Chapter 49: Duchess Kelden

After lunch, Elise’s hands paused mid-motion as she was clearing the table.

Roman, who was helping with the dishes nearby, noticed Elise’s sudden stillness and looked at her in confusion.

Setting aside her work, Elise walked over to the living room window.

She opened it, and a gray-and-white animal perched on her arm.

From where Roman stood, the creature was at least the size of an eagle, if not bigger.

Elise took something from under its claw, stroked its head, then fed it a piece of meat she had prepared.

After nuzzling her arm affectionately, the animal departed.

“What’s that?” Roman asked as he approached.

“That’s an Eagle-Hawk specially trained by the Falconer at the Duchess’s estate. It’s usually in charge of delivering the family’s letters,” Elise explained, gently unwrapping the small parcel in her hands.

It was a small object, now unfolded in Elise’s palm.

Lady Catherine also walked over.

Noticing the confusion in Roman’s eyes, she explained softly, “That’s our Family Crest, the Double-Sword Shield.”

“It was sent by the Duchess herself,” Elise added.

Duchess Kelden. Only then did Roman realize, the Duchess of the Aingloran Empire was none other than Luo Xiya’s birth mother.

“Madam, I’ll leave this to you,” Elise said, handing the Badge to Lady Catherine.

“Mhm.”

Lady Catherine nodded and took the Badge.

At the same time, Roman, having awakened his Sacred Seal, could clearly sense Lady Catherine’s vast Magic Power stirring like a rising tide.

Her softly curled black hair floated soundlessly as Lady Catherine focused on the Crest.

The iron-black surface suddenly seemed to light up, gradually emitting a faint glow.

“What does this mean?”

Roman asked Elise, who was standing very close to him.

With just a turn of the head, their whispers were barely audible.

“This is how the family communicates. Only Magic Power can activate it, and the other side will receive the response.”

A communication tool, almost like a cell phone?

Roman couldn’t help but ask, “Why not just keep one on hand? Why send the Badge here?”

Elise hesitated, looking like she wanted to say something but held back.

“Um… The young lady usually did keep her Badge with her, but after that day, when she took your picture, she accidentally lost it.”

Elise considered her words carefully before speaking.

Roman: …

He immediately understood Elise’s implication: “accidentally” should have been “deliberately.”

So Luo Xiya was afraid of someone too? Roman’s curiosity was piqued.

“All right.”

Lady Catherine placed the Badge on the table.

Luo Xiya approached, and Roman could clearly see a trace of nervousness on her face.

Elise took her place quietly behind Luo Xiya, her practiced, expressionless face returning.

Only Lady Catherine remained as calm as ever, watching the glowing Badge radiate Magic Power.

After a while, the light suddenly expanded and took on an upright form before everyone’s eyes.

Within the brilliance, a figure slowly emerged.

It was a tall, elegant woman.

Her long hair was coiled high in an elaborate bun, and she wore a fitted gown.

It was impossible to tell her age from her face, for her noble and refined features were too deceptive.

She glanced around the room.

The moment her gaze swept over Luo Xiya, the girl instantly shrank like a kitten caught by the scruff, hastily placing a hand over her chest in respect.

“Mother, it’s been so long. I’m so glad to see you looking better and better.”

“You sound mature enough, if only your actions matched your words.”

The woman spoke calmly.

Luo Xiya lowered her head awkwardly and fell silent.

Elise, on the other hand, bowed at a perfect ninety degrees and greeted, “Greetings, Duchess.”

The woman showed little interest in Elise, merely nodding before moving on.

Then she finally looked at Lady Catherine. The two women locked eyes. For some reason, Roman felt that Lady Catherine, usually so gentle, now seemed unusually indifferent.

“Sigh…”

The woman let out a soft sigh and shook her head. “Catherine, are you still angry with me?”

Lady Catherine frowned slightly. “The children are here. Is this really the time for that?”

After their silent confrontation, the Duchess, Duchess Kelden, turned her gaze to Roman.

Her previously calm eyes sharpened with authority, the aura of a ruler pressing down on Roman without restraint.

“And who are you?” she asked coldly.

Standing beside Roman, both Luo Xiya and Elise frowned in worry.

Elise opened her mouth several times but chose to remain silent in the end.

After all, she was just a servant, and though she was close to Luo Xiya, the Duchess would hardly care. Speaking rashly could only make things worse.

Luo Xiya was in a similar predicament.

She’d already angered the Duchess because of Roman.

If she tried to argue now, who knew what might happen.

In the end, it was Roman who spoke calmly.

“Hello, my name is Roman.”

“Roman? Who are your father and mother? What is your family name?”

Duchess Kelden questioned one after another, her cold gaze fixed on him.

There was no denying it, the Duchess was like an older, more imposing version of Luo Xiya.

The same long black hair, exquisite features, and tall, commanding presence.

Standing with Lady Catherine, they were undeniably sisters.

Yet Lady Catherine’s aura was gentle and warm, while the Duchess’s was overbearing and forceful.

Under such questioning, Roman’s brow furrowed, his gaze flickering.

The Duchess’s questions were simply too sharp, he had no answers for any of them.

At that moment, Lady Catherine could no longer stand by.

She stepped in front of Roman, her face showing rare anger as she retorted coldly, “Are you regressing with age? You used to mock the Emperor of Aingloran to his face as a child, but now you only bully a boy who’s lost everything?”

Faced with Lady Catherine’s direct challenge, Duchess Kelden’s oppressive aura faded, though her attitude did not soften.

“What? Is there a problem with my questions? Are you going to help Luo Xiya cause trouble too?”

“Cause trouble? I’ve spent far more time at Luo Xiya’s side than you ever have as her mother. Do you really understand your daughter? Do you know what’s truly good for her?”

“All I know is that boy brings nothing but disaster, and his background could never match Luo Xiya’s.”

“Disaster? Are you blaming him for other people’s malice? As for whether he’s worthy, that’s for Luo Xiya to decide. In her eyes, none of the people you recommend are worthy at all.”

“Hmph, spare me your sophistry. Tomorrow, I’ll come to Luo Xiya’s territory myself, just in time for the Coronation Ceremony.”

With that, Duchess Kelden’s Magic Projection vanished.

Despite her parting words, heavy with pressure, Lady Catherine let out a light laugh.

She’d relented, after all.

That meant things would be easier tomorrow.

Turning around, she saw Roman standing with his head bowed, silent.

She stroked his hair with a hint of pain in her eyes, yet the words of comfort caught in her throat, afraid that saying the wrong thing might only make things worse.