Of course, a nobleman from a small, remote country, and even the heir to a mere Count's family, might not be a suitable match for a Princess of a great empire. But Byron was currently a wanted man, not the Emperor of the empire. If he acted wisely now, who knows what might happen in the future?
Of course, there was no guarantee that the rebellion would succeed, so he had no intention of taking any concrete action, like getting engaged. He simply planned to boil a young girl and make it easier to cook.
Not because he was his son, but objectively, Gerald had a handsome, manly face. He was tall and handsome, and he was a typical, likable guy.
'It's exactly like when I was young.'
The Count looked at his son with satisfaction, recalling his past self who had made many women cry.
Women of that age were originally very simple-minded, so they would quickly fall in love with a handsome man who treated them just a little better.
It was a bizarre collaboration that arose from the Count's prejudice against young women and the misunderstanding that Aila was Byron's biological daughter.
“...Yes, I understand.”
Gerald, who had been keeping his mouth shut with a sullen expression until just a moment ago, nodded unexpectedly and answered.
'Why are you so docile?'
The Count thought it was a very strange thing, but Gerald, who was already showing great interest in the unknown young lady, was planning to do so even without his father's request.
But it was added with the justification of being the father's command.
Gerald raised the corners of his mouth slightly as he remembered the pretty girl with the fresh expression he had seen during the day.
“I don’t know if you liked the food.”
After a grand banquet welcoming Byron and his party, the Count, left alone with Byron, poured wine into Byron's glass and asked.
It was a precious drink that he had been unable to drink for years because he was afraid of losing it, but when Byron said he was a drinker, he thought it was a chance and opened it.
"Well, it wasn't bad. It was the first satisfying meal I've had in a while. It's all thanks to the Count."
Byron, who had eaten a hearty meal and finally found a decent place to stay, accepted the drink offered by the Count with a rather cheerful expression.
“I’m glad you’re satisfied, hehe.”
The Count laughed cowardly, flattering him as if he had just pulled out his gall bladder. It was truly a sight to behold.
"The Count has been so considerate, and I will repay this favor someday. I will keep my promise, no matter what."
Byron sipped the fragrant wine and smiled sinisterly. It had been a long time since he felt this good.
“...Ah, about that promise.”
Even though Byron seemed to be in a good mood and had boasted that he would keep his promise, Count Cenospon's face darkened in an instant.
Just a moment ago, he was smiling like a person with no ulterior motive. It was something he couldn't understand.
“What is it?”
Byron put down his glass and stared at the Count. He had a feeling something was amiss.
“Well, that’s become difficult.”
The Count's support of Byron's treason was, in fact, for the benefit of the heir to the throne whom he supported.
As the Peles Empire descended as the hegemon of this continent, it was natural that whoever received the Emperor's support would gain an advantage in the struggle for the throne.
However, Emperor Hiram of the Peles Empire had maintained an attitude of non-interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries since the beginning of his reign.
It was an extremely frustrating policy for Count Cenospon, who wanted to place the person he wanted on the throne, even by borrowing from foreign powers.
“The Duke of Bache... has been in trouble. He was caught playing with relief funds... and is now exiled to an island.”
The Duke of Bache was the youngest son of the former King and the half-brother of the current King.
Unlike the current King, who was born from a maid's body, he was the late son born from the Queen's womb. He was twenty years younger than the current King, so he could almost be considered his son.
The former King was very happy when the Duke of Bache was born and wanted to put him on the throne, but when the Duke was three years old, he died suddenly from an illness, and the current King, the eldest son, ascended to the throne.
Some nobles believed that the current King, with his illegitimate mother, was unworthy and that the Duke of Bache was the true heir to the throne. Count Cenospon was one of them.
But then the Duke of Bache fell from power.
"Because of that, the forces supporting the Duke have been half-collapsed. They're truly reckless. They were so passionate about how they couldn't accept a man of low birth as King, yet now they're joining the King's side as if nothing had happened."
Count Cenospon scoffed. He said they had neither loyalty nor courage.
“Hmm, so that’s what happened. The Count must be in a difficult position.”
“...Yes. I have many worries. I am deeply touched that Your Highness recognizes them.”
