TLEDH | 07

Chapter 7

“However, make sure to return it to its place once you’re done reading.”

It was the first time Grandfather had ever taken my side in front of the family. For some reason, my chest felt tight and fluttery.

Not because I felt acknowledged, exactly—
but because, at least now, it seemed I had entered his field of view.

And that last line—
“Return it to its place”—
meant I was allowed to visit his office anytime.

The book itself was one thing, but those words were the true prize.

It’s begun.

“Yes, sir.”

I clutched the book tightly in my small hands, nodding as though to steel myself.

“Thank you—”

But Grandfather had already turned away from me.

“You may all leave now.”

The tone was the same old Grandfather I knew.

I let out a faint smile and trotted back to Aunt’s side, only to meet the sour gazes of Chandler and Jason, staring at me from eye level.

Not that my aunt and uncle looked any friendlier.

Aunt Andrea’s nostrils flared, her face twisted into something so vicious she looked ready to lock me up in a small dark room at any moment. Beside her, Aunt Belia’s cold, mocking smile wasn’t much better.

I couldn’t help but imagine what they’d have done if Grandfather hadn’t been here—
and the thought made me take a deep breath.

“Let’s see you outside.”

Chandler sidled up next to me, whispering through gritted teeth.

He was trying to look threatening, even scrunching up his pudgy face and sliding his thumb across his throat like a blade.

How unfortunate. Not scary at all.

So I turned my head slightly so no one else could see—
and stuck out my tongue at him.

Chandler’s chubby face flushed red, and he lunged for me.

“You little—!”

“Chaddy.”

But before he could reach me, Belia held him back, shaking her head.

“I told you not to stoop to her level.”

“But—!”

“Shh.”

“Do it outside.”

Ah.
Not don’t do it.
Just not here.

I gave a quiet, bitter laugh and lowered my head.

I bet it was the same in my past life too.

I just hadn’t noticed it back then—
probably because, as a child, I only saw what I wanted to see.

I shook my head slightly and looked up—
just in time to see Bennett, who had been standing behind Grandfather, glance out the window and tense up.

Seeing his face, the other attendants followed his gaze—
and soon enough, curses were muttered under their breath as their expressions hardened.

“My lord.”

At that, Grandfather turned toward the window.

“One moment… Belia.”

He raised a hand to still his attendants, calling for her.

“Yes, Father?”

Belia, who had been impatient to ask why she’d been summoned, smiled brightly and lifted her head.

“Dismiss all the tutors for the direct line. Bennett will select replacements from the Academy within the week.”

“…Pardon?”

Belia turned back, baffled, then quickly faced him again, utterly lost.

“But why all of a sudden—”

“They lack the qualifications to teach our heirs.”

And that was that.

“You may go.”

Grandfather’s decisions were never overturned.

With Belia’s face twisting in disbelief and outrage, I quietly slipped out of the office amidst the commotion—
grinning from ear to ear.

With a soft click, the noise outside was cut off.

Margot rose from her seat.

Outside the window, beyond the main gate, a line of carriages stood waiting—
and above the lead carriage, the imperial flag of the Empire flapped sharply in the wind.

“My lord,” Countess Rivier called.

“…”

Hands clasped behind his back, Margot stared at the flag a moment longer before finally turning away.

“Alicia.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Seated now, Margot lifted his gaze toward the countess.

“How are things moving in Pelluana?”

The sudden mention of Pelluana made Rivier narrow her eyes slightly before answering.

“On the surface, it appears quiet. But reports continue to arrive that the new Khan of Pelluana—having unified the continent—is gathering nobles under his banner.”

“And the bank?”

“Money is… leaking.”

Margot’s brow rose at that.

“Leaking?”

“Yes. Local nobles in Pelluana have been taking out sizable loans. The amounts seemed too small compared to those of central nobles, so we hadn’t paid much attention, but…”

Rivier frowned down at the papers.

This was—

“War,” Margot said flatly.

“Likely a civil one,” Baron Suaire added with a wry smile.

“A young Khan freshly crowned—many will try to take advantage.”

“Or perhaps he’s turning his gaze outward.”

Margot’s quiet remark made the baron’s expression stiffen.

If that were true, there would be blood—
and the Esior family’s territories bordered Pelluana in several places, which made it all the more troubling.

