"Will you still walk with me?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Raphael's blue eyes widened. The deep blue winter was coming to an end.
"Even if you don't ask, I will always be by your side."
Perhaps it was thanks to the strong support that everything went smoothly thereafter.
I immediately met with the Second Prince and Sophia to review the documents together and discuss what to do next.
There was consensus that this matter needed to be dealt with quickly.
The next day, as soon as the sun rose, the knights of the Second Prince stormed into the palace of the First Prince. Now that they had solid evidence, there was nothing to be afraid of.
They said that the Prince was fast asleep, still drunk on hallucinogenic herbs, even after the knights had invaded the palace.
The current King was an old tiger with no teeth. Everyone waited for a successor to be chosen.
Up until now, the most likely candidate to become the next King was the First Prince. Not only did he enjoy the King's favor, but the Second Prince was also known to be in love with the Young Lady of a Baron.
In other words, the story was that the First Prince had lived a dissolute life relying only on the old King's favor and had even committed such evil deeds.
In the meantime, the Second Prince has been building up a solid power base that will not collapse.
People who will support you firmly when this new wind blows.
The media is rushing forward to expose the shocking actions of the First Prince more than anyone else.
[1 Prince and Nobles' Slave Auction! The Shadow Behind the Gold is Revealed]
[Human trafficking on a massive scale! Behind it were the 1st Prince and the Duke!]
It was an event that shook the entire country. Farmers began to protest in various places.
Other nobles demanded harsher punishments for them to prove that they were not involved.
Fortunately, there were a few people who simply expressed their opinions and took active action based on a sense of justice.
Strict punishment was essential to quell the people's burning anger.
A guillotine was placed in the capital's square.
The four nobles who had been most active in buying slaves at auction were executed on the spot, just three days after the trial had begun.
Even those who narrowly escaped execution were stripped of their titles and punished.
The aged King lay in bed, directing and receiving reports on all matters.
It was said that as each day passed, his health deteriorated noticeably.
What must he have thought as he heard the news of his son's wrongdoing spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom?
What is certain is that in the end, the King chose to remain a good King rather than a good father.
"Send the First Prince... to the north. To a prison managed by the Grand Duke's family."
***
A week or so passed.
Raphael and I had been invited to a dinner party at the Second Prince's palace.
Of course, Sophia was there too. I heard that public opinion changed a lot when it became known that she also participated in uncovering the truth about the auction.
If she was a stupid Baroness before, she might now be a Baroness who can assist the Second Prince well.
"Enrica, nice to meet you. Are you having a hard time these days?"
"Um, it's okay. I heard that Sophia stayed up all night for three days."
The meal was held in a comfortable and leisurely atmosphere.
Because they had suffered so much, everyone had dark circles under their eyes.
The Second Prince seemed to be aware of this as well and kept his mouth shut while eating, only opening it after the food had decreased to some extent.
"Have you seen the newspaper?"
"I saw it. He seemed completely out of his mind even during the escort."
Raphael immediately realized what the Second Prince was talking about and answered.
The First Prince, no. It was the story of a man who had become nothing but a sinner. He said that he had shown many ugly appearances due to withdrawal symptoms from hallucinogenic plants while heading north.
"Now that that has been revealed, even the nobles who were originally part of the First Prince faction would have turned their backs. There is no sign of rebellion."
"Wouldn't it be better to completely cut off the ominous sprouts?"
Raphael asked. Whether it was the King's intention or not, he was now a criminal under the Archduke's care.
"The weather in the North is cold. I don't know right now, but after Your Highness ascends to the throne and a few years have passed."
"It is not strange that a criminal who has spent his whole life in a comfortable bed should close his eyes sick from the harshness of prison."
The Second Prince nodded and said, seeming pleased with RaphaeI's offer.
"That's an interesting story. I'll remember it."
Sophia, who had been listening to the two men's story, let out a relieved voice.
"It's really coming to an end now. Well, there are still important things left for Enrica to do."
"Yes, today is actually the day we created to convey this."
The Second Prince smiled faintly at Sophia's words and got up from the table.
"Should I take out my sword?"
"Haha, it's okay."
The Second Prince and I were still a little awkward with each other, but as we got through big things together, we were able to joke around like this.
The Second Prince handed me the document he had prepared in advance.
"Enrica Wintersor, Grand Duchess of Kronhardt. With the disappearance of the 17th Duke of House Wintersor, I hereby appoint you as the 18th Duke on behalf of the King."
It was probably the briefest inauguration ceremony in history, but it was enough for us today.
I looked at Raphael and smiled
***
After finishing our meal, we left the palace and boarded the carriage together. Our destination was not the Archduchess' residence but the Duke of Wintersoar's residence.
I asked, grumbling, as I listened to the rattling of the carriage wheels.
"If I become a Duke, I'll have a lot more work to do than I do now. It'll be so much fun."
"I can't say nо."
"Even if I get help at first, I'll eventually have to do it on my own. And to do that, I'll have to start studying."
I stuck out my tongue as I imagined the ash-colored future that would soon unfold before my eyes.
"Have you forgotten that I am here? I will do my best to help you."
"Still, it's tough. Raphael will be extremely busy for the time being."
A newlywed couple living side by side, buried in work. I opened my mouth after thinking deeply about how to overcome this situation.
"We really need to have a successor soon."
"Phew, yes?"
Raphael, who had been looking at me with affectionate eyes, coughed as if he had caught a cold.
"Then we can pass the work on to each other and quickly go out and play among ourselves. One person from the Grand Duke's family, one person from the Duke's family..."
"Hmm... But what if one of them doesn't fit the mold and doesn't want to work like us?"
"What the... I never said I hated my job."
"I think we should have three to be safe. No, another one might be born a little stupid or sickly. That would be a big deal, so let's have four, right? Raphael?"
I felt excited as I looked at Raphael's face, which was red as if it wouId burst at any moment.
I thought it was a chance to tease him and ask him more questions, but I felt sorry for him and stopped.
"Phew, I understand, so relax."
"No, were you kidding?"
"What do you think?"
Raphael lowered his face in confusion and thought for a while.
When I looked up again, he spoke with an expression that said he now knew the answer.
"I feel like I need to work hard starting tonight."
"What, what?"
"What do you think it might be?"
You're teasing me by quoting what I just said. Raphael seemed to have quickly adapted to the situation and was laughing.
A chill ran down the back of my neck as I wondered if I had dug my own grave.
Raphael chuckled at the sight of me frozen in place for a moment before asking me affectionately.
"Do you want to have a child, Enri?"
"Well, it's still a little early..."
"They will be as smart as you."
It was only then that Raphael's specific imagination began to feel real to me. It was possible that a chiId like him and me could be born.
Raphael, who was staring at my blushing face, sighed and said.
"It's tempting. How about turning the carriage around right now?"
"Are you crazy?"
My mouth was wide open. What on earth did I come here for?
"I'm joking. Come on, get off."
Raphael heard my angry voice and quickly escorted me down.
His hands were still so cold.
When I think about the reason, my nose still stings, but I deliberately said it lightly, wanting to laugh it off today.
"If you get your heart back, will Raphael's hands become warm, too?"
"I think so."
"Hmm, it was nice to be cool in the summer. It's a little disappointing."
"Would you like to go back now?"
Raphael kept countering my words with pointless jokes.
In fact, we might have both been nervous and just trying to change the conversation.
Today, we came to the Duke's mansion to retrieve Raphael's heart.
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