<b>62.</b>


    “s, Young Duke. If you attended Gracivan, you would’ve been an alumnus.”


    “I think it’s a shame, too.”


    Erce looked pleased with Vicente, who was talking to a boy of his age. However, she was worried that Adora could not mix with the group.


    “It’s a pity that only now I got the chance to talk to Lady Zardea. I believe we’ve met at parties before.”


    “Ah… indeed.”


    A lot of people were talking to Adora, who had be Erce’sdy-in-waiting, but Adora did not seem to be pleased with the attention she was getting. She seemed to be struggling to adapt to their sudden change in behavior after not being able to get along with people. However, this was a gateway that Adora herself had to pass through and Erce could not help her. It was then.


    “It’s been a while, E.”


    A shadow fell over her head. The man in his early sixties with a pleasant smile was a person Erce knew well.


    “Uncle!”


    cing her hand on her chest, Erce curtsied.


    “Nice to meet you, <i>Duchess</i> Bernhardt,” Viscount Royden jokingly answered and pointed over her shoulder. “Erce, is that fine gentleman your son?”


    “He is. I’ll intro—”


    Erce smiled softly and tried to call Vicente. But Viscount Royden waved his hand.


    “No need. If an old man like me joins them, it’ll ruin the mood. It’s better to talk to people my age.”


    “You’re still young, though.”


    “Thank you, even if they’re empty words. Anyway, I was amazed! He’s the spitting image of His Excellency, just as I’ve heard. Oh, but of course, his eyes resemble those of my lovely niece.”


    Viscount Royden’s lips formed into a grin. It was apliment that she heard often, so Erce chuckled, not minding it.


    “If he grows up taking after your husband, he’ll turn out a fine man.”


    As Viscount Royden said, Vicente seemed to increasingly resemble Harsen as he grew up, perhaps not surprisingly, since they share the same blood.


    <i>‘Did Harsen look like that when he was young?’</i>


    Erce imagined what it would have been like if she had returned to about 20 years ago, not 3 years. Even then, he was away from high society, so she could not have met him…


    “Ah, right. Have you made up your mind?”


    Her thoughts stopped. Although Viscount Royden did not denote anything, Erce knew he was referring to Vicente.


    Certainly, it was still ufortable, so she could not manage her expressions well. She could only barely answer until after she loosened the awkwardly stiffened muscles of her mouth.


    “Oh… I have.”


    Satisfied by the answer, Viscount Royden gave Erce an appeased smile.


    “You’ve made a good decision. I understand it was hard to decide, but it’s not good to be too fastidious. After all, you’re his mother.”


    Countless words shed through her mind at Viscount Royden’s words.


    <i>‘You’re a mother…’</i>


    <i>‘Because you’re his mother…’</i>


    <i>‘Yes… What’s so hard about it?’</i>


    <i>‘It’s your baby! I! You have no idea! No idea how much I—!’</i>


    A sharp sound, like that of ss breaking, awakened her mind. The image of the woman looming over her mind faded like a fog.


    “I believe Her Late Majesty would be proud of you, as well.”


    Remnants of the past revived at those words. A tearful cry that rips not the ears, but the heart apart, seemed to reverberate in her head.


    “Really?”


    “Of course. You should steel your heart and live well to honor Eshahilde.”


    <i>‘My sister…’</i>


    Erce could not get an answer even if she asked her. She erased the memories of her sister. She could not afford to stretch out her thoughts there. Erce had decided that the mourning period was over for her in thest life. Her sister would understand if Erce did not feel sad anymore.


    “I guess His Excellency didn’te.”


    Searching for Harsen, Viscount Royden looked everywhere. The sight of his absence suddenly made her guts twist. Erce snapped bitterly at Viscount Royden, “He hasn’t changed at all.”


    <i>He doesn’t like going to this sort of thing</i>.


    It was a subtly discontented tone, but Viscount Royden calmly epted her words, as if he had not noticed.


    “Well, I imagine he’d get tired going back and forth. He isn’t even the type that enjoys ttery.”


    <i>What’s so bad about ttery?</i>


    “You’re right.” She sounded rather dubious.


    A warm smile shed across his lips, “These days, he’s been busy with the matters of the Knights Order.”


    “The Knights Order?” Erce asked back. She knew Harsen was busy, but the words <i>‘these days’</i> caught her attention.


