Liene asked.
“What's the problem?”
“As you know, there is an obstacle to your marriage called the Treaty of Liseberg. The Princess said that the temple could overturn it. However, the position of the high priest is vacant right now, and the ones who can appoint that high priest are coincidentally the rotten ones who made the Treaty of Liseberg, so the solution was that clan.”
That was it. The plan was to reveal the fact that Kleinfelter had ordered Klima to kill the High Priest, thereby severing the honeymoon relationship between the temple and the Kleinfelter family. Without Klima, that plan would be impossible.
“So please reconsider, Princess. If you erase his crime, your wedding will be delayed for a long time.”
“...But you still shouldn’t kill him.”
“Then please tell me the reason. The reason why we should save that guy.”
“...”
Liene took a deep breath. For Liene, Klima's life was a matter that could not be compromised. Fermos was thoroughly Black's man. So if it was for Black's sake, he would follow. Liene let out a deep breath and a sigh.
“I have never had children.”
“Oh, I heard that too. Although it wasn’t my lord’s child, I feel very sorry... No, wait. What? You said you never had one?”
Fermos, who was about to offer words of comfort that he didn't really mean, opened his eyes wide as he realized his mistake.
“From the beginning... it wasn’t like that? Is that true?”
"Yes."
“My Lord knows... Oh, I see. That must be why he was in such a good mood, to the point of looking so dazed... No, please pretend you didn’t hear that. As you know, my lord is not usually very expressive. Saying he looked dazed may have been shocking to us, but other people probably wouldn’t have noticed it even if they saw it.”
It didn't matter at all. Liene couldn't imagine Black making such a foolish expression, but she was sure that he would look good in her eyes. He would look soft and affectionate. He might even look happy... Thinking about it, she missed him too.
“I intended to continue the lie until the end. That was how I calculated to preserve the rule of the Arsak family. But...”
“Are you saying you changed your mind?”
"Yes."
“Why?”
“Because I have become sincere to your leader.”
"Ah..."
Fermos blinked his eyes diligently as if he was surprised. His monocle made a clicking sound every time his eyelids opened and closed.
“It means that I no longer have to calculate in front of him, nor do I have to worry about losing anything. I believe that Lord Tiwakan is a person who is more than capable of becoming the ruler of Nauk.”
“That’s obvious, but... I’m a little taken aback. I should welcome the fact that the Princess has become sincere, but it seems a little too soon...?”
“Do you think what I am saying is a lie?”
Liene looked at Fermos calmly. There was not a single lie. Liene was just trying to hide something, and everything she was saying was the truth. The person who had just told Liene that she was bad at lying was Fermos. There was no way he could not recognize the expression and eyes that were telling the truth.
“No. Forget what I just said. Why would I add anything? As someone who has sworn loyalty to my lord, I am only grateful.”
“That is why I want to do everything I can to ensure that Lord Tiwakan and his descendants will be the rightful rulers of this land.”
“Well, you think so. I understand. But what does that have to do with covering up the sins of that brother?”
“It does matter. I believe so.”
“Hmm... I guess you’ll be careful not to say anything until then.”
“Know that the way you serve someone is different at different times. Even if I am holding back my words now or covering up someone’s sin, it is for the sake of Lord Tiwakan. Right now, all I can think about is that man.”
“Well, you say something like that... I just can’t refuse.”
If you are too honest, it can be a spear to some. Fermos stuttered for a moment, feeling a prickly sensation as if he had been stabbed somewhere. Although it felt a little out of sync, what the two of them were doing was the same. They were sincere, and so they tried to do something for each other. One of them was to save Klima. Somehow, it felt like the two of them were doing the same thing differently.
At that moment, Fermos was flustered and gave an inappropriate greeting without realizing it.
“What are you thankful for, Sir?”
“No, when you smile like that, it’s really pleasing to the eye and something to be thankful for... No, that’s not it. How dare I say anything... I, I’ll be going now. I’m sorry.”
