When the daughter fell for a man, even the retainers were summoned for a meeting.
If an average commoner saw this, they’d laugh at how absurd it was.
But for those gathered here today, this was no laughing matter.
These were not just any courtiers.
They were the loyal and capable retainers who had devoted their lives to the Gravius ducal house.
Yet not one of them treated this situation lightly. Everyone wore a strained expression.
Because—
“As you all know, this isn’t just about our family. The future of the Empire hangs in the balance.”
All because of one man: Ceres.
“Ceres Hyperion. As everyone is aware, he’s the noblest man in this Empire.”
Alois might not like him, but she had to admit it—credit where credit’s due.
Hyperion was one of the top three houses in the entire Empire.
Ceres himself was renowned globally for his beauty. Lately, he’d been seen healing the sick, earning him the title of “Saint.”
Sure, there are other noble houses on our level, but they only have daughters. And while there are a few men with comparable status, none can match him on all fronts.
Even Baiol’s younger brother—though from an influential family—couldn’t compare to the universally acknowledged most beautiful man in the Empire.
In truth, Ceres was the most noble son in the realm. Naturally, his marriage would send ripples through the entire nation.
“Think about it. What happens to the woman who marries Ceres Hyperion?”
When Alois posed the question, her retainers responded gravely.
“She becomes the lucky one who captures the Empire’s most beautiful man.”
“She’ll instantly rise to fame—becoming a household name across the Empire.”
“And effectively, she’ll become the true heir to the Hyperion house. After all, when a man inherits the title, it’s customary to entrust the actual management to his spouse.”
“She’ll command a domain of 1.5 million citizens, 5,000 private soldiers, and 200 knights, influencing the entire Empire with her power.”
Even if Ceres were to marry a low-ranking provincial noblewoman, she would immediately become one of the most powerful figures in the Empire.
But—
“What if that woman is my daughter—Alios?”
What would it mean if the one marrying him was the heir of the Gravius family, a Sword Master, and a famed warrior?
…It would be the birth of a faction so powerful, it’s hard to even imagine.
“Hyperion stands just below our Gravius family. If they combine forces through marriage, anyone could tell—they’d become the Empire’s greatest power.”
“Frankly, that kind of power is dangerously excessive.”
Everyone listed the potential gains if Alios married Ceres, but their expressions darkened nonetheless.
Because with great benefit came great risk.
If we’re not careful, we’ll end up being the ones swallowed by Hyperion.
Normally, in a political alliance, the dominant side takes the lead—but this situation wasn’t so straightforward.
If you’re going to fall in love, at least be the one in control! But instead, you’ve become a fool handing everything over to Ceres!
Just look at Alios now—locked in her room, painting portraits of him.
If they marry, she’ll hand over everything to him. She’ll practically gift him the entire family.
And that wasn’t the only problem—others would try to intervene.
Would the rest of the noble elite really sit back and let two of the Empire’s most powerful houses merge?
“I’m more worried about how the Imperial family will react.”
“This could be perceived as a threat to the throne itself.”
The retainers spoke with increasing unease.
Hyperion’s 1.5 million subjects, combined with Gravius’ nearly double that—if the two houses united, even the throne would feel the pressure.
And then—
“The Emperor has shown interest in Ceres as well, hasn’t she?”
As unbelievable as it sounded, even Baiol, the Empress, seemed to harbor feelings for Ceres. That made the situation even worse.
“I still can’t believe it. That Empress showing interest in a man?”
“Well, it’s not exactly a mismatch in status…”
“An Imperial beauty of noble birth becoming the Emperor’s consort—it’s actually a decent match on paper.”
But this was Baiol. Among all past Emperors, none had a fouler temper.
That such a woman would act this way had everyone flustered.
They wanted to deny it. But there were too many witnesses. Even someone in this household had seen it.
Alios literally got into a fight with Her Majesty over Ceres! In front of everyone at a party!
A full-on public brawl between a noble heiress and the Emperor over a man. What an international disgrace.
They were still controlling the narrative for now, but it was only a matter of time before the rumors spread.
Other nations will mock us. Of all houses, why did it have to be Gravius caught in this scandal?
