Kapitel 24: The Duke’s Gambit

As the door opened, Duke Argenti welcomed me cheerfully.

"Well… Well… Look who we have here! My granddaughter Luna, who's about to turn eleven!"

The man was sitting on the sofa in front of the King. They seemed to enjoy tea while having a casual conversation before I entered the chamber.

I glanced at the Duke. This was my third time seeing him in person since I was still a baby. Maybe around five years old? This old man… He still looked the same but somehow seemed different.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, and Your Grace," I greeted them with a practiced curtsey.

"Oh, why are you so formal to your own grandfather, my dear? We're family, aren't we?" The old man chuckled and waved his hand. Despite his voice booming warmly, there was a sharp contrast to the calculated glint in his silver eyes. Something… unnerving. "Come, have a seat." He patted the empty spot on the sofa beside him.

I hesitated before walking in and gracefully sat down on the seat next to him. I didn't want to complain, but this old man's perfume smelled like a mix of rose and cedar.

"It's been a while since we've had a chance to sit and chat like this." Duke Argenti leaned back and crossed his legs leisurely.

A while? We haven't met directly for five years, old geezer! I chuckled inwardly.

A servant approached us silently, pouring a cup of tea for me before retreating, leaving me alone with the two most powerful men in the kingdom.

"How are your studies coming along?"

"It's great."

"I hear you're learning magic directly from Master Falgria?"

"Yes, Grandpa," I replied shortly with a small nod.

"And who's teaching you etiquette?"

"Countess Dolia," I replied again, taking a sip of tea to steady myself.

What is this small talk supposed to accomplish?

I couldn't help but think while observing the Duke who was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit with gold embellishments that contrasted with his silver hair.

Duke Caelus Argenti... He was a distant relative of the former king and the second most powerful figure in the Emeraldine Kingdom. He had a significant resemblance to my mother, Shilien; from the same silver hair, sharp features, and piercing purple eyes. Compared to Shilien, the man had more than just physical appearance. His current demeanor, jovial yet subtly menacing, and his charisma radiated a dangerous charm.

In Twilight's Chronicle, he had been described as one of the most enigmatic figures in Emeraldine. He was more than just an antagonist… An unpredictable figure, which made him even more dangerous than Shilien.

"Why don't you learn directly from your mother? Isn't she an exceptional noblewoman?" he asked, his voice light yet loaded with implication.

"I am simply following my father's wishes. Before this, my mother taught me many things," I replied cautiously, carefully avoiding any hint of criticism.

The Duke's gaze sharpened. "Do you think my daughter is no longer fit to provide as Luna's instructor, Icaros?" he asked, directing the question toward the King.

"I thought you had understood Shilien's teaching methods and upbringing style, which passed down from the Argenti family, Uncle," the King replied dryly, the edge of sarcasm in his tone unmistakable.

The Duke laughed, a rich sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Hahaha! You're right! Knowing Shilien, she'd likely teach Luna the most unsavory aspects of our family's legacy, like black magic and curses."

Unsavory…? I fought to keep my expression neutral, though the casual mention of such dark practices sent a chill through me.

"But at least Shilien hasn't told you to get rid of Chrisola, your sister. Isn't that right, Luna?" the Duke asked suddenly, his smile sharp as a blade.

I stiffened, his words striking like a thunderclap. Was this a test? A trap? My heart raced, but I forced myself to meet his gaze.

"I have already promised to protect Chrisola," I declared firmly, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. "No matter what happens, I will never betray her."

The King's expression softened into a faint, approving smile. Meanwhile, the Duke regarded me with a look I couldn't decipher… Like an admiration tinged with something darker and calculating.

"Ho… Interesting," he murmured, swirling his tea lazily. "Is that why you recently pulled off a clever little stunt to undermine your mother's authority?"

My stomach dropped. My grip on the teacup tightened imperceptibly.

This man… How does he know that I am behind the tea party incident?

"You don't need to worry," the Duke said, his voice as smooth as silk as he stroked my head in a gesture that felt more like a predator toying with its prey. "Outplaying your own mother so cleverly already shows just how exceptional you are, my dear granddaughter."

"H-How did you…"

"Because only a true Argenti can conquer another Argenti," he interrupted, his cryptic words sending a fresh wave of unease through me. "Isn't that right, Icaros?"

The King's lips tightened into a thin line, his sapphire blue eyes unreadable. "But Luna is an Emeralia, not an Argenti. Don't forget that, Uncle."

The Duke chuckled softly, taking a leisurely sip of his tea.

I, meanwhile, struggled to process this exchange. Was this a veiled warning? A twisted compliment? Or both?

"Luna," the King said suddenly, drawing my attention.

"Yes, Father?"

"Next week is the kingdom's anniversary celebration. I plan to celebrate your birthday on that day as well, which will also serve as your debutante ball. Prepare yourself accordingly."

A debutante ball? My heart sank. So it's true… They're planning my debutante early, just as Ren had warned me.

"But Father, I'm only eleven years old… Isn't it too early?"

"Based on the reports from your mentors, I believe there's nothing wrong with introducing you to the nobles at an early age," the King explained evenly. "After all, the main focus of the event is the kingdom's anniversary celebration."

The Duke smiled, though his gaze felt more like a lion sizing up his prey. "Indeed. A brilliant individual like you deserves recognition early on, my dear granddaughter. Consider it an achievement… and a reminder for Chrisola of the heights she must aspire to reach as the future heir to the throne. Isn't that right, Icaros?"

The King responded in a deafening silence. It felt like the Duke's last statement seemed to suggest that I was superior to Chrisola. And it made my heart feel complicated.

"I understood…" I replied, bowing my head. Protesting further would only draw unnecessary attention.

Still, something didn't sit right with me. They hadn't mentioned anything about an engagement… Had the King rejected the idea, or was it simply being postponed?

A sudden knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Your Majesty, an envoy from the Magnotech Empire has arrived," Owen's voice came from the outside.

The room's atmosphere shifted instantly, tension crackling in the air.

"Very well," the King said, his voice colder now. He turned to me. "You may leave, Luna."

"Yes, Father. Excuse me, Father, and Grandpa." I curtsied and left the room, my thoughts racing.

Magnotech…? This is the first time I've heard of them referred to as an empire. What could it mean? And why did their name immediately drain the warmth from the King and Duke's expressions?

Something doesn't feel right and I need to investigate it. I guess I can ask Owen about it later.… Or maybe Ren might have some information if this has anything to do with his knowledge of the MMORPG that wasn't part of Twilight's Chronicle. But for now, my focus must be on the debutante ball!

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