Chapter 40
After the meal, tea was served.
Edward and Hector leisurely enjoyed rooibos tea, but Henry took a sip of strong black tea and got straight to the point.
“There are a lot of people looking for you. And I mean a lot.”
It was expected.
Even if Henry had full authority, Edward was still the face of the Mare Company, and those wanting to work with it usually insisted on meeting him directly.
“It can’t be helped during peak season.”
“How bad is your injury?”
“Wait a moment.”
Edward slowly removed his bandages.
The doctor had told him not to check it himself so it wouldn’t reopen, but Edward kept lifting the gauze to look at it anyway. By now, he had become so skilled that even the doctor could no longer tell whether he had touched it.
Once the bandages and gauze were removed, a clear scar was revealed.
“…It’ll be hard to hide indoors.”
Henry gave up on trying to conceal it.
Hector looked anxious again, his worry returning as he stared at Edward.
Edward calmly handed him a plate of cookies.
“Hector, eat.”
Hector hesitated, then took a cookie and bit into it.
Edward spoke gently:
“I don’t want to hide things from you completely, but I also know that hiding everything isn’t the answer.”
“…I… would have been sad if you hid it.”
“Yes. And I also thought this level of injury was something you could see.”
It had mostly healed already. Diana’s quick treatment had helped stop the bleeding, and the doctor said Edward’s youth aided recovery.
“A hat should cover it somewhat.”
“We can manage outdoors, but not this week. What excuse did you give them?”
“That I had imperial commitments.”
“So the Crown Prince cooperated.”
“More like he was pressured by the Grand Duchess.”
Henry laughed at Edward’s words.
Castus’s plan to get closer to Diana had clearly failed, and Henry could imagine how frustrated he must have been.
“Honestly, this is bad for you personally, but good for the Grand Duke and the Mare Company.”
“I feel better just thinking about it that way.”
Hector asked:
“How is it good for us?”
Henry smiled.
“Why do you think it’s good for the Grand Duke?”
Hector explained carefully:
“Because the Grand Duke and the Crown Prince don’t get along, and the Crown Prince is in charge of capital security. During the Founding Festival, a ‘terror incident’ means criticism of his incompetence.”
“Very smart. Have a macaron.”
Henry handed him one.
Hector, though annoyed at being treated like a child, happily accepted it.
Henry continued:
“The important part is that both the Grand Duke’s side and ours are staying silent.”
Edward smiled.
It was Diana and Henry’s consideration while Edward was unconscious, but ironically, it helped the Crown Prince.
Henry added:
“We can escalate this easily. Do you know why we cooperate with imperial requests?”
“To do business easily?”
“Exactly. No one wants to fight power.”
Hector asked:
“Then what is the Empire afraid of?”
Edward smiled faintly.
“Only one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Perception.”
Hector tilted his head.
Henry explained:
“Don’t forget—it’s the Founding Festival.”
Foreign merchants, nobles, and citizens were all watching.
“They fear how all of them perceive this.”
Edward added calmly:
“Once a perception is formed, it’s not easy to change.”
“It becomes a fixed belief.”
Henry continued:
“The Crown Prince’s image is already damaged.”
Even though he had military authority, this incident made him appear like a regent unable to maintain order.
The Mare Company, meanwhile, had strong financial and political backing.
“So we wait patiently.”
“Wait for what?”
Edward smiled.
“They will come to us.”
Henry did not smile.
Meanwhile
Mars walked slowly with a cane, supported by a large servant behind him.
He watched Hector and Henry walking from Edward’s room.
“A beastfolk child.”
“He is Hector, the steward’s successor.”
Mars smiled, thinking of how nobles chose heirs.
At the door, the servant announced:
“The former Grand Duke has arrived.”
Edward, slightly disheveled, stood up quickly.
Mars waved a hand.
“Sit. No need for formalities.”
Edward was guided to the sofa.
Mars sat opposite him and asked about tea.
“Orange juice.”
Edward looked surprised but poured it.
After a pause, Edward spoke quietly:
“…I apologize.”
Mars sipped calmly.
“For what?”
Edward hesitated.
He had not informed Mars about his injury earlier.
Mars watched him quietly.
Finally, Edward said:
“For missing our evening walks together.”
