episode_0026

The meeting with the 7th princess Elina did not last long.

This is why Deltans blankly answered questions like ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

It was an even more blatant feeling of awkwardness for Duke Levadein, who was caught in the middle. And he happened to have a good excuse to get out of the situation.

“I guess I have to go. I have to stop by the mansion for a while. Will there be more Count?”

“… No, no. I have to go back too.”

I came all the way here in search of a hidden piece that I wasn’t even sure existed in the first place.

As such, Deltans also had no reason to remain here feeling dizzy.

Duke Levadeine’s face brightened.

“Ah, then would you like to leave the palace together?”

“Good.”

Elina blinked, then smiled slightly and bowed.

“It was a meaningful meeting. Hope to see you again next time.”

‘well.’

The Deltan was greeted with that in mind. It was because I didn’t want to see Elina twice.

He was in the midst of desperately realizing what a secret it was better not to know.

“Then let’s go.”

Duke Levadein led the Deltans and walked through the castle.

The complexion was brightly blooming. The reason was that Agnes’ lifespan had increased in recent years.

After all, how could you not be happy that your daughter, who was diagnosed with only three months to live, has doubled her life expectancy? Also, wouldn’t the Delta people who accomplished that task look beautiful?

He asked the Deltan in a tone full of goodwill.

“Didn’t your daughter be rude? Since my body was weak from a young age, I tend to raise my child in a hurry. If you were rude, apologize instead… .”

“It’s okay. Because I’m used to it now.”

After saying that, Deltan did not continue the topic.

There was no other reason. It was the night before that he had slept with the daughter he loved so much, and a feeling of human guilt arose within him.

If I try to get into a situation, it will only make me feel more sorry.

Deltan was thinking of a topic to change to, and brought up what he had heard in the conversation with Ishmark.

“Now that I think about it, I heard that you are being courted by the aristocratic faction these days.”

“Ah… .”

Duke Levadein laughed awkwardly.

“It’s difficult.”

“Are you not going to interact?”

“Yes.”

“It must be a good condition. I don’t know about anything else, but don’t they take terrible care of their people?”

The aristocratic faction of the Empire was a group that could rightly be described as racist when compared to Earth, the homeland of the Deltans.

Would it be possible to explain it by saying that it is a collection of the consciousness of the chosen people, who are proud of being nobles, and who completely ignore and despise the lowly people?

However, the Deltans did not view them so negatively.

Hebron, the Delta he came from, is said to have fallen, but he was born as a nobleman. There was no reason to hate them because they had never been harmed, and on the contrary, they had received many preferential treatment due to their prestige.

‘It’s convenient to have it nearby.’

They are a group like the Golden Goblins who give money and valuables even if they stay still.

Isn’t this a pretty good group compared to the Ishmark, who cut off even their own relatives if they don’t have the ability?

I didn’t join their faction because I didn’t want to make enemies somewhere, but the Deltans were friendly enough to write a letter of recommendation if someone around them wanted to join the noble faction.

While those thoughts continued, Duke Levadein smiled bitterly and answered.

“Their culture is too closed. They are swallowed up by their pride as rulers and do not recognize the value of labor. I believe that their rise to power in the future will have a negative impact on the empire.”

“As for the future, even if those bastards gain power and the country is ruined, it will only happen after the duke dies. Why are you so worried about that?”

“I would appreciate it if you could consider it as my conscience that I must protect as the Prime Minister of this country.”

Deltan looked at Duke Levadein with admiration.

“You say nice things.”

It wasn’t just something to say. The Deltans knew how difficult it was for a powerful person, even the second most powerful person in the country, to act based on his beliefs.

Isn’t that right? Power and wealth are right in front of you, but how much patience would you need to not be tempted by them?

‘Is this why Ishmark keeps the duke by his side?’

It was worth knowing. Such people would have been essential for the country that the idealistic emperor would create.

Duke Levadeine waved his hand and accepted the compliment, then cautiously asked:

“… But are you joining the noble faction?”

It was a question that came to mind due to the kindness shown by Deltans just before.

Deltan let out a laugh.

