CH 53

[Rodrigo’s POV]

“Wha, What is this?”

Devlan was unusually flustered.

“What do you mean, it’s the victory ceremony.”

Rodrigo replied indifferently. Devlan’s two eyebrows got closer.

“So shabby like this?“

Devlan eventually got the words out of his mouth. He’s just here after a long battle. Of course, it was not a war that expanded its territory, but it was beneficial to the empire as a victorious country could demand compensation from the defeated country.

However, this was so shabby that it would make the defeated soldiers disappointed even if they returned.

“Maybe you’re mistaken about the date?“

Devlan asked. Rodrigo smirked. As if it were nonsense, Devlan kept his mouth shut.

“Since when have we been obsessed with victory celebrations?”

Yes. Rodrigo went to war from an early age and led countless wars to victory, but the splendid triumph was not his share. The emperor always induced him to arrive late to the capital for the purpose of cleaning up the area around the battlefield, and Rodrigo never enjoyed a victory ceremony.

Somehow, he told me to come right away this time, but I guess he didn’t have the heart to take care of the victory ceremony.

Rodrigo clicked his tongue.

“It’s good that there are still people who welcome you.”

At Devlan’s words, Rodrigo escaped from his thoughts. Rodrigo looked ahead. There stood a dazzling white carriage with huge, colorful feathers from somewhere. The carriage, studded with colorful jewels, gleamed in five colors in the light. And the words written on the long cloth next to it caught my eye.

– The strongest army!  Soar Black Dragon!

The tips of Rodrigo’s ears were red.

“Hurry up, hurry!”

Estiya shouted. It was a touching victory ceremony that made the tip of my nose tingle.

***

[Estiya’s POV]

“What’s all this?”

I thought I’d be told thank you, but Rodrigo is brusque, perhaps because he had a grudge left from last night.

“It’s the victory ceremony, right? I’ve prepared it in my own way.”

I answered in a casual manner.

“You seem to have prepared quite a bit.”

Rodrigo looked back. Rodrigo pointed to a package of gifts prepared for the knights and soldiers who followed him.

“It’s that easy for me, it’s nothing.”

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Rodrigo nodded. I was somewhat proud of the response to the acceptance. At the same time, there was a surge of disappointment toward the emperor.

How could you be so disrespectful to the soldiers who came back after all their hardships! In fact, I was curious to see how the preparations for the victory ceremony this morning would be, so I ran down the street.  But isn’t the street that should be crowded with victory celebrations quiet?

I realized the moment I saw the streets with the common wooden decorations that had not even been cleaned properly. The emperor has no intention of congratulating Rodrigo properly. I guess he hates Rodrigo getting attention more than being pointed at as a stingy emperor.

But it was too much. I don’t hope for fancy decorations or fanfare for military bands, but you can have people sprinkle some pollen with flowers. Rodrigo is not the kind of person who would make a fuss about preparing something like that.

So I decided to prepare. Thanks to this, I spent some of the money I had saved up, and even bothered my family members, but I felt better when I saw Rodrigo’s red ears.

That’s how money and power are spent, you damn emperor.

I quietly raised my middle finger toward the palace. Then Rodrigo reached out and hugged me.

“Thank you.”

The hand that held me tightly was hot. It felt like he was truly grateful. I raised my hand and hugged him.

“It’s my birthday soon.”

And the truth that I couldn’t say last night was borrowed secretly from other words and spilled out.

***

[Stefan’s POV]

From the morning, Stefan looked down at the bustling Count’s mansion and was depressed. It was terrifying to see Estiya refusing to sleep and preparing for the welcome for Rodrigo early in the morning. Terto said to separate Estiya and Rodrigo. After that, he closed his mouth, but the silence soon became a threat.

Stefan didn’t like Rodrigo. If you ask me why, well, I didn’t know what to say. Should I say that it’s not right by nature? But if Estiya wants……. Stefan was deeply troubled.

Estiya was a very precious and invaluable daughter. No one knows, but Estiya was born when Stefan and Hela had a bad relationship where it reached the extreme. The two kept their family intact because of Estiya. The daughter, who was born like that, always prioritized her family and did only lovely things.

The untouchable daughter, that was Estiya. Although she lacked qualifications as a Cartina, I was more concerned because she was a child who was not greedy enough to be in Cartina. Estiya only smiled when Stefan and Hela asked to say what she wanted.

It was different from Eyla, Ether, and Kaylan, who spilled what they wanted, such as saying they liked the explosives in a region and wanted to have a magic scroll. Even when he opened the arsenal for Estiya, Estiya only smiled faintly and didn’t like it. I was worried that no matter what I gave, it didn’t look like she really wanted it.

