Duke, Is This Your First Time? -R15 - Chapter 57

“……Are you really going to do this?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I know you don’t want to give me the position of crown prince because you’re showing off that young gal. But do you have to do this?”

 

When Dustin was so worked up that the veins on his neck revealed its color, the emperor lifted his hand and stroked his beard leisurely.

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, prince.”

 

“Don’t you appoint Elly as his partner?”

 

In the end, Dustin cried out because he couldn’t endure it.

 

However, the emperor didn’t even blink. Rather, he spoke whilst looking down at Dustin and smiled leisurely.

 

“I don’t know if the prince has something to do with what I’ve done. It’s the same as calling the marquess’ by her nickname in front of others, so that people would think you are Marquess Camellia’s lover.”

 

“About it……!”

 

“I don’t think the marquess, who wasn’t having a lover until yesterday, suddenly decided to date you today. I don’t think you are in a right position to assert claim over the marquess.”

 

Dustin’s mouth was shut tightly and formed a straight line. He really couldn’t get his hands on Elysia, so he didn’t have anything to say.

 

Even so, he couldn’t hold back his anger and stared at the innocent floor with a cynical look.

 

Staring at his son, the emperor leaned back and clicked his tongue.

 

“I assigned Marquess Camellia as Rashian’s partner because she was his shooting teacher. Since it’s going to be his first time attending a banquet, he needs someone to assist him.”

 

“……the Marquess is also the head of the nobility.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. Noble fraction and imperial fraction are both servants of the same empire and my subordinates. It seems that you think that the noble fraction belong to their own.”

 

Dustin flinched at the emperor’s remarks.

 

Although his tone wasn’t different from usual, the last remark was an obvious warning to him. To not act recklessly.

 

‘D**n it.’

 

Dustin gritted his teeth realizing he came to argue with his principal and now couldn’t even find it.

 

His stomach was boiling with anger and his head was burning hot, he felt as if his sanity would snap at any moment.

 

In the end, he lifted his head and stared straight at the emperor, putting his inner thought into a question.

 

“……what makes you so displeased with me?”

 

“What did you just say?”

 

“I’m your son, too! I deserve to be given the crown prince position! But am I the only one who isn’t approved by you?!”

 

To be honest, Dustin felt unfair and resentful.

 

Although he was born from the womb of the queen consort, he was still the son of the emperor. But why was he not fit as the crown prince?

 

Dustin, who revealed the things he’d kept in his heart all this time, stared at the emperor while panting heavily. His determination to hear the answer was reflected in his eyes.

 

The emperor, who was listening to his son, stroked his beard and spoke slowly.

 

“Of course, you’re also my child, so you can be approved by me.”

 

Dustin frowned. Those words were meaningless.

 

It was when he looked at the emperor with doubt while wondering what the man’s intention was. A heavy, cold voice dawned upon him.

 

“If you’re willing to leave your mother’s family side, Duke of Russet.”

 

“……!”

 

“Can you do that?”

 

When he thought he didn’t have the queen consort, Duke of Russet, and Duke Russet by his side, his gaze went black and felt like he couldn’t do anything.

 

When he didn’t say anything, the emperor chuckled and clicked his tongue as if he already knew it.

 

“The crown prince is someone who has to shine on his own. However, you’ve never shone on your own until now. The Queen Consort and Duke Russet have made you shine all these times. Whom do you think this empire would belong to when such a prince ascends to the throne?”

 

Dustin clenched his fist hard enough for the blue veins to appear where a blue veins appeared on the back of his hand. The feeling of wanting to do rebellion welled up deep inside his heart.

 

He couldn’t understand the emperor’s words at all.

 

Is it a problem to get help from Duke Russet? It’s much more foolish to have a weapon but not use it.

 

In the end, Isn’t the person who ascends the throne the winner?

 

‘If he’s not thinking of giving it to me, I have to get it.’

 

Whether it was Elysia or the throne, he had no intention of letting what he wanted be taken away from him.

 

As Dustin dropped his head, one corner of his mouth twitched and his blue eyes were filled with tenacity. He had a tenacious obsession of getting whatever he wanted at all costs.

 

***

 

After Dustin left, the emperor spoke up while gazing at the closed door. His voice was laced with bitterness.

 

“It seems that I have no qualifications in terms of raising children. I couldn’t keep one, and I have to watch the other one break themselves. Don’t you think so?”

 

After the emperor finished his words, a man slowly walked out from behind the pillar on the left side of the throne seat.

 

His golden eyes shone apathetically under his raven hair.

 

Standing where Dustin stood a moment ago, Iker looked up at the emperor and spoke calmly.

 

“Although it’s unfortunate, it’s already too late to go back.”

 

“I know it, too. However, I can’t help but regret it sometimes. I thought I should’ve snatched Dustin from them forcefully.”

 

“I know it because I heard it from my father. In that circumstance, you would’ve given up bringing him to your side. And it’s too early to be disappointed and discouraged because Your Majesty still has Rashian.”

 

Iker’s answer brought an unexpected look to the emperor’s face. The emperor, who smiled hollowly and didn’t say anything afterwards, lifted his hand and stroked his beard.

 

“Are you trying to console me? That’s unlike you, who’s usually indiffent. You’ve changed. This is the main reason why a man has to date.”

 

The emperor’s last remark already sounded mischievous in his ears.

 

“I’m not in a relationship yet.”