He pretended to look even more pitiful, drooping his eyebrows and giving a disgusting smile.
But what Byron got back was a reaction beyond imagination.
"What are you worried about? If I ascend to the throne, it won't be difficult for the Duke of Bache to ascend to the throne. Or perhaps a Count, not a Duke, could take the throne himself."
"Yes?"
Ascending to the throne himself? It was a reckless thought, unimaginable. The Count was so shocked that the hairs on the back of his neck seemed to stiffen.
“Haven’t you ever thought about it? Your Grace, your distribution is not as extensive as I thought.”
Byron chuckled, finding the Count's reaction amusing. He took a sip of wine, anticipating the repercussions his remarks would have. It was truly fragrant and sweet.
"...”
The Count remained silent, lost in thought. He drank sip after sip of the wine he had been reluctant to drink, but his throat felt parched.
It was true that hr hadn't thought about it. But if he thinks about it carefully...
'Not bad, right?'
No, it wasn't that bad. It was a pretty tempting offer, and honestly, he was a little greedy.
A faint smile spread across his face, flushed with alcohol, and Byron, watching, realized what it meant. His words had resonated.
“...Do you like your accommodations? I’m not sure if there’s anything uncomfortable about them.”
The Count asked with a smile on his face, which had become much calmer.
It wasn't a deflection meant to be a refusal. It was a response to a grateful offer with even greater hospitality. And Byron knew this all too well.
“Well, well. As for the inconvenience, there’s nothing in particular... No, I can think of one thing.”
Byron smiled as if something had come to mind and opened his mouth.
"My daughter's room can only be locked from the inside. Could you please install a new lock so it can be locked from the outside?"
“...Huh? In your daughter’s room?”
The Count asked with wide eyes.
Why on earth would he lock his daughter in her room? As a father, it was truly incomprehensible.
Of course, he also felt a pang of frustration whenever he saw Gerald rebel, saying that he had grown quite a bit of brain power, but he never once thought about locking him up.
“Oh, that’s right. Since we’re on the same boat, I’ll trust my Count and tell you a secret.”
At the Count's reaction, Byron chuckled slightly, then closed his eyes and smiled prettily.
"That child is not my biological daughter. She's a hunting dog I'm raising. A very useful hunting dog. Oh, she doesn't know this, so you'll have to keep it a secret."
It was a smile so bright and beautiful, yet so inhuman, that it gave him goosebumps.
The Count felt a brief jolt of fear at the sight, but that fear was soon overtaken by another emotion: disappointment and despair.
‘...I wasted my time.’
He was filled with anticipation that he might have the imperial Princess as his daughter-in-law, but when it turned out she wasn't his biological daughter, he felt a deep sense of emptiness.
'Well, I'd rather be a Prince of a country than an empire.'
The Count, who briefly wallowed in emptiness, quickly overcame it, smiled broadly, and filled Byron's empty glass with wine. He considered this evening's drinking session the most meaningful of his life.
Aila's life didn't change much after moving abroad. She was locked in her room early after dark, woken up at dawn, and endured rigorous training; her routine remained unchanged.
Of course, after realizing that Byron's curse was on her body, her attitude became much more cautious.
It was only natural. She had to survive, at least to get revenge and atone for her parents.
However, despite her complicated mind, her teacher's attitude had recently softened slightly, and he had become much more tolerant than before, so she felt much more at ease. Just like now.
“Let’s take a short break, miss.”
"When did you bring it here?" Cloud asked, tapping the armrest of the metal chair. Beside him sat two steaming mugs, evidently filled with cocoa, judging by the sweet chocolate aroma.
"...Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”
Aila sat down on the chair and accepted the cocoa he offered her.
It was quite a new experience to sit in such an exotic garden and enjoy the leisurely time while looking at the spring flowers that were just starting to bloom.
Aila leaned back in her chair, trying to enjoy the moment, until she felt a prying eye on her from somewhere.
This was the garden attached to the annex located deep within the Count's estate, and it was a place of tight security, with entry prohibited except for a few trusted servants.
What a sight to sneak into a place like that and spy on someone.
