Before Roen could even narrow his eyes, Rajaden took the lead.

“Come to think of it, I heard that you officially became the Duke’s heir. I didn’t know that you’d suddenly be interested in succeeding the duchy—is there any special reason?”

“Did you plant a spy inside my family’s residence?”

“How can there be a place in this empire that I can’t reach?”

“……”

As the crown prince very proudly admitted that he had planted a spy, Roen’s expression soured right away.

The thought crossed his mind that his disposition right now would mirror that of Violet. Of course, the Everetts had also planted spies within the imperial family’s fence, but he felt wronged for no reason at all.

“Right. You were born a man, so it’s only natural that you stand high and mighty at the peak at least once. Ah, but don’t aim for the throne, yes? I don’t wish to be faced with the sight of detestable treason during my reign.”

“In our current era, women also often inherit titles, but I understand that what Your Highness said just now was a mere slip of the tongue. And I will assume that last part was just a joke.”

“Haha. My friend is truly strict. Well, it’s not like the blood of the imperial family runs in your family’s veins. Except for the case of the maternal side, of course.”

“It’s been a long time since that lineage has been blurred. I don’t even consider myself to be related to you, Your Highness.”

“Tsk. You’re really no fun.”

Though with the predilection of uttering frightening comments in the tone of a joke, Rajaden just clicked his tongue again.

Roen desperately wanted to hit that hateful face.

“But really, what’s gotten into you? Didn’t you reject the position of finance minister because you didn’t want anything to do with a position of power? It’ll only give you more work, you said. Ah, right. Since you’re already the duchy’s successor anyway, what do you say about taking up the position of finance minister? There’s no talent in this country—none at all.”

“I refuse. The empire is filled with human resources available to you, so please lean into your eye for people even more.”

“Tsk. No fun at all, you.”

Repeating the same thing to Roen, the crown prince took a sip of his tea.

And Roen only sighed as he watched Rajaden pleasantly drinking the unpleasant beverage.

“So then, what’s the reason?”

“Since Your Highness has already planted a spy in my home, you should already know the reason. I don’t understand your reason for calling me here just to ask.”

“I only know about it roughly. Wouldn’t things be different if I heard about it directly from my dear friend?”

“It’s simple. It was decided that Mikhail, the eldest son, is not suitable to be the next duke. The decision wasn’t only for the sake of the ducal estate, but the entire country as well.”

“How forthright of you to say that. Sir Mikhail… is quite the maverick, yes.”

Finally broaching the main topic, Rajaden propped his chin on one hand and laughed. It was against court etiquette, but Roen didn’t point it out.

Rajaden was, by nature, an arrogant person, mentioning things like the law or etiquette would clearly not apply to him.

Now that Roen thought of it, Violet also deemed him to be arrogant.

Even worse than Roen, Rajaden was an arrogant man who presented the appearance of both a tyrant and a wise ruler.

‘Wouldn’t it be good for a tyrant to hear complaints from his subjects?’

Briefly thinking about what attributes a monarch must have to be called a wise ruler, Roen set down his teacup. It still tasted terrible.

“Still, Sir Mikhail was a capable man, only that he tended to speak harshly,” the crown prince continued. “His personality wasn’t that bad, and he gave off quite an affable impression. What a shame. He was the perfect candidate for the position of knight commander.”

“Once again, it’s a family matter. And besides, if a man who had raised his hand against a woman could be called a knight, then numerous knights all across the country would only weep.”

While Roen spoke calmly, Rahaden smiled satisfactorily as he took a piece of dessert into his mouth. Right then, Roen flinched very slightly as he caught his own mistake, but it was too late.

“See? As expected, hearing directly from the person involved yields different results. He raised his hand against a woman, you say. But you know, when it comes to criminals, they don’t need to be identified as man or woman. Since it would be considered as rightful punishment for an offense, isn’t it that it shouldn’t matter?”

“The fact that raised his hand was only because the other person is a criminal— is that what Your Highness is saying?”

“Well, correct me if I’m wrong.”

“…Mikhail truly wasn’t fit to become the next duke. Not only was he always swayed by his own personal feelings, but he’s also much too immersed in his own beliefs.”

“So you think that you’re not?”

“As long as I am human, I can’t say that I’m perfect. Your Highness, what is it that you want to say?”

“I just want to have an in-depth conversation with my close friend, is that so wrong? Haha, goodness. I didn’t understand before, but Father once told me how entertaining he finds it to tease Duke Everett. The members of your family are fun to tease, really.”

“……”

Faced with the reality of an unlucky relationship being passed down two generations, Roen sighed deeply. Rajaden just chuckled as he munched on more snacks.

“So.”

“……”

“It all started with the ducal lady, so it’s making me wonder what kind of person she is. You came to the capital with her, right? Your younger sister.”

Roen choked on his tea.

Cough, huck— Cough, cough!

At Rajaden’s subsequent words, Roen coughed as though his throat had gotten blocked.

The crown prince handed over a handkerchief.