Chapter 57
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Chapter 57
That night.
I recounted to the Duke what had transpired at the Marquis's residence during our evening meal.
"So you're going to learn administrative work in the Marquis's study?"
"Yes! Starting tomorrow."
"That's wonderful. I thought you were anxious about going to the Imperial Palace."
At the Duke's words, the reason I'd momentarily forgotten—my reluctance to go to the Imperial Palace—surfaced once more.
'There is a chance I might encounter Allen at the Imperial Palace, which does concern me somewhat....'
In the original story, the problem arose when I proposed a contract marriage to him, so as long as I didn't become entangled for the same reason, it should be fine.
'After all, Vivian's death in the original wasn't Allen's fault—it was due to her chronic illness.'
And since that problem had been resolved when I became a Spirit Master, there was no longer any reason to fear meeting Allen.
With my heart thus at ease, I subtly praised the Duke for creating this wonderful opportunity.
"In any case, it's all thanks to having such an excellent guardian."
"You certainly know how to flatter."
The Duke responded with his usual gruff manner, yet the corners of his mouth curved upward in a pleased smile.
However, amid all this, one person—Lahedis—was unable to share in the warmth of the moment.
'Now that I think about it....'
I recalled that ever since I'd made the appointment to meet with the Marquis a few days ago, he had been displaying displeasure.
True to form, rather than rejoicing with me as I'd hoped, he found fault.
"You said you didn't have much interest in that work anyway?"
"Not yet, but who knows—perhaps it will suit me once I try it myself."
"You don't necessarily have to learn under that particular person."
"But I'd like to learn under him if possible. Since he's the one handling state affairs, I think I'll be exposed to a much wider variety of situations."
And to me, the Marquis was more than just a professional mentor—he was someone I wished to understand as a person.
Lahedis, observing me with that resolve, exhaled a sigh before continuing.
"Fine. As you say, the Imperial Palace also has the Emperor whom that man serves."
"...."
"Have you already forgotten what the Emperor did to you?"
"I remember it clearly."
I remember.
The incident where the Emperor kidnapped Rachel and me, intending to kill us.
At the same time, I also remembered the promise I'd made with Rachel then.
[If I become stronger, so that I can protect you by my side without you getting hurt.... Then I'll come back to meet you again.]
Rachel said he would return to meet me once he gained strength.
And even now, he's working to keep that promise. In a distant foreign land.
Until now, I've only been waiting.
'I want to be of help when Rachel returns.'
I didn't want to merely receive his protection—I wanted to become someone who could help him in return.
Now that such an opportunity had finally presented itself, there was no way I would let it slip away.
"But I don't want to hide away in the Estate out of fear."
If I'd been afraid of such things from the start, I wouldn't have remained Rachel's friend, nor would I have come to the Duke's Residence of my own accord.
Lahedis, who had been staring at me in silence as if at a loss for words before my unwavering resolve, finally spoke.
"Rachel wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger."
He seemed to believe that mentioning Rachel would break my determination.
But I spoke with absolute conviction.
"No. Rachel would surely support me."
"...."
"Because he's someone who, despite his own fears, moved forward without running away anymore—to face things head-on."
His blue eyes met my resolute gaze, wavering for a moment before contorting with emotion.
It was then, as our stubborn exchange continued without either of us yielding.
"And besides, I already asked the Marquis first, so if he refuses now, it would look strange."
The Duke subtly interjected in my favor.
At that, Lahedis let out a sigh and closed his mouth, unable to continue further.
An awkward silence descended upon the dining room.
'Still, he was only trying to dissuade me out of concern—did I speak too coldly...?'
In truth, Lahedis was my escort knight, so it was only natural that he prioritized my safety above all else.
As that realization dawned on me, a belated sense of regret washed over me.
"So Vivian, how was it seeing the Marquis again?"
But because the Duke had changed the subject, I never got the chance to speak with Lahedis about it again.
* * *
"Well then, both of you have a good evening."
After finishing her meal, Vivian headed upstairs to her room first, leaving only Kaltz and Lahedis in the dining room.
Kaltz observed his grandson, who would normally have left the dining room with Vivian.
The young man was regarding him with eyes that clearly showed his displeasure.
'In any case, when it comes to matters involving that girl, the boy becomes unrecognizable—even to his own grandfather.'
Though he understood perfectly well what his grandson was about to say, he deliberately feigned ignorance and spoke first.
"Your eyes have much to say."
"This time you were far too reckless, Grandfather."
Lahedis expressed his displeasure without hesitation.
"Why did you send Vivian to the Imperial Palace? To that place where the Emperor resides."
"Tsk, tsk. You said you'd grow stronger, yet you've only become more of a coward."
At Kaltz's words, Lahedis furrowed his brow and fell silent.
He wanted to refute his grandfather, who treated him like a child, but there was no ground for refutation.
When it came to matters concerning Vivian, he became a coward, just as his grandfather said.
"Is there some special reason to be more cautious simply because it's the Imperial Palace? Where in this Capital is there a place beyond the Emperor's gaze?"
The Emperor, anxious about something, had not lifted the surveillance he'd placed on Kaltz even after Rachel's death.
He watched over Kaltz and House of Edelwein everywhere throughout this Empire.
"Wasn't this something you resolved yourself when you brought that girl into the Estate?"
Lahedis could not refute those words.
Just as his grandfather said, it was he who had brought Vivian to the Estate when she first arrived in the Capital.
Rather than have Vivian live alone in the Capital, exposed to countless dangers, he believed it was better to keep her close, even if it meant falling under the Emperor's watch.
If he had no intention of letting Vivian go, eventually she would be exposed to the Emperor anyway.
However, sending Vivian to the Imperial Palace was an entirely different matter.
"...But the Imperial Palace isn't just the Emperor's eyes—it's filled entirely with the Emperor's people."
"Then, would you have me confine Vivian to this Estate and ask you to simply wait?"
At Kaltz's biting observation, Lahedis faltered.
That wasn't what he'd intended to say.
But he'd belatedly realized that his own words differed little from what Kaltz had just said.
Kaltz, who wielded the power to command the Capital's underworld, gazed intently at his cowardly grandson before opening his mouth.
"A bird lives to fly."
"...."
"Even if you confine it to a cage, claiming the outside world is dangerous, do you truly believe that child would be happy?"
Lahedis didn't answer, but he already knew the answer to that question.
"That isn't caring for that child—it's your own selfishness."
His grandfather forced him to confront the ugly truth of his heart that he'd been unwilling to admit.
Lahedis could no longer refute his grandfather's words and cast his gaze downward.
Kaltz, who understood better than anyone the fear his grandson was experiencing now, added his final words in a somewhat gentler tone.
"Do not commit the same mistake I did, Lahedis."
* * *
After bathing, I'd been lingering near the Kitchen when I fortunately encountered Madeline and was now heading toward the Library.
'I should study up on several noble Houses beforehand.'
Though I'd studied various prominent noble Houses representing different regions with Rachel when I was young.
It had been so long ago, and I'd only learned about a few major Houses, so I needed to review them again.
Just as I arrived at the floor where the Library was located.
I suddenly remembered that Lahedis's Room was also on this floor.
At the same time, the quarrel from dinner came to mind, and my heart grew heavy.
'Should I tell him I'm sorry for what I said earlier, and thank him for worrying about me?'
I even had Madeline as a reconciliation gift, and the timing seemed right to extend an olive branch first.
But standing before his door, I hesitated to knock.
'Hmm, is it too late at night to visit him privately?'
But if this day passed, it would feel awkward to bring it up later....
I was standing uncertainly before his door when it happened.
"What are you doing?"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org