32.
‘What are they scheming now?’
Caitlyn furrowed her beautifully arched brows.
The Empire was already in turmoil after appointing Aintz as the Crown Prince.
There’s a saying—once a hunting dog has served its purpose, it’s eaten.
“…Surely not…”
Caitlyn murmured softly.
No, it mustn’t be.
Just how much had Caitlyn and the Rivaydon family sacrificed for Emperor Laigos?
Her lips trembled slightly.
While she was barely holding back her emotions, Count Rivaydon came to visit her.
“…You should have brought good news, Father.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Count Rivaydon nodded vigorously.
He was known for being indecisive.
Caitlyn, on the other hand, resembled the former count—decisive and action-oriented.
Thanks to her, the Rivaydon family had entered its second golden age.
But few knew the true nature hidden behind Caitlyn’s springlike appearance.
Only Rivaydon and her closest allies were aware.
“The funding issue for constructing the railway has been resolved, Your Majesty.”
“…Really?”
The Empire was divided into East and West, with the capital situated in the middle.
There was little interaction between the two sides, and their cultures differed vastly.
The Rivaydon family had won the rights to build the railway connecting the East and West.
They had invested an enormous effort to secure this project.
If trade routes opened between East and West, the railway would become a massive source of revenue.
Given the impassable mountain range that spanned the Empire’s center, trains were the only viable way through.
The Empire of Vendelheim was split by the Biharata Mountains.
The capital sat atop Hendelro Peak, the lowest summit of Biharata.
People across the continent often called Vendelheim the Empire of the Gods.
Surrounded by natural fortifications, the capital had never once been breached in its long history.
It took a hundred years to carve out Hendelro Peak to build the capital, and the effort had paid off.
Thus, interaction between East and West was only possible via the capital.
The plan was to dig beneath the Biharata Mountains to run the railway through.
Currently, six railway lines were planned to connect East and West.
And it was Rivaydon’s responsibility to fund them—a massive burden.
No one had been willing to invest such a vast amount in Rivaydon.
Just when they were considering the desperate option of seeking help from their rival, the Lorobantes, a savior appeared.
“Yes, Your Majesty. A merchant group has offered more than enough investment. It’s a new group called Carly, and the head is a Viscount Heraith.”
“Viscount Heraith…”
“Yes. He recently struck it rich from the newly discovered diamond mine.”
That meant his status wasn’t an issue either.
“…They’re not offering it without conditions, are they?”
“They’ve requested 30% of the profit from the railway.”
“Thirty percent…?”
Caitlyn let out a dry laugh.
They had already promised 20% of the profits to the emperor for obtaining the rights to the project.
Another 10% was allocated to other investors.
If they gave Carly 30%, only 40% would remain for Rivaydon.
“How shameless.”
“But if we lose them, we may have no other options. Lorobante might demand even more.”
“…Hah.”
Caitlyn sighed.
“Offer them the least valuable of our territories and try to negotiate down to 25%. See what you can do, Father.”
This project had to succeed.
If they were to place Fidelo on the throne instead of Aintz, now the Crown Prince, it was essential.
One needed money to move mountains.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
A gentle smile appeared on Caitlyn’s otherwise cold face.
She clasped Count Rivaydon’s hand affectionately.
“Never forget, Father—our fate rests with Fidelo.”
Count Rivaydon had done nothing while Fidelo was humiliated at the Royster family’s wedding.
“If the young prince makes a mistake, it’s your duty to help him.”
A crooked smile formed on Caitlyn’s lips.
“I’ll remember that, again and again, Your Majesty.”
Caitlyn’s fingers tightened over the back of the Count’s hand.
His awkward cough came in response to her desperate grip.
Caitlyn pulled him closer.
“Remember how we survived. How we stole what belonged to Winchester. How the Emperor discarded them. That could be our fate one day.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Count nodded quickly, face pale.
“Very well. The Winchester heir hasn’t appeared yet, correct?”
Caitlyn let go of his hand.
Rubbing his hand, the Count replied,
“They must be dead. I hear even the secret unit the Duke led has vanished.”
“Good. But stay alert. That child will be fifteen in five years. If they’re alive, they may seek to claim the Winchester title.”
“I’ll keep watch, Your Majesty.”
Only then did Caitlyn breathe a little easier.
With the railway project starting, they could consolidate more power.
Before the Emperor moved to suppress them, they had to solidify Fidelo’s position.
“Don’t forget how we obtained Fidelo, Father. What we sacrificed to raise that child.”
Caitlyn’s eyes gleamed coldly.
“All of it was for Rivaydon. I gave up one of my most precious things.”
“…I never forget, always.”
Caitlyn looked him in the eyes, searching for sincerity.
Only after confirming there was no trace of doubt did she step back slightly.
“Good. We’ve prepared well and have the resources. We’ll win this war. In the end, even Lorobante will belong to us.”
And Caitlyn still had a powerful card to play.
“Briny.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Has Princess Endia awakened?”
“She’s just woken from her nap.”
“Excellent. Bring her to me. She wishes to see His Majesty, so I shall take her myself.”
Princess Endia was the only child currently favored by the Emperor.
She was the only one who could open the tightly closed doors of his chambers.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Now then, Father. It’s time you return. I have much to do for our Fidelo.”
Caitlyn rose gracefully.
As she checked her appearance before meeting the Emperor, her gaze was sharp and ruthless.
Baldwin had grown a lot.
His progress with the sword was faster than anyone else’s.
Today, since Camilla brought the ring, she also joined the training for the first time in a while.
I sat with my chin resting on my hand, watching them blankly.
“…Miss?”
Kara called out.
“Hmm?”
“…Are you feeling unwell?”
“No.”
“Then perhaps… hungry?”
“Also no.”
“…Did you have a fight with someone?”
“Do I look like a kid to you?”
“Then why… are you so quiet?”
“What? Is being quiet a problem now?”
I pouted.
I’m at the age to start heir training!
Before I turned ten, I only received basic etiquette education, but now that I’ve had my birthday, it’s time for successor lessons.
Of course, Baldwin will attend too, since he’s adopted.
But what he’s preparing for isn’t the future of Lorobante—it’s the future of Winchester.
“That’s exactly it. You’re always energetic, so it’s strange to see you this quiet.”
Kara answered as if that explained everything.
“I’m thinking.”
“May I ask what you’re thinking about? Although, making a blanket with Miss Rudella’s portrait on it is absolutely forbidden.”
As if I’d—wait, I did.
A year ago, I was so deep in my fangirl phase I really tried to do that.
Of course, Baldwin shot the idea down by lying down in protest, so it was scrapped.
“Ahem…”
“And of course, handkerchiefs with her portrait are also off-limits.”
Geez.
If there’s one thing I hate about this world, it’s this:
Even though my favorite character is right in front of me, I can’t fangirl freely.
Every moment of Baldwin growing up deserves to be recorded, and yet I’m letting it slip by like flowing water.
I was about to sigh in regret but caught myself.
“That’s not it!”
“…If that’s true, I’m relieved.”
You… know me way too well.
I shot Kara a look and then returned to my original posture.
