CHAPTER 4

On the next day, the duke came to Althea’s room. He planned to inform her about the culprit of the ambush that happened a month ago.

“Greetings Duke.” Zoey bowed, after the greetings, she left Althea’s room.

“Athe.” The duke called.

“Father, you came,” Althea responded with a bright smile.

“I am glad you look so healthy.”

“It’s all thanks to the servants, father. They took care of me every time.” Althea replied with a smile.

The duke smiled for a moment before he put a serious look, “Athe, I have something to tell you. It is about the ambush

investigation result and I hope you could think of this with a clear mind.”

“Sure, father. Please tell me.”

“Athe, the culprit behind the ambush is the Crown Prince. I know you love him and are engaged to him. But that is the fact.” The duke said carefully.

“Hmm…apparently he is.” Althea responded with no affection.

“Athe, do you still want to be with him after knowing this fact?” The duke asked.

Althea smiled so brightly. “No, father. I don’t want to be with anyone else but you. Please annul the engagement.”

“…my daughter is back to her senses, at last. I’ll strike the Imperial Family and annul the engagement.” The duke looked at Althea with a proud look.

“Thank you, father. From now on, I’ll do my best to be worthy as your successor.” Althea spoke with full determination.

“I am glad, Athe. Right, I’ll go now.” The duke stroked Althea’s hair before he headed to the Imperial Palace.

In the main hall, with a pile of documents on his hands, Sir Evan has been waiting for the duke’s appearance.

“Everything is settled, Your Grace.” Sir Evan said.

“Let’s go.”

Both of them went to the Imperial Palace. Behind the Duke’s carriage, there were two carriages that were covered in black robes followed. Both carriages carried the evidence of the Crown Prince’s guilt. And twenty knights rode their horses to guard the carriages.

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About thirty minutes later, the duke and his commotion arrived at the Imperial Palace. The commotion brought attention to everyone in the palace.

“His Grace Duke Arlo Ein Harrigan and his aide entered the Imperial Hall.” The servant informed the duke's presence.

In the Imperial Hall, there were the Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, and several houses that supported the Crown Prince for the throne. Basically, the House of Harrigan was one of those

supporters since Althea engaged to the Crown Prince.

“Greetings Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Greetings Your Highness Crown Prince.” The Duke and Sir Evans greeted.

“Duke, I’ve got your letter of this sudden appointment. As per your request, all the Crown Prince’s supporters are presenting here.” The emperor said friendly.

“With all due respect, I really thanked you for this willingness, Your Majesty.” The duke gave a slight bow.

“Hahaha…never mind, we’re going to be in-laws after all. Let’s take it easy. Tell me, what’s the urgency?” The emperor asked.

“Your Majesty, I am here on behalf of my daughter who is still in recovery from the ambush tragedy.” The duke replied.

“Ah…I heard about that. I wish her a fast recovery. And then?” The emperor asked again.

“Under my daughter’s request, I am Arlo Ein Harrigan, the head of the House of Harrigan, I demand to annul the engagement between the Crown Prince and my daughter, Your Majesty.” The duke said.

Hearing the Duke’s request, the emperor rose from his throne with a displeased look, “What are you talking about Duke? What’s with this sudden annulment?!”

With the Emperor’s reaction, the duke gave Sir Evan a sign about what to do next.

CLACK

The left door of the Imperial Hall opened. Six persons with black robes which covered their heads entered under Harrigan’s knights’ compulsion.

“Duke, what’s with all this commotion?!” The Empress shouted in bewilderment.

Looking at the six people who were dragged by Harrigan’s knights, the Crown Prince’s face turned pale.

“These six persons are the ones who ambushed my daughter, Your Majesty.” At the end of the duke’s words, the knight opened the black robes.

“They must be punished severely, then. What’s the relation between these bastards and the engagement annulment?” The

emperor narrowed his eyebrows.

In the Emperor’s question, three other of Harrigan’s knights entered the Imperial Hall. Two of the knights brought some swords and daggers, another knight brought black robes with a serpent emblem on each robe.

The serpent emblem was the symbol of the Crown Prince’s shadow knights. Looking at all the evidence brought by the Duke, the Crown Prince and the Empress’ eyes widened.

“I suppose all of this evidence is enough to answer Your Majesty Emperor’s question.” The duke said calmly.

“Crown Prince, explain yourself!” The emperor shouted.

“Father, this son was doing that because Lady Althea often harmed Lady Priscila whom I love.” The Crown Prince bent down

on one knee.

“What?! That Baron’s daughter? You tried to kill your fiancé for the sake of that girl?” The emperor shouted again in a disbelief tone.

“She isn’t just a girl, father. She is my lover and I’ll make her my Crown Princess.” The Crown Prince was determined.

“You, fool bastard!” The emperor shouted.

“Your Majesty, everything is clear enough. The Crown Prince is guilty of the ambush of my daughter for the sake of another woman. This is truly a betrayal to our trust.” The duke spoke

lightly.

“Duke, we’re like a family. Don’t we? Let’s talk about this in a family circumstance.” The Empress spoke carefully.

“Your Majesty Empress, pardon me. My daughter’s life is more precious than anything else in this world.” The duke

put his hand on his chest.

“Duke, I will personally punish the Crown Prince. For the sake of the Imperial Family’s good name, please don’t bring this matter to the Imperial court.” The emperor requested.

“I am not going to do that either, Your Majesty. Instead, aside from the engagement annulment, I have two other conditions.” The duke said.

“Sure, Duke. I’ll grant the conditions. Tell me.”

“Secondly, if the rumor of this annulment spread among society, the reason will not be because of the ambush. Instead, the rumor will be the Crown Prince’s infidelity with that Baron’s

daughter. That’s a fact and no one deserved to argue.” The duke said.

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