"By what right do they even make such a claim?"
"They're not entirely without grounds. Back in the days of the old Northern Kingdom, House Calyx produced several generations of royal guard knights, and after the kingdom fell, they even intermarried with House Grimaldi."
In other words, the blood of House Grimaldi did flow through House Calyx, at least to some extent.
It wasn't as though they were invoking the ducal house's name with absolutely no connection at all.
The real issue was which of them stood closer to that lineage when compared directly.
"When was the last time House Grimaldi and House Calyx were joined by marriage?"
"A hundred years ago. A daughter of the ducal house married into House Calyx."
"Hah."
A hollow laugh escaped him.
As if being part of the same maternal line weren't enough, it had been a century ago.
If Lucian were dead and the close bloodline truly severed, that would be one thing—but in the present situation, they had no right to invoke the name of House Grimaldi.
With a perfectly alive grandson still standing, it was as though an eighth cousin had suddenly stepped forward to claim the inheritance.
"This is absurd. At the very least, they should have sought my consent."
"They would've claimed you're not a 'northerner,' obviously. Wordplay like that isn't rare in political circles. Though just because it's common doesn't mean it isn't shameless."
A faint edge of displeasure crept into the Archduke's previously calm voice.
Only then did Lucian realize that this situation was a serious matter not just for the Archduke, but for the imperial family as well.
"What did His Majesty the Emperor say?"
"As you'd expect, he was extremely displeased. He also said this needs to be stopped before it grows any further. The problem is that the imperial court doesn't have the leeway to do so right now."
"Because of the suppression of the Krepfeld rebellion?"
"Yes. Even though it ended with minimal damage, the fact remains that the previous attempt to suppress the rebellion failed. For the sake of the Empire's prestige, a coalition army must be reformed as soon as possible and the rebels made to pay the price."
Since they had failed once, the imperial family's goal was to gather as much strength as possible and crush Krepfeld decisively.
Naturally, while continuing preparations to suppress Krepfeld's rebellion, they couldn't spare additional force to project outward.
A misstep could further erode the already diminished prestige of the imperial house.
"The biggest problem is House Calyx. They talk about the glory of the North and such, but they're being exceedingly deferential, insisting this isn't an act of rebellion against the Empire. They claim it's merely a justification to put an end to the frequent civil strife in the North."
"I find that hard to believe."
"So do I. His Majesty shares that opinion as well. It's probably just an excuse to prevent interference while they unify the North under themselves. But frustratingly, the timing is far too perfect."
Because of the Krepfeld rebellion, the imperial court has no room to focus on the North.
On top of that, House Calyx has wrapped itself in just enough legitimacy while keeping an extremely low posture.
If suspicion is pressed any further, it could provoke not just the count's house, but the entire North.
"That's why you need me. As the one closest to House Grimaldi, I can shatter House Calyx's justification."
"Exactly. However…"
Archduke Sigmund hesitated briefly, then looked at Lucian with a hardened expression.
"The North has, since ancient times, been a land steeped in martial tradition and hostile to outsiders. No matter how close your blood ties may be, because you were not born and raised there, you will never be fully accepted by them."
"Not only House Calyx, but even those who once revered House Grimaldi will try to test you. And whatever those trials may be, passing them will not be easy."
At the Archduke's words, Lucian was reminded of his previous life.
The mercenaries he had met who hailed from the North rarely spoke to outsiders at all.
They would quietly do the work entrusted to them and take only their pay.
Some mercenaries even praised that obstinate attitude, calling them "taciturn men of the North."
'A ridiculous misunderstanding.'
Later, Lucian learned that Northerners were not particularly taciturn at all.
They simply didn't open their hearts or speak freely unless they acknowledged someone as their equal—making them seem quiet.
Once they did acknowledge someone, however, they often became astonishingly talkative, as if releasing all the words they'd held back while among outsiders.
'Those who praised them as "men of the North" were really just announcing that they hadn't earned a Northerner's recognition—and I hadn't realized it.'
As Lucian suppressed a bitter smile, the Archduke's voice reached his ears once more.
"To be honest, His Majesty the Emperor wants you to go to the North and invalidate House Calyx's claim. He believes that you, of all people, can bring peace to the Empire."
"That's an excessive appraisal."
"Perhaps. But I want to leave the decision to you. No matter how strong His Majesty's wishes may be, I do not wish to force you."
A trace of worry that could not be hidden clouded Archduke Sigmund's face.
At that moment, he was not the Empire's Archduke, but a father concerned for his son.
"House Calyx has certainly stolen the inheritance that should have been yours. But that inheritance is ambiguous—and you may never have need of it in your lifetime. By contrast, the North is a harsh and unforgiving land, with a culture just as severe. And above all…"
"In the North, even the name of House Valdeck won't carry any weight."
Lucian answered first, having already anticipated what his father was about to say.
He had a fair idea of what worried him.
"They're people who've lived among themselves in the North for generations. With only tenuous ties to the imperial court, they won't readily acknowledge anyone unless it's His Majesty the Emperor himself."
Just as the Archduke had said, even Lucian would be unable to avoid the trials of the North.
In fact, upon hearing that he carried the blood of House Grimaldi, they might test him all the more harshly.
Because they would want to see whether someone who inherited such noble blood was truly worthy of it.
'And even if I pass their trials, that only means I've barely made it to the starting line. After that, I'll immediately have to engage in a battle of legitimacy with House Calyx and its supporters.'
In other words, he would be entering the enemy's home ground to fight without being able to rely on his family's power at all.
