The Grand Duke Dukezan's leadership looked impressive even at first glance. It didn't seem so fragile that it would collapse without a successor right away. However, succession was inherently a matter of long-term perspective. Succession wasn't about the present, but about ten or twenty years in the future.
“What do you think of Dukezan’s spirit?”
I decided to answer Julian's question honestly.
"The desolate lands of rumor are nowhere to be found. People here have to wear an extra layer of clothing than people in other lands, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. They seem to have plenty of room for it."
Julian nodded.
“I also do not think that my rule was wrong.”
"If you teach any child, he or she will become a great ruler. Have you ever thought about adoption?"
“That can’t be. But His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t permit it.”
I felt a profound sense of unease at those words. People said the Emperor cherished the Grand Duke of Dukezan greatly. So much so that rumors circulated that the Emperor's favorite Princess and the Grand Duke of Dukezan were about to marry.
But that never happened, and the rumors only served to pressure Julian. Despite his unique status as a "monster," he couldn't dare propose marriage unless she was a Count. The daughters of Counts and Marquises were too noble to marry monsters.
Julian wanted an heir, but he could neither adopt nor find a wife who would bear him a biological child.
Is it true that the Emperor truly cares for Julian?
Julian chuckled as if he knew the question that crossed my face.
“His Majesty the Emperor is my dear uncle.”
There was no falsehood in those words, but there was a hint of bitterness.
“His Majesty the Emperor is your uncle and at the same time the Emperor.”
Julian nodded slightly at my words.
I thought I had a rough idea of what was going on. It seemed the rumors that the Emperor favored Grand Duke Dukezan weren't entirely false.
But at the same time, the Emperor was the Emperor. It was a natural desire of the Emperor to reclaim the vast Dukezan Territory.
The Emperor had found a way to reclaim Dukezan territory without harming Grand Duke Dukezan, but at the same time, one day, without fail. If Julian failed to produce an heir, the Dukezan territory would naturally fall into the Emperor's hands. While this might not be possible during his lifetime, it was possible for the next Emperor, or perhaps the Emperor after that.
“Wow, His Majesty must really hate me.”
As I spoke with admiration, Julian's eyes narrowed.
“Aren’t you scared?”
"I'm scared. But that's true. If he truly cared for you, he wouldn't kill me so carelessly, would he?"
I leaned back comfortably on the carriage and spoke confidently.
“Just wait and see. I’ll be a wonderful niece-in-law.”
Then, wouldn't it be better to get involved in the throne fight or not? When I smiled brightly, Julian turned his head as if to tell me to do as I pleased.
After a long journey, the carriage finally arrived at the mansion. The mansion resembled Dukezan's territory. It was grand rather than elegant. It seemed to be carved from a white cliff, rough and rugged, yet possessed an indescribable majesty.
The carriage stopped in front of the massive gate, and Julian was the first to step out. Shortly after, the opposite door opened, and I couldn't help but widen my eyes.
"Your Highness?"
Julian was standing there.
“You said you would leave it to the servant.”
“There’s no benefit to the new bride getting hurt.”
“I see, right?”
I quickly hugged him. His embrace was wide and comfortable. It was incomparable to the service of a mere servant. Although it was hard, even a body that wasn't made of stone was hard. I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled brightly.
“Let’s go, Your Highness.”
“...Don’t you know shame?”
“My parents often said that.”
Julian, though he did give me a little push, still held my waist and legs firmly. I felt almost no sway, which was incredibly comfortable. The same thing happened when we climbed the stairs. Julian carried me comfortably, without any sign of fatigue.
Well, he lifted the carriage by himself.
Climbing the stairs in his arms, I explored the Grand Duke's residence. The mansion had an old, antique feel. The walls of the staircase were lined with square recesses, each containing objects. When I reached out to grab one of them, Julian looked flustered.
“Wh, what...”
“Why? Can’t I touch it?”
“No, just stay still.”
He sounded exactly like a nagging older brother. I chuckled and put the item back down. A bit of dust clung to my fingertips, so I shook it off.
“Are the servants lazy?”
Julian shook his head at the casual question.
“I’m on the hard-working side.”
“But there’s dust in this corner.”
No matter how intricately decorated, a nobleman's mansion had to remain dust-free, 365 days a year. That was the essence of grandeur. Yet, dust was visible everywhere in the Grand Duke's residence.
“They said there was no need to worry about things like this because there weren’t many people.”
“Are there a few people? How many are there?”
"Five."
