CHAPTER 56……………….
It seems I’ve ended up putting Emily in an awkward position. She’s a kind person and was only helping me out of goodwill, so I hope Your Highness won’t be too angered.
Emily?
That familiar-sounding name struck Tristan’s ears unpleasantly.
And the content of the message didn’t help either. Tristan and Emily had a formal, public relationship, yet here she spoke as if her connection with her was intensely private.
His hand holding the teacup tightened instinctively.
Whether she noticed or not, Zion continued with a smile.
“The events of that day have already been sufficiently explained in the report, and I’ve shared the information regarding the traces of black mages found there. I believe Your Highness has obtained everything you could from it.”
So don’t say another word and leave. Tristan could easily infer the unspoken continuation.
A man with an angelic face but a truly vexing temperament. Tristan couldn’t resist the sudden, twisted impulse and blurted out:
“You must be the one most favored by God.”
Zion flinched at the clichéd sarcasm, something Tristan hadn’t expected at all.
Zion erased the faint smile lingering on his lips and stared at him coldly.
For the first time, it seemed as if the mask that never broke could finally show his true feelings.
But it was only a fleeting moment. After a blink, he was back to his usual self as if nothing had happened.
“Indeed. I share the same view.”
He responded nonchalantly and rose from his seat.
“Then I have afternoon prayers to attend to.”
Tap. Tap.
Tristan’s pen repeatedly tapped the desk. Meaningless sounds echoed one after another.
“…Sir Werner.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If there’s a talent we mustn’t lose, what would be the most efficient way to secure them?”
It was almost a mutter to himself.
Emily Walker.
Tristan considered her value. The only way to track black mages without relying on the Papal State. That alone made Emily an irreplaceable human resource.
“Perhaps granting a title and land would be the most effective method?”
Werner suggested the conventional approach. A hereditary title is the most binding of chains.
“I see.”
Tristan nodded immediately.
“I should prepare marriage negotiations with the Walker dukedom.”
“…….”
Werner froze for a moment. Had he really just heard that?
“If all goes well, the wedding could be held as early as next spring.”
Tristan added, as if to confirm it was no misunderstanding.
‘…Has he ever done this before?’
This was far from Tristan’s usual approach. Marriage, just like that. Of course, Werner didn’t dispute Emily’s value as a human resource.
‘And the way he’s going about it… it almost seems personal…’
Before Werner could finish that thought, Tristan continued:
“First, formally propose to the Walker dukedom and proceed step by step…”
“Your Highness, may I dare offer a word?”
Werner interjected, sensing Tristan might rush into the proposal immediately.
“Why so?”
“Pardon me, but… you know the Walker family prevents divine grace from leaking, and so they never send direct family members to other households, right?”
So if Emily or Julia were to marry, the spouse would be absorbed into the Walker family as a son-in-law. Naturally, this was impossible for the crown prince, the heir to the throne.
“Moreover, the Walker siblings’ bond is unusually strong; they wouldn’t willingly accept a political marriage.”
Tristan appeared to consider this seriously, his expression thoughtful.
“Then perhaps another method should be devised…”
“No. There is only one solution.”
“Excuse me?”
Tristan clasped his hands and rested his chin, resembling a famous strategist.
At that moment, a breeze fluttered the curtains.
“Why not have Miss Emily propose to me?”
“Excuse me?”
Werner could only repeat, dumbfounded, “Excuse me?”
“If I gain Emily’s favor, and she makes the proposal herself, the problem solves itself.”
“…In principle, yes, that is true.”
Upon reconsideration, it sounded plausible. The Walker family’s rules were strict, but if Emily pleaded sincerely, she might agree. It seemed the only way to bypass the siblings’ impenetrable defense.
‘Could this really work?’
But there was another problem.
“Your Highness, do you even know how to win the favor of a noble lady?”
“….”
Tristan was completely inexperienced in this matter.
Cough!
Penelope vomited a transparent fluid, trembling as her fingers scraped at the dirt floor.
“Penelope.”
A low voice called her, and she flinched. Claude appeared in front of her.
“Your solo action completely ruined the plan. How do you intend to take responsibility?”
He knelt on one knee and lifted her chin with his fingers.
Though a rebellious glint flashed in Penelope’s eyes, it vanished immediately upon meeting Claude’s gaze.
“Did I expect too much? Was it so difficult to just stay quiet, hide in a minor noble family, and wait?”
Amid the tense atmosphere, Hermann crawled forward to intervene.
“I- I was wrong.”
He bowed his head, trembling.
“It’s… my fault. I should’ve said it from the start. I said… I said she wasn’t brainwashed… but I didn’t. It’s… my fault.”
“Hmm?”
Claude listened quietly, then grabbed Hermann by the chin. Slowly, he examined his tear-streaked face.
“Hermann.”
“Y-yes?”
“Did I say you could interfere?”
“Hic… hic…”
Crack!
A violent sound came from Hermann’s jaw as he whimpered in pain. Claude ignored it and tossed him backward.
“My disappointment is great, Penelope. I valued your ability, but even a simple mission you cannot carry out…”
His gloved hand covered her vision.
“Wouldn’t it be better to return to your original position?”
Clunk.
Penelope felt her heart drop. ‘Original position?’ The despair rising from deep within made her throat burn.
“I- I was wrong.”
She stammered for forgiveness.
“Never again… I’ll make sure it never happens. Please forgive me. Just one more chance…”
“Mercy is only for this time.”
Penelope nodded frantically at Claude’s words.
“We have a duty to correct the mistakes of our ancestors.”
He brushed his parched lips with his fingers, feeling a thirst arise. The thought of the humans, like cockroaches filling this world, made his chest tighten.
He continued, gently stroking Penelope’s head.
“We cannot afford to waste any more time. The longer we wait, the longer our brothers will suffer on Thanatos Island…”
Penelope trembled in fear. Claude could kill her at any moment if he wished.
“It would’ve been ideal to move after obtaining the Lemegeton, but it cannot be helped.”
He scanned the room and smiled.
“We are heading to Nix Tower.”
It was time to free their brothers.
“I’m sorry, Emily…”
Natalie pressed her tearful face against mine. I understood her feelings, but I needed some space to breathe.
“Because of me, you got caught up in such danger…! I can’t even look at you! I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay. I’ve said it many times already.”
“But still!”
Natalie’s tears fell uncontrollably, and Hazel handed her a handkerchief. Natalie blew her nose naturally.
“Ahh!”
Yes, Natalie was still Natalie. That consistency somehow made her even more herself.
“You’re my only true friends. New friends? Never, ever!”
It seemed the recent ordeal had prompted her to impose a strict ‘no new friends’ rule on herself.
“How long that lasts… we’ll see.”
“Right, right.”
“There’s no harm in being careful.”
Hazel and I welcomed her warmly. Natalie needed to be careful! She constantly drew trouble—solicited by cults, stalked by weird people. She was a walking calamity.
‘High maintenance, but…’
Yet Hazel and I maintained a friendship with Natalie because of her fundamentally kind heart.
‘In social circles, Natalie was always helping me.’
Talkative and troublesome, yet irresistibly charming.
If loving people was a crime, Natalie would deserve life imprisonment.
“Hic. Anyway. I won’t go to parties for a while! Emily, you have to hang out with me often, okay?”
“Hmm… that might be difficult.”
I forced an awkward smile.
“What?! Why? What’s wrong?!”
“I have a business trip soon.”
“A trip?”
Natalie gripped my shoulder tightly.
“Where to?”
“Well, actually…”
I sighed before finally admitting.
“To Nix Tower.”
How did I end up on a business trip to Nix Tower? That had to be traced back to this very morning.
