TEWRIT 66

Episode 66

Flint couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at the claim—Eliano had told him her father panicked because of his beard.

“Do you expect me to believe that?” Flint said with a raised eyebrow. “She’s saying Father’s terrified of losing his beard—it’s his pride, like another part of him.”

Howard’s side welcomed Rosana’s absence, seeing it as an advantage.

“No one is saying Eliano is incompetent,” Flint continued evenly. “The marriage contract’s date is clear—signed together, willingly.”

Rosana’s allies snarled immediately.

“You can fake a date on parchment after kidnapping her!” they accused.

“Isn’t it right to accept that Lady and Grand Duke wish to marry?” Flint asked calmly. “Why cling to this impossible stance?”

Still, the meeting stalled—Rosana’s side insisted the contract was invalid; Howard’s supporters vowed to proceed.

“She’s not your wife yet! Without the marriage registration, she’s still Lady Rosana!” one shouted.

Flint’s voice rang true.

“We will travel north, hold a proper wedding, and register it. Until then, she is my wife in everything but name.”

“You kidnapped her and carried her north to force a marriage? Have some honour—marry her in the capital!”

“We may have faked a contract, but we won’t fake a registration!” retorted Rosana’s side.

In Bianteca, only the temple can issue marriage registration in person—both individuals must apply together. Stealing the form mistakenly could get one excommunicated.

Rosana’s people guarded the temple tightly. Adel tried to request the form but was rebuked by a priest:

“Even if you’re the Grand Duke, you cannot smuggle this form.”

Flint simply smiled, unfazed—making Rosana’s side even more unsettled. Oliver couldn’t resist taunting:

“Did you think the North didn’t have temples? We’d be happy to invite you to our wedding—if the temple lets you in.”

“A wedding? Now you speak of a wedding?!” Rosana’s side sputtered.

“If two people spent the night together, aren’t they married?” Oliver pressed.

“Just because you think you can’t respect tradition—doesn’t mean North is backward!” Rosana’s side retorted.

Negotiators shook their heads. Each day, the same arguments. Only the Emperor held the power to settle this—but he remained silent.

Later, Eliano read the record of this absurd meeting and seethed. The royal scribe returned the notes and left quickly. Eliano moved with purpose.

“They’re treating me like a lunatic,” she muttered. “I was passionate yesterday, yes—but my father yells every day through a megaphone outside the Duke’s home!”

“A public outburst is the only thing that works,” she added coldly.

Oliver nodded in agreement. Still, the tide seemed to be turning—slowly.

“How well has the story spread—that Father struck me, lost his beard to the Grand Duke, and even wet himself in fear?”

“It’s everywhere. The scandal’s all over court—common folk gossip in the streets,” Oliver confirmed.

The disgrace of Duke Rosana spread fast—strategically, thanks to socialites like Heriath and the riding club crowd. Even Empress Beatrice whispered and chuckled about it.

Eliano sighed. “I need something stronger… like testimony from Piaton, my healer. He saw just how broken I was after that day.”

Oliver hesitated.

“Sir Hiemes, go leak that Father abused me….”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace,” Hiemes replied solemnly. “The Grand Duke ordered me and Adel to never speak of what happened. We disobeyed at our own risk.”

“He’s stopped us accompanying you too,” Oliver added.

“So a lady must seek permission just to go out?” Eliano’s voice sharpened.

“No—more than that: the issue is who you wish to meet.”

Oliver avoided her gaze. The other guards had been left in the palace grounds.

“You intend a private meeting with His Majesty,” he said hesitantly.

Eliano smiled lightly.

“No. His Majesty the Sun adored me when I was a little girl—just as I was the late heir Prince’s childhood companion.”

So she explained to the Emperor that she wanted his advice, quietly and properly, without angering the court. She hoped the Emperor, who had been observing tensions, would find a fair resolution.

“It’s been a while, Master George,” Eliano greeted, bowing to the imperial chamberlain.

“Indeed, Lady,” he replied.

“He awaits you.” George led her into the audience hall, where the Emperor was waiting.

Right after his private meeting with Eliano ended, the Emperor summoned Flint.

Despite the unexpected call, Flint quickly arrived at the imperial palace. The more the conversation with the Emperor progressed in the audience chamber, the more obvious Flint’s discomfort became.

“Tsk. That Demitri fellow… he’s always had a cruel nature,” the Emperor muttered with a shake of his head. “Even when he was young, it was the same. I always wondered how he managed to keep it in check. And now it turns out—he let it out on his own daughter? That delicate girl? There’s no excuse.”

The Emperor openly condemned Duke Rosana, and then said something that completely caught Flint off guard.

“Demitri Rosana must pay for laying a hand on the Grand Duchess of Howard.”

Flint couldn’t hide his confusion. Until now, the Emperor had watched the entire conflict between the Rosana and Howard families without interfering. So why was he stepping in now—especially to side with Flint over one of his oldest, most loyal vassals?

“The date on the contract shows the attack happened after she became the Grand Duchess. That gives us solid grounds. I’ll support your side.”

“How… how do you know about the date, Your Majesty…?”

The Emperor gave a quiet, amused scoff.

“Do you truly believe there’s anything in this empire that escapes my knowledge?”