On the other hand, the Yushon Duchy where Lativ hailed from was in absolute turmoil.
Their precious son was about to be locked inside a castle crawling with beasts.
Ehem.
What a tragic fate. How easily could such a child become prey?
Lativ's mother clutched her chest, eyes already red.
"Ah, my son this is too cruel! How can this be allowed?"
She broke into sobs with such force it echoed through the hall.
"Mother," Lativ protested, face flushing, "I'm not some princess trapped in a tower!"
"But you will be!" she cried, gripping his sleeve.
"…"
I'm a man. A man!
Not delicate! Not soft! Not—
Tears betrayed him.
"Mother…M-Mother…."
"Aiya, my poor child!"
Sniff.
"…"
Lativ glanced behind her.
The maids were crying too. See? How much the maids loves him dearly, and how much he likes this place only to be…driven away in the most coldest place that even the north couldn't handle.
"Young Master, you're far too gentle for a place like that!"
"Hush! Someone might hear you!"
One of the maids reprimanded.
"I..I'm sorry, it just breaks my heart to see the young master leave like this…"
"Such a sweet boy… how heartless of fate!"
"…"
Ahhh. I'm not dying!
Father—surely Father would—
Whiff.
"…"
His father sat calmly at the table, sipping tea as though this were an afternoon breeze rather than a funeral procession.
Blatant. Utterly blatant.
"…"
"Father~."
This was unfair. Shouldn't he be the reasonable one? Why wasn't he helping his own son? His only heir? Unless…he has a hidden child that we don't know of?
"Lativ, hold your thoughts and expression whatever it is, it is not. I'm thinking of you."
"…"
How did her mother even fall in love with his father?
By the time his mother cried herself into exhaustion nearly an hour later she finally retired to her quarters and promptly collapsed into sleep.
Only then was Lativ left alone with his father.
"I hate you."
The Duke of Yushon smiled mildly. "My son is still adorable."
"…"
Lativ clenched his fists. "Father, aren't you worried I just sold our entire family?"
"No."
"Uh?"
What kind of answer was that?
"Aren't you worried your son pledged allegiance to the Emperor?"
"No."
"…That we're now part of the Imperial Faction?"
"No."
"Ahhh! Father I'm serious!" Lativ nearly tore his hair out. "The Emperor is terrifying! I'm worried sick, and this is all you say?!"
When had this old man become so unreliable?
"Father," he demanded, "why won't you advise me like you always do?"
"Didn't you handle it well?"
Lativ blinked and frowned.
"Huh?"
The Duke set aside the document in his hands notes for the upcoming banquet.
"You didn't do anything wrong. You were cornered by the Emperor, but you survived. And you did so cleanly. That's enough for now."
"…"
So his father had already assumed he wouldn't make it and was mentally preparing a coffin?
"Gahhhh."
The Duke laughed.
"Don't look so aggrieved. You did what you had to do to keep our family alive."
"Father…"
He really was useless. He needed far more experience.
Seeing his son's troubled expression, the Duke sighed inwardly. He and his wife had sheltered Lativ too well, kept him quiet, unnoticed, successful in small, safe ways. That was why it shocked him when the Emperor summoned the boy directly.
Now it wasn't just the Six Officials watching them.
It was everyone.
"To be honest," the Duke said slowly, "I always knew a day would come when neutrality would no longer be an option for our household."
"Really?"
"But not like this."
"What do you mean?" Lativ asked.
The Duke glanced at him, like a teacher looking at a student who'd skipped too many lessons.
"Neutrality is the hardest to keep it absolute. It's simply the luxury of delay. When it breaks, we choose the side that keeps us alive."
And they lost.
Originally, siding with the Noble Faction had seemed wiser.
That calculation had… changed to something they haven't considered, won't ever consider.
"It's not bad."
"…Not bad? Not bad?!" Lativ flailed. "What if the nobles lose? We'll be dead!"
"Fathe—ow!"
The Duke flicked his forehead.
"Watch your mouth. Shouting about factions is dangerous even here."
"…my apologies."
