Chapter 55

Calix interrupted Philip as if he could no longer listen.

“Ryzen.”

At his master’s request, Ryzen handed Philip the document he had prepared for him.

The document, which began with the title “Termination of Parental Rights”, indicated in tiny letters that he would give up on his parental rights and custody over Mariel.

However, what surprised Philip was the amount of money he would receive in return for his consent, written at the bottom of the document.

“I’ll give you ten times the amount.”

Philip’s pupils fluttered violently.

He raised his head in surprise, unable to keep his mouth shut, while the Grand Duke’s cold face reflected in his disbelieving eyes.

Calix said in an indifferent voice.

“Sign it.”

Philip trembled at the amount of money he couldn’t even fathom. He picked up the pen with a trembling hand.

Without bothering to check, Calix turned away to see the carriage in which Asella was riding.

The windows were made with magic stones so that no one was able to see the inside; however, he could see the inside effortlessly. Thanks to that, he was able to make eye contact with her from inside the carriage.

He watched as her large eyes fluttered. Her eyes only met his, but she was scared as if she was looking at some kind of a monster trying to eat her.

He didn’t like it. Definitely not.

“Your Excellency.”

Ryzen came up behind him with the signed papers.

“The papers will be processed by the end of the day tomorrow…”

“I’ll get the Emperor’s approval; you go on ahead.”

Ryzen paused.

“You will head straight to the Imperial Palace, Your Excellency?”

Removal from the family register could only be filed by the family itself, but the registration procedure for noble families was very strict as the Emperor’s official approval was required beforehand.

It was a way to prevent the number of noble families from growing. This was because there was an overflow of noblemen who were not faithful to their families.

However, for the Benvito family, this was mostly just a formal procedure.

“Your Excellency, isn’t it a bit late to be doing this now?”

The sun had long since set, and the whole area was shrouded in darkness. The doors of the Imperial Palace were already closed, not to mention a private audience with the Emperor.

But Calix replied as if it was no big deal.

“He sent for me earlier; even if I go now, he will hold an audience with me.”

For some reason, it was the Emperor who had sent word that he wanted to see him. Of course, if it wasn’t for his decision regarding Mariel Chartus, Calix was going to ignore the Emperor’s request and return to the Duchy.

Calix gave a short order.

“I’ll join you as soon as I’m done. Name a few knights with good stamina and excellent physical strength.”

* * *

As if the chamberlain had been waiting for him, he led Calix to where the Emperor was.

He walked towards the large rose garden. The surrounding area was bright even late at night, with magic stones and other lights everywhere.

When he spotted Calix, Emperor Fernandez greeted him with a big -not to mention fake- smile on his face.

“I thought you weren’t coming…”

The Emperor had just been enjoying a cup of tea leisurely at a table placed in the middle of the garden.

“I was honestly surprised when I suddenly received the news that you were on your way.”

Looking with curiosity at Calix, who had barged into the Imperial Palace this evening, the Emperor opened his mouth.

“Would you like a drink?”

“No need.”

Calix brushed off Fernandez’s suggestion in one swift breath.

‘This arrogant bastard.’

The rejection, which came without a second thought, made Fernandez curse Calix internally.

Fortunately, he had spent so much time as an Emperor that it had become a habit for him to make expressions that did not reveal his true feelings. He hid his grumpiness and continued to talk with an innocent smile on his face.

“There must have been a good reason why you came all the way here without sending a word ahead.”

Without replying, Calix placed the papers he had brought on the Emperor’s table.

Fernandez’s face, which had been wearing a sly smile until that point, immediately distorted as soon as he confirmed the contents.

The removal of Mariel from the Chartus family and her entry into the House of Loctorin was absurd.

“Grand Duke, do you really think I would approve of this?”

But Calix didn’t even blink. Instead, he answered in an annoyed tone.

“Don’t waste your time.”

What Calix meant for the Emperor was, ‘Don’t act all high and mighty when you have no option but to approve and sign the papers’. It was such a blatant provocation that it was impossible to think of it as a word uttered against the Emperor.

Fernandez’s eyes were filled with anger.

But what made Fernandez even angrier was the fact that he could not raise a single hand against this young and arrogant Grand Duke.

The Emperor needed Calix’s power, and at the same time, he was afraid of his power. No matter what he said, he couldn’t make an enemy out of the Grand Duke.

In the end, all Fernandez could do was utter sarcastic remarks as a joke.

“I heard you’ve never met the young lady of the Chartus family before. It seems you liked her more than you expected when you actually saw her in the wedding hall?”

For a moment, Calix’s red eyes grew cold.