Chapter 33. A Duke’s Family in Crisis

 “So where is my daughter-in-law?”

 “Dear, shouldn’t you greet me first after returning?”

 Odin looked at Elina, who had just returned and hadn’t even changed her clothes.

 Despite her age, she was still beautiful. Even looking at Odin’s gentle smile, Elina’s expression remained dissatisfied.

 “That’s not what’s important right now.”

 “It’s the most important matter for you and me. If we’re not careful, others might misunderstand our relationship.”

 “What misunderstanding? Fine. The trip was more enjoyable than I expected. But there were some regrets too.”

 “Regrets?”

 At Elina’s words, Odin glanced at Matilda standing behind her.

 Meeting his gaze, Matilda broke into a cold sweat.

 He was a very caring person to Elina.

 He always spoke softly to her and occasionally smiled like this.

 But he became a completely different person with everyone else.

 Even now, as soon as Elina mentioned having regrets, his expression changed to a fierce gaze as he silently questioned Matilda.

 A wordless question about what had happened there.

 But the atmosphere was soon lightened by Elina.

 “It wasn’t that much fun without you by my side.”

 “……I see. That makes sense. I too found the time at the imperial palace tedious without you.”

 Hearing Elina’s words, Odin smiled again.

 Seeing that smile, Matilda inwardly sighed with relief.

 If different words had come from Elina’s mouth, who knows what might have happened.

 Reading Matilda’s thoughts, Elina smiled and approached Odin.

 “So where is the child who will become our daughter-in-law?”

 Daughter-in-law.

 Odin burst into laughter as he thought of the person Elina mentioned.

 “Why are you laughing?”

 “You’ve already decided she’s your daughter-in-law without even meeting her.”

 “Our son has made his choice, and he’s an adult who knows what he’s doing.”

 “Then how about we go see her in person?”

 “Now?”

 “Yes, now.”

 Ordinarily, Odin strictly adhered to his schedule.

 He could accommodate Elina’s visit and conversation, but found it difficult to spare more time than that.

 Elina knew Odin was a very busy person, so she never felt particularly disappointed.

 But during her absence, Odin had occasionally shown spontaneity in his actions.

 Unaware of this, Elina couldn’t help but be surprised by his sudden proposal to meet Clea.

 Odin put down the documents he was reviewing and rose from his seat.

 “I’m just as eager to get to know our daughter-in-law better as you are curious about her.”

 “It feels so strange to hear you talk like that.”

 At Elina’s words, Odin swallowed what he was about to say.

 ‘I too find my current self very strange.’

 Odin rarely took interest in others.

 Except for Elina, he showed little interest in his blood relatives, friends, or the nobles he frequently met.

 He never developed any special interest in them.

 “You said she’s from the Odoi family?”

 “She came from the Odoi family.”

 “Came from?”

 “There’s much to say about that.”

 When he suggested they go meet Clea first, Elina nodded.

 “So which palace is she currently residing in?”

 “The Crown Prince’s palace.”

 “What? But they’re not married yet?”

 “Edmund has kept her hidden away in his palace.”

 “My goodness.”

 Elina said with a smile.

 “He really does take after you.”

 “I don’t understand what you mean.”

 “They say people who resemble each other often fail to understand one another.”

 The two headed toward the Crown Prince’s palace where Edmund was.

 * * *

 Grit was trying to find a way to extract Clea from the imperial palace.

 He believed that she needed to be at the Odoi ducal residence to set things right.

 But finding a method proved difficult.

 Since Odin’s ascension to the throne, it had become harder to plant people in the imperial palace.

 On top of that, news came that security at the Crown Prince’s palace had been strengthened.

 “What about filing a lawsuit?”

 “Against whom?”

 “Well, against the Crown Prince……”

 “Talk sense! The emperor is the judge—would he rule against his own son?”

 Moreover, Odin’s gaze toward Clea was extremely gentle.

 It was the first time he had looked at anyone that way except for the empress.

 This made Grit feel an even greater sense of crisis.

He could clearly see that Edmund already liked Clea.

 Grit’s only remaining hope had been the emperor and empress, who outranked Edmund.

 But if Odin also favored Clea, then only the empress remained.

 ‘That child becoming empress…’

 Grit contemplated.

 He imagined what it would be like when someone they had only ever viewed as a tool became empress.

 Until now, they had ignored her, ostracized her, and freely hurled insults at her.

 Not content with depriving her of what she deserved, they had even driven her out of the family.

