Choosing who lives and who dies is never an easy task, especially when it comes to deciding between Isabel and his father. Each held a fragment of Augustus's heart, and the conflict of responsibilities and emotions weighed heavily on him. Although many harem protagonists have faced similar dilemmas before, there was one crucial difference: Augustus had the added burden of leading a realm and the conflicts that came with it.

On one side, he heard the voice urging him to save his crush Isabel, the one who promised to be by his side and who had stolen his heart. On the other, he heard the voice of someone who had experience leading a realm, someone who could sit around the empire senate for days on end arguing for a tax break. While many would-be protagonists might choose their lover and disregard their interest in the realm, this was not a cliché harem isekai novel. The choice was clear, as the scroll foretold the event in the last chapter.

As Augustus walked through the castle, he passed by several guards who nodded solemnly at him, acknowledging his presence but also giving him space to grieve. The weight of his loss was heavy on his shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation even in the midst of his own home. But he knew he had a duty to his people, and he couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment.

As he continued on his way, his thoughts wandered to the decision he had made. He had chosen to sacrifice his own feelings for the greater good, to put the needs of his realm above his personal desires. It was a difficult choice, but he knew it was the right one. Now, he had to face the consequences of his decision and hope that he could find some measure of peace in the days to come.

He made his way to his father's chambers, where Sebastian was standing watch. As Augustus entered the room, he could see that his father was still unconscious, his breathing shallow and labored.

"How is he?" Augustus asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sebastian turned to face him, his expression grave. "He's still alive, but just barely. The poison was potent, and we don't have the antidote. We're doing everything we can to keep him alive, but I don't know how much longer he'll last."

“Even with the antidote the brotherhood left behind?” Augustus said felt a wave of despair wash over him. He had lost Isabel, and now his father was on the brink of death. It was all too much to bear.

“Even with the antidote your highness” grimly said Sabastian

"I'll stay with him," Augustus said, his voice barely audible. "I need to be here for him."

Sebastian nodded understandingly and left the room, giving Augustus the privacy he needed to grieve and keep vigil over his father.

Augustus sat by his father's bedside, holding his hand and praying for a miracle. He knew that the Brotherhood was still out there, plotting their next move, but for now, all he could do was wait and hope that his father would pull through.

And as he sat in silence, watching his father's chest rise and fall with each shallow breath. He didn't dare move, for fear that any sudden movement would disrupt the delicate balance of life and death.

But as the hours turned into days, Augustus began to realize that there would be no miracle. His father's breathing grew shallower and shallower, until finally, it stopped altogether. Augustus felt a crushing weight descend upon him, as if the weight of the entire county had suddenly come crashing down upon his shoulders.

He bowed his head, his heart heavy with grief. He had lost both Isabel and his father, and now he was expected to lead a county that was on the brink of collapse from the loss of their lord.

Suddenly, he felt a faint pressure on his hand. He looked up to see that his father's eyes were open, and a faint smile played upon his lips.

"My son," his father whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You must be strong. You must lead our people with wisdom and compassion. You have a great responsibility, but I know that you will rise to the occasion."

Augustus felt a lump form in his throat, and tears stung his eyes. He knew that his father was right, but the weight of his loss was almost too much to bear.

"I'll try, Father," Augustus whispered, his voice choking with emotion. "I'll try to make you proud."

His father's grip on his hand grew weaker, and Augustus knew that the end was near. He leaned in close to his father's ear, and whispered his final goodbye.

As his father drew his last breath, Augustus felt a sense of profound loss wash over him. But even in his grief, he knew that he had to be strong. He had a kingdom to lead, and he couldn't let his people down.

“I make you proud father, I promise you as both Augustus and Hiro I promise we both make you proud” said Augustus.

With a heavy heart, Augustus rose to his feet and left the room. He knew that he had a lot of work to do, but for now, he needed to take some time to mourn. He walked slowly through the castle, his steps heavy and his heart full of sadness.

Augustus felt tears streaming down his face as he looked at his father's lifeless body. He had lost both Isabel and his father in such a short amount of time, and it was all too much for him to bear.

"I'm sorry, father," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I couldn't save you. I couldn't save any of them."

He sat there for what felt like hours, just staring at his father's face, trying to process his grief and come to terms with his new role as Regent of the Marquise of Hallgerd. It was a position that he never thought he would have, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

But he knew that he had to be strong for the people of Hallgerd. They needed him now more than ever, and he couldn't let them down.

Finally, he stood up and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the days to come. He knew that he had a lot of work to do, and he couldn't let his grief get in the way of his duties.

As he left his father's chambers, he was greeted by Sebastian and the other members of his advisory council. They looked at him with a mixture of sympathy and respect, knowing what he had just been through.

"Your Highness," Sebastian said, his voice soft and gentle. "We're sorry for your loss. We know that this is a difficult time for you, but we need to discuss the next steps for the Marquise of Hallgerd."

Augustus nodded solemnly, his eyes dark with grief and exhaustion. "I understand," he said quietly. "Please, proceed."

