#5. The Law of First Impressions (5)

The residences of the capital’s nobles and the townhouses of provincial nobles were usually located in quiet, airy suburbs, away from the bustle of the capital.

The rise of mana stones and the changes they brought had made cities less than ideal places to live. It was only natural.

Yet unlike the others, the Duke of Valatier’s estate remained firmly planted in the heart of Lutes, the capital.

And all sorts of stories circulated about why.

Before she caught the Emperor’s eye.

Some said it was because of the eccentric things she had done when the Duchess of Valatier was still the Countess of Chartres.

She had personally run free kitchens for hungry commoners and invested her own fortune in an orphanage for children without families.

Unlike other nobles, the countess had kept company with commoners and done all sorts of eccentric things, so people said she must be used to such filthy places.

Others said she was sacrificing herself for her son, Julian.

Though he was a bastard, he was still the Emperor’s son...