 ‘This absolutely cannot happen.’

 Clea would no longer want any association with the Odoi family.

 She would certainly announce to everyone that she had left the Odoi family and been disowned.

 At least when he last saw her, she appeared resolute and completely unwilling to be persuaded.

 If such a woman later became empress, would she leave the family that tormented her in peace?

 Thinking of Edmund in particular made him even more anxious.

 “Contact the Hersher family.”

 “The Hersher family, my lord?”

 “Yes.”

 Recognizing the danger he was in, he prepared to take different actions.

 It was an opportunity to somehow prevent her from becoming empress while simultaneously reminding people who the recognized Crown Prince’s consort was.

 “Duke! We have an emergency!”

 “What is it?”

 Grit furrowed his brow at the voice coming from the doorway.

 The butler stood there.

 As the butler appeared, breathing heavily, Grit and Steve felt uneasy about what could have happened.

 The butler quickly reported:

 “The Grand Duke and his wife have arrived at the mansion!”

 “What are you saying!”

 Grit couldn’t help but be flustered.

 He couldn’t believe that the Grand Duke of Persi and his wife had suddenly arrived without any notice.

 Until now, they had never once visited without prior notification.

 Grit was about to ask the butler to explain in detail.

 “That’s exactly what happened. Why are you shouting so loudly?”

 “That’s right. We haven’t come somewhere we shouldn’t be, have we?”

 Until the grand ducal couple appeared beyond the door.

 “……I was merely surprised by your sudden visit without notice.”

 “Between future family members, visits without notice can happen, can’t they?”

 After facing the grand ducal couple who unexpectedly arrived, Grit and Steve’s expressions hardened.

 They had never once visited so suddenly before.

 Despite their close relationship, these people who always emphasized proper etiquette had appeared like this, making Grit feel uncomfortable.

 ‘How much do they know?’

 Grit thought they must have heard rumors and come to see them.

 Believing they wouldn’t have come like this otherwise, he tried his best to maintain his composure.

 Though he struggled not to show any sign of agitation, the grand ducal couple’s mood actually soured because of Grit’s attitude.

 “We’d like to see Clea too after so long. Could you call her for us?”

 The Grand Duke mentioned Clea before Grit could say anything.

 Suppressing the feeling that his stomach was turning inside out, Grit avoided giving a direct answer.

 “She’s not feeling well, so it would be difficult to meet her now.”

 “We’ve come all this way. Couldn’t she come out briefly to greet us?”

 “Madam, I apologize, but she just took medicine and fell asleep. Wouldn’t it be better to let her rest comfortably now?”

 As they continued requesting to meet her, Grit repeated that Clea was ill and would be difficult to see.

 Normally, the grand ducal couple would have followed Grit’s words out of concern for Clea.

 But they had already heard something from Edmund, so they were no longer deceived.

 The Grand Duchess, who had been wearing a gentle and soft expression, looked at Grit with a sharp gaze and said:

 “I can no longer humor this.”

 “Grand Duchess.”

 “Duke, did you think we would continue to be fooled until the end?”

 Feeling no further value in dealing with him, the Grand Duchess turned her head away.

 Meanwhile, the Grand Duke observed the reactions of Steve and the butler rather than Grit.

 Steve’s reaction, in particular, was quite a spectacle.

 ‘To think such a person will inherit the ducal family. The Odoi family will soon be finished.’

 Steve failed to maintain his composure from beginning to end.

 He showed increasing tension as the grand ducal couple continued requesting to meet her. This only strengthened the grand ducal couple’s conviction.

 It was exactly as Edmund had told them. They had been deceived by such people all this time.

 ‘I’m in no position to worry about others right now. Even our own family’s future looks bleak.’

 Looking at Steve, the Grand Duke inwardly thought of Lloyd.

 Feeling frustrated by his still immature son, he turned his attention back to reality.

 He handed Grit a document he had prepared.

 “Grand Duke, what is this?”

 Grit’s expression hardened when he saw the document the Grand Duke offered.

 “These are debts that the Odoi family must repay within this month. If you cannot repay them, then we shall see what happens, Duke.”

 “G-Grand Duke! Why are you suddenly doing this! Grand Duke!”

 After putting down the document, they walked out as if they had no further business.

 Though Grit tried to stop them, shouting until his voice gave out, he couldn’t halt their departing steps.

 ‘I have no face to see that child. It’s pathetic and infuriating that we foolishly trusted such people.’