Following the orders of Archduke Ashid Carlisle Alberic, the knights of the capital and the north moved immediately.
The knights remaining in Greenhorn assumed battle positions and stood by at the border. Meanwhile, Daer sent a letter to the Grand Prince of Resinia, demanding Aina and Levent as war reparations. He warned that if the demand was not met, the knights stationed at the border would march into the Grand Duchy of Resinia without delay.
The Grand Prince of Resinia accepted the offer at once.
Having suffered countless sleepless nights in fear that his nation would be reduced to ruins due to the foolish decision of his father-in-law, Marquess Karwin, this offer from Archduke Alberic seemed like a divine hand of salvation.
Although it was painful to part with Aina and Levent as reparations, he could not allow the nation to fall just to keep those lands.
Thus, the situation was settled, and Archduke Alberic took possession of Aina and Levent.
The archduke distributed the land fairly among the residents of Greenhorn who had lost their families and property due to the knights of Resinia, as well as to the families of fallen knights.
They praised their lord, who was ruthless yet merciful, and soon, word of this spread throughout the entire Ashilad Empire.
Late afternoon.
In the reception room of the Crown Prince’s Palace, located in the heart of the Ashilad Empire’s capital, Crown Prince Adrian was seated with his uncle, Duke Rodion, and his cousin, Marquess Cadogan.
They sipped fragrant tea while discussing the key affairs of the Ashilad Empire and its neighboring nations.
In the midst of their deep conversation, a faint knock sounded from beyond the tightly closed door of the reception room.
The chamberlain, Count Ross, who had been leaning against the door, opened it slightly to check outside. Standing there was his trusted attendant, John.
The chamberlain whispered in a barely audible voice.
“What is it? If it’s not urgent, get lost.”
“A spy from the north just delivered a letter.”
“What does it say?”
Count Ross, intrigued, asked, and John quickly covered his mouth with his hand to discreetly relay the contents of the letter.
As John spoke, the chamberlain’s face gradually darkened. Once he finished listening, Count Ross pushed John aside and firmly closed the door before approaching Adrian and the nobles.
“Your Highness, Crown Prince. Your Grace, Duke Rodion. Marquess Cadogan. My informant has just delivered news from the north.”
“The north? Has something happened to my brother?”
Adrian immediately set his teacup down, his expression filled with concern. Duke Rodion and Marquess Cadogan also tensed slightly.
Count Ross glanced between them before continuing.
“You are aware that not long ago, the Resinian knights led by Marquess Karwin invaded Greenhorn, a territory under the rule of Archduke Alberic?”
“Yes.”
“Last night, the Grand Prince of Resinia accepted Archduke Alberic’s demand for war reparations. As a result, Aina and Levent have now been incorporated into the Archduke’s domain.”
“What? That devil made such a proposal? And they accepted it?”
Marquess Cadogan’s eyes widened as he raised his voice in disbelief.
Adrian shot him a disapproving look.
“Marquess Cadogan, mind your words. Archduke Alberic is a grand duke of this empire and my elder brother.”
“…My apologies, Your Highness.”
At the reprimand, Marquess Cadogan withdrew with a submissive posture. Duke Rodion exchanged a subtle glance with him before forcing a composed tone.
“…That is quite surprising. I expected him to declare full-scale war against Resinia immediately.”
“Indeed, Uncle. The moment the news broke, nobles who had sent their daughters and sons to Resinia were in an uproar, fearing what would happen next.”
‘That madman might use this as an excuse to slaughter everyone in Resinia.’
Marquess Cadogan swallowed those words and instead responded to Duke Rodion’s comment.
Adrian nodded in agreement and let out a sigh of relief.
“It is fortunate that my brother made a wise decision. Revenge only begets more revenge, and blood calls for more blood. Such a tragedy must be prevented.”
“…You are absolutely right, Your Highness.”
“Still, I wonder why my brother made such a decision. Chamberlain, did your informant mention anything about that?”
Adrian inquired. Count Ross hesitated, his expression twisting strangely as if he were unsure whether to disclose the information. After a moment of reluctance, he finally answered.
“Well… I cannot confirm its accuracy, but… it is said that the Archduchess risked her life to stop His Grace.”
“Hah, what?”
“…Daniela did? Are you serious?”
Marquess Cadogan exclaimed in shock, while Adrian asked again, his face filled with disbelief.
The Daniela he knew was not someone who would take such a courageous action. Even Count Ross, who had served her for quite some time, found the information hard to believe.
Hesitantly, he added,
“To be honest, I also have doubts about its accuracy. She does not seem like the type to do such a thing…”
“Tsk! Count Ross! You should have verified this before bringing it up!”
“…I apologize, Your Grace, Duke Rodion.”
“Enough, Uncle. The chamberlain only answered my question. He is not at fault.”
Adrian intervened, preventing Duke Rodion from further scolding Count Ross. At his words, the duke immediately fell silent but shot the chamberlain a cold glare. Count Ross averted his gaze, bowing his head like a sinner.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the reception room, where laughter and conversation had flourished moments before.
After scanning the tense atmosphere, Marquess Cadogan forced a cheerful tone.
“Haha! Well, whatever the case, everything turned out well! Archduke Alberic made a wise decision, Resinia avoided destruction, and our empire’s nobles with ties to Resinia are safe!”
“Yes, Marquess Cadogan. It all worked out well.”
“Y-Yes… that’s true…”
Adrian smiled warmly and nodded, while Duke Rodion gave a somewhat awkward agreement.
The conversation continued, and the atmosphere in the reception room gradually regained its warmth.
Even so, Adrian occasionally wore a dazed expression.
‘Daniela stopped my brother? No, that’s impossible.’
Even he sometimes found himself frozen by Ashid’s cold gaze, unable to say a word.
And yet, that cowardly Daniela had mustered such courage?
No, that couldn’t be.
Adrian shook his head. But no matter how much he denied it, an inexplicable unease clung to him.
Some time later.
Duke Rodion and Marquess Cadogan bid Adrian farewell and left. As they exited the reception room, they exchanged a meaningful glance with Count Ross before stepping out into the palace corridor.
Shortly after, Count Ross followed them outside. The three men walked swiftly through the long hallway leading from the Crown Prince’s Palace to the rear entrance of the imperial palace, speaking in hushed voices.
Duke Rodion was the first to break the silence.
“That fool. We spent a fortune hiring a high-ranking dark sorcerer for him, and he still failed?”
“Exactly. If he was going to die anyway, he should have taken that devil Ashid down with him.”
“Still, it’s a small mercy, Uncle. It seems Ashid has yet to uncover that we were the ones who instigated Marquess Karwin to act.”
At those words, Duke Rodion snapped.
“Of course! If that truth ever comes to light, we’re finished! Do you think that monster would let us live?”
“Lower your voice, Your Grace. Someone might hear us.”
“Indeed, Uncle. This isn’t over yet. There are still plenty of chances to kill Ashid.”
“…That’s true. Especially since that foolish, greedy Enchanto’s daughter is right beside him.”
That stupid, greedy Daniela Enchanto was Ashid Alberic’s greatest weak point.
Believing that the rumors spread by Count Ross were false, Duke Rodion was certain.
If they targeted her, they would have another opportunity to get rid of Ashid.
A wicked smile spread across Duke Rodion’s face.
