“Marquis, you’ve returned early today.”

The employees quickly lined up in the hall and bowed their heads tensely, pausing their work at the master’s return.

Bishrom, who had unwillingly lost face at the imperial palace, walked past them briskly, exuding obvious displeasure without even acknowledging their greetings.

“I won’t be having dinner, so don’t call me.”

The employees, sensing the master’s discomfort, quickly withdrew.

Bishrom slumped down onto the reception room sofa and struck the armrest hard.

“Arrogant bastard!”

Though he had managed to get in a satisfying retort at the end, that man’s arrogant tone ruined his mood every time he heard it.

Everything about him was irritating. His cocky behavior, and that smug face smiling shamelessly after hurling insults — it all seemed like mockery.

“Just because he has His Majesty’s attention, does he think he’s something special? A mere duke… How dare he disrespect me, who has His Majesty’s absolute trust?”

Bishrom fumed angrily. With the Emperor’s absolute trust behind him, he cared nothing for the position of duke.

No one dared contradict him to his face, and most sought his favor. Yet Duke Heinst alone snorted dismissively and ignored him.

“Wait a minute… Did he hide that woman away knowing His Majesty was interested in her? Things have seemed suspicious since returning to the capital…”

Bishrom absently stroked his protruding mustache as he pondered.

It was quite strange how someone who had shown no interest in politics or palace affairs was now regularly attending state council meetings since the war ended.

“He must be getting a taste for power now… After all, they share the same blood.”

Before he frequented the palace, the previous duke had held that position, so it wasn’t strange for the son to follow in his father’s footsteps. Bishrom’s face grew serious as he tapped the armrest.

He was quick-witted and eloquent. Gaining the young Emperor’s trust by carefully managing his moods hadn’t been difficult.

The Emperor fundamentally disliked serious politicians. Among those who droned on about complicated matters, he had risen to his current position by selectively saying pleasing things and making himself memorable.

Until now, no one had threatened his influence, but if that ignorant man had changed his mind, it would be a big problem.

Just then, there was a knock and the door opened, and a woman in an elaborate dress approached.

“You’re here, Father.”

“Where’s Andrean, your brother?”

At his daughter Rosaline’s greeting, Bishrom first asked about his absent eldest son.

“Brother left early this morning for the Montriel territory due to reconstruction issues. I heard there was flood damage in the territory.”

“Hah… The vassals will take care of that, why did he need to…”

Bishrom, who had stayed only in the capital since becoming head of the family, frowned deeply.

The Montriel territory owned by the Sternbrow family was a ten-day carriage ride west of the capital.

Nevertheless, he rarely visited and showed no interest in territorial affairs beyond securing tax revenue, let alone acting as a proper lord.

Rosaline, smiling at her father’s criticism of her brother’s absence, took a seat.

“Indeed. What’s the point of looking after the territory’s people… Brother is too soft.”

Bishrom immediately changed his expression at Rosaline’s agreement.

“No, that’s not it. Don’t you understand Andrean’s intentions?”

“…Pardon?”

The Marquis clicked his tongue, saying there was more than meets the eye.

“He’ll succeed me as Marquis, so he’s cultivating public support. He’s as shrewd as I am.”

Rosaline, who had tried to curry favor with her father, set her lips in a hard line, deflated. Though they were both his children, the Marquis showed particular leniency toward Andrean because he was the heir.

That firstborn son.

Though it was deeply rooted imperial tradition for the eldest son to inherit, it was absurd that her father, who had suffered discrimination as a second son, held the same mindset.

“You should learn from your brother and conduct yourself properly. Stop that pointless feuding with Baron’s daughter.”

“Father, really. You know all I’ve accomplished, yet you still worry about such things?”

Her influence in current social circles was truly remarkable.

Usually, social circles revolved around the Empress, but in her absence, Rosaline, as the daughter of the Emperor’s trusted Marquis, filled that role instead. Many noble ladies followed her, and in short, she feared nothing.

“There’s no need to worry. I just put her in her place a bit since she was getting too bold.”

“Be careful with your behavior. Never show your mother’s vulgar tendencies.”

