* * *

What course the emperor would choose was still unclear.

He might accuse the grand duke of conspiring against the empire under the guise of the land reclamation projects in Velon, wiping out his house entirely.

In such a scenario, Velon wouldn’t take the blow lying down.

The long-dormant northern wars could reignite, shattering centuries of peace.

The grand duke, though newly popular among his people, was an inexperienced ruler.

The emperor, on the other hand, was a seasoned tactician.

If the northern territories had been stagnant for centuries, the emperor might now see them as ripe for conquest.

In short, Hernan Velon Yudenet had become a liability, and Viscount Everdeen’s last chance to sever ties was now.

“…Tch.”

Duchess Velesa favored Jurgen Nil Everdeen for one simple reason: he was intelligent and pragmatic.

Even when his methods lacked the polish of nobility, she appreciated his decisiveness and ability to accomplish what others could not.

If she were younger, she might have entertained the thought of making him her new consort after the death of her husband.

But as it stood, she was content to watch his rise as his patron.

From her perspective, Hernan Velon Yudenet was nothing but a hindrance.

It was only logical to advise cutting ties quickly.

“Who knew he could pull off such an audacious act?”

With his deceptively refined appearance that naturally drew attention, the northern man had a way of making Jurgen seem far from his usual composed self.

Instead, he looked like an ordinary young man in his twenties.

It was well-known that Jurgen, burdened with the weight of being marked as a successor from a young age, had grown up with an unusually heavy sense of responsibility.

Even among his peers, both sons and daughters of noble houses, he was infamous for his overwhelming sense of duty.

How Viscount Everdeen would interpret being told to distance himself from Jurgen was anyone’s guess.

‘But as an adult, I can’t stay silent and refuse to act just because I don’t want to be the bad guy when danger approaches.’
The choice was his to make.

The Duchess of Velesa summoned her servant to fetch stationery and began writing an invitation with her elegant handwriting.

A simple plea to meet would likely result in excuses and avoidance, slippery as an eel.

So, she crafted her approach carefully.

[I have matters I wish to discuss regarding business in Velon.]

When the wax seal was pressed over her graceful signature, the message was sealed and ready.

The letter would reach Nirvan within a day, leaving the decision entirely up to Jurgen.

Not even half a day later, Jurgen sent a swift reply, accepting the invitation for the following day.

With his schedule packed from dealing with matters left in disarray during his absence from the south, this was the best he could manage.

The harsh winter winds of the northern region had already reached the southern territories, chilling the air.

---

When a letter arrived just as I was beginning to catch my breath from the chaos in Nirvan, I found myself unable to focus on anything else all night.

What could the Duchess of Velesa possibly want to say about the Velon branch?

If it were something simple, like making a reservation or requesting promotional assistance, she wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of sending a personal message to arrange a meeting.

‘It must be something serious.’

The Duchess wasn’t oblivious.

She undoubtedly knew I found her intimidating—how could she not?

As a central figure in the Elder Council, she was well aware of how many young nobles found her daunting.

In the Empire, she might wield more power than anyone except the Emperor himself.

While the Council didn’t belong to her alone, it was no secret that her influence swayed its decisions significantly.

When someone like her requested a meeting, it wasn’t to casually share tea and pleasantries.

Even during her last visit to Velon, when she’d brought a large entourage, she hadn’t come out of mere curiosity about my well-being.

That meeting had been to assess Hernan, the partner I was planning a new venture with.

This time, it wasn’t disguised as a social gathering but explicitly framed as a discussion.

There was no avoiding it.

‘What on earth could she want to talk about?’

I had heard the rumors about Hernan—that the Emperor had taken an interest in him as a potential son-in-law.

Could it be that she intended to give me a heads-up about a forthcoming marriage order?

The uncertainty left me disoriented as I arrived at the Duchess’s residence, my stomach churning.

‘Pull yourself together. You can’t afford to lose focus now.’

Hernan was far away in the north, and I had my own responsibilities to fulfill as Nirvan’s heir.

Avoiding mistakes was my duty, plain and simple.

“I’m here to see the Duchess.”

Stepping out of the carriage and into the mansion’s lobby, I was met by a familiar servant who promptly guided me to the Duchess’s office.

Though as grand and ancient as a castle, the atmosphere of the Velesa mansion was markedly different from the austere Iudenet estate.

Where Iudenet’s minimalistic decor exuded stark simplicity, Velesa’s opulent furnishings radiated wealth and artistry, every piece a treasure of craftsmanship.

“It’s been a while,” the Duchess greeted.

It had indeed been a long time since I’d last seen her one-on-one, and I couldn’t help but straighten my back instinctively.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Though, in truth, I had no idea what I was supposed to be grateful for.

Forcing a polite smile, I followed her gesture to sit opposite her.

“Take a seat. I doubt this will be a short conversation.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I cautiously took my place on the edge of the sofa.

“I summoned you to help you make the right decision.”

Whatever help she had in mind, it didn’t feel reassuring. Bracing myself, I asked directly, “Does this have to do with the Grand Duke of Iudenet?”

The Duchess paused to sip her tea, then signaled a servant to pour some for me as well. Only after the servant left did she respond.

“You’re as perceptive as ever.”

Though I appreciated the compliment, being evaluated by someone who had no real connection to me was hardly a pleasant experience—especially under these circumstances.

“You flatter me.”

“Do you think I say such things lightly?”

“I am grateful for your generous assessment.”

‘Could you get to the point already?’

I hid my growing unease by sipping the steaming tea.

As expected of her taste, the brew was rich and slightly bitter.

“There may soon be trouble brewing in the north. It would be wise to prepare yourself.”

One of the scenarios I’d dreaded. I needed more details.

“In what sense, exactly…?”

Feigning ignorance, I let my voice trail off.

The Duchess set her half-empty teacup down and explained.

“The Grand Duke has displeased His Majesty. While no immediate action will be taken, time is not on his side. If you wish to avoid deeper entanglement, it would be prudent to distance yourself now, even at some cost.”

Her words struck like a blow to my chest.

Struggling to keep my voice steady, I asked, “Did the Grand Duke refuse a marriage proposal?”

“You sound as if you already knew.”

It seemed the Emperor was more decisive than I’d anticipated.

I had assumed he’d wait until spring, after the Princess’s coming-of-age celebrations, but apparently, he had wasted no time.

“Anyone with ties to the palace would have heard of His Majesty’s growing favor toward the Grand Duke.”

“I would have expected you to advise him to act appropriately.”

By “appropriate,” she clearly meant understanding that the proposal wasn’t a request but an imperial command.

But Hernan wasn’t naive—he had likely understood that well.

Even so, he had no intention of accepting.

“Whatever His Majesty discussed with the Grand Duke, I trust it was based on the Grand Duke’s judgment.”

* * *