Chapter 214: The Duchess's Warning
The imperial palace guards narrowed their eyes, scrutinizing the group approaching the palace gates. A woman with black hair, clutching two men with dark ash-gray hair. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn't tear his gaze away, watching their approach in rapt silence.
"Anything unusual?"
"Someone's approaching the palace right now."
Carmen Ansis, an imperial knight checking on the guards, turned with a puzzled look toward where the guard pointed.
"That's..."
Carmen's eyes widened in an instant as she took in the newcomers.
"My god."
"Lady Carmen, what's going on?"
Without a word, Carmen dashed out beyond the gates and stood before the Lavante family.
"Duke Leonard Lavante, Your Excellency!"
Her shout drew the eyes of everyone nearby to the duke. Shock rippled through the crowd at first, then shifted to gazes of deep respect as they beheld the Lavantes.
Leonard brushed off their reactions with practiced ease and returned Carmen's greeting.
"It's been a while, Lady Carmen."
"To be remembered by you is an honor!"
"It's been a while. Lady Carmen."
Ludenberg offered his own greeting to her as well.
"What brings you to the palace?"
"I have an appointment with Crown Princess Sione."
Asha, wrapped around her husband and son's arms, smiled warmly at Carmen.
"Ah..."
"Well then, may we enter?"
"Of course. Welcome to the Solemnute Imperial Palace. Your Excellency Duke Lavante, Duchess Lavante, Young Duke Lavante."
Carmen swiftly ordered the guards to open the palace gates, and the three stepped inside.
"My goodness, it's been so long, Duchess. I hope you've been well."
Crown Princess Sione Solenute greeted Asha with a beaming smile.
"Of course. How could I not be?"
"Indeed. With all the brilliant achievements Ludenberg has racked up this semester."
"A mother couldn't be anything but proud to have such an exceptional son. Hearing of his exploits from afar is the greatest joy a parent can know. But tell me, did that Asta boy and his little band of troublemakers cause any issues this term?"
Asha's eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded Sione. The gentle aura she usually exuded had vanished, replaced by a chilling intensity that sent frost creeping across nearby objects.
It wasn't mere presence—her emotions alone wielded divine power potent enough to affect her surroundings. Sione eyed Asha with a touch of tension.
Asha Lavante. Before her marriage, she had been the previous Saintess of Mare.
The reason she was "previous" was simple: she had forsaken the position for love. Even now, the Mare Church longed for her return. Some criticized her as irresponsible, but those who remembered her feats from age seven—eradicate plagues, enduring endless suffering to heal the sick—insisted no Saintess of Mare had ever matched her. She remained one of the church's greatest prides.
In short, she was no mere duchess. If she wished, she could claim the role of Mare's archbishop even now, and she ranked among the most revered figures among the faithful. Had she not chosen love with Duke Lavante, she might have led the church herself.
That was Asha Lavante.
"They did. Quite the mischief."
"As expected. Ashus, Heinz, Greta... all parasites clinging to Asta and Altis's coattails. We should have dealt with them long ago."
"But no need to worry too much."
"True. He's more than capable of handling himself. He must have given them a proper thrashing. Those kids."
"...Yes."
"I know. But knowing doesn't mean I can let them torment my son unchecked. So, Your Highness, I must ask your understanding."
"Understanding for what?"
"Asta, Altis, Ashus, Heinz, Greta. A final warning to those five houses."
"A warning...?"
"Yes. I'm well aware of the respect and love the Mare faithful hold for me. I stayed neutral to keep them out of political games—even when Altis and Asta schemed against Lavante, or when they targeted Ludenberg, I held my tongue. But no longer."
Asha fixed Sione with a sharp gaze.
"The title of former Mare Saintess means less to me now than being Ludenberg's mother. I'll use everything at my disposal to protect my son. It may be late, but with Ludenberg finding his spark again, I'll do whatever it takes to safeguard it."
"...Yes."
"So if I hear those children have toyed with him again... those five houses will have to regard me as an enemy. Especially Mion Altis. That girl, tied to the Mare Church, can expect harsh judgment. So, Professor Sione Solenute of Solem Theology, please give those children a stern warning to ensure it never happens."
