Their eyes cautiously explored each other before Lexion finally opened his mouth.
“Have you heard about what happened at the Grand Duchy?”
“O-of course.”
The count had already replaced the people he’d sent to the Grand Duchy. Disguised as another, Gerard had fed him carefully curated information—only the facts that worked in their favor, omitting anything unnecessary.
The count’s face was a mess of disbelief. The corpse had disappeared? Such an outrageous event had thrown the entire household into chaos.
And on top of that—what? Milena almost married the Grand Duke?! After all the effort it had taken to create that opportunity… and the man standing before him had snatched it away?
The count looked at Lexion as if he were a thief before letting out a deep sigh. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed, but still—Lexion wasn’t a bad match.
Not as prestigious as the Grand Duke, sure, but the man before him was from a core noble family of the central power. Plus, he was known to be a close companion of the unruly Crown Prince. His reputation wasn’t exactly spotless, but a bond with the future emperor was strength, plain and simple.
How best to use him? The count calculated with greedy, glittering eyes as he studied Lexion.
Lexion sat leisurely, one leg crossed over the other, reclining slightly. His cool, composed expression radiated an aura of unapproachable authority, leaving no gaps to exploit—just as when facing the Grand Duke.
“There’s no helping what happened with my elder daughter. I should be thinking about the good fortune of the younger one.”
Good fortune. The word cracked Lexion’s blank façade, his lips lifting slightly. That small movement completely shifted the air around him.
“Indeed. Our marriage takes priority… more than a dead woman’s disappearance.”
The count coughed awkwardly to hide his sour expression.
“Ahem. More importantly, you got engaged to my daughter without even seeking her father’s permission. Shouldn’t you now show some sincerity?”
“Sincerity, you say?”
Lexion, who had been tapping the armrest with his finger, straightened up and smiled thinly.
“Shouldn’t I be the one receiving it, instead?”
“…”
In a proper marriage, it would be customary for the bride’s family to provide a dowry. But what the count was suggesting was a sale—a transaction where he demanded payment for handing over his daughter.
Disgusting.
Seeing the count’s attitude, it was painfully clear how he viewed Milena. Rage simmered within Lexion, making his smile grow even colder.
“I was joking. No need to take it so seriously.”
“Haha, I suppose my face does make me look a bit harsh.”
The count forced a smile and rubbed his chin. Though he had been a dashing man in his youth, standing before Lexion was a different matter entirely. Anyone would feel small compared to that sculpted face.
“Material wealth like gold coins is something your house has plenty of. How about this instead? The merchant guild I oversee will soon be expanding into the North. A number of other merchant groups will be following. I could have you manage one of them.”
The count’s eyes widened at Lexion’s courteous words, as if he were bewitched. Manage a guild? It sounded more like he was being handed one outright. Such generosity—it surpassed even the Grand Duke’s offer. The count swallowed dryly.
“How large is this guild…”
“Let’s see… even a small one would be bigger than any currently operating in the North. And this is confidential, but we’re planning to open trade routes beyond the northern border into foreign territories. The Imperial Family is involved as well.”
“T-the Imperial Family?!”
Of course, it was a lie. Lexion smiled calmly.
“I believe you’ve heard the rumors that I’m close to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Of course.”
Though he’d only heard it through the disguised Gerard, the count responded as if he had always known.
“With the Crown Prince secretly supporting it, you can imagine the scale.”
The part about his relationship with the Crown Prince was true, but everything else was fabricated. Yet Lexion had no hesitation—he could handle the consequences. The merchant guild was a lie, but once they signed a contract, he could crush them for good.
The bait was set, and the count eagerly took it.
“When can I expect my guild?”
Heh. Already calling it his. Suppressing a smirk, Lexion unfolded his legs and replied,
“Since it’s a matter of transferring ownership, I’ll send the documentation with the guild master as soon as we reach the capital. There’s no need to rush such an important matter.”
“Yes, yes, no need to rush. Must be careful with important things.”
Despite his words, the count looked impatient, filled with excitement. The conversation ended there. As Lexion rose from his seat, the count abruptly grabbed his arm.
“By the way, although the matter’s settled… are you truly sure about Milena?”
