I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess

Editor : Aizen

Yulken harboured a deep scepticism regarding the recent surge in headaches.

Even within the empire, despite possessing considerable power, he found himself vulnerable to an internal betrayal.

In fact, the castle wall, just like an iron fortress, might be weaker against internal adversaries.

"It's challenging."

He had a daughter, his sole bloodline and whom he cherished dearly.

Despite being estranged from his daughter for over 15 years due to his foolishness, the seemingly insurmountable distance had recently been bridged with the help of a young boy.

As a father, witnessing his daughter meet someone she loved and mature into a woman brought him great joy.

It was even more gratifying because the person his daughter had fallen for seemed to hold Yulken in high regard.

It was as if he had nudged the boy forward, encouraging him to confess his feelings to his daughter.

The young man originally belonged to a minor baron family known as the Billhark family, which was subordinate to the Robeheim family.

Currently, he resided with the Robeheim family as a friend and attendant to his daughter, Ariel. However, this arrangement could no longer be made permanent.

When Yulken received news that the two childhood friends had become lovers, he shared the information with his retainers within the family.

Initially, the man's position within the family was somewhat ambiguous, and now is the opportunity to rectify that.

However, it proved to be the catalyst for what followed.

Yulken recognised this immediately, but the ensuing storm was intense.

Maybe even more intense than he had anticipated.

"Whoa, I have a terrible headache."

Sitting at his office desk, furrowing his brow and shaking his head, he muttered softly to himself.

However, Elfred, his assistant, couldn't ignore his statement.

"Is it because of the lady and her lover?"

"Yes, but not solely because of them."

"I made a mistake. Well, what could be wrong with these two young individuals?"

Elfred quickly lowered his head, admitting his mistake.

Indeed, as Yulken had stated, there was nothing inherently wrong with the two young individuals.

The problem lay with the main adversaries within the family who judged others' love based on family status and prestige.

"Sir Vincent didn't even attempt to conceal his intentions. It's too obvious."

"Right from the start, he prides himself on pure bloodline. Doesn't His Highness understand this?"

"Yes, he knows. I understand it all too well, but it bothers me."

Vincent Roland.

He had attained a significant position within the Robeheim family, not merely a figure lurking in the shadows but a veteran who once dominated the battlefield.

However, his temperament was volatile, and despite having experienced the battlefield like Yulken, he followed a different path.

It was one that valued bloodline superiority.

This ideology clashed completely with Yulken's beliefs, who prioritised individual ability over family lineage and involved interacting with foreign peoples in the harsh northern plains.

Recognising that an incompetent ally posed a greater danger than an exceptional enemy, Vincent overtly dismissed those whose family prestige didn't align with his values as he solidified his position.

While the rationale behind his actions was understandable, the outcome proved to be disastrous.

"However, expelling Sir Vincent…”

“It's absurd. Moreover, he has been part of this family for generations."

Despite being an elder much older than Yulken, Vincent's reputation remained intact.

He had a substantial followers within the family, and their positions were quite secure.

Getting rid of such a man simply because he aimed to separate his daughter from her lover?

Even Yulken couldn't handle such a matter carelessly.

Unless it led to discussions of rebellion, he didn't dare take action.

"It's complicated. It would have been better if we had already performed the wedding ceremony."

Sometimes, even a mere formality like a wedding ceremony made a significant difference. It served as a kind of "justice" that could be presented to others.

The situation might have been slightly different if Edgar had officially become Ariel's husband through a wedding ceremony.

Even then, people like Vincent would openly attempt to harm the couple, but Yulken could openly respond with firm measures.

However, due to the current circumstances, he couldn't quickly arrange the marriage to rectify the situation.

"That's true. In times like these, tradition proves quite challenging."

"But I can't disregard it."

"If it were only about vanity, Your Highness would have tried to eliminate it unconditionally."

"You know me all too well."

The successors of the Robeheim family were allowed to marry officially exactly three months after their coming-of-age ceremony.

This rule wasn't arbitrary or based on nonsensical stories; it concerned a specific danger within the bloodline.

Each generation was born with a unique magical power known as "the power of control," which acted as a poison to those outside the Robeheim bloodline.

The power was so potent that if it entered another person's body, it would destroy them from within.

However, during aristocratic wedding ceremonies, there was a ritual where the couple shared their magical powers and engraved them onto each other's bodies.

At that moment, if a member of the Robeheim family transferred their "control power" to their partner, it would ensure the compatibility of their bodies.