But Rivier nodded gravely, dashing any hope of peace.

“Yes, as you say, my lord. Especially in Pelluana’s provinces bordering the Teparoa Empire, there are frequent unrecorded, small-scale transactions. We’ll need to confirm further, but…”

“Your judgment?”

“Whether civil war or invasion—they’re preparing for something.”

Margot’s fingers brushed the armrest, his expression hardening.

“There’s going to be a war in Pelluana soon.”

Under normal circumstances, he might have dismissed a child’s words.
But considering the possibility that Leticia’s ability was beginning to manifest—he couldn’t.

Especially since the child had spoken with such certainty, with no hesitation at all.

Could it be that her gift is manifesting as foresight?

If so, Sharie would never allow it.

Every person born with the ability of foresight throughout history had met a miserable end—
used, hunted, or struck down by divine curse before reaching adulthood.

Of all gifts, it was the most accursed.

How unfortunate.

Margot rapped his knuckles against the armrest twice and lifted his gaze.

“Bennett.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“How old is Leticia?”

“She will turn seven in half a year.”

If she passed the Heir Qualification, she would have to go to Onéro at that time.

Before then, her ability had to be redirected—
or mastered before Sharie found out.

It would be beneficial to the family, after all.

Call it cold, perhaps, but as the head of the house, Margot’s decisions could only ever serve one purpose: the family’s gain.

“Bring in Olga as her tutor.”

“…Understood.”

As Bennett jotted down Olga’s name, Rivier and Suaire exchanged wary glances before looking back to Margot.

Bennett, catching their silent prodding, cleared his throat.

“My lord…”

“…”

Margot’s blue eyes turned toward him.

“What should we do about the imperial inspection unit?”

“It would be best to keep them tucked away somewhere.”

“That may not be wise,” Rivier objected quietly. “They act under His Majesty’s direct orders. Giving him an excuse would serve us poorly.”

“Then are we to live like this forever?” Suaire snapped.

“His Majesty’s tyranny has gone too far.”

Their voices rose in frustration. But there was no solution.

“Bennett, have you any ideas?”

“If I did, I’d have used them already.”

His flat tone earned solemn nods from the others.

After all, no one suffered more under Margot’s house arrest than Bennett himself.

Once, he had only needed to serve one master.
Now he had to assist the useless Andrea as well and report back to Margot—
his workload had doubled.

But there was no way to defy the Emperor’s absurd demands.

Bennett sighed softly, watching his lord’s profile as Margot wordlessly rubbed his fingers against the armrest.

The Emperor’s harassment wasn’t new, but it had grown worse with age.

How long must we endure this nonsense…

Margot, ever the man of propriety and restraint, would likely endure again this time too—
even knowing full well it was all tyranny.

“Phew.”

Bennett pressed a hand over his eyes, exhaling deeply.

Margot, tapping the armrest with his fingers, let a crooked smile play over his lips.

“House arrest. That’ll end once you retire, Grandpa.”

“Retire, hm?”

It was, admittedly, the best move available to him now.

Especially if Leticia’s foresight was correct and war truly loomed.

Yes, that would be the best course.

After all, his confinement was punishment from the Emperor—who presided over the council of nobles.

If he confessed guilt, or feigned illness and resigned his post, the Emperor would have no grounds to stop him.

The moment he stepped down, his house arrest would be lifted.

Then chaos would ensue.

The Emperor, caught off guard, would be swarmed by the political vultures who had been waiting to seize the vacant position.

Friends and foes would blur.
Power abhors a vacuum—
and the upheaval would be inevitable.

Especially if Pelluana struck during that time.

That old fox would choke on his own schemes.

Margot leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly as he pictured the Emperor’s face twisting in fury.

“Bennett, give the inspectors whatever they want. And summon Doctor Collin.”

“Are you unwell, my lord?”

“I will be soon.”

“…Pardon?”

Bennett blinked, not understanding, but Margot gave no further explanation.

He rose, walking toward the wall where a family portrait hung.

At the back of the painting, almost swallowed by shadow, stood Sharie.

The heir you cast aside—your daughter will inherit in your stead.

Margot chuckled softly, already imagining Sharie’s fury.

Still smiling, he walked into his bedchamber and lay down.