Even if they were merely a count's house, one that had been rooted in the North since the days of the Northern Kingdom would wield influence comparable to that of a border margrave.
Lucian would be forced into a grueling struggle, practically empty-handed.
"Even so, I want to go to the North."
"…Why? Knowing how difficult it will be, why would you choose that?"
"Because they laid hands on the inheritance that should have been mine."
Lucian met the Archduke's eyes directly as he spoke.
There were no platitudes about loyalty or duty—only his unvarnished, genuine feelings.
"That was mine. Even if it was something I might have left buried in a storehouse for the rest of my life, it belonged to no one but me. Yet those people didn't even bother to ask my permission—or spare me a glance—before dragging it out and boasting as if it had always been theirs."
"I want to ask you this, Father. Even if it's meat he has no intention of eating, can you truly call a lion a lion if he says nothing while his own meat is taken from him?"
The name of House Grimaldi was indeed an ambiguous inheritance.
It might one day be used to great effect—or he might forget about it entirely, never using it at all.
But regardless of which path he chose, the legitimate right to use the name Grimaldi belonged to Lucian alone.
House Calyx knew that perfectly well—and still chose to ignore him and use it as they pleased.
"I am not generous enough to smile and let it slide when someone takes what is mine without permission."
"Hahahaha!"
At Lucian's forthright answer, the Archduke burst into laughter.
After laughing for a good while, Archduke Sigmund soon stroked his beard, a satisfied smile settling on his face.
"Right. We can't just leave a thief who stole what belongs to another and still walks around with his head held high. Do as you wish."
"Thank you."
"When are you planning to depart for the North? Not immediately, I assume?"
"In a week. I need some time to prepare as well."
"Very well. But before you leave, attend one family council meeting."
At the mention of a family council, Lucian's eyes widened.
A family council was not convened unless the matter was truly重大—what on earth had happened?
Seeming to read Lucian's confusion, the Archduke answered at once.
"His Majesty the Emperor intends to re-form the coalition army."
"…"
The atmosphere of the family council was oppressively heavy.
In the past, there had at least been unspoken tension and maneuvering, but this time, everyone had lost even that much composure.
As all sat on edge, the Archduke opened his mouth.
"His Majesty the Emperor has ordered the reconstitution of the coalition army."
"This time, he intends to decisively suppress the Krepfeld rebellion. Naturally, I will be leading the campaign myself."
With the Grand Accord nullified, there was no telling what moves the enemy might make.
This was not a situation that could be entrusted to a mere proxy—it was only natural for the Archduke to take the field in person.
What truly mattered was what would happen after the Archduke took the field.
"Then who do you intend to appoint as acting head of the house while you're away?"
Tristan's mother, Veronica, asked, covering her flushed face with a fan.
It was a difficult thing to voice, but on a battlefield where the Grand Accord no longer held, there was no guarantee the Archduke would return safely.
Depending on how things unfolded, the acting head chosen here could very well become the next Archduke.
"Before deciding on an acting head, there's one thing I want to say. I intend to take one of my sons with me as an adjutant."
"…!"
"This time, it's not His Majesty's will—it's mine. Is there any boy who wishes to volunteer?"
At the Archduke's unexpected proposal, confusion spread across everyone's faces.
If the Grand Accord had been broken, the danger of the battlefield would be incomparable to before—and yet he was asking one of them to accompany him.
As they exchanged cautious glances, Jordi's mother, Yulia, spoke up carefully.
"If, like before, the third son were to go—"
"The third has business in the North. He won't be able to accompany me."
"T-the North?"
"It concerns House Grimaldi. Recently, House Calyx has been disregarding Lucian and acting as though they were the heirs of House Grimaldi."
As Archduke Sigmund laid out the full circumstances, everyone's expressions stiffened.
A battlefield where the Grand Accord no longer applied, a timing that forced Lucian to be absent, and an escort request whose intent was unclear—
Is he planning to clear away the other children for the sake of the third? With such a weak foundation, it would be troublesome if the others didn't acknowledge the succession…
That can't be right… Father isn't the sort to scheme like that. But if, by some chance, he really has decided on the third as the next head…
As suspicion continued to swell, the first to explode was Veronica.
"Husband, isn't this going too far!?"
Veronica slammed down the fan she always carried and sprang to her feet.
The Archduke, without so much as blinking, fixed his gaze on the flustered Veronica.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your favoritism toward the third! Why is that child being excluded no matter what!? Are you saying it would be unfair to let him participate again just because he went once before?"
"Heh."
At Veronica's words, the Archduke let out a cold laugh.
"When an enemy of the Empire appears, leading troops and gathering under the imperial banner is the first duty of every lord. Along with taxes, this is something that must never be neglected. And yet you speak as though it were a punishment."
"You're the lord! Not our children!"
"And one of my children will become the next lord. If that one hides in fear of the battlefield, would they be fit to succeed me?"
"…!"
Veronica's face turned deathly pale as her mouth opened and closed soundlessly.
Seeing her unable to respond, the Archduke shot her a sharp glare.
"Remember this. Whether the Grand Accord is upheld or not, one's duties must still be fulfilled. I have no intention of naming as my successor someone who cannot even uphold their most basic obligations."
At the Archduke's firm declaration, Lucian quietly nodded.
From the outset, a titled noble must absolutely uphold two things above all else: taxation and the mobilization of troops.
Refusing to take the field on the pretext that the Grand Accord had been broken was little different from a child throwing a tantrum.
As a speechless Veronica faltered and sank back into her seat, the Archduke swept his gaze around the room and spoke.
"I'll ask one last time. Is there any boy here who will go to the battlefield with his father?"
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