Chapter 80
“I just have to say that I saw potential in Tristan.”
It’s common in the knighthood to take in a squire or train a knight after recognizing potential.
Considering that Maya was a descendant of Pendragon and had even witnessed an awakened state, it was a good enough reason.
“Still… do you really have to stay by that Emperor’s side?”
Alex, speaking hesitantly, shivered as he recalled the snake-like gleam in Liserfield’s eyes earlier.
“I can handle someone like Liserfield anytime. Don’t worry.”
Seeing Maya trying to reassure everyone, Kendrick was overcome by a strange feeling.
“Maya, I’ve thought this for a long time…”
He had found it odd ever since she suddenly announced she was going to get married.
Even when they met afterward, and even now, Kendrick saw a side of Maya that he didn’t know.
It was undoubtedly Maya, but she carried a maturity and experience far beyond her years.
How does she know all that?
“Hmm?”
Looking at Maya’s face, Kendrick swallowed his question.
He decided he would ask her later when they were alone.
He didn’t want to expose Maya’s secret in front of everyone.
Especially not in front of Grand Duke Tristan.
“No, it’s nothing. I respect your decision. I’ll try to get some information out of Marquis Akisia.”
Kendrick decided to create an opportunity to support Maya so he could eventually learn the truth.
When he returned to the capital, he planned to tear down the Mage Tower from the ground up.
My strength has definitely grown.
Whether it was a side effect of having a monster’s power inside him or something else, he could feel he was stronger than before.
At this level, there was no reason to respect the current Tower Master anymore.
They had planned to use and discard each other anyway, so it was understandable that the man had stopped contacting him.
Then the Tower Master should also understand that it’s only fair if he ends up dead.
It was an endless food chain where one had to kill or be killed. Once it became known that he had become the Tower Master, that greedy Marquis Akisia would come calling, just like the Emperor.
When that time came, Kendrick could swoop in and gather information for Maya.
Unlike that boyish-looking Grand Duke who had no choice but to rely on Maya’s help.
“Thank you so much, Kendrick.”
Maya nodded with a grateful smile.
She truly appreciated him stepping up, knowing how long it had been since he severed ties with his family.
“But Maya, if necessary, you can use another way.”
Tristan gave Maya one last piece of advice.
He hoped her decision wasn’t just an impulsive one.
He didn’t want her to suffer because of the aftermath of her choice.
Maya understood Tristan’s concern.
You’re worried whether I can really pull this off.
Indeed, Maya acted differently whenever she faced Liserfield.
But the more she thought about it, the more certain she became that there was no better option.
Perhaps this move could also lay the groundwork for the future revolution.
Maya placed her hand on top of Tristan’s.
“Trust me, Tristan. I can do this.”
Tristan narrowed his eyes.
“I know you’ll do well.”
“Then what is…”
“I’m worried about your health, your current condition. Every time you meet the Emperor, you get shaken.”
“….”
“If you truly hate it that much, there’s no need to choose this path.”
No matter how good the method seemed, Tristan believed it was better to take a detour if the person involved hated it.
Every time, Tristan put Maya before himself—and that always surprised her.
He was the same when breaking the curse.
That thoughtfulness melted Maya’s heart.
“It’s fine.”
It was true that every time she faced Liserfield, she was reminded of the past.
After all, Liserfield was an inseparable part of her history.
But the more time she spent with Tristan, the more her thoughts changed.
Now, whenever she faced Liserfield, she thought less about old memories and more about Tristan’s concern for her in the present.
That gave her confidence.
She truly believed she would be okay.
“Really, it’s okay.”
And this wasn’t just to soothe Tristan—it was her genuine feeling.
Eventually, Tristan nodded.
“Then I’ll respect your decision, Maya.”
Alex and Hayden looked at the two with warm expressions.
Kendrick bit his lip hard.
Even though he had escaped the butterfly’s illusion, he felt like he was still wandering inside one.
He had thought he was the one who knew Maya best, the one closest to her in the entire world.
Kendrick clenched his fists so tightly that blood seemed to drip from his lips where he had bitten too hard, leaving a metallic taste in his mouth.
