My old friend

"Isaiah."

Abel walked away from the throne hall with a child on his leg as an accessory. As he marched through the hallway, he called Isaiah, and the latter appeared out of nowhere from behind the emperor. 

"Where's Conan?" asked Abel without looking back. His steps didn't falter as he headed straight to the emperor's palace. 

"He went home to enjoy the last day of his freedom," Isaiah reported, as he had made sure Conan wouldn't approach the imperial palace. His eyes then fell on the little girl, clinging to Abel's leg. "This girl...?"

The little girl looked back at Isaiah and smiled adorably. But her charms didn't faze the coldhearted duke.

"She's the one who attempted to rename Haimirich to Chocolate Empire. Make sure to charge her with treason," Abel explained, treating the little girl with utter nonchalance.

Isaiah wasn't compassionate enough as he tilted his head down. "Yes, Your Majesty."