"Are you from the Imperial Palace?"
"Yes, Duke. We have been sent by His Majesty the Emperor himself."
Judging by the polite but firm tone of the knight, it didn't seem like Loxdian was actually inside the carriage. Duke Altsbeit, ever suspicious, asked for confirmation anyway.
"Did His Majesty come personally?"
"No, Duke," the knight replied with a bow. "His Majesty has sent this carriage specifically for the Princess."
When he heard that the carriage had been sent by the Emperor, Duke Altsbeit couldn't help but burst into a mocking laugh. He walked around the Imperial vehicle, his eyes full of disdain.
'Hmph, how pathetic!'
To his gold-obsessed eyes, the Imperial carriage looked plain and uninspired. The Royal family certainly didn't lack wealth, but compared to the custom-made masterpiece he’d commissioned for his granddaughter, this thing looked like a commoner's cart.
"How amusing," the Duke muttered to himself, not caring if the knights heard him. "He pretends to care so much for his sister, yet this is the best he can provide for my adorable granddaughter? The quality and dignity of this vessel are far below what she deserves."
The Imperial knights remained stoic, ignoring the Duke’s blatant sarcasm. Altsbeit stroked his beard, a smug smile on his face. Seeing the two carriages side-by-side made him feel more superior than ever.
"Well, my charming granddaughter will certainly make the right choice," he said, his voice dripping with ridicule. "Let her decide which carriage she wishes to arrive in. It’s obvious to anyone with eyes which one is the superior choice."
With another arrogant laugh, the Duke climbed into his own carriage and departed for the palace, leaving the choice to Charlize.
* * *
At the same time, at the Lemut estate...
Askin was buried under a mountain of paperwork in his study. Even though today was the day of the Goddess Festival banquet—an event he’d reluctantly agreed to attend—he couldn't afford to let his duties as Duke slide.
He had dedicated most of his life to his sister’s care, but he was also determined to be a better leader than his father and ancestors, whose poor management had brought the family to the brink of ruin. He worked as if he had ten bodies, and his exhaustion was starting to show.
His lieutenant, Ben, watched him with a mix of respect and worry. He knew Askin was on the verge of collapse, but he also knew his master wouldn't stop until the work was done.
"Ben, what time is it?" Askin asked, his eyes never leaving the documents.
"Ah, yes. It’s currently—"
Ben was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Before he could answer, the door opened and a small head poked inside. Aria was the only person in the castle who could enter Askin’s study without permission.
"Brother."
Askin immediately put down his pen. He didn't just stop working; he stood up to greet her.
"Aria? Is something wrong? How are you feeling?"
"I’m fine, Brother. I just... I have a few questions. And something I want to say."
Ben smiled at the siblings and quickly let himself out, knowing that Aria’s presence was the only thing that could force Askin to take a break. He knew his master was only attending the banquet to repay the Princess’s favor, but he suspected there was more to it than just duty.
"What is it, Aria?" Askin asked, gently leading her to the sofa.
Aria sat down and looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. Askin sat beside her, his expression unusually soft.
"Why are you still in here?" she asked. "Why are you still working?"
"...What?"
"Today is the day of the Imperial banquet! Why aren't you getting ready?"
Askin’s expression relaxed. He was relieved to see she wasn't there because of a health crisis. "I’m already ready, Aria."
Aria narrowed her eyes—a look that, on her delicate face, wasn't threatening at all. Askin had to bite his lip to keep from smiling.
"Liar," she said, scanning his clothes. "This isn't a banquet outfit. It’s just your everyday clothes!"
Even though she’d spent most of her life in bed, she knew the basics of social etiquette. Askin was wearing a clean suit, but it was far from the formal attire required for an Imperial event.
"Brother, you aren't actually planning to wear that, are you?"
Askin stood up, realizing this was going to be a long conversation. He went back to his desk and picked up his papers. Aria followed him like a persistent little rabbit.
"It’s more than enough for me to be there," Askin said. "I still have a lot to do, so go back and rest."
"No."
Askin stopped. He’d rarely heard his sister say "no" to him. He looked at her, but then his gaze drifted back to the paperwork. He needed to finish this before the carriage arrived.
Aria puffed out her cheeks and grabbed the hem of his jacket. "Go change. Now. You don't have much time left."
"I have plenty of time."
"I want to see you in something nice! You look so handsome when you’re dressed up."
"I’m perfectly fine like this."
"Liar! You just don't want to wear the suit the Princess gave you!"
Askin froze. "...How do you know about that?"
"Ben told me everything. He said the Princess gave you a beautiful new suit as a gift."
Aria marched over to the wardrobe in the corner of the room and pulled the doors open. She knew Askin spent all his time in this office and that Ben would have left everything he needed here for convenience.
Sure enough, she found it immediately. The suit Charlize had provided was hanging in the most prominent spot in the wardrobe.
"Look at this," Aria said, pointing. "You say you aren't interested, yet you had it prepared right here."
"I didn't... Ben must have put it there," Askin stammered.
"Liar. Ben would never hang something you didn't like in such a visible spot. Don't I know you?"
Askin felt like he’d been caught in a trap. He wiped his face with his hand. "I only had it hung there so I could return it easily."
His face was cold, but Aria could see the shyness underneath. He always acted more distant when he was embarrassed.
Aria ignored his protest and turned back to the suit. It was a stunning piece of work—white and red, the traditional colors of the Lemut family, but with subtle patterns of indigo and blue that seemed perfectly chosen to match Askin’s hair and eyes.
'She made this just for him,' Aria thought, feeling the fine fabric. It was soft, luxurious, and clearly crafted with immense care.
"Brother, you used to wear such beautiful clothes like this when we were little," she whispered.
She knew the family’s financial situation was dire because of her medical bills. She didn't know the exact amount of the debt, but she knew Askin had sacrificed everything—including his own dignity—to keep her alive.
As Aria’s expression turned sad, the suit suddenly disappeared from her view. Askin had snatched it and was hiding it behind his back, a scowl on his face.
"I don't need clothes like this," he growled.
"Brother, don't be like that! I just want to see you looking like a proper Duke again... just once."
Aria looked at him with pleading eyes. "It looks like it was made specifically for you. Please, Brother. For me?"