The council chamber of the Valdormer mansion.
For the first time in almost half a year, the vassal lords were gathered, all sitting with displeased expressions.
At the head of the large round table sat Darkin, the head of House Valdormer, and his acting successor, Kallian.
"Even if the Lady of Valdormer is missing, how can you suspend the vassal council for half a year? This is unacceptable!"
As one vassal lord began complaining loudly, others followed with their own protests.
"Can the acting heir even be trusted to inherit the title of Lord?"
"This is all because of the Lady of Valdormer—or rather, the daughter of Heister—playing games with us!"
"Breaking off the marriage that symbolized the truce is an insult to Valdormer!"
"We must demand an explanation from the Heister family!"
While the council chamber buzzed like a noisy marketplace, Felix of Highland and William of Sorrento stayed silent.
Then, Kallian's heavy voice cut through the noise.
"Is that truly the will of the vassal houses?"
The vassals fell silent at his unreadable question.
Kallian slowly looked around and spoke again.
"This time, I am willing to follow the lords' wishes completely…"
What does he mean by that?
The vassals exchanged uneasy glances.
Kallian continued leisurely.
"Did someone say we should demand an apology from Heister for their insult?"
His sharp gaze swept over the lords.
"I agree. The long-standing cold war between Valdormer and Heister was supposed to end with that marriage. Now that the engagement is broken, we must hold Heister responsible."
Some of the lords quickly backed him.
"That's right! If we let this slide, Heister will look down on us!"
"We must show them that Valdormer is not to be trifled with!"
The more aggressive vassals lit up with excitement.
Kallian calmly added another sentence.
"To that end, I intend to repay this humiliation with war. What do you think of that?"
The chamber, which had been deafening moments before, suddenly fell silent.
Darkin turned pale and glared at his son.
"Kallian!"
Kallian met his father's eyes with a firm, unwavering look.
"You entrusted me with full authority. Please, watch and see."
Darkin closed his mouth. He knew this matter could not simply be ignored. The marriage that symbolized peace had collapsed; the vassals' anger had to be addressed.
But he had not expected such an extreme response.
Still…
Looking into his son's calm yet piercing eyes, Darkin found it hard to oppose him.
It had been nearly a year since Yuliana went missing, and Kallian had changed in ways even his father could no longer easily confront.
His son's back now seemed broader and heavier, as if he carried more burdens than even Darkin himself.
The vassals, stunned by Kallian's declaration, began whispering among themselves.
Kallian pressed them again.
"I am asking for the will of the vassal houses."
Some finally spoke.
"This is what we've been waiting for. The truce with Heister was nonsense from the start."
"This disaster was inevitable the moment we accepted the Heister girl."
Those who agreed were the hardliners with deep grudges against Heister.
Meanwhile, the more cautious lords who supported peace remained silent.
All eyes turned to Felix of Highland, the most influential among them.
His opinion would be critical.
Kallian stared at Felix intently.
Those who claimed neutrality were mostly nobles tied to the Imperial family, hiding behind Highland's leadership.
They cared little for Valdormer's honor—only for their own gain.
Kallian, knowing this well, addressed Felix directly.
"Of course, if war begins, I will personally take the vanguard."
The heir of Valdormer, said to be the strongest wielder of the Dark Command in generations, volunteering to fight on the front lines—this was shocking.
Felix's eyes glinted.
The Imperial faction preferred Valdormer and Heister to keep each other in check.
They wanted tension, not full-scale war.
A real war could harm even the Imperial supporters hidden among the vassals.
But if Kallian himself went to the battlefield, things would change.
A war might weaken Valdormer—and if Kallian were maimed or killed, so much the better.
After a brief calculation, Felix spoke.
"I also believe we must teach Heister a lesson."
With Highland's support declared, the neutral faction quickly followed, shifting the majority to approval.
Kallian smiled faintly.
"It seems the majority agrees. We shall notify Heister."
As he rose from his seat, he added as if remembering something.
"Oh, and don't think you can simply send troops."
The vassals stirred uneasily.
Kallian smiled coldly.
"Surely you don't expect me to lead the charge while you sit back?"
He drove in the final nail.
"Either you fight in person, or you send your heirs to the front."
The lords' faces stiffened.
They had planned to offer soldiers and stay safe themselves, but now they had no choice.
Since it was they who had demanded action against Heister, refusal was impossible.
One by one, they reluctantly nodded.
Kallian ended the meeting and left the chamber, his earlier calm replaced by a chilling aura.
Let them feel it, he thought.
Let them know the pain of sending their own children into deadly war and being powerless to stop it.
Days passed after I (Yuliana) entered the unfamiliar castle with Lloyd.
I couldn't get used to it.
Soldiers were everywhere.
The servants were polite, but their watchful eyes made me feel as though they were guarding—or spying on—me and Denian.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but ever since coming here, my heart felt heavy and uneasy.
The soldiers even prevented me from going out freely.
Finally, I couldn't stand it and spoke to Lloyd.
"Lloyd, I'm grateful for your kindness, but this place feels too much for me and Denian."
Lloyd's face stiffened slightly.
"What do you mean, Yuliana?"
"It feels like we're being watched. The soldiers and servants here make me uncomfortable."
Lloyd gently stroked my shoulder as if to comfort me.
"They're here to protect you and Denian. There's no need to feel uneasy."
He added softly,
"Is it because you feel trapped? Please be patient. Once the Valdormer pursuers give up, you'll be free to go outside again."
I knew all of this was for our safety.
But unlike in Valdormer, here the presence of guards and servants constantly weighed on me.
After hesitating for days, I finally asked the question that had been stuck in my throat.
"Lloyd."
He turned to me with his usual gentle smile.
"Why do the soldiers here wear the Imperial crest?"