Aiden entered the imperial palace.
It was the emperor, Justianus Arineastas, who had summoned him.
The moment the emperor saw Aiden, his eyes narrowed.
“Do you know why I have called for you?”
“Please speak your mind.”
Aiden did not venture a guess but simply encouraged a straightforward conversation.
“I have heard some things concerning the Lienster family reaching my ears.”
“Is that so?”
The emperor probed, but Aiden responded with a consistently calm demeanor, signaling an end to any meaningless probing.
“Recently, someone came to me to express their grievances and then left.”
Without specifying who, it was easy for Aiden to guess who the emperor meant by the person expressing dissatisfaction – most likely the Renhart family, which had a quarrel with Erin.
Aiden scoffed lightly but spoke to the emperor with all due respect.
“It seems I have troubled your majesty with a trivial matter. I will ensure such things do not happen in the future.”
The emperor was astounded.
Aiden’s reply was polite, but it was only a facade of sincerity; his true feelings were clear, as the corners of his mouth twisted into a barely concealed sneer.
It was a face that mocked the nobles who had sought the emperor’s ear.
“If the duchess’s unilateral actions become too excessive, it could eventually reflect poorly on you as the duke.”
The emperor was pointing out Aiden’s behavior, which seemed to suggest he was under his wife’s influence.
“It appears as if you are utterly incapable of acting without your wife’s consent.”
The emperor was advising and simultaneously warning Aiden.
However, despite the emperor’s intention, there wasn’t a hint of intimidation on Aiden’s face.
“That’s not entirely incorrect.”
Aiden shook his head with a broad grin, as if he was overly pleased.
The emperor became increasingly frustrated.
“This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Do you realize your own position could be compromised by such behavior?”
The emperor warned.
Among the nobility, authority within the family was important. No matter how great Aiden’s reputation was, if he appeared to have no proper status or power within his own house, it would blemish his authority and influence.
But Aiden did not take to heart the emperor’s advice at all. Aiden looked straight at the emperor and opened his mouth.
“There is no need for my wife to have my permission in what she does,” Aiden said firmly. “And I have always been influenced by my wife, it is not a matter of yesterday or today, so to worry about it now seems even more farcical.”
In the end, the emperor was at a loss for words, having realized it was all in vain. Aiden still had a calm and composed face. The emperor swallowed all he had intended to say but then decided to utter one last remark.
“So, what about the divorce? How has that turned out?”
“…”
The emperor asked, “Everyone has heard the rumors of your divorce; why is there still no statement on that matter?”
The emperor was pointing out the current tumultuous situation to Aiden, the gossip about the divorce. It was the emperor’s concern that Aiden wasn’t managing or addressing any aspect of it. With a stern gaze, one of the emperor’s eyebrows twitched as he looked at Aiden.
Then, his stern face softened, revealing a curious expression. In truth, the emperor was more interested in satisfying his curiosity than reprimanding Aiden.
The emperor’s lips slowly parted, “Are you really getting a divorce?” Watching Aiden laugh happily at the notion of being under his wife’s influence, the emperor wondered how the story of divorce came about despite such apparent affection.
It was when the emperor intensely stared, waiting for Aiden’s response, that Aiden declared, “There will definitely be no divorce.” He spoke with a firmness as if confirming it to himself. For Aiden, this conviction was the only truth.
The two-week grace period Aiden had proposed to Erin was not because he was trying to stall for the sake of holding onto a last hope.
Merely, it was a proposal made to catch the obstinate Erin off guard. The moment she showed an opening, Aiden was determined to use whatever means necessary to change her mind. The emperor’s eyes narrowed, and he slowly spoke.
“I may not know the specifics, but I shall trust what you say.” Although the emperor was somewhat skeptical, he nodded in agreement. “Furthermore, may I convey to those who come with inquiries about this matter the same account that I heard from you today?” The emperor sought confirmation.
“Of course,” Aiden replied without hesitation. Aiden did not mind that the emperor had brought up the issue. In fact, he quite liked it. The responses Aiden gave in front of the emperor today would become the official stance and be known publicly.
From the onset of the rumors about a divorce, Aiden had wanted to firmly deny such claims and prevent any further speculation. However, if Aiden denied it unilaterally, it could be perceived as disregarding Erin.
