The End of First Love - Chapter 5

Duke Baker sat deeply in his luxurious chair, staring at the letter that had arrived six months ago. He let out a heavy sigh.

“—I would like to propose an engagement between my son, Heinz Schwein, and your daughter, Elizabeth Baker.”

Why did it have to be Heinz Schwein? Even a politically uninformed man like Duke Schwein should be well aware that marriages between ducal families are not permitted in our kingdom. And yet, he still had the audacity to send such a letter—what exactly is he plotting?

No, that can’t be it. The duke rarely appears in high society, choosing instead to remain secluded in his territory. It’s hard to believe that he would suddenly take such a bold step against my house.

The one pulling the strings must be Heinz.

Just the thought of that composed face—one I see nearly every day—filled me with distaste.

Heinz Schwein, the candidate for the next Prime Minister and the Crown Prince’s right-hand man. If he were to abandon his duties, the very core of this country would cease to function. At the mere age of twenty-five, even His Majesty holds him in high regard. There is no one else in the Kingdom of Glutenburg who could rival him.

(Why would such a man propose an engagement with Elizabeth?)

Once again, Duke Baker scrutinized the letter in his hands.

Since this letter was sent under Duke Schwein’s name, it was an official marriage proposal.

Even if marriage between ducal families were legally possible, the royal family would never allow it. A union between two of the Four Great Ducal Houses would grant them power comparable to that of the royal family itself. The wealth and influence held by these houses are immense. That is precisely why, as an unspoken rule, marriage between ducal families has always been forbidden. Looking back through history, there has never been such a precedent.

(Is Heinz trying to break this long-standing tradition? What is his true motive?)

For the past six months, I have employed every possible means to uncover his intentions, yet I have found nothing definitive.

Now that Elizabeth’s engagement with Prince William has been annulled, everyone assumes that the Baker family will distance itself from the Second Prince’s faction. If, at such a critical moment, news of an engagement between Elizabeth and Heinz were to spread, the Crown Prince’s faction would gain overwhelming momentum.

If the neutral Baker family were to align itself with the leading faction of the Crown Prince, it would be seen as a formal alliance.

It is inevitable that some nobles from the Second Prince’s faction would shift allegiance, but if the neutral nobles also move, the delicate balance of the aristocracy will crumble.

(I can’t imagine that ambitious concubine would allow that to happen… Either way, the political landscape is bound to shift significantly.)

“Father, you look rather amused.”

“Ah, Riddle.”

Recognizing his son entering the study, Duke Baker gave a slow nod.

“If I recall correctly, Lord Heinz is scheduled to visit today. Are you planning to give him an answer regarding the engagement?”

A reminder of the looming issue made his stomach feel heavy.

“Yes. I’ve managed to evade the matter for six months, but I’m reaching my limit. Angering him any further wouldn’t be wise.”

“I oppose using Elizabeth as a political pawn. After what happened with Prince William, she’s already been hurt enough. I refuse to let her be used for Heinz’s schemes.”

“Calm yourself. I have no intention of sacrificing Elizabeth for politics. I want her to find happiness, both for her sake and for her late mother’s. Ideally, I’d like her to be with someone she truly loves. However, I can’t simply ignore Heinz either. Given his influence, we can’t outright reject him. For now, the best course of action is to gauge his true intentions in today’s meeting.”

“I understand…”

The sighs of two men who wished for Elizabeth’s happiness echoed through the room.