Ch.189189. The Position of the Prince Consort

Upon arriving at the capital, Gilbert immediately headed to the imperial palace to meet Seraphina.

The path to meet her had become incomparably more complex than before.

Not only were there procedures to follow, but seeing the heightened security compared to before made him truly realize that she had become the heir.

It was natural for the imperial family to be cautious, as the position of imperial heir presumptive had been vacant for a long time.

If anything were to happen to the heir presumptive, not only would the imperial authority be diminished, but the chaos that would ensue from the vacant position becoming empty again was unimaginable.

The likelihood of intensified conflict among other succession candidates trying to seize the opportunity they had once lost was extremely high. Considering this, it was only natural that Seraphina’s safety had become the top priority.

Gilbert couldn’t help but feel annoyed as he went through several security checkpoints after surrendering his weapons. He had expected this would happen when she became the heir, but experiencing it firsthand was quite troublesome.

This process would be simplified once she was officially invested as heir, but for now, he had to endure all these complicated procedures.

Come to think of it, the heir investiture ceremony must be soon.

Gilbert recalled a conversation he had heard recently.

Although the official heir investiture ceremony hadn’t been held yet, rumors suggested that a grand ceremony would take place soon.

Since this was announcing the heir to the great empire that influenced the entire continent, they were putting more effort into it than ever before.

Considering the time needed to organize delegations to send to each country and to prepare the ceremony stage, it couldn’t be done in a short period.

Moreover, traditionally, the messengers announcing the heir investiture ceremony had to travel by land rather than using warp gates. Calculating the time for their arrival would take at least three to four months.

Taking into account the time for each country to organize their delegations to visit the empire, it could easily take half a year.

*Knock knock*

“Your Highness. Lord Gilbert has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

As the office door opened and he entered, Gilbert saw Seraphina as always, working on documents. With her position as heir apparent secured, her workload had also increased.

However, having been involved in imperial affairs to some extent already, she appeared quite composed, showing no signs of struggling with her duties.

“I have been waiting for you.”

“I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

“There is no need for excessive formality between us. Please, take a seat first.”

Having finished organizing her documents, Seraphina approached the reception table set up in the office.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

Gilbert asked first, watching Seraphina elegantly sip from the teacup prepared by the maid. He had reflexively checked the distortion value of the sub-scenario beforehand.

Fortunately, the value hadn’t risen yet, but it was still at a level where he couldn’t let his guard down. The distortion value, which had exceeded 90%, was like a time bomb that could explode at any moment.

“Ah, yes, I was.”

“Is there something you need?”

“I’m hurt, my disciple. Must there always be a matter of business for us to see each other?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Gilbert could sense intense longing and possessiveness in Seraphina’s words.

Whether it stemmed from affection or some other developing emotion wasn’t particularly important.

“I simply wanted to see your face. After all, you played a significant role in my becoming the heir.”

“Not at all. Everything is due to Your Highness’s excellence.”

Gilbert chose words that wouldn’t offend Seraphina. His certainty that she had a reason for summoning him wasn’t based on intuition or feeling, but absolute conviction.

With the heir investiture ceremony approaching, she was in a busy period where finding personal time would be difficult. For the investiture ceremony of the heir to the great empire of Infractus, this would be even more true. There must definitely be a reason she had called for him.

“I’m very pleased to hear you say that. Especially from you, who is beginning to be revered as the empire’s hero.”

Seraphina’s eyes curved into crescents. As if to prove her joy was genuine, a warm energy like a spring breeze flowed around her.

“Though I say this, it’s true that I have business with you. I wanted to call for you sooner, but I needed time to organize things.”

“Please tell me.”

“As you know, the empire’s heir investiture has been delayed longer than ever before. This is likely because His Majesty the Emperor has been so cautious. However, with the heir investiture ceremony approaching, there is a matter that can no longer be postponed.”

Was it his imagination that Seraphina’s gaze seemed bewitching as she set down her teacup?

