"I don’t care what meaning you use unless you kill one another secretly.I won’t be involving myself until and."
A sudden monstrous aura burst from Ruth like a tidal wave and his lips curled upwards.
"..unless she comes for my head wanting to dethrone me and take the seat herself."
Kael and Rami both shuddered as they saw something terrifying in front of them.
For the first time in his life, Kael witnessed a maniacal smile stretch across Ruth’s face.
’Fuck... He’s actually looking forward to that.’
Kael shook his head, trying to shake off the creeping sense of dread.
"But if she really joins the rebellion, we’re done for! Isn’t there a clause that Veydrins can’t support a prince?!"
"Wrong." Ruth cut him off coldly.
"You’re totally wrong. It’s not that Veydrin can’t interfere. It’s me,the Grand Duke..the one who wields the power of Grand Duke is prohibited. Adele’s support has nothing to do with me."
His voice became heavier.
"If she chooses to rebel, and the Crown orders me to put her down, then I will do so. Without any shred of hesitation."
Kael stared at him, jaw clenched.
"Even if she dies?" he asked quietly.
Ruth didn’t blink. "Even to death.Even if I have to cut her down with my own hand."
Those words echoed in Kael’s head like a death knell.
He stared at Ruth for a moment, trying to see something...anything behind those calm, distant eyes.
But there was nothing.
There was no love,no hate,no pride.
Nor were there any signs of disappointment.
He’s not heartless in the way most people mean it, Kael thought. He has no greed. No envy. Not even ambition for power.
He’s simply... empty. Devoted to the Duchy, and nothing else. Even if his children had to burn, he’d light the fire himself if it meant Veydrin stood taller.
Kael stood up slowly, walking toward the door. But just before stepping out, he paused, not turning back.
His voice was quiet, flat—yet something inside still burned.
"Old man... tell me this."
"If I become capable... will you give me the seat?"
"Or will I have to beat you for it?"
For a split second, his eyes shone—a gleam so intense, so brilliant, it made Kael freeze in place.
Then, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Ruth’s lips.
"You will only be capable... when you can defeat me."
"You’ll always be the same."
After Kael left, Rami stood silently in the chamber, staring at the expressionless man before him. He hesitated for a moment before breaking the silence.
"Your Grace... you should soften a little."
His voice was quiet, almost pleading.
"Pushing them this far—it might create a situation that can’t be undone."
Ruth didn’t respond at once. He simply stared out the large window, gazing at the barren horizon as though the answer lay hidden beyond the land.
"It doesn’t matter," he finally said.
"What matters is the end result. And whether the one who ends up holding power... is truly capable."
Rami’s throat tightened.
’I understand your ideals, but this... this is too extreme. You’re forcing the Young Miss and the Young Master to kill each other...’
He looked at Ruth’s face—stoic, empty, desolate.
Rami had been with him long enough to know that Ruth hadn’t always been this way. He’d witnessed the journey—the transformation from a driven young man into this cold figure of duty.
It all began the day Lord Ramos abandoned everything and ran, leaving the naive, young Ruth to shoulder the entire weight of the Duchy alone.
Rami could only sigh, returning to his duties, cleaning the chamber with precision. No other servant was permitted inside this room. Only him.
Ramos’ eyes glowed faintly as he examined the large, glowing egg held in Lyria’s arms.
"Don’t tell me this is a real dragon egg?" Ramos asked, eyes sparkling.
"No, it’s just a river stone I painted white," Karl said with twitching lips.
"Brat... What did you say?!"
Ramos shouted and slammed his fist down on Kael’s head.
"Ahhh!" Kael groaned, clutching his skull. The punch was laced with menace.
"Are you messing with me now?! Can’t you feel the aura coming off it?!"
"Of course I can," Ramos muttered, calming slightly as he gazed at the egg again.
"You really want to pet a dragon?"
"Of course!" Kael grinned proudly. "I’ll pet it, I’ll ride it. I’ll look so damn glamorous on it that you’ll beg me for a ride—and I won’t give you one!"
Ramos lunged, trying to kick Kael. But Kael dodged, causing Ramos to crash comically into the wall.
Ramos glared. "You... You dared to dodge me?!"
"Looked like you needed a lesson," Kael teased.
Soon, the two of them were rolling on the floor, half-fighting, half-laughing, slapping and grappling like children. Beard-pulling and face-squashing ensued.
Lyria watched them, letting out a long sigh.
But inwardly, she was relieved.
For the past month, Kael had been acting too mature—too restrained to the point that unsettled her. The man she’d known was slipping away into someone colder.
But now seeing him playfully arguing and full of life again—she finally felt at peace.
A stray piece of wood flew straight at her.
Startled, Lyria raised the egg on instinct to shield herself.
Ramos froze, his hand still gripping Kael’s face.
Kael froze mid-pull, Ramos’ beard stretched in his fingers.
They all turned slowly to look at Lyria.
The egg trembled in her hands. And then—
Tiny fractures began to spread from the impact point.
Kael’s face was drained of all colors.
His mind exploded in panic. What would happen now?
The cracks deepened—light spilled from within.
A loud crack resounded through the room, and the shell burst open in a brilliant flash.
From within the shell, a small, white creature emerged—soft, glowing faintly, with innocent, wide eyes.
It blinked slowly, its head turning.
Then its eyes landed on Lyria.
"MAMA!!!" the baby dragon screeched with joy.