Sharhim’s talk of war was just an example. His real intention was to gauge where Retina’s loyalties lay.
He didn’t believe that changing a name would suddenly alter Retina’s values overnight. However, as she had taken on the name of Ignis, the responsibility of following that path was now hers.
In the future, she would be in charge of the properties and territories previously managed by the royal court. If the Duke were to decide to redirect these assets to Rudenheim, Raglaras would suffer significant losses.
“Raglaras needs you, Duke.”
It wasn’t just about the name; it was also about the need for someone to care for and protect the lands and people who had waited long for a true owner.
This was a sentiment more acutely felt by the Artshan family, who had been entrusted with the duties of the lord in place of Ignis, more so than by the king himself.
Even if you don’t fully understand the weight of the Duke’s position right now, that’s alright. Sharhim, being an Artshan, will fill in the gaps and help cultivate the territory. However, he did not wish to have someone as the owner who would not even make an effort to care for the people of the land.
“I will stay with Prince Norden until he returns to the North and assist with your education as Duke. Before that, I would like you to let me know your decision.”
“What if I choose Rudenheim?”
“Whether it’s from the pendant or the hair color, you are undoubtedly a descendant of Ignis and can use the name of Ignis. However, if you choose to forgo the Duke’s position, all current authority will be transferred to another. The territory will continue to be managed by the Raglaras royal family and the Artshan family as it is now.”
“But didn’t the people of the territory wait a long time for their lord’s return?”
“If the lord does not choose them, they will accept it. The fact that a descendant of Ignis is alive will give them hope again. They will find meaning in life by recalling the existence of the hero who has returned.”
Sharhim’s firm stance and his clear delineation of choices deeply shook Retina, whose heart had been leaning toward staying in Rudenheim.
Letting go of unnecessary desires would resolve the situation, but the thought of the people of her territory, whom she had never met but considered her own, made it difficult for her to choose easily.
‘If going to the North is the best choice for everyone…’
Retina reconsidered her thoughts. The weight of the name Ignis was too great to be decided on personal feelings alone.
“I heard from Prince Norden that the Grand Duke Ignis currently in a relationship with the crown prince of the Empire. This must make your decision even more challenging.”
“I…”
“But since you have taken on the name of Ignis, I hope you will also consider the situation of the kingdom. If you choose Prince Norden of Rudenheim, Ignis will once again be left without a master.”
Sharhim wiped the sweat from his brow and packed his belongings. Like Norden, this was his first summer in Rudenheim, and he struggled to adapt to the sultry weather. His robust build, suited for enduring the cold, only made the heat more unbearable here.
“Many have been waiting for the lord’s return for a long time.”
Sharhim, who had wiped his face with the handkerchief given by Retina, bowed deeply with a right angle at the waist as a sign of respect.
Now that Retina had confirmed her status as a descendant of the Duke, it was time for her to testify to the Emperor of the Empire.
“I will visit you again soon with the prince.”
Once his testimony was complete, Retina’s official public activities would begin. She was also scheduled to attend meetings with Prince Norden and the officials. Before that, she needed to get a grasp of the scale of the property assigned to her and the current state of Raglaras, so they would meet again soon.
‘I suppose it’s a suggestion to think it over by then.’
As Retina saw Sharhim off, she remained lost in thought.
Rudenheim and Raglaras. Places that desired her and places that did not. And where her heart inclined.
Leaving Sharhim behind, Retina headed to her bedroom and collapsed onto the bed. Although her brother Sat had said he would wait until the conversation was over, she wanted to be alone for now.
She must have been informed by the butler that she had returned to her room.
Not worrying that her brother Sat would be endlessly waiting for her, Retina found herself at a crossroads.
‘What choice is the right one?’
Buried in her pillow, she pondered, but the answer had been clear from the beginning. She had merely been reluctant to face it.
Retina turned her head to the side and looked at the gift she had received from the crown prince before leaving the palace. The twisted bracelet around her wrist seemed to hold her heart, which was leaning to one side.
ⓡ*ⓘ*ⓝ*ⓖ*ⓚ*ⓚ*ⓞ*♡
The imperial carriage stopped at the steps leading into the main palace. Norden, one of the few who could disembark from the carriage at the palace, got out first and extended his hand inward.
