No matter what the consequences?
Neirin studied the face of the emperor the moment he said that. His face cannot conceal his expression as his brows frowned. He stared in daze as his pupils dilated.
For the emperor this was an unexpected news.
Neirin can still hear it clearly how the duke looked and sounded after he had said that. Based on his words, he had long considered this suggestion before. He knew that being tied up with the royal family affairs won't do any good for long. The duke loved his son so much and wanted his future to be bright ahead. Moreover, if something happen, the royals could betray them.
In the end, it was a one sided relationship.
Long before the court of Miracles was established, the emperor had been looking for a way to tie the Halstead in his grasp. The Halstead power in the noble society was the same as the power of the royal family.
The Halstead had history long before the empire was established and these text and records were hidden in the the deepest part of the mansion that even those members who weren't qualified to know weren't given any chance to see a glimpse of it. There were even rumors that the Halsteads were even hiding magic, ancient artifacts, relics, and powers that no people in the nobility could ever attain of. Such rumors like this had made the Halstead duchy a favorable prey to those who wanted power.
But no matter how many years had passed, the Halsteads won't associate themselves in people who do not match their power in every aspect. They were pretty much arrogant. The nobility thought.
Few years before as duke Sebastian was planning to rule over the slums, the emperor had given him the strength and power to achieve his dreams with a deal that the request of the imperial family, whether it is murder or treason, everything their desire will be given to them.
The Royals like such promise. However, now that the duke had died and Neirin was there to replace him, her presence signifies the end of the long partnership. The duke finally realized that a one sided relationship like this won't last long. That was also the reason why he had decided it to be like this.
With the span of three years that Neirin will seat on the position of being a duchess, in those time, she will be in a deep control of the royal family, however, once Vincent took over, he had the right to continue this tradition or let the court of miracles exist for the Halsteads only.
Such news, of course, won't sit well to the royals. Especially, with Emperor Gideon who was greedy for more.
Without minding the emperor's expression, Neirin sat there casually drinking her tea and her eyes wondering all over the room praising the decorations placed there. There were even gold statues of lions on both side of the emperor's desk. It was sparkling now that the sun's rays were reflecting on it.
"How could the duke decide such important matter selfishly?!" the emperor expressed his disappointment but it wasn't that excessive. He heaved his breath several times as he tried to calm down. The emperor knew that pushing the pressure to the current duchess won't help. In his eyes, this woman was only a tool that the duke was using to protect his son.
Hence, if he wanted their relationship to be the same after Neirin step down, he needed to curry the favor of the duke's only Son, Vincent Raphael Halstead who was at the academy now.
Neirin put down the cup of tea she was drinking. "I am not in control of my father's wishes your majesty," Neirin said in a polite tone. She even gave a smile of remorse telling him that even if she wished for the both family relationship to stay, she doesn't have any power to decide such matters.
The emperor tilted his head a little to the right as he deliberated some matters. He then asked, "Then, when will your brother be introduce to the society? If it is not a burden to you, then, I would like his coming of age to be held in the palace."
'How sly,' Neirin thought.
They wanted to shower Vincent with different favors thinking he was naïve and not well cared enough. If Vincent was born arrogant, everything will be at the favor of the emperor. The more favors he receive the tight will the royal family reins on him. They can use this favors in the future to pressure him.
Well, Neirin doesn't have to worry about that. Neirin was a person who was not dumb at all. He was sly just like his father. He's more cunning than Neirin herself.
She smiled. "That would be in three years time, your majesty. I will keep in mind your suggestions but my brother will be the one who decides whether where he wanted his coming of age to be held."
The emperor smiled back as though nothing happened. "If that's the case then, we'll leave everything to the future, duchess of Halstead."
"Thank you for your consideration, your majesty."
As soon as the pleasantries were finished, Emperor Gideon moved to another topic. "You're probably curious for the reason why I called you in the palace."
"Yes, your majesty."
"It's not trivial matter, duchess." He started. He then stood up and go over some documents on his table. After looking one paper after the other, he put the papers he sorted on the table. Neirin grabbed the papers and did not hesitate to read the contents. Her eyes wondered through the letters and the sentence wanting to confirm her guess.
Just as she reached the last paragraph of the paper, she smiled inwardly as her guess was right.
"This is your highness?" Neirin asked curiously.
The emperor sat back down across Neirin. His expression looked troubled.
"There are almost five cases of nobles dying with in this year. These are murders that the knights had been trying hard to solve and after spending more efforts on looking at the culprit for six months, there was still no lead." The emperor suspicious gaze landed on her. Neirin cannot blame him. If it's crime, the court of miracles were mostly at fault.
Still, back in her previous life until now, this murder case was known for he bodies of the nobles being found like a desiccated corpse rotting in the sewers. In the news papers it was describe like someone had sucked all of their blood and cut their body pieces.
Neirin was curious about this crime before but no matter how long the years passed, the culprit wasn't found and was labeled as one of the unsolved cases.
This case was also the reason why the nobles did not trust the power of the royal family and a major conflict of the throne started especially when the nobles started to rebel.
Neirin did not want to change anything major that will happen in the future. Would she be able to see who was the culprit this time? Neirin go over her thoughts one after another considering any outcome and afraid that her actions might cause a different future for them.
"I am hoping that you can solve this with your connections and your information. The nobles were already protesting and they're quite noisy."
Neirin gave a polite nod. She'll decide this matter the moment she got home.
"I'll see to it what help we could do, your majesty."
--
In the emperor's office, after the duchess of Halstead finished her talk with the emperor, Crown prince Cassius was called by his father.
Cassius already knew in his mind what will be their topic were but he asked nonetheless, "Is there any urgent matter, father?"
The emperor nodded. He still have his troubled expression. "From now on, strengthen your ties with the family of Halstead especially with the future duke, Vincent Raphael Halstead. He's on the academy now. Be sure to visit the academy from time to time to meet him."
Cassius thought for a moment. He already have an idea of what had happened. Still, he asked,
"We have been friendly with the Halstead for as long as I can remember. I am confident enough that we can maintain that in the present and even in the future." Cassius took a step forward. "Is there any reason why you are urging me, father?" He pressed.
Emperor Gideon nodded. "Yes, the duchess had told me about the deadline that the duke had set for us and our partnership. If the future duke wanted to cut ties between us, then, we won't be able to do anything. We needed to ensure that no matter what lies ahead, the Halstead would still stand in front of us to take any blame and even clean our mess. That's how capable and important they are. I hope I can trust you with this one, Cassius."
The crown prince gaze deepen as he smiled with confidence. "No need to worry Father for this was my plan long after I met the duchess myself. I need her."
--