episode_0087

For a while, the Beaurun noble kidnapping incident had heated up the capital city of Lutethes. The scandal that swept through high society disappeared without a trace as the impending national ceremony overshadowed it.

However, the dwindling embers were not solely due to the upcoming ceremony.

Indeed, when it came to incidents involving other noble families, they would pounce on them, tearing them apart without hesitation.

Moreover, this incident was not just another scandal involving deceit or infidelity. For the aristocratic nobles, it was a significant event—a kidnapping that could leave a lasting mark on their future lives.

Especially since the tragic protagonist was the youngest daughter of the Beaurun Count, who held power in the west.

Despite the passage of time, the tantalizing bone still clung to their flesh, dripping with allure. There was still plenty of meat on the bone for them to gnaw on before it could fade away completely.

The rapid disappearance of the story was due to the peculiar relationships among the nobles, their unique perspectives.

Currently, the nobility of Lutethes was divided into two major factions concerning the imperial succession.

One faction supported Princess Dominique.

The other faction sided against Prince Felix and, further, Empress Anne Rose and her original family, the Earl Edmund.

Of course, it wasn’t possible to neatly divide the nobles of the capital into just these two groups. There were many who did not fall within those boundaries.

Even if they didn’t align with either side, they were not entirely disconnected from them. At least one foot was dipped in one direction.

It was the nature of the nobility.

The factions supporting the prince and empress were hoping for this matter to pass quietly.

To prevent any tarnishing of the prince’s reputation by the fallout from Edmund’s actions. To avoid needlessly provoking the nobles of the west, including the Beaurun Count.

While the tide seemed to have turned, in their minds, the imperial competition was far from over.

Hence, even in their private gatherings, they naturally avoided discussing the Beaurun noble’s story.

However, the situation was somewhat different for Princess Dominique’s faction.

They were often referred to as the old nobility.

They were more interested in Dominique’s wheat-colored hair and golden eyes than her abilities. It was about holding the hand of the princess, symbolizing the Gallatea Royal Family, in her fresh yellow color, rather than the red-haired prince but now the princess.

The nobles supporting Dominique were of that sort.

Naturally, they harbored considerable resentment towards the Beaurun Viscount, who strutted around as if the rich lands of the west were his own.

For such individuals, a delicious bone to chew on had unexpectedly fallen into their laps. Since the incident unfolded, they had been savoring the juicy bone amongst themselves.

However, after Her Highness the princess personally visited the Beaurun estate, the atmosphere changed.

Ever since hearing about the questionable relationship between the Beaurun noble and the princess.

The once-enjoyable bone suddenly felt off-limits, as the owner’s gaze was unmistakably present.

This was the full story of the incident.

The reason why the uproar caused by the Beaurun noble kidnapping incident in the capital suddenly vanished without a trace.

Of course, this was merely a tale for the nobles. It did not concern the common folk.

In the city, especially in the streets where the commoners gathered, whispers of the story continued to circulate.

However, it was slightly different from the nobles’ version. The central figures of this tale were neither the victim, Elenore, nor the perpetrator, Louis Edmund.

“Did Sir Julian really rescue that platinum-haired woman?”

“Truly… They say appearances reflect one’s character.”

“As expected, he was different from the other corrupt nobles.”

The praise for Yulrian that started from the lips of women spread to the lips of commoners everywhere.

Yulrian, with his exceptional appearance and unfortunate background as a bastard, was quite popular among the commoners from the start.

In the swirling vortex of this grand conspiracy, the ones who benefited were Princess Dominique, who gained control of the West, and Yulrian Vallati, who further garnered support from the commoners. They were the only ones.

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Under the scorching sun, where even a slight movement caused sweat to form on his forehead in the early summer weather, Yulrian visited Viscount Vallati after a long time.

“His Highness is looking for Viscount Yulrian Vallati.”

The Emperor’s proclamation delivered directly by the courtier who came to the Ministry of the Interior. Upon hearing those words, Yulrian hastily headed towards Viscount Vallati’s mansion, leaving behind Christian, who always accompanied him wherever he went.

Unlike last time, the mansion’s gatekeepers did not stand in their way as they tried to enter.

With a creaking sound, the mansion’s front door opened. Contrary to the bright sunlight outside, an inexplicably dark atmosphere greeted Yulrian at Viscount’s mansion.

