“It’s a bit of a shame that you have to do it. Do you have anything else to say?”
“Lady Agatha...!”
Agatha continued speaking, swinging her fan.
“I came here today because I wanted to hear your forgiveness after you asked for it for two months.”
“...Thank you for your mercy. Please accept this first.”
Count Bradford offered the heads of several families who had previously instigated Agatha's assassination.
The evidence was all there.
“If you order us to change the head of the household, we will do so. I have also brought all the overdue taxes. Until you give us another order, we will never approach the capital, the Nobilis Castle, or the heir. If there is anything else we must keep in mind, please enlighten our dull minds.”
Beginning with Count Bradfold, all his relatives bowed down to the ground.
“What if I don’t wake you up?”
“I will remain here asking for your forgiveness until you are ready to awaken me.”
Agatha thinks this will do.
It didn't matter even if they hadn't come to their senses.
At that time, it would be enough to just sweep it away completely.
“You’ve prepared quite a bit.”
It wasn't for nothing that they knelt down and prayed for two months.
Knowing that she was trying to maintain discipline within the family, she also knew that she had to sacrifice and let go of those who crossed the line.
The sound of the fan folding made the relatives' bodies flinch.
“As the heir to Nobilis and the next head of the family, I hereby give my orders.”
“Please give your order, Lady Agatha.”
But what they have to offer will be different from what they think.
The ends of the fan pointed to several collateral branches that had been donated by relatives.
“I will recover the lands of the relatives who attempted to assassinate Baron Cavillo and his descendants. I will also not leave alone the remaining collateral branches who tacitly agreed with him, attempted kidnapping, and acted against the heir.”
The eyes of the relatives opened wide at the unexpected decision.
“...Just a moment, Lady Agatha!”
Perhaps the relatives were only thinking about replacing the head of the collateral family that had led the assassination.
Because Agatha had never responded to their provocations before.
Despite the urgent screams, a cold voice continued to pronounce the sentence.
“I hereby exile Count Bradfold and the remaining heads of the collateral houses. Be thankful that you are my kin. That is why I will not take your lives.”
“This is a ridiculous punishment!”
The relatives who came to their senses rebelled fiercely.
If all these relatives are exiled, what can their successor, who has just become the head of the household, do?
From now on, they will not be welcomed anywhere, as they will not be able to interfere with the internal affairs of the Nobilis family, and they will not be able to enjoy any privileges as a relative.
On top of that, if they accept the return of the territory.
It could be their turn next!
“Take him in.”
Enoch raised his hand. The knights of Aratus moved immediately.
Screams erupted from all over.
“Exile! For such a small crime!”
“What is this? Aren’t these authors enough? Instead of showing mercy to their relatives who beg for forgiveness, they insist on punishing them!”
Count Bradfold, who was being dragged away by the knights, raised his voice, pointing to the collateral heads who had already been offered.
Was it really that far before they could come to their senses?
Agatha shook her head.
“So didn’t you say it would end in exile?”
“There is no evidence to prove the crime! And the heir is not even an adult yet! How can the heir not be said to have neglected his duty after dealing with this many relatives?”
The sole heir of a family has the same duty to continue the family as the head of the family.
When the heir dies, the succession will be given to the next in line.
It was a statement that directly confronted the reason why Agatha had not been able to actively deal with her relatives' indulgence.
Perhaps the Emperor would not have protected the next Nobilis if it had not been a foreign nobleman.
Agatha's eyes became cold and sank.
“His Majesty the Emperor will be the judge of that. And who said there was no evidence?”
“What the...!”
“Ethel.”
First Assistant, Ethel Maslow, who had approached without her noticing, handed her a few documents.
Agatha handed the fan to her maid and turned the first page of the document with an elegant touch.
“Count Bradfold. 13 kidnapping attempts.”
“...!”
“Count Charsu. Ten kidnapping attempts.”
“What is that...?”
Count Bradfold asked in a trembling voice. Agatha smiled gently.
“These are the kidnappings you’ve attempted on me. I sent the First Executor to your family to investigate. You’ve been committing many acts of debauchery.”
The investigation proceeded very easily, since the head of the household, the mistress, and even the successor were all absent.
Agatha gently curved her lips towards her pale relatives.
“I have proof, and I am free from my duty as heir by giving birth to another direct lineage. That is why I was praying, and now you are asking me again. How foolish of you, gentlemen.”