Fermos got up and ran out without even paying any attention to the situation.
“...?”
Liene was momentarily puzzled by this unusual behavior. Although she didn't expect Fermos to always be polite to her, it was still strange.
“Your Highness... No, we still need to provide a hiding place. If we continue to stay in the temple, the Kleinfelter family might intervene.”
There was a lot to do. I had to rescue Mrs. Henton, who was being held hostage by the Kleinfelters and was working as a laborer.
“What should I do about that...”
But it was a worry that needed no further consideration. Mrs. Henton was already somewhere else. Close and safe.
“Come to your senses, sir! Do you think Tiwakan will leave us alone just because you say so? I have already relayed Kleinfelter’s words to the messenger...”
"Sir!"
Rosadel glared at Elaroiden in horror.
“Wh, what...! You did that alone! I didn’t do anything! You was the only one who talked to the chairman!”
“Do you think the barbarians would care about such things? Only two people faced Lord Kleinfelter that day, so that’s the end of it!”
“Ahh... No.”
Rosadel fell to the dirt floor with a thud.
“Oh my, master. You shouldn’t sit in such a cold place.”
The loyal butler tried to wake Rosadel. Rosadel sat down and shook her head.
“No... I didn’t do anything. It was all the Kleinfelters and Elaroiden who did it...”
Elaroiden looked at Rosadel, who was sitting down, clicking his tongue in astonishment.
“Your Grace, what is that disgrace? Aren’t you ashamed of the name Rosadel?”
“I didn’t do it... I said I didn’t do it...”
“What's the problem?”
“As you know, there is an obstacle to your marriage called the Treaty of Liseberg. The Princess said that the temple could overturn it. However, the position of the high priest is vacant right now, and the ones who can appoint that high priest are coincidentally the rotten ones who made the Treaty of Liseberg, so the solution was that clan.”
That was it. The plan was to reveal the fact that Kleinfelter had ordered Klima to kill the High Priest, thereby severing the honeymoon relationship between the temple and the Kleinfelter family. Without Klima, that plan would be impossible.
“So please reconsider, Princess. If you erase his crime, your wedding will be delayed for a long time.”
“...But you still shouldn’t kill him.”
“Then please tell me the reason. The reason why we should save that guy.”
“...”
Liene took a deep breath. For Liene, Klima's life was a matter that could not be compromised. Fermos was thoroughly Black's man. So if it was for Black's sake, he would follow. Liene let out a deep breath and a sigh.
“I have never had children.”
“Oh, I heard that too. Although it wasn’t my lord’s child, I feel very sorry... No, wait. What? You said you never had one?”
Fermos, who was about to offer words of comfort that he didn't really mean, opened his eyes wide as he realized his mistake.
“From the beginning... it wasn’t like that? Is that true?”
"Yes."
“My Lord knows... Oh, I see. That must be why he was in such a good mood, to the point of looking so dazed... No, please pretend you didn’t hear that. As you know, my lord is not usually very expressive. Saying he looked dazed may have been shocking to us, but other people probably wouldn’t have noticed it even if they saw it.”
It didn't matter at all. Liene couldn't imagine Black making such a foolish expression, but she was sure that he would look good in her eyes. He would look soft and affectionate. He might even look happy... Thinking about it, she missed him too.
“I intended to continue the lie until the end. That was how I calculated to preserve the rule of the Arsak family. But...”
“Are you saying you changed your mind?”
"Yes."
“Why?”
“Because I have become sincere to your leader.”
"Ah..."
Fermos blinked his eyes diligently as if he was surprised. His monocle made a clicking sound every time his eyelids opened and closed.
“It means that I no longer have to calculate in front of him, nor do I have to worry about losing anything. I believe that Lord Tiwakan is a person who is more than capable of becoming the ruler of Nauk.”
“That’s obvious, but... I’m a little taken aback. I should welcome the fact that the Princess has become sincere, but it seems a little too soon...?”
“Do you think what I am saying is a lie?”
