What would Hans do…? That was all Maxim worried about. He feared Hans’s anger, but he also knew that Hans had no excuse.
Albert couldn’t endure that lie and ran away first, so how could he blame him? Moreover… the contents of Albert’s letter were true, so just that fact alone gave the Duke the right to put a bounty on Albert or send soldiers to kill him.
“Well… Perhaps it’s for the best. Even to protect Albert, Hans won’t be able to leave my side.”
That was why Hans had been delaying Albert and Levania’s marriage. If Albert and Levania were to marry and have their first child, Hans seemed to think he could threaten them into stopping Maxim’s affair.
Maxim loved Hans, but he knew that Hans didn’t love him. Knowing that he loved him made it even clearer that Hans didn’t want him. The only people Hans cared about were himself and Albert, nothing else.
“In any case, I can’t keep Hans by my side in any other way.”
Levania watched Maxim, who was struggling, with sharp eyes. Although it seemed that he had accepted Levania’s words for now, she didn’t know how he would change when he heard Hans’s words.
Levania decided to throw the dice.
“…Hans seems quite surprised and is staying in his room to sober up. Please rest assured, Father, knowing that I handled it carefully, sympathizing with how pitifully you view him.”
“Is he really surprised?”
“I believe he is resting comfortably now. Since Hans cherishes Albert so much, it would be better to meet him after resolving the abandonment issue. At that time, you can discuss whether to spare Albert’s life or not.”
Albert’s survival.
Although they hadn’t captured Albert at the Duke’s mansion yet, they could put up wanted posters of Albert’s face in various imperial cities. They had already torn up the Duke’s letter, but they could still do that. Bell had read the letter aloud, and there were several witnesses.
Maxim assessed how effectively he could use this new card. Perhaps it would be better to keep Hans by his side forever to protect Albert?
There was already evidence that Albert himself had confessed, so the Duke’s actions would be justified. Thinking so, Maxim suddenly felt regretful for tearing up Albert’s letter.
Levania noticed Maxim’s regretful gaze towards Albert’s torn letter pieces. She knew he had made up his mind.
“…I will inform Father that you have urgent business and will not return to the Duke’s mansion.”
Trying his luck cautiously once more, Maxim nodded.
“Yes. I’ll leave this matter to you… The abandonment issue should be resolved in a day or two.”
Seeing Maxim leave with a determined face, Levania instructed the footman to collect the pieces of Albert’s torn letter. Although she might not need them… someday, they might become evidence.
* * *
Albert felt a sense of freedom only after leaving the Duke’s mansion. Despite leaving with a miserable heart, he had always felt guilty inside the mansion. He harbored feelings for Levania, yet it was a dreadful feeling to see her being exploited in every aspect.
No matter how well packaged it was, it was right to steal all the rights that Levania should have enjoyed.
‘Will Father be alright?’
Levania advised Albert to leave the Empire. She said it would be safer to live where the Duke’s influence couldn’t reach. However, Albert didn’t want to go that far.
He had left, but his father was still with Levania. If his father, Hans, knew the real reason Albert left, he might even try to kill Levania. Just like Levania suspected, Hans was capable of doing that even if it seemed unlikely. Hans had been dreaming excessively for too long.
Having been carefully educated in the Duke’s mansion, Albert had the ability of a Swordmaster. Although there were only about fifty Swordmasters in the Empire, they were highly regarded. As a mercenary, he could make a decent living.
‘So…’
This is enough for me. He had spent his childhood peacefully, receiving the treatment of the Duke’s successor without being beaten by someone else. Although he occasionally had nightmares of being exposed and killed, his childhood was peaceful.
Of course, it wasn’t as peaceful before entering the Duke’s mansion…
Albert suddenly remembered the time when he and his father lived alone, and he became worried about Hans. Hans couldn’t raise the child alone, so he paid a village woman to take care of Albert.
Albert knew that Hans loved him. Even doing government work under the Duke, facing people’s disdain, was only for that purpose…
‘Please… Father, just give up everything and leave the Duke’s side.’
With a fervent wish, Albert looked at Wendel Manor.
* * *
While the adoption process in the nobility was strict and difficult, the process of disownment was easily done. It was to prevent many nobles from adopting orphans for human trafficking.
It also made it difficult for someone to enter the nobility through adoption. On the other hand, disownment was easy if a noble who chose adoption bought a few witnesses. Some ruthless nobles even hired lawyers to solve it easily.
