The people in the hall quickly made way for him. Emerging from what looks like a floral pathway is the legal advisor to the Duchess of Yurinova. He was a young man with silver-rimmed glasses and an intelligent appearance. His hair was grey and plain, but his eyes were a bright jade green behind the glasses. Although he was just under 30 years old, far too young to be a lawyer, there seemed to be a sharp light in his jade-colored eyes.
And there was a sly smile on his mouth, as if he was enjoying this bizarre situation.
“Check the contents and explain it to them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Danielle quickly read the contents of the letter he had received from Alexei.
Then, smiling, he said in a cheerful, resonant voice.
“Under Imperial law, this letter does not validate your engagement. From a legal standpoint, this letter has no particular meaning.”
The people in the hall groaned again.
“Shush, that’s rude!”
Novadine turned red.
“Meaningless? Don’t be ridiculous! It was written by the former Duke Alexandre. It has his seal!”
“Yes, it does.”
Danielle pushed up his glasses and smiled.
“As you said, the handwriting appears to be that of Lord Alexandre. The seal stamped here, however, is Lord Alexandre’s personal seal, not the seal of the Duke of Yurinova, as is the seal of Alexandra-sama.”
Danielle continued.
“The marriage of a leading noble is a contract between houses. Therefore, it is stipulated in the Imperial Marriage Law that a letter of engagement or marriage must bear the seals of both families and the signatures of the heads of both families. The signatures of the former duke and his mother do not satisfy the requirements.”
The lawyer explained, holding up the letter to Novadine and pointing to the handwriting, seal, and each of its parts. The people in the hall were impressed by every word spoken in full view of the public.
As one would expect from a lawyer who was accustomed to courtroom arguments. His crisp, forceful tone was very persuasive.
“Shut up! Whatever the law may be, Lord Alexandre has written in this letter that Keira is to be betrothed to his son Alexei. Do you think you are allowed to disrespect your father’s wishes!”
Novadine’s words fill the hall with a bewildered murmur.
Danielle nodded with a sincere expression.
“It is allowed. It would be disrespectful to the Emperor to assume that this letter confirms His Excellency Alexei’s engagement.”
The crowd gasped.
“This is because the engagement and marriage of the heads and heirs of the three great dukes must be approved by His Majesty the Emperor. This has also been the law since the founding of the country.”
Danielle then explained.
“If the engagement of His Excellency Alexei were to be consummated at the sole discretion of Prince Alexandre, it would be considered a disregard of the authority of the Emperor. In the past, dukes who attempted to marry without the Emperor’s approval were severely reprimanded and even suspended.”
He continued.
“The last one was around two hundred years ago, so it’s not surprising that you don’t know about it-but, well, there are many of you who do know. As a result, unless the Imperial Seal of His Majesty’s Name is presen here, we cannot say that His Excellency Alexei’s engagement is valid. It would be impossible to say so.”
Novadine’s voice was hoarse with a scowl.
“A…Alexandra-sama is an imperial princess. She has the seal of Alexandra-sama, so of course the Emperor would approve of this marriage!”
“No, since she has married into the ducal family, Alexandra-sama’s status is that of a duchess. She is not a member of the imperial family, but a vassal, according to the laws of the empire.”
“Shut up! If you respect Lord Vassily’s charter, then the wishes of your father, Lord Alexandre, should be respected even more!”
“Is that really what he would have desired?”
Danielle’s tone was quiet…and yet, disturbing.
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