Once the crowd dispersed, the clerks, Daphne, and Aunt Valeria stared at me with stunned expressions.

  After all, I rarely acted so domineering in public. They probably never expected me to display such overwhelming strength so openly.

  Daphne’s face was slightly pale from witnessing the bloodshed. Still, killing was not uncommon in the Eldoria Imperium. The soldiers had drawn their blades first. At worst, my actions could be considered excessive—but not unjustified.

  “I can’t believe it, Your Highness,” one of the clerks said excitedly. “How were you so strong? And… did Young Master Cedric truly mistake the fake vase for the original? How did you know the one he brought was genuine?”

  “I’m simply stronger than them,” I replied calmly. “As for the vase, he likely made a mistake when swapping them. I’m familiar with that piece. I recognized it the moment I saw it.”

  The clerks nodded in understanding.

  However, Daphne and Aunt Valeria exchanged subtle glances. Unlike the others, they didn’t look fully convinced.

  Of course, my explanation was a lie.

  What truly happened was far simpler—and far more dangerous.

  The moment I saw the fake in Cedric’s hands, I manipulated space and switched it with the genuine vase inside the Ravelle residence. The exchange was instantaneous and undetectable. No one present possessed the ability to perceive spatial distortion at that level.

  By the time Cedric returned home and discovered the fake sitting where the original once was, he would conclude that he had made the mistake himself.

  Clean. Efficient. Humiliating.

  Still…

  As the hall returned to order, I couldn’t suppress a deep frown.

  Two incidents in two days.

  First the birthday humiliation. Now this open provocation.

  My standing among the nobles had deteriorated faster than expected.

  It seemed some people were eager to see Edric Valemont fall.

  I had concealed my strength for years to avoid unnecessary entanglements. But if hiding no longer prevented trouble… perhaps it was time to reconsider that strategy.

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  The clerks resumed their duties, cleaning the blood and reorganizing the entrance. Daphne stayed behind to assist them while I returned to the third floor with Aunt Valeria.

  The moment we entered her office, her expression turned grave.

  “Your situation is worse than I thought,” she said quietly.

  I nodded. “I underestimated their impatience.”

  She hesitated before speaking again.

  “Why don’t you renounce the Valemont name? With the wealth you’ve accumulated through your businesses, you and Marielle could live comfortably—even outside noble society.”

  I shook my head slowly.

  “It’s not that simple, Aunt.”

  “If I renounce the Valemont Family name, I become a loose end. And my stepmother would never tolerate even the smallest threat to her son’s claim.”

  I met her eyes steadily.

  “Renouncing my title would only make it easier for her to remove me quietly.”

  Valeria fell silent.

  She understood.

  In the imperial court, weakness invited execution.

  “Don’t worry,” I added gently. “I already have a plan.”

  She studied me carefully. “Are you certain?”

  “Of course.” I smiled faintly. “After all, I can’t abandon my beloved little aunt.”

  She flushed slightly and tapped my chest in mild reproach.

  “You brat.”

  I laughed softly and pulled her into a brief hug.

  Her scent was warm and comforting—familiar. For a moment, I allowed myself to relax.

  But sensing the heat rising in my body, I quickly released her and stepped back with a polite smile.

  I had no intention of crossing inappropriate boundaries.

  “By the way, Edric,” she said, regaining her composure. “When will you visit my home? Julian keeps asking when you’ll come play with him.”

  Julian Kael.

  Her ten-year-old son.

  It had indeed been a while since I last visited.

  Given the current political climate, it wasn’t the ideal time for social visits. But seeing the hope in her eyes, I found it difficult to refuse.

  After a brief pause, I nodded.

  “I’ll visit tomorrow.”

  Her face brightened immediately.

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  She smiled warmly, and for a moment, the heavy atmosphere lifted.

  After visiting her, I also planned to stop by my maternal grandparents’ estate. It had been several months since I last saw them.

  Unlike my relationship with the Emperor, my bond with my mother’s family was genuine. They had always doted on Marielle Valemont and me.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  Daphne entered.

  “Your Highness, everything has been handled.”

  “Good,” I said. “Aunt, I’ll take my leave.”

  Valeria’s expression turned reluctant, but she nodded. “Don’t forget tomorrow.”

  “I won’t.”

  As Daphne and I left the Cyclebound Auction Hall, I couldn’t help but think—

  Tomorrow’s visit might yield more than simple family affection.

  We boarded a carriage and set off toward the Aurelian Imperial Academy to finalize my registration. Classes would begin in a week, and certain preparations needed to be completed personally.

  The carriage rolled smoothly through the capital’s bustling streets.

  With nothing urgent to occupy my mind—and the enclosed privacy of the carriage—I allowed myself to tease Daphne lightly.

  Her reactions were as adorable as ever.

  However, just as we neared the Academy grounds, a voice called out from outside.

  “Hey! Stop the carriage!”

  I recognized it immediately.

  “Stop,” I ordered the driver.

  The carriage halted.

  Moments later, a beautiful girl ran toward us.

  Without waiting for permission, she opened the carriage door—

  —and climbed inside.