    “Yes, although this time it’s because of your brother. Caron has petitioned His Majesty to increase the number of troops.”


    “Increasing the number of troops..?”


    “Ah, but don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about active soldiers, but the royal guards. A horrific incident that gued the rural areas has recently also happened in the capital, so no wonder he’s worried.”


    Viscount Royden seemed to have misunderstood what Erce was concerned about.


    “So my brother…did that.”


    Erce thought of Caron. As promised, Caron had asked the king for reinforcements. And it must have been to prepare for the conflict with Conrad, not to convict countryside criminals.


    “Some criticized him for being excessive, but…military power can be used in many ways, so I don’t think it’s a terrible idea.”


    From her uncle’s words, she could see that people did not look at Caron’s intentions thoroughly. Uncle Royden, as well.


    There was no way a mere criminal could shake the foundation of a country in the first ce. The king and aristocrats who grew up privileged due to their noble roots would not feel threatened by such people.


    Using this as an opportunity, the king would be able to recruit knights from the feudal lords to increase his military strength and monitor their territories in the name of protection.


    The one who provided the excuse for it was Caron. However, Erce had one thing to wonder about. <i>How did he get the approval with that poor excuse?</i>


    “Truly, I have no intention of questioning the boy’s logic. It’spletely beyond my hands, anyway. Plus, I’m sure Caron did it because he’s worried about you. Everyone knows how much Caron cherishes you.”


    “What are you talking about?”


    “I heard you nearly became a victim of the disappearances around the capital.”


    She tilted her head at her uncle’s strange remark. <i>When did I?</i>


    “Next time, don’t go to themoners’ to shoot arrows. See! Something always happens at such ces.”


    <i>Commoners? Shoot arrows?</i>


    Erce was bewildered. Listening to Uncle Royden, she realized he was referring to the time she went to the archery field with Vicente. <i>But disappearances? Is he implying that the criminals acting in the capitaltely had a connection to the archery field?</i>


    <i>‘That can’t be…’</i>


    <i>Really?</i> Realizing that, she got goosebumps on her arms. But how did her uncle know something even she did not know?


    “One of the captured men confessed. They were aiming for you from the start.”


    Erce’s brows furrowed. <i>That can’t be, right?</i> She went there of her own ord, yet nothing happened to her in the end. It was onlyter that she heard of the human trafficking ring.


    “In addition, the names of many other targeted nobles were also revealed. Quite a few, I hear.”


    “No way.”


    At Erce’s firm answer, Viscount Royden fiddled with his beard as he murmured to himself, “I said so, too.”


    “Were they tortured?”


    <i>Is there a chance of fabrication?</i>


    “Torturing a sinner is justified. However, the confession of a sinner is not always reliable. Regardless, what’s important was that he mentioned your name, and a witness imed to see you at that ce, so His Majesty was unable to ignore it. After all, you’re Eshahilde’s younger sister and the noblest woman in the country,” Viscount Royden said in a round-about way, perhaps trying to save his breath.


    Erceughed bitterly.


    Caron used her.


    She wondered what he used to push for that poor excuse, yet it was herself. It must be a coincidence, it <i>had </i>to be. She talked with Caron <i>after </i>going to the archery field. Perhaps it was a coincidence and Caron used it timely. Even if he did use her, it was strange to me him since she was not harmed.


    “I see.” Erce was quietly convinced. Caron was a politician before he was her brother. He was right in using whatever was avable. Even if he used Erce for this matter, the fact that Caron cared for her would remain the same. He wouldn’t have done it, had it harmed her.


    “All that happened, yet it’s been so quiet. This is even the first time I’m hearing this story.”


    “Well… that’s because the report mentioned not just you but Lapaine, Mayance, Dartner, Lydia, Garten, and Pantetz.”


    “Does that make sense?”


    Viscount Royden grunted, “It doesn’t matter. Once this is disclosed, it’s the nobles that will suffer a blow, not the king. Anyone would want to cover this up quickly unless they don’t want to send more men to the king under this excuse.”


    “What about His Majesty?”


    “He’ll cover it up. He used your name to suppress them, but it’s only a temporary measure anyway. Who doesn’t know that your brother had a hand in this? Though, it would be nice to reach apromise. There are still some doubts about it but… that’s just how politics works. I take it as I like and interpret it how I want it. You should ask your brother for the details since he happens to be at the party today. He’d know better than I do.”


