The prestige and grandeur of the imperial family had reached unparalleled heights, seemingly boundless in its influence across the continent.


    The empire stood as the indisputable apex of power, casting a shadow over all other realms.


    Within the vast territories of the Lumenia Empire, even the loftiest nobles found themselvespelled to submit.


    Kneeling and pressing their lips to the feet of their emperor, they paid homage to a lineage that wielded unparalleled power and influence.


    The imperial family was a symbol of unattainable heights, a force that loomed above the realm with authority that touched every corner of the continent.


    Power, wealth, control, and dominance were synonymous with the imperial family.


    Their presence radiated an air of supremacy that left no room for challenge.


    The world bowed before them, acknowledging their rule and submitting to a legacy that seemed to stretch into the heavens themselves.


    The Lumenina Empire stood as a testament to the might of its imperial lineage, an entity unbound by the limitations of lesser kingdoms and realms.


    All the nobles of the empire owed their prestigious titles to the establishment of the imperial lineage, tracing their roots back to the first emperor.


    It could be asserted that each noble, regardless of their standing, ultimately originated from the imperial family itself.


    The emperor, upying the highest echelon, held the authority to bestow titles upon the deserving or strip them away as he saw fit.


    This extended not only tond and riches but even to one''s fundamental status as a person.


    No one, not even the grand dukes, enjoyed immunity from this absolute rule.


    Heiron, Tellus, and Granviel stood as the empire''s top three noble families, each having achieved the esteemed title of duke.


    Their roles were deeply entrenched in the service of the imperial family – hand, sword, and shield.


    The sole purpose of their lineage was to serve, protect, and contribute to the continuous prosperity of the imperial family, propelling it to ever greater heights.


    Despite the vast territories that came with dukedoms, akin to small countries in their own right, even these families were not granted the privilege of raising an independent army or any form of military power.


    While soldiers and knights were stationed within each territory and some even bearing the lords if the ce insignia in essence they were still the emperor''s knights as their lords were only servants of the emperor, they all operated under the authority of the imperial court, dispatched to maintain peace and thwart potential issues.


    In essence, everything within the empire existed under the aegis of the emperor''s name. The imperial family''s supremacy was not only a matter of prestige but a practical reality that permeated every facet of the empire''s governance.


    Attempts by foolhardy nobles to defy thisw were met with a cruel and pitiful fate.


    These families, daring to challenge the emperor''s authority, faced severe consequences.


    The heads of such families would meet a gruesome end, their lifeless visages disyed on stakes in the bustling market square of the capital.


    The surviving males were subjected to grueling vebor, while the females had two harrowing destinies awaiting them.


    Some were consigned to the austere life of a nun, sequestered within the walls of a convent for the remainder of their days.


    Others, depending on their perceived coboration in challenging the emperor''s authority, were forced into a life of degradation in the prostitution district of the capital, condemned to be breeding whores, their future generations destined for life of very as well.


    The central army, responsible for enforcing these harsh measures, answered only to three individuals who dictated the deployment of the capital''s troops.


    The emperor himself held the supreme authority, alongside Duke Tellus, the head of the Ministry of Defense and Prosecution, and captain of the imperial knights.


    The third influential figure was Duke Heiron, overseeing the Ministry of Finance and Intelligence.


    Any pronouncement made by these dukes was regarded as an extension of the emperor''s will, an unassable decree that none dared to defy.


    The authority vested in the dukes was, in essence, a direct manifestation of the emperor''s will—a steadfast truth that endured through the ages.


    Until now that is.


    Princess Christine''s entrance into Armin''s office marked an unusual shift in the dynamic of authority.


    As she perused the documents on Armin''s desk, her knight promptly retrieved them.


    While such actions might be deemed impolite or even illegal in different circumstances, the academy was a domain where the princess''s influence loomedrger than any rule.


    The room, now under Christine''s unofficialmand, echoed with her musings.


    She referenced the information provided by Lilliana, suggesting questionable activities surrounding Duke Heiron.


    The princess arranged the papers neatly on the table, upying Armin''s chair with an air of ownership.


    In truth, her imperial lineage elevated her status above even a duke, regardless of the duke''s property.


    "I suppose Lilliana''s information about suspicious movements rted to Duke Heiron wasn''t unfounded"


    Christine remarked, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.


    The audacious act of seizing control of Armin''s office was, in her view, justified by her imperial blood and the overarching authority she wielded.


    "A fortuitous decision to pay a visit this morning" she added, a slight smile ying on her lips.


    ''But how did Lillianae into this sort of information in the first ce?'' Christine wondered.


    Despite more than ten minutes passing since she requested Armin''s presence for a discussion.