The council members began discussing the state of the Marquise, and Augustus could sense the panic and tension in their voices. They spoke of how the recent events had left the Marquise weakened and vulnerable to attacks from rival factions and neighboring kingdoms.

"We need to act quickly to restore stability to the Marquise," said one council member, a man named Lucius. "The death of the Marquis and the attack on the castle have left many nobles vying for power, and if we don't act soon, we risk losing control of the situation."

Augustus listened intently but remained cold and distant, his grief and anger still fresh in his mind. He couldn't bring himself to care about the political machinations of the nobility or the state of the Marquise.

Sebastian, to reinforce Lucius' point, took a deep breath and spoke, "Your Highness, the state of the Marquise is dire. With the loss of your father and the recent attack, many of the nobility are vying for power. They see this as an opportunity to seize control and further their own agendas. The people are frightened and uncertain, and there are whispers of rebellion and unrest spreading throughout the land."

Augustus clenched his fists, his jaw tight with anger. He had always known that his father's reign was not without its challenges, but he had never imagined it could be this bad. "What can we do?" he asked, his voice cold and distant.

Sebastian exchanged a look with the other advisors before speaking. "We need to act quickly and decisively, Your Highness. We must assert our authority and show the people that the Marquise is still strong, even in the face of tragedy. We need to root out the Brotherhood and bring them to justice, and we must also reassure the people that we are working to restore stability and order."

Augustus nodded slowly, his mind racing with thoughts and plans. He knew that time was of the essence, and he couldn't afford to hesitate or show any weakness. "Gather the troops," he said firmly. "We'll start by securing the borders and quelling any signs of rebellion. And we'll make sure that justice is served to the Brotherhood."

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"Your Highness, we must address the issue of the Brotherhood," he said, his voice tense. "We have reason to believe that they are a highly organized group of mercenaries, hired by an unknown entity to carry out their sinister plans. They are a dangerous and unpredictable threat to the stability of the Marquise, and we must take action to eliminate them."

Augustus's jaw tightened as he listened to Cassius's words. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed made his blood run cold. The Brotherhood was not just some rogue group of rebels - they were a hired force, with unknown backers and endless resources."What do you propose?" Augustus asked, his voice flat and emotionless.

“I propose we wait and see, they have done a great job hiding their trail, and I believe even with our network of spy we might not be able to find them,” said another council member, a woman named Livia. The current spy mistress of the Marquise.

Continuing her proposal, Livia continued, "Perhaps it would be wise to focus on the internal affairs of the Marquise. As you know, Your Highness, with the passing of your father, the state of the Marquise is in a state of panic. Many nobles are vying for power, and the stability of the region is at risk."

Augustus nodded, "I understand your concerns, Livia. We cannot let the internal struggles of the Marquise be ignored. However, we cannot simply wait and hope that the Brotherhood does not strike again. They have already shown their capability to infiltrate our defenses and assassinate our leaders."

"We need to take action," Augustus continued, his voice growing colder. "I want you to increase our surveillance measures and bring in more resources to track down the Brotherhood and the group behind the assasination bounty. And we need to send a message to any other mercenaries or organizations that may be considering taking advantage of our weakened state. We will not tolerate any further attacks or attempts to destabilize the Marquise."

Sebastian nodded, his expression serious. "As you command, Your Highness. We will do everything in our power to support you."

"Your Highness, with all due respect, I must emphasize the urgency of our military situation," said Maximus, the council member in charge of defense. "We don't have enough troops to defend the Marquise, and our current forces are spread thin across the borders. If we don't act quickly, the Brotherhood could launch an attack and we would be defenseless."

Augustus nodded, his expression grim. "I understand the gravity of the situation, Maximus. But using the troops from our tithes would anger the Empire and could lead to us losing our standing in the Senate; it may also anger the current emperor which is something we can badly afford."

"I know, Your Highness," Maximus replied. "But we're running out of options. We could try to negotiate for additional troops, but that would take time that we don't have. And we can't just sit back and wait for the Brotherhood or anyone to strike. We need to take action now, even if it means risking our standing in the Senate."

The council members nodded in agreement, the tension in the room palpable. Augustus knew that the decision he made could have serious repercussions, but he also knew that he couldn't let his people suffer because of it.

"We'll use the troops from our tithes," he said finally, his voice firm. "But we need to do it discreetly, so as not to alert the Empire or anyone. I'll speak to our military commanders and make sure they understand the gravity of the situation."

The council members looked relieved, but also concerned. Augustus knew that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult battle, but he was determined to do everything in his power to protect his people and restore order to the Marquise of Hallgerd.

As they discussed their military strategy, the door suddenly burst open and Ostrava, a lowly maid who had helped Augustus before, rushed in looking flustered.

"Your Highness, I have urgent news from the Northern Province," Ostrava said, panting heavily. "There's been a rebellion led by Dagoberd Steinhauser. He's gained the support of several influential families and has declared himself the new ruler of the province."

