Chapter 22

The announcement for the recruitment of an advisor by the Empress caused a stir in the capital's social circles. The mere fact that she was recruiting an advisor was a topic of conversation, but more importantly, the Empress herself was a formidable Striker who had shattered a tower just yesterday. The nobles strained their ears to gather information about the situation. The House of Valder was no exception.

"But what kind of announcement... Is this all there is?"

As Michael Rosen, the Duke's direct secretary, shook the single-page document, Theseus shrugged.

"Too many detailed requirements might only hinder finding the right person. Simplicity is better."

"Still, Your Grace..."

Theseus rubbed his forehead and stiffened his lips, clearly troubled.

"Is the Empress planning to stage a protest for His Majesty, or is she trying to build her own independent power to oppose Dian Poitier?"

Theseus raised his gaze to look at his younger brother, Lionel, who was sitting across from him with his arms crossed, staring intently at the announcement on the table.

"Lionel."

Only then did Lionel's dark blue eyes turn to his brother at the sound of his name.

"What do you think?"

"Perhaps both?"

"Or maybe she just wants to enjoy some fun. After all, she said the selection criteria is 'someone she likes.'"

The Duke's secretary interjected. Neither Theseus nor Lionel confirmed nor denied this. Theseus stroked his chin and muttered.

"Empress Adelaide. We know so little about her."

"By the way, did Her Majesty really destroy the tower alone?"

At Michael's question, Lionel nodded.

"Wow, I can't believe it. She didn't seem like someone who would belong to a military group, whether mages or knights. It's really surprising."

"You can't judge a mage by their appearance."

"Of course, but who would think an Empress of royal blood is a mage? Even if she is a mage, destroying a tower means she has combat experience. Who would have guessed?"

At that moment, the Duke spoke up.

"Anyway, that's not the point. Since the Empress has issued the announcement, we can't just sit by. Who should we entrust with this task?"

The three men's gazes met in the air. The current situation was that the House of Valder was under attack by the Emperor, so it would be advantageous to send a reliable person to the Empress's announcement to find a solution. To do this, they needed to propose a suitable candidate for the advisor position. The candidate had to meet several criteria: first, they must have a close relationship with the House of Valder; second, they must be someone the Empress would be satisfied with; third, they must be competent enough to balance the Emperor's power while serving as an advisor; fourth, they must be an unmarried man over twenty without a fiancée, as per the Empress's conditions; and fifth, they must be able to endure the task. The fifth criterion was particularly challenging because the role of the Empress's advisor was often seen as a "lover" of the Empress, leading to a loss of honor. Historically, the role was often filled by the second or third sons of influential families. Michael furrowed his brow, thinking. Was there anyone among the families allied with the House of Valder who perfectly met all five criteria? Even after searching his extensive network, Michael found no one who met all the conditions. 'Oh, that person?' was married, and 'Oh, that person?' was mostly the eldest son. No matter what, they couldn't recommend the heir of a family as a candidate for the Empress's advisor. Who could they recommend? It was a regrettable situation, but his subconscious was telling him, 'There is an answer, there is an answer!'

Scratching the back of his head and taking a deep breath, he looked up unintentionally. The brothers were sitting opposite each other, lost in thought.

"..."

'The late Duchess of Valder really had excellent children. Just looking at them would make one feel full. Our children are just like neighborhood calves. God is unfair. Oh, did He pour all the good things into them?'

The brothers, with their handsome faces, deep and intense eyes, strong physiques, outstanding abilities, and solid backgrounds, looked like a painting. Michael glanced at the Duke and then at the Marquis. Suddenly, his subconscious started to rebel.

'Hey! Think about it!'

Michael's gaze became hazy. Narrowing his eyes, he scanned Lionel from head to toe, tilting his head and muttering, 'Huh?' Here was someone who perfectly met the first four criteria. The only issue was the fifth. Lionel was not the eldest son, but the late Duke of Valder had left his title and lands to Lionel before his death. However, since Lionel was a minor at the time, the succession was delayed according to imperial law, leading to the current situation. With the ongoing conflict between the Despoina Duke's camp and the House of Valder, the moment Lionel received the title of Herbert could drastically change the situation. Owning the title of Marquis was different from becoming a Marquis and gaining independence from the House of Valder. For these reasons, Lionel currently maintained his status as the Marquis of Valder.

