Left alone, Gerald glared at where Aila had stood, his pride wounded beyond belief.
'You don't even know the basics, how dare you humiliate me like this?'
His teeth chattered. It was the first insult he'd ever experienced in his life as the only son of a noble Count's family.
He thought that if words didn't work out for her, he could just force her with force.
Watching her today nimbly catch a stone and then throw it back with incredible speed, it seemed like even that might be impossible.
As Gerald trembled with unbearable humiliation, two surprising messages from the Peles Empire were flying toward the Inselkov Kingdom.
Byron was very uncomfortable.
The Count had firmly promised to discipline his son in front of him, but nothing had changed, as nearly a month had passed.
Lately, he hasn't spoken to Aila directly or anything, but whenever he gets a chance, he can be seen wandering around the annex garden with a disgruntled expression on his face.
As Byron's irritation was steadily building, the spy sent him news that would upset his mind.
It was news that Ophelia had given birth to a son.
His name was Noah. He was said to be a lovely child who inherited his father's black hair and Ophelia's violet eyes.
'If he has black hair, my teeth will chatter.'
All the obstacles in his life had black hair. His younger brother, Hiram, who had usurped his place, and that son, Winfred.
And Roderick, who stole Ophelia and betrayed her, also had black hair.
'That child should have been mine.'
Byron clenched his fists as he imagined a son who looked just like Ophelia and himself.
In fact, as a man, he naturally had a desire to leave behind a lineage resembling himself. As he was destined to ascend to the throne, he also had the sacred purpose of continuing the imperial lineage.
But he abandoned all such desires. Because he loved Ophelia. Because he loved her despite her fatal flaw: her body made it difficult for her to have children.
He thought he didn't need children as long as she was by his side. He loved Ophelia enough to let go of that greed.
But then, as if by some strange coincidence, that difficult-to-form child suddenly appeared. It was Aila. They said she was healthy enough to endure all those adverse conditions.
But the chances of having another healthy child like Aila were close to zero, so they said that child would be their first and last.
So, all he had to do was eliminate Aila. The odds of her giving birth to a descendant of his were slim, but he still believed that Ophelia Hailing was the only one who could sit by his side as Empress.
‘...But this time it’s a son.’
Son. A son who resembles the traitor Roderick Weishaffen, whom he loathes to the point of shuddering disgust.
Byron wanted to storm into the Duke's mansion right now and wring that frail neck to death. The mere fact that such a hideous creature existed under these skies was enough to make his stomach churn and his intestines rip.
Even if it was for the most perfect revenge, it may have been because he could see Aila alive and breathing, and perhaps because the child was a girl.
“...It would be fun to kill her own younger brother with that woman’s hands.”
How joyful it would be to watch someone die, knowing they killed their own brother and father with their own hands.
Just thinking about that moment made his whole body feel like it was tingling with joy.
While Byron was suppressing his anger by imagining such things.
“Duke Byron, Duke Byron...!”
The Count suddenly appeared and brought with him one more surprising piece of news.
“Why did you come here so suddenly without any notice?”
“Oh, that’s... I heard an incredible story when I went to the palace today.”
Byron, who thought that no matter how surprising the news was, it wouldn't be the news of Ophelia's son, asked with a calm face.
“What on earth are you talking about? Are you saying there’s a war?”
At his seemingly disinterested attitude, the Count tapped the desk to get his attention as if telling him to listen quickly.
“Well, didn’t they say the Crown Prince is coming next month?”
“The Crown Prince? Where does the Crown Prince come from?”
"What is this sound of someone banging on a bongo while sleeping?" Byron asked, finally becoming a little interested. The Count, completely excited, explained everything in detail.
“The Crown Prince of the Peles Empire is coming to our kingdom!”
There was news that the Crown Prince would personally lead the imperial delegation to the Inselkov Kingdom's investiture ceremony next month.
“...Are you talking about my nephew?”
"Yes! Isn't this a heaven-sent opportunity, Your Highness? Your Highness, you happen to be in the Inselkov Kingdom, and the Crown Prince is coming here to visit."
