[Clauss's POV]
Archduke Clauss Von Emeria was already dining when his firstborn son and legitimate heir, Nicolaus, burst into the dining room, making a racket.
He bumped into a lunch counter and, as if it were its fault for being in his way, knocked over the silverware that had been meticulously arranged there for years.
"What kind of manners are these, Nico? Do you want to be mistaken for a baronet, or worse, some commoner?" The Archduke scolded his son for his flamboyant behavior.
"I've told you countless times, we needed a more decisive plan," Nico retorted as he noisily took his seat at the table.
"Is no one going to serve me? Not a single decent servant in this entire mansion?" Nico shouted at the staff.
"Do not take your frustrations out on my servants," the Archduke reprimanded him again, signaling for someone to serve his son.
"I had a much more decisive plan, one you never agreed to," the Archduke said.
"Of course, assassinating one of the most influential Dukes among the military to sway a single miserable vote in the Ducal House is truly a brilliant plan," Nico replied sarcastically.
"A vote that changes everything, as you well know."
The Archduke had lost his patience. They'd had this same argument countless times, and it never led anywhere.
"Our plan has collapsed. There's nothing more we can do. So now, we should focus on what comes next."
Clauss wanted to steer the conversation toward something productive. There was no other reason to endure his heir's insufferable presence.
"We need to increase our influence among Emeria's nobility. That way, Duke Demetria's opposition won't be an issue anymore," Nico said.
"You harp on the same string, repeating the same thing over and over. How do we do that? That's what I want to hear." Clauss was exhausted.
He had never liked imperial politics; if it were up to him, he would stay as far away from it as possible. But the Archduchy of Emeria was one of the least developed in the empire.
His tenure as Archduke had been marked by stagnation. On top of that, he had to deal with a strong opposition, centered around Duke Demetria.
All of it together was a humiliation he couldn't bear. When his son finally came of age to take his place, he had hoped for peace, but his heir was nothing but an incompetent fool.
"We need to increase the Archduchy's revenue. If we had more valuable concessions to distribute, the nobles would come begging at our feet like little dogs," Nico spouted more obvious nonsense, further testing Clauss's patience.
"Fine. And how do we do that?" Clauss pressed.
Perhaps if he kept pushing, his son might stumble upon a useful idea.
"The southern Archdukes have been making enormous profits from the new trade routes to the colonies in the Southern Continent," Nico said, repeating information the Archduke was already sick of hearing.
"If we reclaimed Lemeria, as is our right, we'd gain access to a port that could serve as a new trade route to the southern colonies."
Finally, Nico said something new.
"I doubt that idea came from your head. Have you been talking to Strauss?"
The Archduke knew exactly where that kind of thinking came from.
"Uncle Strauss is dangerous, but the idea isn't bad," Nico replied.
"You've forgotten two things."
The Archduke paused dramatically, then raised his right fist with his fingers closed, a theatrical gesture to see if his incompetent son could grasp it.
"First, this is exactly what the opposition has been demanding for years, and we've always refused because it would only strengthen that damned Duke Demetria's influence."
He extended his index finger.
Edward's adoptive father was the military leader of the Archduchy, meaning he would benefit the most from a campaign to reclaim lost territory.
"Second, the ones who took that territory weren't just some bandits or barbarians. Are you seriously suggesting we launch a campaign to attack the fucking Black Dragon?"
Exactly. They had lost the territory because the Black Dragon, one of the most powerful Demon Beasts in the world, had claimed it as its new domain.
Lemeria was now a near-abandoned land, save for a few villages and outposts along the border. It was ruled by an army of monsters commanded by a terrifying Demon Dragon.
"It was just an idea," Nico muttered meekly after his father's dramatic rebuttal.
Since nothing useful seemed to come from his son's head, Clauss decided to move on.
"Have you made any progress with young Demetria?" the Archduke asked.
"He's in love. It won't be easy to change his mind about the engagement," Nico replied.
"That one wretched bastard's birth ruined all our plans."
The Archduke was venting his frustration more than seeking a solution.
"At least the little bastard got what he deserved," Nico said.
"What do you mean?" Clauss asked.
"The boy was born with a Crafter class. Bishop Edgard has been spreading the word. It's the latest gossip in the imperial court."
Nico's response brought a smile to the Archduke's face.
"Is there any chance the Duke has Elven or Dwarven blood?" Clauss asked.
"No. I thought the same thing, but when I checked their family tree, there was no trace of non-humans. Their bloodline is pure."
Nico's answer wiped the smile off Clauss's face.
"Consult our artisans. We'll send the finest forge money can buy as a gift for the boy."
The Archduke burst into laughter, amused by his own joke.
Nico, of course, joined in.
***
[Persius's POV]
Marquis Persius Von Lemeria was speaking with his first and only wife, Celestina, as she nursed their newborn daughter, Valentina.
"The matter I wish to discuss is… unpleasant," Persius began, searching for the right words.
"Why don't you just say it instead of beating around the bush?"
Celestina had already noticed his hesitation, he was afraid of her reaction.
"You must have heard the announcement earlier about Duke Demetria's new son," Persius continued, still avoiding the main point.
"What about the boy? What does the birth of yet another prince have to do with us?"
Lemeria had once been one of the wealthiest Duchies in the empire. But after the Black Dragon's attack, they not only lost their territory but also their status as a Ducal family.
They still held the rank of high nobility as Marquises, but in truth, their remaining lands were no larger than a baron's.
All that was left of the once-great Lemeria was the Black Mountain Stronghold, the first line of defense against the army of monsters now occupying their homeland.
"Bishop Edgard, who performed the boy's naming ceremony, has been spreading his status around the court," Persius explained.
"Probably the doing of those scheming wives of the Duke. Poor child," Celestina remarked.
Persius agreed.
"The boy was given only a Crafter class," he said.
"And what's the problem with that?" Celestina asked.
"He's doomed to a craft that an Elf or a Dwarf could likely do better."
Persius couldn't believe his wife didn't see the implications. A high-ranking noble with a class that barred him from combat? Among the aristocracy, that was nearly a death sentence.
"Commoners build. Nobles protect," Persius recited the old imperial saying.
"That's nothing but prejudiced nonsense, and you know it," Celestina shot back.
Yes, Persius knew it wasn't that simple, but it was how most of the nobility thought.
"You're not understanding. The Duke will have trouble arranging a marriage for the boy now that his class has been revealed. Maybe in the future, if he excels at the academy, that could change. But for now, he likely won't receive any offers."
Finally, Persius reached the point of the conversation.
"You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you?"
Celestina didn't need a verbal answer; the guilt on her husband's face was enough.
"We agreed we'd wait until Valentina was old enough to have a say."
"This is a golden opportunity. The boy's class will scare off other suitors. Without competition, our chances are much higher."
Persius felt guilty treating his daughter as a bargaining chip, but as Marquis, he had a duty. This marriage, if it happened, could change not just Valentina's life, but the fate of all of Lemeria.
Celestina fell silent for a moment. She understood the logic behind her husband's plan.
If they could convince the Duke to marry Edward into their family, making him the heir to House Lemeria, his royal blood would grant them greater political power. It could be a major step toward reclaiming their lost lands, something crucial for the survival of their loyal subjects.
After calming her initial anger, Celestina let reason take over.
"Fine. I agree with your plan, and I'll help however I can."
She wasn't fully convinced, but this was her duty as his wife.
"Good. You could start by writing to your cousin Lady Eliza. Your aunt could also be a great help, if she agrees."
Now that he had his wife's approval, Persius set his plans in motion.
Edward had no idea, but these political machinations were dangerously setting him on a collision course with a Demon Dragon.