TL NOTE: THIS WILL BE THE LAST ADVANCED CHAPTER I WILL UPLOAD HERE IN SALMONLATTE FOR THIS STORY. I WILL BE UPLOADING THE REST OF THE CHAPTERS AT “DUSKBLOSSOMS”.  MORE ADVANCED CHAPTERS ARE ALREADY UP ON THE SITE.

NEW SITE LINK: DUSK BLOSSOMS

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“Is my question one that requires such long contemplation?”

“Your Majesty… She is the most beautiful woman in Moira.”

At that moment, a soft chuckle came from behind him. Without turning, Cedric knew who it was.

“Not that. I asked for objective proof.”

“Your Majesty…”

Cedric pleaded, but the Emperor’s expression remained unchanged.

“As I’ve said before, being around the daughter of the Slonian family seems to benefit my health. No, I am certain of it.”

Cedric once again emphasized why he needed her.

“Is that so? Then surely earning a few accolades at the border should be no trouble for you.”

The response did not sound remotely encouraging.

Cedric was well aware that the Emperor had been lenient with him thus far. As his firstborn, despite health issues, the Emperor never revealed them and continued to push Cedric as the heir.

‘Is he really urging me to prove myself, or is he implying that Rachel is of no help to me?’

Cedric was confused.

In the Emperor’s eyes, Cedric’s actions seemed rash. And to claim Rachel Slonian’s greatest merit was her beauty? The Emperor couldn’t help but scoff.

If Cedric had been seeing another woman while engaged, it was a moral flaw. Likewise, Rachel Slonian, the noblewoman who loved a man with a fiancée, was also viewed negatively. On top of that, Cedric was insisting on marriage but couldn’t provide any significant strengths.

“I didn’t realize you were such an impulsive person, Cedric.”

At the Emperor’s cold remark, Cedric flinched. It was rare for him to receive such criticism from the Emperor.

The Emperor had always prioritized Cedric over his other three children, constantly praising him as thoughtful, wise, and calm, the perfect candidate to lead Moira. The difference in affection was stark enough that Illesio and Cynthia occasionally felt hurt.

“If you truly thought about the empire and understood the weight you carry as the future emperor, you wouldn’t have defied me so easily and spread those articles.”

The Emperor reproached Cedric.

But Cedric couldn’t back down now.

‘I’ve come this far, even ending an engagement…’

“That’s how important Rachel is to me. I’m certain the temple will also speak far more favorably of her than that other woman.”

“And how would you know that? Did you receive some new prophecy that Rachel Slonian is your destined partner?”

At the Emperor’s sarcastic tone, Cedric’s eyes wavered, but he continued.

“I’m certain, Your Majesty. It won’t take long to see that she and I are more suited for each other than anyone else.”

“Are you saying she’s your fate?”

“Yes.”

Cedric answered firmly.

“Please consider it, Your Majesty.”

Cedric dared to speak this way because he knew, despite everything, that he was the Emperor’s most cherished child. The Emperor stroked his chin with his fingers. Cedric looked at him with pleading eyes.

“Leave.”

At the Emperor’s command, Cedric stepped back.

Cedric cast a resentful look at the Empress, who had suggested another noblewoman to him. Even if the Empress supported him, it would be difficult to gain the Emperor’s approval. Yet, the Empress hadn’t spoken a single word in his favor.

‘What’s so special about that Norte family’s daughter?’

The Emperor shifted to a different topic. As the Emperor and Cynthia began conversing, Cedric clenched his fists. The Emperor’s reaction had been far colder than he anticipated, and it left him unsettled. He was being regarded with disdain.

Cedric had fought hard to end his engagement to Eliana Leiberte, pointing out all her flaws. The Emperor and Empress had empathized and supported him throughout that process. Up to that point, everything had gone smoothly.

‘But I didn’t expect them to oppose this so strongly.’

Having overcome one mountain, Cedric now faced another.

* * *

“Cedric, come to my chambers.”

After his confrontation with the Emperor, the Empress summoned Cedric again.

Empress Heather had her own plan.

‘I never really liked Eliana in the first place.’

Now that Eliana was dismissed, she aimed to select a new candidate from a prestigious family, one that could align with the imperial family better than the Leiberte family.

