Chapter 65
At the exact moment when the carriage carrying Zion was just entering Liander’s territory.
“Good, perfect.”
Chloe, recognized as a beast tamer, was gazing at the room she had decorated with sparkling eyes.
The chiffon curtains let in soft, gentle light.
The furniture was rounded and child-friendly, and the wallpaper was in pastel tones.
She had originally wanted sky blue, but considering Zion’s taste, she had chosen bedding in a deep navy instead.
“Some things are still missing because I had to rush, but it’s excellent. Anyone could see this is the perfect room for a seven-year-old boy.”
The first thing Chloe did upon returning from the courtroom to the territory was decorate a room for Zion Demos.
The reason was simple.
She needed to bring Zion Demos—the original story’s main force in the war—over to her side.
Until she went to the meeting, Chloe had thought simply.
If the misunderstanding between the Liander family and the Arus family was resolved, war wouldn’t naturally break out.
Then she, her family, and the territory’s people would be safe.
“But…”
In Chloe’s mind flashed the desperate figure of Sunrider Grevis hurrying out of the meeting room.
The secondary branch of the Grevis family had looked at him, silently hoping he would be saved until the very last moment.
At the time, she had been too confused to recognize it clearly, but thinking it over now, the answer was clear.
The spy who had spread false information to both families, the suspiciously widespread rumors, the fake witness who came wearing a prosthetic arm to trick her into thinking she was of illegitimate blood, and even the strange reaction of Sunrider—all pointed to one thing.
There was a force that wanted Arus and Liander to start a war.
“I’m not certain, but that force must be connected to the Grevis family somehow.”
She didn’t know why the heroine’s family in the original story wanted a conflict, but one thing was certain:
They wouldn’t give up easily.
And sooner or later, they would try to shed blood by some means.
It would be best to identify and deal with those hidden masterminds first… but in case that failed:
“I have to make sure Zion Demos is on our side.”
Recalling the original story, Chloe’s eyes hardened.
In the novel, Zion had been the one to completely change the course of the sluggish war in an instant.
He had killed the Liander family head who had been hiding after killing his uncle.
If Zion—the strongest in this world—were to side with the enemy…
“No.”
Even imagining it made the hairs on Chloe’s arms stand on end, and she clenched her fists without realizing it.
“To prevent him from becoming an enemy, I have to have Zion settle here.”
Chloe took a deep breath as she looked around the neatly decorated bedroom.
Whether he ended up with the Demos family or the Grevis family, Zion would undoubtedly be trained as a weapon threatening her.
“So I’ll have him grow up here…”
However, her eyes wavered slightly as fragments of past images surfaced.
Zion crouched in the experiment chamber, suppressing groans.
He lay on the bed with a pale face, listening without emotion as his father bargained over him.
“To make him part of our forces, to prevent him from being taken by the other side…”
Chloe’s fists slowly relaxed.
The truth was, it was a half-lie.
The real reason she wanted Zion, who could have been placed safely elsewhere, next to her was:
“I don’t want to see a child being used anymore.”
Chloe’s feelings toward Zion were a form of responsibility.
He was the original story’s male lead, destined to become strong enough to handle an entire battalion.
He might even be displeased to know she was worried about him.
“Still… I want to help him.”
Perhaps because of past experiences. Perhaps because of the premature meddling nature they shared.
Chloe wanted Zion, who shared similar sadness, to grow up safely and happily.
Not just him—she wished all abused or neglected children could grow up without worries.
“Will he like it?”
Chloe’s face showed a mix of anticipation and worry as she looked around Zion’s room.
“Do you like it?”
Cathy, who had helped the most with decorating, asked kindly.
“I’m glad we still had child-sized furniture. It’s difficult to change the big furniture now, but if you want, we can bring bedding in other colors since there’s still time.”
“No, I really, really love it as it is! I just hope Zion will too…”
“I’m sure he will. I almost want to live here myself.”
Chloe smiled brightly at the maid, who now felt neither strange nor scary.
“Thank you, Cathy. You put everything together so quickly… I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
The adult-like words made Cathy chuckle, then lower herself slightly and say:
“Milady, if you’re really grateful, could I ask a favor?”
“A favor? What is it? Anything, just tell me!”
“Well then, milady…”
Cathy hesitated, opening her mouth to speak.
“Oh.”
Through the open door, Ian strode in.
“It’s bright. Did you decorate it with the colors Chloe picked?”
“Yes! But Cathy and the other maids helped too!”
“Well done.”
Lucian followed behind, patting Chloe’s head appreciatively.
“You must be tired. Good job.”
Hehe. Chloe, shyly looking at the floor, heard her mother’s voice from somewhere in the room.
“Shall we go downstairs now, Chloe?”
Looking up, she saw her mother’s calm face, back in a fresh set of clothes.
“They say the carriage with your friend has arrived. Shall we go meet them at the entrance?”
Chloe’s face tensed for a moment but quickly brightened.
“Yes!”
Her eyes shone with confidence as she reached out toward her mother.
Stepping down from the carriage, Zion’s face betrayed a clear wariness.
He had long since figured out why Liander had taken him in.
Although expelled from his family, he was still the officially recognized heir of the Demos family in the continental council.
They must have decided he would be useful.
In Zion’s world, people were divided into two categories: useful and useless.
He assumed that his current situation was determined by the same judgment.
He carefully observed those in front of him.
Ian Liander, Lucian Liander, and Melissa Liander—though he couldn’t be certain, she appeared to be a member of the Liander family.
All three were formidable.
To avoid being discarded, he would need to exert considerable effort.
“Hm. You look pale.”
Melissa Liander was the first to speak.
In a somewhat cold tone, she addressed the knight who had been bothering him all the way there.
“Brooks, did you feed him? It was a long journey, and the Demos family blocked the use of magic stones.”
“Yes. I brought some snacks just in case, but it was only a snack, so he’s probably hungry. We should—”
“I’m fine.”
Zion interrupted, ignoring the knight who acted as if he had a vendetta about feeding him, and looked ahead.
“More importantly, I want to check the training grounds.”
“The training grounds?”
Ian raised an eyebrow, staring at Zion.
“Why? Ah, do the Snake Clan value training grounds most highly in their culture? If so, I can guide you.”
“…No, that’s not it—”
“Then let’s start by looking at the rooms!”
Just as Zion tried to explain his meaning to the head of the family, a sparkling silver-haired girl suddenly jumped from behind Lucian Liander, grabbing his wrist.
“What are you—!”
He barely had time to react before Chloe, clutching his wrist, dashed toward the mansion with excited steps.
“What are you doing!”
Realizing too late that he was being dragged along, Zion hurried to pull his hand free.
“Just run with me a little! I can’t wait to show you!”
Her endlessly excited voice and the fluttering ribbon on her head made it impossible for him to let go.
Even though he instinctively knew he shouldn’t, he found himself unable to resist.
“Huff… huff… we’re here!”
Chloe, who hadn’t grown much from lack of meat and milk and was physically weak, burst into a room, flinging open the door.