“... !”
Agatha had nothing left to do.
Another direct lineage has been created.
Since the duty to continue the family line and the issue of succession rights have been resolved, what's the big deal about punishing collateral branches?
If the Emperor was in trouble, all she had to do was give him a big gift.
Given the evidence, that would have been a minor stumbling block.
Only then did the faces of the relatives who came to their senses turn pale.
At Enoch's beckoning, the heads of each collateral family were quickly dragged out.
The remaining hostess and successor looked up at Agatha with blank expressions.
“Until the matter is resolved, you shall not step out of the house.”
Agatha looked down at them, turning the pages with graceful hand movements and holding the fan.
With the face of a high-ranking nobleman more cold than ever before.
“If you go outside without permission.”
Red lips were absentmindedly pronouncing the sentence.
“At that time, a punishment worse than this will be given.”
“...”
“If you have any complaints, tell me now. I will listen.”
If you still haven't come to your senses, you might as well just sweep it away now.
The heads of the remaining faction slowly fell to the ground after seeing the knights still surrounding the dragged-away family head.
“I will obey your command, Lady Agatha....”
Agatha, who had been looking down at the sight for a while, turned her back.
The knights of Aratus were tying up the heads of the collateral families and putting them on a cart.
Get on the carriage.
Second Lieutenant, Hubert Carwen, approached and reported.
“Let’s go.”
"Yes."
Agatha felt eyes on her from the side, but she did not turn her head.
Soon a soft voice rang out.
“Are you okay?”
“...I think so.”
Strangely, she felt uneasy.
Is it joy?
Or maybe it was a relief. Her chest was swollen with something.
Agatha lowered her gaze and buried her head on Enoch's shoulder.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders without saying a word.
It was a big and warm embrace.
When they returned to the castle of Lord Nobilis, Nobilis' vassals were lined up in front of the castle.
As Agatha got out of the carriage, the heads and officials of each department, including the Consul General, Jasha Solka, knelt on one knee.
“Congratulations, Madam!”
“Congratulations!”
It was a welcome welcome to the sole heir of Nobilis, who had finally returned after subduing his clan.
Agatha smiled brightly. The threats that had been pouring down like a breath for over ten years had finally stopped.
“I am glad to be so welcomed. In that spirit, Jasha, have you prepared your petition and report to His Majesty?”
“Perfect. Everything will be as you wish, Madam.”
The attendants all cheered in joy.
It was bound to happen someday, but knowing it and seeing it become reality felt completely different.
Now, a future different from before will unfold.
Agatha let out a long breath as the vassals toasted her. Then she looked up at the man who was still holding her hand firmly.
“Shall we go see our baby?”
It was a warm gaze.
Agatha held Enoch's hand and walked up the stairs to the baby's room.
The room, which was always maintained at an appropriate temperature and humidity, was a special place where everything, from the carpet on the floor to the chandelier above, the lamps, the bed, the decorations on the walls, and even the bedding, was touched by her hands.
The knights of Aratus, who were standing guard, paid homage.
“Master. Madam. Are you here?”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
As they entered, the baby, who had been wrapped up with tender care by the nanny, opened its mouth wide at the sound of Agatha.
The cute yawn made her laugh.
“Did you sleep well?”
The nanny and maids cleverly left their seats.
As she lifted him from the cradle and held him in her arms, she could smell the warm, milky scent of a baby. As she ran her fingers over his pale cheeks, Ian looked at Agatha.
The moment their eyes met, her heart felt warm with happiness.
“Everything went well.”
The voice that explained to the baby who still didn't know anything trembled gently.
“You don’t have to worry about anything and just grow up healthy.”
It was the first time that Agatha, who had never been weak since she conceived, protected, and gave birth to the baby, revealed her true feelings.
“Because he resembles you, he will be strong. Because he resembles me, he will be courageous.”
Enoch, who had been watching, opened his mouth.
“So, feel free to cry, Agatha.”
At that moment, tears welled up in her eyes.
Have you been keeping an eye on it?
Enoch, who was quietly wiping away the flowing tears, grabbed Agatha's cheek and kissed her.
A baby squirming in her arms and a loving, affectionate husband were both by Agatha's side.
Agatha closed her eyes and let the tears flow.
