The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 479: How to Please Him?

After the other nobles left the throne hall, only Emperor Raymond, Prince Ferdinand, Baroness Weilmar, and Baron Rosalind remained. The emperor’s expression immediately turned more amicable as he looked at the heads of the two families.

"I would like to thank you personally for standing against those traitors. You have already sacrificed much, and I hope my earlier decision has eased your burden and sorrow," Emperor Raymond said.

"No, Your Majesty. It is my duty to uphold the stability of the empire and to stand against anyone who threatens it," Baroness Weilmar replied with a slight bow.

"I feel unworthy of your praise, Your Majesty. This was a battle for my family’s survival. With His Highness—no, with Wilmar targeting everyone who didn’t support him, we had no choice but to defend ourselves. He had already gone too far by killing so many innocents," Baron Rosalind said.

Hearing this, the emperor smiled as if he approved of their words.

"Whatever the reason behind your actions against those traitors, the truth remains that you helped both me and the people across the empire who opposed Wilmar. So, I still think highly of you," he said.

"Anyway, there’s something else I want to ask you about."

Baron Weilmar and Baron Rosalind looked at the emperor with curiosity. They also wondered why they had been asked to remain, as neither believed they had done anything to warrant a private conversation with him.

"I want to talk about young Aldrian."

When they heard the name, they finally understood. However, confusion still lingered. They could not understand why Emperor Raymond would bring them into a discussion about Aldrian.

"I have heard that the two of you have the most contact with him among the nobles of the empire," Emperor Raymond said. "I want to ask you what kind of person young Aldrian is. Do you know where he comes from or anything about his background? We only know that he has some sort of connection to the Church, but he is not a member. and in your opinion, how should we make this empire feel like his home?"

Baroness Weilmar and Baron Rosalind finally understood what this was about. Emperor Raymond felt it would be a waste to let someone like Aldrian slip away without trying to build a connection. To be honest, they also believed it was a good idea. Someone like Aldrian could bring tremendous benefit, and there would be no harm in trying to draw him to their side.

Now that Aldrian had become well known after the civil war, it was only natural that many, even those from beyond the empire, would try to approach him. Emperor Raymond clearly wished to establish a deeper relationship with him before others could. The two barons fell into thought, their expressions turning contemplative.

"Answering Your Majesty, as for his background, this subject does not know much. However, from what I know of him, he is someone who keeps his word once he speaks, and he does not engage in anything pointless. Everything he does has a purpose. From a materialistic standpoint, he does not seem like the type to pursue wealth or status. This is evident when he took control of Caritas—he did not seem to care much about his own status, as he never flaunted it," Baroness Weilmar finally said.

"He governs with integrity, and it can be said that he is firm in his resolve. He punished those who caused chaos in Caritas when he took the city."

"Well, at least that is how I felt about him when I met him and heard his story afterward. For someone like him, in my opinion, it would be difficult to make him feel that this empire is his home through offers of wealth or similar things. The only way for us to bring him to our side and make this empire his home is to show that we are truly sincere in wanting to befriend him. He will naturally come to consider this empire his home."

"In other words, we can’t force ourselves on him. Instead, we must let him feel our sincerity and intent. Although it may take longer, this is the most appropriate way to win his heart."

"That is what I think, Your Majesty," Baroness Weilmar concluded.

Hearing her, Baron Rosalind nodded in agreement.

"I agree, Your Majesty. I can tell that he is not someone interested in wealth or treasure artifacts. When he visited my mansion, he seemed indifferent to the artifacts. If not for certain circumstances, I doubt he would have even looked at our legacy treasures. With his strength, if he had any greed, he could easily take them from us."

"So, my opinion is the same as Baroness Weilmar’s. He is not someone who can be won over with offers," he said.

"Ah, I also think he really cares about his relationships with his group. I heard from my daughter, who traveled with his group, that his group members told her how Aldrian took care of them and always tried to bring them along wherever he could. He even gave them resources for cultivation when he had them, as though he didn’t feel the need for the resources himself. Even if they refused, he would keep pushing them."

"He also has a lover, whom he pampers and gives much attention to. So, that’s that."

"Therefore, I think the best way to make him feel at home is to truly maintain a good relationship with him and his group, with sincerity and genuine help, without overwhelming him with offers."

"Perhaps we can start with his group. If we gain their favor, they will naturally stop feeling that this land is foreign to them, and it will also affect young Master Aldrian," Baron Rosalind concluded, stopping his analysis.

Emperor Raymond pondered what they had said, and he too agreed with their assessment. He could see it himself and was beginning to understand Aldrian’s character. Even in front of the imperial family’s legacy artifact, Aldrian’s interest seemed more out of curiosity than covetousness.

With his character and strength, he doubted that Aldrian needed anything from him—or anyone, for that matter. They could only wait passively for what he might need, as pushing too hard would likely be seen as nagging, making Aldrian uncomfortable.

After discussing the matter of Aldrian with the two barons, Emperor Raymond arrived at the same conclusion: Aldrian valued relationships and how people acted toward him more than material things or status.

After reaching that conclusion, Emperor Raymond seemed to have found the direction he wanted to take, and a slight smile appeared on his face. Seeing the emperor’s smile, the two barons knew that something had sparked in the emperor’s mind.

Just as the emperor had come to a decision, one of his guards suddenly entered the hall, walking quickly to kneel before him.

"My apologies for disturbing Your Majesty, but I bring news. His Excellency, Lord Aldrian, has arrived at the palace—"

"What?" Even before the guard could finish, the emperor stood up, cutting him off. The two barons were equally shocked that Aldrian had come to visit the palace.

Emperor Raymond then spoke urgently.

"Where is he? Quickly, let him in. Don’t keep him waiting."

"We have already given him the best room and were just waiting for Your Majesty’s approval. I will call Lord Aldrian now," the guard replied.

"Quickly," the emperor urged.

Not long after, Aldrian entered, dressed in his noble attire, which only added to his striking presence. His handsome face and natural charisma were enough to captivate anyone. Even Baroness Weilmar felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Aldrian in such attire.

"Ah, young Aldrian, why didn’t you tell me first if you wanted to come? Fortunately, you didn’t have to see those ugly traitors. If you had come earlier, you would have seen them. Had you informed me of your arrival sooner, I wouldn’t have called them to the palace, and I even cleared my schedule for today," Emperor Raymond said as he walked toward Aldrian.

"Well, my apologies, Your Majesty, for my sudden visit, but there is something I wish to discuss with you," Aldrian said with a smile, then turned his gaze to Prince Ferdinand standing behind the emperor.

"Your condition has greatly improved, Your Highness. I’m glad to see you’re almost fully recovered."

"It’s thanks to you, Sir Aldrian. There’s no way I would be like this without your treatment," Prince Ferdinand replied, his tone full of gratitude. Aldrian nodded with a smile and then turned his attention to Baron Rosalind and Baroness Weilmar.

"It’s good to see you both in such good health. I hope my visit hasn’t disrupted your meeting."

"No, of course not. It’s nothing that requires too much attention," Baron Rosalind said.

"Yes, we’re actually pleased by your visit right now," Baroness Weilmar added.

They both hoped he hadn’t heard their discussion about him. It would be embarrassing and awkward if he knew what they had talked about.

After exchanging a few pleasantries in a warm atmosphere, the emperor finally asked Aldrian:

"So, what is it that you want to discuss, young Aldrian?"