GENERATIONAL CHANGE

"I WILL pass my title to you before you get dispatched to the South, son."

Diether clutched his hands secretly after hearing his father's official announcement while their family was having breakfast in the greenhouse.

He wasn't really interested in becoming the new Grand Duke. In fact, he dreaded the day that he would be required to let go of his Holy Sword in order to focus on managing their territory.

However, becoming the Grand Duke would allow him to use more resources to find Celeste.

"Thank you, Father," Diether said formally, hiding his delight. "It's about time."

His father just scoffed at his snarky remark. "I've already talked with His Majesty about this matter."

Diether already expected that.

Of course, his father had to discuss it with the king first.

[Aside from the fact that the king is my father's older brother, higher nobles are also required to report to His Majesty when they're about to pass their titles to their chosen successor.]

"His Majesty allowed me to pass my title to you quietly– for now."

"For now, Father?"

His father nodded before explaining. "His Majesty wanted to throw a royal banquet for you, Diether."

[Argh.]

"I stopped His Majesty because we won't have enough time to prepare for a royal banquet since you'll be dispatched next week," his father continued. "But His Majesty insisted that we push through the royal banquet to celebrate you becoming the new Grand Duke as soon as your mission is over. And…"

Diether noticed his father glancing at Sonata who was quietly eating her breakfast, and that made him a bit nervous. "And what, Father?"

"His Majesty wanted the celebration to be as grand as possible– he even joked about inviting the Imperial Family of the Kaelus Empire."

Diether was about to say that it was a ridiculous "joke" even for the king.

After all, the Imperial Family of the Kaelus Empire was known to be the "untouchables."

[They, apparently, have the purest imperial bloodline in the entire world.]

But his thoughts were distracted when Sonata suddenly choked on her food after hearing that the king wanted to invite the Imperial Family.

"Are you shocked by His Majesty's brazen attitude?" Diether asked Sonata while gently patting her back and handing her a glass of water. "Don't worry, Sonata. Even if His Majesty sent an invitation to the Imperial Family as a joke, I'm sure the Imperial Family wouldn't even spare it a glance. It's pretty well-known that the Kaelus Empire isn't fond of our kingdom."

He knew why his legal wife seemed to be shocked.

[Sonata hates standing out since she needs to hide her identity. Moreover, she doesn't enjoy large crowds. She's probably worried about what the scale of the royal banquet would be if the Imperial Family was suddenly invited.]

"Thank you," Sonata said after drinking the water that Diether handed to her. "And thank you for the assurance that His Majesty wouldn't go overboard with his plan to throw a royal banquet for you."

"It's for us, Sonata," Diether reminded her. "Once I become the Grand Duke, then you'll become the Grand Duchess. Of course, that celebration will also include you."

His legal wife looked touched by what he said.

"Aww. Are you being considerate of me now?" Sonata teased him. "Is my dear legal husband finally growing up?"

Diether glared at her lightly. He knew that she was just teasing him again. But that didn't mean he was immune to it. "Just how bad of a person do you think I am, my dear legal wife? I already apologized for being a jerk to you before."

"I know. But your reactions every time I tease you are so fascinating~"

"Now that's just bullying."

His dear legal wife just laughed.

And then Diether noticed that his parents were watching him and Sonata banter while having opposite reactions.

His father looked pleased.

On the other hand, his mother was looking at him as if he had betrayed her.

[Oh.]

His mother cleared her throat before speaking. "Now that you'll be receiving your father's title officially, are you planning to return to the territory right away?"

"You should be asking Sonata and not your son," his father said to his mother. "I told your son he can't return to the territory without his wife."

His mother glared at his father. "If you're going to give our son your title, why don't you just give it to him without your ridiculous conditions?"

"It's not ridiculous, Eleanor."

His father then sipped his tea without saying anything more.

Diether sighed, afraid that his parents would start fighting again.

"I'm going to the territory with Diether, Mother."

Hmm?

Diether turned to Sonata. "Really?"

Sonata smiled at him. "Shall we take a stroll in the garden, my lord?"

***

"I HAVE one condition for returning to your territory with you, my dear legal husband."

Diether already expected that Sonata was going to talk about that when she asked him to take a walk in the garden with her, so he wasn't really surprised. "Alright. That's fair. What's your condition?"

He didn't want to say this out loud, but Sonata really had a lot in common with his father.

[They both like making deals. That's probably why they get along well.]

"If I ever get kidnapped while we're still married, then promise me you'll save me, even if it means causing a war."

Diether turned to his wife in disbelief. "Who's trying to kidnap you?"

Sonata was one of the strongest people he knew.

If his wife was afraid that she might get kidnapped one of these days, then the kidnapper must be someone on Sonata's level.

"Does it matter? Will you not save me if the kidnapper turns out to be a big shot?"

"No, it doesn't," Diether said in a serious tone. "You're letting me use you to find my wife without being nosy, so it's only right that I return the favor without asking questions."

"Will you still accept my condition even if it's dangerous?"

"Of course," he said firmly. "I need you to exercise my power as the new Grand Duke, so I won't let you get kidnapped."

Sonata laughed while shaking her head. "I'm lucky that you love your first wife so much then."

"Well, I also promised that I'll protect you as long as you're my legal wife."

"Aww. That's touching."

"I'm serious," Diether said, looking Sonata straight in the eye. "Sonata, I really want to be good friends with you because I like your attitude. You can be a bit annoying sometimes, but it's okay since "fighting" with you can be fun, too."

Sonata laughed again. "I feel the same, my dear legal husband," she agreed with him, then she changed the topic. "Are you going to the palace today."

"Yes. I need to get the king's approval for my official appointment as the new Grand Duke. Why do you ask?"

"Can I spend the night in the Red-light District and return to the mansion tomorrow?" Sonata asked. "I want to say goodbye to my friends there."

"Of course," Diether said, nodding. "I told you– as the new lady of House Hexford, you can do anything and everything you want as long as it doesn't hurt the family."

***

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