Chapter 65

"Well? Gallahan? What are you doing here?”

Lulak paused the meeting and returned to the office.

It was because the message from the Second Prince, whom he decided to meet after lunch, came in haste.

However, it wasn't just Florentia and the Second Prince that waiting for Lulak in the office.

Gallahan, who wore crutches, was also with them.

“The Second Prince said that his Majesty had something to give to my father, so I came in a hurry.”

"To me?"

Lulak looked at Perez.

Since he was Perez's guardian, he would occasionally observe Poirak Palace to see how he was doing.

But Lulak didn't get used to Perez's eyes.

Likewise, today, when his eyes met those of the Second Prince, he was hiding discomfort.

"Your Majesty told me to convey the message."

Perez held out a gold envelope with a short word.

“…… I don't think it was like this from the beginning.”

"Sorry."

Perez gave a deep bow to Lulak.

“Hmm.”

Lulak looked displeased with Perez, then pulled out a two-piece letter and read it.

Shortly, a low voice came out of Lulak.

“Jovanes……”

It felt like he would run to the Imperial Palace with the piece of the letter right now.

Lulac's eyes sparkled with anger.

Viese and Belsach are the pawns they get because they beg.

This was a situation where Emperor Jovanes, asked Florentia on the pretext of using his son as an excuse.

"Grandfather?"

Lulak opened his eyes and looked at his surprised granddaughter.

The innocent and beautiful face was filled with surprise.

“How dare you want to take over my granddaughter?”

It was said that the same gender could be a close friend, but the opposite gender was different.2

Since ancient times, the Imperial Family often matched a marriage this way.

This is a method often used before reaching the legal marriage proposal age.

Jovanes couldn't possibly not understand it.

Of course, it is not a formal marriage proposal, and this does not determine Florentia's future.

Because she's the granddaughter of Lulak Lombardy.

But feeling bad is a different matter.

“Don't worry, Gallahan. I will take care of this on my own.”

He was thinking of going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow and throwing these two-piece letters in front of the Emperor.

“I will accept it.”

“…… What?"

Lulak was surprised at Gallahan's words.

“I will accept your Majesty's proposal. I will make Tia as His Majesty the Second Prince's person.”

It was a bad decision.

Lulak shook his head and tried to explain.

“But Gallahan.”

“I know how far this can cause a matter, Father.”

“Then why……"

However, Lulak shut his mouth.

"I was examined again yesterday by the doctor who was called by father who came late yesterday. "

At first glance, Lulak's heart broke at Gallahan's calm words.

He said that the doctor also diagnosed Tlenbrew's disease.

The sky was trying to take his son early.

Lulak, who had been sorrowed and silent, suddenly looked at Florentia.

The granddaughter was bowing her head.

Perhaps this smart kid already knew that her father's leg wasn't just broken.

A son who can't tell his daughter that he is dying, and a granddaughter who pretends to be unaware of her father's condition.2

Lulak's heart seemed to tremble.

Gallahan continued to speak in a calm voice.

"At one point, I thought when there was a storm, I could just lower myself and wait for the storm to pass, Father. But now I know that's not the way to survive."

Lulak read what Gallahan was trying to say, and nodded gloomily.

No matter how much Lulak trying to help, he couldn't even be involved in what happened after his death.

“So I will fight the storm and tried to protect Tia…… If I can't, I'd like to give Tia whatever it is, something that can support Tia, Father.”4

Lulak gritted his teeth at the sight of his son preparing for his death and his daughter's future.

Lulak smashed his fists and clenched them in order not to curse the sky right away.

Then he said in a very tired voice somewhere.

"Yeah. I know. If you are willing, then do it.”

“Yes, father. And…… Isn't it just a matter?”

"Yeah. It is just a matter. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Lulak said as if to calm Gallahan.

“Tia, usually dad will ask you first. But this time...…”

"I know. Do whatever dad wants.”

"Yeah. Thank you."

Gallahan's big hand stroked her daughter's soft brown hair.

Lulak looked at Perez with a sigh at that appearance.

“The Second Prince.”

“…… Yes."

“You know that the Second Prince and the First Prince are very different.”

Perez nodded.

“The First Prince has a strong mother. Besides, his mother is the Empress.”

The Empress and Astana are safe unless they commit a crime equivalent to rebellion right away.

But Perez was different.

Lombardy's house is playing the role of guardian, but that was only through an agreement with the Emperor.

Even if he only made a few mistakes, it will destabilize Perez's position as Second Prince.