"...Yes."
Sione swallowed hard. With anyone else, she might have rebuked the impertinence as crown princess. But Asha Lavante had showered affection on the early-bereaved Sione in place of her late mother, Empress Itara. Though they met less after Ludenberg's birth, the letters of concern came daily—Asha was like a second mother to her.
In the end, Sione accepted Asha's anger like an eldest sister scolded by her mother.
"I'll make sure they know. Still, Duchess, try not to worry. They've mended their ways lately."
"Oh? Then no need for concern."
Asha's rigid expression softened into a slight smile, and the tension dissolved. The frost melted away, restoring the room's warm atmosphere.
"Anyway... that's not why I came to see you. We have business to discuss, don't we?"
"We do."
Sione nodded. She knew exactly what Asha would bring up next.
"I'd like to discuss Ludenberg and Princess Ashytara's engagement in more detail. What do you think?"
"I was about to suggest the same, Duchess."
"Honestly, it's all but settled, but now's the time to hash out the details."
"Yes. They've confirmed their feelings, so now dates and... various arrangements."
"Then the date..."
"The venue..."
The two delved into amiable discussion. They knew each other too well, and Ludenberg and Ashytara were perfect matches in character—no need to debate that. Instead, they pondered how to craft the ideal engagement for son and sister.
Satisfied with their conclusions, they sipped tea with smiles. Asha gazed at Sione with a wistful expression.
"You know, you really do resemble Itara more each day."
"...Do I?"
"Yes. Ashytara too, but between Prince Heydel and Princess Ashytara, it's you, Crown Princess Sione, who takes after her most."
"All thanks to you, Duchess."
"I merely passed on what Itara gave me."
Asha shook her head.
"Still, I couldn't have endured those hard times without you. That's undeniable."
"No. It was your own hard work, Your Highness. Seeing you blossom so beautifully makes it all worthwhile."
"...Thank you, Duchess."
"Though there's one regret."
"A regret?"
"Princess Ashytara. I was so busy with Ludenberg that I missed seeing her as a child. Now it aches, but I'm glad she grew into such a fine young woman."
"She was mine to care for. I still regret failing her."
"Yet look how wonderfully she turned out."
"That's thanks to Ludenberg."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes. Tara truly brightened up after meeting him."
"...I see."
"That's why I'm always grateful to you, Ludenberg, and Duke Lavante."
Sione conveyed her heartfelt thanks. Asha simply returned her usual gentle smile.
Upon entering the palace, Ludenberg's parents parted for their respective meetings—Asha with Sione, Duke Leonard with Emperor Rajeta. Ludenberg had no choice but to head to Itara Palace, Ashytara's residence, to see her.
But as he stepped out, someone came running toward him.
Naturally, it was Ashytara.
Ludenberg smiled the moment he saw her and called out.
"Tara!"
"Lude!"
He pulled her into a tight embrace as she flung herself at him. It had only been a fortnight since they'd last met, yet to Ludenberg, it felt like ages—likely due to the long ordeal in the trial world.
"Missed you."
"Yeah!"
Ashytara beamed up at him. Her maids and attendants, hurrying to keep up, couldn't help but smile warmly at the sight.
"You doing okay?"
"Of course. Dad's training was brutal, but..."
"...So not really? Must've been rough."
"It was better than expected—my skills improved. You finished preps for the Glory Festival?"
"Yeah, almost done. Just today left."
"Aren't you swamped right now?"
"Nah, on a break. Ran over as soon as I heard you were here."
Sure enough, Ashytara wore a new priestess robe, tailored for the Glory Festival—neater and more refined than before.
"New robes? Different vibe from last time."
"Yep, custom-made for the festival. What do you think?"
"Pretty."
"Hehe, really?"
"Yeah. I'd say you're pretty no matter what, but these really are."
"Getting good at compliments now?"
"Too weird?"
"Nah. I like it."
Ashytara's face lit up with a radiant smile at his unabashed praise.