The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

No one opposed Semela’s suggestion, and no one thought the kidnapping plan would fail.

“Well, let’s observe a bit more…”

Boom!

A deafening explosion shook the house violently. The three who had been frozen in place jumped up from their seats.

“Laria!”

The three of them rushed out of the reception room in haste, frantically searching for Laria. 

On their way to the bedroom, they saw the household employees in the distance, making a commotion. They headed in that direction.

It was where Laria’s workshop was located. 

Could something have happened to Laria?

Half out of their minds, they pushed through the household employees and entered the area.

“Laria!”

“Are you okay?!”

Finally, they spotted Laria, and they froze in place.

Contrary to their concerns, Laria appeared unharmed. She sat there, her eyes rolling like a mischievous fox that had caused trouble.

“I accidentally broke the roof a bit.”

Accidentally…?

The three of them simultaneously looked up at the ceiling. The roof had been blown cleanly away, leaving no trace behind.

They all thought at the same time, ‘If you break up twice, our house will be blown away…’

* * *

The Krassium family had been rulers of the North for a very long time. 

Once the North was an independent kingdom, but now it was part of the Empire. 

Those who didn’t know the history believed that the Krassium family had been defeated and subjugated by the imperial family, but that was far from the truth.

The Krassium family had never been defeated, not even once. If they had any ambition for the throne, the Krassiums would have been the rulers of the Empire.

The power of the Krassium family was naturally immense, given their title of ‘Guardians of the North.’

When the Empire divided itself into North, South, East, and West, the North wasn’t only the largest but also the richest in resources.

Additionally, while most humanoid beastmen within the Empire didn’t get along well with those of different races, wolf beastmen had strong unity. Led by the legendary Black Wolf, they often formed alliances.

They possessed formidable combat capabilities, and their military power was unrivaled, even surpassing the imperial knights

From the imperial family’s perspective, the Krassium family’s dominance in the North was a fortunate outcome.

The Krassium family, however, had little interest in getting involved in politics outside the North. As the protectors of the North, they rarely ventured beyond its borders.

As a result, their relationship with the Frandel imperial family was more akin to friendship than vassalage. 

Being the only family to stand shoulder to shoulder with the imperial family, those hailing from the North felt a great sense of pride.

Some even referred to North as an autonomous region.

Even ordinary people from the North took great pride in this, but those who belonged to the Krassium family were truly something else.

They regarded themselves as the highest honor, readily obeying their family’s commands, which were considered as absolute.

That was until the previous Grand Duke.

“You’ve arrived.”

Those seated at the round table stood up.

A man with grayish-white beard nodded his head.

“I rushed here as soon as I heard the news.”

“Suddenly calling an emergency gathering… What on earth is this about?”

Just yesterday, the elders of the Krassium family received an emergency summons.

It was the first time since Zenox succeeded the title.

The gathering was scheduled for tomorrow, but everyone gathered at the Grand Duke Krassium’s castle a day early, as if by appointment.

“After not showing his face for years, this barely dry-behind-the-ears brat is ordering us elders around.”

The man openly voiced his displeasure, but no one stopped him.

In the old days, most would have defended the Grand Duke and reprimanded the man.

For the family head’s command was absolute.

However, the atmosphere changed drastically after Zenox Krassium assumed the position of the Grand Duke.

Zenox became the head of the family at the youngest age among all the Grand Dukes in history. He was the only heir after the previous Grand Duke’s untimely death.

Before he could solidify his position, Zenox left for the battlefield right after inheriting the title.

Later, it seemed he settled in the capital, showing no intention of returning for years.

It was an inevitable situation for everyone to be dissatisfied with Zenox’s behavior.

“He’s gone mad over some fox and turned his back on the North, and now he wants to play head of the family.”

The man clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

Naturally, the other elders chimed in.

“There were rumors that he was about to get engaged, maybe that’s why he’s returning?”