    Erce was stunned, “My brother?”


    “Yes, somehow.”


    “I was never told before. Brother never informed me.”


    She didn’t even think he woulde. Why would Carone to the Coming-of-Age party of Lady Garten? Everyone knew what the rtionship between Marquis Visaride and Duke Garten was like.


    The invitation must have been sent formally, but Caron could have refused and sent a vassal using one excuse or another. Certainly so in the past. Above all…


    <i>‘Did he not go to the pce?’</i>


    The king must have summoned him upon Duke Garten’s return. Unlesspulsory, he could refuse… Yet, the ce he chose was such a terrible choice that she could not help but utter <i>‘why?’</i>


    “We just had a conversation. He’s the same as ever.”


    That would mean that he was still sly and easy-going. Somehow, she could easily imagine Caron in Garten, <i>casually </i>enjoying the party<i>.</i>


    “Uncle, do you know where my brother is?”


    “Um… let’s see… Oh, there he is.”


    Viscount Royden pointed to the left side of the hall.


    “Next to him…is perhaps Marchioness Dartner? My eyes have gone bad these days, so I can’t tell.”


    Erce squinted her eyes. There were many people far away, so his silhouette was not clear but she easily spotted his characteristic tinum blonde hair. He was indeed her brother, yet he stood out everywhere. Discontent surged inside her.


    <i>Harsen couldn’t evene to the party because of his busy schedule, yet </i>he’s<i> enjoying himself here?</i>


    To be exact, it wasn’t that he <i>could not</i>e, but <i>did not</i>, and if you look at it, <i>she </i>was the main culprit behind this, but Erce was so upset at Caron that she decided to exclude such trivial details.


    “I see him very, very well.”


    Viscount Royden chuckled, “After all, you have good eyes since you’re young.”


    * * *


    Meanwhile, Caron was being harassed by Marchioness Dartner. Dartner was one of the families that aligned with Visaride, and above all, their daughter was Eshahildes’sdy-in-waiting.


    Since they were intertwined with Dartner in many ways, it was better to be polite to the Marchioness even if she was long-winded with her story.


    “I didn’t expect His Excellency to choose Garten. I suspect he wouldn’t have made that decision if he had met Lady Garten in person.”


    “Why do you say that? Many have praised her beauty.”


    “His Excellency has the <i>Duchess </i>as his wife, <i>how </i>beautiful could she look to him? I feel sorry for the Young Duke.”


    “Perhaps, you’ve yet to meet her yourself.”


    “Goodness, Marquis. I know everything.”


    Marchioness Dartner looked around furtively. Confirming that there was no eye on them, she asked Caron in a subtle tone, “Did Bernhardt have any reason to covet Garten?”


    It was a tant question as if there was no time to devote to this kind of thing.


    “I don’t know,” Caron looked away nonchntly.


    “Don’t do that. Just indulge me a little bit. You’re no different from the rest of us.”


    <i>‘Right.’ </i>Caron thought.


    When was thest time Dartner’s blood was mixed in Visaride? It was so long ago that now the blood was so diluted that there was no trace of it left.


    Even the Marchioness would not know about it. It was nothing more than a figure of speech at this point.


    “I’ve always been honest, Madam.”


    The Marchioness smiled only with her lips. Her eyes remained in ce.


    Caron shrugged, finding her annoying, “The Duke has never been one to casually give details to me.”


    “That’s right, but…”


    Caron’s words were not wrong, so the Marchioness could not deny it.


    “He’s a mysterious man. I thought he would marry Princess Hermia… Erm, would this be rude as the Duchess’s brother?”


    “If you felt that way, I’m sure you already know my answer.”


    “Oh my. Because the winner is the Duchess after all. No worries.”


    “The <i>winner</i>… I wonder.”


    At Caron’s vague answer the Marchioness snorted inwardly. <i>Who was it that coaxed the king into marrying Princess Hermia to Ludelsia’s royal family? It was this man. I haven’t a clue why a country with that obsolete ideology weed her as their princess, but who knew that the sole direct descent of the royal family would be sold off as a symbol of peace between the two countries.</i>


    “If the Marquis thinks so, so be it.” Nevertheless, unobtrusively, she moved on to a new topic of discussion like a flowing stream. Since her real purpose behind it was this.


