—
“What more can I do to satisfy His Majesty… Marquis, do you know?”
In a sarcastic tone, the Marquis responded calmly.
“Well, if you quickly have a child with your wife and produce a successor, His Majesty might recognize your loyalty to the Grand Duke.”
Fernan’s smooth forehead wrinkled slightly.
In other words, he was being told to quickly produce a successor and abdicate.
Once he retired, the Marquis would take advantage of the opportunity to disband the Grand Duke’s troops and manipulate the successor to his liking.
The Marquis began to gently provoke Fernan, sensing his discomfort.
“If you have a successor, His Majesty can retreat far away with my daughter for relaxation. Wouldn’t it be a good thing not to trouble His Majesty anymore?”
“…”
“Think about it. It’s not about making some random fellow the successor. It’s about handing over the title to the Grand Duke’s legitimate child. Is that so unjust?”
Fernan stared deeply into the Marquis’s eyes. The Marquis’s face, filled with greed and ambition, was more disgusting than filth.
Narrowing his eyes for a moment in silence, Fernan slowly spoke.
“If His Majesty’s will is truly such, then I cannot resist.”
Now he was able to communicate. Just as the Marquis was about to say something more, Fernan interrupted with a sarcastic tone.
“As long as the child is of my bloodline, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
The Marquis was stunned by these words, almost jumping up from his seat. He raised trembling hands and pointed accusingly at Fernan.
“What, what are you saying? Are you suggesting you will bring back a bastard?”
His agitated, babbling manner was quite comical. Fernan chuckled softly, leaning back comfortably against the sofa.
“No matter how I think about it, it seems unlikely that I will have a child with your daughter. Every time I see her, I am reminded of her father and feel repulsed.”
“That, that…!”
The Marquis stammered as if he might collapse at any moment. Fernan enjoyed watching his reaction for a while before finally getting up from his seat.
“I think we’re done here. I’ll take my leave now.”
Leaving behind the trembling Marquis, Fernan exited the study.
“That arrogant…!”
Left alone, the Marquis slammed the table forcefully. He thought he knew Fernan’s despicable nature, but he had never expected him to be fed up in this way.
Regardless of his words, the Emperor would be satisfied as long as Fernan quickly abdicated. It didn’t matter if the successor was his legitimate child or not.
If Fernan truly brought back a bastard child, it would be a disaster beyond compare. How many filthy deeds had he done for this marriage?
The Marquis ground his teeth in anger for a long time.
It seemed he would need to find another breakthrough to truly tame Fernan.
—”
“Your Highness, I greet you. His Excellency the Duke is already seated.”
With a deep bow, the attendant opened the entrance. Yulia entered the dining room, still feeling tense.
The usual quiet atmosphere greeted her. Fernan didn’t even look up as she entered, his gaze fixed on the documents in his hands.
“Good evening, Your Highness.”
Yulia offered a timid greeting, but as usual, no response came.
Perhaps her voice was too quiet to be heard. Comforting herself without meaning, she quietly took her seat.
Soon, the servant placed warm soup, fresh salad, and a well-cooked lamb steak on the table.
“Would you like some wine, Your Highness?”
“That’s fine.”
With a small smile and a lowered head, Yulia began her meal. The dining room was filled only with the occasional clinking of cutlery.
It was Fernan who broke the uncomfortable silence.
“I plan to visit the capital to see His Majesty soon.”
Yulia, about to eat her salad, paused and looked at Fernan. He continued without lifting his gaze from the documents.
“You should come along.”
Yulia blinked, momentarily taken aback.
“Can… can I come too?”
“Yes.”
Her heart raced. Fernan suggesting something first was unprecedented.
“Yes, of course…”
As if that was the only matter at hand, Fernan didn’t continue the conversation.
Still, Yulia couldn’t suppress the twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Going to the capital together, especially to be presented to the Emperor…
Now she truly felt like a couple with Fernan, and her heart fluttered with excitement.
