“What method might you be talking about?”

“If my dear brother doesn’t bring a gentle lady by the next council, I will announce that I will push back the marriage of the Royals.”

At that, the leisure of the Grand Duke, which had been maintained throughout the entire conversation, was finally cracked. It was an expression that yelled annoyed.

“If the Royal Palace and the Empire collapse due to the lack of an heir, brother will have to bear the consequences.”

Just then, the Emperor’s close associate who had observed the Grand Duke jumped slightly in surprise. For a short moment, killing intent had filled Aidan’s blue eyes.

Though it was very short, the Grand Duke’s thoughts seemed transparent. The gaze that scanned Julian from head to toe was that of a devil who came from hell.

The close associate who had supported the Emperor since the previous generation knew the reason why Aidan did not dream of rebellion against the current monarch was that he placed value in something other than authority and reputation.

This was why Julian had not died and inherited the throne safely.

“…….”

A death glare flashed in his eyes for a split second, yet Aidan appeared calm and peaceful without even a slight air of discomfort. It was an inorganic pair of eyes without even a single touch of emotion.

That was why the Grand Duke was frightening to others. Even murder seemed to be as natural as breathing to him. As the Emperor’s close associate swallowed nervously, Aidan drew on a smile as though innocuous of the matter just a few seconds before.

“If that is what your Highness wishes, then I shall follow your orders. I shall bring a partner who has similar interests as myself.”

He placed a hand over his chest and bowed his head as if with all his manners and heart. His hair, which was scattered willy-nilly, slid forward at his movements.

Julian smiled as though the response was satisfactory and nodded his head.

“If it is time my dear brother matures. It is time for you to settle down.”

The Emperor who was jubilant wasn’t aware that his life was in danger a moment ago. The close associate secretly swallowed a sigh.

***

“Who’s that I see?”

When Vivian found the man who walked towards her from the other side of the corridor with a sick smile, her face scrunched and decayed. This was why she hated to walk around the Royal Palace in the day.

“Isn’t it the bitch who ran away without paying the debt of salvation?”

He swayed to and from as he walked over while he spoke in a tone similar to the ruck of the municipal.

Leslie Marten. Count Marten’s heir. Her paternal uncle’s first son.

She had also heard that Leslie had debuted into the political world in order to inherit the Household. However, she hadn’t actually thought the alcoholic and gambling loony would actually have the privilege to walk around the Royal Palace.

Vivian tried to ignore Leslieas she walked past him. However, he blocked her path. If she moved to the left, he moved left as well, if she turned right, he tilted his body and stuck to her. There was no way for her to avoid him due to his simple-minded block with his huge body.

When Vivian looked up at him with a chilly face devoid of emotions, he raised an eyebrow as if to ask What are you going to do now? She wasn’t going to remain still with someone who taunted her.

Vivian moved her once tightly closed mouth.

“Woof woof.”

“…….”

“Bark bark. Grrrrr.”

“…… Are you crazy?”

She barked with her teeth on display before she shrugged as though she didn’t understand human language because she was a dog. Leslie was flustered as he thought Vivian wouldn’t be able to respond properly and tremble in fright.

Do I still look like a 10-year-old child?

Vivian was no longer the child who stayed up all night alone in the attic room with her tears. She was now a capable person who had risen to the top of a single market all by herself.

“Woof woof?”

She finished barking with an expressionless face and turned around. At the same time, a disgusting hand grabbed her shoulder.