The Count, if he seized the opportunity, could assassinate the Crown Prince, he said, and laid out a preposterous plan. He was a fool who knew only one thing and not two.
“And what if it fails? Will the Count be safe?”
"...Ah."
When Byron asked, resting his chin on his hand, the words 'failure' and 'discovery' finally came to mind, and the Count's spirits waned.
He had already attempted to assassinate Winfred once, but failed. As a result, the situation within the empire had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer even establish himself, and he had fled here, as if driven out.
But Byron was not so stupid as to try to assassinate Winfred in a fit of impulsiveness.
"I'm more worried than that. If the imperial envoys come, security here will be tight too."
Byron spoke as if he were worried that he might be discovered hiding here.
"Oh, don't worry about that. While Count Senospon's territory is close to the capital, it's still on the opposite side of the Empire, so no Imperial envoys will come all the way here."
The Count shouted, "Don't worry, I'll hold on tight." It was understandable, for even among the mansion's employees, only a few knew of the annex's guests.
“I've kept this annex under strict security. You don't have to worry.”
Byron opened his mouth in discontent as he watched the Count proudly speaking, his chest pounding.
“...But, isn’t it true that people who shouldn’t be in the annex keep coming in and out?”
It was the story of the Count's son, Gerald.
“Yes? You’re saying I shouldn’t come? How dare someone...!”
“I mean, son. Son.”
"To be working with such a stupid and oblivious person," Byron said, trying to suppress a sigh.
“Oh, you were talking about our Gerald...”
When the topic of his son came up, the Count became very depressed and trailed off.
"I'm truly sorry, Lord. I hope you understand. There's nothing I can't control more than raising my children. I try to persuade him without fail... but he's stubborn as hell."
The Count lowered his head as if he were ashamed, saying that he could not tie up his grown son.
"He's past the age where he can listen to me after being beaten and scared... I'm really doing my best. I'm sorry."
"...All right."
In response to the Count's repeated apologies, Byron tried to appease him, saying that his apology was enough. He didn't agree with his words, though.
If your child doesn't listen, why not beat them, tie them up, and lock them up to make them listen? Regardless of their age, isn't that the end of it?
Maybe it's because he doesn't have any blood relatives, but he doesn't think it would be much different if he had children who inherited his seed.
"Well then, I'll take my leave now. I've taken up too much of your precious time."
Only after the Count bowed his head and stepped back was Byron finally able to regain peace.
Laura locked the door outside, and Aila was left alone, reading the papers containing the information she had been researching.
Now, she's slowly getting used to living hidden away in the Count's annex. She doesn't know when she'll be able to leave, but it's definitely been a comfortable experience.
In fact, since she came to the Count's house, she hasn't even been able to try going out at night.
It was partly because she knew the truth about the curse on her body, but it was also because the guard the Count had posted to strictly guard the annex happened to be standing right in front of her room window all night.
Still, after eavesdropping on Byron and Cloud's conversations a few times during the day, she was able to learn one thing.
The fact that the Count had decided to help Byron and obtain it was that the Count himself would ascend to the throne of this country.
Byron, Count Senospon, and all the other rascals who covet things that are not their place were truly ugly.
Anyway, since she has nothing else to do with her spare time, she's reading this to reorganize the information she's found out so far.
Aila neatly organized the information she had written down and put it in Winfred's secret box.
And before returning the box, she took out the pocket watch Winfred had given her for no reason and looked at it.
Under the pretext of occasionally winding the mainspring, Aila would occasionally take out the watch, which held memories of her and Winfred, and look at it.
The day she met Winfred and received this watch as a gift, that magical moment seemed to unfold vividly before her eyes.
‘...I wonder if that kid has grown a lot?’
That must have been the case. Just as Aila had grown so much in the meantime, Winfred must have grown quite a bit, too.
Even back then, he was quite tall and slender for his age. She wonders how much taller he's become now. It's been quite some time, and he must be fifteen by now.
Aila imagined him a little older and realized that this was longing.
