Chapter 79: The Choice is Yours



If you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.



Abel received a letter from Heilon. Nothing special, it was mostly about his aide, Jeron whining about dying.



[I’m really going to quit at this rate!]



The last sentence was very desperate. In the past year, Abel and Fiona handled documents in Heilon. So, it was understandable that Jeron felt like dying because neither was there. 



‘I’ll have to go back to Heilon soon.’



However, Abel also could not be away from Sigren’s side for a long time because now was such an important time. Because, as soon as he returned to Heilon, there would be more than one person who would target Sigren. Also Fiona. 



‘Though, I’m sure both would be able to withstand it as well.’



Anyway, being targeted could also show those people that they were not easy to deal with. Because now, having Heilon as the only family that supported Sigren was not enough, especially since Ernest and Erez families were attached to the crown prince.



‘As long as I live, that person would never sit on the throne.’



The crown prince was incompetent. Yet he had the power. Incompetent and powerful. It was simply the worst combination. 



Since the Darkness appeared,  monster attacks had become more intense. Abel, who ruled Heilon, clearly noticed the increase in ferocity of the monsters, yet the nobles of the capital seemed to not even be aware. 



‘I need a ruler who can take proper action.’



Because the current one did not even care to give the right support to Heilon who had been guarding in the middle. If the crown prince became emperor, the persecution against the North would intensify. If that happened, Heilon, which was not a monster, would be overthrown by the Imperial family. 



The current imperial family was in such a hurry with greed to destroy the north that they did not even try to understand the situation and see the bigger issue. If the northern front line collapsed, the next place to be attacked by monsters was the capital. Yet, they still refused to support Heilon because of political reasons. It was not an exaggeration to say that if they kept going like that, the empire would have no future.



But Abel had no intention of watching his estate ruined because of that idiot. This was the reason he had brought the illegitimate prince to the capital. Having power? He did not want that. And now he was more convinced to not allow that idiot to take the throne after he checked the condition of the capital for himself. 



The capital did not have a proper response system to monsters. At best, the action was just flirting with a few low-level monsters in a hunting contest. 



‘Such weak monsters are common in Heilon, like wild dogs.’



Just thinking about it made him sigh heavily. 



“Duke, is it okay to come in?”



At that moment, Fiona’s voice was heard at the same time as the knock.



“Come in.”



Fiona opened the door to his office and poked her head out.



“I heard you called me.”



“I’ve something to tell you.”



Fiona sat down naturally in the chair opposite him.



“I think I have to go back to Heilon.”



“What happened to Heilon?”



“It’s not like that, but Jeron said he’s dying. Well, I also left my estate empty for too long…. I have to see to it soon anyway.”



“I see.”



Fiona’s face flashed with concern. She seemed to have an idea of what was happening that needed Abel to check up on his estate. 



“I don’t know if it’ll be okay without you.”



“I’m worried too.”



Of course, the most worrying thing for Abel was not only Sigren’s matter, it was the relationship between these two.



“Don’t do useless things when I’m not here.”



“Wait, is your concern in that direction?”



Abel replied brazenly, “Of course.”



“….”



In fact, he didn’t want to be that inflexible. To put it bluntly, two adults were dating, so what if they were dating? However, what bothered Abel was the evidence that her arm eventually bends inward, she was blind to her own causes. 



“You are not allowed to do anything as long as the dirt is not in my eyes.”



Fiona touched her head. “Sooner or later, I would really throw some dirt…”



“My reflexes are better than yours. But, are you really serious about marrying Sigren?”



“No, well… I just thought people could break up while dating. No one knows the future.” Fiona murmured.



Abel bet one arm that Fiona was not as sincere as Sigren. Because that strange drawing-a-line attitude was still there.



‘Fortunately, it seems unlikely that anything would happen while I’m away.’



“Well, anyway, we can’t keep going like this, right?” Fiona hurriedly changed the subject.



“What?”



“All of them. We’re some steps away, even too far behind the crown prince?! What if Sigren gets bullied by the Empress and crown prince….”



Sigren was not the type to get bullied. But Abel nodded generously instead of contradicting his adoptive daughter. Well, Fiona was the only person he graciously agreed with anyway. 



“You’re right.”



“Right?”



“Certainly not like this,”



Fiona nodded her head enthusiastically. She seemed to worry about Sigren. 



“In the future, we’ll have to bring in a neutral family out of the five families.”



“Uh… if it’s a neutral one, then Duke Priscilla and Marquis Cloves right?”



“Yes.”



The faces of Arrendt and Livia flashed through her mind. 



“Could we really do that?”



“Well… Marquis Arrendt is a mysterious man, and Duke of Priscilla is such a straightforward man.”



Abel continued indifferently.



“Both are annoying to deal with.”



Fiona just interpreted those words as meanings that their personalities did not match Abel. 



‘What do nobles usually do to unite with others?’



Fiona sighed inwardly. As expected, the most common thing was a political marriage. 



Then, Abel clicked his tongue. 



“Fiona, you’re thinking in a strange way again.”



“Why does everyone say that when I’m thinking about something?”



She felt like she was constantly being picked on. She was just trying to work hard.



“Don’t think about useless things.. Come to think of it, aren’t you familiar with Young Lady Priscilla?”



“We’re not that close….”



The contract at the hunting competition had gone unheeded. After that, she only saw Livya’s face a few times. 



Abel grinned looking at Fiona’s lack of confidence.



“Don’t be nervous. Well, both families also couldn’t be brought here at the time being. It would take some time.”



By any possibilities, Abel had already calculated the timing.



“Do you have any orders for me while you’re away?”



“I don’t have any. Well, you just have to act as usual. I mean, like you did in Heilon.”



‘Like usual’. Those words were said with subtle nuance.



Eventually, Fiona nodded with the thought that Abel might have an idea. 



“Try to live well when I’m away. For now, I’ll leave the reliable knights behind.”



Being attacked was not a joke at all.



“The mansion is your responsibility for the time being, take good care of it.”



As he said that, he suddenly felt his shoulders had become heavy, 



Fiona nodded her head politely.



“Yes, I understand.”