Warm sunlight poured in through the open curtains.
“Lady Agatha...!”
Agatha continued speaking, swinging her fan.
“I came here today because I wanted to hear your forgiveness after you asked for it for two months.”
“...Thank you for your mercy. Please accept this first.”
Count Bradford offered the heads of several families who had previously instigated Agatha's assassination.
The evidence was all there.
“If you order us to change the head of the household, we will do so. I have also brought all the overdue taxes. Until you give us another order, we will never approach the capital, the Nobilis Castle, or the heir. If there is anything else we must keep in mind, please enlighten our dull minds.”
Beginning with Count Bradfold, all his relatives bowed down to the ground.
“What if I don’t wake you up?”
“I will remain here asking for your forgiveness until you are ready to awaken me.”
Agatha thinks this will do.
It didn't matter even if they hadn't come to their senses.
At that time, it would be enough to just sweep it away completely.
“You’ve prepared quite a bit.”
It wasn't for nothing that they knelt down and prayed for two months.
Knowing that she was trying to maintain discipline within the family, she also knew that she had to sacrifice and let go of those who crossed the line.
The sound of the fan folding made the relatives' bodies flinch.
“As the heir to Nobilis and the next head of the family, I hereby give my orders.”
“Please give your order, Lady Agatha.”
But what they have to offer will be different from what they think.
The ends of the fan pointed to several collateral branches that had been donated by relatives.
“I will recover the lands of the relatives who attempted to assassinate Baron Cavillo and his descendants. I will also not leave alone the remaining collateral branches who tacitly agreed with him, attempted kidnapping, and acted against the heir.”
The eyes of the relatives opened wide at the unexpected decision.
“...Just a moment, Lady Agatha!”
Perhaps the relatives were only thinking about replacing the head of the collateral family that had led the assassination.
Because Agatha had never responded to their provocations before.
Despite the urgent screams, a cold voice continued to pronounce the sentence.
“I hereby exile Count Bradfold and the remaining heads of the collateral houses. Be thankful that you are my kin. That is why I will not take your lives.”
“This is a ridiculous punishment!”
The relatives who came to their senses rebelled fiercely.
If all these relatives are exiled, what can their successor, who has just become the head of the household, do?
From now on, they will not be welcomed anywhere, as they will not be able to interfere with the internal affairs of the Nobilis family, and they will not be able to enjoy any privileges as a relative.
On top of that, if they accept the return of the territory.
It could be their turn next!
“Take him in.”
Enoch raised his hand. The knights of Aratus moved immediately.
Screams erupted from all over.
“Exile! For such a small crime!”
“What is this? Aren’t these authors enough? Instead of showing mercy to their relatives who beg for forgiveness, they insist on punishing them!”
Count Bradfold, who was being dragged away by the knights, raised his voice, pointing to the collateral heads who had already been offered.
Was it really that far before they could come to their senses?
Agatha shook her head.
“So didn’t you say it would end in exile?”
“There is no evidence to prove the crime! And the heir is not even an adult yet! How can the heir not be said to have neglected his duty after dealing with this many relatives?”
The sole heir of a family has the same duty to continue the family as the head of the family.
When the heir dies, the succession will be given to the next in line.
It was a statement that directly confronted the reason why Agatha had not been able to actively deal with her relatives' indulgence.
Perhaps the Emperor would not have protected the next Nobilis if it had not been a foreign nobleman.
Agatha's eyes became cold and sank.
“His Majesty the Emperor will be the judge of that. And who said there was no evidence?”
“What the...!”
“Ethel.”
First Assistant, Ethel Maslow, who had approached without her noticing, handed her a few documents.
Agatha handed the fan to her maid and turned the first page of the document with an elegant touch.
“Count Bradfold. 13 kidnapping attempts.”
“...!”
“Count Charsu. Ten kidnapping attempts.”
“What is that...?”
Count Bradfold asked in a trembling voice. Agatha smiled gently.
“These are the kidnappings you’ve attempted on me. I sent the First Executor to your family to investigate. You’ve been committing many acts of debauchery.”
The investigation proceeded very easily, since the head of the household, the mistress, and even the successor were all absent.
Agatha gently curved her lips towards her pale relatives.
“I have proof, and I am free from my duty as heir by giving birth to another direct lineage. That is why I was praying, and now you are asking me again. How foolish of you, gentlemen.”