'You don't even know the basics, how dare you humiliate me like this?'
His teeth chattered. It was the first insult he'd ever experienced in his life as the only son of a noble Count's family.
He thought that if words didn't work out for her, he could just force her with force.
Watching her today nimbly catch a stone and then throw it back with incredible speed, it seemed like even that might be impossible.
As Gerald trembled with unbearable humiliation, two surprising messages from the Peles Empire were flying toward the Inselkov Kingdom.
***
Byron was very uncomfortable.
The Count had firmly promised to discipline his son in front of him, but nothing had changed, as nearly a month had passed.
Lately, he hasn't spoken to Aila directly or anything, but whenever he gets a chance, he can be seen wandering around the annex garden with a disgruntled expression on his face.
As Byron's irritation was steadily building, the spy sent him news that would upset his mind.
It was news that Ophelia had given birth to a son.
His name was Noah. He was said to be a lovely child who inherited his father's black hair and Ophelia's violet eyes.
'If he has black hair, my teeth will chatter.'
All the obstacles in his life had black hair. His younger brother, Hiram, who had usurped his place, and that son, Winfred.
And Roderick, who stole Ophelia and betrayed her, also had black hair.
'That child should have been mine.'
Byron clenched his fists as he imagined a son who looked just like Ophelia and himself.
In fact, as a man, he naturally had a desire to leave behind a lineage resembling himself. As he was destined to ascend to the throne, he also had the sacred purpose of continuing the imperial lineage.
But he abandoned all such desires. Because he loved Ophelia. Because he loved her despite her fatal flaw: her body made it difficult for her to have children.
He thought he didn't need children as long as she was by his side. He loved Ophelia enough to let go of that greed.
But then, as if by some strange coincidence, that difficult-to-form child suddenly appeared. It was Aila. They said she was healthy enough to endure all those adverse conditions.
But the chances of having another healthy child like Aila were close to zero, so they said that child would be their first and last.
So, all he had to do was eliminate Aila. The odds of her giving birth to a descendant of his were slim, but he still believed that Ophelia Hailing was the only one who could sit by his side as Empress.
‘...But this time it’s a son.’
Son. A son who resembles the traitor Roderick Weishaffen, whom he loathes to the point of shuddering disgust.
Byron wanted to storm into the Duke's mansion right now and wring that frail neck to death. The mere fact that such a hideous creature existed under these skies was enough to make his stomach churn and his intestines rip.
Even if it was for the most perfect revenge, it may have been because he could see Aila alive and breathing, and perhaps because the child was a girl.
“...It would be fun to kill her own younger brother with that woman’s hands.”
How joyful it would be to watch someone die, knowing they killed their own brother and father with their own hands.
Just thinking about that moment made his whole body feel like it was tingling with joy.
While Byron was suppressing his anger by imagining such things.
“Duke Byron, Duke Byron...!”
The Count suddenly appeared and brought with him one more surprising piece of news.
“Why did you come here so suddenly without any notice?”
“Oh, that’s... I heard an incredible story when I went to the palace today.”
Byron, who thought that no matter how surprising the news was, it wouldn't be the news of Ophelia's son, asked with a calm face.
“What on earth are you talking about? Are you saying there’s a war?”
At his seemingly disinterested attitude, the Count tapped the desk to get his attention as if telling him to listen quickly.
“Well, didn’t they say the Crown Prince is coming next month?”
“The Crown Prince? Where does the Crown Prince come from?”
"What is this sound of someone banging on a bongo while sleeping?" Byron asked, finally becoming a little interested. The Count, completely excited, explained everything in detail.
“The Crown Prince of the Peles Empire is coming to our kingdom!”
There was news that the Crown Prince would personally lead the imperial delegation to the Inselkov Kingdom's investiture ceremony next month.
“...Are you talking about my nephew?”
"Yes! Isn't this a heaven-sent opportunity, Your Highness? Your Highness, you happen to be in the Inselkov Kingdom, and the Crown Prince is coming here to visit."
