Ch.31The Conclusion of the Fading Flame

I’m furious.

This is the kind of anger that makes you a fool if you deny it. I just realized the harsh truth that no matter how much I love Rahilt, it’s difficult to understand everything about him.

First, he defends the knight commander who stepped out of line and tried to kill him. And he shows no sign of explaining the exact reason why.

But what drives me to even greater anger is Rahilt’s decisive action.

He probably thinks he covered himself well enough, but I saw him removing his mask in front of Ruslet. Of course, I couldn’t observe clearly because of the pouring rain and Ruslet’s mountain-like shoulders blocking Rahilt!

‘How could he show his face to that person before showing it to me…?’

I’m shocked.

I lost to that muscle-bound man who’s practically my enemy. I’m sorry for being born as a pathetic villainess with less charm than a middle-aged man.

Damn it, sharing intimate conversations with him showing a face he’s never shown me? If this isn’t NTR, what is?

“I’m angry…”

“Serin?”

“I’m really… angry.”

I was examining Rahilt’s shoulder in the infirmary attached to the main palace. After all the chaos, the wound inflicted by the assassin who escaped the banquet hall was quite deep, which made me angry. Couldn’t he value his body more? Even though I love him, it hurts my heart when he gets injured.

Look at this.

Look at the bandages tightly wrapped around his bare shoulder. I don’t know who did it, but it’s wrapped quite beautifully. Oh wait, I did it myself?

“I was angry but… haah.”

Haah…

Haah… Haah…

Haah… Haah… Haah… Haaah…

“My anger… is fading.”

As I stare directly at his bare upper body, his fair skin looks like the color of paradise. His swollen chest muscles and clearly defined abs, which I estimate to be around 11% body fat, captivate my eyes. They practically imprison my gaze.

His sinewy forearms, which I normally wouldn’t even notice, looked delectable—he’s the type who looks slim when clothed.

Is this the bloodline of a dragon? Is this the figure of a man destined to be the male lead? It’s frustrating that he shows everything else but stubbornly refuses to remove his mask. So frustrating!

“Your eyes… your breathing… they’re strangely uneven.”

“It’s all because Rian is so sexy…”

“Wh-what?”

“Oh, what did I just say?”

“Well, um…”

Rahilt couldn’t bring himself to repeat what he’d heard, so he blurred the truth.

“I… didn’t quite catch that either.”

“I thought so.”

“Has your anger subsided?”

“I’ve never been in a worse mood than today.”

“I see.”

I shouldn’t have been so quick to declare that. I was giggling away, not realizing that Rahilt’s cautious behavior was a kind of foreshadowing.

The moment my facial features crumpled came like a thief.

“I have something to tell you about Lady Rashera.”

“That sha… lalala woman, right?”

“I’m not sure about ‘shalala,’ but if you mean the only daughter of the Ruat viscounty, then yes.”

“Ugh, fine. Let’s hear it.”

Why is Rashera that bitch’s name coming from Rahilt’s lips? I’ve abandoned any delusion that we’ll follow the original story now, but I don’t like the fact that Rahilt is mentioning her name directly. It feels like hearing an ex-girlfriend’s name from your boyfriend’s mouth.

It’s sad enough that I have no dating experience, yet I keep realizing so many things on my own.

I realize what it feels like to be NTR’d by a man.

I realize what it feels like when your boyfriend mentions his ex-girlfriend’s name.

Well, let’s hear it.

Depending on the reason, I might become as depressed as Rahilt’s chest is firm.

“I encountered Lady Rashera on the terrace of the banquet hall today.”

“Hmm, you met in a private room?”

“Is there any place more open than a terrace…?”

“…Continue.”

He seems to have forgotten that a man and woman meeting on a terrace implies a secret rendezvous. With Rahilt’s coexisting brilliance and cluelessness, this is entirely plausible.

“Ahem, the lady confessed to me.”

“Confessed? High alcohol content?”

“…Yes. It was a confession about the Ruat family’s secrets.”

“Ah, I see.”

Rahilt, your word choice is so suggestive! If it weren’t me, someone might have misunderstood.

“The lady spoke first. She said there’s a high possibility that the viscount’s family orchestrated the attack on the banquet hall.”

“I… see.”

This was surprising.

If they orchestrated the attack, it means the Ruat viscounty was the source of the drug that poisoned me and my father. They must have been desperately conducting research to eliminate us.

“The lady seemed to want me to stop her family from going out of control.”

