She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 102

Declaration of an Emergency

Even if martial law was declared, one thing stood clear. The imperial forces couldn't search the ducal mansion unless Duke Ideos left the estate. Therefore, no matter how much martial law was declared, they couldn't step inside directly.

For Cassius, enduring the emergency martial law state from within the mansion was enough. Since this was not a national disaster, martial law couldn't last long. Though the Crown Prince would try anything to draw him out.

Will he try to falsely accuse me of treason for no reason?

Cassius thought with a cold mind. Since the Crown Prince had not thrown a bait yet, he remained at the Ideos mansion, spending a day that felt like a restful break.

Of course, he had to attend meetings to soothe the anxiety of the vassals. Today was no exception. The senior officials gathered at the mansion fired words in rapid succession.

[Vassal] "How can such a thing happen?"

[Vassal] "You achieved brilliant victories, yet instead of giving a reward, they declare martial law......"

[Vassal] "The Crown Prince goes entirely too far!"

[Vassal] "Hey, watch your words! No matter what......"

[Vassal] "Why! Did I say something I shouldn't have?"

As Cassius considered stepping in to stop the argument, a vassal addressed him.

[Vassal] "Lord Ideos, are you not angry at all?"

The vassals, who were about to strike the table in anger, turned their eyes to Duke Ideos all at once.

Instead of receiving a reward as the greatest contributor to the empire, Cassius was suffering at the hands of the Crown Prince, who openly targeted him. Naturally, anger was the normal reaction under these circumstances......

[Cassius] "I am not particularly angry."

His neat and calm attitude showed total sincerity. Come to think of it, the behavior stood as highly strange. One of the senior officials asked cautiously with a flustered face.

[Vassal] "Then, do you have something in mind......?"

Cassius merely looked at the vassals and declined.

[Cassius] "I don't."

[Vassal] "Indeed, this martial law arrived far too suddenly......"

The collective sighs of the middle-aged men filled the conference room. However, with a calm face, Cassius recalled the conversation he had shared with Sierra.

[Sierra] "The Crown Prince will definitely try to search the mansion by any means."

[Cassius] "Of course."

[Sierra] "We must pretend to cooperate to a certain extent while feigning slight resistance as we allow the search."

[Cassius] "......Let's do that."

Then, a senior official spoke cautiously.

[Vassal] "By the way, the Crown Prince appeared to be searching for something."

[Vassal] "They will search the Ideos mansion soon...... Your Grace, do you happen to know what he desires?"

[Vassal] "The atmosphere is far too grim...... Can we not just give it to him?"

[Vassal] "Hey, your words sound incredibly cowardly!"

Listening to the renewed bickering of the senior vassals, Cassius blinked slowly. Their words were accurate. What the Crown Prince desired lay securely hidden inside his mansion. Specifically, Hanael.

[Cassius] "Wait patiently."

The vassals looked as though they had much to say at the command to wait. However, Cassius continued, bringing the conversation to a definitive end.

[Cassius] "Perhaps this entire situation will be resolved quickly."

And among the matters he stated so resolutely, absolute certainty dictated that none remained unresolved.

Just as everyone shrank back and stared at each other, someone burst into the conference room in an instant.

[Messenger] "Your Grace, a messenger from His Majesty the Emperor has arrived."

[Group] "......"

[Messenger] "His Majesty commands you to enter the imperial palace immediately due to an urgent matter."

The cold atmosphere heated up instantly, exploding into a frenzy. The man sitting directly to the right of Duke Ideos spoke first.

[Vassal] "You can't go!"

[Vassal] "The moment you leave, they will search the ducal mansion. If there is something inside that we must never lose, you must defend the estate."

However, Cassius offered a relaxed smile.

[Cassius] "If I refuse His Majesty's summons and mobilize private soldiers instead, I become a traitor."

[Vassal] "That, that is......"

An ordinary noble might face ruin, but Duke Ideos possessed the power to ignore the Emperor's summons at least once. If pushed, Cassius could buy some time. Despite knowing this fact perfectly, he stood up slowly.

[Cassius] "I shall return safely, then."

He gave a short nod.

---

Meanwhile, inside the Emperor's palace.

The imperial palace stood just as chaotic as the Ideos estate. Neutral nobles issued statements against the groundless martial law, but the Emperor maintained utter silence.

Of course, he didn't support his son blindly without thought. Initially, when he discovered that his son committed the Icaros murder case, he summoned the Crown Prince and scolded him severely.

[Emperor] "What do you lack?"

[Prince] "Did you say I lack something?"

[Emperor] "Yes. Even I have reached my limit in covering up your wicked deeds."

The Crown Prince let out a bitter smile.

Watching him, the Emperor cast his sharp, cold gaze downward. His son, who usually felt entirely like a monster, looked human through that single smile. That must be why he abandoned his rage and viewed the prince with pity instead.

[Emperor] "You are out of your mind. How can the Crown Prince think of killing someone......"

[Prince] "It will definitely not cause a major issue. Therefore, can you not just watch over me for one more year, Your Imperial Majesty?"

[Emperor] "Even so, you slaughtered a person!