Liene looked at Fermos calmly. There was not a single lie. Liene was just trying to hide something, and everything she was saying was the truth. The person who had just told Liene that she was bad at lying was Fermos. There was no way he could not recognize the expression and eyes that were telling the truth.
“No. Forget what I just said. Why would I add anything? As someone who has sworn loyalty to my lord, I am only grateful.”
“That is why I want to do everything I can to ensure that Lord Tiwakan and his descendants will be the rightful rulers of this land.”
“Well, you think so. I understand. But what does that have to do with covering up the sins of that brother?”
“It does matter. I believe so.”
“Hmm... I guess you’ll be careful not to say anything until then.”
“Know that the way you serve someone is different at different times. Even if I am holding back my words now or covering up someone’s sin, it is for the sake of Lord Tiwakan. Right now, all I can think about is that man.”
“Well, you say something like that... I just can’t refuse.”
If you are too honest, it can be a spear to some. Fermos stuttered for a moment, feeling a prickly sensation as if he had been stabbed somewhere. Although it felt a little out of sync, what the two of them were doing was the same. They were sincere, and so they tried to do something for each other. One of them was to save Klima. Somehow, it felt like the two of them were doing the same thing differently.
How could I know since neither of them said anything?
Fermos scratched his head in frustration. They say that humans give affection to people similar to themselves, and looking at the two of them, it seemed to be true. The two of them, who looked completely different, were secretly similar on the inside.
“Then let’s find another way.”
Then, Liene smiled brightly as if she was truly relieved.
"Thank you."
“Uh... Yes, thank you.”
“Then let’s find another way.”
Then, Liene smiled brightly as if she was truly relieved.
"Thank you."
“Uh... Yes, thank you.”
At that moment, Fermos was flustered and gave an inappropriate greeting without realizing it.
“What are you thankful for, Sir?”
“No, when you smile like that, it’s really pleasing to the eye and something to be thankful for... No, that’s not it. How dare I say anything... I, I’ll be going now. I’m sorry.”
Fermos got up and ran out without even paying any attention to the situation.
“...?”
Liene was momentarily puzzled by this unusual behavior. Although she didn't expect Fermos to always be polite to her, it was still strange.
“Your Highness... No, we still need to provide a hiding place. If we continue to stay in the temple, the Kleinfelter family might intervene.”
There was a lot to do. I had to rescue Mrs. Henton, who was being held hostage by the Kleinfelters and was working as a laborer.
“What should I do about that...”
But it was a worry that needed no further consideration. Mrs. Henton was already somewhere else. Close and safe.
***
The news that the Kleinfelters had been utterly destroyed sent shivers down the five remaining houses. Or perhaps they were just shaking. Even if Linden Kleinfelter had been away, the door to the mansion should not have been broken down so easily. It meant that the Tiwakan were stronger than all of them put together and that nothing could stop them.
“Fuck.”
Elaroiden cursed with a loss of face. Despite being informed of her visit, the Rosadel mansion had not been opened for more than ten minutes. What kind of workers were so slow that even this level of cursing was too polite?
“What are you doing instead of opening it? What if they see it?”
It was a crisis for the six families. It wasn’t some vague political crisis but a terrifying threat that felt right in their faces. If things continued this way, the barbarians called Tiwakan would take everything they had. The six families had to join forces. They had to do whatever it took to drive out Tiwakan, whether it was war or treason. This was originally supposed to be Kleinfelter’s job, but since he was locked up in prison, they had no choice but to take the risk and take action themself. It was burdensome to even leave the house in the fortress of Nauk Castle, where Tiwakan could pop out at any moment.
“Fuck.”
Elaroiden cursed with a loss of face. Despite being informed of her visit, the Rosadel mansion had not been opened for more than ten minutes. What kind of workers were so slow that even this level of cursing was too polite?
“What are you doing instead of opening it? What if they see it?”
