Sigrid

“Huh…?”

Awen looked up at Sigrid with wet eyelashes. Sigrid smiled faintly and repeated:

“Do you know how to ride a horse?”

“No…”

“Then I’ll teach you.”

“Really?!”

Awen sprang to his feet. Sigrid nodded.

“Yes, of course. Come here.”

Awen dashed over and grabbed Sigrid’s hand. Caught off guard, Sigrid didn’t shake him off. She could read the atmosphere and felt somewhat sorry for this prince.

‘What did Her Highness the Crown Princess mean?’

That was the one thing she was curious about. She said that now that she had a child, she could understand Her Majesty the Empress. From Sigrid’s perspective, the relationship between the Empress and Awen seemed like a neglectful mother and a child trying to gain attention. That’s how it looked.

‘But Her Highness the Crown Princess doesn’t seem like she’d neglect a child.’

Then what did those words mean?

Sigrid answered Awen’s questions about which horse he would ride as they headed towards the stables.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Duchess Lunatil, Reduelay, frowned as she entered the inner room carrying sweets. But her mouth and furrowed brows were still smiling, so it was easy to tell she was doing it on purpose.

“Goodness, stop tormenting your uncle.”

At her words, the children who were clinging to Beramund and giggling said “But—” and clung to him even more. Beramund grabbed them by the nape of their necks as if throwing barrels and lightly tossed them onto the soft sofa. As the children laughed with delight, he dusted off his hands.

“You should listen to your mother.”

“I’m sorry, always.”

Beramund shook his head at Reduelay’s words.

“It’s nothing.”

“Now, it’s snack time, so eat your sweets quietly. Young master, I’ve prepared yours inside.”

“Thank you.”

Beramund bowed politely, grinned at his nephews and nieces who were saying “Aww, uncle—” with disappointment, and went inside.

“Oh? Brother? When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

Ravis gestured to the seat in front of him. Beramund carefully sat down. On the pure white table, refreshments were neatly arranged. Beramund wiped his hands with the wet towel offered by the servant and asked:

“How is it? The capital.”

“I’d like to say ‘same as always,’ but that’s not the case.”

Ravis picked up the teapot and filled his brother’s cup, then his own. The gold rim of the milky white teacup glimmered like a reflection of the water’s surface. Ravis spoke in a voice as calm as a pristine white napkin while lifting his cup:

“The conflict between His Majesty and His Highness is worsening, and it seems the personal guard will soon have its inauguration ceremony. The problem is that quite a few members of the Imperial Guard have left, including some key figures. There aren’t many aura masters left, and the remaining Imperial Guard members seem like—”

“They’re on Serios’s side.”

“Exactly.”

Ravis looked at his brother with worried eyes. His amber eyes, completely different from Beramund’s mismatched ones, gazed at him.

“I’m worried about you, the head of that Imperial Guard.”

“It’s fine. Surely he wouldn’t go so far as to kill me.”

“You never know. I want to advise you to quit the Imperial Guard.”

At Ravis’s words, Beramund looked down at his tea, then looked at his brother and asked:

“Is that an order as the head of the family?”

“No.”

“Then thanks for the advice, but I’ll decline, brother.”

Ravis sighed and said:

“I know you’re close to Serios, but I’m your real brother. Beramund Lunatil.”

“I know that too.”

Ravis looked at Beramund with a face that seemed to say ‘Do you really know?’ Beramund playfully tossed out:

“Are you jealous, brother?”

“A little.”

The unexpected answer surprised Beramund instead. As he stammered “Huh?” in confusion, Ravis smiled faintly and said:

“Of course I’d be jealous if it seems my brother likes our cousin-in-law more than me.”

“No, that’s—”

Stuttering in embarrassment, Beramund scratched his head and said:

“I didn’t think you’d do that sort of thing.”

While Ravis’s words were probably a joke, Beramund was surprised. He never thought his brother would make such a joke. His brother had always been someone with clear black and white thinking, cold and flawless as the head of the ducal family.

When he was younger, he had harbored an inferiority complex towards his brother on his own, and even now that it had faded, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable around his brother, perhaps due to past memories. Even that was probably just his own imagination. Watching his brother’s reaction, Ravis said:

“It’s fortunate that you’re a genius.”

“Huh? What genius am I? A real genius would be—”

Furrowing his brow slightly, Beramund said:

“Someone like Sigrid Ankertna.”

