Chapter 79
‘They’re definitely not family.’
She could try to shove in her imprisoned relatives later, but they weren’t very appealing either.
Humans crave recognition.
And if someone grew up among a family that constantly looked down on them, that desire would be even stronger.
Especially if that person had honed their own power.
Just because you’re born with Pendragon’s power doesn’t mean you’ll awaken automatically.
“Once again, congratulations on your awakening, Grand Duchess. In these chaotic times, I can’t express how fortunate we are to have you.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Maya accepted Lisefield’s praise calmly. A sense of déjà vu washed over her.
It reminded her of the moment she faced Lisefield in her previous life.
‘You really haven’t changed at all, have you?’
No matter how much he dressed it up on the outside, she knew the truth: inside, he was garbage.
“And what about leading the Imperial Knights?”
Even that proposal was the same.
Maya lowered her head.
“It is a most honorable offer, but I am already struggling to fulfill my duties as Grand Duchess. If I am ever needed, I will always step forward, so please, I beg Your Majesty to withdraw this command.”
Maya politely refused the position of Knight Commander.
Bearing the name of House Bearden, even if she became Knight Commander again, life wouldn’t be as harsh as in her previous life.
But the Imperial Knights were Lisefield’s domain.
There was no reason to willingly step into the viper’s nest and take on that risk.
“Does the title of Grand Duchess mean more to you than your abilities?”
Lisefield subtly poked at her pride. Maya clenched her fist tightly.
“Even if you became Knight Commander, it wouldn’t change the fact that you are Grand Duchess.”
“…I believe that fulfilling the duties entrusted to me as Grand Duchess is the best way to avoid being a burden to both His Grace and Your Majesty.”
Lisefield grew irritated that Maya still refused to yield. When the Emperor himself made an offer of this magnitude, wasn’t it time for her to give in?
At the same time, it fueled his determination.
Time to throw out some bait.
“If you became Knight Commander, you could help eliminate more monsters.”
Maya flinched.
That wasn’t something she could just ignore.
Noticing her reaction, Lisefield smirked inwardly. This is it.
And as it happened, there was news that fit perfectly.
Everyone would be surprised, but Lisefield was the type who read every report and document that crossed his desk.
He just usually ignored them afterward.
“A report came in recently about a region plagued by monsters. As Knight Commander, you could resolve this matter.”
“If you tell me where, I can leave immediately, Your Majesty.”
Trying to extract information, are we?
“I can’t do that. The Imperial Family must demonstrate a model attitude in dealing with monsters, don’t you think?”
This conversation wasn’t going to end anytime soon.
Seeing Maya’s eyes waver, Tristan signaled to Hayden.
“This discussion seems like it will take some time. We can’t keep His Majesty in such a humble place. Let us escort you to the LeBourre estate.”
“…Very well.”
Lisefield had no intention of letting Maya go until he got the answer he wanted.
At least they had bought some time.
On the way back, Lisefield traveled separately from Maya.
He learned that Maya and her group hadn’t even brought a carriage, so he neatly excused himself, saying they would meet later at the Marquess’s estate.
He had no desire to follow them down a carriage-less road.
They would meet again soon anyway.
Naturally, this gave Maya and her group time to figure out how to deal with this situation.
They sent a wyvern ahead to inform Seren and Kleine, who were guarding the LeBourre estate, about what had happened.
Gathered around the campfire for dinner, they continued their discussion.
This time, they made sure no one was eavesdropping and listened intently.
They couldn’t allow another disaster like Lisefield to happen again.
“He’ll keep pressing Maya to accept the Knight Commander position.”
“What concerns me more is the report about the monsters.”
If it were just a minor problem the Imperial Knights or the Northern Order could handle, Lisefield wouldn’t have used it as bait for Maya.
So far, the monsters they’d encountered had appeared in three regions.
The white serpent in the North.
The wolf in the South.
And lastly, the butterfly in the West.