Beyond doubt, the scorching sun that tormented Yulrian through the window was still present. However, the inside of the mansion was exceptionally dark. Sticky shadows clung to various places in the mansion.

Walking calmly behind the guiding servant through the corridors, Yulrian thought to himself.

He needed to quickly rescue his mother from this dreadful place.

Navigating through the maze-like corridors, Yulrian came face to face with a sharp-faced man in front of a large door.

At the end of the bright but dark corridor where no warm sun entered due to the shadow of tall trees stood a closed, massive wooden door.

In front of the firmly shut large wooden door, the steward of Vallati Mansion and the faithful servant of the Emperor, a man with black hair, bowed respectfully to Yulrian.

Yulrian gazed intently at his face. Although he was the steward of Viscount Vallati, this was the first time Yulrian had properly faced him.

Neither he nor his mother had ever appointed him as the steward.

An emotionless and dry face that revealed nothing. Though reminiscent of Ernst, the warmth in his heart was far lacking compared to him.

“His Highness is waiting for you.”

From the steward’s restrained voice, Yulrian could easily discern his inner thoughts: ‘How can this insignificant bastard make His Majesty wait like this?’

Unaware that his feelings were exposed, the steward turned his back, lightly tapped the massive wooden door, and spoke softly.

“Your Highness, Yulrian Vallati wishes to see you.”

A moment of silence.

Then, a familiar yet unfamiliar male voice rang out.

“Let him in.”

Upon these words, the steward cautiously opened the door and ushered Yulrian inside.

Stepping carefully into the damp and dark office of the Emperor, which felt like a dungeon, Yulrian entered.

The scenery inside the room had not changed from his last memory. The man in front of him always disliked change.

Even though Yulrian had entered the room, the man remained indifferent. Sitting crookedly on a chair, he continued to sift through the documents in his hand.

Approaching the man’s desk, Yulrian knelt down and paid his respects.

“I heard you were looking for me, Your Highness.”

Only then did the man briefly turn his eyes to look at Yulrian’s silver hair.

“I hear you’ve been quite splendid lately, enjoying yourself.”

A heavy, oppressive voice weighing down on himself. Yulrian responded in a subdued voice to the man’s imposing demeanor.

“In the position Your Majesty graciously bestowed upon me, I have simply strived not to disgrace it.”

“Oh, really?”

The man set down the documents he held in his hand onto the desk. Showing considerable interest in Yulrian’s words, he adjusted his posture from a slouch and gazed at Yulrian.

“To be honest, in my heart, I wanted to bestow punishment upon that red-haired brat who thoroughly embarrassed the villagers in the west, but…”

Despite the man’s words, his fists trembled involuntarily. Yulrian quickly tightened his grip on his fist, fearing that the man might notice his trembling.

Was this something that would come out of the Emperor’s mouth, the ruler of the empire?

Was this something that the Emperor, known as the laughingstock of all Galatea’s nobles, would utter?

Sorting through the thoughts flooding his mind, Yulrian made a constant effort to maintain composure in front of the man.

“However, it seems this time the jest went too far.”

The man rose from his seat. He then strode over to the luxurious golden chair placed in front of the official desk and sat down.

“It was a wise decision to handle Sir Edmund’s man right there before any further trouble arose.”

The man’s golden eyes gleamed instantly. Even though Yulrian couldn’t see his face as he bowed deeply, he somehow felt it.

“Raise your head.”

As if under a spell, Yulrian obediently lifted his head to meet the gaze of the Emperor, his own father.

“Since you’ve neatly concluded the matter to my liking, a reward must be given. Do you have any desires?”

The Emperor gazed at Yulrian with a persistent smile. His voice differed from the weighty tone earlier; it was sweet, almost like a devil’s whisper.

But Yulrian wasn’t one to easily fall for such things.

Yulrian quickly shook his head.

The Emperor was as cunning as himself, if not more so. No, calling him clever didn’t seem fitting. Rather than clever, he appeared more sinister.

The Emperor always assessed the ulterior motives hidden within people’s requests. He often listened to their words as he pleased, not as they desired.

Truly, he was like a devil in a Greek tragedy, luring people with sweet words.

Therefore, Yulrian made sure not to fall for the Emperor’s tricks. He found solace in the fact that his demeanor could conceal his true feelings towards the Emperor.

“I desire the youngest daughter of House Bayern.”

Yulrian blurted out that thought that had crossed his mind without hesitation.