ISTV 27

Though the hand belonged to someone with the trait of “The Majesty of the Absolute,” it didn’t feel all that intimidating.

Lord Themanon slipped his hand under my armpits and lifted me high into the air.

Oh, is this like flying? Not bad. It’s kind of fun.

“The covenant of the first head of the household has been fulfilled. Caliburn has acknowledged this child as its master. From this moment on, I declare that Caliburn belongs to Seyla Dvernon.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Rachel’s expression looked quite complicated.

It seemed like she was trying to calculate how to deal with the fact that I hadn’t just pulled the sword, but outright claimed the Quaybec family’s treasured heirloom.

Once the declaration was finished, the golden light radiating from Caliburn began to fade. When the light fully vanished, Themanon gently set me back down.

“What just happened?”

“Did the head of the family really gift Caliburn to the girl from Dvernon?”

“No way. That makes no sense. Caliburn is Quaybec’s treasure.”

Rachel approached me.

She looked very serious, but her emotions were hard to read.

“My lord. How could you make such an important decision without consulting your wife?”

“My lady. This matter falls solely under my authority. Please do not interfere.”

Themanon kept a firm, authoritative tone.

It was clear he was saying, This is my decision alone. Don’t argue.

Watching him, my heart unexpectedly warmed.

He’s trying to take all the responsibility himself.

This incident could become the source of much controversy later on.

The first head’s sacred sword, gifted to a member of a rival family—the Dvernon family, no less, who had been in competition with Quaybec for thousands of years?

Themanon would surely face backlash and consequences.

By deciding alone, he was shielding Rachel from any blame or fallout.

Huh?

My eyes met Rachel’s for a brief second—and a chill ran down my spine.

It felt as though the threat of death was wrapping tightly around me.

She’s thinking about whether she should kill me…

Now it was time for the next step.

Still holding the sword, I addressed the people around me.

“To all the honored guests present—I humbly ask for your silence. Please keep today’s events strictly confidential.”

Perhaps due to Caliburn’s presence, my voice reached everyone clearly.

I subtly glanced at Rachel.

Not that anyone would dare speak of it anyway.

Everyone gathered here was someone in a key position within the Quaybec family. They wouldn’t let it leak that I’d claimed Caliburn.

And then…

I handed the sword back to Themanon.

“I would like to gift this sacred sword back to the Quaybec family.”

They say taking something and then giving it back is the worst—but what if it’s the best when you steal it and then return it?

That Night

Themanon stood awkwardly at the foot of their bed for a long time.

“Dear… Are you angry?”

“How could I not be angry?”

Themanon avoided her gaze.

“That covenant was passed down only to the heads of the family by word of mouth. I was the only one who knew about it. It was only right for me to finish what I alone began.”

“If you were the only one who knew, you could’ve just ignored it. Pretended the covenant didn’t exist. Bent the rules a little.”

“But that wouldn’t have been right. Caliburn clearly chose Seyla. We all saw the radiant light, and the way it split open the sky.”

“You could’ve insisted it was Dvernon magic. Or asked a simple question—how could that girl possibly know a secret known only to the head of the family? Isn’t that suspicious?”

“It’s not suspicious. Caliburn is a sword that chooses its master. And once chosen, the master is said to instinctively recite the covenant.”

Rachel sighed deeply.

Truthfully, that unwavering sincerity was something she’d once fallen for.

“Why must you always shoulder the responsibility alone?”

“Because…”

“Do you not trust me?”

“That’s absolutely not the case.”

“Then say it.”

“…Because while there may be someone in this family who can replace me, there is no one who can replace you.”

“…”

“Think about it. One day, our sons will catch up to my strength. But your wisdom? They will never match it. You are the most brilliant, most beautiful person I have ever known. You are one of a kind.”

“…”

“That’s why I did it.”

Themanon subtly perched at the edge of the bed.

“Get off.”

“Haha! I just needed to rest my legs for a second.”

He sprang back up.

“That girl gave us back a sword that rightfully belonged to her. Do you understand what that means?”

“Why overthink it? She became our benefactor.”

“That’s the problem. She became our benefactor.”

Rachel pressed her fingers into her temples.

The Quaybec family never betrays a benefactor.

“If one day I ever try to harm Seyla, you won’t stand idly by, will you?”

“I hope that day never comes.”

“But if—if it does? Will you be on my side?”

Themanon fell silent for a long while.

He would walk into fire for Rachel, but he couldn’t betray a benefactor. That would go against everything he believed in.

Rachel clicked her tongue.

“You could’ve at least pretended you’d choose me…”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Forget it. I was a foolish young woman who fell in love with your thick-headed sincerity.”

Rachel patted the spot beside her. Themanon used his footwork technique to instantly appear at her side.

“That girl scares me. You’re a better swordsman than I am, so you must know it too. Her talent—it’s something else, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Someday, she’ll be a threat to our children. And because she’s a benefactor of our family, our sons won’t even be able to oppose her.”

Rachel leaned into his arms.

“I’m scared.”

Themanon embraced her and patted her back gently.

“You feel fear because you’re too capable.”

“…”

“You’re smarter than I am. You always see more than I do. Of course you’d carry more fear than I ever could. I don’t know exactly how you’ve judged Seyla.”

Still stroking her back, he continued.

“Maybe you believe she calculated everything—the covenant, the light, the gift.”

“Yes. I think it was all a carefully laid plan.”

“But what if it wasn’t? What if it was all just pure goodwill?”

“I doubt it. But… if so, then it would be a great blessing for the next generation.”

“I believe it was pure goodwill. Caliburn is said to reveal malice in its bearer. So don’t worry too much.”

Later, Themanon gazed down at Rachel, now asleep in his arms, with the warmest expression.

Even after 20 years of marriage, she was still beautiful, lovely, and precious.

He fell deep into thought.

What if Rachel’s fears came true? What if Seyla really endangered the family one day? What if it led to harm befalling the woman he loved most?

“I don’t know…”

He might even end up breaking his own lifelong beliefs.

“I hope it never comes to that.”

He whispered this while looking at the moon outside the window.

“Ah! I’ve got it! I’ll make her my daughter-in-law. Our Hamune’s quite handsome and the same age too!”

With this “brilliant” idea, he grinned to himself.

Meanwhile, back at Seyla’s residence

She slipped into a warm wooden tub prepared by Mary.

Ah, so warm and nice…

Sleepiness washed over her.

“Miss, the whole mansion had a weird, ominous air today. Did something happen?”

“Nothing important. Don’t worry.”

“…I should’ve gone with you. We’re practically one person, you and I. How could they not let me in? So cruel…”

Mary poured warm water over Seyla’s back.

As she soaked drowsily, Seyla caught a whiff of a fragrant scent in the water.

“This smells wonderful.”

“The Quaybec family’s private perfumer made it. They said it was a special blend created just for you after your long journey.”

At that moment, Seyla felt a wave of dread.

“The Quaybec family doesn’t have a private perfumer.”

“Huh? B-but…!”

Seyla abruptly stood up.

Is this drowsiness… not just fatigue?

No. It wasn’t exhaustion. Something was wrong.

The world spun around her.

I didn’t even sense the usual danger signals this time…

At last, she understood.

There were no warning signs. No omen. Just… danger out of nowhere.

“Damn this cursed plot device!”

She had let her guard down for just a moment—and this happened.

Her stomach turned.

“Miss!”

Mary’s urgent voice sounded far away as the world went dim.