Rosaline’s bright smile instantly turned cold.

In his youth, Bishrom had spent one night with a dancer he met at a festival in the square, and she bore his child.

Originally, he had only intended it for temporary pleasure with no thoughts of family, but when his predecessor learned of this, he forced him to marry. Illegitimate children were unacceptable, so he had to take responsibility since a child was involved.

With help from his sympathetic brother Aden, they managed to get by, but because of Bishrom’s gambling addiction rather than caring for his family, Rosaline’s mother raised the children while taking on any work she could find.

Until she fell ill and passed away, Rosaline grew up not even knowing she was nobility.

That despicably poor childhood. Those terrible early years when they often went to bed hungry, unable to secure even the evening meal, were so horrific she wanted to erase them from her mind.

Rosaline shook her head to clear away the memories that had instantly made her uncomfortable.

“I’m handling things well enough, so don’t bring up those times.”

Rosaline snapped, turning her head sharply as if disgusted by the reminder of those impoverished days.

Bishrom laughed heartily rather than getting angry at his daughter’s temperament, which was just like his own.

“Prepare thoroughly to catch His Majesty’s eye at the upcoming banquet.”

“Ah… His Majesty’s birthday celebration.”

Rosaline responded halfheartedly with an uninterested expression.

Though the Marquis told her to try to get the Emperor’s attention whenever possible, she had no interest in the cowardly Emperor.

Rather…

‘Now Duke Heinst would be different.’

Her eyes grew dreamy as she thought of Duke Heinst, who monopolized the admiration of noble ladies.

The moment she saw him pass through the triumphal arch, Rosaline’s heart was instantly stolen. She simply didn’t show it because she didn’t want to upset her father, who looked unfavorably upon the Duke.

‘I must be the one to receive the Duke’s first dance at this banquet.’

The Duke was her goal, after all.

That was precisely why she had publicly humiliated Lady Varenne, who was passionately in love with the Duke.

How dare she talk nonsense about proposing to be the Duke’s partner. She had made sure she wouldn’t dare show her face at the banquet, so it was certain she would be the star that day.

“Just watch. I’ll be the most beautiful woman that day.”

The Marquis nodded at Rosaline’s confident declaration with her lips curved up.

* * *

Claude practically threw his uniform jacket onto the sofa as soon as he entered his office. Following behind him, Heriot vaguely guessed that the Marquis had irritated his lord again today.

Today’s political meeting had also been a series of exhausting confrontations. Claude, dropping his tired body into the chair, took out a cigar and made an unexpected statement.

“I’m taking Flora to the palace banquet.”

“Pardon? But commoners aren’t even qualified to attend?”

Heriot, who had hurriedly approached Claude’s side, asked as if this should have been obvious.

Regardless, Claude continued speaking while repeatedly chewing on the end of his cigar.

“It’s the Emperor’s order.”

Heriot’s questioning expression gradually changed to one of understanding.

“So they’re trying to bring her back now.”

“Why? Are you happy?”

“…Pardon? No, why would I have any reason to be?”

Heriot stammered in response.

It was quite unexpected coming from an adjutant who had been constantly insisting on throwing her out just a few months ago.

“I thought you’d be the first one to welcome it.”

“Well, she’s not running wild like a colt anymore… I hear she’s working quite diligently…”

In truth, Flora’s reputation among the mansion’s employees was quite good. She wakes up earlier than anyone else and attends to her duties faithfully, there was no room for criticism.

“…And seeing how she handled those assassins… she could be useful personnel in emergencies…”

Heriot shrugged his shoulders and continued, saying she had her uses. Yet he drew the line, stating it wasn’t worth going against the Emperor’s wishes.

“If the Emperor later orders us to send her away, we’ll do so.”

Claude briefly concluded, exhaling a cloud of white smoke.

In truth, he had no particular objection to the Emperor’s order. It would be fortunate if there weren’t any contradictions when the time came.

“What have you found out?”

“My apologies. Whether the person was exceptionally skilled or not, none of the patrolling knights noticed anything suspicious. The footprints in the garden are also clean.”