Chapter 48: Grand Duke

Emperor Murray, completely unaware of the hidden animosity between the Crown Prince and the heroic knight, asked Clint, “When do you plan to hold the wedding ceremony?”

“Your Majesty, Crown Prince Lawrence should have his ceremony first. It wouldn’t be right for me to take the first step.”

Murray nodded. “I see.”

Lawrence smiled crookedly at Clint’s words, eyes twinkling that it could light the night sky. He asked, “Clint, you and Ailea will be at the knighting ceremony this time, won’t you? You’re a couple now, after all.”

Clint hadn’t planned nor did he intend to bring Ailea present at the knighting ceremony. But she was stubborn, showing subtle signs of following him. She’d even asked to stay with him at the Imperial Castle’s mansion for a while, too. Was she actively playing the wife’s role already, Clint thought jovially. She did mention that he was free to roam and do whatever he liked, but she seemed to enjoy her wifely role all too well. Well, not that he loathed it and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like it.

“Clint,” Lawrence called out.

Clint snapped out of his reverie thoughts. His lips parted and said, “She’ll come if you let her wear a veil, Your Highness.”

“Of course,” Lawrence nodded, smiling. “But it’ll be better if she doesn’t use it in the ball.”

“Ball?”

“Sooner or later, there’ll be an upcoming ball. Rita’s been meticulously preparing for it. Don’t let her wear a veil then. It’ll be less enjoyable.”

Clint looked at Lawrence unwittingly, his gaze sharp and cold. Lawrence smiled, pleased with the knight’s reaction.

***

The Knights Order and Ailea stayed in the mansion under Lawrence’s provision until the day of the ceremony. It was a comfortable place to nest in, but not as comfortable as their home. Ailea thought so as well.

On the day of Clint’s knighting ceremony, Ailea awoke from sleep earlier than anyone. Dawn hadn’t risen yet. She enjoyed preparing Clint’s clothes. There was a maid present in the mansion, but she wanted to prepare it herself. She enjoyed it and loved the simplicity of it. First, she removed the cape from the knight’s uniform. He would be given a red cape for the knighting ceremony. He didn’t need another one.

Clint arrived after Ailea removed every single piece of dust. She organized the uniform neatly.

“Will you be alright?” Clint smiled, picking up the uniform.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just curious.”

Clint nodded. He put his hand inside the uniform pocket that was neatly laid out. Ailea would wear a white veil on her head. She was afraid of the piercing gaze from noble society, but she wanted to participate in this momentous event for Clint.

***

The knighting ceremony began that day.

“Viscount Kaiton Loranstein-Prairie.”

Four members of the Knights Order were given viscount t**les in tandem, handing them a piece of the territory that once belonged to the Teniac Empire and to be taken away by the Khanna Empire. They’d soon settle in the reclaimed territory.

At the end, Clint’s name was called.

“Clint Risher, Grand Duke of Excalibur.”

There were two cases when a t**ular noble would rise in status as the Grand Duke of Teniac: becoming the son of the emperor or the castellan of a territory. Clint was the latter. The Teniac Empire had historically conferred the t**le of Grand Duke to the owner of the castle who typically had power equal to the royal family. Sometimes the balance scale tipped over. By giving Clint the noble t**le of Grand Duke, he’d be granted a dukedom, placing him in the same ranking level as the emperor’s son. He’d be recognized as part of the royal family, forcing undying fealty unto him.

It was a tradition that originated from the history of constant rebellion by the grand duchy. However, the Grand Duke’s position remained vacant for a while after the family in the castle was exterminated a long time ago when Excalibur had been seized by the Khanna Empire.

A red cloak was wrapped over Clint’s midnight black uniform. It was glorious and profound. He walked forward and knelt before the presence of the priest. The priest nodded, passing him a token. That token would change Clint’s life.

He had become the Grand Duke.