Cloud also felt the gaze, and without saying a word, he rushed to the bushes where he sensed a presence and pointed his blade at the intruder.
“Who are you?”
Of course, there was no guarantee that the rebellion would succeed, so he had no intention of taking any concrete action, like getting engaged. He simply planned to boil a young girl and make it easier to cook.
Not because he was his son, but objectively, Gerald had a handsome, manly face. He was tall and handsome, and he was a typical, likable guy.
'It's exactly like when I was young.'
The Count looked at his son with satisfaction, recalling his past self who had made many women cry.
Women of that age were originally very simple-minded, so they would quickly fall in love with a handsome man who treated them just a little better.
It was a bizarre collaboration that arose from the Count's prejudice against young women and the misunderstanding that Aila was Byron's biological daughter.
“...Yes, I understand.”
Gerald, who had been keeping his mouth shut with a sullen expression until just a moment ago, nodded unexpectedly and answered.
'Why are you so docile?'
The Count thought it was a very strange thing, but Gerald, who was already showing great interest in the unknown young lady, was planning to do so even without his father's request.
But it was added with the justification of being the father's command.
Gerald raised the corners of his mouth slightly as he remembered the pretty girl with the fresh expression he had seen during the day.
***
“I don’t know if you liked the food.”
After a grand banquet welcoming Byron and his party, the Count, left alone with Byron, poured wine into Byron's glass and asked.
It was a precious drink that he had been unable to drink for years because he was afraid of losing it, but when Byron said he was a drinker, he thought it was a chance and opened it.
"Well, it wasn't bad. It was the first satisfying meal I've had in a while. It's all thanks to the Count."
Byron, who had eaten a hearty meal and finally found a decent place to stay, accepted the drink offered by the Count with a rather cheerful expression.
“I’m glad you’re satisfied, hehe.”
The Count laughed cowardly, flattering him as if he had just pulled out his gall bladder. It was truly a sight to behold.
"The Count has been so considerate, and I will repay this favor someday. I will keep my promise, no matter what."
Byron sipped the fragrant wine and smiled sinisterly. It had been a long time since he felt this good.
“...Ah, about that promise.”
Even though Byron seemed to be in a good mood and had boasted that he would keep his promise, Count Cenospon's face darkened in an instant.
Just a moment ago, he was smiling like a person with no ulterior motive. It was something he couldn't understand.
“What is it?”
Byron put down his glass and stared at the Count. He had a feeling something was amiss.
“Well, that’s become difficult.”
The Count's support of Byron's treason was, in fact, for the benefit of the heir to the throne whom he supported.
As the Peles Empire descended as the hegemon of this continent, it was natural that whoever received the Emperor's support would gain an advantage in the struggle for the throne.
However, Emperor Hiram of the Peles Empire had maintained an attitude of non-interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries since the beginning of his reign.
It was an extremely frustrating policy for Count Cenospon, who wanted to place the person he wanted on the throne, even by borrowing from foreign powers.
“The Duke of Bache... has been in trouble. He was caught playing with relief funds... and is now exiled to an island.”
The Duke of Bache was the youngest son of the former King and the half-brother of the current King.
Unlike the current King, who was born from a maid's body, he was the late son born from the Queen's womb. He was twenty years younger than the current King, so he could almost be considered his son.
The former King was very happy when the Duke of Bache was born and wanted to put him on the throne, but when the Duke was three years old, he died suddenly from an illness, and the current King, the eldest son, ascended to the throne.
Some nobles believed that the current King, with his illegitimate mother, was unworthy and that the Duke of Bache was the true heir to the throne. Count Cenospon was one of them.
But then the Duke of Bache fell from power.
"Because of that, the forces supporting the Duke have been half-collapsed. They're truly reckless. They were so passionate about how they couldn't accept a man of low birth as King, yet now they're joining the King's side as if nothing had happened."
Count Cenospon scoffed. He said they had neither loyalty nor courage.
“Hmm, so that’s what happened. The Count must be in a difficult position.”
“...Yes. I have many worries. I am deeply touched that Your Highness recognizes them.”
He pretended to look even more pitiful, drooping his eyebrows and giving a disgusting smile.
