HIFH | Chapter 40

Episode 40

I recalled the information that Pinky had provided.

[Montalte Ducal House: The duke’s adopted daughter disappeared during a concert.

Howard Viscount House: Carriage explosion – no fatalities, but the viscount suffered severe injuries.

Belmore Marquis House: Mass food poisoning symptoms.]

And then, the incidents I was involved in, though unintentionally.

[Floria Count House: Giant hornet intrusion.

Lockwood Count House: Assassination attempt on the countess.

Rosefelt Viscount House: Assassination attempt on the heir, Theo Rosefeld.]

At first glance, these could all be seen as nothing more than unfortunate accidents.

But when you put together a list of the nobles involved, one conclusion emerges.

‘The Emperor’s faction.’

All of them were nobles who supported the current Emperor and strengthened his power.

Which meant—they were wary of the Crown Prince’s ascension and the Empress gaining even more authority.

And yet, these nobles had all faced misfortunes in rapid succession.

Doesn’t that seem suspicious?

On top of that…

‘The modified aura…’

It was meant to addict the young nobles who loved parties, turning them into hostages.

Attacking the Emperor’s faction,
Distributing the modified aura,

When you put these pieces together, there was only one possible conclusion.

“Have all these events been preparations for a coup?”

A coup.

To seize the throne.

I knew Baylor wanted to distance himself from the Imperial family. But aiming for the throne itself? That was a different matter entirely.

‘……’

I desperately hoped that wasn’t the case.

That my conclusion was wrong.

That all of this was just a series of unfortunate events caused by Catacle’s separate plans.

I wanted him to say that.

But—

“The fact that you deduced that far is impressive. As expected of Catacle’s top agent, Charles.”

Baylor’s response confirmed my suspicion.

So. Baylor truly intended to take the throne.

“You must have heard something from Agent Pinky.”

Flinch.

My shoulders trembled slightly.

But I responded as if unaffected.

“You mean the subordinate of Deputy Commander Henry? I have met him, but only to gather information on the deputy commander.”

Baylor looked at me with a knowing gaze.

“Aren’t you curious about what happened to Henry?”

He asked.

I curled my fingers into my palm, steadying my breath.

“Did he die?”

“Who knows?”

Baylor slowly blinked before asking again.

“Do you want to find out?”

If I said yes, I was certain Baylor would be furious.

After all, I was just an agent meant to follow orders.

“……”

So I didn’t answer. And Baylor’s lips curled into a faint smirk.

I couldn’t read his thoughts.

I couldn’t even begin to guess.

Because I wasn’t supposed to.

So I simply waited in silence for his next words.

“Charles. My daughter.”

I slowly nodded. Baylor continued.

“I am someone who must know everything you think, everything you do, and every plan you make.”

Yes.

I was Baylor’s pawn.

My thoughts and actions were all meant to align with his will.

But the fact that I was asking these questions now meant I was defying him.

It was natural that he would be angry. It made sense.

“So, I ask you.”

Baylor spoke.

“What is your intent in asking me this?”

I clenched my fists tighter.

“Catacle is an organization for the Empire.”

That was my fundamental question.

Catacle was originally established to maintain order within the Empire and protect it from external threats.

In other words, it existed for the Empire. Like a guardian.

So why did it keep engaging in acts that were eroding the Empire instead?

If Catacle truly served the Empire, shouldn’t it be strengthening the Emperor’s authority, not overthrowing it?

Then why—?

“You say Catacle is an organization for the Empire.”

Baylor, who had already poured himself a glass of whiskey, rolled the ice inside the glass and chuckled.

“That is incorrect.”

After taking a slow sip of whiskey, he spoke again.

“Catacle exists for me.”

Then, he swept his gaze around the room.

The underground space was so vast and expansive that it was hard to believe it was beneath the surface.

“Everything here exists for me. Even you, standing before me, exist for me.”

“……”

“Do you understand?”

In other words, Baylor intended to use Catacle for his own ambition.

Which meant the coup was inevitable.

My breath felt heavy. A dull pressure settled in my chest.

“Why…?”

Before I knew it, the words slipped from my lips.

“Why?”

Yes.

I wanted to know.

Why he was doing this.

Why he sought to instigate a coup.

How this coup was connected to the whereabouts of the sacred relic.

“I want to know the reason.”

I needed to know.

Only then…

I could understand his orders.

When I asked, Baylor tilted his head slightly and took another sip of whiskey.

Gulp. I watched his Adam’s apple move.

“I don’t see why you need to know.”

“I only wish to understand.”

“Charles.”

Baylor quietly set down his glass. The weight of the glass against the wooden table made a deep sound.

“My work doesn’t require your understanding.”

His eyes didn’t waver.

In the darkness, they shone even colder, as if piercing through everything.

That wasn’t the gaze of someone explaining.

Nor was it the gaze of someone trying to persuade.

Rather—

“Don’t doubt.”

“……”

“Don’t question.”

It was the gaze of someone who had already decided the course of fate.

“You only need to live for me.”

A faint smile touched his lips. But it was not one of warmth—it was a smile of unwavering certainty.

Baylor looked at me again.

His gaze regarded me not as a person, but as a tool.

“If I tell you to do something, you do it. Is there any reason to think beyond that?”

“That…”

“You have obeyed my orders all this time, haven’t you?”

As if the coldness from before had never existed, Baylor’s face softened as he cupped my cheek.

“Charles, you are undeniably exceptional.”

Then, he continued.

“But that is only because I made you that way.”

His hand on my cheek was impossibly warm.

“You were created to live for me.”

Just as it had been when I first took his hand.

“Don’t look for another path.”

And at that moment, I unconsciously realized something.

Baylor…

Had never once given me an explanation.

Not even once.

“I don’t want to lose you too, not after Esmeralda. Please understand my feelings.”

I knew. But I couldn’t refuse.

Because to Baylor, I was a sinner.

Tak.

The moment I stepped out of Baylor’s room, I collapsed onto the floor, powerless.

My legs had completely given out.

— You were created to live for me.

— Don’t turn your eyes toward another choice.

I bit the inside of my cheek, swallowing my breath.

I knew.

I wasn’t Baylor’s real daughter.

I knew.

I was just a tool, something useful for Baylor to wield.

Which meant I had to obey his every command, so that I wouldn’t be discarded.

— I don’t want to lose you too, not after Esmeralda. Please understand my feelings.

A deep sense of guilt had taken root inside me.

But…

It doesn’t make sense.

Baylor wasn’t of royal blood. Even if he staged a coup, claiming the throne would be difficult.

Then why was he so intent on carrying it out?

Even if I ask, he won’t give me an answer.

And it wasn’t as if I had any way to investigate on my own… Just as that thought crossed my mind, something caught my eye.

“Huh?”

The mailbox where Catacle’s letters were stored was open.

Instinctively, I stepped toward it.

But I didn’t touch it. Even the slightest change in position could alert Baylor.

So I only scanned the letters with my eyes—and then I noticed something unfamiliar.

An envelope that stood out starkly from the others.

Embroidered paper, exuding a subtle fragrance.

This was…