GENERATIONAL SHIFT (4)

[Three days ago…]

***

NERO WAS actually nervous about meeting Hanna again after their break-up.

However, as soon as he saw that look on her face, he knew she came for business and not for any personal reasons.

Moreover, there was the fact that Hanna brought Rubin Drayton and Sandie Morrisley there.

"Tsk," Nero said, clicking his tongue while giving Rubin Drayton a dirty look. "If you say you're here to visit Neoma because she's sick, I'll kill you."

Rubin Drayton looked surprised and worried because of what he said. "Is Princess Neoma sick, Your Imperial Highness?"

Tsk.

[I shouldn't have said anything.]

"No," Nero said bluntly. "And who gave you the right to speak of Neoma's name?"

Rubin Drayton just bowed his head and lowered his gaze to the floor.

Hanna cleared her throat before she spoke. "There's a reason why I brought Lord Rubin Drayton here, Your Imperial Majesty."

Ah.

Nero didn't really like hearing Hanna address him by his title.

But it was fun to see Rubin Drayton's reaction.

[His eyes almost popped out of their sockets.]

Even Sandie Morrisley had the same reaction.

"I apologize for revealing your ascension to the throne without your consent, Your Imperial Majesty," Hanna said, slightly bowing towards him. "I just thought we should begin by letting these friends know about your new position, sire."

"It's fine," Nero said casually. "We will announce my coronation soon anyway."

Rubin Drayton and Sandie Morrisley suddenly stood up and gave Nero their formal and overly polite greetings.

"Cut it out," Nero said, waving his hand dismissively. "Let's get straight to business."

Rubin Drayton and Sandie Morrisley sat down. Then Hanna led the conversation.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Lord Rubin here has brought hard pieces of evidence that his father, the current Duke Drayton, has committed treason," Hanna said in a serious tone. "I've verified it already, and I can vouch that Duke Drayton has been selling out information about the Imperial Family to an enemy nation."

Nero's jaw clenched hard.

If Hanna could vouch for it, then it was as good as confirmed.

[Duke Drayton, you opportunistic bastard…]

"Rubin Drayton, I'm sure you know that high treason is punishable by death," Nero said coldly. "It doesn't matter if your father is a duke. As long as it's proven that he committed high treason, he'll receive the death punishment. Are you ready to take responsibility for exposing your family's crime to me?"

"This is not my family's crime, Your Imperial Majesty," Rubin Drayton said. His voice trembled a bit, and it was obvious that he was nervous. However, his eyes were determined. "Only my father and a few of our vassals committed treason. The others, especially the ordinary servants working for our family, are innocent."

Nero leaned against his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

[Now I know why Rubin Drayton is here.]

And he could also tell that Hanna brought the young lord here for that very reason.

"Rubin Drayton, high treason and directly harming the Imperial Family are unforgivable crimes," Nero said. "The current law dictates that every single family member of the traitor, along with the servants working for them, must be beheaded for betraying the empire. Are you here to beg me to spare your life and the others?"

"My life isn't worth that much, Your Imperial Majesty," Rubin Drayton said carefully. "But if my life is enough to save the innocent people working for our family, then I'll gladly die in their stead."

"Your offer isn't tempting, Lord Rubin."

"I know, Your Imperial Majesty," Rubin Drayton. "But if you spare me and my people, I swear I'll pay you back for your generosity tenfold."

Hmm.

Something felt different.

[Is this the same dumb Rubin Drayton that I know?]

It was even stranger to see Hanna looking at Rubin Drayton positively, as if she was expecting great things from the young lord.

He hated it.

"Duchess Hanna Quinzel, can we talk in private for a moment?" Nero asked. "I have something to ask you first before I give Rubin Drayton his punishment."

***

"HANNA, killing the Draytons would hurt the empire, won't it?"

Of course, Hanna already expected Nero to get straight to the point as soon as only the two of them were left in the drawing room. And she was grateful.

[I hate beating around the bush during an important time.]

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty," Hanna said, nodding. "I know high treason is a serious crime. However, if we expose the Draytons at this delicate time, I'm afraid the empire's defenses might crack from the inside. We can't afford to have an internal war when the crows are attacking us from all sides."

"Then I suppose stripping Rubin Drayton off of his noble title would also be a bad idea."

"It's not necessarily a bad idea, Your Imperial Majesty," she said. "As the new emperor, Your Imperial Majesty must show the nobles that you have complete power over us. However, right now, I believe Rubin Drayton would be far more useful as a duke who owes you his and his people's life rather than a fallen noble."

"Hmm. I see."

She was relieved to see Nero considering her opinion.

"You may punish Rubin Drayton later," Hanna added carefully. "But, for now, I believe it will be wiser to make him your pawn."

"I agree with that," Nero said, nodding. "Then I'll deal with Duke Drayton quietly…" He trailed off, then he smirked and raised an eyebrow at her. "Or would you like to handle this case, Duchess Quinzel?"

"It would be an honor if Your Imperial Majesty entrusts me with this case."

"Why did you bring Sandie Morrisley here?"

"To show you, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Show me what?"

"The right people you should be working with," Hanna said confidently. "Your Imperial Majesty, it's time for the new generation to take over the empire."

Nero looked surprised at first, then he laughed. "We really do think alike, Your Grace."

***

"MELVIN, go and follow Duchess Hanna Quinzel," Nero said to his future Imperial Chamberlain. "See how she plans to handle Duke Drayton's case, then decide whether it's too early for you to inherit your father's noble title or not."

"As you command, Your Imperial Majesty."

He raised an eyebrow when Melvin didn't complain. In fact, his secretary looked stupidly dazed. "What's with that look?"

"I just think it's a shame, Your Imperial Majesty," Melvin said, sighing while shaking his head. "Duchess Hanna Quinzel would have been a great empress."

He also knew that.

But this wasn't the right time to feel remorseful.

"Stop thinking about useless things and summon Alucard Dionisio here. And that woman named Sharon Carter."

"Sharon Carter? The woman that Russell Spencer sent to infiltrate the competition among Princess Neoma's suitors?" Melvin asked curiously. "May I know why you want to summon them, Your Imperial Majesty?"

"The Royal Faction has already lost House Quinzel, so I need the Noble Faction to lose House Spencer to maintain the power balance here," Nero said, his red eyes glowing. "Marquis Russell Spencer must die now."

Of course, that pervert shall die the most painful death for lusting after his mother and Neoma.

***