But when Dmitry and Annan were just about to put the next step of their plan into action...
Ivan Rime discovered his brothers sneaking around.
— And so Dmitry was severely beaten by Grand Duke Ivan twice.
Once because he, as the eldest son, dared to make such a significant decision without consulting his father's opinion, and a second time because he failed to set an example as an elder brother by restraining his younger brother Annan from acting rashly—thus, the second beating was taken on behalf of Annan.
Although Dmitry did not care about his own fertility, and he had never considered having children,
his indifference to the matter did not change the fact that being the first in line to the succession without the ability to produce offspring would destabilize the duchy.
At that time, Maria had already decided to follow the path of the Lady of the Storm.
The only one who could inherit the Grand Duke's position was the young Annan.
