Duke Theodore Grey, Minister of Justice, kept a study quite unlike the understated luxury of Duke Windsor's. It conveyed a far greater sense of history and legal authority. Dark wooden bookshelves rose from floor to ceiling along all four walls, packed with hefty leather-bound legal texts, compilations of the Imperial Code, and casebooks from generations of Grey family ancestors.
The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment, fine ink, and something cool and crisp, like ancient oak. There were no superfluous decorations. The only adornment was a large navy-blue banner hanging on the wall behind the desk, embroidered in gold thread with the Grey family crest—a golden scale and an upright sword. It symbolized the family's ancestral ideals of "justice" and "judgment."
Duke Theodore Grey sat behind a broad desk. He was over seventy, lean and upright, like an ancient pine that had weathered countless storms without falling. His silver hair was meticulously combed, and his deep-set lines and tightly pressed lips spoke of his strict, rigid nature. Wearing reading glasses, he was carefully reviewing a first draft of amendments to the Imperial Law of Succession, soon to be submitted to the Senate for deliberation. His brow was slightly furrowed, and every so often he made a note in the margin with a raven-feather quill, his handwriting angular and forceful.
There was a soft knock at the study door. After being given permission to enter, his eldest son, Frederick Grey, the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, walked in. Frederick was around forty and had inherited his father's looks and bearing almost perfectly. His features, however, lacked some of his father's weathered gravity and had more of a judge's sternness and air of finality. In his hand was an elegantly decorated invitation, its lettering embossed in gold.
"Father," Frederick said, bowing. His voice was steady and restrained. "The Windsor family has sent over a formal invitation to Miss Eliza Windsor's eighteenth birthday Coming-of-Age Ceremony."
Duke Theodore did not look up immediately. He finished annotating the paragraph at hand before slowly setting down his quill and removing his reading glasses. He carefully wiped them with a piece of soft cloth. His cool gray eyes, a distinctive feature inherited by generations of the family, turned calmly to the invitation in his eldest son's hand. There was not a hint of emotion in them.
"When?" he asked tersely.
"On the fifteenth of next month, in the evening, at the Windsor family estate," Frederick replied, gently placing the invitation on his father's desk.
Duke Theodore's gaze swept over the Windsor family's balance-and-key crest and the elegant gold lettering on the invitation. He made no move to pick it up, only asking calmly, "What do you think?"
This was no simple question. He was testing his heir's political instincts.
Frederick was clearly prepared. He straightened and gave his analysis in a clear voice. "On the surface, this is a routine aristocratic coming-of-age celebration. But Eliza Windsor holds a special position. She is not only the most outstanding daughter of her generation in the Windsor family, but also the fiancée of Leon Hohenzollern. In essence, this Coming-of-Age Ceremony is a prelude to, and public announcement of, an alliance through marriage between the Hohenzollern and Windsor families. Its political significance far outweighs its ceremonial one."
Duke Theodore gave a slight nod, indicating that he should continue.
"The Empire's situation is delicate," Frederick continued, lowering his voice a little. "His Majesty is old, and the question of succession remains unresolved. The First Prince—whose consort is my sister, Judith—and the Second Prince are increasingly at odds, each vying for power. The Hohenzollern Family is firmly Royalist, but its priority is preserving the Empire's stability and peace on the Northern Frontier. It has not openly sided with either prince. As for the Windsor family, with Her Highness the Eldest Princess at its center, its movements are even harder to read. It appears neutral, but may simply be waiting for the best offer."
He paused and looked at his father. "If this marriage alliance succeeds, it will unite military power—the Hohenzollerns—with financial power—the Windsors. Together, they would have enough influence to shape the course of the court. Our Grey Family, as defenders of law and tradition, has always upheld the legitimacy of primogeniture—that is, supported the First Prince. Attending this celebration means we'll have to take some kind of position on the alliance and the political signal it may represent."
"What do you recommend?" Duke Theodore asked directly.
"We must accept the invitation and attend," Frederick replied without hesitation. "As a matter of public duty, the Grey Family, the Windsors, and the Hohenzollerns are all among the Empire's leading aristocratic families. We cannot dispense with the formalities. Otherwise, we would appear narrow-minded or seem to be deliberately antagonizing two powerful families. On a personal level, Judith—my sister and the First Prince's Consort—also needs us to find out the details of this alliance and how solid the Windsor-Hohenzollern partnership is. Attending gives us a chance to observe, to make a statement by maintaining outward harmony, and to gather information."
