Chapter 67
The Count continued speaking.
“About the engagement as well—regardless of the Marquess’s interference, the Prince himself agreed to it in the end. That means he should have shown at least some protection or respect for his fiancée!”
“To him, that engagement was just a chance to ‘hire a Crown Princess candidate’ for free labor.”
A harsh comment was suddenly thrown out.
The Count turned, ready to reply to me—then paused when he realized it hadn’t come from me.
“…And who might you be?”
He hadn’t noticed DinDin at lunch since the Count was too focused on me.
DinDin, surprisingly, didn’t get offended. He calmly placed a clenched fist to his chest and bowed politely.
Not like the usual DinDin at all—he was overly formal.
“Yes, I run a small merchant guild in the Empire. I’m a close friend and long-time partner of the Lady here. I’m… I’m… what’s the word…”
He stumbled, unable to recall “coexistence” or “symbiosis.” But he quickly recovered and raised his head confidently.
“Anyway, that’s not important! You were just talking about His Highness, right?”
“Yes… we were.”
“Exactly! Then I just have to join in. Gosh, I’ve been dying to say something since lunch…”
The Count looked curious.
“There are many issues, but the biggest one is this—when she was struggling, the Prince ignored her. And when her reputation improved, he acted like he’d never wanted to break off the engagement.”
“Unbelievable…!”
Just the reaction DinDin wanted.
“I heard the Prince is supposed to be righteous—but how could someone like that do something so underhanded?”
“Right? If he were truly righteous, he would’ve cared for the person next to him!”
“Absolutely! You’re exactly right!”
The two of them happily bashed Asel together.
I had no room to interrupt.
“Oh, and the child issue too! A blonde child is born, and even if he doesn’t remember, he should take responsibility. But no—he just enjoys pleasure and neglects his duties. It’s disgusting—”
“Wait. A child?”
The Count froze.
“Are you saying the young lady is raising a child on her own?”
Despite his kindness toward me, the idea of an unmarried noblewoman raising a child alone might offend someone of his generation.
“Ah, well…”
I hesitated. DinDin fumbled too, realizing he messed up.
But the Count surprised us all.
“Good heavens… how hard it must’ve been to raise a child alone without the father!”
What…?
He suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Don’t suffer in the capital anymore. Come down here. No one here will judge you for strange rumors or single motherhood.”
This land had once faced constant barbarian attacks. It wasn’t unusual for children to grow up in single-parent households.
“No—I’ll personally support you with everything you need to raise the child.”
The Count’s eyes were misty with emotion.
But I just felt awkward. The child wasn’t mine—or Asel’s.
Still, the Count didn’t give me a chance to correct him.
“It’ll be hard at first, I know. But I’ve fought wars before—I can drive out one useless prince easily.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to help you break off the engagement.”
“…Why are you the one putting everything on the line?”
DinDin stepped in, thumping his chest.
“I have connections with nobles too. And with my funding, I can shake high society! Please, leave this to me, Father. I’ll take care of everything!”
The Count’s eyes widened.
“…Why are you calling me ‘Father’? And why are you helping her?”
“Because I’ve always wanted to take responsibility for her—as a man, it’s only natural—”
“Enough.”
“Huh?”
DinDin looked confused, but the Count cut him off.
“I’ll handle it. You don’t need to get involved.”
At that moment, the Count’s gut instinct screamed:
This man was another thief trying to steal what was most precious to him.
* * *
That evening.
Asel followed the butler to dinner, not thinking much—until he noticed the Count was giving him a death stare.
He looked at Asel like he was the dirtiest filth on Earth.
In the afternoon, the Count had shown him polite—if distant—courtesy. Now, he looked like he wanted to throw Asel out the window.
“…Did I offend you somehow?”
Maybe there was some local tradition he violated—like circling the plaza statue three times and kissing its feet?
“…No.”
The Count denied it, thankfully.
So what was going on?
“Let me ask directly—why did Your Highness come to my domain?”
He couldn’t say “because your deputy was corrupt.”
That was already covered over lunch.
Asel had planned to take his time, observe, and confirm if his mother was here—revealing his true purpose too soon could backfire.
“Don’t tell me you came here for no reason.”
The Count’s eyes were sharp and heavy.
Most people wouldn’t be able to meet that gaze.
Eventually, Asel told the truth.
“…I came here to look for clues about my missing mother.”
The Count flinched.
The prince—usually a cool-headed leader—suddenly looked like a lost boy searching for his mother.
The Count, who had once lost both wife and daughter, understood that pain deeply.
Asel noticed the Count’s mask slip—and pushed further, like a skilled politician.
“If you know anything—anything at all, please tell me. Even just an item, a memory, a hint is enough. Even just knowing she’s alive… Is she alive?”
The Count could no longer pretend not to care.
“…As far as I know, she is alive.”
That was an admission—that he had helped the missing Empress escape, and still played a part in her disappearance.
“Can I meet her?”
“If she wanted to meet you, she would’ve come on her own.”
Eighteen years had passed since the Empress vanished. Few remembered her well anymore.
She had once been a saint of the goddess Amelon. Her ability to hide so perfectly was due not only to her helpers, but to her prophetic powers.
When the Count helped her escape, he had asked many questions—to learn where she might go, to prepare for emergencies.
But instead of answers, he received a single prophecy.
[The moment you help me, you will be abandoned by the world and left alone.
You will hide in the shadows and remain there for years—
Not as one who has died, but as one preparing for glory.
When the time comes, you will rise again—
And your most beloved glory will return to you.]
“That was all she told me.”
“……”
The Empress had predicted that all would return to its rightful place.
Naturally, that included herself.
So, her continued absence meant… things were not yet ready.
And she still didn’t want to be found.
