Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health - Chapter 76

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 76

“You need to answer me, Edward.”
Emperor Edward, seasoned by years of ruling the empire, recognized in this moment that whatever answer he gave would shape his son’s future.
Valér—the Duke of Halbern—was smiling, but there was no warmth in it whatsoever.
‘He radiates such cold fury, yet wears that gentle mask so well.’
Gulp.
The worried father chose to buy time.
“We’re discussing critical matters of state right now…”
“Does your son like my daughter?”
“…”
“Can I kill him?”
“…”
Son! This man who’s about to become your father-in-law is unhinged! Run!
“…Let’s start with the chain of causation here. What exactly did you hear?”
“What did I see, you mean.”
“Right—what did you see.”
He saw the Crown Prince at his own tea party, tenderly clasping the back of the young man’s head in his hands.
Empress Azeni’s judgment in casting out the Duke of Halbern had been wise—had she not, he would have seized the Crown Prince by the collar and vanished with him into some dark corner of the Imperial Palace.
“A son like mine is more than acceptable. In fact, he’s excellent. In that spirit—what do you say to becoming in-laws?”
The Duke of Halbern tilted his head.
“You’ve developed quite the sense of humor in my absence.”
“I’m serious.”
“…”
The Duke of Halbern’s gaze turned piercing.
“Can I kill you?”
“Only if you want to be hunted as an assassin of the throne.”
“You think I’d go to such trouble to kill you?”
“I am still an emperor, whatever else you think of me.”
The Duke of Halbern, who had been flexing his fingers, laughed. His calculations suggested it would be entirely possible, but he had no genuine intention of becoming a regicide.
Still, a warning seemed prudent.
He turned his gaze toward the shadows concealing the Emperor’s guardian.
The shadows, radiating killing intent beyond their station, trembled.
“That’s enough.”
“Hm.”
The Duke of Halbern’s smile faded and he clicked his tongue.
“My daughter is off-limits.”
“Why?”
“Because my daughter must be happy.”
Emperor Edward stroked his jaw, considering this nonsense, and came to his own conclusion.
“So you’re saying Arelin’s consent comes first.”
“Even in death. This palace is no place for happiness—she’d be buried alive here.”
“Yet Azeni seems content.”
“She must have the temperament of an empress.”
“Azeni said happiness is subjective.”
Nonsense.
The Duke of Halbern smiled silently—breathtakingly beautiful, but it sent ice crawling down Edward’s spine.
“Let’s discuss this matter more formally another time.”
“By all means. I look forward to it.”
…Emperor Edward resolved inwardly to redouble his son’s protection. At this rate, he’d lose his carefully groomed heir to something ridiculous.
“So, about the dragon.”
“Mm?”
With that fire extinguished, the problem that had been plaguing Edward returned to mind. The Emperor groaned.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me? The spoils from the Saren Knights have caught every foreign delegation’s eye. Everyone’s gone mad—inquiries are flooding in asking whether the dragon materials will appear at this Foundation Festival auction. What are you going to do about it?! And on top of everything else, even the Sky Tower sent word asking whether Dragon Blood could be procured!”
At the subtle pressure being applied to him, the Duke of Halbern laughed silently.
“Spoils, you say? I’m afraid I’m not entirely certain.”
“You have nothing to present to the Imperial House?”
“A little, perhaps. I’ve already spent most of my share.”
The Duke of Halbern’s fingertip gestured toward somewhere unspecified. But there was no need to look—Edward understood perfectly.
It had gone into dealings, no doubt.
“A little will do. Present what you can—I’ll see you’re well compensated.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s a relief.”
At the prospect of securing even a small amount and finally breathing easier, Emperor Edward’s expression brightened.
Still…
“The Sky Tower.”
At Edward’s interest in that long-unheard name, the Emperor elaborated.
“They’re visiting for this Foundation Festival. They’ll arrive on the final evening, after the masquerade concludes.”
“Timing it with the auction, then. Avoiding inconvenience while securing everything of value—typical of them.”
It was true that a delegation of esteemed Star-rank Mages warranted a warm welcome, but something felt off about it.
“The purpose of their visit troubles me. We didn’t request it ourselves. Do you have any sense of what draws them?”
“I’ve been shut away in the Northern Fortress, so…”
But if he had to hazard a guess.
“Perhaps there’s a vanished Barrier in the empire?”
Emperor Edward’s expression darkened again.
“It was merely speculation. Their devotees don’t usually move unless something of that magnitude is at stake.”
“Good grief.”
Edward would have dismissed it, but the Emperor’s sharp intuition was already sounding an alarm.
With his free hand, Edward drafted a letter, fingers moving quickly as he inscribed instructions onto parchment that would be magically dispatched in a flash of light—likely ordering an investigation into whether any Barriers had indeed disappeared.
“In any case, this empire is far too vast and calamities strike too frequently. There’s never a moment to let one’s guard down.”
Edward finally understood why the previous emperor had even been willing to pass the throne to a reckless son like himself through abdication.
He, too, desperately wanted to raise Fession and hand over this burden as soon as possible.
“How is the Northern Fortress? You can afford to be away, I presume?”
“For now, probably. We tore through the Bottomless Abyss thoroughly before departing.”
The monsters of the Bottomless Abyss would have to spend considerable time restoring the territories the Saren Knights had ransacked.
Not to mention the other… arrangements.
But there was no need to mention that.
“Mm. I suppose I’ll need to appoint a successor there…”
Edward let out another groan.
As he continued groaning and whining about wanting to spend time with Empress Azeni, the Duke of Halbern—having completed his inspection of the Inner Council chambers—turned to leave.
“Edward.”
“Who else am I supposed to send, hm? Anyone?”
“The council meeting. We should begin.”

