Chapter 119

The Imperial Palace of the Rosenta Empire had never burned in over a thousand years. Originally a small kingdom, Rosenta invaded countless other nations, yet never allowed a counterattack.

Thus, the palace Lionel was walking through now was built on the cleanest land on the continent. It was the only place in the world untouched by hot blood, peaceful, tranquil, and serene.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

The middle-aged man walking ahead in the corridor smiled contentedly and looked back at Lionel. He was Duke Baye, the current Empress’s brother.

With his sparkling silver hair and stylish beard, Duke Baye was showing off his residence with satisfaction. Lionel responded with a polite smile and a nod.

“Yes. The first time I came, it was spring, but visiting in autumn feels different.”

“Ah, that’s right. You must have visited the palace during your days as a captain, after receiving the greatest military medal.”

“Just once, actually.”

Lionel recalled his first visit to the palace two years ago in spring. When the medal was decided, and when the Emperor personally praised his achievements, his memories were not clear. He only felt a bit dazed, as if it weren’t real.

Honor, pride, and a sense of accomplishment came much later, after the cruel memories of the Flandor Battle had faded a little.

“So you must have met His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Prince then.”

“Yes, I did.”

Although his memories from then were vague, the image of the elderly Emperor remained vivid.

The Emperor was sickly, his face pale, but his gaze was fierce. His stubborn speech about expanding territory to the distant Morel River was not pleasant to hear.

On the other hand, Lionel could hardly remember the Crown Prince’s face. Though there was a celebration after the medal ceremony, the Crown Prince was not present.

‘Why wasn’t he there? I thought I saw him briefly at the ceremony.’

Lionel felt uneasy, unable to remember why the Crown Prince had disappeared.

The Crown Prince was known for his extremely warlike temperament, resembling his father. He was skilled in wielding power and an excellent captain in real battles.

Surely, Lionel hadn’t fallen out of favor with the Crown Prince.

Lionel retraced the events of the blurry ceremony as he walked slowly. He didn’t think he’d made any particular mistake.

‘I should ask if I get a chance—why he was absent that day.’

He never imagined he’d stand in a position to meet the Crown Prince again. Feeling strange, Lionel entered a small banquet hall in the palace.

“It’s been a while, Duke Baye! I’ve been waiting.”

The middle-aged man with wavy light brown hair seated at the long table was also a duke. He looked at Lionel and tilted his head.

“And who is that…?”

“Let me introduce my companion. This is Duke Valentin.”

Duke Baye spoke brightly, and the man smiled.

“Ah, I see! I didn’t realize. So you’re the new head of Valentin.”

His tone was that of someone who recognized Lionel, but Lionel responded humbly to the deliberate slight. Here, more than ever, he needed to be cautious.

Today, the five dukes of Rosenta, the highest powers in the empire, would gather.

“Are Dukes Tours and Bruyel running late?”

“As long as they arrive before His Majesty, it’s fine.”

Not everyone had arrived yet. Lionel took his seat and observed the unfamiliar faces.

The talkative middle-aged man with light brown hair was Duke Shonel. He was the one Richard had partnered with to catch up to Lionel’s business.

‘He looks like a wealthy merchant, and he talks a lot.’

Noticing Lionel’s gaze, Duke Shonel looked back. Since he had ignored Lionel from the start, Lionel responded with a relaxed smile.

“By the way, Duke Valentin.”

Duke Shonel spoke leisurely.

“My nephew likes art, so when we passed through Moerven last summer, we visited the art museum together.”

“Oh, really? If you had notified me, I would have welcomed you.”

“It was a sudden decision, so don’t worry. But what’s the meaning behind that painting—your portrait?”

“What do you mean by ‘meaning’?”

What was he trying to pry at? Lionel asked politely, and Duke Shonel laughed.

“Nobles and commoners alike seem deeply moved by that painting. For example… the futility of war.”

Lionel had heard rumors that nobles were spinning all sorts of stories about his painting. But facing such absurd claims directly was a bit baffling.

“Futility? Duke Shonel, I served as an officer for a long time. Would I paint something that denies my own past?”

Lionel calmly refuted, and Duke Shonel exaggeratedly raised his eyebrows in mock surprise.

“So you painted such a picture with no intention, and decided to show it publicly? Didn’t you realize it would fuel anti-war sentiment?”

Duke Shonel used a sly method, trying to draw out Lionel’s true feelings. The best response for Lionel was to firmly state the orthodox view.

“I simply projected old memories from my days as a captain onto the portrait. I wanted to express what I felt on the battlefield, what was left to me there. Political thoughts… ha, anti-war now?”

Lionel ended up scoffing. The two dukes in the banquet hall thought Valentin was finally angry and paid close attention.

But Lionel looked straight at his opponent and spoke clearly.

“Duke Shonel, I am not a coward who, after leaving the battlefield, suddenly advocates such things. Don’t ever interrogate me like that again. It damages the honor of myself and my comrades.”

Valentin’s low, cold voice spread through the quiet hall. After a moment of silence, the friendly Duke Baye cautiously intervened.

“That’s enough. Duke Shonel, you went too far. It’s just a painting—anti-war is too much. Isn’t that an excessive interpretation?”

But Duke Shonel laughed and responded to Lionel.

“If I were the only one interpreting it that way, I’d feel wronged. But other nobles think so too. They believe Duke Valentin is indirectly opposing His Majesty’s wishes, against war.”

“I’m tired of explaining. It’s a misunderstanding.”

Lionel replied firmly, and Duke Shonel clicked his tongue.

“If you didn’t want unnecessary talk, you should have hired a proper artist from the start. It’s because you hired a female artist. If it had been done neatly, there’d be no trouble.”

“…Duke Shonel, do you even know how to appreciate art?”

Lionel mocked, but Duke Shonel snorted.

“Of course, that’s why I’m advising you. Next time, I’ll lend you my family’s portrait artist. He was properly trained at the Royal Academy. He’s a man, which might be a disappointment for you.”

His openly rude attitude made even Duke Baye give up on stopping him. Lionel stared at Duke Shonel, who had practically insulted him.

Truly, it was hard to understand. Whether it was Richard or Duke Shonel, those with so much always seemed desperate to make him a target.

Fortunately, Lionel was a sharpshooter, and all his targets were within range. Since Duke Shonel was involved with Richard, it would be easier to deal with them, Lionel thought.

“Oh my, are we the last to arrive?”

The banquet hall doors opened, and the final members of the five ducal families—Jasmine Bruyel and Duke Tours—entered. Jasmine, already familiar with Lionel, smiled at him first.

“I’m attending in place of my father, so please forgive my lateness.”

Jasmine spoke cheerfully and took the empty seat opposite Lionel. Her bright presence softened the tense atmosphere.

When the five ducal families gathered, the banquet hall regained its proper mood.

“His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Princess are entering!”

With the loudly shouted announcement, the doors at the front of the banquet hall, which had been closed, opened. The five representatives of Rosenta’s ducal families stood up together, and footsteps echoed.

As the Crown Prince finally appeared, Lionel suddenly recalled a piece of memory he had long forgotten.

Throughout the medal ceremony two years ago, while Lionel stood indifferently, the Crown Prince had been watching him.

With those golden eyes, marking him as the legitimate heir of the Rosenta Imperial Family, persistently, not missing a single moment.