Chapter 23: Congratulations on Your Path Becoming Thorny

The atmosphere completely froze due to Edmund’s chosen topic.

Perhaps they had been too complacent about Clea’s situation.

The Grand Ducal couple briefly laughed at the shocking news from an area they hadn’t paid attention to.

“Haha, rumors are nothing more than people’s gossip.”

“That’s right. It’s probably been amplified as it passed through people’s mouths after she just went somewhere briefly.”

Edmund watched the couple’s expressions while drinking his tea.

They seemed more displeased about such rumors circulating rather than fearing they might be true.

The Grand Ducal couple didn’t seem to notice what expression their son was making.

‘His expression is quite a sight.’

Lloyd’s complexion was noticeably worsening.

He was trembling like an aspen tree, with no trace of his dignity as the young grand duke.

Edmund inwardly clicked his tongue at the sight of his longtime friend.

‘If only you had treated her well, my friend.’

If he had done well from the start, at least he wouldn’t be trembling in anxiety like today.

Edmund wondered if he should be grateful to Lloyd in a way.

Thanks to him being such a worthless man, Clea had come to him.

He finished the remaining tea in his cup and spoke again.

“Smoke only rises after a fire is lit.”

“Your Highness, these are false rumors spread by those trying to defame our Persi family and Lady Odoi’s family.”

“That’s right. Clea wouldn’t do such things. She’s going to be our daughter-in-law.”

The Grand Ducal couple had quite liked Clea, who was to become their daughter-in-law.

There was always something heavy in Clea’s eyes. Her behavior carried an indescribable dignity.

Along with that, she had the background suitable to become the mistress of the Grand Ducal family.

Besides the Hershers, only the Odois were suitable for the family.

So the two thought Clea was the most suitable match for Lloyd.

Therefore, having decided to make Clea their daughter-in-law, they granted most of her wishes.

They thought it was right to fulfill the requests of someone who would become the future mistress and family member.

But there were people who took advantage of these two’s goodwill.

Edmund smirked as he easily noticed that those people were Lloyd and the Duke’s family members.

“Then what about this? The rumor that a noble lady from the Duke’s family was expelled from her family for some reason.”

“Your Highness, what are you trying to say?”

The Grand Ducal couple sensed something was wrong when he mentioned a rumor that seemed to point to someone specific.

At least the Edmund they knew wouldn’t laugh off such words as a joke.

Originally, they couldn’t easily access rumors circulating in society.

Who would dare speak such unspeakable words to the Grand Ducal couple unless they specifically sought out such information?

The couple finally looked at Lloyd’s expression.

“Lloyd, do you know anything about this?”

The mood of the two people plummeted after seeing Lloyd’s expression.

The couple were certain that Edmund wouldn’t bring up such a topic to tarnish the Grand Duchy’s honor.

Then there was only one possibility left.

“Haven’t you heard anything about Clea recently? You attended the recent banquet together as partners.”

“Well…”

“Speak up, Lloyd.”

Lloyd bit his lip until it bled as he contemplated.

Whether to confess everything that had happened here and now.

But no matter how he thought about it, he concluded he couldn’t. Finally, he was about to laugh it off and say that couldn’t be true…

That is, until Edmund spoke first.

“Recently, while walking through the capital at night, I met a woman. A woman with shining silver hair and blue eyes.”

“Edmund!”

When Edmund started speaking, Lloyd hurriedly tried to cut him off.

He had to prevent this story from reaching his parents’ ears, even if he had to cover Edmund’s mouth.

But Edmund simply poured his newly filled teacup onto Lloyd’s pants.

As the hot water soaked his legs, he screamed, and Edmund calmly continued speaking.

“She told me that she had completely left home. That she was no longer related to that family in any way.”

“…Your Highness.”

“I believe the Grand Duke has already figured out what I’m trying to say.”

Contrary to Edmund’s thoughts, the Grand Duke hadn’t completely understood what he was saying.

He was confused by the sudden influx of information, but more importantly, Lloyd hadn’t said anything about this.

The current Grand Ducal couple had met through free love.

Having been deeply hurt by the interference of their families, they decided not to interfere with their children’s relationships.

They believed that matters between men and women could only be resolved by the parties involved, not through others’ intervention.

So they trusted their son and left him alone until now.

They never thought their trust would be repaid like this. The Grand Duke barely contained his boiling anger because of Edmund’s presence.

“According to that woman, since she left her family, she has no relationship with Lloyd.”

