Chapter 91.2

“In Del Casa, there is a test for the general public,” Claude began, offering her the book. “With a 1st degree, you can receive an honorary peerage, and from 2nd to 6th degree, you can do public service. A teacher is a 4th degree. But for you, who doesn’t have a graduation certificate from school, to become a teacher, you need to be at least 3rd degree. Do you want to try?”

The look in Canillia’s eyes as she received the book grew darker, and Claude felt a strange disappointment at the sight of her more serious expression than ever before.

“I’ll try,” Canillia said determinedly. “I think I can do it well.”

Claude smiled, knowing that she was more than capable of surpa.s.sing that high Academy wall. She had received teachings from Professor Theodore and graduated as a top student with the same level as the high n.o.bility.

Of course, the Del Casa rank examination was not easy to pa.s.s. As the only examination that could lead to n.o.bility, scholars from all over the empire gather to take the examination. But Claude had no doubt that she would turn it upside down again.

Canillia’s determination was like fire, burning bright and fierce. Claude breathed a sigh and put his hand behind her knee, pulling her closer to him. He laid her down on the couch in the study and parted his lips, ready to speak.

But before he could, Canillia took the book from her lap, and looked at it as if it were a treasure. She looked back at Claude, and he squeezed her tiny chin.

“If you came to see me, you should only look at me, Canillia,” Claude said, his gaze searching hers.

“Yes, I am looking,” Canillia replied, her gaze steady.

“You have a different heart,” Claude said, his voice soft.

He looked at her with a searching gaze, wondering if it would be better to tell her the cruel truth. If so, when? She had a goal in Del Casa. Even if he told her about the letter that Rosina had taken away, her heart may not easily change. But that was only a probability.

Resentment and deceit—she was bearing them, not forgetting.

“Your eyes are really pretty,” he whispered. He pressed his lips on top of her eyelids as if nothing was troubling him. “Your lips are also beautiful,” he murmured, his breath hot against her skin.

As he gently kissed her full lips, Canillia stifled a laugh and covered his ears with her hands. The sensation of her fingers rubbing against his earlobes sent shivers down his spine, the warmth spreading from his neck to his back and toes quickly.

“d.a.m.n it…”

As he breathed out, Claude couldn’t help but let out a sigh of frustration. He gently removed her hands from his ears, his gaze never leaving her face. He pressed his lips against her palm, savoring the feeling of her soft skin against his lips. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to savor the moment and push away all the thoughts that threatened to invade his mind.

“You’re driving me crazy, Canillia.”

***

Baron Tenan stepped out of his car, his eyes fixed on the grand mansion before him. It was said that the princess was residing there with Kieran, and as he looked up at its imposing facade, Tenan couldn’t help but press his temples in pain. Suddenly, the door of the mansion opened, and Rosina’s maid appeared. “Finally, you’ve come, Baron Tenan,” she greeted him.

Tenan extended his hand to the servant in silence and was handed a thick bundle of doc.u.ments. “And the princess?” he asked. “She is waiting,” the servant replied, and with that, Tenan stepped inside.

As he surveyed the cramped interior of the mansion, Tenan felt his blood pressure rise once again. He found Rosina in a room that seemed to be both a reception room and a dining room, and to his dismay, she was brewing tea herself.

“Think about your prestige, Your Highness,” Tenan said, his voice trembling as he scolded her. But Rosina only laughed, pouring tea into cups and offering one to Tenan.

“Sit down, Tenan,” she said, and with a defeated sigh, Tenan took his seat across from her, handing over the doc.u.ments he had brought.

“The marchioness will pay a huge bail for the criminal,” Tenan said, his tone serious.

“Is that man called Donan?” Rosina asked, her mind already troubled by the thought of a high-ranking marchioness paying bail for a criminal.

“Yes. It’s such a serious matter, I don’t know if the court will approve it, but if the marchioness puts in a little more effort, the way might open,” Tenan replied.

Rosina couldn’t shake off her unease. No matter how high-ranking a marchioness she was, it was not appropriate for her to pay bail for a criminal. Even if her actions were not appropriate, Anastasia was the mother of the man she loved. Furthermore, if she pressed her, who was on parole, it could lead to a very serious situation. “Why is it so? Why does the marchioness want to bail that person? He should pay for all his sins. It will only cause harm…” Rosina muttered to herself.

Tenan offered an explanation. “It is said that Donan was an escort of the marchioness before she married into the family. After 40 years of being together, the marchioness probably wants to show her grat.i.tude.”

“Is that really the case?” Rosina asked, her mind still troubled.

“Loyalty moves the master,” Tenan said with a shrug. But it was the excessive loyalty that was the problem. The mind on the brink of change, not knowing how it will be distorted.

Rosina meticulously sorted through the papers Tenan had brought, methodically placing some in the fireplace to be burned and others in a well-crafted leather box. She knew that with the Emperor’s approval, Kieran would soon become the head of the Vale family. Without an heir, the Vale family would inevitably walk the path of extinction. Perhaps one of the cousins would be adopted and given the t.i.tle.

She couldn’t help but hope that the marchioness would sincerely apologize and beg Kieran for forgiveness. If she could also gain the support of the Grand Duke and Canillia for a sincere reconciliation, the future of the two families would be much smoother. But Rosina knew that the marchioness would never kneel first, she was a woman who lived with pride and honor.

As Rosina’s troubled gaze moved to a flower submerged in her tea, Tenan spoke again, “And the Grand Duke sent us a letter. He says he’s having a grand d.u.c.h.ess.”