episode_0026

Yurian and Christian shared the events that had taken place in the east with their mother, adding a touch of seasoning to their tale.

Christian, as usual, used his charming wit to make his wife smile.

Normally cynical Yurian, for the moment, became a son who proudly boasted to his mother, chattering away in front of her.

Louise Ballaty, the Countess, gazed at the lovely son and the long-time friend she had raised almost like her own child, a smile gracing her lips after so long.

However, the pleasant time of camaraderie did not last long.

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Without waiting for permission, the servant swung the bedroom door wide open.

“Viscount Yurian, Her Highness requests your presence in the study,” he curtly conveyed before slamming the door shut once more without a word.

Yurian bit his lower lip at the man’s indifferent tone.

Seeing his mother’s lack of reaction to the servant’s disrespectful attitude, he clenched his fist in frustration.

Veins popped on his wrist, slightly visible above the sleeve of his white jacket.

His red eyes, so much like hers, blazed with anger.

As Louise’s frail hand, almost skeletal, gently enveloped his trembling fist, she simply shook her head, her own red eyes meeting his fiery gaze without a word.

Under his mother’s gaze, Yurian released the tension in his grip.

In an instant, he reverted to his usual self.

Not the son who loved his mother sincerely.

Not the child angered by the insolence of the servants.

He returned cold and aloof, speaking quietly.

“Mother, I will go then.”

With a wistful expression, Louise raised her awkward hand over her son’s white cheek.

Her touch was warm and comforting. No matter how Louise’s hand felt, Yurian perceived it that way.

But he couldn’t linger in that warmth forever.

Now, he had to face that man, his father.

There was no room for unnecessary sentimentality in front of him. No, it wouldn’t do.

Yurian clenched his teeth, swallowing down the prickling sensation in his chest trying to rise again.

“I will stay in the capital for a while and visit you often in the future.”

Louise’s delicate hand cautiously explored Yurian’s cheek.

Yurian gently leaned into his mother’s hand, closing his eyes.

Behind him, Christian merely bowed deeply at the sight of his mother.

After leaving his mother’s chambers, Yurian didn’t utter a single word.

Christian, unusually quiet, followed silently behind him.

The mother they met after so long remained the same caring figure.

But time had not been kind to her during their absence.

Time was running out.

Thinking of his ailing mother trapped in the grand cage, Yurian steeled himself once more.

He would bring down the Emperor, his father, from that tainted throne with his own hands.

His red eyes harbored a deep, refined, icy rage.

#.

Ballaty Estate, 3rd floor.

In the study with a large desk, leading further inward, lay the mansion’s deepest and darkest room.

In that damp room where not even the warm sunlight of a bright spring day reached, Emperor Eduard Galatea, with an indifferent expression, scrutinized the documents in his hand.

And before the Emperor, Yurian knelt on one knee, offering a polite bow.

With her neatly combed silver hair, Yulrian waited patiently for the Emperor and her father’s next words.

“Rumor has it you performed quite well in the East,” he finally spoke.

The long silence ended as the Emperor’s heavy lips moved.

He tossed the stack of documents he had been looking at towards the official standing beside him. Then, he clenched his fist and struck the large desk twice.

Thud.

Thud.

The large ring he wore hit the desk, creating a dull sound that slowly filled the vast space between the wealthy men.

Yulrian cautiously raised her bowed head.

“I merely endeavored to repay the support you have shown me,” she said.

The Emperor scoffed at her words.

“Hah, no need for expectations. I received a commendation separately. I hear you gained quite the trust from that cunning Karnat.”

“I have received much help in various ways.”

“Well, that lowly commoner may not have other skills, but at least she is adept at strategy.”

Amidst the heavy laughter spreading across the grand office desk, the Emperor grabbed the golden topaz ring placed on the desk and tapped the wooden floor with it.

Thud. Thud.

The sound reverberated throughout the vast office.