The couple’s expressions hardened at Edmund’s words.

They thought that right now, finding where Clea was was more important than Lloyd.

They needed to find her, hear what had happened, and comfort her.

Meanwhile, Edmund’s words seemed to suggest they had lost even that chance. Unable to hold back any longer, the Grand Duchess spoke.

“Your Highness, this is a family matter. So please refrain from further interference. Though we are very grateful for what you’ve told us. If you hadn’t told us, until now…”

“Grand Duchess, have you forgotten that I mentioned two rumors?”

Edmund hadn’t lowered his smile since entering this place.

Even now, he remained composed while meeting the gazes of the members of the family.

In contrast, the Grand Ducal couple were shocked by Edmund’s words.

“A woman who was always a wallflower at banquets caught my eye, and then a few days later I noticed her walking through the capital at night. She looked empty, as if she wanted to give up everything.”

Edmund felt anger as he recalled what happened that day.

He vividly remembered her being left alone, receiving criticism through people’s eyes and words.

“She said she was expelled from her family when she left home. It seems she met someone from the family before leaving.”

Edmund stood up from his seat.

Everyone’s gazes remained fixed on Edmund, unable to look away.

He spoke his final words while looking at Lloyd.

“And right after that, rumors spread about her having secret meetings with the Crown Prince. When I asked her, she said that since she was expelled from her family, she had no relationship with Lloyd. What do you think?”

No one could readily answer this.

“I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for the tea, Grand Duke.”

After that, Edmund walked out.

Since he hadn’t expected any answers to what he’d said, he only looked forward to what would happen next.

No one tried to stop Edmund as he left.

And there wasn’t even anyone to see him off as he departed.

* * *

The Grand Ducal couple couldn’t curse Edmund to his face like they could to Lloyd.

While Lloyd might be forgiven once since he was Edmund’s friend, the couple were subjects who owed complete loyalty to the Crown Prince.

So the two glared at the person who remained after Edmund left.

“Lloyd Persi!”

“Father! Please listen to me! This is Edmund’s fault!”

“If you had behaved properly from the start, Clea wouldn’t have gone down a different path!”

“Ah, Father!”

Edmund, who hadn’t completely left yet, felt satisfied hearing their conversation at the doorway.

‘Though my work has increased, you too should feel pain.’

While trying to maintain composure, their pale face betrayed their true feelings as they encountered someone they despised.

Edmund lowered the smile he had forced in front of them and stepped outside.

The path out was quieter than ever before.

The servants of the Grand Duke’s household were unsure what to do about the commotion from the reception room, but eventually decided to see Edmund off quietly.

They thought that if the master couldn’t show proper courtesy, at least the servants should.

But Edmund didn’t even glance at such things as he thought.

‘Clea.’

What would she be doing when he returned?

Would she be alright by now?

He had struggled several times while away from the palace.

Wondering if it wouldn’t be better to stay by her side even just a little right now.

Edmund felt a tightness in his chest whenever Clea looked precarious.

He didn’t want to hurt her anymore when her heart was already completely covered in wounds, but things weren’t working out as he’d hoped.

After boarding his carriage and looking at the reflection of the Grand Ducal residence in the window, he instructed Oberon,

“Tarnish Lloyd Persi’s reputation.”

“This could lead to conflict with the Grand Ducal family. Is that alright?”

Oberon was concerned.

No matter how angry he was about Clea’s situation, the target was the Grand Ducal family’s only heir.

The Grand Ducal couple wouldn’t simply let it slide if their heir’s reputation was ruined.

While Oberon worried that this could turn the imperial family and Grand Ducal family into adversaries, Edmund remained calm.

“The Grand Ducal family will make their choice. Whether to choose me, or that disappointingly foolish heir.”

Edmund didn’t care if relations deteriorated.

One thing was certain – Lloyd was the person who had inflicted the deepest wounds on his precious person.

“Just revealing all his actions that the family has been hiding will be enough to make that bastard unable to show his face.”

“Yes, understood.”

While Oberon worried about Edmund’s intentions, he didn’t try to change his decision.

Likw Edmund said, exposing what had been hidden, rather than making things up, wasn’t a crime.

At least if Lloyd had been upright, there would have been no reason to hide anything.

And Oberon himself was displeased about Lloyd meeting Clea in the palace while avoiding his gaze.

And how she had coughed up blood on the floor right after meeting him.

‘Congratulations on your path becoming thorny, Lloyd.’