Chapter 203: The Last Supper (2)

Luton Hall.

It was the finest concert hall in Nord, planned by the eldest daughter, Freya.

At the same time, it was also a grand banquet hall—so exclusive that even the Empire’s wealthiest struggled to reserve it.

However, there were exactly two people who could preside over it freely.

The Grand Duke of the North, who founded it, and Emperor Leonidas.

This time, it was the Grand Duke of the North who held a grand banquet to celebrate the completion of the trade route.

Though the Emperor himself didn’t attend, the event was graced by numerous dignitaries worthy of his presence.

And most of them…

Were cherished acquaintances of mine in this lifetime.

“Isn’t it difficult to climb stairs in a dress?”

“Ugh, it’s so uncomfortable I could die.”

Echina laughed as if joking and climbed the stairs alongside me.

We slowly passed between pillars carved beautifully like those of a temple.

The vast lobby was filled with people in formal suits and dresses.

They fell into a daze when they saw the Grand Duke’s daughter, her black hair and red dress in perfect harmony.

They had completely forgotten the imposing atmosphere and uniform that had once overwhelmed them.

“But it’s okay. Just for today, I feel really comfortable.”

Her black hair brushed against my shoulder, tickling me.

In response, I lifted our joined hands and answered calmly.

“So do I. I feel very comfortable.”

The truth was, neither of us were used to parties like this.

Echina had spent more time in the knights’ training grounds than at banquets, and I had only ever planned events like this—never actually attended as a guest.

But right now, we felt like the protagonists.

Of course, that atmosphere didn’t last long, thankfully.

More guests began to arrive one by one.

Among them was a silver-haired woman, who removed her hood and appeared in a dazzling white dress.

It was Saint Istina, accompanied by her escort, Captain Alex.

And from the West came prominent figures clad in shimmering gold hair and blue dresses.

Even Helena and Prince Harris were there.

As the representatives of each region appeared, everyone stepped forward to greet them with respect.

After exchanging light pleasantries, they made their way to us.

“Roger, you look amazing today.”

It was Istina, now a bishop, who spoke first.

She had taken off her hood and revealed her elegant silver hair—truly worthy of being called a saint.

She always kept herself wrapped up tightly, but today, her attire was alluring and bold.

“Your Grace looks stunning as well. Especially so tonight.”

Istina let out a soft chuckle and brought her fingers to her lips.

Then, slowly approaching me, she placed her gloved hand on mine and whispered,

“I’m a bishop now, after all.”

Captain Alex glanced around nervously at her familiar behavior.

But Istina no longer cared about others’ gazes.

Now, it was others who had to adjust to her mood—she had risen to that level.

“I’ll see you later, near the end of the party. There’s something I want to say—just between us.”

“Understood.”

I smiled and shook her hand.

Next, we welcomed Prince Harris and Helena, both looking more radiant than ever.

“Everyone’s clearly trying to outshine each other.”

Helena narrowed her eyes at the two noble ladies, who finally looked the part of aristocrats.

To me, however, she looked every bit like one of those dazzling noble ladies straight out of a novel.

“Lady Helena, you’re as dignified as ever.”

“Well, I’ve always been far more fitting for the role than those two.”

Harris chuckled at his sister’s self-assured reply.

I, too, added a word to match the tone.

“That’s true. But tonight, you’ve gone beyond that—you carry yourself like the leader of a region.”

“Me?”

I knew the truth.

She had a stronger desire for accomplishment than for appearances.

“Yes. Before, it felt like you were trying to prove yourself. But now, you have the air of someone who’s achieved results—and bears the weight of responsibility.”

The golden lioness, now the next head of her domain.

I gently scratched at the pride she wasn’t free to express outright.

“You’ve played a big part in that. I’m grateful.”

“You flatter me. Isn’t business all about mutual support anyway?”

At that, Helena smiled meaningfully.

“I’m not so sure. It feels like I’ve received far more.”

Then, without warning—right in front of everyone—she did something bold.