    "He''s taking longer than expected"


    The room filled with an air of unease as Princess Christine voiced her impatience.


    Her whisperedment about Armin taking longer than expected reached the ears of her loyal escort knight, Jenny.


    "Should I personally go get him, your highness?" Jenny inquired, her demeanor radiating both loyalty and concern.


    Despite the offer, Christine dismissed the idea, acknowledging her own responsibility for the unannounced visit with a light giggle.


    While the relieved servants of Armin dared to exhale in relief, the four imperial knights present maintained a stoic awareness.


    They were well acquainted with the nuances of the princess''s expressions.


    Her current smile, though seemingly benign, hinted at impending trouble for someone in the room.


    Jenny, aware of the princess''s tendencies, sighed in anticipation.


    She knew that Christine wouldn''t stop at merely targeting Armin; her influence would extend to everyone connected to him.


    Even though Jenny understood that Armin likely operated as one of the duke''s puppets, she couldn''t shake a twinge of pity for the man about to bear the brunt of the princess''s wrath.


    "Jenny"


    "Yes, your highness?"


    "Do you think the duke of Heiron betrayed us?"


    Hearing the princess''s words that echoed in the room, everyone shut their eyes and tried to cover their ears.


    They seriously didn''t want to get involved in any shape or form matters regarding the imperial family. Jenny gulped, hearing her princess''s words.


    Even though it was just a simple question asking for her opinion, the weight behind those words seemed too heavy of a burden for a mere imperial guard.


    "I-I cannot exactly tell whether the duke really betrayed the imperial family or even challenged its authority, but… the fact remains that he is highly suspicious," Jenny stammered.


    "I… see" said Christine as sheid back in her chair, finding the soft and squishy yet firm office chairforting.


    "Haaah, how I wish the academy''s chairs were all like this" mumbled the princess.


    ''Father won''t be happy, if this is what I think it is''


    …..


    "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" Armin''s profanity-filled outburst reverberated through the corridors as he sprinted towards his office.


    The tension among his subordinates was palpable, with each face reflecting the weight of the presence of someone of considerable status.


    "Hey you!" Armin barked at a nearby worker.


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Get the Basel Wine from the storage cer. Make sure it''s the 100-year-old one and bring it back to my office."


    "Yes, sir!" The worker, visibly surprised, hurriedly darted toward the storage center.


    "President, you''re here," said a man impably dressed in a finely tailored suit.


    "I''ve got no time, Finly! Is the princess still in my office? And why aren''t you there serving her, you fucking mutt!" Armin screamed in frustration, addressing Finly, his personal assistant.


    "I couldn''t do anything, master. The princess''s knights threatened to cut off my head if I even stepped one foot in your office," Finly exined, his tone tinged with helplessness.


    Armin''s frustration mounted as he clicked his tongue. The situation had escted beyond his control.


    Not only was hete, but it seemed his subordinates had failed to provide proper etiquette for a royal visitor.


    Although, in truth, the princess was at fault for arriving unannounced, Armin couldn''t vocalize such thoughts aloud.


    Enhancing his steps with mana, Armin hurriedly traversed the corridor.


    The reverberating footfalls drowned out Finly''s voice in the distance. As he reached the closed door of his office, he was confronted by two imposing imperial guards.


    His breathing was ragged, and his already unattractive face appeared even more contorted with stress.


    Sweats dripped profusely from his forehead, not just due to the physical exertion of hisrge frame, but also because of the mental strain induced by the unexpected royal presence.


    Approaching the door with trepidation, Armin''s hands trembled slightly as he carefully pushed it open.


    The imperial guards, their attention firmly fixed ahead, paid him no mind.


    The moment Armin pushed the door ajar, his eyes fell upon his subordinates, who were trembling in fear, covering their ears and eyes.


    Perplexed by their reactions, he couldn''t discern the cause until he followed their gaze and locked eyes with Princess Christine.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, he immediately kneeled before her.


    "Good day to you, Princess Christine, the star of the empire. To what do I owe the pleasure of your generous presence?"


    Armin stammered, his breathsing out heavily as beads of sweat cascaded down his forehead.


    Christine''s eyes bore into Armin, and she wasted no time in addressing the matter at hand.


    "ck Gabin, Red Viper''s poison, and a ton load of ssified items supposedly sent to you by the duke himself. Although the reports im it''s for the uing dungeon explorations, the numbers don''t add up. Reports regarding every transaction the duke engages in should have been notified to the imperial court. Yet, here I am, reading about these discrepancies. Can you please enlighten me on this matter, Mr. Armin?" she asked, maintaining her ever-beautiful smile.


    "T-that''s because—" Armin couldn''t continue his words as he realized the nature of the items.


