Chapter 68
“…I see.”
It was the conclusion Asel least wanted—but he accepted it.
Knowing his mother had chosen not to meet him, even though she was alive, was very different from believing she was dead.
But the emotion didn’t last long.
“Still, may I ask why Your Highness is looking for the Empress at this particular time?”
“…What do you mean ‘why’?”
Did that really need an explanation?
He was a son looking for his missing mother. What more reason was needed?
“What I mean is… why now, and why bring your fiancée with you on this search?”
The Count doubted Asel’s sincerity. He had done nothing to defend Laura when she was under attack—why suddenly take action now?
“Are you planning to find the Empress and use her name to trap Lady Laura even further?”
“What?”
Asel was shocked and raised his voice.
The Count took that as further proof.
“To think you already dumped so much responsibility on her—and now you want to burden her with the Empress’s legacy? You’ve no shame…”
That’s when Asel finally realized how the Count saw him.
“Count, that’s a misunderstanding.”
But the Count didn’t listen.
“Even if I’m wrong, it doesn’t change the fact that the imperial family itself is the problem! Whether it’s Crown Princess or Empress, all that comes with it is responsibility, not power. You’ve never protected her—you just kept piling more duties on!”
After listening to this for a while, Asel asked:
“I admit—it weighs on me that the one I love would have to shoulder such heavy burdens. I’m trying to find ways to lessen that load… but…”
His eyes narrowed.
“Why do you care so much, Count?”
What exactly was his relationship with Laura?
“Because anyone with a heart would want to help someone crushed between the royal family and nobility. Not that it’s something soulless puppets in power would understand.”
In a flash, Asel was demoted to soulless puppet.
Meanwhile, DinDin was having the time of his life.
He had never seen someone push the arrogant prince so far—and with such commanding presence too.
And he couldn’t help wondering:
‘If it turns out the Count is actually Laura’s real father or close relative… what will that pompous prince do then?’
In his own mind, DinDin was several steps ahead of Asel.
He knew things the prince didn’t!
He quickly leaned in and began to flatter the Count.
“Exactly, Father! What sane parent would want their daughter to marry into the imperial family?”
That backfired.
“Don’t call me ‘Father’! That’s disgusting!”
* * *
A short distance away, two bystanders were watching the chaos: Laura and Angel.
“I don’t get it. Why are those three fighting?”
It was a simple situation. Ask about the Empress. Get the answer. Done.
“…Butterfly effect from DinDin’s big mouth?”
‘Or maybe it’s Ludina’s fault… stupid holy dust cloud.’
* * *
At the same time, at the far end of the hallway—far from all the drama—former steward Darius was desperately begging the butler.
“You know the Count is getting old. In his prime, he could split a mountain with a sword—but now he should be resting. Don’t you think he should let others do the work now?”
Then, a furious shout echoed from inside.
“You filthy, thieving scum!”
Even Darius jumped in surprise.
“I can’t believe you! You claimed to admire me enough to become a knight—yet now you defend this garbage logic?!”
Angel, who had been reduced to a passive spectator, replied awkwardly.
“Well… I just meant a child needs a father, and if that’s His Highness, then maybe…”
The butler turned to Darius.
“As you can see, the Count is quite strong and sharp. We don’t need you.”
“……”
Darius couldn’t say a word.
The butler slowly closed the door in his face.
“Take care on your way out.”
It was a complete defeat.
Just then, a soft chime sounded in Laura’s mind.
– You’ve helped ease Count Velua’s depression.
She hadn’t even done anything—this was the first time she’d seen a message like this.
– You’ve contributed to the restoration of Velua’s domain.
– You’ve successfully caused a major historical turning point.
– Calculating curse relief based on contribution…
– Curse of Forgetfulness reduced by 68%.
A few minutes later, the butler returned and walked up to Laura.
He didn’t know the exact situation between her group, but he had figured out the power dynamic.
“Um… shouldn’t you try stopping them now?”
Laura was the only one who could calm things down.
“…Eh, let’s just watch a little longer.”
She said this calmly, like a spectator.
The butler looked baffled, but Laura meant it.
‘Maybe this will raise my curse relief score even more.’
After all, the best accomplishments are the effortless ones.
She had never forgotten that core truth.
* * *
Darius, now kicked out of the Velua mansion, went to the Lord’s Hall.
That’s where he had been living all this time.
It was lavish and comfortable—the ideal place to soothe his wounded pride. But…
“You’re not allowed in anymore.”
“What are you talking about? Don’t you know who I am? I’m the—”
“Yes, we know. The former steward of the domain.”
The knights already knew about his dismissal.
“Please don’t make a scene. There’s no place for you here anymore.”
“This is ridiculous! At least let me get my things!”
“A servant will deliver your belongings later. Now go.”
They were cold.
They no longer served Darius—now that the real lord had returned and given orders.
“What are you waiting for? Throw him out.”
The captain of the knights—who had stayed silent for a while—finally gave the order.
Two knights grabbed Darius by the arms and dumped him outside like trash.
None of the knights helped him.
All the ones loyal to Darius had already lost their posts and been removed with him.
He glared at them before heading to his own house.
But he hadn’t maintained that place at all—he never thought he’d actually have to live there.
The once-grand steward had to live in a crumbling house he’d ignored for years.
‘Damn it… what the hell happened to me…’
He trembled with rage.
He wanted to smash the furniture, but held himself back.
He couldn’t afford to lose even the little he had left.
Any noise would alert the knights—and they’d come knocking fast.
Still, Darius wasn’t completely hopeless.
He had a powerful backer: Grand Duke Dante Orpasha.
He had only become steward because his cousin was close to the Duke. Despite failing every government exam, he had ridden that connection straight to power.
And in return, he had just one job.
[Watch Count Velua closely. Report everything that happens in the territory. Do that, and I’ll let you live like a king out there.]
The Count was called “the Lion of the Battlefield.” His very presence was intimidating.
Yet Darius had controlled him for years. How?
[Tell the Count this: ‘If you don’t make me steward, I can’t guarantee your daughter’s safety.’]
Just that line had made the beast retreat into hiding.
The Count let Darius ruin the land, steal resources, and go unpunished.
Because he believed his daughter was safe in Darius’s hands.
‘Now that I think about it… the old man must remember our deal. Why did he suddenly change his mind?’
Could it be—did he hear something new about his daughter?