Gilbert secretly gulped. Somehow, looking into her eyes made him feel like prey before a predator.

“Does this matter concern me?”

“As expected of my disciple. You understand my intentions better than anyone. Yes, this matter concerns you as well.”

“What is it?”

Instead of answering, Seraphina smiled. It was a smile that matched her bewitching gaze perfectly.

“What do you think is the most important duty of the empire’s heir?”

“Duty, you say?”

There were countless duties that the empire’s heir had to fulfill. Being the heir to the empire was equivalent to being the next emperor, so they had to revitalize the empire and look after the welfare of the people.

Besides these, the imperial heir was burdened with various responsibilities and duties, but why was she suddenly asking him this?

Could it be?

Gilbert suddenly had a thought. One of the important duties of the imperial heir came to mind.

“You seem to have figured it out.”

Seraphina’s smile deepened. The distortion value was also confirmed to be increasing.

Gilbert sensed intense possessiveness in that smile. It was almost like the embodiment of an emotion close to obsession.

“Gilbert. Become my consort.”

The imperial heir.

The duty of the crown princess.

Continuing the imperial bloodline was the most important responsibility and duty.

And as her partner to bear an heir, Seraphina had chosen Gilbert.

***

One hour before Gilbert’s visit to Seraphina, she was reviewing proposals that had been submitted to her.

While her duties had been simplified when she entered the academy, now that the academy was essentially non-functional, she was handling all the tasks she would normally be responsible for.

Moreover, as the temporary heir who had only yet to undergo the official investiture ceremony—essentially the confirmed future crown princess—she was assigned even more work. This heavy workload would continue unless she returned to the academy to complete the Blue Blood Verification.

But such things posed no obstacle to Seraphina. For someone born to be an empress, these were simply part of her expected daily routine.

After working for a while, Seraphina hesitated for the first time over one particular proposal. This was not something even she could take lightly.

Consort candidates… Seraphina’s eyes narrowed.

It was something she had been deliberately ignoring until now, but it seemed she could no longer do so.

She had anticipated this. The heir had the duty and obligation to continue the lineage by bearing the next heir, and Seraphina, as the future crown princess, could not escape this responsibility.

She examined the list of impressive consort candidates but found none to her liking. Objectively, they were all individuals without any flaws who would help strengthen imperial authority, but in her eyes, they fell far short of her standards.

This is all because of my disciple.

Seraphina tossed the list of consort candidates to one side of her desk and leaned back, closing her eyes.

She felt fatigue from her heavy workload washing over her.

Seraphina’s high standards were partly due to the strict criteria she had always set, but the bigger reason was that she had come to know Gilbert.

The abilities Gilbert had demonstrated over the past half year were enough to captivate her.

If she tried to measure him by any standard, it would seem laughable, as he consistently showed results that far exceeded any range she could conceive.

In reality, the Gilbert who had once been labeled a scoundrel no longer existed. He had now risen to the position of being called a hero not just of Demeia Academy but of all Infractus.

That was why.

The first time she felt she couldn’t bear not possessing something was because she had seen him—Gilbert.

She didn’t want to lose this man who had begun to shine as brilliantly as the stars in the night sky to anyone else; she wanted to hold him in her arms alone.

Seraphina knew this was an obsessive possessiveness born from a twisted desire for talent, but she couldn’t control the emotion.

I will definitely have him. I won’t let anyone take him from me.

Seraphina’s eyes gleamed bewitchingly as she felt her breath quicken and her heart race at the mere thought.

“Your Highness. Lord Gilbert has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

Seraphina composed her expression and moved the documents she had set aside back in front of her. Her heart was still pleasantly pounding, but she feigned calmness.

Soon the door opened, and Gilbert, with his golden hair and tanned skin, entered the office.

She deliberately hid her overwhelming emotions and gave him a harmless smile.

“I have been waiting for you.”

And that wait is now over.

Seraphina welcomed Gilbert while concealing her true feelings.