“I’m not in a position to play cliques. Besides, there is no reason. They just give me this and that, so I just take it.”

“Well, thank goodness. They’ve been acting suspicious lately, so I was wondering if it was possible.”

“Hmm?”

“The aristocratic faction has been showing particularly aggressive movements recently. There were frequent cases of buying and selling land in commercial districts or changing imported items. His Majesty is also paying attention to the matter, but there is nothing he can do to stop it, so he is just watching.”

As Duke Levadein spoke, his face was filled with deep sorrow.

Deltan nodded and thought.

‘It must be a pain in the ass.’

The noble faction was very dissatisfied with Ishmark. This was due to the current policy of appointing commoners to state affairs.

Of course, as a nobleman’s virtue includes respect for the emperor, he will obey in front of him, but he doesn’t know what he’s planning behind his back.

Deltan thought blankly and spoke to Duke Levadein.

“… If something big happens, I will at least protect the work.”

“Yes?”

“A person with ability and conviction. Because I quite like it.”

Duke Levadeine blinked. Then he burst into laughter.

“If that time comes, will you protect your daughter more than me?”

“Hey, if you throw me a sword, it’ll be okay.”

“Ah, the leader of the hunting dogs.”

“I tend to do my work well, so you don’t have to worry.”

The smile on Duke Levadein’s lips grew brighter.

“I am grateful. It is well known how much the Count cherishes the leader. I guess that’s why they view my child so favorably.”

The nuance was strange for some reason.

When Deltan shifted his gaze, there was Duke Levadein looking at me with a satisfied face.

‘… ‘Why are you looking at me like this?’

It may have been a leap, but the way you looked at it was exactly like that.

For some reason, it’s like looking at my son-in-law.

“Isn’t your daughter pretty?”

“… Uh, yeah. What.”

“Fortunately, the child looks exactly like his deceased wife. If your body is healthy, you will be truly dazzlingly beautiful. Well, it was such a beautiful child that I remember tossing and turning in my sleep every day when my daughter was young, worrying about who I should send this child to so that I wouldn’t feel sick. Now what… .”

Unspoken pressure.

Deltan felt it in the Duke’s attitude now.

Cold sweat ran down the back of my neck. It was because of the thoughts that popped into my head.

‘You know, right?’

I wonder if Duke Levadein knows what happened last night.

Isn’t the reason why I’m saying this now because I’m being forced to somehow save my life and take responsibility if my body is involved?

It was a fairly well-founded guess.

That’s right, the marks left on Agnes’s body were marks that would inevitably be revealed if the maids tried to change her clothes, and since she was only in the room, she was the only one who could come out with those marks, so the duke, the owner of the mansion, could not hear them either. Isn’t there a strong possibility that that will happen?

Feeling uncomfortable, Deltan pulled his sleeves down even further.

“… I will do my best to ensure that the princess stays healthy.”

“Good answer.”

The Deltans became uncomfortable with Duke Levadein.

*

Late in the afternoon of the same day, the room with the best view of the Duke’s residence.

Agnes was receiving guests, leaning back on the bed.

“I saw Count Hebron today.”

Beside her, there was a woman smiling shyly, sitting in the same spot where Hebron always sat.

The name of the woman with pure white hair, indigo eyes, and petite physique is Elina von Lebroch.

She was the 7th princess of the empire and Agnes’ only friend.

The relationship between the two began when they exchanged greetings at one of the seven banquets Agnes attended.

Elina, who spoke to Agnes first at the time, continued to visit the duke’s residence and their relationship deepened.

As for Agnes, despite her small-animal-like appearance, she had quite shady hobbies, and I found it interesting that I still maintained a close relationship with her.

‘Addiction to dirty books.’

Agnes diagnosed Elina’s illness like this.

Elina von Rebroek suffered from severe print addiction. It’s not just print, it’s the kind of addiction that shows a fanatical obsession only with pornographic text.

What can I say? The source of all the vulgar words Agnes spat at the Deltans was Elina.