She lightly grasped my tie with her pale hand…

“I’ll pay it all back, properly. So you’d better look forward to it.”

She tugged me slightly toward her, her eyes gleaming with the ambition of a Grand Duke.

“Helena, there are way too many eyes on us right now.”

“So what? This is exactly what I wanted.”

At Harris’s attempt to stop her, she simply lifted her chin in defiance.

That’s when both the Saint and Echina shot her icy looks.

“No need for all that. Since when did the almighty Western Grand Duke’s daughter become so sentimental?”

“If it’s repayment you’re talking about, I can do plenty of that myself. So don’t worry.”

With one hand over her ample chest, the Saint smiled sweetly.

Fortunately, the three of them seemed to be getting along much better since returning from the South together.

Thanks to that, I was able to excuse myself and move separately from the party floor.

Inside the banquet hall, many figures were already seated.

But I was looking for someone specific.

The ones in charge of tonight’s party.

The people you always had to pass through if you wanted to plan a surprise event.

“Lady Freya, it’s been a while. And I see Prince Edward is with you as well.”

They both looked better than ever—maybe it was because they’d stepped back from the competition.

The black lions, dressed in elegant black suits and gowns befitting the Luton family’s symbolism, welcomed me.

“My, look who it is. You’ve become hard to find lately.”

“Well, you’ve practically become a shadow figure of power. Hehe…”

Edward, in his black suit and with his trademark mustache, let out a low chuckle.

But he no longer came across as arrogant or sinister.

Ever since I came to understand that he was just a son eager for his father’s approval, he’d felt more like a kind younger brother.

“Maybe it’s because I came back from the South, but you’re looking much healthier.”

“Don’t tell me you had some fun behind Echina’s back?”

At Edward’s teasing, Freya nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.

His wine glass wobbled slightly in response.

“When are you going to grow up?”

“Just saying your complexion looks better.”

Now that I thought about it, the dark circles under his eyes had almost disappeared lately.

“Your ultimate rival Eric has been thoroughly crushed, so I imagine your heart feels lighter now.”

As expected, Freya’s insight was right on point.

She smoothed her platinum-blonde hair and looked at me calmly.

“Mansachs has been brimming with energy since his position as Vice President was confirmed. There’s no need for him to compete anymore.”

‘So, things really are going well between them. Well, it makes sense. Mansachs does have that golden retriever-like side—perfect for looking after a proud queen like her.’

“Still, he’s got a long way to go. I plan on raising him properly.”

Freya returned her gaze to me, sharp and decisive.

At that, I silently rooted for Mansachs.

“I heard you two are overseeing today’s banquet.”

“That’s right. Edward’s good with people, after all. I took charge of hosting, and he handled the publicity.”

I pulled a small green stone from the inner pocket of my suit.

A mystical item imbued with faint magical energy.

“I’d like to have this recording stone played through the phonograph at the party.”

Edward took the greenish stone from me.

Having already been caught off guard by me once before, he returned a serious look.

“Is this something that’ll turn the world upside down once it plays?”

“…”

Freya, too, looked noticeably tense.

Closing my eyes briefly, I added one more sentence.

“At the very least, it’ll change the entire balance of the North.”

With my hands behind my back, I turned around.

Unlike this still-dark space, the lobby behind was lit up in dazzling splendor.

“Listen to it first. Whether or not to play it is up to you.”

Eric’s two siblings stared at me in silence.

As if wondering if I truly trusted them.

But I had already delivered what I came to give, so I simply walked away.

‘Of course, I’ve secured a copy. But I want to test this.’

To see if the ones I’d given a second chance to—even at the cost of turning back time—

Had truly changed for the better.

――――――

Having completed the most important task, I was making my way back into the lobby when I paused.

The three women had already entered, and the last guests were now arriving in their place.

Among them…

Were the two Grand Dukes, the Archbishop, and finally, Prince Eric.

“…”

The Grand Duke of the North said nothing upon seeing his eldest son.

And Eric didn’t greet him either.

