The emperor’s gaze shifted to the next person, someone he had clearly been waiting for.

"Lucien Merrick, what will you choose?" the emperor asked.

Lucien raised his head and met the emperor’s eyes before opening his mouth. Even Theo found himself curious about what the man would say.

"I wish to add it to the Merrick Barony, Your Majesty, the Emperor," Lucien said, then lowered his gaze once more.

At that moment, Theo caught the same faint grin on the emperor’s face before his gaze flicked back toward Theo, as if urging him to understand something.

Theo didn’t grasp it immediately, but one thing became clear—he needed to protect the baron from becoming a viscount; if his father had wanted to become one and beyond, he could have done it long ago.

’I will have to speak with him later...’

"Merek Vaun, what will you choose?" the emperor asked.

He was the only one that looked like he needed to choose; the others didn’t need to since they had already decided.

"I would like to add it to my family name, Your Majesty, the Emperor," Merek replied.

One by one, the rest followed suit, each choosing to strengthen their names.

Once they were done, many nobles began to stand, assuming the proceedings had concluded.

Theo didn’t wait further and spoke out loud. "Your Majesty, may I have the privilege to request something from you?" he asked, his voice carrying across the hall and drawing every gaze toward him.

The emperor narrowed his eyes, studying Theo, who still had his head lowered.

"Go ahead."

Theo said without looking up. "Among the sample beasts that we captured inside the gate, there is a paralyzed wolf pup..." He paused, then raised his head. "That creature was permanently injured because of me, so I wish to request the custody of that pup from you, Your Majesty."

He didn’t care how he looked in the political situation right now. All he wanted to do was take that beast with him. Something within him had begun to shift, a change in heart, and saving the pup felt like the first step toward understanding this change within him.

The emperor held his gaze, looking into Theo’s eyes, but before he could respond, the muscular man at the side spoke again.

"If I may, Your Majesty."

Receiving immediate permission, the man turned to Theo, his expression serious.

"Anything that is brought from the gate is the property of the kingdom and the kingdom only. We cannot grant you any of the resources from a gate that we have already lost access to, Theo Merrick," the man spoke in a cold voice.

Theo met the man’s gaze, his expression plain, and gave a small nod.

"What he said is right, Theo Merrick," the emperor added. "Since the gate has mysteriously closed and the investigation is still being conducted, we cannot provide you anything that was brought from that gate, be it an injured pup or even a fragment of a flower."

Without lingering on the topic anymore, he moved on.

"Now that the award ceremony has concluded, we will now move to address the gate’s disappearance," the emperor spoke and continued. "A detailed report has already been prepared, but should there be a need for more information, I expect your full attention toward it. Do you all agree with that?"

"I agree to that," Theo spoke, followed by Lucien, Lysara, and the rest.

With that confirmed, the emperor nodded. "Good, that concluded today’s ceremony."

With that, the emperor rose from his seat.

"If your team is assigned another mission, the kingdom will inform you."

A robed man approached, carrying a tray. Upon it rested a single gem-studded glass. The emperor took it and raised it high.

At once, the older nobles rose and raised their own glasses in unison.

Silence followed, something Theo had no idea about.

But then, the announcer’s voice rang out.

"The ceremony has ended!"

That single declaration was enough. The emperor turned and was the first to leave through a side gate before all the nobles followed, getting up and filing out through the entrance they had come from.

Theo stood, a knot of confusion tightening in his chest, and glanced at his brother. Lucien himself was already staring at him.

"You were trying to play with fire today, Theo," Lucien said, his tone measured as he turned and began walking with the others.

Theo followed, his thoughts tangled and colliding. There was too much, too many details, too many questions, so much so that it felt like everything was getting mixed.

He had the sudden urge to write it all down on a piece of paper, afraid that it would slip away if he didn’t.

As they stepped outside the main hall, the butler who had accompanied them earlier stood waiting. But Theo’s attention shifted; three older nobles stood nearby, staring at his group intently as they approached.

Approaching the butler, Theo gave a slight bow toward the three nobles, making them give small nods in acknowledgement.

He had hoped to leave quickly, to leave this stressful and exhausting situation, but the nobles moved toward them instead. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The one in the middle fixed his gaze on Theo, which made him understand exactly what he expected.

Still, Theo held his tongue. He needed Lucien to speak first, or it would look disrespectful.

And right on cue, Lucien stepped forward and bowed with practiced grace. "My name is Lucien Merrick, son of Baron Aldric Merrick. And this is my younger brother, Theo Merrick."

At the mention of his name, Theo offered a polite smile and inclined his head toward the three again. This time, the man in the middle returned the gesture with a faint smile.

"Hm. Good etiquette," the old man spoke, stroking his clean-shaven chin.

"My name is Vaelmont Ardis, former Count of the Ardis family."

With that, he stopped and let the others introduce themselves as well.

The man to his right spoke next, his slightly chubby face carrying an easy, genuine smile.

"I am Garen Halvec, former Baron of House Halvec."

Theo sensed no hostility from him, unlike Vaelmont in the middle, who had an unreadable expression.

Then the third man, standing to the left, spoke.

His calm presence carried a quiet authority, and his eyes showed a level of wisdom, reminding Theo of Old Man Bernard.

"We have some questions for you about your beast, Theo Merrick."