Bernadette followed immediately. Hadeon Ortiz walked gallantly as if he didn't care about the master of the palace. This rightful arrogance was something that she had only seen once when she was a kid. It reminded her of the arrogance of Ortiz. She thought that a day where an Ortiz would not walk these halls would not come again.
"Stop right there, Hadeon."
Hadeon stopped. He places his gaze on Bernadette. "What do you want?" he said as if unsatisfied by being stopped.
"Nothing, I hear rumors about you, Hadeon."
"Even the Emperor has to address me respectfully, Princess. What right do you have to speak to me that way? Did the palace tutors stopped your education?"
Bernadette frowned. This Archduke was not even as old as her! How could he speak to her that way!? She was still the flower of the Capital!"
"You are…rude."
"Am I? I believe that I have nothing to hide any longer. Even if I please you, would anything come out of it?" Hadeon took a step forward and placed his cold blue eyes on her. "Tell me, I do not believe that you did not hear how I am no different from a pig!"
"That is," Bernadette swallowed. Even she could tell that he was knocking on that sixth level of power. His physique was already at the fifth level. Not to mention that despite all the rumors about him. He was still the Archduke of Ortiz.
The current head of the family slew an ancient dragon at the cost of the life of the heirs. He was the last living heir and was tolerated because of the blood running in his veins. After all, how could they have tolerated a pig of a man living like that and brazenly asking for a good womb like the Iron Woman Carwyn?
But how can she still say it? She would be blind if she says that right in his face. The current Hadeon Ortiz was unlike the rumors led her to believe. It would be an insult to continue such thoughts. Even it was history, who would dare to bring it up? Not to mention she could understand the feeling of loss and having to live up to the Ortiz Bloodline's standard. He might have dragged the name on the dirt, but it didn't mean he could wash away dishonor with repentance.
"Forgive me, then Archduke," she said with gritted teeth.
Hadeon Ortiz gave a helpless sighed. "Bernadette, we are of the same age, you have talent, and I do not have. I admit this. But one should know their place. Besides, if you keep talking about me, then the Emperor might just change his mind and let you marry this former 'pig'."
"Forgive me then," Bernadette calmed. She abandoned all thoughts of quarreling with the current Hadeon. "What? Are you going to let go of Carwyn? You two have a daughter now, right?"
"We have," Hadeon said. "Tell me, if you have married an ugly pig, even if does change, do you think you can get rid of that bad memory?"
"So you are thinking of divorcing her? Wait…you don't want me to marry you now, Archduke!?"
"Course not, why I would want to marry you?"
Bernadette found herself wrongly accused. Come on now, Archduke, even she was called the flower of the capital! Was she dirt in front of him? Or was it because of this attitude?
"Because I am pretty?"
"Is Carwyn not pretty? Besides, this is the only way I can repay her. If she asked for it, then let it be so."
"You didn't answer my question!" Bernadette pouted. Although ten years had passed since she last played with this bastard. They could still be considered childhood friends!
"And I didn't, please, I bet you only wanted to approach me because you worry that you'd be marrying this pig. Anyway, don't worry, I don't have interest in you and this capital."
"You sound really spiteful, oh gracious lord."
"Shut it," Hadeon Ortiz simmered down. "Anyway, just don't call me casually when we are here in this palace. I rather not be in this Capital or even take a step here."
"Ah, so where are you going?"
"Why should I tell you?"
Bernadette frowned. How can a man so be intolerable?
"You know, we were used to be good friends, Archduke."
"A good friend that doesn't visit for ten years and comes to the throne hall looking like she was unwilling to meet a living poop? Please, I saw you looking like you ate something awful and shouting. I can hear you, my senses have been awfully sharp, and in this silent palace you can hear a lot."
Bernadette stiffened at that response. She tried to find words but gave up and apologized instead. "Fine, I fell for the rumors, so what about it? You said it yourself, it's true, and you are even willing to divorce the iron woman."
"I am," Hadeon Ortiz looked away.
"But is she willing?"
Hadeon placed his gaze back to her. "Why would she not?"
"Hadeon Ortiz, no, I am sorry, Archduke Hadeon, you really don't know?"
"I know she loathes me enough to probably put me into the guillotine."
Bernadette stared at this fool for a moment. He really did not know? She almost laughed but suppressed that laugh since she might actually become an enemy with an Archduke. Even then, who knows? Maybe the arrogance of the Ortiz wouldn't let him be insulted, and he'd draw that sacred sword out of thin air and asked for a duel.
"I think you two should talk again, in this new form."
"I can't face her now. I sullied her pride. At least what I can do for now is let her raise our child peacefully."
Bernadette shook her head. There was no use in talking about it when the person doesn't want to talk about it further. Archduke Hadeon didn't want to stay so she didn't dare to let him stay.
Bernadette was about to turn away. She looked at Hadeon's sublime back and frowned. "If you hadn't fallen into despair and became like that…hmm, maybe I would have agreed."
She could remember that haughty yet valiant kid that stood proudly, trying to imitate his father's glory.
Her father Emperor was saddened by the 'fall' of that man. But even though he had fallen to his despair the Ortiz was still strong and reliable with their Knights continuing their tradition and the Patriarch managing the Archduchy with mastery. He was raised with the finest education and tutors so how could he have slackened? Not to mention that Lord Micah was his vassal, which made the Emperor forgive the Archduke for becoming such an infamous figure.
"I guess he had realized something," Bernadette commented. It seems like she has quite a story to tell her close sisters after this. I mean no told her to keep quiet about this, didn't they?