"Your highness, Marquis Nicholas would like to speak with you in private".

Victor, the crown prince secretary, announces the arrival of his trusted vassal.

Hugo frowned and not giving attention to Victor. He continues checking the reports in his hands.

"I have met Marquis this morning in the political meeting. If it's not important, tell him to go back".

"My apologies, but he said it's critical that it requires your attention right now".

Victor bowed politely to not further annoy the crown prince.

The crown prince hissed and motioned for him to enter.

Marquis Nicholas is relieved that he is finally allowed to meet the crown prince. He grips the newspaper in his hand firmly, as though it's worth a fortune.

"I greet his highness and pardon your humble subject for the short notice".

When the crown prince looks at Marquis Nicholas, he looks pale and distressed.

"What is the matter Marquis, I hope you will not waste my time".

Nicholas hand is trembling while handing it over to his secretary. The newspaper was taken by Victor and placed on the prince's desk.

Hugo picks up the paper, and the front-page shocks him so much that he throws it away in disbelief.

Victor picks up the newspaper, revealing a frontal view of the royal nuptials of the Duke and Duchess of Astrid.

The wedding of the century, His Majesties, the Duke and Duchess of Astrid. We send the royal couple our very best wishes.

Long live the Duke and Duchess of Astrid!

The wedding photo of the northern royal couple almost covered the front page of the newsprint but what's more interesting is that the crowned Duchess is Rachel Lily Monchy.

"How did this happen? Why was I not informed of this?"

Hugo is enraged of the unexpected news, and it seems Sebastian kept it from him. It was the first time that he felt betrayed by a person he looks up to.

Marquis Nicholas is sweating profusely as he gives his statement.

"Your highness, there was a news blackout of the duke's wedding. An announcement was made a day before their nuptial, but it was sealed off to the northern kingdom only".

He looks at the crown prince reaction and continue his explanation.

"This newsprint was made available today, and the dukedom permitted it to be published outside of their borders in order to spread the word."

Hugo understands the implication of this move, to protect the Duchess of Astrid. Only Sebastian can wield this power to silence the northern kingdom and control the flow of information. Even a powerful noblemen cannot defy the command of the Duke of Astrid.

'Why is he protecting Rachel, what happened to the north in the past month?'

"Was the temple involved? She must be a tool for them if they crowned her the Duchess of Astrid".

Hugo thought that the temple has something to do with this play of power. They have the power to influence events in a way that serves their interests.

He despised the temple for holding onto the Astrid's power. They set themselves up to be protected by the Astrid Dukedom in order to maintain their dominance within the empire. The Astrid's Servant Dog.

"Yes, your highness. The temple confirmed her mana ritual. They think she is a descendant of the Goddess of Light who can lift the duke's curse."

Hugo laughs so hard that tears well up in his eyes. "If Sebastian believes so then we have to send our best wishes".

Nicholas hears a mocking tone from the crown prince. He worries that these new changes will weaken the southern nobility's hold on power. As his daughter rose to become the most influential noblewoman in the empire, he thinks that Marquis Monchy has now gained an advantage over them.

"Then what should we do your highness?"

"Nothing can be done. She is protected by the duke. For now, we can't touch her until Sebastian decides to throw his newfound toy".

He scoffs loudly and commanded Victor to find out more about the dubious relationship between the Duke and Rachel.

'I'm curious what happened and how she manages to seduce Sebastian is a mystery. He never like her, and he is someone you can't manipulate'

'Perhaps a potion? Impossible. He is a Guardian and is capable of detecting even the most powerful forms of magic'.

The only way to find out is to invite the Astrid couple in the Carlyle palace and see for himself.

"Marquis, gather our people. We need to prepare a grandiose banquet to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Astrid".