“Ah, that female master? Well, to be a master at twenty does bode well for her future. But I think you’re a genius too.”

“Come on.”

Beramund waved his hand dismissively. He couldn’t understand why his brother was suddenly praising him like this. He thought maybe his brother wanted him to do something, but that didn’t seem to be the case either. Feeling embarrassed, he kept drinking his tea, and Ravis spoke:

“His Highness was worried that there’s been no contact with Prince Rudinal.”

“Oh? Ah, I heard about that. But they say communication blackouts are common in spring due to frequent avalanches.”

“If a search team is organized to find Prince Rudinal, I’d like you to stay out of it.”

Beramund raised an eyebrow, and before he could speak, Ravis continued:

“Of course, this isn’t an order either. But if Prince Rudinal’s disappearance is real, I don’t think it’s a coincidence. So, Beramund, don’t step into dangerous places.”

Instead of answering, Beramund just shrugged his shoulders once. Ravis looked at him silently, then sighed. Then, smiling, he asked:

“So? Are there any young ladies you’re interested in these days?”

Beramund nearly spat out his tea at the sudden change of topic. He hurriedly wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked:

“What’s with that all of a sudden?”

“I thought it might be time for you to find a partner.”

“I’m still at an age where I want to have fun.”

“You’re part of the Lunatil family too. You’ve refused all the titles I’ve offered… You should start your own family.”

“Well, you’re doing a great job continuing the Lunatil line, brother. I’ll just remain as a carefree idler thanks to you.”

At those words, Ravis narrowed his eyes at him and said:

“If there’s no young lady you like, I can prepare some for you.”

“What?”

“I’ve already narrowed down some candidates.”

“I don’t want that.”

“Then is there someone you like?”

“Well, yes.”

As he answered, Ravis raised an eyebrow. Beramund hesitated and said:

“It’s true.”

“Someone you’re seriously considering?”

At those words, Beramund paused for a moment before nodding.

“Yes.”

“Who is it?”

“I’m not telling you.”

At Beramund’s words, Ravis narrowed his eyes, then smiled again.

“Alright. I’ll put it on hold for now. But I’d like to see this young lady.”

At those words, Beramund silently rolled his eyes, and Ravis didn’t press further. Beramund declined his sister-in-law’s kind invitation to “Stay for dinner” and returned to his own home, almost as if he were fleeing.

‘To think I’d be pressured about marriage…!’

‘I thought I’d never have to deal with this,’ Beramund sighed deeply. His father—the Duke of Lunatil—had loved both his sons, but he had clearly impressed upon Beramund that ‘You must support your brother, and if necessary, you’re a spare.’ In other words, the second son of a great noble family was a replacement in case something happened to the elder brother, and after the elder brother safely became the head of the family, the younger wasn’t really needed.

‘Well, brother was so excellent that I wasn’t really needed even when Father was alive.’

So he had decided to live a relaxed life as he pleased, since that was his lot in life, but now this talk of marriage.

‘Marriage…’

The face that came to mind with that word was Sigrid’s. Beramund groaned.

‘That’s too far off.’

Beramund thought as he rubbed his temples. More importantly, there were other pressing matters now.

‘The Achtschwietz…’

It was obvious that once the personal guard was organized, a purge would occur sooner or later.

It seemed invitations had been extended to all members of the 1st Imperial Guard, and about half of them had left.

‘Well, with the Emperor and Crown Prince, and the current Empress having an incompetent son…’

The Emperor’s faction currently held and wielded power. He couldn’t blame them. Beramund closed his eyes, thinking of the people left in the Imperial Guard.

They were people under his responsibility.

He had to protect them and keep them safe somehow. Serios would probably scoff if he heard this.

—It’s better to think about minimizing sacrifices than trying not to sacrifice anyone and ending up losing everyone.

This was Serios’s philosophy.

‘Easier said than done.’

Beramund thought as he heaved a deep sigh.

It was exactly three days later when he was summoned by Serios.

As soon as Beramund arrived at the office, Serios spoke bluntly:

“Go rescue Rudinal.”

Beramund opened his mouth slightly, then closed it. Instead of answering, he lightly bowed to Duke Fienscha standing beside Serios.

“I didn’t know you had come up.”

“I came quietly.”

“Then you must have left Utulu behind.”

Duke Fienscha didn’t respond to his grinning remark.