Furthermore, even those born with the "power of control" eventually learned to control it perfectly.

Specifically, their bodies naturally adapted, replacing the mighty mana with ordinary mana.

This period typically occurred around three months before and after reaching adulthood.

Therefore, that makes it the estimated age when marriage becomes feasible.

"…That's how it was when I was dating my wife. I was so eager for my coming-of-age ceremony to welcome her as my wife."

Yulken remarked while revealing the back of his right hand, which was covered by a glove.

Engraved on his hand was a black pattern different from the Robeheim family's mark.

An indication that he had made an eternal covenant with Helena.

"As expected, Your Highness and the young lady share many similarities."

"Indeed. Are you suggesting you can't lie about your bloodline?"

They truly resembled each other.

In the way they were drawn to their partners rather than in terms of family or prestige.

The point is that those who decide to make something theirs will hold onto it somehow.

The reason for being stubborn, the reason for not wanting to lose, the reason for not being honest.

Yulken had always been grateful that his daughter didn't resemble himself, but the differences between them were getting harder to discern when he examined them closely.

"Her facial structure and appearance closely resemble my wife's. Because of that, when I see her, it's as if she’s holding flowers in her hands."

Yulken suddenly rolled up his sleeves and smiled.

Upon witnessing this, Elfred smiled wistfully.

He knew better than anyone the intensity of his master's love for his family. At this rate, their conversation could go on for hours.

However, much work still needed to be done, so Elfred couldn't simply let it continue. He decided to cut the conversation short, albeit with a hint of pride.

"My lord boast about your family in front of your subordinate who has yet to find a spouse… You really go above and beyond."

"Well, who told you to wait until this age to find a partner? I should have intervened."

"What if there are no women who caught my interest?"

"Tsk, you set your standards too high. Of course, that's not what I meant."

From a higher perspective, even Elfred had to take action in front of Yulken.

To be precise, Yulken had specific tastes rather than exceptionally high standards.

His wife, Helena, was undoubtedly unparalleled in beauty, but he fell in love with her at the time because of her gentle and warm demeanour.

Her selfless nature perfectly matched Yulken's ideal type.

"How about I introduce someone to you right now?"

"Isn't it a bit late for that? Besides, I'm content to think of the Robeheim family as my own and take care of them."

In other words, work had become his love.

"For me, it's a favourable situation. But it might be quite overwhelming for your parents."

"Not really. They told me to do my job well since there are younglings in my famiy to inherit this position of mine anyway. "

"They are generous individuals."

Despite saying that, deep down, Elfred's parents might have wanted him to marry and have a son of his own, who would one day follow his father's footsteps and inherit the position.

Glancing at his subordinate, who have never experienced parenthood and couldn't fully grasp his emotions, Yulken shook his head and redirected his gaze to the stack of papers before him.

"By the way, Your Highness, what do you plan to do when this news reaches the lady's ears?"

"…Don't even mention it. I've already instructed my wife to remain silent."

"That young girl is quite perceptive and will immediately sense the tense atmosphere. Isn't that child by Ariel’s side now?"

"… …"

Yulken belatedly remembered the face of the handmaid standing by Ariel's side and widened his eyes with a sense of pity.

It was entirely possible.

Although young, the child resembled his mother, Sheffy, and possessed keen observation skills. She is someone who could quickly discern the atmosphere within the castle.

Moreover, as servants, they often shared stories among themselves.

Shuri likely wouldn't overlook that aspect and would exploit it to the fullest.

If that were the case, it wouldn't be very difficult for her to notice the troubling situation.

"…Do you think Young Miss has already figured it out?"

"I don't know. But one thing is certain: when that time comes…"

"I don't even want to imagine. It's one thing for the father's incompetence to become known, but it's too much for the child to bear."

To think that an enemy hidden within the family would attempt to defame her lover.

Although Yulken didn't mean to belittle Ariel, from his perspective, fully accepting this reality proved challenging.

"If you notice anything of the sort, inform me. We will have to have a separate discussion."

"Very well. I don't expect you to inform me beforehand."

"Shouldn't I do everything I can as a struggling father? We can address it then; it's not too late."

Saying that Yulken must have found it difficult to focus on his work. He nervously tossed his pen onto the desk and leaned back as if seeking refuge in the chair.

There was still a long road ahead before the day was over.

It remained doubtful whether he could complete all his pending tasks today.