Chapter 269: Emperor Durand’s Stance
Hearing the emperor’s question, Irene felt so nervous that she feared someone like him might know about her true relationship with Aldrian. She didn’t know what Emperor Durand would do if that became known, so she wanted to speak further to try to conceal her connection to Aldrian.
However, Aldrian simply grasped her hand, and smiled. He gave his mother a reassuring look before turning his gaze back to Emperor Durand. The look he gave her was one full of confidence, as if to say that nothing would happen as long as he was there. Irene’s heart calmed down a little, though she remained very nervous.
Aldrian was silent for a moment before finally answering.
"Yes, we have."
Emperor Durand’s heart shuddered. To think that his suspicion was correct—and if so, then the other thought lingering in his mind, might also be true.
"Are... are you her son?" Emperor Durand asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes," Aldrian replied, his answer unwavering.
Irene, who also heard it, grabbed Aldrian’s arm and clutched it tightly. She looked at the emperor’s shocked face, anxiously waiting for his judgment. But even after a minute, the emperor said nothing, his eyes darting back and forth between Aldrian and Irene. Only after another moment did he finally speak again.
"Truly unbelievable. How did this happen? Wait, let me think about it," Emperor Durand talked to himself. The news was truly shocking, and his mind seemed to short-circuit for a moment.
The man who had shaken the entire continent with his achievements and all those incredible feats was a descendant of his empire?
No wonder. No wonder he had come to the Rivas Grand Duchy to join the war. No wonder his actions seemed so closely tied to the Rivas family. All the missing pieces finally clicked into place in his mind.