The woman who stepped out of the carriage, having accepted the prince’s escort, was Retina. She shed her dress and arrived at the palace dressed like the head of a noble house.
In a white Northern uniform with the Duke’s insignia on her chest, Retina swept her neatly styled hair behind her back. She shed the image of always being gentle, loving, and feminine, and with her attire befitting her status, she exuded an air of dignity that made it difficult for anyone to approach her easily.
“You are now the Duke representing Raglaras. There is no one among the nobles inside who could look down on us. Carry yourself with confidence.”
Norden, who knew that beneath the seemingly cold and indifferent exterior Retina displayed was a person very much nervous, encouraged her to be brave.
With his encouragement helping her steady her trembling heart, Retina composed her expression once more and ascended the stairs leading to the palace. Each step forward was marked by the contrast of her blue shoes against the red carpet laid on the floor.
Upon reaching the towering door that extended up to the ceiling, the standing knight greeted them with a salute. After confirming that it was Norden and Retina, he used his entire body to open the door, which was nearly twice his height.
“Norden, Prince of Raglaras, and Retina, Duke of Ignes, are here!”
As the enormous door slowly opened, the scene inside became fully visible through the widening gap. Nobles who helped lead Rudenheim alongside the Emperor were seated around a circular table.
Letting out a deep breath, Retina followed Norden, who had already attended several noble meetings and was familiar with the layout, around the large hall. This was Retina’s first official appearance as a representative of Raglaras without her wig.
The gazes of the elderly heads of noble families were fixed on Retina, following her every move. Although they had seen her at various banquets before, they now regarded her with unfamiliar eyes, scrutinizing her with the same wary and exploratory gaze they directed at Norden.
“I greet His Majesty the Emperor of Rudenheim.”
After greeting the Emperor, Retina took a seat closest to him. Directly across from her was her father, Duke Deneuve, seated in the position designated for the Duke of the kingdom.
When their eyes met, he gave her a warm look that eased her tension, despite her being in foreign attire.
“Welcome back, Duke. The convergence of good events at a time when we are trying to rebuild the ties between Rudenheim and Raglaras, overcoming past sorrows, is surely a positive omen for the relations between our two nations.”
The Emperor delivered a speech welcoming Retina with open arms. Although his words were meant to pacify any nobles who might be displeased by her sudden attendance at the meeting due to her new title, the nobles’ expressions showed no signs of easing.
In Rudenheim, women were traditionally expected to maintain their dignity and excel in domestic matters, leaving all state affairs to the male heads of their families.
“In Raglaras, family succession is not determined by gender. The mineral resource trade rights we discussed last week actually belong to the Ignes family. It appears that the trade negotiations previously handled by the Raglaras royal family are now returned to the Duke. You should all understand what that implies.”
The Emperor spoke sternly to the nobles, who remained resistant to accepting Retina.
It was not only Raglaras that would be disadvantaged if the trade between the two countries faltered. Unlike Raglaras, which faced immediate issues such as food shortages, Rudenheim’s luxury goods—jewels, steel, and furs—were all imported from the North through the Western Trade Route, often at double the price. Considering the substantial annual payments made to the Western Trade Route, it was crucial to secure favorable trade results with the North.
“But how can we negotiate with someone who has no experience in politics or economics?”
“That’s right. Even though she inherited the title according to Northern customs, she was just recently introduced to high society as a noblewoman. How can we expect negotiations from someone who has only learned how to support her husband within the household?”
Despite the Emperor’s explanation, the resistance from nobles, who had long regarded politics as the domain of men, was significant. They were displeased not only with the idea of a woman, Retina, appearing in formal attire among the heads of noble families but also with the notion of her taking on such a role.
“Given the large sums involved, shouldn’t we at least be negotiating with someone who has received proper education in economics? After all, a noblewoman is merely a figurehead; as always, it will be Prince Noden who makes the important decisions. It seems pointless for her to occupy a seat here.”
The nobles tried to persuade the Emperor, disregarding Retina entirely. Just as Norden was about to intervene, Retina held him back.
Retina fixed her gaze on the count, who was questioning her reliability.
“It seems that those of you gathered here are under a great misunderstanding.”
She scanned the faces of those who opposed her participation in the meeting.
“Do you still not understand who holds the upper hand in this trade?”
