episode_0046
by fnovelpia“Are you saying we should just stay quiet and do nothing like this?”
“If necessary. And let’s be honest—what other choice do we really have left?”
“Even as you say that, Chris, you look pretty uneasy. You know it too, don’t you? That Eric is far, far too naive.”
“That’s…”
Kristen trailed off, but that alone was enough for Cecilia.
“Elia and Luciella are dangerous. But that’s not enough. Those two are more than ready to move at any moment.”
“Because Oppa trusts their rationality.”
But the fact that, for them right now, Eric took priority over reason—and that they’d do anything for him—was something they knew all too well.
“If we stay quiet, even if Luciella unnie patiently waits for an opportunity, Elia unnie won’t.”
“Eric doesn’t know us at all—not even a little.”
“Right?”
“Yes. If Elia finds out about Eric’s situation, she’s the type to lock him up in the palace for the rest of his life.”
“But we… to Oppa…”
“Imagine it. Eric, alone, trapped in a palace where no one comes. And Elia, making him her personal collection.”
If she couldn’t persuade Kristen, her plan would fall apart before it even began. Judging this, Cecilia decided to make full use of her talent.
This was the same Cecilia who could make hundreds, even thousands, shed tears of repentance and faith for their god.
For Eric—who deserved to be served many times more than any god—persuading just one person in front of her was nothing.
“Chris. I’ll promise you one thing.”
“What?”
“If you refuse my proposal now and leave Eric as he is… we’ll probably never see him again in our lives.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Do you really think so? We’re talking about Elia here, Kristen. The smartest and most unpredictable among us—aside from Eric. If someone like her hides him away, do you really think we’d ever get him back?”
“Even if it’s Elia unnie, do you think she can ignore the opinions of all three of us?”
“If it means throwing one unruly noble to the imperial princess who saved the world and is a companion of the hero, they’d consider it a bargain. And Elia would use Eric as leverage to manipulate us however she wants.”
“You really… you really think that’s possible?”
Seeing Kristen waver, Cecilia cheered inwardly.
“We’re not trying to restrain Eric or burden him. All we’re doing is sharing a little of the weight he’s carrying.”
“Sharing the weight… Yeah, Oppa always tries to do everything alone.”
“Exactly. Even if he doesn’t come to us, we can always go to him. Even if we’re never repaid…”
“We’ve already prepared ourselves for that much. Have you forgotten why Oppa risked his life to save us?”
“To capture the Demon King.”
“Right. So let’s focus on that first. If we give up on capturing the Demon King, Eric will abandon even the last bit of attention he has left for us.”
“So… Kristen, can I take that as you agreeing to join my plan?”
“What, destroying the church?”
“Yes.”
“You said we have to handle it ourselves. If Eric gets involved, the other unnies will notice, and it’ll be harder to move.”
“It’s not just that. If Elia starts making plans, the entire empire will tremble. She wouldn’t care, but… this empire still needs to remain as it is. Look at Eric’s body. With how fragile he is, surviving in this harsh world is already impossible.”
Cecilia had no professional medical knowledge, but even to her, Eric’s condition looked extremely serious.
Kristen didn’t disagree, nodding slightly.
“For Oppa… for Eric.”
She muttered it as if she couldn’t acknowledge herself otherwise, but Cecilia couldn’t bring herself to blame her.
If she hadn’t needed to persuade Kristen and keep up appearances, she, too, would have been begging for forgiveness in some unknown place.
For Eric’s sake.
Beneath that noble mission, they failed to realize that their actions were, once again, deceiving him.
——
“You took a while.”
“There aren’t many places where we can talk this freely. It’s been a while since we had a long conversation, so it took some time.”
“Did we disturb your rest? If it’s bothersome, we can come back tomorrow or whenever you’re free—”
“No. I was free anyway. What’s up?”
“Unnie and I were thinking of having dinner together. Is that okay?”
“Since when do you ask for my permission? Do whatever you want.”