The council members looked at each other with alarm. This was not the news they wanted to hear, and it added to their already mounting concerns.

"What's the status of our troops in the North?" Augustus asked, his voice low and serious.

"We have a few regiments stationed there, but they're not enough to deal with a full-scale rebellion," replied the council member in charge of the army.

Ostrava continued, her voice shaking with worry, "Dagoberd Steinhauser, the governor of the northern province, has declared rebellion against the Marquise. He claims that our weakened state has left us vulnerable to attack from neighboring provinces and that he must take control to protect our people."

The council members exchanged concerned glances, the weight of the situation bearing down on them.

"This is unacceptable," Augustus said, his voice firm and resolute. "We cannot allow rebellion to take root in our province. What are our options for dealing with Steinhauser?"

The council members quickly began to discuss various strategies, debating the use of military force or diplomatic negotiations. But as they talked, it became clear that their options were limited. With their military stretched thin and their diplomatic alliances weakened, they were at a disadvantage.

Augustus could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He had just lost his father, and now he was facing a rebellion, pirates attacking their trade routes, and the Brotherhood still at large. It was a daunting task, but he knew that he had to step up and lead his people through this crisis.

He took a deep breath, his mind racing with the possibilities. "We need to take action quickly," he said, his voice determined. "We cannot afford to let this rebellion grow. We need to gather our forces and march on Steinhauser's stronghold. And we need to do it now." But knowing that they won’t have the amount of troops to defend the coast and their trade routes. But a solution can be found within the empire.

Augustus sighed heavily, knowing what the answer would be before he even asked. "And what of the Empire?" he asked. "Can we not ask for their assistance?"

"We have already sent a request to the Empire, Your Highness," Livia responded. "But as you know, they are hesitant to intervene in internal matters of the Marquises. They have said they will offer us diplomatic support, but military intervention is out of the question."

Augustus slammed his fist on the table, frustration boiling within him. "What good is diplomatic support when our people are dying, and our land is being torn apart by rebellion?" he exclaimed. "We need more than just words, we need action. What are we to do?"

The council members shifted uneasily in their seats, knowing that they were facing a crisis that was beyond their control. The weight of their responsibility was heavy upon them, and the stakes were higher than they had ever been before.

Sebastian cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. "Your Highness, we must act quickly and decisively if we are to have any chance of quelling this rebellion. We cannot wait for outside help that may never come. We must use our own resources and make the tough decisions that are necessary to protect our people and our land."

Augustus nodded in agreement, knowing that Sebastian was right. They could not afford to wait for help that may never come. They needed to act, and act now, to protect their people and restore order to the Marquise of Hallgerd.

As they left the room, Augustus felt a sense of unease settle over him. He knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but he was determined to do whatever it takes to restore order to the Marquise. He would not let his father's legacy be tarnished by chaos and strife.

Augustus walked out of the study and made his way to the battlement, his heart heavy with the weight of the news he had just received. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden light over the city. It was a beautiful sight, and for a moment, Augustus forgot about his worries.

But the peace was short-lived. The urgent voices of his advisors still echoed in his mind, reminding him of the difficult decisions he had to make.

He leaned against the stone wall and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Suddenly, he heard a soft voice behind him. He turned to see Isabel standing there, her face serene..

"Isabel," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I know this is hard for you, Augustus," Isabel said, her voice gentle and soothing. "But you have to be strong now. The Marquise needs you."

Augustus turned back to face the city below. "I know," he said. "But how can I be strong when I feel so weak inside?"

Isabel put a hand on his shoulder. "Because you have to be. You have a duty to your people, Augustus. And you have a duty to yourself. You can't let this defeat you."

Augustus looked at her, tears welling up in his eyes. "I miss you so much," he said.

"I miss you too," Isabel replied. "But I will always be with you, in your heart. You are not alone, Augustus. You have your advisors, your friends, and your people. They all believe in you."

Augustus took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "What do I do now?" he asked.

"You do what you always do," Isabel said. "You face the challenges head-on, with courage and determination. You honor your father's legacy and protect the Marquise. You will make mistakes, but you will learn from them. And you will emerge stronger and wiser."

Augustus nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. "Thank you, Isabel," he said. "You always know what to say."

Isabel smiled at him. "I'm here for you, Augustus.."

Augustus reached out to touch Isabel, but his hand went right through her. She looked at him with a sad smile and said, "I have to go now, Augustus. But I will always be with you, in your heart and in your memories."

Augustus felt a lump form in his throat as he watched her fade away. He knew that he would miss her more than anything, but he also knew that he had to be strong for the Marquise of Hallgerd. He turned back to the city below, taking in its beauty one last time before he descended from the battlement.

The weight of his responsibilities hung heavy on his shoulders, but he knew that he had to keep moving forward. He would honor his father's legacy and do his best to guide the Marquise through these difficult times.

As he made his way back to the study, he steeled himself for the difficult decisions that lay ahead. He knew that the road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but he was determined to see it through. For the people of the Marquise of Hallgerd, he would do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and security.