It would be nearly impossible to hide that bulk, so he must have moved quietly with only his closest aides.

Should we say it’s typical of a western noble to not spare his own body despite being the leader of the alliance? Beramund shrugged and stepped closer.

“It doesn’t seem like you’ve brought good news.”

“It looks like someone might be behind Rudinal’s disappearance.”

Serios said anxiously. Beramund looked at Duke Fienscha with a face that demanded explanation, saying “Someone?”

“We have some people in the north with close communication networks.”

Beramund nodded lightly. He knew about this too. It could be seen as an arrogant gesture, but Duke Fienscha continued speaking.

“Prince Rudinal disappeared after passing through Talon territory, the first domain in the north. Viscount Atalun, the lord of Talon, said there was an avalanche after the prince left. But the story I heard is different. There was no avalanche. And Viscount Atalun provided a guide for the prince.”

“I see.”

Beramund answered and looked at Serios. Serios said with an anxious face:

“If Rudinal is wandering in the northern wilderness… There’s a high chance he’s still alive since he has guards. That is, if Viscount Atalun didn’t attack him. Even if that’s the case, we can’t sit idly by. Of course, it’s impossible to officially dispatch people. Because this information came through personal channels, and His Majesty wouldn’t approve.”

“Especially not the opinion of a western noble.”

Duke Fienscha added.

Beramund smiled strangely and asked:

“So you want me to go alone to the north to find Rudinal?”

“If he’s dead. I want to know at least that much.”

“Serios.”

“I believe you can do it.”

Serios said emphatically. Duke Fienscha spoke coldly:

“If it were me, I’d abandon this prince. Rather than risking losing the knight right in front of us.”

“I believe Beramund can do it.”

Absolute trust.

Serios spoke in a strong tone, and Duke Fienscha merely shrugged one shoulder. Beramund grinned.

“Alright, leave it to me.”

“Thank you.”

“Say those words along with a reward when I return, Your Highness.”

At Beramund’s words, Serios nodded. Duke Fienscha continued:

“But I can’t understand why they’re targeting Prince Rudinal. Of course, he is close to His Highness the Crown Prince, but…”

But he had never shown great ability or stood out. Of course, being royalty alone increased his value immensely, but if the opponent was the Emperor, it raised questions.

“Don’t you agree?”

Duke Fienscha still felt doubtful.

‘Is he steadily cutting off hands and feet?’

The mention of hands and feet brought another thought to mind, and Duke Fienscha spoke:

“I hear the Achtschwietz is being formed.”

“Has the rumor already spread to the west?”

“I heard all the children of the Emperor’s faction have joined.”

“What young person wouldn’t want to put their name on an unprecedented military organization from the founding history?”

“Are you going to stand by and do nothing? If things continue like this, it won’t end with just Prince Rudinal.”

“I am opposing it, but as always, it doesn’t seem like I’m being heard.”

“I’m not sure if I can trust Your Highness.”

Duke Fienscha spoke in a cold tone, implying ‘I’m not sure if I can trust you when everything you do gets blocked,’ and Serios chuckled.

“The Crown Prince’s faction hasn’t joined the Achtschwietz.”

Serios said, tracing a straight line on the desk with his index finger.

“As His Majesty wishes. Yes, the stage is set. He might attack. That’s right. And I’m prepared.”

Serios spoke simply, but Duke Fienscha knew well that these weren’t simple words. So he looked at Serios and asked in a heavy tone:

“What do you estimate the odds of victory to be?”

“I’m not foolish enough to talk about the outcome of a battle that hasn’t even begun.”

Serios took a deep breath and turned to Beramund, saying:

“That’s why Rudinal is important. That’s the crucial reason he went on this inspection tour. It’s more important to see directly than to deal with raccoon-like nobles here. You’re the only one I can trust with this task.”

“I’ll go even if you don’t flatter me.”

“It’s not like that.”

Serios frowned, and Beramund smiled, saying “Is that so?” Duke Fienscha watched the conversation between the two with a face that said ‘I can’t believe this.’

This would never happen in the rigid atmosphere of the west.

“Then I suppose I’ll have to fall down some stairs. Or have a horseback riding accident…”

Beramund muttered. Serios said:

“Say it’s an infectious disease or something. So no one comes to visit.”

“You don’t care about my reputation?”

“When have you ever had a good reputation?”