CHAPTER 71…………………
Veronica, drunk, and Linaria, who was patiently enduring Veronica’s drunken rambling, spoke in voices so low they could barely be heard.
“What do you mean by that?”
“On the surface, of course, he looks perfectly fine—worthy of being called a saintly ruler, even.”
“……”
“But sometimes, I sense something off about him. I’ve pondered for a long time what the cause might be.”
“……”
“Does he truly, from the depths of his heart, love my younger sister—Margaret?”
“I love her.”
“Then have you ever loved her to the point of madness? To the point where a lover’s whisper feels like a divine revelation?”
The kind of “love” the Duke of Brimstone spoke of far exceeded common sense.
When Dante could not answer, the Duke continued.
“I believe His Majesty the Emperor is in just such a state of love right now. And so, you must be cautious.”
“……”
“Of Her Majesty the Empress. And of Leviathan.”
Watching the Emperor’s one-sided advances, Dante began to understand, however vaguely, why the Duke had said such things.
“How troubling. Even if she lacks a contract spirit, my daughter is still my daughter. Would His Majesty cast aside his only son simply because he lacks one?”
Dante made clear his resolve never to send his daughter away.
“Come to think of it, the reason the Brimstone heir could be hailed a hero owes much to Count Obel, though no one ever acknowledged it.”
The Empress suddenly shifted the subject.
“Even the Brimstone heir himself doesn’t know this, does he?”
“…That’s true.”
“How unreasonable.”
The Empress spoke flatly.
“Let the hidden merit be widely proclaimed and recognized. Ten coffers of jewels, thirty horses, three hundred bolts of silk, and five hundred sacks of grain shall be bestowed.”
Converted into money, it amounted to about a year’s budget for a small fiefdom.
“For such a house that saved countless lives beyond monetary measure, it is only right that those who dared insult its daughter be dismissed from office.”
“……”
“I hear even a vassal of Leviathan was among the insolent ones. My brother would surely agree if he heard this. What say you, Count Obel?”
Dante nodded.
No matter how dearly he cherished his daughter, no one could resist money.
At that moment, a faint sneer touched the Empress’s lips.
“The value of those lives seems set too low. I will accept twice that.”
“Twice… you say?”
“Yes. And if you add five hundred pigs and three hundred cattle, I’d find it acceptable.”
Not only did he inflate the reward to double, he even demanded extras amounting to nearly a quarter-year’s budget of a small fiefdom.
The audacity was boundless.
“After all, aren’t these the ransom for the soldiers I saved? If I receive a generous grant, their honor will be preserved.”
His justification, smooth as if oiled, sounded impeccable.
It was clear he would not consider anything less.
“…So be it. Lady Obel will be pleased, no doubt.”
Pleased that her value had risen.
The Empress bit back the last words.
“By the way, there is a villa managed by my family. It overlooks a beautiful sea.”
“……”
“After the recent ordeals, Lady Obel seems weakened in body and spirit. Would it not be the perfect place for her to recuperate?”
“No. I’ll send her to our main estate. She’ll be more comfortable there.”
“Very well.”
At last, the two reached an agreement.
The audience ended, and Dante stepped out of the throne room.
“Phew.”
He pulled a pipe from his coat.
He had sworn off smoking, yet habit made him carry it still.
As he rolled it in his hand, he felt another presence.
The Empress.
“Is this about my wife?”
Dante spoke without turning to face her.
“I heard you met my daughter in private. If you see my wife reflected in my daughter, then…”
“I don’t know what nonsense you’re speaking.”
Lilian’s tone was cold.
“Margaret is Margaret, and Linaria is Linaria. And Count Obel—don’t mention her again in my presence.”
“……”
“We are hardly in a position to reminisce fondly about the past, are we?”
“…You’re right. My apologies.”
Her attitude was hostile.
Dante knew full well she had already once tried to steal his daughter through Meril.
Yet he made no show of it, withdrawing without resistance.
‘So it turned out just as my daughter predicted.’
“Father, the Imperial House will surely want me to leave the capital for a while. If that happens, squeeze the treasury dry.”
“…Squeeze the treasury dry?”
“Whatever they offer, demand more. Can you do that?”
Even if it looked like he was yielding, in the end Dante had wrung from them exactly what Linaria wanted.
Still, perhaps because of their impending separation, a bitter smile crossed his face.
Meanwhile, a maid approached the Empress standing tall in that same place and handed her a note.
The Empress narrowed her eyes as she read it.
“So, rumors say the head of the Luna Merchant Guild will inspect the moonstone mine?”
They had already been a thorn in her side of late.
“This is the perfect chance to break their necks. That will also quiet my brother somewhat.”
When raising fish in a tank, it was best to feed them little by little, lest they start biting even their owner.
“Luna Guild, hm. Not a bad target.”
The fate of a fledgling guild without a strong center was always the same.
Self-destruction—or being swallowed whole by some predator before that.
In her hand, now stained with green pigment, the note was crushed to a mess.
“So, you’re going away to recuperate? That’s a convenient excuse.”
“It’s better than saying I’m being exiled, isn’t it?”
“At least you know your situation.”
Before Linaria’s departure, Magnus grumbled endlessly, clearly upset.
“You can still contact me through the communication stone whenever you like. It’s only a short separation.”
“Hmph.”
“I’ll reach out often.”
“How often?”
“Once a month…”
Magnus scowled, horns practically sprouting from his brow.
Even without words, Linaria understood exactly what he meant.
“Hmm, that really is too little. How about once every two weeks?”
“Didn’t you just say you weren’t being exiled? Even exiles would write more often than that.”
“I’m joking. I’ll write whenever I think of you. You’ll almost get letters every day.”
“…You toy with an old man’s heart. Cruel child.”
Cruel—but never did he say, “Don’t contact me.”
Linaria soothed Magnus before leaving the estate.
Before boarding her carriage, she was able to say a final goodbye to her father.
“Give my regards to Ricardo. You must have met him a few times in childhood—do you remember?”
“…Yes. I remember.”
Linaria answered reluctantly.
“It will be quite the reunion after so long.”
“Indeed. But Father, what do you think of Brother Ricardo?”
“He’s a diligent and kind boy.”
“……”
“Even when I failed as head of house, he quietly carried out his duties. I found that truly dependable.”
“That’s what I thought as well.”
Linaria forced a smile.
“Father, please stay healthy while I’m away.”
“Liri, you take care too.”
Dante kissed her cheek, and Linaria returned the gesture before climbing into the carriage.
“My lady! The road is long, so if you feel unwell, please tell us right away!”
“Yes, I will.”
Anna and Kaas stood ready at her side.
But seeing them brought Linaria no joy.
For it reminded her of Ricardo Obel—
Her cousin.
Or rather, since he had been formally adopted, she ought to call him brother.
He bore the Obel seal as heir in Linaria’s place.
Yet Linaria hated him.
Second only to Maximilian among those she despised.
Because…
“Traitor.”
When her father was branded a rebel and their house plunged into decline, Ricardo had sided with Maximilian, surviving by becoming his lackey.