Liserfield was uncertain.
He had figured out that the reason Maya came down was related to monsters, but his unease hadn’t gone away.
…First, I’ll bring her to my side and then talk to Seren Baker. Something will come out of it.
Fortunately, the Grand Duke didn’t seem to be involved in the current situation.
That boyish knight had caught his attention a little earlier, but his age didn’t match the Grand Duke’s.
Besides, the Grand Duke wouldn’t go so far as to lower himself and hide his identity from Liserfield.
He was a nobleman, after all—he would have his pride.
The House of Bayarden still possessed great power and lineage, even if the Pendragon family didn’t.
A Grand Duke from such a house would be similar in temperament to Liserfield himself.
I’ll need to extract some information from Maya Pendragon or the northern knight commander.
Rather than dealing with the guarded Maya or the seasoned knight commander, it might be better to win over that knight named Arthur.
He seemed to like Maya, so he’ll be easier to sway.
Young men that age were naïve about the ways of the world—especially one who followed Maya all the way here.
Liserfield smiled.
It wouldn’t be long before he discovered the Grand Duke’s whereabouts.
He was also planning to start negotiations with the East, which he had hinted at to Maya.
The Marquis of Akisia always claimed neutrality.
Unlike the West, which had completely withdrawn from society, Marquis Akisia had skillfully walked the line to suit his own benefit.
Of course, that annoyed Liserfield.
The latest report said the East had suffered severe damage from monsters and had urgently requested help.
If Maya Pendragon steps in…
If she completely eradicated the monsters using her awakened power as the Imperial Knight Commander, in exchange for gaining the East’s support, there could be no better outcome.
It would also help capture public sentiment as someone wielding Pendragon’s power.
First, I need to get rid of Graham.
Maya now offered more benefits than Graham ever could.
Whether Graham lived or died no longer mattered to Liserfield.
This is the perfect chance to show what happens when someone crosses me.
Fear was the most effective weapon Liserfield wielded in politics.
“It’s an honor to meet Your Imperial Majesty. I am Clainne LeBrure.”
When they returned to the mansion, Clainne and Seren Baker were already waiting for them in the well-prepared guest room.
“The mansion looks spotless—as if it was expecting guests.”
“We made preparations in case the esteemed ones who went to save the West returned safely. It was truly worthwhile.”
Clainne LeBrure replied with a small but firm voice.
After greeting Liserfield, Clainne’s and Hayden’s eyes met.
Sweetness dripped from their gaze.
Seren, meanwhile, looked at Maya with relief.
The wyvern’s message hadn’t mentioned Maya’s condition.
Seeing her in person, Maya looked perfectly fine—without a single visible injury.
…If the Grand Duchess managed to destroy the monsters and return safely, then I have to do well too.
Seren silently reviewed the lines she had rehearsed.
Although she had spent a lot of time in high society, she had barely spoken with Liserfield—except for the time she was interrogated. That made her nervous.
After hearing instructions through the wyvern, Seren and Clainne had coordinated their plan.
Despite growing up in completely different environments and holding different positions, the two of them clicked surprisingly well.
The Emperor is impatient. He’ll ask you questions the moment you arrive.
Though Clainne couldn’t attend social gatherings due to poor health, her knowledge and information network rivaled Seren’s.
Her graceful gestures and speech impressed even Seren, a socialite herself.
It was no wonder she had captured the heart of Marquis LeBrure.
“What kind of dramatic change of heart brought you all the way here?”
Things unfolded exactly as Clainne and Seren had expected.
Seren swallowed nervously.
“…My father locked me up for several days. It was the first time something like that had ever happened in my life.”
To get the answer Liserfield wanted—and to protect Maya and the others—Seren and Clainne had crafted a new persona for her.
“I was truly shocked to realize my father could do such a thing…”
Seren skillfully lowered her head and trembled. Putting on a mask and acting in front of others was second nature to her.
“The only person who comforted me then was the Grand Duchess.”
And so began a play staged to deceive just one man.
