Something was changing in Rhett.

The changes were so subtle that he did not notice right away.

It started with the way he moved. His posture had become more graceful and dignified, instead of the tired slouch he always had in his world. It was easy for his body to follow the etiquette, and something inside him would cringe if he so much as deviated from proper decorum, like using the wrong fork.

Then, there were the bits of knowledge that Rhett could have sworn that he did not read from "Divinity Behind the Blade", but was familiar with nonetheless. He just found himself knowing the cities, towns, and villages in the Duchy. The names of the noble families present at the late Grand Duke's funeral also came easily to him. Even though he only explored his wing of the castle, he found himself walking familiarly around the place, even managing to reach the greenhouse when he thought about it.

The last was the one that made him realize that something was wrong with him. It was the feelings he had for the people around him, especially Aleron. The reluctant trust he felt for Herard, the disgust he felt for other staff, the anger at his relatives at his vassals, and...the longing and sadness he felt when looking at Aleron.

The feelings for Herard, the staff, relatives, and vassals could be explained as something he got from the real Roran. However, he was confused about the longing and sadness for Aleron. As far as he knew from the book, Roran did not care for Aleron at all. He did not feel any emotion for Aleron, even anger and hate. It was like Aleron did not exist in his eyes.

The feeling also couldn't come from Rhett himself. He adored children, but not so much that he'd have those feelings for a child he only met the day before. The worry and panic he felt when he found out that Aleron was nearly poisoned was more than a simple concern an adult would have for someone else's child.

He was changing, but he was still Rhett at the same time. Somehow, he got the feeling that nothing bad would come from this.

The feeling of longing and sadness settled down when Aleron came into his arms and nuzzled his chest. He waited for the child to break away first, before ruffling his hair. A giggle escaped from Aleron, and he couldn't resist picking him up and carrying him on his hip.

He took a deep breath and focused on the imperial siblings. His powerful senses had perceived their presence earlier, but his entire focus was on Aleron and the incompetent staff. He had to let them know the consequences of disobeying the new Grand Duke's orders. Those who could not be taught will be let go. Whether being "let go" would be a peaceful or bloody affair, would depend on their actions.

They arrived in front of the siblings, and he bowed at chest level with his right hand over his chest instead of kneeling. The official succession ceremony wouldn't happen until next month, but he was still the current Grand Duke. Someone of his rank did not need to kneel or bow deep in front of an imperial son or daughter.

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Imperial Crown Prince, Your Highness the Second Princess. I apologize for the unsightly display of my home's current...situation."

"It was not a bother," the Second Princess said. "Would you like to join us?."

He contemplated for a moment before his eyes settled on the crown prince. He had noticed yesterday that the male lead had wanted to talk to him. Nodding to himself, he decided he might as well speed things up.

"It would be my honor," was his reply. "I also have something I wish to discuss with Your Highnesses."

He looked down at his Aleron first. "Aleron, can you pick some flowers from over there for me? Take your time and choose the best."

The little boy exclaimed a joyful yes, before running off towards the flowers. One of the royal maids silently followed the child at the command of the prince. Rhett was grateful for the gesture.

The moment his gaze returned to the brother and sister, he immediately noticed how tense they got. Which was a strange thing, because they looked relaxed and composed on the outside. There was no external indication of their apprehension, but he somehow knew.

He belatedly realized that it had to do with the power of his dragon eyes—

Dragon eyes?

Up till yesterday, he referred to his eyes as reptilian. But now, he somehow knew that his eyes had the power to see through the truth and subdue anyone to a certain extent. No wonder the people at the funeral were so obedient and easy to read.

He should take the time to check these changes. Although he instinctively felt that it was a good thing, it would be better to be cautious. Waking up with Roran's personality one day would be quite horrible.

"What do you wish to discuss with us?" the Crown Prince asked.

There was something he did learn from the novels and not from the knowledge that would spontaneously appear in his mind. Like any typical fantasy stories that involved the North, the Northerners of the Thalassia Empire were a blunt and straightforward bunch.

Rhett liked it because he was quite blunt himself.

"I would like to request the imperial family's assistance in breaking off my engagement with Lady Kassiana Rosenetta of House Everglade."

The male lead looked like he almost spat his tea, while the Second Princess was trying to hide her amusement behind her cup as she side-eyed her brother.

"Pardon, Your Grace?" the Crown Prince asked as he tried to compose himself. "Why would you want that?"

Using the newfound power of his eyes, Rhett could tell how the prince was torn between being excited and indignant about his request.

When he picked up the indignance, he quickly realized why the prince felt that way and immediately cleared up the sprouting misunderstanding. "While I am sure that Lady Rosenetta is a good match and many would be delighted to be her husband, I believe that neither of us wants an engagement that was agreed upon by our parents. I myself only found out about it the same day my late father died."