“Well, it was really cool. He was a person who seemed to have a burning flame.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but it was also scary. Even if you talk to them because you want to become friends, they say yes or no. Because I just answer like this. Besides, he kept frowning.”

Agnes smiled contentedly.

It was due to the Deltan’s attitude of not showing any flaws when it came to other young women.

“It’s because I’m very shy. Isn’t it cute?”

“Cute… ?”

Elina tilted her head.

It was because I thought that the word ‘cute’ did not suit Hebron, the Delta.

Isn’t that right?

He is well over 180 cm tall and has long limbs that make him look like an adult. His red hair and bright gold eyes give him a strong impression, and above all, considering his sharp expression and frown, he is a man who would be better described as fierce rather than cute.

Elina thought.

I feel like my friend’s standards for cuteness are somehow warped.

Of course, I couldn’t reveal my feelings. Instead, Elina expressed sympathy.

“Well, he was handsome. I think there are only a handful of people I’ve seen in my life.”

Agnes’ fingertips trembled.

“… Really?”

“Right? He’s handsome. Count of Hebron. I remember that when I happened to go to a banquet, there were many ladies who wanted to talk to me.”

“I think I heard that you don’t go to banquets.”

“It comes out about once a year. Although I mostly just drink alone and then disappear.”

Agnes’ eyebrows slightly lifted.

Elina did not notice such a sign and continued praising Deltans.

This was a bad sign for Agnes.

She was upset that her only close friend was showing interest in a Deltan.

What came to mind was something from the not-so-distant past, when he sent his exclusive maid Anya back to the estate.

Of course, since Elina is a princess, she cannot do the same thing as before, but Agnes was determined to take special measures if Elina continued to show interest in the Deltans.

‘… ‘I’ll try it.’

I needed to know if it was just a compliment about my appearance or if it was love that was starting to take hold.

It is not too late to make a decision.

Agnes asked with a grin.

“Did you like Deltan?”

“Huh? There is no reason to hate it… G?”

“I think it will suit you well. You’re white and cute, so I think Deltans will like it.”

Elina’s body was shaking. A look of embarrassment appeared on his face.

Agnes watched her every reaction.

“Well, that’s… .”

“More than anything, she is a princess. Isn’t this a place where you can get involved with Delta people as much as you want?”

Cold sweat flowed from Elina’s forehead.

My pupils trembled as if there was an earthquake.

Agnes thought.

That might be a reaction that comes to mind because I’m watching myself and trying to hide my feelings.

Maybe something needs to be done.

She was a woman who, if you put the relationships she had built over the years and the Delta people on a scale, would weigh in favor of the Delta people.

how will we do it. How should we deal with Elina?

The moment when Agnes’s smile gradually lost its vitality at that thought.

“No!”

Elina stood up and shouted.

Elina’s expression was filled with anger. There was even a sense of injustice there.

This was a feeling that was difficult for Agnes to understand.

So when Agnes narrowed her eyes, Elina began to roll her eyes as if she hated her. As he did so, his shoulders trembled.

“Agnes is an idiot! I like someone else, not Count Hebron!”

It was natural for Elina to cry out in sorrow. She really thought that Agnes was mean.

It was because of her insensitivity to not being able to sense her true feelings even though she had appealed to her so much.

“Why do I always come here! Why does it always come back after the sun sets? You still don’t know how I feel?!”

no way.

Such a thought occurred to Agnes.

No, seeing Elina looking at me with tears in her eyes, I was sure that what I thought was correct.

‘… Homosexuality?’

Agnes was in the process of coming to that conclusion.

“I like the Duke! I like gentlemanly middle-aged men!”

Elina threw a bomb.

“… ?”

Agnes’ expression hardened.

The thought, too, was solidified.

In the meantime, Elina blushed as if she was embarrassed.

My shoulders were shaking vigorously.

The words he spoke next contained a sense of relief that he had finally spoken.

“I, I… I like the Duke.”

Elina trembled and held Agnes’ hand.

I made eye contact with Agnes with eyes filled with earnestness.

There was no reason in it.

“I want to be your mother.”

On this day, Agnes witnessed unrefined madness.