but also for their children’s.

They believed that if the empire followed the right path, it would undoubtedly be good for their children.

‘Without a doubt.’

~~The End~~