The Grand Duke was behaving quite appropriately to the Emperor’s taste, but Joseph could not rest easy.
Once, he believed him to be someone who knew how to placate him moderately, a being within his grasp. Like a dog personally trained by his father and passed down to him. He might have even thought of it as a legacy almost as magnificent as the imperial throne.
But looking at things now, he was not that kind of loyal dog.
Hidden beneath his refined face was a cunning and insidious snake. Truly a creature so petty yet impossible to leash, suffocating.
Joseph did not like this type of person. He preferred those who would break when force was applied.
He enjoyed the moment of holding something in his hand and contemplating when to crush it. He often felt these emotions while looking at his half-sister’s face.
And the Grand Duke also needed to be refined in the same manner.
Concentrating the risk factors in one place might become another threat, but perhaps it could be an opportunity to bring about total collapse in one fell swoop.
Sienna was a figure followed by all sorts of malicious rumors in social circles. And the military was never lenient about sexual scandals.
They might have overlooked simply dancing together at a social event, but they would not ignore a relationship developing into an inappropriate one while living under the same roof.
There would be dishonorable discharge, and he would never be able to even approach political circles again.
Joseph’s mouth corners rose slightly bitter.
“Sienna, that child, is not someone to be concerned about. Were you not originally impossible to be together?”
“Your Majesty seems to believe that I would side with the Imperial Princess.”
“Are you saying otherwise?”
At his irritated voice, Declan tilted his head to the side instead of answering.
“It is true that I harbored a presumptuous feeling toward the Imperial Princess. I am sincerely sorry about creating unnecessary rumors at the last banquet and disturbing Your Majesty’s mood, with no room for excuses.”
“…….”
“However, that does not mean such things would be a reason for me to side with Her Highness.”
The Emperor’s face slightly wrinkled. Amusingly, at that moment, Declan unconsciously thought that the Emperor’s frowning expression was quite similar to that of his half-sister.
“I am not a man bold enough to risk my life for a momentary emotion. Your Majesty. It cannot be compared to simply dancing once.”
At those words, Joseph chuckled.
“I thought you were an excellent gentleman, but you can also speak like a worthless man.”
Nevertheless, the cold chill in his blue eyes showed no signs of dissipating.
“I’m curious. What do you hope to gain from this matter?”
“I hope Your Majesty will remove unnecessary suspicions about me. That is sufficient for me.”
As Declan smiled faintly, Joseph’s mouth corners stiffened subtly.
He also did not think Declan was the type of man who would violate an Imperial Princess in a moment of passion.
But aren’t rumors made as one wishes? The moment Sienna set foot in the Grand Duke’s residence, the spark was already planted.
So it would not be difficult. Just fan it a few times, and the scandalous rumors would blaze somehow.
“There will be no problems. Your Majesty.”
Declan egged on the Emperor in an emotionless tone. His darkly settled pupils glowed strangely.
He had experienced numerous wars and learned how to survive firsthand.
If one tries to maintain dignity, there’s no way to survive on the battlefield. And for Declan, discarding self-respect was extremely easy.
He had decided to hand over his own leash to the Emperor.
“I have always and will continue to move only as Your Majesty desires.”
****
Just as he arrived in front of the office, unexpected sounds of argument could be heard from inside, which should have been empty. Declan, who was about to casually reach for the doorknob, suddenly stopped.
“There’s no need to go this far!”
“Your Highness, there’s no other way except involving the Grand Duke.”
When he grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, the two people inside simultaneously turned their heads toward him. Their expressions were a mix of emotions upon discovering Declan.
“What brings you here?”
Declan asked without much surprise.
“Your Grace, I have an urgent request.”
Theodore approached him hurriedly. His gaze, which had been directed at Sienna, shifted to Theodore, who was now right in front of him.
“As you may know, the Emperor intends to expel this Imperial Princess from the imperial palace.”
His voice was notably gloomy. Behind Theodore, a voice muttering “This is ridiculous” was also clearly audible.