Maxim belonged to those ruthless nobles. He didn’t adopt Albert out of any affection, but to gain favor with Hans.
As Maxim erased Albert’s name from the nobility registry, he unexpectedly discovered a fact. The record of Albert’s engagement to Levania had already been reversed.
This could only have been done with the consent of both families, in this case, the Wendel family alone. The only other possible place where it could have been done…
‘His Imperial Majesty!’
Now the sole remaining ducal family in Adalraxus, Maxim had always avoided meeting the Emperor, Kasion. The sight of Kasion emerging from the banquet hall, where only nobles were present, still haunted Maxim’s eyes.
The arrogant boy holding a sword dripping with blood. It vividly displayed the bloodline of the Anais Imperial family.
Staring at them with the gaze of someone who had just slain the captain of the guards with a single stroke and then ordered their deaths.
“Now, there is only one with the blood of Anais.”
Beyond the heavy golden doors of the banquet hall, there was no sound. It was clear that this boy, who had just seemed to transcend, had killed them all.
Even Swordmasters appeared like children in front of them, these transcendent beings. All transcendent beings in this world emerged only from the bloodline of Anais.
“So I ask. …Who is your master?”
The deputy commander of the guards was bewildered. He also harbored resentment towards Kasion, who was already predicted to become famous.
“It is Your Majesty.”
Gazing down at the deputy commander, who hurriedly knelt and bowed his head, the 14-year-old Kasion seemed satisfied. His lively gaze alone was enough to freeze Maxim.
Is it true that the Emperor has taken an interest in our family? Did he order the cancellation of Levania and Albert’s engagement?
The purpose was obvious, but Maxim didn’t want to believe it. It was too frightening to believe. Maxim didn’t want to become a part of the royal family. Even though he was the only duke in the Empire, being close to the Emperor was draining.
‘Perhaps it’s fortunate that Albert’s matter was handled this way…’
If he wanted something, the Emperor would start by seizing the weaknesses of that family. Albert’s existence was also a significant weakness for Maxim.
Feeling his spine stiffen, Maxim hurriedly returned to the ducal residence.
* * *
It took two days to finalize Albert’s disownment. This was calculated without counting the day Albert left the ducal residence. So, Hans was confined to his room for a good three days.
Naturally, during that time, Hans felt like he was drying up. He couldn’t understand why Albert, who had always been gentle and kind, suddenly changed so drastically.
Albert denied it, but he had feelings for Levania, the daughter of the duke. So, while feeling guilty, he obeyed his father’s words. It was the only way for Albert, with his status, to be connected to Levania.
‘I wonder if Levania noticed? But from where?’
Hans tried to persuade Albert, but outwardly, it seemed like he was flattering the heir to the ducal title. Surely, the relationship with Levania would be awkward.
The reason why the duchess couldn’t stay home for a moment was because of Hans and Maxim’s relationship.
‘Why isn’t there any contact from the duchy?’
The duke was anxious when he couldn’t see Hans. The only two reasons why Maxim would delay this long were either because he had been injured to the point of being unable to die, or the other reason was that Maxim had changed his mind and was now dealing with Albert.
Hans’ demands were probably too much. It was also a burden as a noble who valued dignity.
‘Could it be happening now?’
Maxim was naturally inclined to men, but he married the current duchess under his father’s demands. So, there was resentment towards the previous duke.
Hans had freed Maxim, who had been suppressed despite knowing his sexual identity. Their relationship had already become an open secret. Even if it was revealed, there was nothing to fear, but Maxim still feared the exposure of his relationship with Hans.
Hans had used this to blackmail Maxim and also to take advantage of his deep love for him. Even the Emperor openly kept dozens of lovers! It was an inexplicable fear of what he was afraid of.
‘Maxim’s heart can be turned! As long as he’s safe…’
Maxim appeared cool outwardly but was weak-willed. What worried him was if Maxim went astray. If Maxim were to die for real…
‘The duchess will try to kill me.’
Levania would turn a blind eye to such a duchess. And it was clear that she would testify that her father had allowed Albert’s disownment because of the issues raised in Albert’s letter and remove Albert’s name from the nobility registry.
‘I have to get out quickly!’
