Chapter 219
“I’ll be blunt. How about Princess Christian as the madam of the Krygen household?”
Princess Christian is the second daughter of Empress Miguela. Though somewhat young, she’s renowned for her beauty and modesty.
“I understand the Krygen family no longer wishes to maintain ties with the imperial family. I believe the Duke shares that sentiment. But I don’t hate the Duke that much. There’s no better candidate than you to unite the fractious central nobles.”
What kind of scheme is this? The Krygen family, relatives of the Empress and leaders of the noble faction, have always been wary of each other.
While the Krygen family does try to rally the central nobles, their aim was to curb the growing power of the throne. The Krygen family no longer seeks ties with the imperial house because they see no need to bow and become pawns.
So a marriage with this princess would be a loss for the Krygens.
“If you won’t marry into the Werfel family, the imperial family is the most fitting match. What are your thoughts?”
“…That’s not for me alone to decide.”
Rubens answered evasively.
He was also privately uneasy about the Emperor. Whenever he saw that snake-like sly gaze, he instinctively felt uncomfortable.
If he married into the imperial family, he’d have to see that face more often. And he had no desire to see it outside of official matters.
“Your expression says it all, Duke. You’ve always been like this. Arrogant, with no effort to hide it.”
“Is that so?”
Rubens replied indifferently, tired of empty apologies. The Emperor, with his somewhat perverse enjoyment of mild rudeness, didn’t mind such a response.
“So, were you always like this as a child?”
“Pretty much.”
“That’s surprising. You seemed cheerful from afar.”
Rubens’s expression briefly hardened. It was as if he saw Rubens when he was young.
“Ah, did I mention that I visited Lettern village with the late Duke while you were recuperating? We greeted you from afar, but since some of your memories were lost after falling ill, you might not remember.”
“…”
“I hope you bring back a positive answer to the imperial court’s proposal.”
A sly glint of mischief flickered in the Emperor’s serpentine eyes.
* * *
Where did the conversation veer off? Was it from Lady Werfel who seemed to catch on?
Or did the Emperor truly already know Rubens’s true identity?
Whatever the case, it was clear the situation was becoming complicated.
The best way to strengthen the family’s standing—through the head of the house’s marriage—was now being held hostage by the imperial court.
When questioned outright next time, Rubens would offer a made-up excuse coordinated with Arzena, but knowing the Emperor’s nature, he’d likely press until the end.
And that sly Emperor wouldn’t cover up Rubens’s secrets just because he married his daughter.
He’d tighten the noose little by little whenever necessary.
“Sigh…”
Rubens wasn’t unaware that this might happen someday. From the start of his scheme, he knew the risk of being found out had to be accepted.
But since meeting Macy, he’d been too complacent. Whenever the truth about Rubens he had tried to forget surfaced, he never truly severed or pushed it away.
One lie exposed another, and careless lies piled up to cover secrets. That created a gap that likely led the Emperor to find out.
So this was his fault. Blinded by one woman, he destroyed the tower he had painstakingly built.
“Your Grace, are you feeling dizzy?”
Rubens pinched his forehead and sighed deeply as he stepped off the carriage. Kronen asked, carefully observing his master’s condition since Macy’s departure.
“I’m a bit tired. Postpone all remaining appointments and you may leave now.”
The headaches caused by the lack of Name treatment plagued Rubens severely.
It had only been two weeks, but the symptoms were worsening.
“Yes, understood.”
“Duke Krygen.”
As Kronen stepped back, an unwelcome visitor appeared before Rubens. It was Benedict.
“Do you want to talk to me?”
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