“However, where could she possibly go? As you’re aware, other nobles are reluctant to welcome the Imperial Princess… She has nowhere else to turn.”
“Oh, how unfortunate,” Declan said, lowering his olive-toned eyes sympathetically, which gave Theodore a glimmer of hope.
“So, I was wondering… Could you possibly show generosity and allow her to stay at the Monferrato estate until her residence is determined?”
Though Theodore spoke the words, Sienna’s face turned red with shame. The situation was humiliating, and she was deeply mortified that she had been reduced to a state where Theodore had to make such a request.
She certainly had not wished for this situation, but truthfully, she had no other options. Unable to speak up, she could only bite her lips.
Declan, silently observing this scene, let the corners of his mouth rise slightly.
How amusing that they had found no other option but him, despite her clear reluctance. Though it was undoubtedly a ridiculous situation, it gave him a strange pleasure.
“Well…” Contrary to his inner thoughts, Declan maintained an ambiguous attitude. Leaving just enough room for interpretation made Sienna’s brow furrow. Declan’s mouth curved softly as he looked at her.
“I wonder if I need to take such a risk.”
Even if he did not intervene, Sienna would end up in Monferrato. The Emperor had no other choice.
If the Emperor continued to keep Sienna in the imperial palace, it would reignite his long-standing complex, but simply expelling her would draw unwanted attention.
Moreover, apart from Declan, other nobles would surely be reluctant to take the Imperial Princess into their household.
She was someone who had earned the Emperor’s dislike. Rashly taking her in might invite unexpected repercussions.
While forcing her into a remote noble’s castle was not impossible, the Emperor would not want to create resentment among the nobles just because of a half-sister he disliked.
Thus, the Emperor’s decision was already predetermined.
Just as the Emperor considered Declan an invaluable piece, for Declan, the Emperor was the most useful bait. To uncover the truth of the will, using the Emperor was the most efficient method.
Therefore, further complications were unnecessary.
“How could I defy a direct command from His Majesty?”
“But, Your Grace…”
“I understand your feelings, but there’s no other way.”
His voice sounded regretful, but the line was drawn definitively. Theodore’s face was filled with deep despair at the firm rejection. Sienna, who had been silently listening, crafted a cold sneer and spoke.
“I hope the Emperor properly recognizes Your Grace’s loyalty.”
Speaking as if deliberately wanting to be heard, she approached and grabbed Theodore’s arm, who was now significantly deflated compared to earlier.
“Let’s go, Theodore.”
In the end, Theodore was the only one left looking embarrassed. Having believed that Declan would surely accept, Theodore’s spirit was completely crushed. Even as he was practically dragged out, he did not forget his manners and bowed his head to Declan.
Immediately after, the door closed with an irritated loud noise. Declan, who had slightly furrowed his brow at the sound, soon let out a deep sigh.
He took a cigar from its case and put it in his mouth.
As he lit it and exhaled, white smoke scattered from his lips. The face of the woman he had just encountered flashed in his mind, making him chuckle briefly before disappearing without a trace.
****
Sienna stared intently at the man in the portrait.
She remembered that her father was around Joseph’s age during this period. She knew they looked very similar, but seeing her father’s young appearance made her feel an uncannily exact resemblance.
If she were to point out a difference, it would be that unlike Joseph, who seemed melancholic even when smiling, the man in the painting radiated an unblemished vitality. That was the only difference.
Sienna withdrew her gaze and reached for the teacup in front of her. Quite some time had passed since the chamberlain had left the tea.
The tea, which had been steaming, had cooled to a lukewarm temperature. The moment she took a sip at the perfectly cooled temperature, Joseph spoke.
“I regret this outcome.”
Sienna’s gaze, which had been at the teacup, glanced across the desk.
After summoning her here and ignoring her for a long time, continuing with his own tasks, this was all he had to say. Sienna let out a silent, bitter laugh and put the cup back down.