The imperial siblings were both flabbergasted like the notion of a father engaging you to someone without your knowing was impossible. It made sense to Rhett. Unlike the royalty from most novels, the Thalassia Imperial Family was so harmonious and resembled any regular family with very little drama. An oddity that perplexed many nobles, both from inside and outside, of the Empire.

"The imperial family does have the authority to dissolve these agreements," the Second Princess, seeing as her brother was still too stunned to speak. "But we would need a proper justification for that to happen."

"Any justification will do, but I request that the blame for the break-up would fall only on me. I would also like Duchess Rosenetta's and Lady Rosenetta's opinions on the matter as well. It would be quite rude to decide this arbitrarily."

The two people fell silent, and Rhett could also feel the intrigued gazes of the royal guards and servants who had been listening to their exchange. If he was reading this scene in a novel, he would find it enjoyable. Being one of the people in the scene was quite stressful.

The male lead slowly lowered his cup and looked at him. "Why would you want something like that?"

Rhett wanted to be more straightforward than he already was and say, "I don't want to get in the way of your love life in any form. Whether physically or even through the emergence of rumors that could make your relationship frowned upon."

Instead, he answered differently.

"Your Royal Highness, I am a man and the Grand Duke Valtoria," Rhett said. "As unfair as it is, no bad rumor would ruin my marriage prospects if I ever decide to marry. While I am aware that society's views have become more liberated since the previous Empress' reign, it would still be bad for Lady Rosenetta's prospects if she even shares a bit of blame for a broken engagement."

A gasp came from the Second Princess, her emerald eyes sparkling with awe and admiration. "Where has a man like you been my entire life? How about you marry me instead?"

No thanks. He nearly said something rude to an imperial daughter.

Said imperial daughter let out a tiny yelp. Rhett could guess that the crown prince had kicked his sister's legs under the table. His lips twitched in amusement at the not-very-imperial-like behavior. It reminded him of the relationship between the siblings that worked under him back in the company in his world.

The male lead coughed. "I apologize for my sister's words."

Rhett decided how to reply, and opted to lean on the power of his dragon eyes as an excuse. "No need for apologies Your Royal Highness," he said. "While it would be quite an honor for some like me, I believe the Her Highness has no thoughts about marriage and meant her words to come across as a jest."

The Crown Prince glared at his sister, who only grinned widely at the both of them. "Like grandmother and father said. Nothing can get past Valtoria's Dragon Eyes."

Rhett bowed his head.

The male lead sighed and rubbed his brows. "Let's get back to the main topic," he said. "Are you sure of this request?"

"I am sure," he said. "You need only ask of me what the imperial family wants in return, as long as it is in my power."

Once again, the siblings paused and looked toward him. This time, both of them wore amused smiles and even chuckled.

He inclined his head in confusion at said amusement.

"We apologize," the Second Princess said. "No one has been this straightforward when talks about compensation come up."

"It is quite refreshing to be treated to the bluntness of the Northerners," the Crown Prince said.

Rhett did not know what to say in reply. So, he opted to push through with the main conversation. "Then, the compensation?"

"Matters like this fall under the Empress Consort," the Crown Prince said. "She will be the one to decide."

"Very well," Rhett said. "My gratitude to both Your Highnesses."

Their talk ended at the perfect timing, as Aleron came skipping back with a small bouquet in his hand. "Brother, look! Aren't they pretty?"

He smiled. Whether his feelings towards Aleron were his or not, he was admittedly getting quite fond of the boy.

"They are," he said. "I'll ask someone to put them in a vase in my office later. Thank you, Aleron."

"You're welcome!" Aleron said as he climbed back into his lap. His small Dragon Eyes looked up at him in curiosity. "Brother is happy? Why?"

He was about to answer when the Second Princess beat him to it. "It's because the three of us just became friends."

"Right, Lord Roran?" the Crown Prince, emphasizing the address change.

Rhett nearly swallowed his tongue. What were these two siblings up to? Friends?

The friendship between an imperial noble and imperial scion was not something you bring up casually in a greenhouse during tea time. His plans to have minimal involvement with the Thalassia Family flew out the window and was carried away by the snowy winds. There was no way he could refute them.

Fuck it. I already decided that the plot can go to hell. What does it matter if I befriend the guy who would have killed me if things went down the same route?

It was no big deal.

"What His Royal Highness and Her Highness said was right, Aleron," he said.

"Please just address us casually when it's just us," the Second Princess asked.

"I cannot, Your Highness."

"Then you may address us as Princess Aryssa and Prince Nysander," the Crown Prince said.

He fell silent before giving up in the face of their pleading eyes.

"...Yes, You...Very well, Prince Nysander."

Aleron's eyes shone brighter as his gaze flitted between the three of them. "It is hard to make friends. Good job, brother." As he said that, he patted his shoulder the same way Rhett did when he was commending a subordinate.

"Thank you, little one," he said. He turned his head away and tried to stop his shoulders from shaking in laughter.

Princess Aryssa and Prince Nysander had no such qualms. They openly laughed and smiled with the little boy.