Chapter 549: Do Not Read

Chapter 296

“And the battle between Duke Mikhail and Duke Williams was initiated because both of their sons were found dead with traces of involvement from the other side.” Rafael finished his report and looked at the two beaten-up men.

The injuries they sustained in their battle were so intense that they had to use the potions Rafael and the rest got from me for the Dungeon of Diamond’s expedition.

Killing their sons was nothing personal. They were bad people and they played a significant role in future events. Of course, I didn’t really kill them for that.

It was just an excuse. The real reason was covering up my own behind. It was cruel of me but so what? It wasn’t like they were saints.

The hall was silent. The anger from before, everyone’s anger over ridiculous reasons, was no longer there because this wasn’t a ridiculous reason. Two heirs were killed. The other matters could be mediated but not this one. The empire will have to choose a drastic measure.

Telling them to bite it wouldn’t work because they had already lost a lot. Suppressing them would only make them hate the imperial family more, making it difficult in that sense as well.

But the emperor couldn’t just take one side as well. They were both equally wronged and they were both equally wrong. There wasn’t one party to blame but both of them.

And telling them that the mastermind was the church wouldn’t help either. The damage was far too much for them to show any form of rationality. Even now, holding them back like this was increasing their anger and hatred bit by bit.

Soon enough, if nothing was done, that hatred would reach a point where any chances of return would become zero. No matter what was done then, the course of events would be unstoppable.

All in all, this wasn’t something that could be solved so easily. One side would have to be treated with injustice while one would be getting proper justice in the form of support from the emperor.

After a long time, the emperor raised his head and looked at both of the dukes. Their gazes were, however, lowered. They were doing their best to suppress themselves because no matter what their position was, being in front of the emperor was still being in front of the emperor.

They had to make sure they didn’t cause any disrespect that might end up erasing their households.

The emperor finally opened his mouth with a sigh and said, “State your demands, both of you.”

State your demands. A fancy way of saying ask for something.

[The dark side of nobility]

The dark side indeed. The problem with this era was that children weren’t important to people. Their positions were. Even the earlier fight was a convenient excuse to take over the other side. Sure, they might feel some sadness over the loss of their children, but didn’t they have more in line?

“The title of Grand Duke,” They both collectively spoke, their voices slightly tinged with excitement which actually made me disgusted of them. But it was normal for this time so there wasn’t much for me to feel.

“Very well,” Orion replied and waved his hand. They both got on their knees and Orion said, “From this moment onwards, I grand Duke Mikhail and Duke Williams the prestigious titles of Grand Dukes.”

Although their households were of Grand dukes, that title belonged to their ancestors, not to them.

Technically, while their influence was more than others, their position was the same as the other dukes. But with that title, they obtained a position equivalent to Richard’s, the Hayez household.

With their status elevated, they had nothing to fear in the empire anymore except for the imperial family. It also meant they could make many duke households their subordinates, increasing the might of their forces.

Currently, after the imperial forces, the greatest force was possessed by Richard Hayez because he had about seven duke houses under his command which in turn earned him many earls, counts, viscounts, and barons.

~~

The event came to an end but the damage was still there. Damage that wouldn’t be undone for years to come. Just until there would be a reason for humanity to stand together.

Me and Rose were heading back to my room when I met the other girls on the way. I smiled and headed with them to my room.

While I was heading there, Max hurriedly came to me and said, “My liege, there’s someone waiting to meet you in your chambers. I tried to stop her but in the end, I couldn’t.”

Max seemed particularly worried and remorseful for some reason. I didn’t know what it was but whoever was waiting to meet me wasn’t someone who was here for a pleasant meeting.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“It…It’s Lady Mikhail,” Max responded.

‘Who’s that?’ I asked myself because the name didn’t ring a bell but before I could delve any further, two powerful waves of bloodlust struck me from the side.

Alicia was angry, which was rare, very, very rare, and that was something to see. But other than that, the power emitting from Rose was something that looked like she just wanted to jump in and get straight to killing.

The weird part was that bloodlust wasn’t directed at me.

‘Just who is this Lady Mikhail?’ I questioned myself as I asked Rose and Alicia, while shielding the rest from their bloodlust because while they were fine from Alicia’s bloodlust, they weren’t doing very great in front of Rose’s angered-filled power, “What’s the matter?”

“Adrian,” Rose spoke, her voice clear and sharp, and her saying my name wasn’t a good sign when there were many present, and directing any type of royalty while not being one yourself was a grave crime.

Still, if she could hit me in front of the members of the imperial family, she could pretty much do anything.

“You cannot go back to her.”

Her words, full of hatred and anger didn’t really suit the usual Rose. But it wasn’t just her as well. Alicia was also showing the same signs of anger which didn’t spell anything good.

“You must never go back to her,” Alicia said, her emotions staying in the same exact lane as if they both harbored the same feelings for this woman.

The others didn’t know what was going on and were looking at me for answers but I was at a loss myself. Max seemed to have an idea but he seemed hesitant to say anything.

But, none of that was a problem right now. What the crux of the matter was? Who that woman was?

None of that mattered. Right now, all I needed to do was ensure these two girls otherwise…

‘I won’t live.’ I trembled at the sight of them, looking as if they were about to launch themselves at anyone who irritated them and scratched their eyes out.

“Whatever you’re worried about, don’t be.” I calmly said while my insides were shaking. I didn’t know why but my Mom’s image came into my head, replaced with these girls and I felt myself change to my dad as well.

‘So that’s how he felt.’ I felt pity for my old man. Whenever he would receive an earful, I’d surely laugh at him. But I understood over the years that he wasn’t just helpless to do anything, he had no will whatsoever.

‘Poor us,’ I remained silent for two seconds in the honor of all men and continued, “Let me just go and see what it is about, okay?”

“I am coming with you,” Rose stepped forward, leaving no option for a debate. Alicia, on the other hand, though she also wanted to come, was hesitant for some reason.

‘Maybe she can’t stand her,’ I speculated.

“I cannot go with you. If I see that bit*h, I am afraid I might lose control and kill her.” Alicia said, contrary to my speculation which was just based on hate but whatever this was, it went beyond hate.

Now I was curious. So nodding my head and turning to Rose, who for some reason, had her hand on her short sword dagger, and said, “Can I at least carve her eyes out?”

Despite my fear urging me to say ‘Yes, please,’ I said, “Let—Let’s not blow this out of proportion.”

“Do—Do I have to go, my liege?” Max hesitantly asked.

He wasn’t like the rest. He wasn’t writhing in hate or anger but was hesitant. It meant whatever this meeting held would reveal personal information to him which he’d rather not have.

“Yeah, you’re coming.” Still, if it meant I got to bully him a bit, then why not?

The three of us, leaving the rest of the girls behind who turned to Alicia, made our way to my room slash chambers and arrived shortly afterward.

“Now, that’s new,” With the insignia of a falcon, three armed knights were standing outside my room, their gazes holding nothing but coldness in their eyes.

“How dare they,” Rose said, her tone suppressed as if she was trying to calm herself while she almost withdrew the dagger from her waist. The reason for her anger was simple. While their gazes held nothing but coldness, it also didn’t contain a must-have factor even if it was fake.

Respect.

And someone who could blatantly show disrespect to me, an imperial prince and the most likely crown candidate, was someone I had to meet.

And quite possibly put them in their place.