〈I cannot do that.〉
A dignified voice with a firm tone.
For the first time, the voice that had never once said ‘no’ or ‘impossible’ raised an objection. Franz took a sip of rum.
〈Do you think you have the right to refuse?〉
〈Whether I have rights or not doesn’t matter. I simply cannot go that far.〉
Even as she knew it was a threatening subtlety masked in a polite demeanor, the dignified woman did not flinch. She was Celeste.
Franz recalled the last moment he had seen Celeste, two years ago, before she suddenly disappeared.
It was just before their relationship began to deteriorate seriously.
〈You seem to forget occasionally that your life is in my hands, Celeste.〉
Franz’s large hand brushed through her violet hair. Despite the caressing touch from her head down to her shoulders, Celeste maintained her stiff posture.
“……Poisonous you are.”
He downed the remaining drink in one go and tilted his head back. A large shadow fell over his face as he leaned against the backrest.
Though it wasn’t an occasion for sentimentality, being alone in a quiet space with a drink caused memories of the past to rattle in his mind.
The beautiful Celeste. Yet her actions never appeared beautiful in his eyes…
Franz snorted. He had never seen Celeste flustered or swayed by his words.
So, while watching her respond confidently to whatever he said, even in making unreasonable demands, he sometimes felt an urge to break her.
〈Even if you grip my lifeline and shake it, my answer will remain the same. Your Highness.〉
The Countess Louisette’s family produced over 80 percent of the total magic stones circulated within the empire.
With such an enormous amount, many times more than what the state managed, the emotions of the imperial citizens and control over finances began to shift, prompting the royal family to intervene directly with the Countess’s magic stones.
A law was enacted stating that all magic stones distributed within the empire, regardless of where they were mined, had to bear the royal seal.
While all financial compensation for processing and selling magic stones entirely accrued to the Countess’s family, the royal influence inevitably infiltrated the process.
It effectively stripped away most of the power that the Louisette family had wielded.
From that point, cracks began to form slowly between Franz and Celeste.
Looking back now, yes, that was the moment. Franz demanded that Celeste secretly divert the magical stones to avoid the eyes of the imperial family, but Celeste, the principled one, stood her ground against it.
Of course, she pretended to comply with his demands up to a point, but the amount never satisfied his desires.
If he wanted 10, Celeste begrudgingly offered 1, and even that was only on rare occasions.
From his position as master, Franz found her disobedience absolutely infuriating.
Did she even know who was keeping her alive this long? Celeste occasionally dared to be insolent.
“I didn’t think you would betray me like this.”
Since their relationship was not originally based on loyalty or devotion, calling it betrayal felt absurd. Franz was well aware of this.
Nonetheless, he felt extreme anger towards Celeste, who had married that scoundrel Albrecht.
This wasn’t merely the kind of betrayal where a servant finds another master; it was deeper than that.
Franz continued to seethe with anger, unable to define the reasons or types of his rage.
But there was no need for worry. No matter how hard she struggled, Celeste could never fully escape from him.
Her lifeline was in his hands. If he chose to, she was as good as dead.
That was the shackle her own father had placed upon her—a shackle guaranteed by her very life.
“Your Grace, the Duke. People have arrived.”
Stilikov announced the arrival of the guests. Franz slowly rose from his position of repose.
“…I suppose it’s time to put aside unnecessary sentiments.”
Everything operates according to the principle of power.
Human emotions follow the balance of that power. If that’s the case, then he only had to shift the weight towards himself.
If power was anchored in him, that insolent Celeste would naturally return to being his once more. A smirk crossed his lips.
“We greet Your Grace, the Duke!”
“Please, have a seat. Everyone.”
A few nobles from the royal family entered Stilikov’s vacated spot. They were those who had chosen to ally with Duke Toskur instead of Duke Albrecht, motivated by their own interests.
It seems that now he wants to let go of it again. Franz’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“May I ask why you called us…?”
Count Edward was the first to speak. Trying to appear dignified, he sat upright, but sweat was gathering on his faded white hair, making him look disheveled.
If you want to act cocky, you must first build some courage, Franz chuckled to himself.
“I believe it’s time to move seriously. I called you here.”
“Time to move seriously, you say?”
“For a full-scale operation to retake the throne.”
“To retake the throne…?”
The assembly became agitated.
The revival of the prince-elector system, determined by the wishes of the late emperor’s mother, Monica, is at stake.
If the prince-elector system is revived, the four duke houses will vote for the next emperor, and they have been preparing for this for a long time.
However, “retaking” the throne aims in a different direction: it implies seizing it by force. In short, it’s treason.
“Wouldn’t it be safer to ascertain whether the prince-elector system will be reinstated?”
“Indeed, Your Grace, the Grand Duke. I have already secured connections with two duke families.”
Franz scanned the two elderly nobles who immediately opposed his point with disdain.
“The situation has changed. We don’t have time to wait for the prince-elector system to be revived.”
From the informant planted within the royal investigation unit, Franz learned that the death of the Duke of Schwaben and the assassination attempt on Count Louisette were connected.
Naturally, the suspicions cast on Count Louisette would shift elsewhere. He couldn’t just sit idle and wait for that investigation to continue.
“Rushing into action might result in a backlash. Especially now, when public sentiment has shifted that way, it would be wiser to be cautious and defensive…”
Before coming here, he expected Grand Duke Franz to have a sharp strategy, but Count Edward showed a passive reaction to Franz’s predictions of an offensive.
What he wanted was a plan that would turn the situation around without putting himself at risk.
Franz found it amusing that Edward was keen to avoid danger at the slightest prospect of risk.
“How can you create a future throne with such a lack of courage?”
“But Your Highness—”
“Defense is important, but don’t you know that the best defense is an offense? This is frustrating.”
If they’re not someone to fight alongside, there’s no choice but to discard them. As Franz gestured, Stilikov drew his weapon.
“Why, why are you doing this, Your Highness?”
Count Edward’s forehead was drenched in sweat as he noticed the gun pointed at him. His once pale face lost all color, and his fingertips began to tremble violently.
“I have no need for a servant who defies me. If you plan not to obey my wishes…”
With a click, the gun was loaded and aimed at him, causing Edward to panic.
“I intend to settle matters here. I’m too busy to take anyone who doesn’t share my ideals.”
Franz smiled slightly. However, his smile cast a deeper shadow of death than usual. Edward shivered uncontrollably, bowing his head.
“I will follow whatever decision His Highness makes without question. Please give your orders.”
“Now we’re finally speaking the same language. Since you’ve asked for orders….”
It was time to reveal the real reason for calling everyone together. Franz gave Count Edward a directive.
He commanded Edward to find out through Lady Pulcheria where Duke Albrecht and his child were staying.
“I just said I came back from two years ago, right? There’s no way I could be mistaken.”
“How do we explain Valerie…? Celeste, first, sit down calmly.”
“I am calm right now. I think I need to find the person who brought Valerie to me in Uren’tum quickly. That person is likely to know all the secrets. For now, there’s really no way to clarify the facts other than finding that person.”
The one who brought Valerie… Karl slowly nodded his head.
