TSHNL 50

 Chapter 50:

The marquis quickly signaled with his eyes to dismiss the maid.

“…Does this make any sense? Do you know how much effort I put into getting Klein on the side of House Luperne ever since he was a child…?”

The empress trembled in fury, seemingly blind to the marquis’ concerned gaze.

“Your Majesty, please calm down for now.”

After the marquis’ coaxing and a few deep breaths, the empress’s expression, once boiling with rage, cooled into one of icy contempt.

“I’ve changed my mind, Brother.”

She spoke quietly.

“I can no longer let the Young Lord of Luperne be.”

“Then…”

“Contact Igard.”

At the mention of the elder from the Ducal House, the Marquis of Ruseik’s eyes widened.

“It might be a good idea to take care of both sides while we have the chance.”

✦✦✦

“Try again.”

“Hup.”

I held my breath and gave it another shout. But nothing happened to the palm I extended.

The teacup sitting on the table remained perfectly intact, without a single crack.

“Hmm… Since you succeeded once, I thought it would work again soon.”

Theon adjusted his glasses and fell into thought.

Since returning from the imperial palace, Theon had been tirelessly training me to use magic.

Excited by the discovery that I possessed great magical power, I followed his instructions diligently and tried to sense mana whenever I had the chance.

The result of all that effort?

Utter failure.

The miracle had ended that day. Even looking at Klein’s portrait to summon my anger didn’t help—perhaps because it wasn’t his real face.

“That’s enough for today.”

“But! If I try just a little more…”

“My lady.”

Theon’s voice dropped. His tone signaled that he was about to say something serious, so I stopped protesting and looked up at him.

“You’re not focused at all.”

He stated coldly.

“I’m sorry.”

I furrowed my brows and put on a pitiful expression, but it didn’t help.

“Is there something else on your mind?”

His words pierced right through me, and I couldn’t bring myself to deny it.

“Looks like you don’t want to answer…”

As expected of Theon—he always knew.

He let out a small sigh and packed up the wooden practice doll from the table.

“I’ll take my leave for today. But…”

As he turned at the door, he added,

“If something’s bothering you, you should deal with that first. Otherwise, this training is pointless.”

Without waiting for a goodbye, he stepped out. Evening had already long passed.

“Ugh…”

I pressed my forehead and collapsed onto the sofa.

Just like he said, my mind had been a mess these past few days.

“I’ll run away with a sack of money. Klein and Calista can fight or whatever.”

That was the life plan I had ambitiously laid out before. And it wasn’t a plan I couldn’t execute right now.

Sorry, Theon… Or maybe not. He might even say he’ll come with me. Maybe even Sion. That would make my future even safer.

But my heart didn’t feel light.

Half because of Calista, half because of Killian.

I thought about the latter. The hunting festival that had claimed his life in the previous life was only a few months away now.

“Even outside the imperial palace, there’s someone who worries about you.”

His expression when he heard that—it had been so desperate. And the way he had smiled when we met again—so bright.

The thought of letting him die again left a deep discomfort in my heart.

But the biggest obstacle to my escape plan was Calista.

In my past life, she had just been someone to avoid. But now… I knew she would suffer greatly if I disappeared.

No—there was another reason I didn’t want to leave.

If I ran away like this, I knew I would miss her first. And if a war broke out, I’d spend my time constantly worrying about her.

“Sigh…”

I heaved another deep sigh. A different plan—the one I had shelved for lack of confidence—kept circling in my mind.

A plan I had been mulling over these past few days:

To take responsibility for saving Killian’s life… and eventually, to prevent the war itself.

“I have to do it… What choice do I have?”

That was the end of my deliberation.

There wasn’t a shred of bravery in me, but it was still an important decision.

Oddly, I felt calmer. Once I made up my mind, all the vague thoughts fell into place.

And just in time, there was something I could start on right away.

“Sion, are you there?”

I called toward the hallway. Soon, a black shadow stepped into the room.

“You called, my lady.”

As always, he looked at me with loyal eyes.

“Sion, are you busy these days?”

Perhaps the question caught him off guard, because his expression quickly filled with guilt and confusion.