The Count, if he seized the opportunity, could assassinate the Crown Prince, he said, and laid out a preposterous plan. He was a fool who knew only one thing and not two.
“And what if it fails? Will the Count be safe?”
"...Ah."
When Byron asked, resting his chin on his hand, the words 'failure' and 'discovery' finally came to mind, and the Count's spirits waned.
He had already attempted to assassinate Winfred once, but failed. As a result, the situation within the empire had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer even establish himself, and he had fled here, as if driven out.
But Byron was not so stupid as to try to assassinate Winfred in a fit of impulsiveness.
"I'm more worried than that. If the imperial envoys come, security here will be tight too."
Byron spoke as if he were worried that he might be discovered hiding here.
"Oh, don't worry about that. While Count Senospon's territory is close to the capital, it's still on the opposite side of the Empire, so no Imperial envoys will come all the way here."
The Count shouted, "Don't worry, I'll hold on tight." It was understandable, for even among the mansion's employees, only a few knew of the annex's guests.
“I've kept this annex under strict security. You don't have to worry.”
Byron opened his mouth in discontent as he watched the Count proudly speaking, his chest pounding.
“...But, isn’t it true that people who shouldn’t be in the annex keep coming in and out?”
It was the story of the Count's son, Gerald.
“Yes? You’re saying I shouldn’t come? How dare someone...!”
“I mean, son. Son.”
"To be working with such a stupid and oblivious person," Byron said, trying to suppress a sigh.
“Oh, you were talking about our Gerald...”
When the topic of his son came up, the Count became very depressed and trailed off.
"I'm truly sorry, Lord. I hope you understand. There's nothing I can't control more than raising my children. I try to persuade him without fail... but he's stubborn as hell."
The Count lowered his head as if he were ashamed, saying that he could not tie up his grown son.
"He's past the age where he can listen to me after being beaten and scared... I'm really doing my best. I'm sorry."
"...All right."
In response to the Count's repeated apologies, Byron tried to appease him, saying that his apology was enough. He didn't agree with his words, though.
If your child doesn't listen, why not beat them, tie them up, and lock them up to make them listen? Regardless of their age, isn't that the end of it?
Maybe it's because he doesn't have any blood relatives, but he doesn't think it would be much different if he had children who inherited his seed.
"Well then, I'll take my leave now. I've taken up too much of your precious time."
Only after the Count bowed his head and stepped back was Byron finally able to regain peace.
***
Laura locked the door outside, and Aila was left alone, reading the papers containing the information she had been researching.
Now, she's slowly getting used to living hidden away in the Count's annex. She doesn't know when she'll be able to leave, but it's definitely been a comfortable experience.
In fact, since she came to the Count's house, she hasn't even been able to try going out at night.
It was partly because she knew the truth about the curse on her body, but it was also because the guard the Count had posted to strictly guard the annex happened to be standing right in front of her room window all night.
Still, after eavesdropping on Byron and Cloud's conversations a few times during the day, she was able to learn one thing.
The fact that the Count had decided to help Byron and obtain it was that the Count himself would ascend to the throne of this country.
Byron, Count Senospon, and all the other rascals who covet things that are not their place were truly ugly.
Anyway, since she has nothing else to do with her spare time, she's reading this to reorganize the information she's found out so far.
Aila neatly organized the information she had written down and put it in Winfred's secret box.
And before returning the box, she took out the pocket watch Winfred had given her for no reason and looked at it.
Under the pretext of occasionally winding the mainspring, Aila would occasionally take out the watch, which held memories of her and Winfred, and look at it.
The day she met Winfred and received this watch as a gift, that magical moment seemed to unfold vividly before her eyes.
‘...I wonder if that kid has grown a lot?’
That must have been the case. Just as Aila had grown so much in the meantime, Winfred must have grown quite a bit, too.
Even back then, he was quite tall and slender for his age. She wonders how much taller he's become now. It's been quite some time, and he must be fifteen by now.
Aila imagined him a little older and realized that this was longing.
Comments
Post a Comment