“Even if the royal family owes a debt to Gray, it’s not heavy enough to protect you from the storm that the struggle for the throne will bring.”
“I understand.”
The Gray Ducal family, along with Emblem, was a prominent supporter of the Emperor.
As the popularity of these two long-time rival families spread across the continent, the power of the royal family they supported naturally became formidable.
Therefore, the Emperor had to be wary of the potential instability that could result from the defection of even one influential family like the Gray’s.
Even if it meant tearing apart the future of a young prodigy just beginning to spread his wings.
To protect Enoch from the royal family’s scrutiny, Jade Gray had to temporarily fold the family’s wings.
With a deep sigh, Jade Gray stood up and approached the window, muttering as he watched Enoch diligently practicing his swordsmanship below, unaware of everything.
“But how do I explain this to that child?”
“You don’t have to tell him the truth, Duke. You can wait until he’s mature enough to understand.”
“But it’s about his mother. Enoch should know.”
“This is an adult matter. Children grow into respectable adults by overcoming the wounds inflicted by such adult affairs.”
“Like Your Majesty?”
The Emperor smiled faintly without answering. Jade Gray, understanding the unspoken affirmation, clicked his tongue bitterly.
“I believe my Enoch will overcome it. He is a Gray, after all. But if I had known it would come to this, I would have let him grow up with his mother.”
“Do you regret it?”
The Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise at the late self-reproach in Jade Gray’s voice, a reaction of disbelief.
“I have wronged that child greatly, and I will have to live my life repaying that debt.”
Jade Gray vividly remembered the bright face of his grandson upon receiving Diana’s letter. Yet now, he could see the shadow of darkness that would quietly overtake that once hopeful face. Because of the adult’s affairs, he would become the source of that darkness.
How should he repay it? What should he do? Feeling lost, Jade Gray closed his eyes and spoke.
“I must hold Seffield accountable for Diana.”
“….…! That can’t be.”
The Emperor immediately refused, but the determined look in Jade Gray’s eyes remained unyielding.
“The royal family’s debt to Gray will be settled with that.”
“Ah, this is why I hate owing anything to Gray…”
The Emperor sighed helplessly, anticipating the headaches that would come. He realized that while Gray’s wings were folded, Emblem would take full advantage.
“You don’t think I’ll stand by and watch Emblem flourish while Gray is held back, do you?”
“I’d prefer if you left me out of the fight between Emblem and Gray.”
“Even if I don’t intervene, the royal family will manage on its own, so you won’t hear any more complaints from me.”
“… That’s so harsh. I take back my thanks for being lenient with me earlier.”
“Go ahead. I thought it was too generous anyway.”
“You never lose an argument.”
“Because I’m a Gray.”
The Emperor, looking exasperated, stood up. Both Jade Gray and the Emperor had gotten what they wanted, so there was no reason to waste more time.
“Then, I leave things in your hands for now, Duke Gray. And don’t underestimate the Empress. She’s capable of more than you can imagine.”
With a final warning to Jade Gray, the Emperor left the room, his aide immediately following.
“Your Majesty, Duke Gray…”
“He agreed. He chose to give up Diana Gray to protect Enoch Gray.”
“Phew. That’s a relief.”
The aide let out a big sigh of relief, releasing the tension from his body. Persuading Jade Gray had been both crucial and troublesome.
“But Duke Gray wants Seffield Emblem in return.”
“……That’s!”
“I know. But Seffield Emblem will accept. He’s responsible and will swallow his pride.”
“But if that happens, Gray and Emblem will…”
At the aide’s concern, the Emperor frowned as if he had a headache. The empire’s situation would now become more chaotic.
The conflict between Emblem and Gray would now escalate to the extreme, significantly affecting the royal authority. Despite knowing this, the Emperor had no choice but to take a gamble.
Like fishermen braving stormy seas to catch a big fish, he had to tread this path despite knowing it would be turbulent.
“I cannot let Aurelian end up with blood on his hands like I did. This is the only way I can do right by him since I couldn’t be a good father.”
“……Your Majesty.”
The aide’s voice was filled with sorrow. The current emperor, having risen to the throne as the youngest prince, had survived the inevitable rivalries among his siblings.
After eliminating all his brothers by his own hand, he secured stable imperial power, but it seemed he had lost something profoundly important as a human being.
The aide couldn’t help but feel more sorrowful, knowing the great sacrifice required to ensure the Crown Prince didn’t inherit this burden.
“I’m just sorry for Emblem and Gray. Both families are destined to endure difficult times because of an unfortunate monarch.”
The repercussions of this would shake the entire steadfast Lutinas Empire. Now, the Emperor stood at the center, unable to favor either side and maintain proper balance.
“How can I manage Duke Gray without Duke Emblem? The future seems so daunting.”
“More importantly, Your Majesty, Dame Melsia Emblem has been continuously contacting us, stating she will cancel her leave.”
“Ah.”
Recalling Melsia’s presence, the Emperor stopped abruptly.
“……Should I go back and strip Melsia Emblem of her position as Seffield Emblem’s replacement?”
“It’s already too late, Your Majesty.”
“Ha, being the Emperor and having to endure a sword aimed at your neck by the Emperor’s own blade. Truly, I must be the only one in Lutinas history to endure such insubordination.”
“If you look at historical records, it has happened occasionally. So, don’t be too troubled.”
“That doesn’t comfort me at all.”
The Emperor continued walking, pondering how to tackle the imminent challenges.
***
The royal hunting competition, a significant event in the Lutinas Empire, had concluded.
In the youth division, a novice knight from the Gray Knights narrowly won over a novice knight from the Emblem Knights by a single game animal.
In the official knights’ division, where mid-level magical beasts were released, a knight from the Gray Knights hunted three beasts, while a knight from the Emblem Knights hunted seven, leading Emblem to a resounding victory.
The youth division, which drew everyone’s attention due to the participation of the heirs from the two families, set a historic record as the youngest participant.
“To think that a genius like Enoch Gray has appeared in the Lutinas Empire. It’s a blessing from the gods!!”
“Why does only Lutinas receive such blessings!!”
Enoch Gray, the heir to the Gray Ducal family, caused a stir across the continent by successfully hunting a low-level magical beast at the age of just seven.
Although there were occasional stories of Cherrya Emblem, who was seriously injured while dealing significant damage to a low-level magical beast, the reaction was minor compared to the enthusiasm for Enoch Gray.
People focused more on the result of hunting the low-level magical beast rather than the process, and they were thrilled by Gray’s victory.
“So, she decided not to attend the award ceremony. She said he doesn’t want to go to a place where Enoch Gray will undoubtedly be the main focus.”
“……Ha, that is a problem.”
A deep concern clouded the beautiful eyes of Benedict Emblem.