“Why… do you ask? Did something happen while I was away…?”

“This morning, Jenna was reading a fairy tale, but you weren’t there. So there was no one to voice the prince.”

I said gloomily. It wasn’t even a lie.

“I tried, but everyone just laughed and said it didn’t suit me.”

Sion’s serious expression melted into a soft smile.

“I apologize, my lady. Iris sent me some news via carrier bird… and since you like gossip, I thought I’d tell you something interesting.”

With an affectionate expression, he thumped his chest once.

“From now on, I’ll make sure to keep my mornings free. Whether prince or monster, just leave it to me!”

His eyes sparkled with confidence. The face that had once been cowed under knights like Soyer had completely changed since meeting Iris.

“Aah, you’ve been really busy.”

It made sense.

Sion was meticulous, picky, and diligent when it came to information. He wasn’t the type to leave carrier birds waiting for days.

I was sure he and Iris were building an intricate intelligence network, exchanging news every day.

Even the new clothes and supplies I hadn’t seen before suggested he had started earning money by selling information.

With all that going on, the work was probably getting too much for just the two of them.

“I wish someone could help you.”

When I sighed, Sion gave an even more satisfied smile.

“Indeed. But the work Iris and I do is quite tricky… and there’s no one suitable nearby.”

“What kind of person would you need?”

“Well, first, someone discreet—who wouldn’t betray us.”

He began counting on his fingers.

“And?”

“Well… maybe not a noble, but someone close to one would be ideal. Quick-witted, able to move in secret—and ideally…”

He smacked his forehead, realizing he forgot something important.

“If they had some martial skill, that’d be perfect. Just in case things get dangerous.”

After folding all five fingers, he shook his head, as if to say such a person didn’t exist.

“Of course, there’s no one like that. Or if they do exist, they’re already working for someone else. I plan to take it slow, maybe build something over years.”

“I know people like that!”

I raised my hand like an eager student. Sion’s eyes widened.

“How would you…”

His gaze turned serious. He never took my words lightly.

“Did you hear about them at the palace? Are they spies from noble families? Each one would be an asset…”

“More than twenty.”

He was shooting questions rapidly, but froze at my answer.

“…How many?”

“Twenty.”

“Um… Are you sure you’re not bad with numbers?”

He looked at me apologetically. I firmly shook my head.

With a frown, he asked again.

“…Who, and from where?”

“The Naitra family.”

At my answer, silence filled the room.

“If it’s the Naitra family…”

Sion blinked, then muttered slowly.

“…Weren’t they annihilated by the Young Lord after trying to kidnap Lady Vittori a few months ago?”

Wow. Accurate as ever.

He knew about an incident that had never even been made public.

I didn’t argue, just looked at him silently.

If he followed the train of thought, he’d arrive at the answer himself.

“Then… you mean the survivors?”

Exactly.

I nodded.

“Calista said those not directly involved were spared.”

“They’re hiding under false identities, stripped of titles…”

“They need jobs.”

“Yes. And since they’re hiding their pasts… they probably can’t do anything else.”

At that, Sion’s eyes darted around quickly. He was running calculations in his head.

Yes, think faster.

The Naitra family was raised as blades in the shadows.

After the incident with Vittori, Igard had cut ties with the remaining Naitras to avoid being dragged down.

Like dogs abandoned by their master, they had nowhere to go. And no noble wanted to touch the ruined family that dared cross Calista.

“People who have nowhere to go, and can’t betray even if they wanted to…”

Sion murmured to himself. His eyes were already sparkling.

Yes, that’s exactly it.

It was the same in my past life. The Naitra family had hurt Vittori, were wiped out by Calista, and the surviving remnants, not directly involved, died during the war.

But maybe because that was the only skill they had…

Before they were wiped out, they had formed their own group and began working underground.

By then, the empire was in such chaos that few cared about their pasts.

They did everything—delivered secrets, guarded people, assassinated targets.

Their skills, honed while working for Igard, hadn’t dulled. They were top-class in the empire.

What they lacked was a capable leader.

Someone to guide them in the shadows, use their talents wisely, and keep them safe.

Someone exactly like Sion.