For the first time, such a daughter said she wanted something for herself. In addition, despite the family’s sabotage, she still doesn’t give up her love. If that’s the case, shouldn’t I not interfere even if I’ll not be able to support her as a father? Stefan made up his mind when he saw Estiya’s carriage pass the gate.

I won’t interfere. But I can’t help.

It was the best support he could give to Estiya.

TL/N: This was kinda sweet!

***

[Estiya’s POV]

Rodrigo arranged the army roughly and went straight to the Imperial Palace. Everyone else has a place to go, but Anheine has nowhere to go. I had no choice but to reluctantly bring Anheine to my house.

“Why is she here?”

Ether asked with twin wicks* in her eyes. It was because of Anheine’s father that I suffered so much that it was understandable that she hated Anheine.

TL/N: Image for visual reference

“That’s what happened, sister.”

I hid Anheine behind my back and blocked Eyla and Ether.

Otherwise, you’re about to grab her by the collar.

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“Isn’t that what Rodrigo was supposed to be in charge of?”

“Of course Sir Rodrigo will pick her up.”

“That feels bad too.”

Kaylan appeared at the end of the hallway. He looked a little tired.

“Brother?”

“I got the swordsmanship teacher, Estiya.”

He came over and kissed my hair.

“The swordsmanship teacher?”

Anheine stepped up behind my back and tried to intervene in our conversation. Come to think of it, Anheine is rather tactless and selfish.

Still, you’re a heroine. No, this is why she’s a heroine.

“It’s nothing Miss Anheine needs to know. Shall we go, Estiya?”

I didn’t ask where we were going. It was obvious that it was the secret torture chamber attached to Kaylan’s room.

“Sister, is there any news about the Veloki Kingdom?”

We’ll have to get it sorted out sooner rather than later so we can clean up Anheine’s residence.

“If the Emperor asks for compensation, won’t we move then?”

After all, we have to have a justification to turn the tables.

I entrusted Anheine to Jane, hoping that the emperor would demand a large amount of compensation.

“Shall we go, Brother?”

Kaylan held out a hand.

I can’t stop you from trying to escort me even inside the house.

“Why are you following me?”

I was going with Kaylan, but Ether and Eyla followed me. Kaylan turned around and said ferociously.

“Ah, j, just.”

“As promised, the person who catches it will take care of everything. Isn’t it?”

“I almost got it! Aren’t I the one who found out where that bastard lives?”

“No, if I hadn’t detonated a sleep-guided bomb in the living room, you think he would have been quietly caught?”

Ether and Eyla shouted in excitement.

“Whether it was or not, the promise we made was for the person who catches him. Just stop. You’re ugly.”

“Hey, Kaylan!”

Eyla and Ether shouted at the same time, but Kaylan turned coldly. Then he looks at me and smiles affectionately at me.

“Let’s go, Estiya.”

***

“E, E, Everything!”

As soon as I opened the door, I could smell the fishy blood and hear the crushed pronunciation. The sound of water splashing with each step was a bonus.

“Don’t be surprised, Estiya. Your brother worked on it for a little bit. He can’t run at Estiya again.”

Whispering affectionately, Kaylan turned on the light. I saw a reddish chunk of meat in the corner.

“Go, stay away!”

The chunk of meat speaks. Looking at it with eyes accustomed to the light, I could now see the proper shape. It was the swordsmanship teacher who sprayed me with the estrus of demons…That’s my guess. It probably is. The man with his nose down and his chin twisted stepped back as if he wanted to be a pattern on the wall.

“Tell me again what you said to me.”

“Wh, Wh, What words.”

It was so small that it was hard to tell if it was a moan or a voice. As Kaylan got closer, the man’s body bounced.

“Who told you to do it?”

“Gil, ter.”

Gilter.

“Who helped you?”

“Majesty.”

His Majesty the Emperor.

“He told you to kill her?”

The swordsman shook his head.

“Then what?”

“Sc, sc, scare”

Just to give a scare.

“Who?”

Bloodshot eyes looked at me over Kaylan.

Me.

“Did His Majesty and Gilter hold hands?”

When I asked, the man shook his head.

“Do, don’t know.”

“How dare this bastard talk down to me?”

“Brother!”

I barely stopped Kaylan’s hand from smashing the man’s chin. If he gets one more hit here, the man is going to the underworld.

“Can you prove that His Majesty and Gilter have joined hands? Did you see it yourself? Two people together?”

The man sobbed and cried. I guess he hasn’t seen it until now. There’s no point in keeping him alive. There were many others who could prove Gilter’s crimes. There’s Billian and there’s Loa.

“I’ll leave the rest to you.”

I turned around. The swordsmanship teacher may not die completely. I can show him mercy, but even if I show mercy, he’ll be caught and killed by the emperor or Gilter. It may be better to just die than to be tortured once more.

Tak.

The door is closed. Did I hear a scream through the closing door?