Preventing the removal of his name from the Wendell ducal registry was crucial. How much effort had he put into getting Albert’s name on that list! He had to persuade the weak-willed Maxim and urge him… He had tried everything.
Although Albert’s escape and escape were cruel, he was his son. Hans was determined not to leave his child to suffer this miserable commoner life.
‘First, persuade Maxim… and hire the best mercenaries! After safely bringing back Albert with the best mercenaries, then persuade that child. Albert is a good child…’
If he pleaded that he would die, it would be a lie that Hans had once been courageous. Since there was only Albert’s letter as evidence, that would suffice.
‘But Levania, that wench…’
Rumors had already spread that Albert and Levania had eloped. Even though meeting a commoner was not a flaw for a noblewoman nowadays, causing a major scandal was different.
If a scandal were to erupt and if he urged Maxim to hurry up and marry Albert and Levania, then… everything would succeed. His long efforts would finally bear fruit.
‘Yes! That’s it!’
To do that, he had to get out of this bedroom as soon as possible. Hans hurriedly ran to his door and knocked on it.
* * *
“Starting again, huh.”
With a tired sigh, they stood up straight. Hans’ bedroom was quite luxurious, but because it was a servant’s room, it was possible to lock the door from the outside. Since Hans’ strength wasn’t much, even if they knocked on the door all day, it wouldn’t budge.
“Do you think you’ll get away with treating me like this! The Duke will not forgive you!!”
Despite shouting loudly, the soldiers guarding the door remained unmoved. They didn’t know about Albert’s relationship with Hans. To them, Hans was just a favored servant of the Duke.
When the Duke was present, one had to lower their head, but the Duke, being afraid of killing people, only pretended to inflict punishment.
While Maxim was infatuated with Hans and neglected the affairs of the ducal household, Levania, not the duchess, took care of the household. Since Levania practically wielded power, they had to comply with her orders even if it meant taking some risks.
As Hans expected, Maxim missed him, but Maxim couldn’t afford to look for Hans right now. Originally, he planned to find Hans right after disowning Albert, appeal to him that he was the only one who could protect Albert, but… a different problem arose.
“…It seems like His Majesty has ordered the annulment of your engagement. What are we going to do about this?”
Engagements between nobles had to be approved by the Emperor. However, since there were too many nobles, the Emperor couldn’t personally approve each one. So, nobles pretended to ask the Emperor by listing engagements in the yearbook. If the Emperor intended to reject it, he would issue a decree or annul it. Otherwise, he would turn a blind eye.
Most emperors were indifferent to such matters. They left them alone as long as there were no political issues.
Maxim was indifferent to politics, but he understood the implications. Levania was also surprised that what she had feared happened so quickly.
In the original novel, such detailed descriptions were not provided.
“It seems His Majesty considers me as someone’s partner.”
“Do you have any straw to clutch at?”
Maxim asked, but there was no immediate solution. Suddenly becoming the Empress without warning was like being struck by lightning.
“No. It’s fortunate that we disowned Albert quickly. If His Majesty had investigated his background, it would have been a disaster.”
If the intention was not to make Levania the Empress, but to make the desired person the successor of Wendell Duchy, then that would be the plan. If there were plans to remove competitors, the first step would be an investigation.
Maxim paled at those words. It was an expression that he didn’t know that the advice he had given to Levania would backfire.
“Anyway…, if His Majesty has intentions, he will contact the family soon.”
The Emperor held almost all the power. As the only Transcendent left on the continent, his power was unquestionable… Those nobles and high-ranking nobles who opposed him were all doomed.
Maxim was angry at the fact that he had been endangered. Fortunately, his anger was not directed at Levania. Since Levania advised him to disown Albert.
“I should be careful for the time being. Since His Majesty is investigating our household.”
“…Right.”
Since Maxim acted as Levania wished, Levania did not feel the need to inform the Duchess of the situation. Since Albert’s identity was adequately conveyed in the letter he wrote.
The Duchess was angry but reluctant to get involved. Like Maxim, Jelenka also had a lover outside.
“I’ll inform my mother of the situation too. Hans… has been starving for days. Please go and check on him, Father.”
“….”
‘Has Hans?!’ Maxim, who was expected to express anger, surprisingly remained silent. Maxim turned his head away from Levania toward the corridor. It was in the direction of Hans’s room.
“Hans… I’ll take care of it myself. You also be careful.”
“Yes, Father.”
