The Age Of Arrogance

“But His Excellency Axis should also stop being so stubborn. Tsk tsk”

 

Giles clicked his tongue in disapproval.

 

Even though he was speaking ill of their own ruler, the messenger didn’t seem to be offended at all. He even smiled in agreement with Giles’ words.

 

“Still, thanks to Sir Raphelt, it seems like Prince Damian has definitely received the transfer of power. At first, the Duke was furious and insisted on joining the Southern Coalition, but he seemed to have calmed down after hearing the results of the war.”

 

“It’s natural for people to become more stubborn as they get older. But it’s fortunate that Duke Axis doesn’t seem to have lost his touch yet.”

 

Giles shook his head, thinking about the situation of the Kadore Principality, which had been used by Albania and the Kingdom of Palesso despite being an ally.

 

‘If you’re going to be used, you might as well be on the winning side.’

 

He had also used the Kadore Principality, but he believed that his proposal was a win-win for both parties.

 

“Prince Damian dreams of a different future for the Principality than Duke Axis. I’m sure he will keep the promise he made to us at that time.”

 

The messenger stared at Giles with a mixture of impatience and sharpness in his eyes.

 

“Of course. Once His Highness Carlyle becomes the Crown Prince, I will make sure that our relationship with the Kadore Principality is reviewed amicably.”

 

“I’ll be looking forward to it. Prince Damian also took great care to spread false rumors so that he wouldn’t feel awkward in the presence of representatives from other kingdoms.”

 

“It seems so. He made everyone believe the absurd rumor that His Highness Carlyle would never go down to the South.”

 

Giles knew that Queen Serenis was eager to get revenge on the Empire. So, after making all the preparations, he used the prince of the Kadore Principality to light the fuse.

 

He thought that the operation would work if he didn’t make any big mistakes, but it was also true that things went much more smoothly than he had expected.

 

“That’s right! After all, it was thanks to Prince Damian that the war broke out in the southern part of the Empire, wasn’t it?”

 

“I admit it. Thanks to him, His Highness Matthias’ incompetence was revealed and it became known throughout the Empire that His Highness Carlyle is irreplaceable. It’s exactly the picture I wanted. Hahaha!”

 

Giles laughed happily.

 

Carlyle didn’t need to know about this. He just needed to sit in his shining position and lead the Empire to prosperity.

 

He wanted Carlyle to acknowledge the hardships he had gone through for his ascension to the throne, but he wanted him to remain ignorant of this one thing.

 

‘His Highness will surely feel guilty.’

 

Cecilia seemed to believe that Carlyle was a heartless human being, but Giles knew Carlyle’s true nature.

 

Although it had been exacerbated by Asha, Carlyle was originally a person who sympathized with the people of the war-torn regions.

 

Giles still vividly remembered the sight of Carlyle getting angry as he looked back at the damage in the war zone.

 

At that time, Giles had thought that Carlyle was a man born to be Emperor, but he didn’t want that thought to grow to the point where it would hinder his ascension to the throne.

 

“Then… I would like to ask you to give me the ‘proof’ that I will give to Prince Damian.”

 

“Ah! I must have talked too much. Here, this is a document with my signature. I’ve also attached a method for Prince Damian to take over the dukedom easily.”

 

“Thank you! I will return immediately, as His Highness will be waiting.”

 

The messenger put Giles’ letter in his bosom and stood up.

 

“Be careful. With this pass, you will be able to leave our camp easily.”

 

Giles gave him a pass and said goodbye.

 

Giles watched the messenger’s back as he disappeared quickly, and he nodded lightly, breathing in the cool night air.

 

‘Soon, Damian Axis will be the master of the Kadore Principality.’

 

In the Kadore Principality, the one who is loyal to Carlyle will inherit the throne. Giles planned to use the Kadore Principality to shake the southern kingdoms and then unify them once Carlyle becomes emperor.

 

‘Good. The Cadore Principality is over.’

 

That was when he was about to be relieved.

 

“Sir Raphelt. I need to hear your explanation.”

 

Asha’s cold voice came from behind him.

