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20. Reunion

The Laxia family, though merely a marquisate, wielded greater influence than most dukes.

Having nurtured countless talents and embedded themselves throughout the imperial court and bureaucracy—or by extending favors to gifted individuals—they boasted an extensive network.

It would be no exaggeration to call them one of the most powerful families in the Frontier Empire.

Cecilia Laxia.

Though born as the daughter of this formidable house, she was a bastard raised without even receiving the Laxia surname.

Yet she blossomed fully, earned her title, and eventually thrust herself into the succession battle.

In short, she was a woman who tore through the rigid medieval class system armed with nothing but her talent, devouring an aristocratic family whole.

A case quite similar to Erica, who at a young age had dismantled the Grace Ducal House with sheer ability.

And now, this extraordinary woman was greeting me with formal courtesy.

Cecilia gently lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed her head.

“You must be Cain. Your remarkable inventions are already renowned across the empire.”

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Of course, it would be unfair to claim she surpassed Erica, Vivian, Luna, or Adel in beauty…

But the woman before me exuded a mature, sisterly charm.

Her flawless figure and noble bearing made my heart tremble.

To put it crudely, she had the optimal childbearing physique—yet clearly a woman raised in luxury.

How could I resist? Heh… is that the feeling?

Cecilia’s unique aura was unsettling my rationality.

Like a female spraying pheromones, she effortlessly ensnared men.

It seemed she was all too accustomed to seduction—not just men, but people in general.

Even I, who’d only wanted to escape this imperial palace and live an ordinary rural life… found myself spellbound until Erica smacked the back of my head.

Whether she’d put emotion into the blow or not, a throbbing pain seized my skull, but I ignored it and bowed, placing a hand over my chest.

“My name is Cain. But why show such courtesy to a commoner like me…?”

“Oh-ho… what an amusing thing to say.”

Delighted by my response, Cecilia chuckled softly.

“One step with you, and inspiration blossoms.

Five steps, and blueprints take shape.

Ten steps, and you create what the world has never seen—how could I not pay my respects?”

“Uh…”

Why is she gilding me like this?

The praise was so excessive I raised both palms to deny it, but…

“You mass-produced books, invented the writing tool called pencils, crafted stoves that allow winter travel… and recently, even devised a way to conquer the skies, no?”

“Th-that’s… right?”

“How fascinating. I wonder how you did it…”

Then, as if to weave an alluring tension, she lowered her voice and stepped closer.

Her fingers traced my shoulder with hypnotic grace before whispering into my ear.

“Won’t you come to me?”

“Cut the crap, Cecil.”

In that instant, an icy, razor-edged voice cut through—Erica glaring at Cecilia, radiating menace despite her petite 151cm frame.

Yet Cecilia merely chuckled at her.

“My, my… apologies. I couldn’t resist teasing you a bit.”

“Spare me the lies.”

“Every word was sincere, my dear friend.”

Whether she’d truly meant to court me or not, Cecilia retreated without hesitation.

Then, to placate Erica, she spoke earnestly.

“Erica, you know who my mother was, don’t you? A pitiful commoner with nothing but beauty.”

“……”

“Given that, no matter how exceptional someone is, I cannot take them under my wing if they lack status.

As a bastard born to a commoner mother, the moment a single rumor surfaces, it becomes my fatal flaw.

So believe me when I say I had no intention of stealing your precious subordinate.”

“Fine. I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you, my friend.”

Only then did Erica relent, forgiving Cecilia.

Midway through, her noble speech act crumbled, slipping into blunt vernacular.

Perhaps she’d been mimicking Cecilia’s mannerisms all along…

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Yeah, piss off.”

Erica bid farewell in crude contrast to her former-ducal, current-countess status.

Cecilia playfully wiped an imaginary tear before whispering just loud enough for me to hear.

[What a shame I cannot have you.]

…Seems it wasn’t entirely a joke.

Clicking her heels, Cecilia strode elegantly into the palace, distancing herself from us.