"Hmph." The Duke nodded, satisfied. "You were raised well. Do what you're told. If you need help, send a letter. Though living in the palace… be patient. Messages are inspected."
"I'm curious father, do you think the Emperor was he moved by what I said?" Lativ asked anxiously.
"From how you described it?" The Duke hummed. "Not at all. You didn't embellish, did you?"
"No!"
"Then he was moved by how foolish—and oddly clever you appeared. Whether that pleased him, or he acted on whim… who knows. A ruler's thoughts is quite complex specially His Majesty, who would truly understand him?"
"…What?"
Lativ felt his soul crumble.
Years of practicing refined speech, imitating his father's wisdom and in the Emperor's eyes, he was a harmless, clumsy rabbit.
Wahh.
"You did well, my son."
Lativ shook his head, "…Hic. I feel insulted."
"Don't." The Duke patted his back. "You avoided becoming a threat. That alone is exemplary."
Then he stood. "Go. The carriage is waiting. Give my regards to His Majesty. Serving him is an honor."
Lativ pulled a face.
The Duke laughed then rested a firm hand on his son's shoulder, his expression turning grave.
"No matter what happens," he said quietly, "you must survive first."
"Father?"
"As long as you live, nothing else matters."
Lativ didn't fully understand. Only that it was heavy and terrifying and somehow felt like being told to prepare his own grave.
"I will."
"That's my son."
"Not heir?"
"Mmm."
He didn't even notice when his father pulled him into a brief embrace, a shadow crossing the Duke's face.
***
"This will be your room, Young Duke."
Butler Xiwen guided Lativ through the East Wing. Lativ kept his distance, eyes roaming. Lativ blinked.
It was too fast, he was in daze that he now entered the palace.
The palace was… beautiful.
And dreadful.
Like an extravagant mausoleum dressed in gold oppressiveness, alluring, and cold.
"Why don't I see many servants?" he murmured.
"We have few," Xiwen replied smoothly. "Five hundred, perhaps."
"That's—"
He stopped himself.
"Less than your household?" Xiwen finished.
"…Yes."
Did this man read minds?
"They're capable," Xiwen continued. "And the palace requires little charge."
"Oh. Haha. I see."
Lativ sweated.
It was well known among nobles connections bred information. His father had interrogated him for three days after the banquet, separating rumor from truth.
One confirmed truth:
Every palace servant came from pureblood noble families—Dukes, Marquesses, Earls. Even as maids, they were honors bestowed.
The Archduke stood above them all.
"Pardon," Lativ ventured, "may I ask something?"
Xiwen glanced back, lips curling slightly. Curious child.
"As long as it isn't burdensome."
How did one even measure that?
"Can palace servants leave," Lativ asked carefully, "if they wish—or if their family is in danger?"
Xiwen stopped.
Turned.
Lativ froze.
"I-I'm sorry! Please don't report me! I swear I'll never—"
He was dead. Truly dead.
"I can keep silent until death!"
Xiwen chuckled. "I must have frightened you."
"N-not at all."
His instincts screamed never ask again.
"I won't ask such questions."
"Why?" Xiwen asked. "Would you know them beforehand?"
"…No."
"Young Duke."
"Please call me Lativ, good sir."
"Then, Young Master Lativ," Xiwen said calmly, "as one chosen to accompany His Majesty, you will learn many things not meant to be spoken. Can you bear that weight?"
Secrets. Lifelong ones.
Lativ swallowed.
The Emperor terrified him. Everyone feared him. He had killed many.
But still—
"I will," he said softly. "Besides… you believe serving His Majesty is worth it, don't you?"
Xiwen laughed under his breath. "Indeed."
Then he leaned close.
"They may leave, if they will to."
If they will to.
Lativ stiffened.
Permitted… yet unwilling.
The rumors stirred coldly in his chest.
Would he become like them?
No.
He straightened.
He, Lativ of the Yushon Duchy would be better. Worthier.
He didn't notice Xiwen's amused smile.
They continued down the corridor.
Uck.
These halls are truly ominous.