GENERATIONAL SHIFT (5)

[Three days ago…]

***

JASPER was half-surprised and half-curious when he saw the important guests who visited his mansion.

He had just returned home after fighting in the frontline.

And he hadn't been a day when he got a surprise visit from people he least expected.

"We apologize for coming unannounced, Duke Hawthorne."

Jasper immediately shook his head. "You don't have to apologize, Princess Hanna."

"I'm no longer the Crown Princess, Your Grace," Hanna Quinzel said with a polite smile. "Emperor Nero is the first emperor in history to ascend the throne unmarried."

Oh.

He didn't know what was more shocking.

The fact that Hanna Quinzel was no longer the Crown Princess, or the fact that the Crown Prince had already ascended the throne without the public's knowledge?

But more importantly…

"Is it okay for you to announce that here, Lady Hanna?" Jasper asked carefully while looking at the familiar faces in the drawing room at the moment. "With all these people here?"

Melvin Lucchesi.

Sandie Morisley.

And, finally, Rubin Drayton.

Wow.

[Rubin Drayton's good looks haven't gone anywhere, huh?]

Jasper pointed at the most handsome young man in the empire. "I'm sorry, but I can't trust Lord Rubin."

[I trust Hanna Quinzel, but…]

"Don't worry, Your Grace. We're not here to do anything dangerous," Hanna Quinzel said, smiling. "We're only here to build Neoma's fans' club."

A what?

If he heard it from someone else, he would have thought it didn't make sense.

[But we're talking about Duchess Hanna Quinzel here– she's not the type to say things she doesn't mean.]

He couldn't trust Rubin Drayton, but he also didn't doubt the young duchess.

[Her Grace definitely has a plan.]

"I'm not familiar with the term that Your Grace used, but I suppose the plan has something to do with Princess Neoma," Jasper said carefully. "And if it's for Princess Neoma's sake, you know I can't turn down your request."

Hanna Quinzel smiled. "I have Emperor Nero's permission to move as I please regarding the case he entrusted with me."

Jasper glanced at Melvin Lucchesi, the new emperor's secretary, and nodded. "I can see that. So, what case are you dealing with and how can I help?"

Hanna Quinzel politely pointed her hands at Rubin Drayton. "Duke Hawthorne, I'd like to inform you that Lord Rubin here has presented indisputable evidence that his father, Duke Drayton, has committed treason by leaking information regarding the current state of the Imperial Family to the enemy nation."

Argh.

It was disappointing to hear, but honestly, he wasn't surprised.

[The downfall of the greatest empires in history wasn't caused by the enemies but by the greedy people running them.]

"In particular, it seemed like Duke Drayton promised Neoma's hand if the invasion succeeded. That plan got foiled when Neoma "died," though," Hanna Quinzel added. "I didn't say this to His Imperial Majesty because I know he wouldn't have let me handle the case if he heard that. But I'm letting you know about it since I know you care about Neoma like she's your little sister, Duke Hawthorne."

Pfft.

Jasper could tell that Hanna Quinzel was trying to rile him up by mentioning Duke Drayton's evil plan that involved Princess Neoma.

[And it worked.]

"Neoma is back, and the Imperial Family will announce that along with Emperor Nero's coronation day," Hanna Quinzel said, smiling as if she was satisfied looking at Jasper's reaction. "I'm sure Duke Drayton will use Neoma's revival to lure in the enemies into attacking the empire."

"That won't happen," Jasper said, his eyes glowing. "We shall arrest Duke Drayton as soon as possible."

***

"SIR Melvin, Sandie, thank you for accompanying me here. I need to talk to Duke Hawthorne in private, so may go ahead."

What?

Melvin was confused when Duchess Hanna Quinzel dismissed him and Sandie without giving them any tasks.

The plan to arrest Duke Drayton and his cohorts were already set in stone.

But that plan only included the duchess, Duke Hawthorne, and Lord Rubin Drayton.

And now, the young duchess was sending off Melvin and Sandie after the young lord left Duke Hawthorne's mansion. "Hanna, why did you summon us here when you're not planning to include us in arresting Duke Drayton?" Sandie asked, knitting her eyebrows. "I thought you asked us to accompany you here because you have a job for us."