Erica, arms crossed and visibly irritated, turned to me.

“You almost leaked state secrets just now.”

“Ah…”

[How fascinating. I wonder how you did it…]

The teasing inquiry she’d lured me with.

Since the topic had revolved around recruitment, it never crossed my mind she might’ve been fishing for classified intel.

Had Erica not intervened in fury……

“Terrifying.”

“Remember this well.

Old politicians are vipers. And Cecilia devoured those vipers raw.

Don’t act recklessly around that big-titted hag—stay silent.”

I nodded in response.

“By the way, Countess. Are you ditching the noble speech act now?”

“Ah…”

Realizing her facade had slipped, Erica coughed awkwardly.

Though her earlier low, furious voice was intimidating, this clumsy side was strangely endearing.

After composing herself, she tugged my arm, leading us into the palace.

“My little fox…”

“Huh?”

“No—Cain.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

What was this called again? Like when a wife uses her husband’s full name and it gives you chills?

Sensing the ominous shift, I tried to step back, but Erica clamped onto my arm with inhuman strength.

Forcing me into a couple-like arm lock, she glared lifelessly.

“Cain… what exactly did Cecilia whisper to you at the end?”

—————————————————————

However unconventional Erica might be, she wasn’t uncouth enough to march into the imperial palace arm-in-arm.

Thankfully, she released me just before entry.

Though my hand and wrist had turned deathly pale from restricted blood flow—at least nothing was broken, right?

Erica then launched into a lengthy lecture about how dangerous and viperous Cecilia was.

The only new intel gleaned was that Erica and Cecilia were classmates of the same age.

Once freed from Erica…

I let my gaze wander across the palace’s opulent interior.

Exorbitantly priced ceramics and statues adorned the corners.

Luxurious carpets so lavish I hesitated to tread on them.

And this was merely the banquet hall.

If we ventured deeper—the audience chambers or imperial quarters—even grander treasures surely awaited.

As I soaked in this unimaginable decadence, I noticed figures who stood out even amidst the splendor.

People who practically announced their prestige.

A peculiar detail: like Erica and me, each had one attendant—either a bodyguard or strategist.

—Smirk

Mid-scan, I locked eyes with Cecilia, who had entered earlier. She replied with a knowing smile.

I averted my gaze immediately, not wanting another scolding from Erica… But then, an utterly familiar figure entered.

Snow-white hair like a rabbit’s, blood-red eyes.

An impossibly ample bust…

“Liliana?”

“…Cain?”

Recognizing me, Liliana—

A fleeting connection from five years prior, who’d stayed briefly at my home before leaving.

The woman who’d even taken explosive arrows with her. Meeting her again here, of all places…

“You said you weren’t involved in stuff like this…!”

“No, wait—why are you here anyway?”

You liar!

But Liliana hastily corrected the misunderstanding, explaining herself step by step.

“See that man over there?”

“Your boyfriend?”

“No! Just an old senior from school…”

Her denial was vehement.

Liliana, a distant relative of the emperor—so distant she held no title or noble standing.

Yet, recruited by a senior who prized loyalty, she now served as a general alongside her sworn sisters Ellara and Wenz.

“Don’t you dare misunderstand. Nothing happened!”

“Huh? Okay, sure?”

“Good. Good.”

For some reason, she was desperate to dispel misconceptions.

Then she turned the question to me.

“Why were you invited to this imperial ball?”

“I got dragged here, same as you.”

I summarized my recent misadventures: forcibly conscripted by Erica after the emperor’s death, then scouted for my talents.

Since then, she’d grown attached, dragging me around like a favorite ragdoll…

As I spoke, Liliana nibbled her thumbnail and muttered under her breath.

“Damn it… I got careless. Who’d think they’d conscript from such a backwater…? She made the first move?”

Her whisper was too faint to catch entirely…

As we exchanged updates, a sly-looking man ascended the stage and announced:

“The ball shall now commence!”

Here we go.

Liliana Pendleton (20)