It was a crisis for the six families. It wasn’t some vague political crisis but a terrifying threat that felt right in their faces. If things continued this way, the barbarians called Tiwakan would take everything they had. The six families had to join forces. They had to do whatever it took to drive out Tiwakan, whether it was war or treason. This was originally supposed to be Kleinfelter’s job, but since he was locked up in prison, they had no choice but to take the risk and take action themself. It was burdensome to even leave the house in the fortress of Nauk Castle, where Tiwakan could pop out at any moment.
Furthermore, he had unintentionally committed a crime. He had told the servant of the house as instructed by Linden Kleinfelter. There was no way that the servant had been caught yet, but Tiwakan had already trampled the Great Speaker’s house. No law prevented his own house from doing the same. The remaining five houses were still safe, whether Princess Liene had returned or not, but he didn’t know.
Bang bang!
Elaroiden, who was growing impatient, knocked on the Rosadel House's door with force. He had left his guard behind and dressed as a worker to avoid Tiwakan's eyes, but now he had to do this himself.
“Open the door! Open it quickly!”
Boom! Squeak!
“Open the door! Open it quickly!”
Boom! Squeak!
The door finally opens.
“Shhh... Please be quiet.”
The one who opened the door was the butler of the Rosadel family. Elaroiden suddenly lost hia temper.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you just open the door quickly? Why are you leaving the person standing outside the door?”
“The master does not wish to see you. It would be better for you to just go back...”
"What?"
Elaroiden's face suddenly crumpled.
“How dare you... Get out of my way!”
Elaroiden forced the door open and entered.
“No, you can’t! Don’t do that! Sir!”
“Shut up and call Sir Rosadel. Where are you getting the gall to tell me what to do?”
“The master said he would not come out. I opened the door to convey this message.”
“Shut up! Sir Rosadel! How can you do this when someone is here? Come out!”
Elaroiden continued walking recklessly. The butler tried to stop him, but since he could not do anything, he could only stamp his feet.
“Sir Rosadel! Come out! Do you think it’s okay to hide alone like a coward? Do you think those savages will let you hide?”
“Oh my, sir! Please lower your voice. That’s not what the master wants...”
“If not that, then what?”
As the butler was embarrassed and kept his mouth shut, Rosadel appeared.
“Be quiet, Sir.”
“...? Sir Rosadel?”
Elaroiden opened his mouth. The listless gait was suspicious, and his face had become half-dead. Rosadel, who had lost sixteen of his men at once, had collapsed and was in pain as soon as he heard the news. At least one of them had returned alive. Instead, he had lost an arm, and he could no longer be called a knight. Losing sixteen of two hundred men might not seem like much, but it was not to Rosadel. They said that the sixteen were cut down like rotten corn stalks in less than an hour. And they said that it was not a group that attacked, but a single one. Tiwakan was a disaster. It was not something that could be stopped by human power. Rosadel had already lost his will to fight.
“I understand why you came here, but please don’t do that. I’ll get out... Please go back.”
“Shhh... Please be quiet.”
The one who opened the door was the butler of the Rosadel family. Elaroiden suddenly lost hia temper.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you just open the door quickly? Why are you leaving the person standing outside the door?”
“The master does not wish to see you. It would be better for you to just go back...”
"What?"
Elaroiden's face suddenly crumpled.
“How dare you... Get out of my way!”
Elaroiden forced the door open and entered.
“No, you can’t! Don’t do that! Sir!”
“Shut up and call Sir Rosadel. Where are you getting the gall to tell me what to do?”
“The master said he would not come out. I opened the door to convey this message.”
“Shut up! Sir Rosadel! How can you do this when someone is here? Come out!”
Elaroiden continued walking recklessly. The butler tried to stop him, but since he could not do anything, he could only stamp his feet.
“Sir Rosadel! Come out! Do you think it’s okay to hide alone like a coward? Do you think those savages will let you hide?”
“Oh my, sir! Please lower your voice. That’s not what the master wants...”
“If not that, then what?”
As the butler was embarrassed and kept his mouth shut, Rosadel appeared.