    Just from the words ''ck Gabin,'' Armin understood that all the items the duke had secretly given him were illegal. ck Gabin, technically an herbal item, had been banned in international trade due to its addictive nature.


    They said even one whiff of it could intensify the desire for the substance.


    The Red Viper''s poison was specifically designed to target the eyes; a single drop could blind even mid-ranking monsters, and not even aura knights could detoxify its effects. so criminals often use it to fight knights.


    Armin pondered how many other illegal items had arrived at his warehouse. He wondered why the duke had given him these items in the first ce.


    "I don''t want to jump to conclusions and ask the duke personally regarding this illegal trade, as it might seem rude, and the duke might interpret it as if I''m doubting his loyalty… So, can you please tell me, Mr. Armin, as the head councilman and president of thisrge mercantile enterprise, why these items are being delivered under your mercantry? Why were they not reported? Not even a mention of yours and the duke''s name was recorded in the transfer. Why is it like that, Mr. Armin?" asked the princess again, this time with Jenny''s arm on the handle of her sword.


    Armin just stood there, dazed and seemingly unsure of what to do in this situation.


    ....


    In the corners of the office window, a crow watched and listened to the events unfolding before taking flight, disappearing into the vast expanse.


    Meanwhile, in the shadowy alleyways of Estelle Academy, a youngdy adorned in a ck dress and robes reached into her pocket.


    She retrieved a crystal-like orb that emanated a brief red glow before a holographic screen materialized in front of her.


    Thedy''s piercing red eyes locked onto the figure on the screen. "Good morning, Lady Charlotte. I''m here to report regarding the matters with the Heiron mercantile."


    "So, did the n work?" inquired Lady Charlotte.


    The mysteriousdy nodded.


    "Yes."


    "Good." A satisfied smile crossed the features of the red-haired beauty on the screen. Schwi couldn''t help but marvel at Charlotte''s charisma.


    There was an unexinable sense of happiness that enveloped her whenever she saw Charlotte.


    Schwi wondered if this was merely a fundamental trait of vampires when dealing with their creators.


    "Don''t forget to inform master Adrian of the good news"


    "As you wish Lady Charlotte"


    As her call with Charlotte concluded, a vibration jolted Schwi''s pocket. Swiftly grabbing hold of it, she discovered another crystal orb, this one radiating a golden hue. A tinge of sadness crossed her face as she gazed at it. Closing her eyes and opening them again, her expression seemed to warp momentarily, with her mouth erging and filling to the brim withrge, formidable teeth.


    epting the call from the other side, instead of a holographic screen, the crystal emitted a slightly more intense glow, and a voice resonated from within.


    "I did what you requested. Now, let me hear my daughter''s voice!" came the voice of a seemingly cold individual. The gravity and slight concern in the words indicated the person on the other side was genuinely serious.


    Schwi''s mind briefly went nk, realizing she had missed hearing the voice.


    "KEKEKE, you don''t have to worry, Duke. Your daughter is safe and sound. We didn''t touch her one bit. KEKEKKE!" Schwi''s voice transformed, losing its grace and adopting the monstrous squeak and grotesque tones of a creature.


    "This is not what you promised!" screamed a voice behind themunication crystal.


    Sighing, Schwi couldn''t endure it any longer.


    ....


    ...


    .....


    "F-father," she said, reverting to her natural voice, her lips slightly quivering.


    "Schwi, are you alright? They didn''t do anything to you, did they?" inquired the Duke in a concerned tone.


    Schwi felt a bit overwhelmed, hearing her father''s worries. This level of love and concern was somewhat new for her.


    She had believed her father had forgotten to love her all these years, even thinking he had immediately abandoned her after that incident.


    Yet, here he was, desperately grasping for hope that his daughter was alive.


    "Don''t worry, Schwi. I don''t know who they are, but I will surely—"


    "OOPPS, TIME''S UP KEKEKEKE," before the Duke could even continue, Schwi brought back her monstrous voice, halting the Duke from talking.


    "KEKEKE, remember, Duke, this is our little secret. No telling this to anyone, okay? Kekeke. That is if you want your daughter returned alive." With that, Schwi turned off themunication crystal.


    "Wait—"


    The Duke''s words echoed in the dark alley before getting abruptly cut off.


    Schwi looked at the ne Adrian had given her and sighed in sadness.


    ''I guess I didn''t need this to manipte the Duke in the first ce. Who knew seeing and hearing me alive was enough for him to move?''


    Schwi thought, internally chuckling. She still vividly remembered the Duke''s face filled with hope the moment she showed him images of herself seemingly imprisoned.


    "I''m sorry father….."