He was soon to stand trial for illegal drug smuggling.

On top of that, he had failed to secure the construction funds for the Royal Luton segment of the trade route—there was no way things weren’t tense between them.

Even so, the reason he came to the party so confidently was simple.

‘He must be dreaming of a comeback.’

Eric’s most frightening trait was that he didn’t know how to give up.

A terrifying obsession that made him seize whatever he desired—no matter what.

Fueled by that obsession, he stepped into the party as if nothing had happened.

“Eric, is that you? I thought you’d be busy—but here you are.”

Archbishop Thomas welcomed him with a warm smile.

Being kind to all, the Archbishop was the first one Eric approached to greet.

However—

“You look like you’re doing just fine. So the Luton family really can stand above the law.”

It was a different story with Duke Harriet of the West.

After all, who did Helena take after?

“Haha… Your Grace. The trial hasn’t even started yet—”

The Archbishop maintained a benevolent expression, as if upholding the principle of presumed innocence.

But even he didn’t seem to fully trust Eric, for he never made eye contact with him.

“Honestly, he should be in custody until the trial begins.”

“That just shows how much His Majesty trusts the Luton family.”

But in truth, it wasn’t those two who drove the dagger into the eldest son’s heart.

It was his father, who treated him as if he didn’t exist at all.

After putting him through harsh education and heir training his whole life, the Duke of Luton had now turned his back on him.

And then, he…

He passed by Eric and locked eyes with another man.

At that moment—

“Roger, you’re here.”

The Grand Duke, who hadn’t spoken a word to anyone else, was the first to greet me.

Passing right by his own son.

“I greet Your Grace.”

I approached them and offered a polite nod.

Then, the Archbishop and Duke of the West also bypassed Eric without a glance and came to greet me instead.

“I heard you returned from the South—did you rest well?”

“If you had made the trip, you should have stopped by the cathedral in the capital as well. The other bishops were hoping to see you.”

A twitch flickered beneath Eric’s eye.

He was staring intently at the place where another man now stood—where he believed he was supposed to be.

“Haha… unfortunately, I had urgent matters to take care of. But I’ll have more time from now on, so I’ll visit often.”

“Good, good… Warm air does the body good, after all.”

The blond middle-aged man emphasized health more than usual.

He clapped my shoulder and let out a hearty laugh.

“You’re doing fine now, but from now on you’ll have a lot more people to be responsible for, won’t you?”

“…?”

Honestly, I only intended to manage my family and the Erian Foundation.

But it seemed they had a rather high opinion of my capabilities.

“Of course. I’ll make time for exercise as well.”

“Exactly, health is everything. You’ll be starting a family soon too, I’d imagine.”

Why was everyone suddenly so concerned about my health?

Still, I accepted their advice with a grateful heart.

After that, I finally faced the Grand Duke of the North, the one who had called out to me first.

“The trade route is just about to open. You’ve worked hard all this time.”

The Duke of Luton extended his hand toward me.

It was the first time.

The first time he had ever offered a handshake to anyone.

“And I hope you’ll continue to help going forward.”

“You flatter me. Once the trade cities are complete, I plan to hand full authority over to Lady Echina.”

The Grand Duke let out a soft chuckle.

Like a mountain lord who’d seen through the schemes of a clever fox.

“Planning to quietly scoop up your share already, are you?”

“N-not at all—! All those achievements were possible thanks to Lady Echina’s name. I’m just passing them on, that’s all.”

The Duke slowly shook his head.

Then cast a cold look toward Eric and said,

“That child still has a long way to go. I’d like you to co-manage the city.”

Entrusting the most anticipated new city on the continent.

The meaning was clear.

Master of the trade route.

Successor to the Northern Grand Duke.

All of it…

He was entrusting it jointly to Echina and me.

“Is that… really what you mean?”

I asked blankly, in a daze.

And then, like a father looking upon a son, the Grand Duke smiled warmly and said,

“Yes. I want to entrust the future of this family to you.”

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