The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 109:His Worth

In a luxurious palace, at the center of the Heizen Empire.

Cassandra De Luther sat with an air of relaxed dominance, her body draped in shining silver knight’s armor that accentuated her powerful frame.

Her muscles, well-defined and honed from years of combat, carried a delicate femininity that made her all the more striking. Despite the rigid metal plates, her curves remained evident—a contrast of strength and elegance.

Her long, greenish hair cascaded down her back, the color reminiscent of deep emerald forests, gleaming under the soft glow of the chamber’s lights.

Her face was round yet sharp in expression, a perfect blend of softness and authority. Her eyes, golden-brown and piercing, carried an ever-present teasing glint, as if she found amusement in everything.

A slight smirk tugged at her lips as she leaned back on the plush sofa, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

"So Brother Rein is going to choose Adele to strengthen the ties and have the Grand Duke’s support," she mused, her voice laced with mockery. "Even when it’s clearly a rule that the Grand Duke can’t interfere in the round of succession."

She tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes settling on the man beside her. "What do you think, Heric ?"

Heric , the ever-loyal butler who had been trailing her for years, remained composed. His features were sharp, his expression unwavering. "You know very well how rules can be molded."

He folded his arms, his voice calm yet pointed. "Rumors have already been spread that Prince Reim and Mrs. Adele are madly in love. In such a case, it wouldn’t be wrong if Mrs. Adele simply went with her own volition."

"And even if the Grand Duke does nothing," Heric continued, "everyone will assume he stands with His Highness Rein. That alone changes the entire perspective."

"Love!"Cassandra Scoffed and then laughed.

"Can there even be love between loves. It’s simply impossible to fall in love with a human once you taste the love of power."

Heric sighed a bit.

"However that’s bad, isn’t it?" Cassandra let out a faint laugh.

Her fingers taped against her thigh, an unconscious show of irritation. "Father is really a ditch. Making stupid-ass laws."

Her father’s decree echoed in her mind,no one could be crowned Crown Prince or Emperor without first securing a fiancée.

In theory, it was a well-intended law. Having a partner before ascending to the throne would prevent unnecessary conflicts and rivalries later. But in practice, it forced the contenders to rush their choices, often leading to disastrous political entanglements.

"It is but what can we do but hurry."Heric advises.

Cassandra sighed, her eyes shifting to the maids who lined up before her. They moved efficiently, placing large framed portraits on stands. Each frame bore the face of a noble lord, their expressions frozen in grandeur and self-importance.

One of the maids stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, we have gathered all the eligible noble lords between the ages of 19 to 25 for your selection."

She continued, her voice smooth yet formal. "Each has been charted and carefully examined based on looks, handsomeness, authority, power, and strength."

"That’s good," Cassandra murmured, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Her golden-brown eyes gleamed as she surveyed the lined-up portraits, her mind already calculating. The hunt had begun.

The grand chamber fell into an eerie silence as the maids shuffled forward, standing before Cassandra with careful precision. The portraits of noblemen, each groomed for power, stood tall on their respective pedestals. The air grew heavier as the first maid, a woman with a composed yet slightly nervous expression, stepped forward and began.

"The first and most promising candidate, Your Highness, is Vale Raven—the son of the mighty East Duke, Lionel Raven"

At the mere mention of his name, the attendants stirred slightly, their faces laced with admiration and awe. The maid continued, her voice measured but reverent.

"He reached C+ rank by the age of twenty—an unheard-of feat for someone so young. By eighteen, he had already led a battalion to secure the borders of the Empire against the marauders of the Western Plains. "

"His swordsmanship has been praised by the Grandmasters of the Imperial Academy, and his strategic mind is said to rival those of seasoned generals. In last year’s duel against the foreign envoys, he bested the esteemed warrior Luthan Derris in a single stroke. They say his blade is like the wind—silent, swift, and unavoidable."

A hushed breath spread among the maids, the weight of Vale Raven’s achievements settling over them like an unspoken decree of dominance. His name alone carried prestige, his presence undeniable.

Maritana, however, remained still, her golden-brown eyes indifferent.

"Next," she ordered.

The second maid hesitated before speaking, her fingers slightly trembling as she clutched a parchment in her hands.

"The next notable name on the list is... Kael Veydrin."

Silence.

Then, a sharp intake of breath.

A few maids glanced at each other, expressions filled with unspoken tension. One even shuddered. The name was tainted, a smear in the noble circles.

Cassandra arched her brow. "Oh? The one whom everyone shunned earlier."

A faint memory appeared in her mind as she remembered the frail yet gleeful boy that turned gloomy.

"He was a good guy."

Her comment took everyone by surprise.

The maid swallowed hard and continued, her voice lowering as if uttering the words alone was scandalous.

"Kael Veydrin... the disgrace of the Grand Duke’s house. Until recently, he was nothing more than a stain on his family’s name. A coward with no magical prowess. A man accused of molestation, publicly shamed, and beaten by Vale Raven at the banquet."

"If you find it unsuitable then...," Cassandra Clicked her tongue, eyes darkening. " Then why is his name even here?"

"That’s the thing, Your Highness," Herric spoke hesitatingly,"Things... have changed."

"Changed?" Cassandraleaned forward slightly, interest flickering in her eyes.

Another maid stepped in, nodding hesitantly. "It is true, Your Highness. After the party incident, Kael Veydrin awakened... something. No one knows what, but he’s no longer the man he used to be."

Murmurs spread as the words settled into the room. Cassandra tilted her head, intrigued.

"Go on."

"He openly challenged the authority of the Temple."

"Foiled a major plot by the dark followers of Peru."

"And...and they say he played a crucial role in aiding the survival of an entire village during the night raids."

A silence far heavier than before pressed upon the chamber.

Cassandra’s smirk deepened, her fingers tapping rhythmically against her armrest. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, gleamed dangerously.

Then, without hesitation, she grabbed a dart.

The maids barely had time to react before she threw it.

A sharp thunk echoed as the dart embedded itself in Kael Veydrin’s portrait.

The room erupted into panic.

"Your Highness!" One maid gasped. "Please reconsider! Vale Raven is clearly the best choice!"

"Yes!" Another pleaded. "Kael Veydrin—his reputation is beyond repair! Even if he has done a few good deeds, his history is stained!"

"Your father would never approve!"

Cassandramerely tilted her head, unfazed by their protests. She stood, the weight of her armor making her presence even more formidable.

"No..." she murmured, a smirk curling her lips. "How could I let go of something so interesting?"

Her golden-brown eyes gleamed with an unreadable emotion as she turned toward the trembling maids.

"Kael Veydrin..." she whispered, rolling the name on her tongue.

"Only by meeting him will I know his true worth."