ISMFB 33

CHAPTER 33

“Here’s the needle.”

Anna handed a sterilized needle to Linaria.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I did the piercing? Or he could do it himself.”

Anna cast a sideways glance at Kaas.

It seemed she wasn’t fond of Kaas, who had suddenly become part of their household.

But since it was Linaria’s decision, there was nothing she could do about it.

“Getting your ears pierced hurts. He should have it done the way he prefers.”

“He probably wouldn’t even flinch if you stabbed him with a sword…”

“Anna.”

“Alright. I’ll wait outside. Call me if you need anything.”

Hair dye would soon be betrayed by growing roots.

So, to fully conceal Kaas’s hair color, they purchased an invention from the Ivory Tower with Magnus’s help.

It looked like an ordinary pair of earrings—nothing that would draw suspicion.

“Sit here.”

The only issue was that Kaas didn’t have pierced ears.

Though she told him to sit, instead of taking the chair, he knelt on the cold floor.

It had to be uncomfortable, but he showed no sign of caring.

Considering his size, kneeling made it easier for Linaria, so she didn’t insist again.

“It’ll sting a bit.”

With the needle in hand, Linaria grasped his ear and swiftly pierced the right spot.

“Did it hurt?”

“No.”

Even as his earlobe was pierced, Kaas didn’t blink once. It didn’t seem like a lie.

But Linaria thought otherwise.

“It’s okay to admit it hurts. There’s no way you wouldn’t feel anything when your skin is pierced.”

She mumbled as she lined up the needle with his other ear.

To get the exact same position on both sides, she had to concentrate.

That meant leaning in close enough for her breath to brush his ear.

“You can be honest.”

Kaas flinched slightly.

Then came the second piercing.

Successfully done, Linaria inserted the earrings.

“Perfect.”

His golden hair instantly turned black. It was so incredible she couldn’t believe her own eyes.

‘Even if his hair color changes, the imperial family will eventually recognize him. Still, it’ll help with appearances for now.’

The Empress was looking for him.

Maybe, for now, it was best to keep Kaas hidden entirely.

‘But rather than living in constant fear of being found, it’s better to reveal him and keep him close.’

Especially if she were to be suspected of smuggling him out.

While her thoughts wandered, Linaria suddenly realized she was running her fingers through Kaas’s hair.

It seemed she’d acted out of wonder without thinking about propriety.

But Kaas didn’t push her hand away. Instead, he bowed his head slightly, making it easier for her to touch.

Like a large, obedient dog.

As she felt his soft hair brush through her fingers, Linaria’s expression turned solemn.

‘He has the bloodline. He has the power. More than enough, in fact.’

She was confident that Kaas could even defeat Maximilian right now.

But Kaas still lacked many things.

Etiquette aside, someone who willingly calls himself a slave isn’t fit to become an emperor.

Even if you placed a crown on a dog’s head, she believed Kaas would still rule better than the future Maximilian.

But people didn’t know what Maximilian would become.

So they could only weigh the present.

‘If the plan goes wrong, and he ends up with an even more miserable life than in his previous one, then he might as well die…’

Magnus’s warning resurfaced in her mind:

‘Do not rely on the power of the divine beasts.’

Failure wasn’t an option.

To avoid it, everything had to be done securely, and with certainty.

‘We need support from another house.’

Linaria considered the four major houses besides Obel.

First: Leviathan, contracted with the divine beast of water.

‘Definitely not.’

That was the Empress’s family.

Besides, even when Maximilian beheaded his own father in her previous life, Leviathan had shown support.

No need to consider them further.

Second: Ignas, contracted with the fire divine beast.

Uncertain.

Seven years ago, the young duke had inherited the family headship and chosen seclusion.

Under his influence, the whole house had turned inward and withdrawn from public affairs.

‘But if I had to guess, they’re probably aligned with Maximilian—or rather, Rusalka.’

There had been rumors in her past life that the Ignas duke had fallen in love with Rusalka at first sight.

It was true that he had secretly visited Rusalka a few times, despite being reclusive.

‘Maximilian was always upset when that happened.’

Perhaps out of jealousy.

When Maximilian began his tyranny, Ignas remained silent.

‘But since Rusalka hasn’t appeared yet, there’s still a chance to sway them. Put them on hold for now.’

Third: Wendysell, who handled the divine beast of wind.

They had allied with Leviathan.

They hadn’t always been close, but at some point, they fully sided with Leviathan and supported Maximilian.

‘If Wendysell is out, that leaves…’

Fourth: Brimstone, who handled the divine beast of earth.

By the time Maximilian ascended, they were already in decline—completely silenced.

They were also hostile toward Obel.

If Linaria sought their cooperation, they might reject her outright just to avoid involvement with Obel.

Arguably just as bad as Leviathan.

‘But the Duke of Brimstone seems like someone who understands give-and-take. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have visited Father recently.’

So, breaking it down:

• Two houses firmly supported Maximilian.
• One was neutral.
• One was potentially swayable.

And thankfully, the Tower Master of the Ivory Tower was on her side—for now.

‘But even with the Ivory Tower’s help, that’s not enough.’

Having collected her thoughts, Linaria stood.

“Kaas, let’s go.”

Kaas followed without a word.

Only Anna, who happened to see them in the hallway, reacted.

“My lady, where are you going?”

“To try and win someone over.”

“Oh, I see. To win some—wait, what?!”

Anna’s jaw dropped.

She tried to ask again, wondering if she’d misheard, but Linaria was already gone.

Only Anna’s flustered cry echoed through the corridor.

“I like you.”

What a mess.

That was the first thought in Linaria’s head upon hearing those words.

“I’ve liked you ever since our first meeting, and I still do.”

It was a shy confession.

Her hesitant voice carried youth and sweetness.

“I don’t expect an answer right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel…”

If Linaria hadn’t come to see the very person being confessed to, she would’ve walked right past without a glance.

“Lady Allison.”

Auguste, the recipient of the confession, spoke calmly.

“I think you’re a wonderful person. Honestly, too good for me.”

“Does that mean…?”

“I’ve never thought of you that way. I’m sorry.”

“But…!”

Had she not expected such a direct rejection?

Allison’s face flushed red.

“You didn’t push me away when I collapsed into your arms.”

“That’s because you fainted—I couldn’t just shove you aside.”

“And when I held your hand? You held mine back, didn’t you!”

“Because you said your hands were cold.”

Allison looked devastated.

“I’m sorry.”

Smack—

Auguste’s head turned to the side.

Allison had slapped him across the face and ran off in tears.

Auguste simply touched his cheek. He didn’t go after her.

‘If I’d known it’d turn out like this, I would’ve just turned back right away.’

It was the worst.

Linaria realized today wasn’t the right day to talk and decided to retreat.

“Linaria, didn’t you come to see me?”

That is, if Auguste hadn’t spoken first.

Now she couldn’t deny it.

Since it had come to this, she decided to pretend she hadn’t seen the earlier scene.

“How long have you known?”

“I knew from the start. But more importantly, you came because you had something to say, right?”

Auguste still acted like a gentleman.

If not for the bright red handprint swelling on one cheek, he might’ve even looked the part.