The division of labor in the defense force's system was very clear. When large-scale wars and emergencies didn't occur, Audrose only needed to oversee the overall situation and wasn't actually that busy.

Similarly, the soldiers weren't very busy either. After completing daily training and patrols, they still had some free time at their disposal.

There were very few entertainment facilities in the military, so the soldiers' minds were often in a state of emptiness. This led to them being... a bit more gossipy than normal people.

Before lunch was over, freshly baked gossip quickly spread in the military.

"Did you hear? Did you hear? The Marshal brought a black-haired youth to the cafeteria to eat. I heard their behavior was very intimate. Is it true?"

"Of course it's true. What's the point of faking this kind of thing? Hehehe, let me tell you, I was sitting nearby at the time. Everyone was watching. The Marshal was so angry, but he couldn't stop it. Hahahaha!"

"Is he good-looking?"

"Of course he's good-looking! As tender as a little white cabbage delicately grown in a greenhouse, with pure black eyes that can make you lose your soul with just one glance." In fact, he wasn't as stunning as described, but as the Marshal's partner, a filter was automatically added.

"So did you lose your soul?"

"Screw you! No! Do you want the Marshal to give me a hard time? Get lost."

"...Black hair and black eyes, that's a slave. How can a noble fall in love with a slave?" someone said coldly.

Most of the soldiers in the army came from common backgrounds. In recent years, as the Empire's slave policies tightened, slave prices gradually climbed, and their living standards had not yet reached the point of being able to purchase slaves. They didn't have strong feelings about Su Duan's slave identity.

"So what if he's a slave? Who the Marshal likes is his own business! Can the Emperor revoke the Marshal's inheritance rights because of this?"

"Okay, okay, you nobles are so lofty. Speaking of being with slaves, it's not like it hasn't happened before. Wasn't it in the news a few days ago, which noble was it?...Anyway, it's just missing a marriage certificate. With divorce rates so high these days, what difference does a little booklet make?"

"This kind of thing is abnormal! The Marshal is the heir to the throne, he can't be with a slave! You're all talking nonsense!" The young man who spoke turned red with anger. He had clear and delicate features and fair skin, standing out among the soldiers with varying shades of dark complexion.

"Alright, alright, since you're so argumentative, why don't you go ask the Marshal if he's willing to abandon that slave and marry you instead?"

The young man's ulterior motive was ruthlessly exposed. Resentment flashed in his eyes. He coldly dropped a word, "Ridiculous," and left the gossiping squad.

......

Audrose made no attempt to conceal it. The news spread throughout the army, and naturally the Emperor soon received the information as well.

Two days later, late at night, just as Audrose was about to take his little slave to bathe, he received an extremely rare video call request from His Majesty the Emperor.

Frowning slightly, with a vague bad premonition in his heart, Audrose patted the little slave's head and instructed, "I'm going out to take a call. You go bathe first, no need to wait for me." He had originally planned to take a romantic bath together and then devour him bit by bit, but now it seemed there was little hope of that.

Su Duan obediently nodded, looking up and saying, "Then I'll wait for you on the bed after my bath."

Although he knew the little slave didn't mean to imply anything, looking at those translucent black eyes that were like gems washed in water, Audrose still felt his throat tighten. He paused for a moment before gently pushing him towards the bathroom. "Go on then."

Audrose quickly walked to the living room and clicked to answer.

The Emperor's face, which bore a 70% resemblance to his own, appeared in the projection.

The Emperor, like him, was very straightforward. As soon as the call connected, without any preamble, he commanded, "Get rid of that slave by your side as soon as possible."

Although he had mentally prepared himself before answering, upon hearing such a nearly cruel order, Audrose couldn't help his pupils contracting.

Using his utmost effort, Audrose suppressed the urge to curse out his father and said in a deep voice, "Please don't be so unreasonable."

The Emperor looked at him coldly with blue eyes similar to his own. "I don't want the media reporting some unsavory scandal one day about the future Emperor and a slave."

Hearing the Emperor's words that showed no consideration for his feelings, the anger in Audrose' heart flared up again. "The slave system will be abolished sooner or later. By then, even if I marry him, it will be legal."

The Emperor said, "That's a matter for the future. Right now, Audrose, as the Crown Prince, you should have a basic brain and be responsible for the Imperial Family's reputation."

"If you truly liked that slave, you wouldn't push him to the forefront against the system. In the end, you're just satisfying your own selfish desires without any sense of responsibility!"

Audrose took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly with anger.

It wasn't that he didn't feel pain in his heart when he personally branded his most beloved with the slave mark.

Even though he had made full preparations and the process wouldn't be painful, the very existence of that brand was proof of Su Duan's inferiority.

Audrose finally couldn't hold back and tore off the pretense. "Then what about you? How responsible were you when Mother's illness was delayed to that extent? Who was it that neglected her due to being busy with work?"

"Sut up!" The Emperor seemed to have his sore spot poked, losing the last shred of composure and almost roaring at his own son, "Audrose! You emotionless madman! What right do you have to mention your mother?!"

His dragon also appeared behind him, emitting a threatening growl at Audrose.