Lost in thought, the Emperor continued tapping the wooden floor.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The rhythmic, dull sound at regular intervals added tension to the silver-haired man kneeling with one knee, gazing at his father.

Thud-

Soon, the agonizing sound ceased.

The golden eyes of the Emperor, who was sitting and staring at Yulrian, flashed momentarily.

“It seems there is a vacant seat in the Ministry of Interior. Noel has held that position for quite some time. You will take over from next week.”

“I shall accept the appointment.”

Yulrian once again bowed her head in deference to the Emperor.

The Emperor, seemingly annoyed by his son’s polite gesture, waved his hand dismissively.

Together with Christian, who was waiting outside the study, Yulrian navigated the maze-like corridors and left the mansion.

Although it was the Duke of Ballaty’s residence, both hers and her mother’s, all she could think about was escaping.

She wished she could leave with her imprisoned mother, but…

A soft sigh escaped under her silver hair.

“So, what did you say?”

It was only after they boarded the modest carriage they had been waiting for that Christian spoke up. He seemed to have endured it for quite a while, given his nature.

Yulrian turned her head slightly towards her longtime friend and gave him a small smile.

“You might find it dreadful, but they want me to join the Ministry of Interior.”

“What? Ministry of Interior? So, it’s an official position, isn’t it? Ugh. A mundane office job.”

As Christian grumbled, his expression contorted.

However, Ernst, who had been waiting inside the carriage, didn’t seem too bothered by it.

“If it’s the Ministry of Interior… Is it the position vacated by Noel Saintomer, the Viscount?”

There was no immediate response.

Her silver hair swayed up and down.

“To be the Security Officer of the Ministry of Interior… It’s not a bad position. It suits someone who wants to move around the capital freely.”

Eventually, the coachman climbed onto the driver’s seat, and the stationary carriage began to move slowly.

The three individuals who had caught the shabby carriage on the roadside were now inside.

The sound of the rolling wheels was loud enough that they didn’t need to worry about their voices carrying outside the carriage.

“More importantly…”

The crimson eyes quickly flickered towards the thin man.

Yurian took out the fountain pen from his chest pocket and held it up. A red light emanated from the transparent crystal at the tip of the pen, enveloping the three individuals.

Only after casting a soundproofing spell did Yurian lean back on the cushion and looked at Ernst in a comfortable position.

“So, Ernst. How much of the assignment I gave you have you completed? Regarding the secrets of the Valatie Mansion and our future direction.”

Yurian suppressed a bitter laugh.

“Especially about my father.”

As always, Ernst responded with an emotionless voice.

“The Emperor is a more meticulous person than one would think.”

His sharp chin moved slightly upwards. With arms crossed, Yurian gestured for him to continue.

“At that age, he never dreamed of indulging an old man infatuated with colors and turning the government’s house into the headquarters of the direct intelligence agency.”

“Hmm. And?”

“Even in the succession structure, he subtly shifted his gaze away as if deliberately ignoring, skillfully maintaining political balance. Truly a formidable man.”

Yurian’s lips curled slightly upwards. Tilting his head, he looked at the man who would become his bookkeeper.

“A man whose primary desire is power above carnal desires or any other ambition, Ernst. The Emperor didn’t turn away from my sister and brother-in-law. Those on the chessboard and those watching from the sidelines just don’t know who’s controlling the pieces from above.”

Ernst quietly nodded in response to Yurian’s words, his thin head bobbing.

“So.”

Yurian gazed at Ernst intently. His red eyes bore a striking resemblance to the golden eyes that had scrutinized Yurian moments ago at the mansion.

“So, what was the answer to the last question I posed?”

However, Ernst differed from his master, Yurian. Despite the penetrating gaze fixed on him, the stoic man simply conveyed his thoughts devoid of emotions.

“To oust the Emperor. To see Your Highness on the throne, the power of the West will be necessary. It’s the only place in the Empire untouched by the Emperor’s grasp.”

#5. The Law of First Impressions – End