From there, Rahilt’s explanation continued at length.

How Rashera approached him first and confessed her family’s treason.

Why Rahilt was her only choice.

And what she hoped to achieve through this.

As I listened to Rahilt’s entire story, only one thought came to mind.

‘This woman is impressively clever.’

Yes, I admit it. As frustrating as it is, Rashera had keen insight. If she had mentioned treason to me or my parents, my father would have immediately flown over and exterminated the viscount’s family.

Moreover, it was wise to have Rahilt speak on her behalf. She saw right through me, knowing I couldn’t refuse his request. She wasn’t someone who casually exploited the original protagonist. No wonder she was so good at gaslighting. Just remembering it makes me angry again.

I let out a sigh.

“Phew, I understand. The viscount’s family will fall, but I’ll make sure they have a way to survive.”

I’ll have to adjust their title to baron. Most of their fiefs will be reclaimed, and the assets to be seized will be astronomical.

Still, I plan to give them enough funds to start anew. Besides, a woman like Rashera can easily choose any man she wants, so maintaining a decent lifestyle shouldn’t be difficult.

“Is this enough?”

“Of course. That’s what she wanted.”

“You’re so innocent and pure…”

Planning an assassination against the imperial family yet having her relatives survive unscathed—this will be recorded in history as an unprecedented case.

‘What can I do… Rashera’s strategy of targeting my weakness for my love is impressive.’

Her decisiveness in confessing her family’s treasonous intentions to Rahilt, and her perceptiveness in reading my feelings for him from a brief afternoon conversation—Rashera is truly remarkable. No wonder she played the role of the original female lead who pressured the princess.

As much as I’d like to cut out future troubles…

“Sigh!”

In front of Rahilt’s abs and pectorals, I can only let it go completely.

I’m just licking my lips, not daring to touch him for fear of losing control. Right now, I’m like a wolf enduring the sight of premium grade raw beef right in front of me.

‘I left Tiel with the maids because I didn’t know what might happen…’

I shake my head from side to side.

Begone, temptation.

I suggested to Rahilt, who was finishing dressing after his treatment:

“Things should be wrapping up by now. Most guests are probably staying in rooms provided by the main palace, and key figures will be seated in the grand conference hall.”

“I should go.”

“After all, you’re the main character.”

However, Rahilt only actually took down two assassins. In that sense, the true contributor to this incident would be his aide, my father-in-law.

‘He was amazing…’

That pack of assassins all seemed like children. Half of them died in the improvised traps set up as soon as they infiltrated. Even in that darkened space, Master Ro Eun-young eliminated the assassins with remarkable ease.

Indeed, the nanny of the world’s strongest character was no ordinary person.

While I was reminiscing about the banquet hall, Rahilt called out to me.

“Serin.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For everything, all of it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

I squinted at him, examining him closely. His attitude was genuinely sincere. Therefore, I casually expressed my desperate wish.

“If you’re grateful, grant me one request.”

“No.”

“……?”

“No. Not that.”

“How do you know what I was going to ask?!”

“I knew exactly what was coming. Serin was about to make an impossible request.”

“…”

This person knows me too well.

Is there any way to describe this other than as soulmates?

So I expressed my wish, even while anticipating rejection.

“If you could just take off your mask once…”

“…”

No.

That was Rahilt’s cold answer.

◇

Serin’s glaring side-eye hurts. How strong must a person be to inflict damage with just a look?

After walking for about ten minutes with my true feelings hidden behind my mask, we were finally approaching the grand conference hall. Without showing any sign of announcing us, Serin lightly knocked on the door and pushed it open.

Inside were high-ranking nobles from both the emperor’s faction and the deposed emperor’s faction. Rodrick stood behind an empty seat at the back of the hall.

“You’ve arrived, Seriniel. And Knight Commander Rihart, please come in.”

The emperor’s permission was granted. Serin whispered lightly:

“See you later, Rian.”

She proceeded to the emperor’s side. I sat in the empty seat that Rodrick had indicated and observed my surroundings.

The moment to get to the main point arrived swiftly.

“I’ve heard everything about the Knight Commander’s actions. Your contribution to suppressing this incident is significant, yet you suffered considerable damage due to Knight Commander Ruslet’s unilateral action.”

“It was merely a minor misunderstanding.”

“Even so, the fact remains that he was disrespectful to Seriniel’s guest. Your contribution is great, but this side committed a discourtesy, so proper compensation is needed to balance the scales.”