“... !”
Agatha had nothing left to do.
Another direct lineage has been created.
Since the duty to continue the family line and the issue of succession rights have been resolved, what's the big deal about punishing collateral branches?
If the Emperor was in trouble, all she had to do was give him a big gift.
Given the evidence, that would have been a minor stumbling block.
Only then did the faces of the relatives who came to their senses turn pale.
At Enoch's beckoning, the heads of each collateral family were quickly dragged out.
The remaining hostess and successor looked up at Agatha with blank expressions.
“Until the matter is resolved, you shall not step out of the house.”
Agatha looked down at them, turning the pages with graceful hand movements and holding the fan.
With the face of a high-ranking nobleman more cold than ever before.
“If you go outside without permission.”
Red lips were absentmindedly pronouncing the sentence.
“At that time, a punishment worse than this will be given.”
“...”
“If you have any complaints, tell me now. I will listen.”
If you still haven't come to your senses, you might as well just sweep it away now.
The heads of the remaining faction slowly fell to the ground after seeing the knights still surrounding the dragged-away family head.
“I will obey your command, Lady Agatha....”
Agatha, who had been looking down at the sight for a while, turned her back.
The knights of Aratus were tying up the heads of the collateral families and putting them on a cart.
Get on the carriage.
Second Lieutenant, Hubert Carwen, approached and reported.
“Let’s go.”
"Yes."
Agatha felt eyes on her from the side, but she did not turn her head.
Soon a soft voice rang out.
“Are you okay?”
“...I think so.”
Strangely, she felt uneasy.
Is it joy?
Or maybe it was a relief. Her chest was swollen with something.
Agatha lowered her gaze and buried her head on Enoch's shoulder.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders without saying a word.
It was a big and warm embrace.
When they returned to the castle of Lord Nobilis, Nobilis' vassals were lined up in front of the castle.
As Agatha got out of the carriage, the heads and officials of each department, including the Consul General, Jasha Solka, knelt on one knee.
“Congratulations, Madam!”
“Congratulations!”
It was a welcome welcome to the sole heir of Nobilis, who had finally returned after subduing his clan.
Agatha smiled brightly. The threats that had been pouring down like a breath for over ten years had finally stopped.
“I am glad to be so welcomed. In that spirit, Jasha, have you prepared your petition and report to His Majesty?”
“Perfect. Everything will be as you wish, Madam.”
The attendants all cheered in joy.
It was bound to happen someday, but knowing it and seeing it become reality felt completely different.
Now, a future different from before will unfold.
Agatha let out a long breath as the vassals toasted her. Then she looked up at the man who was still holding her hand firmly.
“Shall we go see our baby?”
It was a warm gaze.
Agatha held Enoch's hand and walked up the stairs to the baby's room.
The room, which was always maintained at an appropriate temperature and humidity, was a special place where everything, from the carpet on the floor to the chandelier above, the lamps, the bed, the decorations on the walls, and even the bedding, was touched by her hands.
The knights of Aratus, who were standing guard, paid homage.
“Master. Madam. Are you here?”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
As they entered, the baby, who had been wrapped up with tender care by the nanny, opened its mouth wide at the sound of Agatha.
The cute yawn made her laugh.
“Did you sleep well?”
The nanny and maids cleverly left their seats.
As she lifted him from the cradle and held him in her arms, she could smell the warm, milky scent of a baby. As she ran her fingers over his pale cheeks, Ian looked at Agatha.
The moment their eyes met, her heart felt warm with happiness.
“Everything went well.”
The voice that explained to the baby who still didn't know anything trembled gently.
“You don’t have to worry about anything and just grow up healthy.”
It was the first time that Agatha, who had never been weak since she conceived, protected, and gave birth to the baby, revealed her true feelings.
“Because he resembles you, he will be strong. Because he resembles me, he will be courageous.”
Enoch, who had been watching, opened his mouth.
“So, feel free to cry, Agatha.”
At that moment, tears welled up in her eyes.
Have you been keeping an eye on it?
Enoch, who was quietly wiping away the flowing tears, grabbed Agatha's cheek and kissed her.
A baby squirming in her arms and a loving, affectionate husband were both by Agatha's side.
Agatha closed her eyes and let the tears flow.
Warm sunlight poured in through the open curtains.
-END-
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