“Be quiet, Sir.”
“...? Sir Rosadel?”
Elaroiden opened his mouth. The listless gait was suspicious, and his face had become half-dead. Rosadel, who had lost sixteen of his men at once, had collapsed and was in pain as soon as he heard the news. At least one of them had returned alive. Instead, he had lost an arm, and he could no longer be called a knight. Losing sixteen of two hundred men might not seem like much, but it was not to Rosadel. They said that the sixteen were cut down like rotten corn stalks in less than an hour. And they said that it was not a group that attacked, but a single one. Tiwakan was a disaster. It was not something that could be stopped by human power. Rosadel had already lost his will to fight.
“I understand why you came here, but please don’t do that. I’ll get out... Please go back.”
“What on earth are you talking about!”
Rosadel didn't even let Elaroiden into the reception room. He just tried to send him away in the courtyard.
“Are you going to fall for it?”
“I don’t want to fight Tiwakan. That’s something I can’t do...”
Rosadel didn't even let Elaroiden into the reception room. He just tried to send him away in the courtyard.
“Are you going to fall for it?”
“I don’t want to fight Tiwakan. That’s something I can’t do...”
“Come to your senses, sir! Do you think Tiwakan will leave us alone just because you say so? I have already relayed Kleinfelter’s words to the messenger...”
"Sir!"
Rosadel glared at Elaroiden in horror.
“Wh, what...! You did that alone! I didn’t do anything! You was the only one who talked to the chairman!”
“Do you think the barbarians would care about such things? Only two people faced Lord Kleinfelter that day, so that’s the end of it!”
“Ahh... No.”
Rosadel fell to the dirt floor with a thud.
“Oh my, master. You shouldn’t sit in such a cold place.”
The loyal butler tried to wake Rosadel. Rosadel sat down and shook her head.
“No... I didn’t do anything. It was all the Kleinfelters and Elaroiden who did it...”
Elaroiden looked at Rosadel, who was sitting down, clicking his tongue in astonishment.
“Your Grace, what is that disgrace? Aren’t you ashamed of the name Rosadel?”
“I didn’t do it... I said I didn’t do it...”
“Ha, what the heck is this...!”
Elaroiden clicked his tongue, then sighed. He couldn't understand why Rosadel was so scared, but he knew for sure that he was useless now.
“Yes. I’ll just go back today. But, Sir, come to your senses. Can you really protect the family name in such a weak state? Right now, the six families need to come together and do whatever it takes.”
“...”
Rosadel kept his mouth shut.
“I will send someone again. I don’t know what happened, but please take care of yourself.”
Elaroiden turned around abruptly. His mind was racing. He had to decide whether to contact the other families besides Rosadel or to pretend nothing had happened and watch the situation unfold.
“Since there’s still no word on what happened to Princess Liene... Should I make up an excuse and let someone into the castle..."
It was the moment when he opened the door he had just come through while muttering to himself.
“...? ...Ugh, huh!”
At first, he thought my eyes were wrong. The moment he opened the door, all he saw were people in black armor.
“Ti, Tiwakan!”
Elaroiden clicked his tongue, then sighed. He couldn't understand why Rosadel was so scared, but he knew for sure that he was useless now.
“Yes. I’ll just go back today. But, Sir, come to your senses. Can you really protect the family name in such a weak state? Right now, the six families need to come together and do whatever it takes.”
“...”
Rosadel kept his mouth shut.
“I will send someone again. I don’t know what happened, but please take care of yourself.”
Elaroiden turned around abruptly. His mind was racing. He had to decide whether to contact the other families besides Rosadel or to pretend nothing had happened and watch the situation unfold.
“Since there’s still no word on what happened to Princess Liene... Should I make up an excuse and let someone into the castle..."
It was the moment when he opened the door he had just come through while muttering to himself.
“...? ...Ugh, huh!”
At first, he thought my eyes were wrong. The moment he opened the door, all he saw were people in black armor.
“Ti, Tiwakan!”
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