I wouldn’t have heard it if there was a scream. I had to know if the emperor really joined hands with Gilter, and if so, what was the reason.

***

The emperor was a meticulous man. I tried to find a connection between him and Gilter, but I couldn’t find it. Meanwhile, Hela returned after a complete cleanup of the western monsters.

“We’re having a banquet in three days, Estiya.”

Hela said when the whole family got together after a long time.

“What banquet?”

It didn’t matter what banquet it was. I was just asking formally.

“I want to rest at home, Mom.”

If I were to go to a banquet, I would have to spend three days alone shopping. With Hela. That’s just speculation.

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I intended to find out about the relationship between Gilter and Terto, but when I attend the banquet, I get caught by Hela. I refused so as not to offend Hela. Hela’s head tilted slightly.

“It’s Sir Erhardt’s victory celebration.”

“What?”

Without realizing it, I raised my voice.

“Who’s hosting this?”

“Sir Erhardt.”

You’re throwing a banquet without saying a word to me? And tell that to Hela first? Even when we met in the morning, he didn’t say anything.

“We met at the palace in the afternoon.”

Seeing my expression hardened, Hella quickly added. I felt awkward, so I skimmed the back of my nose and silently teased the spoon. I bowed my head and was lost in thought. How long has it been since the banquet was held at Erhardt’s mansion, or the reason for the sudden banquet after not having a banquet until now, even though he has not won only once or twice. So I didn’t even know that my whole family was watching me.

“Today, I prepared a sauce made from smoked duck and ground apples and yogurt.”

When the chef brought out the dish, he looked up and was surprised to see the five pairs of eyes. Getting the attention of the five Cartinas is bound to be a surprise, whether you like it or not.

“……It’s a great dish.”

No one opened their mouth, so I answered. The chef then returned to the kitchen.

“Do you have something to say?”

I asked. Seeing that they were exchanging glances, it seems that there was some kind of meeting at dinner today.

“I’ll allow it.”

Stefan said out of the blue. Everyone except me had an expression on their face before the lid of the coffin of the loved one was covered.  I mean, it’s a hell of a mess.

“What are you going to allow me to…….”

“I will grant you Sir Erhard, except.”

“Except?”

“I can’t help you.”

Stefan’s voice trembled at the end. Like a father looking at his daughter in marriage, I couldn’t find any words to respond to the watery voice.

“We are not. Stubborn kids.”

Kaylan intervened.

What happened to Prince Detheus?

“Erhardt is better than Prince Detheus.”

What are you talking about?

As I looked at Kaylan, he coughed heavily and started to make a squeaking sound.

“I was so upset that that guy kept asking me to meet you. He sent more than 20 telegrams a day.”

“Kaylon, did you just get the telegram? He sent me all the presents, too Hahahaha, I can’t believe I got all the flowers from a man while I was alive.”

Eyla said. I thought Detheus had lost touch. He must have targeted my family while not contacting me.

“Erhardt rather than Detheus. That guy has good abilities, I hate to admit it.”

Ether said.

“His looks are better.”

I helped. Everyone looked tired, but it felt so good either way. Thinking about the thorny path caused by the opposition of the family, I have also prepared my own countermeasures.

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In fact, because of the opposition of his family, Rodrigo suffered a huge loss of property, and I was sorry for that. When I proposed to Rodrigo, I gave up being blessed by the Cartinas. But I didn’t expect them to allow me to marry so easily. I am so happy that I want to even dance.

Is there anything I can do for them too?

I said pondering.

“Sisters, do you want to sleep with me tonight?”

Ether and Eyla looked as if they had conquered the world. Seeing the eyes shaking with emotion, and when I saw their mouths slowly opening, I felt sorry because I thought I had been too distant.

“Estiya, my angel!”

Ether hugged me. The chair shook violently.

“Euaaaag, me too!”

Kaylan raised his hand.

“Kaylan, you can’t!”

Eyla immediately retaliated against him. I was troubled too. I don’t know when I was young, but I’m an adult now. I’m still a minor, but my birthday is less than a month away.

“Mom’s bed is big too.”

Hella muttered. She said it to herself, but she wanted me to hear everything, so I gladly reached out to her.

“Mom, sleep with me!”

“D, what about dad?”

Hela glared at Stefan. Stefan averted his gaze. I felt sorry for his expression like a puppy in the rain, but I’ll relax by taking a walk in the garden with Stefan tomorrow.

“I can’t do it. Then let me sleep in the room next to Estiya, ma’am.”

Stefan said politely. Hela nodded reluctantly.

“You’re the owner of this mansion, so take care of it. However, I’m going to sleep in my room, so don’t make a lot of noise.”

Stefan nodded reluctantly, and Kaylan quickly clung to Stefan’s side. It was a pleasant evening after a long time.