His analysis was cool and pragmatic, focused entirely on the family's interests and the political game, without any personal feeling.
Duke Theodore fell silent for a moment. His gray eyes were like a lake sealed beneath ice, unfathomable. At length, he spoke slowly, his voice low and carrying an ancient authority. "You're right. We must not neglect the formalities. For a thousand years, the Grey Family has built its standing on respect for rules and order, no matter how turbulent the waters beneath them may be."
He reached out and gently picked up the invitation with long, age-spotted fingers, as if weighing the significance behind it.
"But, Frederick," he said, his tone suddenly turning cold, a hint of unyielding sternness in his voice, "remember this: our attendance does not mean our approval. From the standpoint of law and lineage alone, the Hohenzollern-Windsor marriage is a suitable match and beyond reproach. But that Leon von Hohenzollern..."
At the mention of Leon's name, Duke Theodore's brow furrowed deeply, and undisguised disgust crossed his face. "His character is poor, and his abilities wanting. He is truly no suitable match. Were it not for an old pact, this marriage would be a great misfortune. The Grey Family has upheld its good name for generations and prizes virtue and talent. To be linked by marriage to someone like him—even indirectly—is anathema to me."
He set down the invitation and fixed his son with a sharp gaze. "When you attend, observe every formality, but keep your distance. And make sure Judith understands that the Grey Family's support is based on the legal legitimacy of the succession, not on any exchange of favors or compromise. The Hohenzollern-Windsor alliance will not change our fundamental position on Imperial law and the order of succession."
"Yes, Father. I understand," Frederick replied respectfully. "I'll personally prepare a suitable gift and remind Judith to be discreet at the celebration and focus on observing."
Just then, there was another knock at the study door. After Duke Theodore gave permission to enter, his third son, Albert Grey, the Imperial Inspector-General, strode in. Unlike his father and elder brother, who were both stern and reserved, Albert was taller and broader, with a sharp, imposing presence, like a drawn sword.
"Father. Brother." Albert's bow was as brisk as a soldier's. Spotting the invitation on the desk, he curled his lips into a sardonic smile. "Oh? An invitation from the Windsor family? Is it for Eliza Windsor, who's about to leap into a fire pit?"
His tone was blunt and scornful, filled with contempt for Leon and the marriage.
"Albert, watch your language," Frederick said with a frown.
Albert didn't care. He turned to his father. "Father, I don't think we even need to attend this farce. That good-for-nothing from the Hohenzollern family isn't worthy of the attention of any family with dignity. Our presence would only raise their standing and blur the principles our family has always upheld!"
Duke Theodore looked at his impetuous third son, a complicated expression flashing in his eyes. He admired Albert's integrity and sharpness, but often worried that his extremism would make enemies for the family.
"Albert," the Duke said, his voice still even but carrying an authority that allowed no argument, "politics is no child's game, nor is it a matter of pride. The Grey Family's principles must be defended within the rules. Attending is part of those rules. How we express our position is another matter."
He paused and looked meaningfully at both his sons. "Remember, as the coming storm gathers, the Grey Family's task is not to be the first into battle. It is to ensure that, whoever prevails, the legal foundations of the Empire remain unshaken. That is the true source of our standing and our strength."
Frederick nodded thoughtfully. Albert still looked dissatisfied, but under his father's authority, he made no further objection.
"Reply to the Windsor family that the Grey Family will attend on time," Duke Theodore declared, pushing the invitation toward Frederick. "You may choose the gift. Its value should be appropriate, but it need not draw too much attention. As for everything else... we'll wait and see."
"Yes, Father." Frederick accepted the invitation and bowed as he withdrew. Albert also bowed before turning to leave, a stubborn set to his shoulders.
Silence settled over the study again. Duke Theodore put his reading glasses back on, but his gaze did not immediately return to the code. Instead, he looked out at the oak in the courtyard, said to be several hundred years old. A deep light glimmered in his gray eyes.
Eliza Windsor's Coming-of-Age Ceremony was like a pebble thrown into a still lake. The ancient, sturdy ship that was the Grey Family had weathered many storms. It would not be easily moved by ripples, but it would watch closely to see whether true currents lurked beneath them. Their attendance was a show of respect, but also a warning: no matter how the situation changed, the Grey Family would always hold the scales of justice. In their eyes, that notorious Leon Hohenzollern was merely an insignificant, ugly pawn in a grand game—one who might nevertheless set off a chain reaction.
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