Melvin nodded in agreement with what his childhood friend said. "Your Grace, actually, His Imperial Majesty sent me here to assist you…"

"You've seen and heard the plan, haven't you?" Duchess Hanna asked, smiling at them. "Sandie, I'm the first woman in the empire to inherit her father's noble title. Do you see how much power I have in my hand now? I don't even need to ask for my father's permission to arrest a fellow duke. If I need to do something for the empire and my people, I can do it by wielding my own power instead of borrowing my father's authority." The young duchess clenched her hands. "It's very empowering, Sandie. As your friend, I wish you experience the same freedom I'm enjoying at the moment."

Oh.

It seemed like Melvin was starting to understand Duchess Hanna Quinzel's intention.

And it was obviously working.

Sandie was neither lazy nor ambitious.

But, at that very moment, Melvin saw something ignite in his childhood friend's eyes.

[This is the first time I saw Sandie this inspired.]

"Sir Melvin."

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"Your father is the de facto leader of the Neutral Faction, and you are Count Lucchesi's only successor," Duchess Hanna Quinzel said, smiling at him. "Sir Melvin, I know you love and respect His Imperial Majesty more than you let on."

Melvin tried his best to maintain a poker face while Sandie snickered.

He gave his childhood friend a nasty side-eye.

[Shut up, you traitor.]

Sandie just shrugged before avoiding his gaze.

"His Imperial Majesty's foundation as the emperor is weak because he was crowned while the empire is in turmoil," Duchess Hanna Quinzel said. "As you can see from Duke Drayton's example, some of the old noble households are using this opportunity to weaken the Imperial Family. Hence, His Imperial Majesty needs as much support as he needs."

"Will House Quinzel really leave your seat as a member of the Twelve Golden Families?" Melvin asked curiously. "Your power and influence will help His Imperial Majesty greatly, Your Grace."

"I'm sorry to say this in front of His Imperial Majesty's loyal vassal, but I already decided to only take the seat back once Neoma inherits the throne," the young duchess said honestly. "But don't worry, Sir Melvin. I will support His Imperial Majesty's reign in a different way."

"I never doubted you, Your Grace," Melvin said. "I completely understand why you can't openly support His Imperial Majesty now. I'm just glad and thankful that Your Grace is still an ally to the Imperial Family. That's more than enough."

Duchess Hanna Quinzel smiled at him. "Thank you for saying that, Sir Melvin."

After the young duchess sent them off, Melvin entered the carriage and sat across from Sandie.

As soon as the carriage moved, his childhood friend broke the silence.

"I'm going back home."

"Suddenly?" Melvin asked, surprised. "Why?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to convince my father to hand over his noble title to me," Sandie said determinedly. "I want to be someone amazing like Hanna."

Oh.

[Her Grace's plan really worked on Sandie.]

"Once I inherit my father's title, I will not choose to be on the Neutral Faction anymore," Sandie declared while giving Melvin a knowing look. "Melvin, I want to support the Imperial Family. Not for the new emperor, though. I just believe that the side Hanna chooses is the right path I must walk on for myself and my family."

"Can you convince your father to side with the Imperial Family after your family has been on the Neutral Faction for decades?"

"They're already half-convinced to join the Imperial Family because of the deal that they made with Princess Neoma anyway."

Oh, right.

That deal.

[Princess Neoma and Duchess Hanna are a terrifying combination.]

Melvin let out a frustrated sigh. "His Imperial Majesty's biggest loss is Duchess Hanna."

"Right?" Sandie agreed with him. "But I'm glad that Hanna didn't marry His Imperial Majesty. As Hanna's friend, I want her to find a man who will love her earnestly as a woman and not just as an empress."

He couldn't refute that.

[As long as Her Grace remains our ally, then everything is fine.]

"Let's go back home together, Sandie," Melvin said, shutting his eyes tight as he made a hard decision. "I'm going to talk to my father, too."

***

HANNA put her teacup down and asked Duke Jasper Hawthorne, who was sitting across from her while petting the black demon cat on his lap, the question she had been meaning to ask him. "Your Grace, I have a personal favor to ask."

"I was wondering when you'll ask, Duchess Quinzel," Duke Jasper Hawthorne said. "But, first, can you change the way you address me? Since you're a duchess now, why don't you just address me by my name? We're business partners anyway, and you're Princess Neoma's closest friend. It feels awkward to hear you being formal with me."

