DCHWT 41

Chapter 41

“I sincerely hope I can become someone that brave.”

Maya replied calmly.

‘If he finds out I haven’t awakened, maybe he’ll lose interest.’

Maya assumed that Riserfield would now dismiss her.

But he didn’t.

Instead of waving her off, he tapped his fingers on the throne and asked another question.

“How’s your relationship with your husband?”

Not surprising.

It was just like Riserfield to suddenly ask about her relationship with Tristan—so blunt and rude, especially in front of an entire audience.

“We’re doing very well.”

Maya answered with emphasis.

“Oh? But I heard your family didn’t even congratulate you on the marriage.”

The flow of conversation was taking a strange turn. Maya chose to tell the truth.

“My family and I are estranged. I didn’t expect nor need their congratulations.”

Gasps and swallowed breaths echoed throughout the hall. No one had expected Maya to admit it so openly.

‘If they thought I’d be wounded by this, that’s a shame.’

Suppressing a yawn inwardly, Maya lowered her head.

“Such a shame. They say blood is thicker than water.”

Riserfield, who rose to the throne by killing his own brother, shamelessly invoked family ties and gestured to a servant.

“To commemorate the union of the Bayarden and Pendragon families, I shall help restore the bonds of kinship.”

Yup. People never change.

Maya had already guessed who would be brought out.

Maybe she had subconsciously predicted it. She wasn’t even surprised.

“Maya!”

Elize approached. Her attire was extravagant—clearly dressed for the occasion.

Where did she even get that kind of money?

“Maya, it’s your brother.”

Beside her, Maguire spoke arrogantly.

“Congratulations on your wedding.”

He might as well have said, Now that you’re rich, time for us to leech off you, right?

Even if unspoken, the implication was loud and clear.

This loathsome connection, being prolonged by Riserfield.

If she accepted them here, they would cling to her shamelessly.

Maya was conflicted.

Since the Emperor brought them here and pretended it was out of goodwill, rejecting them outright might give people something to criticize.

‘Tristan said it was fine, but…’

That didn’t mean the rest of House Bayarden felt the same.

Her eyes met Doshien’s. Her lips moved soundlessly.

“Do as you wish.”

Apparently, Doshien felt the same as Tristan.

“Let’s end the congratulations here. Still, isn’t estrangement a bit much? You should reconcile.”

But when Maya had stormed out of the house after shouting at her family, she had chosen a new path.

‘There will be another way.’

She didn’t want to be left with regrets.

She wouldn’t just cover the rotting wound inside and move on.

‘No matter what happens.’

If anything does, she’ll deal with it.

She wouldn’t let worries about the future make her regret the present.

‘Tristan said it was okay.’

Recalling Tristan’s words, Maya smiled radiantly. Her joy-filled expression drew everyone’s attention.

Riserfield was no exception. He stared intensely at her.

“Your Majesty, I thank you, but I must refuse.”

He was staring at her so intently, it was as if he hadn’t even registered what she said.

Seeing his dazed face, Maya furrowed her brows and continued.

“My family were the ones who severed ties first. But returning is my choice. I have no intention of going back to those who abandoned me.”

She was using formal language, but her attitude was blatantly disrespectful—causing murmurs among the nobles.

“Hmph.”

Riserfield didn’t get angry. Instead, he watched her with interest, as if waiting to see what she’d do next.

His surprisingly mild reaction was unsettling, but Maya didn’t want to dwell on it.

‘In fact, this is an opportunity.’

She would make it clear—Maya and House Pendragon were completely separate now.

She’d never liked being seen through the lens of her former family.

“I regret not being able to follow Your Majesty’s will. I shall take my leave now.”

“…You may go.”

Was it just her imagination? Maya thought there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

“M-Maya!”

Elize, Otto, and even Maguire—who had stood frozen—hurried after her, shocked she had rejected them so openly.

Nobles intrigued by her boldness made way for her.