“Indeed, if he gets married, he’ll probably settle down…”

“It’s been so long, I can’t even remember what the Grand Duke looks like.”

The elders tried to recall the last time they saw Zenox.

After the image of him as a young boy, no one had seen the grown-up Zenox.

It was because they were so reclusive, not even taking a single step out of the North.

In their minds, Zenox remained a small, frail boy.

Though he did exude an eerie presence befitting the bloodline of the black wolf.

“Will lord Rubenta be here too?”

“He will. As the Grand Duke’s proxy, he’ll probably explain why he summoned all of us.”

The one currently leading the Krassium family was Rubenta Krassium. The elders naturally followed Rubenta, who was closely related to Zenox and acted as the Grand Duke’s proxy.

Once, someone had suggested that Rubenta kick out Zenox and become the Grand Duke himself, but he flatly refused.

After that, the elders grew to admire Rubenta even more.

To the point of borderline worship, though no one seemed to realize it.

“Lord Rubenta!”

The elders stood up in unison at the arrival of the awaited person.

Behind Rubenta, knights in black uniforms followed like shadows.

Composed entirely of elites, his knights were famous for their unwavering loyalty.

As Rubenta took his seat, his aides stood against the wall.

Unmoving, they looked like wooden puppets.

“…”

Rubenta naturally surveyed them from his seat at the head of the table.

It was the gaze of one looking at a pack of loyal dogs.

They obediently waited without being told, truly well-trained dogs.

Then one of the elders quietly posed a question.

“Do you know why the Grand Duke has suddenly summoned us?”

“I’ve heard nothing.”

Though he answered as such, Rubenta had some inkling.

Not long ago, he received a report from Marquis Hashir that the plan had failed. The village Rubenta had given to the count was currently under Zenox’s management.

Moreover, the assassins he sent after Zenox’s prospective fiance had all gone incommunicado.

He didn’t have high expectations, but thought it would be enough to shake Zenox…

Hiding his true thoughts, Rubenta smiled.

“In any case, it’s good if the Grand Duke returns, isn’t it?”

The murmuring elders all nodded in agreement.

Rubenta naturally brought up the agenda for the meeting as if nothing was amiss.

It was around the end of the first meeting.

The conference room door suddenly burst open, and an uninvited person appeared.

“…!”

Not recognizing who it was at first, the others could only blink.

But gradually, looks of shock spread across their faces.

The jet-black hair and glowing golden eyes were traits only held by the direct Krassium lineage.

The one bearing all the hallmarks of the bloodline in this generation was one person alone.

The elders shuddered violently.

In their imagination, Zenox was a frail young boy who had only recently come of age. But the Zenox before their eyes was the complete opposite of their conception.

His towering physique and overwhelming presence instinctively bowed their heads.

Had they been standing, the ferocious aura would have knocked them flat to the floor.

In contrast, Zenox strode into the conference room with the leisure of one who had finished the hunt.

“I wonder what was so urgent that you all gathered a day earlier.”

At last, the door closed with a thud.

Like cornered prey, the elders’ eyes shook uncontrollably with no way out.

Yet Zenox didn’t spare the elders a single glance, his eyes fixed solely on Rubenta.

“Please also inform me of what was discussed.”

“…The Grand Duke has returned early, I see.”

Unlike the elders paralyzed with fear, Rubenta calmly responded.

“We didn’t really discuss much.”

“Yet everyone reacted like they were caught gossiping.”

Surveying the pale, bloodless faces of the elders, Zenox let out a wry laugh.

Before Rubenta could answer, he continued speaking.

“It worked out well. Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin.”

Zenox walked straight over and took the empty seat next to Rubenta.

It was the first time he sat there since becoming Grand Duke.

With everyone’s eyes on him, Zenox carefully chose his words.

“Since you all look uncomfortable, I’ll get straight to the point.”

The elders waited with undisguised curiosity for his next words.

“Uncle, no, I will be stripping Rubenta Krassium of her authority as the Grand Duke’s proxy.”