"Can I really do that, Your Grace?"

"Of course."

"Then please address me by my name as well, Jasper."

"Alright, Hanna."

If she was the old Hanna, she wouldn't even dare go on a first-name basis with someone of the young duke's status. But now she had the confidence to stand equal with her peers, even if they were men.

[It's all thanks to Neoma, of course.]

"So, what's the personal favor you want to ask me, Hanna?"

"Please support Emperor Nero openly."

"I don't like His Imperial Majesty."

Pfft.

Hanna chuckled, amused by how Jasper could say something blasphemous against the new emperor without even missing a beat. "But you like Neoma, don't you?"

"Only as a little sister."

"Of course, let's go with that."

Jasper's face turned red. "Hanna, it's not what you think."

Hanna just smiled and changed the topic. "My father vacated his seat from the Twelve Golden Families when he handed me our family's noble title. However, I have no intention of filling in for him. But it's not because I'm bitter about my failed engagement with the emperor. I just think this is the right opportunity for me to take over the empire's economy. The merchants are gaining too much power because they know the war is about to be on a larger scale."

That was one way to help the Imperial Family.

House Quinzel was wealthier than the monarchy, anyway.

"I'm your business partner, Hanna. What makes you think I wouldn't take this opportunity to expand my wealth as well?"

"You care about Neoma more than you care about your wealth, Jasper."

"And you don't?"

"You know that's not true," Hanna said, smiling at the young duke. "Jasper, I'm not asking you to support Emperor Nero sincerely. I just need you to show the empire that you have the new emperor's back in my stead."

"Ah, so you want House Hawthorne to replace House Quinzel?"

"Only you can fill our spot because you're the only noble household here who can compare to our wealth, Jasper. In times of war, the one thing the Imperial Family needs except for power is money. And you have that."

"But why do I have to do it?"

"Because we can't let the empire collapse before Neoma inherits the throne," Hanna said firmly. "Neoma is my empress, so I want to build her foundation as early as now. We have to strengthen Emperor Nero's power so that the throne's value soars before Neoma takes it."

"How can I turn down your request if you put it that way?" Jasper "complained" lightly while smiling and shaking his head. "Alright, Hanna. Tell me what exactly you want me to do to show my support for His Imperial Majesty."

Gin, still in his black demon cat form that was lying down on Jasper's lap lazily, clicked her tongue. "You two are so weak for Princess Neoma."

***

RUTO realized that the former Emperor Nikolai really wanted him as far away as possible from Neoma when His Lord Majesty sent him to suppress the invaders trying to enter the empire via ships.

"Bring them to the naval headquarters," Ruto, acting as the temporary commander of the White Lion Knights, ordered the knights under his authority. "We'll wrap up things here and move to the second location."

"Yes, Commander!"

After sending the knights away, he stared at the dark sea in front of him as he stood on the battleship's deck.

It was dark because it was already late at night.

But his glowing dark purple eyes could see the blood and the enemies' corpses floating in the water.

[It's been a while since I've killed this many people with my hands.]

No matter how many times he had experienced war, he would never feel great about it.

"There you are, you damned commander."

Only one person had a mouth as filthy as Neoma when it came to cursing.

Ruto turned around and found Trevor who had the sleeping baby god in his arms. "I was wondering where the Death of God has been all this time."

"Take this thing away from me," Trevor complained. "This thing keeps on cursing me."

He was curious as to why the God of Death stuck to Trevor like glue.

But something else caught his attention more.

"You've gotten stronger, Trevor Kesser."

"Hell yeah."

"Good. You'll be more useful to Neoma now."

He expected Trevor to roll his eyes or even curse at him.

But the demon– no, the new Devil– just stared at him blankly.

"Hey, damned commander."

"Yes?"

"I love Princess Neoma. I really do," Trevor confessed in a soft voice, showing his vulnerability. "I'll kill you if you choose the world again over my Moon Princess, Ruto Solfrid."

[He finally called my name properly.]

Ruto looked up at the dim moon for a moment before his gaze landed on Trevor's face. "In all universes, it's always me and Neoma– except for one," he confessed. "There's one parallel universe, that I know of, where Neoma chose you over me, Trevor."

***

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