Chapter 39
Kartia sat gracefully, showcasing elegance with the tea and teaware brought directly from the imperial palace by Fabia.
Count Sielon chuckled softly at the sight.
“What brings you to meet me today?”
Kartia lowered her teacup with a smile.
“I’ve always been curious. Enche is warm and gentle, so who on earth did the twins take after to turn out like that? But since you rarely come to the capital as the border count, I haven’t had the chance to confirm it myself.”
“Haha. Sounds like my children caused some trouble for Your Highness.”
“Shall I send you a bill for everything the twins broke and tore apart in the palace? There were plenty of items barely acquired from the Duke of Ivia’s house, some handmade by artisans, stitch by stitch.”
“Just tell me what you want.”
The way he instantly shifted the subject when she hit a sore spot made it clear—he was undoubtedly the twins’ father.
“The imperial studies exam questions.”
“What are you offering in return?”
“You’re more experienced than your kids, at least.”
“They’re still young and tend to give anything to people they like. I haven’t taught them yet that giving should come with receiving.”
“Hmm… What should I take from you…”
Kartia rested her chin on her hand and stared at Count Sielon.
He had brown hair, blue eyes, and a build that clearly revealed his martial bloodline, just like the Duke of Ivia’s household.
No wonder the twins were so physically gifted and strong.
He asked what she wanted, yet hadn’t said a word about what he wanted—perhaps he was sizing her up.
Still, that was better than underestimating her just because she was young, though it didn’t make him any more likable.
“There are suppliers that provide military goods to the Sielon family, right? How about dirt on one of them?”
“Hmm. That’s not exactly sweet enough of an offer. That’s something I could investigate myself.”
“Which is exactly why it’s a fair trade. Same for me.”
She meant the exam questions as well.
If she really wanted them, she could find other ways—she didn’t necessarily need Count Sielon.
“Then why me, specifically?”
“Because you’re someone who doesn’t talk carelessly, isn’t strongly opposed to leaking exam questions, and most importantly, has the means to do it. That’s why I came to you.”
“Is there no one else?”
“There is. But they’d be a hassle.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then that’s unfortunate. But that’s all. There won’t be any retaliation, and the twins won’t be affected.”
Kartia took a sip of her tea and winced slightly at the bitterness.
It must’ve cooled while they were talking, bringing out the astringent flavor. Noticing this, Fabia quickly checked the temperature of the cup and the teapot, then replaced her cup.
The remaining tea was discarded into an empty vessel.
That’s how things with no more use get thrown away.
Watching this with a lowered gaze, Count Sielon seemed to ponder something before speaking again.
“Very well. I accept the offer.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to throw away the opportunity offered by the future heir of the empire.”
“Then go ahead.”
With that, Kartia took a sip of the newly poured tea and set it down.
Count Sielon spoke first.
“Nathan and Ludan mentioned Your Highness a few times.”
“Oh? What’d they say?”
“That you’re like a little puppy.”
“Well, considering both our positions, I guess we’re the same.”
“They always seem cheerful after meeting with you.”
“Maybe they think they’re just walking a dog.”
“You’re more cynical than I expected.”
Am I? Kartia tilted her head and stood up, saying the conversation was over.
Meeting Count Sielon wasn’t just about the leaked exam questions—there was another reason.
She simply wanted to know what kind of man Nathan would one day kill with his own hands. So when the opportunity came, she came to see for herself.
“One last question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you love Enche and the twins?”
Surprised, Count Sielon’s eyes widened for a moment before he burst into laughter.
“Of course I do. I always will.”
“Good to hear.”
Kartia nodded and turned to leave, while Count Sielon tilted his head.
“Aren’t you going to see the twins?”
“Nah. Seeing them too often isn’t good for my mental health.”
Meeting Count Sielon made her feel it even more intensely.
That calculating gaze, that unreadable expression—wasn’t that exactly what the twins would grow into?
Those eyes that observed people, that lopsided smirk—they didn’t allow for easy affection.
She could now understand why adults found the grown-up twins intimidating.
They felt like they were hiding a snake inside.
She was lucky to have received their love from the start, from the very first moment they met.
“Make sure you come to the capital often with Enche and the twins. Don’t end up regretting it later.”
Waving her hand lazily behind her, Count Sielon chuckled.
“Yes. Take care on your way.”
Leaving Count Sielon’s farewell behind, Kartia walked away slowly.
Watching her figure disappear, he recalled their conversation and shook his head.
“She’s like a seasoned old politician.”
She spoke like someone much older, offering sage advice and keeping a flawless composure.
He had no idea that Kartia’s words were the most important advice he’d ever receive—and headed back toward the mansion.
*
Whiiish—
A sword sliced through the air, tracing a straight line from top to bottom.
Kaiyan repeated the same movement dozens of times with flawless precision—no shake in the blade, no deviation in direction.
Sweat dripped from the tips of his bangs as he concentrated every nerve into his practice.
But the silence was soon broken.
“Kaiyan!”
A youthful voice, not yet that of an adult, cut through the quiet.
Kaiyan’s blade faltered.
Frowning, he turned toward the source of the call.
“Been a while.”
The one approaching with a cheeky grin was his cousin—his mother Mineil Ivia’s nephew. Though related, they weren’t particularly close.
Kaiyan didn’t have many close connections in general.
“What do you want?”
Annoyed by the interruption, Kaiyan’s voice came out sharp. But the other boy just waved carelessly.
“Came with my mom. She said she wanted to see your mother.”
“Aren’t you a little old to be tagging along with your mom?”
“Well, I also had something to tell you.”
It was probably just some useless gossip that Kaiyan wouldn’t care about.
As Kaiyan resumed his stance to continue training, the boy shrugged.
“It’s kind of interesting, though.”
“To you, maybe.”
“You fought that noble kid from Denzia, right?”
Denzia? Kaiyan lowered his sword.
He remembered—one of the guys he beat up for insulting Kartia.
“Why bring that up now?”
“There are new rumors about the princess. Thought you might care.”
Kaiyan spun his sword, then stabbed it into the ground with force.
The other boy quickly raised both hands in surrender and shook his head.
“Such loyalty. You really are from the Duke of Ivia.”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what? They say the princess is pretty as an angel. Did you fall for her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Sure, Kartia was beautiful. But “angel” didn’t fit her at all.
She was fragile in some ways, and too unreadable to be simply called pretty.
“What’s the rumor?”
“I figured you’d care, so I dug deeper. Know Nathan Sielon?”
“Nathan Sielon? The border count’s twin?”
“Yep. I didn’t think you’d know him. That’s a surprise.”
The boy looked impressed, but Kaiyan frowned, recalling a recent conversation.
Nathan Sielon—that was the kid who trained with Kartia.
“So Nathan has a group he hangs out with, right? Some of them started spreading weird rumors.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“That the princess is kind of dumb. That if the imperial studies exam is too hard, it’ll embarrass her and ruin her dignity.”
Kaiyan’s face contorted with rage.
“They’re going around saying that?”
“Yeah. And because the Countess of Sielon is her etiquette teacher, they’re freaking out that if Kartia fails the exam, it’ll tarnish her reputation too.”
Despite training with Kartia and seemingly being close, they dared to spread such things?
“Are you sure?”
“The rumor’s making rounds among the noble kids. My mom even came here today because of that—just in case the Ivia family reacts strongly.”
Kaiyan clenched his teeth and stormed off.
“H-Huh? Where are you going? Hey!”
The startled cousin hurried after him, but Kaiyan didn’t look back. He only moved faster.