* * *

The Duke of Halbern’s return brought with it numerous obligations to discharge.
Because the Duke had kept Mehren as his proxy and remained in hiding, the flood of invitations had ceased, and most who had sent requests for an audience had withdrawn.
Though minor procedural and substantive issues remained, the Duke resolved them through the legitimacy and authority of his station.
Several could not be avoided, the first being an audience with the Emperor and the second being this meeting.
The Inner Council Meeting—attended only by the Five Great Duchies and the Emperor.
“Valér, you seem to have been managing well?”
The Duke of Müvisk, the Emperor’s sword of military might; the Duke of Sperom, the empire’s financial lifeblood.
“Valér!”
The Duke of Sperom, who had been somewhat aloof until now, suddenly brightened and rushed forward.
“I was about to visit Halbern myself! This is fortunate. Valér, save me! Transfer your share of the Dragon Byproducts to Sperom and I’ll pay you generously—more than any of the others would!”
“Eager, aren’t you, Simon? Skipping pleasantries and jumping straight to business.”
“Is it just eagerness? I’m ready to lick your boots right now. The city’s gone insane over those dragon byproducts!”
“Ha. No need to go that far.”
Unfortunately for Simon, the Dragon Byproducts were beyond his reach. They had already become the Emperor’s property.
“My share is already promised to the Imperial House, so speak with the Saren Knights when they arrive.”
“No, no, this won’t do…”
At the commotion, Emperor Edward raised a hand.
“Everyone, take your seats.”
The Duke of Halbern’s chair, empty for six years, was filled. The four of them, gathered together after so long, wore subtle expressions as they took their assigned places.
The Duke of Halbern’s gaze turned toward the remaining empty seats.
“Two more chairs sit vacant.”
“Duke Gremwat is exploring a newly discovered ruin, and Duke Idikels is…”
Emperor Edward fixed the Duke of Halbern with a sharp look.
“…still abroad in another empire, meeting with Regent Rok—thanks to someone.”
“How unfortunate.”
Emperor Edward’s eyes narrowed.
“This is about you.”
“A pity.”
As the Duke of Halbern answered with perfect composure, Emperor Edward pressed further.
“What exactly did you do?”
Six years ago, for reasons unknown, Regent Rok had begun acting erratically, forcing Duke Idikels to urgently cross the sea.
“What did you do to make Regent Rok carry on like this for years? And now I’m already dealing with monster uprisings—I can’t afford instability on the Southern Front! What’s going on?!”
Despite Emperor Edward’s fierce pressure, the Duke of Halbern remained as serene as a calm sea.
“I said nothing of consequence.”
“Nothing? Then tell me!”
“I asked him to return my sister.”
Emperor Edward pressed his palm to his forehead.
“Of course it would be enough to cause an uproar!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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