But what Byron got back was a reaction beyond imagination.
"What are you worried about? If I ascend to the throne, it won't be difficult for the Duke of Bache to ascend to the throne. Or perhaps a Count, not a Duke, could take the throne himself."
"Yes?"
Ascending to the throne himself? It was a reckless thought, unimaginable. The Count was so shocked that the hairs on the back of his neck seemed to stiffen.
“Haven’t you ever thought about it? Your Grace, your distribution is not as extensive as I thought.”
Byron chuckled, finding the Count's reaction amusing. He took a sip of wine, anticipating the repercussions his remarks would have. It was truly fragrant and sweet.
"...”
The Count remained silent, lost in thought. He drank sip after sip of the wine he had been reluctant to drink, but his throat felt parched.
It was true that hr hadn't thought about it. But if he thinks about it carefully...
'Not bad, right?'
No, it wasn't that bad. It was a pretty tempting offer, and honestly, he was a little greedy.
A faint smile spread across his face, flushed with alcohol, and Byron, watching, realized what it meant. His words had resonated.
“...Do you like your accommodations? I’m not sure if there’s anything uncomfortable about them.”
The Count asked with a smile on his face, which had become much calmer.
It wasn't a deflection meant to be a refusal. It was a response to a grateful offer with even greater hospitality. And Byron knew this all too well.
“Well, well. As for the inconvenience, there’s nothing in particular... No, I can think of one thing.”
Byron smiled as if something had come to mind and opened his mouth.
"My daughter's room can only be locked from the inside. Could you please install a new lock so it can be locked from the outside?"
“...Huh? In your daughter’s room?”
The Count asked with wide eyes.
Why on earth would he lock his daughter in her room? As a father, it was truly incomprehensible.
Of course, he also felt a pang of frustration whenever he saw Gerald rebel, saying that he had grown quite a bit of brain power, but he never once thought about locking him up.
“Oh, that’s right. Since we’re on the same boat, I’ll trust my Count and tell you a secret.”
At the Count's reaction, Byron chuckled slightly, then closed his eyes and smiled prettily.
"That child is not my biological daughter. She's a hunting dog I'm raising. A very useful hunting dog. Oh, she doesn't know this, so you'll have to keep it a secret."
It was a smile so bright and beautiful, yet so inhuman, that it gave him goosebumps.
The Count felt a brief jolt of fear at the sight, but that fear was soon overtaken by another emotion: disappointment and despair.
‘...I wasted my time.’
He was filled with anticipation that he might have the imperial Princess as his daughter-in-law, but when it turned out she wasn't his biological daughter, he felt a deep sense of emptiness.
'Well, I'd rather be a Prince of a country than an empire.'
The Count, who briefly wallowed in emptiness, quickly overcame it, smiled broadly, and filled Byron's empty glass with wine. He considered this evening's drinking session the most meaningful of his life.
***
Aila's life didn't change much after moving abroad. She was locked in her room early after dark, woken up at dawn, and endured rigorous training; her routine remained unchanged.
Of course, after realizing that Byron's curse was on her body, her attitude became much more cautious.
It was only natural. She had to survive, at least to get revenge and atone for her parents.
However, despite her complicated mind, her teacher's attitude had recently softened slightly, and he had become much more tolerant than before, so she felt much more at ease. Just like now.
“Let’s take a short break, miss.”
"When did you bring it here?" Cloud asked, tapping the armrest of the metal chair. Beside him sat two steaming mugs, evidently filled with cocoa, judging by the sweet chocolate aroma.
"...Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”
Aila sat down on the chair and accepted the cocoa he offered her.
It was quite a new experience to sit in such an exotic garden and enjoy the leisurely time while looking at the spring flowers that were just starting to bloom.
Aila leaned back in her chair, trying to enjoy the moment, until she felt a prying eye on her from somewhere.
This was the garden attached to the annex located deep within the Count's estate, and it was a place of tight security, with entry prohibited except for a few trusted servants.
What a sight to sneak into a place like that and spy on someone.
Cloud also felt the gaze, and without saying a word, he rushed to the bushes where he sensed a presence and pointed his blade at the intruder.
“Who are you?”
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