However, her son had been rude to the Marquis of Norte and now insisted on elevating a daughter from an unknown, unremarkable family.

‘The Slonian baron’s family is two tiers below the Leiberte family, and when compared to the Norte family, they’re truly insignificant.’

The Norte family had long been powerful in Moira, with significant influence even beyond the borders. They had also produced many capable wizards, which made it clear how valuable they would be in helping Cedric govern the empire.

‘And yet, he cast aside the daughter of such a family so harshly.’

“At the Madrino Marquis’ party, you greatly insulted the Norte family.”

“They were the ones who insulted me first.”

“What?”

“I’m not someone who can just marry whoever is presented to me.”

Heather’s eyes sharpened at her son’s cold words.

“Cedric, Rachel Slonian is not suitable.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s not your equal. Your father and I agreed to the annulment, but we did not agree to you bringing in just anyone without permission.”

“There’s nothing I can’t do, Mother.”

Cedric was unwavering. He looked at his mother with disappointment.

“I always thought you would be on my side. I expected you to understand my will better than anyone else. But all you’re saying is ‘no,’ and I’m disappointed.”

“I’m the one who’s disappointed, Cedric.”

“And why is that?”

“I found you a suitable match, and yet you disregarded my effort. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was in front of the Norte family?”

“I never asked you to do that.”

“You, of all people, should understand me best in Moira. Did Rachel Slonian encourage you to ignore me?”

“Mother!”

Cedric shouted, his head aching from the repetitive conversation.

“Don’t raise your voice; I’m not deaf.”

“I’m not backing down on this issue. I wasted enough time with Eliana, and I have no intention of repeating that. So don’t force me to meet with the daughter of the Norte family or any other family. It won’t work. Next time, I won’t just ignore it.”

Cedric’s raised voice made Heather furious.

“And if you don’t ignore it, what then?”

“I’m saying I won’t let it slide.”

“Isn’t Rachel Slonian friends with Eliana? Eliana had her flaws, but so does the Slonian girl!”

“Mother…!”

“What kind of girl sneaks around with her friend’s fiancé? How can you call that normal?”

Heather deliberately pressed that point.

Cedric’s eyes flared with anger.

“That’s an insult to me as well.”

“I never insulted you. The royal family and the nobility are different. Especially low-ranking nobles like her and someone like you—there’s a world of difference.”

By convincing himself that his passionate love justified everything, Cedric had rationalized that there was no issue in his relationship with Rachel. To him, the only problem had been Eliana. Even now, he hasn’t changed his mind.

He blamed it all on his parents, who had forced an unsuitable match on him due to an old family agreement. If not for that, Rachel would never have been accused of carrying on an affair with Cedric.

“Please refrain from speaking recklessly. We were victims.”

“Victims of what?”

“We were forced into a marriage we didn’t want, and that’s why things ended up this way.”

“Cedric.”

Heather’s voice deepened.

“Don’t forget your place. You’re one of the most important people in the Moira Empire. Why does the crown prince of such a great empire need to argue so pointlessly with his mother?”

“No, this isn’t pointless.”

Cedric shook his head.

“Soon, I’ll introduce her to everyone. Please convince Father to allow it.”

“Fine. I’ll do that.”

Cedric stared at the empress, who had suddenly changed her tone.

“But there’s a condition.”

“…?”

“Meet the daughter of the Norte family again.”

“…!”

“Treat her seriously and with proper courtesy. Apologize for your previous behavior.”

“Apologize?”

“When you look at her properly, you’ll see that she’s far better than the Slonian girl.”

“I refuse.”

Cedric refused his mother’s words.

“Then I absolutely won’t allow it either.”

The Empress’s tone was more resolute than ever.

“I won’t persuade His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Cedric sighed, but the sigh was brief. Without looking back, Cedric left the room, slamming the door so hard it seemed like it would break.

With that, a painting hanging on the wall fell and shattered.

“Gasp.”

The servant standing by the door was shocked. The painting Cedric had knocked down was a portrait of the previous emperor. In the shattered fragments, the emperor’s eyes seemed to be staring back at Cedric, now blinded.