“Ah…”
Hearing my words, Chris visibly sulked.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I don’t mind, so eat and come back whenever.”
“Eric, is there anything you’d like to eat? We’ll buy it for you!”
“I’m fine with anything…”
“Don’t say that. Think of it as a small gesture of our gratitude.”
“Umm…”
Even as I said that, I couldn’t think of anything I particularly wanted to eat.
In my previous world, I was too busy scrounging for food day by day, and now, stew alone was enough to make me happy.
“I’m fine, stew is enough—”
“No!”
“No way!”
What’s wrong with stew? Lately, the ingredients have been better, and it’s always served at the perfect temperature, so I’ve been perfectly content.
“Wait, Oppa, are you still eating stew? I told you to have meals with me!”
“No, it’s just…”
“Well?”
“Y-yes, you’re right!”
Under Chris’s pressure, I hastily agreed. Hmm, it seems years of being bossed around don’t just disappear.
“Sigh… Fine. It’s not like I can order you around anyway. And telling the servants would be overstepping. So…”
“So?”
“From now on, have meals with me.”
“Huh?”
Where did that conclusion come from?
“I agree, Eric. You need a little more proper interaction.”
“Interaction?”
“I’m not saying you have to live with Chris. You probably resent all of us enough to want to kill us on the spot.”
“Right. So first, Oppa needs to acknowledge his own position. Use us, trample us, prove that you’re someone worthy of respect. Even something as simple as eating together. If you eat with me, at least no one in this mansion will dare ignore you.”
“That’s a scary way to put it. I don’t really intend to go that far. What if I end up threatening your position as family head?”
“Are you still saying that? How long are you going to just take it? The Grave dukedom was originally yours! Not mine.”
“Take it? I just thought everyone would believe me eventually—”
“That wishy-washy attitude is what cornered you in the first place!”
Chris shouted at me.
“How long are you going to be so frustrating? Even with your body coughing up blood, you still don’t get it?”
Chris poked my chest repeatedly.
“Ow…”
“Sorry about that. But I have nothing left to lose. If I don’t do this, you’ll live like this forever, won’t you? I can’t stand that.”
“Chris! Calm down!”
“I can’t. The world isn’t as kind as you think, Oppa. Not me, not Unnie, not our oh-so-great emperor or even Father! They’re all trash. If you want something, say it yourself!”
“Even if I say it, it’s useless—”
“That’s why I’m telling you now. What do you want? If it’s something Oppa wants, I’ll do anything. Money, women, anything!”
Cecilia looked at Chris with pity.
“I can do anything now. So please, just tell me. Anything at all.”
“Chris…”
“I’m scared… If this keeps up, it’ll just end up like before.”
“That’s enough, Kristen. Saying things like that is just selfish. Pushing your feelings onto Eric like this won’t reach him.”
“Tch…”
Chris sniffled and retreated into Cecilia’s embrace.
I don’t get what she’s doing. Does she realize how dangerous it is to say she’ll do anything?
“Eric. Name one thing you want to eat.”
“I already said I’m fine.”
“Say it. Unless you want to see me kneel and apologize to you right here.”
“What?”
“Your ordeal’s activation condition, right? Our regret or affection.”
“That’s not it!”
“Strong denial is just affirmation, they say. Thanks for the answer. Now I’m sure. Your explanation was a bit vague before.”
Well, of course—I deliberately made it vague.
Explaining it outright could trigger the ordeal penalty, so I had to gamble a little. But it was better to prepare than to suddenly suffer the penalty.
That’s why I specifically called Cecilia to my home.
With Chris tagging along, I carefully avoided directly stating the critical conditions, circling around the explanation instead. That way, even if the penalty triggered, the damage could be minimized.
It was an explanation tailored strictly for the hero’s party—something an ordinary person wouldn’t understand—but Cecilia caught on instantly.
Still, a confession attack? Isn’t that too much of an adaptation?
0 Comments