“I merely did my duty, but I won’t decline Your Majesty’s goodwill.”

“Haha, indeed. Does the Knight Commander have any specific wishes?”

“I would like to defer the answer to my aide who oversees our management.”

“I permit it.”

Given the right to speak, Rodrick placed his hand on his chest and bowed respectfully. With a dignified attitude completely devoid of servility, he made his request to the emperor:

“Your wise Majesty! We have only one wish. As a special case for this incident, please recognize the Windmill Mercenary Group as a knightly order under Count Elenot’s house!”

“So you wish to become the Windmill Knightly Order rather than the Windmill Mercenary Group.”

“Precisely.”

The emperor stroked his chin as if deep in thought. However, his subtle smile suggested his mind was already half made up.

“According to imperial law, a group cannot be recognized as a knightly order unless it’s under a noble house. How can I, as emperor, disregard the law?”

“But there remains one precedent, Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“When a child who is the sole survivor of a family achieves considerable merit, and when their ability to pay the taxes imposed on nobles is proven, there is a precedent from 30 years ago allowing the early bestowal of a title that would normally be received upon coming of age.”

“Oh, so you intend to bypass the mercenary group through Lady Elenot!”

“Our Knight Commander Rihart is someone Lady Elenot follows like an older brother. In other words, he risked his life for family, and Lady Elenot is the hidden contributor who should be encouraged for this.”

“Haha…”

It was clearly wordplay. But whether it was wordplay or truth didn’t matter in the current situation.

A pretext.

All that was needed was a suitable pretext to direct the merit toward Eshtiel. If that happened, combining the merits of this incident and the compensation would provide more than enough material to commend Eshtiel.

The emperor let out a low exclamation at Rodrick’s calculation.

“I approve your intention.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

There was no opposition from the nobles. It was uncertain whether the revival of the Elenot county would affect the factional tug-of-war.

A group that was ambiguous as to whether it belonged to the emperor’s faction or the deposed emperor’s faction.

A count family with only a nominal title and no fief, along with its prospective knightly order.

This was their current perception.

“To alleviate any potential opposition, let’s proceed with an abbreviated ceremony right here and now. Chamberlain, quickly bring the relevant documents.”

Shortly after, the chamberlain who carried out the order returned with documents and the emperor’s seal. Finally, the moment of Rodrick’s long-cherished wish was about to be fulfilled.

“From this moment forward, I command that Eshtiel Elenot, Countess, shall live as Count Elenot.”

Thud!

The emperor’s undeniable seal was clearly stamped on the certificate.

“Now, all that remains is for the lady’s… no, Count Elenot’s approval and seal to be stamped on the document and notified to the imperial court. Then your wish will be fulfilled.”

“We are deeply grateful! We will certainly not disappoint you!”

“Disappointment? As long as you pay your taxes properly, that’s all that matters.”

The emperor chuckled. He seemed secretly pleased since it was a request that required no political consideration. Rodrick must have known this and therefore made his claim without hesitation.

“With this, I adjourn the meeting. Everyone must be greatly shocked. There will be appropriate compensation for the guests later. For now, please rest comfortably in the palace.”

Indeed, they seemed exhausted as they relaxed their facial muscles and left one by one.

We were the same.

Rodrick and I headed toward the room where Eshtiel was staying.

On the way, I looked out the window. Through the transparent glass, I could see the wrecked banquet hall in the distance.

Confirming there was no one around, I opened my closed mouth.

“Rodrick.”

“…”

“It’s all right. You can deceive me, you can hide what you’re doing. No matter what you do, even if I get hurt because of it, I can handle it all.”

“…”

“But innocent others are off-limits.”

I don’t mind being stabbed with a sword. I have no regrets about the bandages tightly wrapped under my outer garment. My extreme insensitivity to malice directed at me remains the same as ever.

“Your business plan. If that business plan to make us a knightly order had gone even slightly wrong, it would have been a disaster.”

“…Indeed it would have.”

I gave a final warning to Rodrick, who readily admitted it.

“Never hide something like today’s incident from me again. This is not an order from Knight Commander Rihart, but a wish from Rahilt, a child of the deposed emperor who trusts and follows you.”

“…I understand. I promise.”

“I’ll believe you.”

By the time I received his assurance.

We open the door we’ve just arrived at.

Eshtiel, who has just become a count instead of a countess, greets us with a sunflower-like smile.

“Big brother!”

“We’ve been waiting, our Count Eshtiel.”

And so I stepped into a room filled with human warmth.