Chapter : 94
In the Cardol Empire, it wasn’t mandatory for nobles to become betrothed from a young age—but it was hardly uncommon either.
So the fact that the Deldeumonce family had proposed an engagement was not, in itself, particularly strange.
Normally, that would be the case, but…
“Not Ruscana Sasha—you. I mean you!”
“…….”
“Hah… Do you really think anyone doesn’t know that the old man of Deldeumonce wants to make his precious granddaughter the next head of the family?”
“…….”
“That damned family is saying they want you as a live-in son-in-law!”
At last unable to contain her rage, Audrey unleashed dark flames.
The orb of fire skimmed past Emil and struck the wall, exploding before dissipating into ash.
Emil quickly summoned a familiar to prevent the flames from spreading, then replied calmly,
“That’s insulting.”
“Of course it is. But what can you do? That’s all the world thinks your worth amounts to.”
“…….”
“Their intentions are obvious. They may not be as extreme as the Lawton family, but they’re still obsessed with pure bloodlines. Sasha is adopted, so her origins are uncertain. A Lawton bastard is unacceptable too. But you? Pure-blooded, yet unlikely to inherit the headship—you’re the perfect choice, aren’t you?”
“…….”
“A reasonably capable direct descendant, born of a succession line—perfect as an ornament for their granddaughter!”
Audrey screamed as if in desperation and tried to release another massive spell.
Emil clicked his tongue and swiftly restrained her movements with his summoned creature.
“Let go of me!”
“Mother, I understand how you feel, but this is our home. Please calm down—”
“How can you be so unaffected by this?!”
“…….”
“Calm down? How could I possibly calm down?! I gave birth to you myself, but you still give me chills. How can you always act like this is someone else’s problem…!”
Audrey sobbed, her head drooping forward.
Reacting emotionally to every word his mother lashed out with would only lead to harm and nothing productive.
From long experience, Emil knew this well. He desperately searched for the smoothest way to end the situation.
“Ask them whether they’re also planning to send that girl—Nemra—to Halloren as a daughter-in-law. Whatever they say, we can formally protest to Deldeumonce, saying they were the ones who acted rudely first.”
“…….”
“I’ll make sure to win this Walpurgis Night tournament and repay this humiliation.”
Believing that Audrey had cooled off at least a little, Emil carefully released his hold on her.
She remained bowed for a long time—then suddenly muttered in a chilling voice.
“…No.”
“…?”
“I won’t protest. Instead, take this opportunity to meet her. That girl—Nemra.”
“Pardon?”
The letter from Deldeumonce did mention arranging a meeting, like a formal matchmaking, before officially establishing the engagement.
But if they protested now, the matter would fall apart altogether. Why, then, did she want him to meet her?
Seeing Emil’s confusion, Audrey struck him with her words like a dagger.
“I don’t trust you anymore.”
“What do you—”
“I don’t believe in you. You won’t beat Ruska again this time either. Just like every other time it truly mattered!”
“……!”
“You’re not Nyx.”
Audrey laughed hysterically, clenched the letter tightly, and crushed it in her hand.
“If you’re never going to become the head of the family anyway, becoming Deldeumonce’s live-in son-in-law isn’t such a bad option. It’s better than being treated like an unwanted burden in Halloren.”
“Mother, that’s—!”
“Why? Am I wrong? You don’t even want the headship that badly! I’m sick of being the only one who looks like a madwoman every time this happens!”
“…….”
“So let’s both give up already. Let’s stop here….”
With tears streaming down her face, Audrey staggered out of the drawing room.
Left alone, Emil remained seated on the sofa, staring blankly into the air for a long time.
The hellhound, having finished erasing the traces of dark flames, trotted over to him.
After gauging his mood, the familiar gently rested its head on Emil’s knee.
“…Haha.”
Letting out a dry laugh, Emil wrapped his arms tightly around the hellhound and buried his face in its fur.
Even tears no longer came.
Nyx… If only I had died instead of you back then.
The thought he had fought so hard to suppress completely engulfed him.
***
“Welcome, Lady Calmia.”
“Hi, Belcon. I’ve been busy lately, so it’s been a while! Oh—Lenno’s here too?”
The expressionless boy sitting beside Belcon nodded slightly.
He was Lenno—the only blood relative Belcon had, and one of the reasons Belcon had been bound five years ago.
Four years older than me, he resembled his older brother but had a colder, sharper air.
“Yes. Lenno received leave and has been staying at Nemeatrie for a few days.”
“Did I interrupt some quality brother time? Should I come back later?”
“No. Your presence reduces efficiency by about ten percent, Lady Calmia—but that’s within the margin of error.”
That unnecessary addition of ten percent was very Belcon-like.
“You came to pick up the prototype you requested, correct? Please wait a moment.”
“Sure, take your time!”
I found a seat in the workshop, which still looked like a glorified junkyard.
When Belcon went inside to retrieve the item, Lenno spoke up.
“Shall I bring tea?”
“Oh, don’t bother.”
“My brother isn’t very good at such courtesies. Please forgive his rudeness.”
“As long as he does his job well, I don’t care about manners! No need to worry.”
“Thank you for your generosity.”
“By the way, is the work manageable? I imagine Sister Lila is a pretty strict boss.”
After being freed from William’s control, Lenno had devoted himself entirely to studying.
He didn’t possess the same gold-magic talent as his brother, but being of the same bloodline, he was highly intelligent and showed exceptional aptitude in administrative work.
A year ago, he joined the secret organization led by Lila as her right-hand man, handling all manner of affairs like a shadow.
It’s not an underworld group, but just like in the original story, Lila started working as an information broker and merchant.
Its name was the Knocker Trading Company.
Though it operated discreetly, I held the largest share.
I had established it because I believed it essential for resolving future events smoothly.
Since it suited her talents, I entrusted its management to Lila—and as expected, she achieved rapid success.
They gathered information across the empire and beyond, acted as covert problem-solvers, and distributed Belcon’s inventions through exclusive preemptive contracts.
Anyway, Lenno joined the company of his own will, and Lila was delighted, saying she couldn’t believe such exceptional talent had been sent to her.
He was still young, yet already this capable—his future potential was something to look forward to.
“Chairwoman Lila is a good person. The work is not difficult.”
“…Hmm.”
The mechanical answer made me smile wryly.
Belcon was at least somewhat human, but Lenno was even stiffer than his brother.
“You know, I said this before you joined Knocker Trading, but… I don’t want you to feel like you’re repaying me out of some sense of debt. I only did this for my own benefit, you know?”
“…….”
“It’s just mutual cooperation. Look at Belcon—he enjoys his research, earns his fair share, and I take a huge cut on top of that.”
“…….”
“So if you’re not happy or fulfilled doing this work… you can quit. Don’t force yourself.”
Lenno, who had been silently listening, looked straight at me before speaking.
“Lady Calmia.”
“Hm?”
“Isn’t the work I do helpful to you?”
“Huh? Of course it is. Sister Lila praises you all the time. How could it not be?”
“Then that’s enough.”
A smile—unused and slightly awkward—appeared on his lips.
“Being of help to you, Lady Calmia, is the most fulfilling and happiest thing for me.”