The wind knocked me out of my body. If Julian hadn't been so strong, I would have collapsed to the floor.
This massive mansion has only five servants? Yet, the fact that it hasn't become a den of dust is a testament to their diligence.
"As the future hostess, I'll say this strongly: I can't live with just five people."
Julian sighed.
“You’ll bring your maid, so there will be six. And including the Marquis of Amber’s mistress, there will be seven?”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Who's here to play with numbers? For the first time, he looked annoyed.
Julian took me to the third floor. The mansion had four floors, but at the entrance was a door that hadn't been visible on the previous floors. I knew it was locked without even trying to open it.
“Does Your Highness usually stay on the fourth floor?”
When I asked, he nodded obediently.
“Who can go in there?”
“Me, the butler, the assistant, and you.”
I couldn't help but be surprised by those words.
“Me?”
"Yes."
I hadn't thought of that. I naturally assumed he would block my entry as well.
“Can I really come in too?”
“I suddenly feel like stopping it.”
“Oh, no. I’ll just walk around quietly.”
"...Yes."
Julian seemed to laugh again. Without realizing it, I reached out and touched the corner of his mouth with my fingertips. Then, the faint line hardened.
“What are you doing?”
My heart sank as I faced his cold face. I hastily lowered my hand and rolled my eyes, as if trying to gauge his reaction.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought Your Highness was smiling.”
"What..."
Julian chewed his lips as he spoke, his tone absurd.
“Don’t touch my face.”
In an instant, his mood changed. I regretted my actions, but was it too late?
I glanced at him and apologized again.
“I apologize, Your Highness. I was careless.”
Julian took me to a room on the third floor. Judging by the neat bed and dresser, this seemed to be my bedroom. He sat me down on the bed and stood before it.
“Don’t worry about that, I won’t eat it if you don’t like it.”
His tone was almost self-deprecating. My eyes widened, and I took his hand. It was the one made of flesh, not stone. I thought he'd be offended if I took his other hand.
“It’s not that I thought you’d eat me.”
At my hasty words, Julian tried to pull his hand away. I grabbed it again. Julian could have easily shaken me off, but he quietly let go.
“I was worried that Your Highness might be disappointed in me.”
At those words, Julian was silent for a moment.
“You’re talking nonsense.”
Then he turned around abruptly and spoke in a blur. His cloak swayed with every step. I reached for it but stopped, worried he'd lose his temper again.
Julian left the room without even looking back at me. What was surprising was that he quietly closed the door behind him. It made me chuckle to think about where the Grand Duke learned such consideration.
That was all for a moment, and as I sat in the quiet room, random thoughts began to creep in. Contrary to the rumors, Julian seemed to be a good person. At least, much better than Kaiser.
But just because he wasn't going to be the worst husband I'd ever had, there was no guarantee he'd be a good one. After all, we didn't have much time left to even share a friendship.
I collapsed onto the bed and spread my arms wide. Lying on my back, I looked up at the ceiling, where a neatly arranged light fixture stood. I could tell how much effort the five employees had put into maintaining this place.
“I’m really me. Why do you want to be my friend?”
I closed my eyes, exhaustion quickly creeping in. I heard a knock on the door, but I didn't have the strength to respond, so I called out to Anna in a sleepy voice.
I felt someone touch my ankle, treating it. It seemed like a doctor had arrived. Still, I didn't wake up, just closed my eyes. As my consciousness gradually faded, only Julian's face became clear.
'Don't touch my face.'
Especially the expression on his face when he spoke coldly.
Am I sad...
***
“Miss, are you awake?!”
I woke up suddenly, my body agitated. My entire body felt crushed by fatigue. Perhaps it was natural, after a long day in a carriage and the accident. Still, I felt I'd slept so well in this new foreign land.
I asked, rubbing my eyes.
“What’s wrong? What time is it now?”
“The sun is high in the sky. Why don’t you wake up earlier? Yes?”
Anna's urging finally got my feet up. Anna quickly ran outside, shouting, "Butler!" "Look at that kid. What's he doing running around like that if people start making fun of him?"
Anna went to call the butler, so I ran a hand through my messy hair and glanced at my clothes. Anna must have changed it, because I was wearing a comfortable nightgown. I straightened the hem of my skirt and looked at the door.
The butler came in shortly after. But he wasn't alone.
Behind him, countless young men and women were seen standing.
The butler nodded and spoke to me, who had a bewildered expression.
“The master said that the lady should personally choose the servant.”
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