"Herald!"
The first person to greet Herald as he entered the mansion was his mother, the Duchess of Maximilian.
Herald lightly kissed the back of her hand, which was smooth without a single wrinkle, unbelievable for someone over fifty.
"I'm back, Mother."
"Yes, welcome home."
After finishing his greeting with a hug with his mother, Herald bowed to his father standing behind her.
"It's been a while, Father. Have you been well?"
The Duke of Maximilian laughed as if amused.
"For someone curious about that, you didn't send a single letter for two years."
"As you already know, Father, I was a bit busy."
"I don't think it was just a bit."
When a familiar voice that shouldn't be here joined the conversation from a bit further away, Herald frowned and turned in that direction.
A man with dazzling golden hair like melted honey was leaning against the landing railing.
"You say you were 'a bit' busy after annihilating the Salaman tribe that has been plaguing the empire for over 100 years? Isn't that too much of an understatement, Herald?"
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince?"
The man's identity was none other than Austin Kaman Andreas, the Crown Prince of the Kaman Empire. Austin waved cheerfully at Herald.
"It's been a while, Herald. I'm really glad you returned safely."
"He came early this morning to see you."
Herald's brow furrowed when he heard the Duchess of Maximilian's quiet whisper.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Herald excused himself from his parents and approached Austin.
"Please follow me."
It was a polite yet authoritative tone that could sound rude, but Austin didn't seem offended at all and obediently followed him.
Herald led Austin to his bedroom. Despite being vacant for a long time, the bedroom was spotlessly clean without a speck of dust, and even the items Herald used to use were still there.
Herald closed and locked the door, then asked Austin:
"What brings you here?"
It wasn't formal speech, but Austin didn't mind. The two were old friends, and when alone, they didn't bother with formalities.
"What do you mean? I came to welcome my friend who's become a hero of the empire!"
"Drop the fancy excuse."
Herald's lips curved crookedly.
"Tell me the real reason you came to see me."
"You're as cold as ever, I see."
Austin pouted, displeased with Herald's reaction, but his eyes turned serious in an instant.
After confirming there were no eavesdropping ears, Austin revealed the reason he had personally come all the way to the Duke of Maximilian's residence.
"Darius has been acting suspiciously lately."
Darius Kaman Andreas.
Austin's half-brother, born to a concubine, yet the only child the Emperor recognized as royalty despite being an illegitimate child.
Usually, children of concubines are not acknowledged as royalty by unspoken rule, so breaking this rule meant he was a cherished child.
More accurately, it meant the Emperor cherished Darius's mother, the Viscountess Ariand.
It was said that if the Empress's family lacked power or if Austin failed to fulfill his role properly, Darius might have been placed in the Crown Prince's position - such was the extent of the Emperor's favor towards them.
Moreover, Viscountess Ariand was a greedy and cunning person. Darius took after his mother completely, harboring ambitions that didn't match his status, so Austin had no choice but to keep them in check.
"From what I know, the Second Prince has been acting suspiciously for quite some time now."
Unlike the serious Austin, Herald was indifferent. Seeing his friend's completely uninterested attitude, Austin sighed deeply and ruffled his hair in frustration.
"I know that too, but this time it's really suspicious. He's digging into something strange, I tell you."
"Something strange?"
Finally, Herald showed a reaction, and Austin nodded emphatically.
"That bastard, he's digging into the Viscount Benjamin family."
Search "lover" on redcatty(.)com to read ahead up to chapter 70.