Gravius was traditionally the leading house of the Imperialist faction, always loyal to the throne.
Meanwhile, Ceres was heir to Hyperion—the head of the Nobles’ faction, the natural political rival.
So to see their family’s heir and closest vassal fighting over a man from the enemy faction… it was madness.
Was the Empress serious? Or was this one of her usual, inexplicable games?
Based on Baiol’s behavior so far, it seemed unlikely she was genuinely in love. But still—
If she really made Ceres her consort and Emperor in all but name, the entire power structure of the Empire would shift!
So honestly, they didn’t want Alios—or the Emperor—getting anywhere near Ceres.
That’s why they’d invited him to the estate.
“Well then. What should we do with this walking disaster named Ceres? Someone, tell me how we can make him give up on our daughter himself.”
Before taking action against the Emperor, it made sense to try Alios first—she was closer.
But trying to talk sense into a love-struck Alios was pointless.
So instead, they turned their focus to the man himself—Ceres.
“We need to make it absolutely clear he’s not welcome here. Make sure he never even dreams of becoming Gravius’ master.”
“How about we keep him here a few days and apply constant pressure?”
“And we need to remind him of the difference between us. Even if he’s a Hyperion, he’s still beneath Gravius.”
“While we’re at it, we’ll show Lady Alios where we stand…”
As they discussed strategy, Alois checked the time.
“…He’ll be arriving any moment now. Everyone prepare yourselves to pressure Ceres Hyperion.”
They wrapped up the planning session and got into position.
First order of business: station armed knights—Gravius’ elite—right at the mansion’s entrance.
They emanated an intimidating aura, per Alois’ instructions.
Greeting a guest with armed soldiers was beyond rude—utterly unthinkable in normal circumstances.
But the more insulting it is, the more clearly we’ll show we don’t welcome him.
Determined to dominate from the very first moment, Alois frowned, thinking of Ceres.
Ceres Hyperion. With your looks, you could have your pick of foreign royalty or anyone else. Why go after the people who are your worst match?
In her mind, Ceres had made the first move—he had done something to seduce both Alios and Baiol.
If it were just one, it might’ve been a fluke. But two of the Empire’s strongest, most prideful women? No way that’s coincidence.
To her, Ceres was a sly manipulator, using his looks to ensnare women.
Honestly, is he even that handsome? It’s probably all hype.
She didn’t believe the rumors that called him the Empire’s most beautiful man.
He’s Ares’ son. She’s no Empress material—she’s lucky if she didn’t kill her partner. They probably spread those rumors to polish her image as a potential wife.
She even suspected House Hyperion had planted the gossip themselves.
People are easy to sway. With the right buzzwords—’most beautiful in the Empire,’ ‘the Saint’—they start to believe it’s true just by hearing it enough.
Well then—
She would shatter that ridiculous illusion with her own two eyes.
Just then, the carriage from Hyperion arrived.
But—
“…What?”
“This doesn’t feel like a warm welcome.”
“Are we in the wrong place?”
Something was off. The knights accompanying Ceres seemed completely unbothered.
Even as Gravius’ elites unleashed their full force, they didn’t flinch.
“You lack manners. Our lord is arriving, and this is how you greet him?”
One silver-haired knight stepped forward, visibly irritated.
And then—
All the Gravius knights were crushed under that single knight’s aura.
“?!”
“What the—?!”
It was overwhelming.
Alois immediately understood.
A Sword Master?!
The sheer pressure reminded her of her daughter—she instantly recognized what level this stranger had reached.
Impossible. Since when did the Hyperions have a Sword Master? No intelligence ever reported this!
They’d planned to intimidate their guest. Instead, he showed up with a living weapon.
But what came next shocked her even more.
“Lord Ceres, allow me to take your hand.”
The silver knight, having obliterated all opposition with sheer presence, extended a hand toward the carriage.
Then, with a bow, one knee on the ground, the Sword Master offered their hand like a loyal servant.
From within, Ceres stepped out.
And in that moment—
Alois finally understood why her daughter had wept over ruined portraits.
Why even the Emperor had lost her composure.
Ceres was the real deal.
Thud.
The item in her hand slipped and fell to the floor.