Darkness fell on the duchy’s spire.
Rashid sat in the office and checked the documents. There was no end to his work throughout the day, from the problems of the vast estates to the matters of the capital.
Would it have been easier to handle things if he had been mindful of becoming a duke since childhood? The past was irreversible and uncertain.
Then suddenly, I remembered Alyssa I saw during the day.
Rashid smirked unconsciously. I thought of how she kept speaking nonchalantly, remarking sarcastic answers, and making complaining faces when I tried to concentrate on the documents. No one has ever dared to do that to me. I was surprised that she suddenly had a nosebleed, but I was relieved to hear that she would be okay if she just relaxed.
I saw the ring on my left ring finger. I’ve been wearing it as a habit since I got married, but the weight I’ve never recognized felt new.
What kind of wind is that woman going to bring, the one who was always quiet and in a hurry to avoid me?
‘It’s funny.’
Rashid rested on his chin. His golden eyes stood out.
It was extremely rare for anything unexpected to cheer him up. But now it was so interesting that he couldn’t categorize it either way. The insurgency, which was not a threat, was refreshing.
The world was divided into two things for him. Yes and no, possible and impossible, O and X, good and bad, what he has to do and what he doesn’t have to do…and in the meantime, a half-way compromise belonged to those who failed or abandoned the clear classification.
Succession to the duchy was possible for him. Before that, it was cutting down his blood-stained brothers and sisters. It was also possible to keep my mother on an island.
As a result, Rashid Penvernon became the Duke of Penvernon of his time, the second son of a duke.
The emperor allowed Rashid to have everything of a duke’s without accusing him of murder. The immense wealth, power, and honor became entirely his possession.
The price for it was firm loyalty to the imperial family. The intention was clear to strengthen control over the Duke of Penvernon by incurring debt.
Use your power for the imperial family, follow and serve the imperial family, do not rise up against it, do not become too prominent….
Despite having pledged blood loyalty for a long time, the emperor’s restraint became more and more sophisticated. Maybe it’s because he thinks he’s the one who’s going to ‘set Granrose on fire’, but anyway.
At first, there was backlash. However, the emperor’s control over the dragon’s power was stubborn. Eventually, after kneeling down once in the palace hall, Rashid obeyed those who put chains around his head.
It doesn’t matter now. He tells me to do what he wants. The same was true for marrying the daughter of an unknown count. It was a good thing for him.
Rashid leaned over the chair and closed his eyes. The subtle light of the lamp coiled through his eyelids.
He liked things that could be measured. Moments that flow as imagined and do not betray expectations were insignificant.
Things that didn’t, things that went beyond my expectations, usually made me tired. For example, when my brother tried to kill me and my mother and sister joined the plan. It was due to the suffering of their jealousy and inferiority towards the strongest dragon power wielder.
So Rashid decided not to trust anyone. I couldn’t trust anyone any more. Even my blood relationships rejected me, so who do you think he’s going to trust your heart to?