“…What do you mean?”
“She’s cunning, that girl. I only worry she might cause trouble for the Ducal family. If she misbehaves there, let me know. As her father, I’ll make sure to beat some sense into her.”
For a moment, Lexion’s expression went completely blank. Seeing the count’s bright, untroubled face, he felt a snapping sensation, as if a thread of reason had just been cut.
Tch.
Clicking his tongue, Lexion dropped the mask he usually wore. Running a hand roughly through his hair, he spoke irritably.
“Count.”
“Y-yes?”
“Perhaps you thought little of my earlier warning. Milena Silbert is no longer your daughter. She is my wife, and the daughter-in-law of House Silbert. Remember—your careless words just now could have cost you whatever little respect I was willing to show you.”
The air around them grew suffocating with the menace Lexion unleashed. The count, pale as a sheet, could only nod frantically.
“If you so much as lay a hand on my wife again, not only you—but your entire house will vanish from the North.”
The count stared at him in disbelief, as if wondering how that could even be possible. Lexion smirked coldly.
“If you’re curious, go ahead. Try it.”
If words wouldn’t work, he’d simply crush him with overwhelming power. Leaving behind his chilling warning, Lexion turned and walked out of the count’s office without looking back.
[Lexion.]
The moment he stepped outside, a black orb materialized before him.
“…”
Hearing the annoying summons, Lexion’s face twisted with irritation.
[Hey, Lexion.]
Lexion sat perched on the roof of the count’s mansion, having sought a quiet place. Already in a foul mood, he couldn’t imagine worse timing.
The black orb trembled with the flirtatious moans of women. Lexion, suppressing his disgust, opened his mouth.
“You called, Your Highness.”
[Heard you caused quite the stir.]
The Crown Prince’s voice came amid the lewd background noises.
Damn it. Lexion swallowed a curse. He had told him not to contact him while with women. But the man never listened.
[Why so silent?]
Pressing down his irritation, Lexion replied,
“It’s not something to be discussed lightly.”
[Hmph. That so? Everyone, out.]
The sound of women protesting faded as they bustled away. Then, in a lighter tone, the Crown Prince said,
[So, you went North and pulled off something big. Managed to steal away the Grand Duchess’s corpse? I must say, you never cease to impress me. Imagining the Grand Duke losing his mind over it is just delightful.]
Expressionless, Lexion stared at the black mass. Though the Crown Prince couldn’t see his face, Lexion spoke as if looking him dead in the eye.
“I did not steal the corpse. Also, the Grand Duchess is apparently still alive.”
[…What?]
“Oh, and I got married.”
[…WHAT?! Wait. Did I just hear that right?!]
More shocked by Lexion’s marriage than by the Grand Duchess being alive, the Crown Prince’s reaction was ignored. Lexion spoke curtly,
“I’ll explain everything in person. Goodbye for now.”
[W-wait! Lexion—!]
With a wave of his hand, Lexion ruthlessly cut off the communication, the black orb dispersing into the air.
“You sure you can treat the Crown Prince like that?”
Gerard appeared beside him on the roof, stepping lightly.
“He can’t afford to throw me away.”
“True enough.”
Could the Crown Prince really abandon the man who controlled the information guild—the empire’s most crucial intelligence network? Hardly.
“How much did you spread?”
Lexion had already ordered news about the Grand Duchy’s scandal to circulate through the capital.
“Let’s see. I spread that the Grand Duchy was sealed off due to the Grand Duchess’s incident and that the seal was lifted. Oh, and that the Grand Duke is running wild. Merchants and travelers stranded by the blockade are starting to draft petitions for compensation.”
“The Grand Duke’s proxy will have a hard time.”
“Well, that’s how it goes. When the master’s incompetent, the servants suffer.”
Much like myself. It was obvious who Gerard was referring to, but Lexion didn’t bother reacting.
“This won’t be enough.”
“What won’t?”
Ignoring Gerard’s puzzled look, Lexion sank into thought.
“Go fetch some of the late countess’s clothes from the attic.”
Whatever scheme Lexion was plotting now, Gerard grimaced at the thought, then shook his head helplessly.