“M-Maya, still… I’m your brother.”

Maya crossed her arms—just in case anyone tried to grab her—and gave Elize a cold look.

“Stop trying to leech off me. Just go rot in a gambling den and die.”

Maya smiled like a blooming flower as she stared at them with open contempt.

“Because that’s the kind of death that suits you.”

Elize’s face flushed red at the harsh insult.

“…Do you even realize how deeply you’ve humiliated us? You could’ve at least stepped aside quietly.”

Still barely clinging to rationality, Elize forced a smile.

“And then you would’ve used that as an excuse to seek me out again.”

Of course, Maya wasn’t buying it.

“I have nothing to do with House Pendragon anymore. Please leave me alone.”

“You little—!”

Maguire raised his hand, but Maya instantly subdued him and knocked him down.

Doshien, watching Maya with satisfaction, leaned toward Otto and whispered:

“This is as much as House Bayarden will tolerate.”

“Ugh…”

“You know better than anyone that even His Majesty doesn’t mess with House Bayarden.”

Her voice was low—only Otto could hear it.

Unlike the way she treated Maya, Doshien’s chilling gaze made Otto flinch.

Elize turned toward Riserfield, watching the scene unfold.

‘You’re the one who called us here!’

But Riserfield didn’t seem at all interested in stepping in. Chin resting on his hand, he stared intently at Maya.

“She was told to leave—why hasn’t she left yet?”

Instead, Riserfield took Maya’s side. Maya noticed and tilted her head.

‘Did that bastard eat something weird?’

He was the one who invited her family. Yet now, he was showing interest in Maya, who had rejected them coldly.

“To think the seat I prepared turned out this way—what a coincidence.”

Riserfield smiled as he looked at Maya.

Maya recognized that look.

That gaze—filled with greed—scanned her up and down.

‘He’s interested in me now.’

Rejecting her family had only piqued Riserfield’s interest further.

“Prepare the next gathering.”

He declared it publicly in front of the nobles.

“Since the Duke of Bayarden cannot attend, I’ll meet with his wife alone.”

“…”

“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

And with that, Riserfield disappeared.

‘This is definitely suspicious.’

She knew how capricious he was.

There had to be an agenda behind this sudden change.

‘But I’m not your pawn anymore.’

No matter what Riserfield tried, she had no reason to be dragged along.

✦✦✦

“Y-Your Majesty. You were the one who summoned us… Why are you treating us like this?”

Riserfield had gone to see Otto, Elize, and Maguire—now all locked up behind iron bars.

Grinning at their screams from within the prison cell, he took a seat.

“I’ve always been fickle… didn’t you know?”

Recalling the defiant Maya, Riserfield’s lips curved into a sharp smile.

“Well, what can I do? When I want something, I just have to use the right mix of carrot and stick.”

He felt thrilled remembering how Maya had coldly cut ties with her family.

You’re not like those fools trapped in their family bonds.

Her appearance alone was his type.

So dignified—completely different from the pathetic Pendragons locked up before him.

I must have her.

Riserfield was confident. He had never failed to obtain something he wanted.

If I redefine Maya Pendragon’s image and bring her under me, there’s much to gain.

Thanks to her clean rejection, people would now see her separately from House Pendragon.

He could use that to lure her in, pretending to restore the Pendragon name in the process.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But for a Pendragon, it would be more honorable to be praised for swordsmanship.”

She clearly took pride in inheriting Pendragon’s sword skills.

Maybe I can even extract some information on House Bayarden.

He had many masks he could wear.

A tyrant at heart, but he could play the benevolent emperor when needed.

Riserfield turned his gaze to the trembling insects before him.

“Keep them breathing.”

Who knows—they might be useful later.

His eyes drifted to a small window in the prison wall.

Did I just see something?

Probably nothing. He furrowed his brow and walked out.

Where would I find information on House Pendragon?

He’d never bothered before—but now, he was curious.

And he intended to find out.