Chapter 63
The Grand Duke carried me out of the noisy banquet hall and walked toward the northern end of the main mansion.
It was the part of the estate closest to the Misty Mountains — the location of the Ashinov family’s ancestral shrine.
‘This is my first time here.’
Even though no one stopped me from exploring any other part of the mansion, this place had always been off-limits.
‘The shrine is said to be a place only the Grand Duke himself may enter.’
The Grand Duke stood before a solid white door that sealed the entrance and inserted the family’s signet ring into a small keyhole.
A heavy mechanical sound rumbled from within, and then the massive stone door began to slowly open.
The Grand Duke stepped inside with practiced familiarity.
The shrine wasn’t very large, but the air within was cool and solemn — befitting a place where rites were offered.
I carefully looked around.
At the front of the square-shaped chamber stood a small altar, and above it hung a large painting on the wall.
It depicted a man casting a holy light upon his enemy.
Even though I was seeing it for the first time, the man in the painting felt strangely familiar — because I knew him well.
‘That’s… Pamel.’
The features of his face and the weapon in his hand were unmistakably those of Pamel Ashinov.
“This is our ancestor, the Great Mage Pamel Ashinov. He loved this family more than anyone else.”
As expected, the name that came from the Grand Duke’s mouth was exactly what I thought.
“Danae, you know the legend about him, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
I nodded indifferently.
Not because I was the one involved in the Demon King subjugation that had made Pamel famous, but because everyone in this era knew of him.
Pamel Ashinov was a hero sung by all — so well-known that even a child working in a country inn would recognize his name.
“Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard of his renown.”
The Grand Duke nodded, as if he’d expected my answer.
“Our ancestor organized an expedition and defeated the Demon King who threatened the peace of the continent. From there, the Ashinov family’s wealth and fame began.”
He looked up at the painting with reverence and spoke again.
“That painting captures the moment of that great victory.”
‘Ah, so that’s what it is… the moment he killed me—wait, what?’
I had been half-listening to his words when something struck me as wrong. My head jerked up.
“That’s supposed to depict the moment he defeated the Demon King?”
“Yes.”
“Then… that hideous creature on the left is…?”
“The Demon King.”
‘What are you talking about! I didn’t look like that!’
The Demon King in the painting looked more like an orc than a human — grotesque and monstrous.
It had only a few strands of hair, jagged tusks, and sagging, discolored skin.
‘Sure, I wasn’t some great beauty in my past life, but I wasn’t that bad!’
Even if I had been plain, this was absurd — that thing wasn’t even human!
I struggled to calm my bubbling anger.
‘No, breathe. Heroes get glorified, villains get vilified — that’s just how history works, right?’
I wasn’t so petty as to fail to understand that.
But all my efforts to stay calm were instantly shattered by the Grand Duke’s next words.
“This painting was created based on the Great Mage Pamel’s own war journal. It’s said to be the most accurate representation of reality.”
“…The most accurate? Including the Demon King’s appearance?”
“Yes, even that.”
‘What?! That bastard Pamel!’
It wasn’t enough that he killed me by mistake — he went around telling people I looked like that?
Grinding my teeth, I glared at the painting. The Grand Duke, oblivious to my turmoil, began speaking to me in a serious tone.
“Danae, you too are a descendant of the great mage Pamel Ashinov. That fact will never change. Even if you spent your childhood away from home, it doesn’t diminish who you are.”
I knew he was trying to comfort me sincerely, but inside, I was fuming.
“The courage of our ancestor who defeated the vicious Demon King — that same bravery flows within you. So don’t push yourself too hard to earn recognition.”
‘Ugh. I don’t need that kind of courage!’
Through the Grand Duke’s mouth, Pamel’s heroic tale continued on.
And every time that vicious monster version of the Demon King appeared in the story, my rage toward Pamel grew hotter and hotter.
‘Right. I’d almost forgotten.’
Just because people here were nice to me didn’t mean I could forget my real goal.
I gripped the staff of vengeance — the metaphorical club of my anger — tightly once again.