    “More than that, I’m <i>very </i>worried about His Highness Alexis.”


    When the name of the prince, who was growing quietly in the pce, was mentioned, fatigue brushed over Caron’s face.


    “It is bold of someone such as me to presume His Majesty’s intentions… Still, the prince is His Majesty’s sole heir, but to appoint amoner as His Highness’s nanny? I’ve been sending appeals for months, but they have yet to be answered…” Marchioness Dartner threw up a tirade.


    Sure enough, the king designating the prince a nanny, and amoner one at that had been a controversial topic for a long time.


    “I couldn’t refute His Majesty’s decision. After all, Visaride will always follow His Majesty’s will.”


    “I don’t disagree with the Marquis’s thoughts, but that’s not my point. His Highness is the <i>only </i>prince birthed by Queen Eshahilde.”


    A prince’s nanny was usually an aristocrat, so the Marchioness had a point. Furthermore, Prince Alexis lost his mother at birth. Even if she could not be of equal standing as his mother, the proper way would have been to appoint a woman as a nanny who would not <i>hamper </i>him.


    Yet, the king chose a maid from the queen’s bedroom. The position of nanny possesses the greatest influence on the little prince as she rears him in his childhood. Such a position, to a mere maid?


    “I’m sure there were better options… Shame.”


    While the Marchioness lowered her gaze to wipe her tearful eyes wet with sorrow, Caron’s face was stained with boredom.


    She wanted him to protest against the king over the nanny. But Caron also knew that the king would not appoint a woman selected by him as the nanny. The Marchioness wanted a chance to elevate her eldest daughter, Eshahilde’sdy-in-waiting, as the prince’s nanny.


    “However, there’s nothing I can do about it.”


    Dartner was not bad of an option, but he didn’t want to be used, so Caron pulled away. Besides, now he did not want the conversation to drag for long. That made the Marchioness nervous.


    Surely, she knew that a lot could be done if this guy <i>wanted </i>to. Yet, he won’t budge.


    The Marchioness nervously folded her fan. She could not express her anger to the Marquis, so angry sparks bounced off to the wrong ce.


    “It’s all because of that woman. I heard His Majesty recently has been sleeping in her chamber again, she must’ve incited—”


    The frightening air shut the Marchioness’s mouth.


    <i>‘Ah.’</i>


    She looked at the green eyes that had cooled off in an instant and realized that she had made a mistake.


    “I don’t know what you mean.” At Caron’s dismissal, the corners of the Marchioness’s lips curled up with great difficulty.


    “I’m saying weird things since I’m tired. I’ve been worrying a lot these days, so I unconsciously do this sometimes.”


    Caron smiled quietly. It was a very gentle smile, but she felt an eerie sense of detachment from it. She aimed for her exit when a young-looking boy approached them.


    “Father, there you are!”


    The boy resembled Marquis Visaride, but had a more docile air to him. It was Racellion, the eldest son of Visaride.


    Racellion wlessly greeted Marchioness Dartner, “Oh, Father was talking to someone important. Greetings, Marchioness Dartner. Forgive my rudeness for interrupting your pleasant time.”


    “You didn’t interrupt us at all, Young Lord. Rather, I apologize for holding on to someone busy. Would the Marquis consider it just an olddy’s chatter?”


    “As a <i>gentleman</i>, how could I not listen to ady? It was a <i>pleasant </i>time for me, Madam,” Caron replied like a gentleman. Racellion noticed the strained air between the two but remained silent.


    “But what’s the matter?”


    “Oh, Aunt Erce is here.”


    “She’ste.”


    “Didn’t <i>we </ie too early?”


    “Anyway, you’re happy since you get to see Lady Heritt, aren’t you?”


    “That’s true, but…”


    “Then it’s all right.”


    Racellion scratched the back of his head in shyness. Caron patted Racellion on the head. It was a rough touch, but Racellion’s cheeks reddened by the asional expressions of affection. “F-father, are you going to see Aunt?”


    “I should,” Caron affirmed and looked back at the Marchioness, “I’m afraid I’ll have to go now, Marchioness.”


    Marchioness Dartner sent him off with a warm voice.


    “I guess, you still maintain good rtions with the Duchess. It’s nice to see that.”


    “Because we’re family.” Like a habit, his answer flowed without hesitation.


    Caron turned his back.


    * * *


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