'Ambiguous...'

Meanwhile, Lionel was also deep in thought. Last night, he couldn't sleep. The vivid golden eyes and cold voice kept swirling in his mind, along with the disheveled face and the desperate escape. When he heard the news that the Empress was recruiting an advisor, he felt a shock as if cold water had been poured over him. A primal instinct, like a fierce bell ringing in a dark forest, gripped him.

"Calvin Viscount received a gold ingot from Her Majesty. She must have been very displeased."

Lionel's seemingly unrelated statement made both Michael and Theseus tilt their heads in confusion.

"Perhaps the Empress has a different view on the tower compared to the current Mage Guild."

Lionel looked directly at his brother with his dark blue eyes.

"What are you trying to say, Lionel?"

"About the Empress's announcement for the advisor."

"Got someone in mind?"

"I'll take it."

Theseus stared at his brother in silence for a moment, then sighed and shook his head.

"Think again."

At his brother's firm words, Lionel turned to Michael and asked.

"Michael, is there anyone suitable to send as a candidate? I don't think there is."

Michael put on a troubled expression and pretended to think.

"Well, the third son of the Verdier Viscount is somewhat close, but—"

"He hasn't reached twenty yet."

"Exactly. He's either seventeen or sixteen this year. And then there's the second son of the Romang Viscount, but I'm not sure if a widower is acceptable. He lost his wife last year and has three children."

Theseus dismissed the suggestion with a tone that suggested it wasn't worth considering.

"Then it's settled. It doesn't matter if we don't do it. It's not a surefire method anyway."

"What's the reason I'm not suitable?"

"Lionel!"

"Why can't I be considered when other families' second or third sons are?"

At Lionel's question, Theseus blinked, speechless. The brothers looked at each other in silence. Finally, Theseus sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Lionel."

"Yes, brother."

"You won't gain anything by going. The Empress is appointing an advisor to stage a protest against His Majesty and to warn Dian Poitier."

"The loss of dignity and honor outweighs any gains, right?"

"Yes. Are you asking because you don't know? If you become the advisor, everyone will mock you as the Empress's lover behind your back. You know this, so why are you volunteering?"

Michael, standing nearby, cautiously interjected.

"Is there something we're overlooking?"

Theseus glared at his secretary, but Michael shrugged, looking troubled. Lionel understood his brother's concerns but countered.

"What more can we lose here?"

"..."

"Brother, where else can we retreat? Why have we been pushed to this point? Even yesterday, Renoux Poitier hesitated to follow my support order. But I couldn't even properly protest to the Mage Guild, despite being the Minister of Defense."

"..."

"What do we know about the three things shaking Echmont: mages, the tower, and the Beast? We've tried countless times to gather information from other countries, but it's all classified. Remember when we sent someone to Gotrop and lost them?"

Theseus looked at Lionel, whose dark blue eyes were unwavering.

"The Empress must know more about these three things than we do. If I become the advisor and obtain that information, we can take a step forward from our current position."

It was a well-reasoned argument. Theseus took a sip of the cold tea, which tasted bitter. He frowned, trying to calm his boiling thoughts. The House of Valder, no matter what, an advisor?! But... Theseus couldn't deny Lionel's logic. After a long silence, Lionel pressed on firmly.

"I'll take it as your approval."

"..."

"Brother."

Theseus untied his cravat, feeling suffocated.

"If Mother were alive, she would have rushed over and hit me on the back. To think I would have to ask you to do this..."

At that moment, Michael, who had been listening to the brothers' conversation, cautiously interjected.

"But what if the Empress doesn't choose the Marquis?"

"..."

"..."

Theseus and Lionel looked at Michael, who seemed bewildered, and he muttered.

"Where does this baseless confidence come from?"

At the annoying comment, the brothers' sharp gazes flew at him, and Michael quickly ducked his head.

"Oh, she wouldn't do that, would she? After all, it's Lionel Valder. Just dress nicely and go."

* * *

Dian looked at Karl. He was busy processing documents and hadn't said a word to her since greeting her. It was the first time they had met since the day she saw him at the Empress's palace. Of course, he must be busy. The tower had come down after the incident at the Empress's palace,