Perish, Ashinov family!
To hell with you, Pamel!
Anyway, my fourteenth birthday party turned out to be a fun and unique experience.
It was the first time I’d celebrated surrounded by so many people, in such a lively atmosphere.
I got to eat all my favorite foods and received plenty of gifts.
‘So this is what it feels like to really enjoy a birthday.’
But not everything was pure joy.
As I stared at the coral mansion’s key — the Grand Duke’s birthday gift to me — I fell into deep thought.
I’d sought to win his favor to gain authority within the family, and I’d succeeded in becoming the Sub–Grand Duke without trouble.
I was surprised that the position held less power than I’d expected, but I’d been working hard to slowly build real influence.
‘And now, the problem is… the Grand Duke likes me too much.’
That was the one issue I hadn’t foreseen.
He’d been overly protective since the day I fainted once — telling me not to work, insisting I take time off to recuperate.
And judging by the way he presented the key in front of everyone, it was clear he intended to send me to the Coral Mansion for “rest.”
“Danae, what’s bothering you so much?”
Lucas, seeing me glaring at the key, approached with a teasing grin.
“The Coral Mansion’s a wonderful place — it’s by the sea, the gardens are beautiful. What a great gift! It’ll be a pleasant vacation.”
“The Coral Mansion isn’t the problem here.”
I sighed deeply at my supposed accomplice’s carefree attitude.
“Why didn’t you stop Grandfather, Lucas? You know perfectly well I don’t want to take a vacation.”
“Well, we’re talking about His Grace the Grand Duke. He’s not exactly someone who listens when told no.”
‘Knew it.’
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“So you did know, then. And you didn’t even warn me?”
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, clearly caught red-handed.
That confirmed my suspicion.
“I—I mean…”
“You’re my aide, Lucas. I thought you were on my side. Now I don’t even know who to trust.”
At my reproachful words, his expression twisted into discomfort.
“Uh…”
He stayed quiet for a while, thinking, then finally spoke in a cautious tone — as if he’d made up his mind.
“Maybe… this could actually be a good opportunity.”
“A good opportunity? How so?”
“I’m not sure I should be telling you this, but…”
I blinked in confusion as he sighed and explained.
“Danae, you know His Grace holds two other noble titles, right?”
“Yes, I learned that.”
That had been covered in one of my lessons with Jedin.
The Ashinov family possessed vast territories spread across the entire northern region of the continent.
Geographically, it was divided into three parts: the northwest, central-north, and northeast.
When people referred to the “Ashinov lands,” they usually meant the central-northern area — where the Winter Mansion stood.
‘That region alone accounts for about three-fifths of his domain.’
The remaining one-fifth lay to the northwest, the County of Riescher; and another fifth to the northeast, the Barony of Devon.
In other words, the Grand Duke of Ashinov was also the Count of Riescher and the Baron of Devon.
If you added in all the branch families under his influence, the territories he effectively controlled made up nearly one-third of the entire Empire.
That enormous influence was precisely why the Imperial Family regarded Ashinov with wary eyes.
‘Okay, but what does that have to do with me?’
“The Coral Mansion’s in Devon,” Lucas continued. “And Devon’s managed by one of the Ashinov family’s long-serving vassals. Since His Grace is so fond of you…”
He trailed off meaningfully, then added a hint.
“Instead of resisting his wishes, why not make use of them?”
‘Use… the Grand Duke’s wishes?’
“There’s work to be done in Devon too. It’s still a populated region — smaller in scale than here, but it has its own affairs to manage.”
My eyes widened.
‘Of course! That’s it!’
“Lucas…”
“You’re a genius.”
I looked at him with sparkling eyes. Lucas leaned in and whispered quietly, lowering his voice.
“You’ll keep it secret that I gave you that idea, right?”
The unspoken words ‘If he finds out, I’m dead’ hung in the air.
“Of course. I can’t afford to lose my valuable advisor.”
“Valuable advisor?”
He laughed at my solemn tone, unable to hold back his amusement.