So, Aiden had been patient, but when the emperor asked, he was able to naturally convey to everyone that a divorce would absolutely not happen. The corners of Aiden’s mouth lifted in a lazy smile.
On the way back, Aiden appeared to be in quite a good mood. Yet, Aiden’s escort knight, Henry, seemed even more troubled after hearing the conversation between the emperor and Aiden.
“My lord.”
“What?” Aiden’s voice was thoroughly indifferent and soulless.
“Sigh… Nevermind.” Henry was worried about Erin’s reaction, but seeing Aiden’s demeanor, it seemed that his concerns were pointless.
Henry sighed deeply, swallowing the words he wanted to say. The two of them moved silently, without any further conversation.
As Aiden and Henry entered the estate, their steps slowed simultaneously. Someone was coming out of the Lienster house. She was a familiar face.
“My lord, it seems you have just returned.”
She approached Aiden first and greeted him.
“Lady Diarne. What brings you here?”
“I came to see the Duchess, but they told me she is out. So I was just about to leave.”
Lady Diarne said this with a warm smile.
“What is it that you wanted to see her about?”
Aiden did not let down his guard.
But Lady Diarne, seemingly unconcerned by his wary demeanor, opened her mouth with a smile.
“Well, I am getting on in years, and I find it difficult to attend events as I used to. I just thought, on a beautiful day like today, it would be nice to visit and perhaps have a cup of tea.”
Her words were a lie.
There were no nobles unaware of the rumors of Aiden and Erin’s divorce; it was unimaginable that she wouldn’t know.
In fact, she was likely one of the first to have heard the news.
“Still, I am fortunate to have seen you here, my lord.”
As she said this, the elderly lady expressed her pleasure and extended her hand.
When Aiden made no move, Lady Diarne reached out a bit further.
Without asking for permission, she abruptly took Aiden’s hand. Henry, who was right next to him, was flustered by the unexpected situation and tensed, reacting belatedly.
Aside from a casual handshake in an official setting, it was unheard of for anyone to touch Aiden thoughtlessly.
It was all the more inappropriate because it went against manners.
Thus, Lady Diarne’s actions were far from natural. She had deliberately grabbed Aiden’s hand without warning.
Lady Diarne even wrapped her hands around Aiden’s. “It’s been a while; please take care and stay healthy,” she said as she gently stroked Aiden’s hand.
And as she did, she checked Aiden’s face. That alone was enough to realize her intent. She was trying to ascertain something.
“I don’t know why I get so emotional every time I see how much you’ve grown. Please understand this old woman’s foolishness,” Lady Diarne said, showing no intention of letting go of Aiden’s hand.
As time passed, Henry grew increasingly uneasy. Aiden, through years of training, had become somewhat tolerant of physical contact.
However, he had never before been in such prolonged contact with another person.
Yet, Henry couldn’t simply push Lady Diarne away carelessly, as that was exactly what she wanted.
Henry vigilantly observed Aiden, ready to intervene at any moment.
“…My lord,” Henry called out with caution, checking on Aiden’s condition. But his intervention turned out to be unnecessary.
Aiden was not perturbed in the slightest. He didn’t show any signs of stiffness. Even as Lady Diarne still held his hand, Aiden just slightly frowned.
There was no dramatic change in his expression or demeanor. He remained indifferent throughout.
Aiden’s movements contained not a hint of hesitation or rejection.
Nevertheless, as he gazed at his hand in Lady Diarne’s grasp, pondering, he slowly began to speak. “It seems staying in the manor has delayed you from hearing the rumors.”
Aiden said with a significant and languid smile,
“My wife gets very jealous.”
Lady Diarne blinked, not immediately grasping his intent, “?”.
He continued, “She really dislikes it when I hold someone else’s hand like this.” Aiden even brazenly smiled.
Henry, anxious and watching, was so surprised that his mouth fell open. Lady Diarne, having not anticipated such a remark and unable to hide her flustered expression, loosened her grip on his hand.
She then awkwardly excused herself and turned to leave. Aiden nonchalantly dusted off the hand that had been held moments before and moved on, saying, “Let’s go.”