Of course, the butterfly had been found in the capital alongside the wolf, but its base seemed to be in the West, so that was an exception.
“There’s one last region left.”
“The East.”
“If it’s the East…”
Everyone thought of the same name. Kendrick, feeling the gazes, propped his chin on his hand.
“I know. The Aksia territory in the East. Where my biological father resides.”
The Aksia Marquisate held sway over the East.
Aksia muttered with an indifferent expression.
“I’ve heard nothing. I cut ties with that place long ago. It would be more accurate to say I’m closer to the Mage Tower.”
Kendrick suddenly thought of the Tower Master and scoffed.
“No, calling that a close relationship is ridiculous when it’s just mutual exploitation.”
Maya had told him how the Mage Tower hadn’t even bothered to look for her, and even tried to cover up her disappearance.
‘They’ll pay dearly for that.’
Hayden felt relieved at Kendrick’s cynical attitude.
He hadn’t liked Kendrick at first because he was the Aksia Marquis’s son, but clearly, Kendrick seemed even more hostile toward Aksia than Hayden was.
“It looks like we’ll have to go to the East.”
“What about going in secret?”
“Not easy, now that Lisefield knows our faces.”
At Tristan’s words, Maya shook her head.
In truth, there was one best option.
The only way to get monster-related information and respond immediately if necessary.
“I might have to become Knight Commander.”
At first, the position felt like stepping right into a snake’s den.
She knew all too well what kind of position that was.
“Lisefield wants me badly. If I take the position, he’ll feed me information to win my favor.”
Maya looked into Lisefield’s eyes and read him.
He was the type to give away huge secrets if it got him what he wanted.
Right now, Lisefield wanted Maya for himself.
She had no intention of giving in anyway, so there was no harm in taking what she could from him.
‘…Consider it a small revenge.’
If she gave him just enough hope, Lisefield would bend to her will.
“I won’t let you go alone. I’m coming too.”
“But Tristan, you can’t show your face in public.”
Maya looked troubled at Tristan’s insistence.
“I can’t just stay hidden while you do everything.”
Tristan had thought Maya, as Grand Duchess and representative of House Bearden, would handle everything herself, leaving him no reason to appear.
But that was a misconception born of inexperience.
Even as Grand Duchess, Maya couldn’t manage everything on her own.
Especially now, when they were plotting a revolution.
After meeting Hayden LeBourre and hearing how Kendrick planned to help Maya, Tristan’s perspective had changed completely.
The curse being revealed had worried him—he wanted to protect House Bearden’s honor.
Most of all, Tristan had lived his life quietly, honoring his parents’ wishes to protect House Bearden from the shadows.
But that life had to change.
Nothing would change if he kept living in fear.
He had decided to move forward, just like Maya, who carried her fears and pressed on.
“I’ll wear a helmet.”
At least that would provide minimal security.
Even if people thought he was eccentric, that was fine. After all, it wasn’t that strange for a knight to wear a helmet.
…Though wearing one at all times was another story.
“Maintaining ties with the LeBourre Marquess and trying to win over the eastern houses isn’t a bad move.”
Tristan anxiously listed reasons, worried Maya would refuse.
He already had the North firmly in his grasp. In the South, he had allied with the next Baker Count, and in the West, he had forged a bond with the LeBourre Marquess.
If they could add strength from the East, it would be ideal.
Meanwhile, Maya listened to Tristan and thought of the first time she’d met him in her previous life.
“Black Helm?”
Tristan blinked, then nodded.
“Yes.”
“I think it will suit you.”
Maya smiled.
Many things had changed since Maya altered her path, but the main threads remained the same.
Tristan plotting a revolution, Kendrick’s life being in danger—those things hadn’t changed.
Nor had Tristan’s black helmet.
But this time, Maya would be at his side.
That made Maya proud.
“This means Tristan can come with me to the East as well.”
Thanks to what Tristan had just said, she now had a good reason.
