Luinael stepped out, a curious expression on his face.
“Isaac, what’s going on?”
“Well, that is…”
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
Had Luinael come out because of the commotion?
Just as Isaac struggled to explain, someone else acted first.
“I greet Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”
“And you are…?”
“I am Austin Dalton, count of Dalton.”
“Ah, I see.”
Unfortunately, Luinael didn’t seem to recall Dalton either.
Despite this, the count proudly pointed at Isaac, his mustache bristling with indignation.
“That traitorous wretch dared to deceive me!”
“…Deceive?”
“Yes!”
“…”
Dalton’s finger remained firmly pointed at Isaac, prompting Luinael to glance between them, his confusion growing.
“Are you pointing at Isaac… or rather, Duke Drake?”
“A duke? Your Grace, he’s a mere viscount, demoted for treason!”
“Does that mean a person’s character changes entirely?”
“What…?”
Dalton blinked, taken aback by Luinael’s calm response.
With a measured gaze, Luinael asked another question.
“If I ever quarreled with my brother, would you change your attitude toward me like that?”
“N-No, I would never…”
“Then why do you switch so easily when it comes to him?”
“Well, that’s, uh…”
The unexpected question from Luinael left Count Dalton at a loss for words.
Watching this scene, Isaac was equally surprised by Luinael’s uncharacteristically cold demeanor.
What stood out the most was how Luinael’s lips maintained a faint smile while his eyes radiated an icy chill, reminiscent of his older brother, Maximilian.
Though Maximilian’s aura was more menacing, making his presence even more oppressive despite any outward smiles.
“The Duke of Drake may have been demoted to a Viscount, but that does not erase the accomplishments he has made for the Empire thus far. Would you not agree?”
“Y-You are absolutely right.”
Count Dalton, now utterly deflated, could only nod in agreement.
Yet, remembering how the man had just been pointing fingers at him moments before, it was difficult to feel much sympathy for him.
“Furthermore, the Duke is soon to marry me. You would do well to show proper respect to the future Grand Duchess.”
“Y-Your Grace!”
“What?”
Luinael’s bombshell declaration left everyone in shock.
Isaac turned to Luinael in disbelief, while Count Dalton, now completely stunned, stood there gaping like a broken doll.
“M-Marriage? Your Grace and the Duke of Drake…?”
“Sigh…”
Count Dalton’s jaw dropped further in astonishment, and murmurs began to spread around them. Isaac sighed softly, massaging his temple.
By tomorrow morning, the entire Empire—even the children in the capital—would know about his and Luinael’s impending marriage.
Isaac had hoped to delay the news from reaching the nobility and citizens for as long as possible.
Pressing his fingers against his throbbing temple, he frowned.
“How could you marry such a traitor…!”
“It is by His Majesty’s decree.”
“His Majesty’s orders?”
“Indeed. The command came directly from the Emperor himself.”
“…!”
Luinael’s marriage was an imperial decree.
While the Emperor’s close aides might have known beforehand, the rest—including Count Dalton, whose name Isaac could barely remember—were clearly left in the dark.
Seeing Count Dalton’s once smug face pale was somewhat satisfying, though Isaac wished the news of his marriage hadn’t spread so quickly.
“Thus, you should treat the future Grand Duchess with the respect she is due.”
“Ah…!”
Luinael extended his hand, wrapping his arm around Isaac’s shoulder.
A collective gasp escaped from those watching nearby, accompanied by the sudden appearance of an unwelcome notification window.
[Congratulations!
By showing a harmonious relationship with your match in front of a large audience, you have earned BL Points.
Current BL Points: 15.
Keep collecting points!]
“….”
At least earning points was a silver lining.
Isaac remained silent, unable to push away Luinael, who held him tightly.
“Do you still doubt my words?”
“N-No…”
Count Dalton bit his lip in frustration.
He had thought he would finally have the chance to humiliate the fallen Isaac, but now he had to swallow the bitter truth: Isaac was about to rise even higher as the future Grand Duchess.
No wonder he was fuming.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
Yet even Count Dalton could not make a scene in front of Luinael.
Watching him bow with a twisted expression was oddly satisfying.
“Let us leave, Isaac.”
“Yes.”
Isaac, eager to leave the palace, nodded readily.
After dealing with Maximilian and enduring unnecessary disputes, he was exhausted.
And now the marriage announcement had come out like this.
He could already guess the headlines of tomorrow’s newspapers.
Dragging his feet, Isaac wore a resigned smile.
“Did your talk with His Majesty go well?”
“….”
Isaac turned to Luinael, who walked silently without answering.
It seemed the discussion hadn’t gone smoothly.
Judging by how Luinael wasn’t reprimanding Sir Gilbert, the protagonist must have been quite firm.
No matter how audacious Luinael was, there was no defying the Emperor.
“Still, Sir Gilbert won’t be staying by your side for much longer.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“…!”
Luinael’s softly whispered words made Isaac widen his eyes in surprise.
Luinael smiled in response, his silver lashes quivering as his narrowed eyes shimmered mysteriously.
The sight left Isaac momentarily speechless.
Luinael’s stunning appearance was still overwhelming.
But it wasn’t just his looks—it was the way his presence froze Isaac’s thoughts that made it difficult.
Turning away, Isaac hardened his expression.
“It must not have been easy to change His Majesty’s mind.”
“It wasn’t, of course.”
“….”
What could have possibly swayed the Emperor?
Isaac was curious but chose not to ask further, as their casual demeanor while walking together through the palace had already caused enough of a stir.
People were staring at them in shock, as if they were animals in a zoo.
Before, Isaac had been met with fear-filled gazes wherever he went.
Today, however, everyone wore a face of astonishment, as though they had witnessed something unimaginable.
No doubt Luinael, the celebrated war hero, was already the talk of the Empire’s social circles.
Now, with the news of his marriage to the “Devil Duke,” the gossip would only escalate.
The mere thought of the chaos in high society made Isaac’s head ache.
“Are you very tired?”
“Yes, a little…”
“Let’s head back quickly.”
“Yes…”
Isaac’s exhaustion wasn’t just from the day’s events—it was also due to Luinael’s affectionate arm around his shoulder.
Yet Isaac couldn’t bring himself to ask him to let go, thanks to the incessant notifications appearing before his eyes.
[Congratulations!
By showing a harmonious relationship with your match in front of a large audience, you have earned BL Points.]
The points just kept stacking up.
Every time they passed a new group of onlookers while leaving the palace, the points surged again.
Isaac couldn’t bring himself to tell Luinael to let go—not when it was such a lucrative source of points.
What a ridiculous system.
Still, Isaac couldn’t afford to give up such an easy way to earn points.
“Here, take my hand as you get in.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“But you look unwell.”
“….”
At the carriage, Isaac found himself arguing with Luinael over whether he needed help getting in.
Luinael insisted on escorting him, but Isaac found it unnecessary.
Such gestures were meant for ladies burdened by corsets, heavy dresses, or high heels—not for him.
[Congratulations!
By showing a harmonious relationship with your match in front of a large audience, you have earned BL Points. ]
“……”
Once again, Isaac was a slave to the points.
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