 

“It’s only right to say it like that since she’s the only one you love. Marquess Camellia hasn’t come over. However, I’m sure you both are making a little progress, aren’t you? Did you hold her hand? Did you kiss? Don’t tell me you’ve already spent another night after that night.”

 

Iker automatically frowned at the extremely personal and trivial questions that even his father would not bother to ask.

 

‘Here he goes again.’

 

Knowing the emperor’s personality, he had no choice but to show his heart that he would protect Elysia. It’s been like this ever since. As if he had gotten something he could make fun of.

 

He sighed inwardly and spoke with a firm expression. In this case, there was only one way to beat him with a single knife.

 

“If you don’t want to know anything more, can I leave the palace now?”

 

Upon expressing his absolute intention to not answer his question, the emperor smiled as if he already knew it.

 

“Threatening to leave the palace just because I asked you a few things is  a bit too much. But I still think of you and only sent the dress designer to Marquess Camellia. Had I sent Keetman with her, what would have happened to your order?”

 

Iker’s dark eyebrows twitched at the emperor’s words.

 

Keetman was the best jeweler in the empire.

 

He made jewelry only through orders, and everything he created was praised as works of art.

 

He asked slowly after being quiet for a moment.

 

“How did you know I ordered there?”

 

“I didn’t know about it at first, either. I summoned Keetman to make a jewelry as reward for Marquess Camellia. Then, he said he was afraid to take it because he had already received an order from you.”

 

“……”

 

“He said you would like it to be finished before the birthday banquet. It’s obvious who you’re going to give it to as a gift.”

 

He regretted for a moment and he should’ve ordered from another jeweler, but Iker soon gave up such an idea.

 

Only the best are suited for Elysia, and Keetman was the only jeweler who could create the best. That’s why the emperor’s teasing was worth-taking.

 

In the meantime, the emperor went on.

 

“Isn’t it impossible for me to take away the gift you prepared for Marquess Camellia? But just in case, I told them to take your order under my name. That way, even if the marquess wears it, people who took a look at it wouldn’t find anything.”

 

Iker was greatly impressed by the emperor’s words that seemed to touch his heart. The emperor pointed out his worries regarding placing order.

 

Although Keetman would keep his mouth shut, he couldn’t help but be concerned about it.

 

Even if Keetman would keep it as a secret, it wouldn’t be possible if powerful people such as the Duke Russet and the Second Prince pressed him on. Because they would never allow him to say only nice things.

 

And then Elysia would fall in trouble again.

 

However, thanks to the emperor, such worries could be put behind now.

 

‘Thanks to him, I would be able to give it to her without worries. I should sincerely thank him this time.’

 

It was when Iker was about to express his gratitude to the emperor upon receiving his unexpected consideration. The emperor’s mischievous words reverberated through his ears.

 

“So why don’t you thank me for being considerate? Afterall, I paid a lot of attention to it.”

 

When the emperor wanted Iker to express his gratitude openly, he looked up at him and slowly lowered his head.

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 

The corners of the emperor’s mouth, which was curved up upon the unexpected expression of gratitude of the young Duke, stopped immediately after hearing what he said.

 

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration, I think I have to leave the palace now. I have to inform Keetman of the color of the jewelry by today so that it can be finished on time.”

 

Using it as an excuse, Iker immediately asked to leave, and the emperor pondered with a ridiculous look on his face. Although he received the gratitude as he wanted, he felt like losing another thing.

 

“Well, you don’t give me enough time to tease you. All right. I’ll leave you on your own. I’ll remain here alone while chewing on the loneliness.”

 

When the emperor clicked his tongue and spoke as if chaffing Iker, the other man replied calmly.

 

“I knew it, that’s why I brought documents that needed approval to Your Majesty’s office. So that loneliness won’t accompany Your Majesty today.”

 

“……can’t I just enjoy the loneliness today?”

 

“I’ll be going now.”

 

“Hey, Iker-”

 

The emperor called out to Iker urgently, but the man turned away as if he didn’t hear anything.

 

The emperor, who was looking bewilderingly at the young duke’s back whilst leaving the hall without even looking back, soon burst into laughter.

 

“Well, he’s just like his father. I think I made a mistake when I agreed to accept the succession as I thought it would be easy to manage when I was young. But Cameron used to play with me back then.”

 

Cameron was Iker’s father, the former Duke of Damos, and the close friend of the emperor.

 

[Now that my successor has grown up, I’m going to spend some relaxing time with my wife. If Your Majesty is envious of me, please abdicate the throne quickly and come down with Her Majesty the Empress.]

 

That was what Cameron told the emperor, that Iker would succeed him.

 

Actually speaking, the emperor envied him at that moment.

 

“Is there anything I can do? I’ve no choice but to win this gamble. Nonetheless, it’ll take several more years to abdicate this, but…… I want to live a leisure life just like Cameron one day.”

 

The emperor slowly rose from the throne after mumbling to himself.

 

Iker told him to not bask in the loneliness, so it was time to bask in his work instead.

 

The emperor’s footsteps to the office were unusually slow.

 

***

 

After returning from the palace, Iker headed straight to the office and only handed his coat to the butler. He was greeted by Nocturned, who was sitting on the sofa and stood up at the sight of him when he entered the office.

 

“Did you finish your work at the Imperial Palace, Your Excellency?”

 

“Did Madame Karen contact you?”

 

When he asked the new employee, Nocturne replied as if he had expected it.