[Prince] "Before you are the father of the citizens, are you not my father, Your Majesty? Furthermore, once this project achieves success, mere nobles will no longer be able to interfere with imperial authority."

The prince didn't display his usual behavior, heavily soaked in an inferiority complex. Initially, his son, who returned after committing murder, appeared highly deceptive. Yet the Emperor had never witnessed such a sincere gaze from him before.

Despite knowing he should scold the prince sharply and force him to study imperial politics again, the Emperor tested his son like someone under a spell.

[Emperor] "It seems you rely on something. What do you gain by slaughtering people?"

[Prince] "I merely cleansed the vagrants from the streets. In doing so, I obtained a bonus."

[Emperor] "A bonus?"

[Prince] "Do you think I cleansed the vagrants without any compensation? Those wretches possessed mana, and I stole it."

[Emperor] "What on earth are you talking about...…?!"

[Prince] "Have you heard of the power of the blue mana from the oracle?"

[Emperor] "I heard the oracle stating that a person with that power would save the world. Why does that......"

[Prince] "While cleansing the vagrants, I am gathering the power of their mana inside my body. Thanks to that, our imperial family will prosper forever. I have merely laid the foundation."

Initially, the sight of the Prince smiling after killing someone aroused sheer disgust. Yet his plan possessed a clear and detailed structure, sufficient to tempt even the Emperor.

There is no way I failed in raising my child. I am the supreme Emperor of the empire, and my son is the sole child destined to wear the imperial crown.

It is enough if the majority of the citizens are happy. Everyone will definitely be happy under my rule.

The doors of the imperial palace remained tightly shut. The Emperor intended to tolerate the Crown Prince's actions for the time being. Furthermore......

Duke Ideos is a dangerous element, so I must build up the strength of my son, the Crown Prince.

In that sense, the Emperor became the Crown Prince's greatest supporter.

The Emperor trusted his son, at least until now. The realization that this decision was foolish frequently struck him, yet he endured it, believing he could reverse the situation later.

Then, Duke Ideos came to visit the Emperor.

Until the chief chamberlain knocked on the palace door, the Emperor remained unaware. To be precise, he had questioned the report in absolute surprise upon learning that Duke Ideos had arrived. Yet the fact that the Duke stood waiting outside the palace gates was unmistakable.

Why on earth did he leave the ducal mansion and arrive at this exact moment? I summoned him, but he could have refused.

The martial law decree was tightening around Duke Ideos's neck. The Emperor assumed that the brilliant Duke would lie low, effectively confined to his own mansion. Yet this step was entirely unexpected.

If he leaves his estate, the Crown Prince will search the Ideos mansion.

Curiosity and bewilderment simultaneously washed over the face of the Emperor, who had previously refused all visitors and stayed in isolation. Yet the Crown Prince had given him a clear instruction.

[Prince] "If Duke Ideos arrives, grant him an audience."

[Emperor] "Why must I do that?"

[Prince] "You must do so. I will lay a trap for him. I beg you to grant the request of your unworthy son, Your Majesty."

Since the Emperor had decided to follow the Crown Prince's words, he needed to see how far this would go.

Thus, the Emperor granted Duke Ideos an audience. He felt inwardly curious about what a cornered Duke would say.

Watching the pale face of Duke Ideos walking through the door, the Emperor leaned back firmly against his seat.

[Cassius] "I greet Your Imperial Majesty."

The Emperor admired him slightly in silence. He always recognized that the young Duke, who had barely passed his twenty-year mark, possessed an extraordinary presence to meet the gaze of a fifty-year-old monarch.

Yet this instance was different. Despite the unfair oppression forced upon him, the Duke remained remarkably neat and composed, earning the Emperor's respect. Knowing he must have suffered internally, his perfectly normal expression proved he was no ordinary man.

Should I have coaxed him by any means to stand with the imperial faction?

A faint regret that he should have matched the Duke with the princess resurfaced. The Emperor firmly believed in the old-fashioned notion that nothing worked better than a beautiful woman to win over a powerful commander.

If his soaring pride breaks through this incident, the opportunity to connect them through marriage remains.

Clasping his arms before his chest, the Emperor looked down arrogantly, indulging in untimely thoughts. Regardless of personal likes or dislikes, Duke Ideos would look as beautiful as a painting standing beside the princess.

As the Emperor remained immersed in his thoughts, looking down at Duke Ideos, Cassius suddenly raised his head from his bowed posture.

[Cassius] "I am aware that the Crown Prince has declared martial law."

Striking the core point right from the start. The Emperor twitched a brow, subtly signaling his displeasure. Yet Cassius didn't halt.

[Cassius] "Under the martial law decree, they will inspect my personal territory and the lands of my vassals."

[Emperor] "......Yes."

[Cassius] "Please be at ease, as I have no intention of defying royal authority as a mere noble."

He struck the exact mark, reading the Emperor's irritation.

The Emperor let out a few coughs and nodded. This time, the Duke displayed a remarkably respectful attitude.

After a few trivial exchanges passed, Cassius drew a pocket watch from the inner fold of his formal suit.

---

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