Because of this, she failed to notice that Fernan’s demeanor seemed more subdued than usual.
—
The carriage carrying the Duke and Duchess departed in the early morning light as the sun was just rising.
Last night, Yulia, with a nervous mind, had hoped to get some rest in the carriage.
However, seeing Fernan sitting in front of her dispelled any drowsiness she felt.
“…”
Even as the carriage moved, he was still reviewing documents. It was a bit regrettable that his lowered eyelids covered his eyes.
Fernan had beautiful golden eyes that seemed to melt in the sunlight. They softened his sharp features with a warm hue.
In contrast, his jet-black hair gave off a somewhat cold impression.
Today, he neatly combed his hair back, revealing a smooth forehead that emphasized his chiseled features.
She felt like she could look at his face all night without getting tired.
“Why don’t you sleep if you have nothing to do but stare at me.”
Fernan murmured quietly without looking away from his documents. Startled, Yulia responded abruptly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
Raising his gaze, Fernan glanced at her reddened cheeks and lightly furrowed his brow.
When she openly stares like that, or when she shows such an innocent face…
Whether she was shy or pretending, Farnan couldn’t tell. She was a discomforting woman, unlike the countess.
If the Emperor hadn’t made his declaration, he wouldn’t have gone to the capital with her.
The Emperor’s letter, brought by the count, contained an invitation to gather the nobles for a banquet soon, insisting they attend.
Fernan would have normally declined, but refusing the Emperor’s command would surely lead to further pressure and resentment.
Everything was annoying and bothersome. Even that woman who still seemed to hesitate around him.
Fernan buried himself in documents again, completely blocking her from his sight.
By the time they arrived at the palace, it was already dusk.
While attendants moved their luggage into the palace, the two were guided to their respective quarters.
As soon as Yulia stepped off the carriage, exhaustion washed over her.
Though she wanted to jump straight into bed, greeting the Emperor took priority.
“I greet Your Majesty. I hope you’ve been well.”
“Yes, welcome. You must have had a difficult journey.”
The Emperor’s warm welcome continued. After exchanging a few formalities with Fernan, the Emperor turned his gaze to Yulia.
“It’s been a while since the wedding. You look well, which is truly fortunate.”
Yulia responded with proper decorum, hiding her rising tension.
“Yes, thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I’ve been well.”
“That’s good to hear. The Duke can be quite a rough man. I’ve been worried that the Duchess might be neglected.”
With a hint of jest in the Emperor’s words, Yulia responded with a slight smile.
The Emperor was quite modest and astute, but he somehow felt uncomfortable.
It reminded her of when she saw her father.
“Now, don’t just stand there. Have a seat.”
The dining table inside the banquet hall was spacious enough for ten people.
Seated were the Empress and Emperor, the Prince and Princess, and a few others.
Yulia made an effort to adapt to the unfamiliar atmosphere, listening intently to the Emperor’s words.
“It’s been a while since we all gathered. It feels truly abundant.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to new faces in the palace.”
The Empress smiled kindly as she looked at Yulia. With her red hair elegantly arranged, the Empress had a gentle demeanor.
“Yes, what the Empress says is true. It’s truly fortunate to welcome such a composed wife for the Duke.”
Smiling, the Emperor continued.
“Eldorrie Countess raised her daughter well. She must have deep loyalty to the palace, having grown up under a loyal father. I have no doubt the Duchess will bring great blessings to the palace.”
All eyes turned to Yulia at the Emperor’s words. She felt a slight burden but calmly responded.
“I will do my best to meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”
“Good, I appreciate that.”
Yulia felt that the Emperor was overly praising her. She should have been grateful for the kindness, but she felt even more awkward.
She swallowed a sigh and glanced at Fernan sitting across from her. His expression seemed strangely twisted.
At the moment she wondered about his expression, he spoke.
“I didn’t realize His Majesty liked my wife so much.”