 

He was startled and turned around quickly, and Asha was walking slowly out of his barracks next door.

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Giles was surprised inwardly, but he pretended to be nonchalant and raised his chin. Asha’s expression was hardened terribly.

 

“I thought he was suspicious, so I was watching that man. But after he met you, he went into the barracks and… he said something ridiculous.”

 

“Are you saying that you were spying and eavesdropping on my barracks?”

 

Giles snapped irritably, but Asha admitted without flinching.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Isn’t that overstepping your authority?”

 

“That man was not an imperial citizen, but he claimed to be from your territory. Shouldn’t I be suspicious?”

 

Giles was even more displeased with Asha, who was already unpleasant, and shouted.

 

“I allowed him! So you should know that, how can you spy on an ally’s barracks!”

 

“Because there is no law that says you cannot betray His Highness Carlyle.”

 

“What, what are you saying? How dare you…!”

 

Giles’ eyes seemed to be burning with fire. However, Asha’s eyes were even colder.

 

“Then explain. That you deliberately started a war in your own country… I still don’t understand.”

 

Her voice trembled slightly with anger.

 

“Does His Highness Carlyle know? No, he must know. How can someone who will be the emperor do such a thing…!”

 

“Shut up!”

 

Giles’ patience had reached its limit.

 

He hated everything about Asha.

 

She’s been living a life where she wields a sword and kills people like a man, and she hasn’t been properly educated in noble etiquette and manners.

 

That you never lowered your chin in front of me, whom everyone bows to, and that you’re not only the wife of Carlyle but also changing him in some way, is unbearable.

 

No, the moment I learned that the ‘accident’ Carlyle caused without my permission was because of Asha’s provocation, I simply hated her.

 

Jiles clenched his teeth.

 

“Do you have to show off your lack of education so much? You dare to judge the position of the Emperor, the position of ruling this great empire, as if you were the lord of Pervaz?”

 

Asha, who would soon lose her status as ‘Crown Princess’, was not worth treating with respect.

 

He even wanted to reveal what Carlyle had tried to keep a secret and let Asha figure out his true nature.

 

“There isn’t a law that says I can’t betray His Highness Carlyle? Ha! Can you say such things even after knowing what’s inside it?”

 

As he pointed to Asha’s locket with his hand, Asha unconsciously grabbed the locket in her hand.

 

He smiled brightly and revealed the secret of the locket.

 

“The gemstone inside that locket has a magic spell that tells His Highness the location of the wearer. His Highness thought you were the one who would betray him!”

 

TL/N: I HATE THIS GUY🥲

 

“What……?”

 

Asha lost her words for a moment.

 

[There is a gemstone inside the locket of that necklace. It’s not a big deal, but it will save your life someday.]

 

Didn’t he say that? That it was a gemstone that would save her life.

 

She wanted to believe that Giles was lying, but the fact that she knew there was a gemstone inside the necklace didn’t make sense.

 

Giles felt a sadistic pleasure as he watched Asha’s face harden in surprise.

 

‘Finally, I can teach that arrogant woman her place!’

 

It seemed like the anger he had been holding back for a long time was finally starting to subside. He didn’t stop there and continued to spew sharp words.

 

“His Highness Carlyle has never trusted you. He only cared about you a little because you were the one who drove the savages out of Perbaz, but you’ve become arrogant without even realizing it……!”

 

The sound of his tongue clicking was as painful and bitter as a whiplash.

 

However, Asha swallowed her saliva and pulled herself together.

 

‘What are you surprised about? You knew from the beginning of this contract that I’m just an insignificant human being to His Highness.’

 

TL/N: UGHHH!! BACK TO SQUARE ONE?!?!

 

So it was only natural that he suspected her. From his point of view, she was the most dangerous ally when he was betrayed.

 

Asha clenched her fists and let out a sharp question.

 

“So, is that why I shouldn’t be disappointed in His Highness for starting a war in his own country?”

 

“How can you understand our great cause? If Matthias becomes the emperor, this country will suffer much more than just this war!”

 

“That’s something you don’t know. And is there no other way to restore His Highness Carlyle? I expected more from you, being called a genius.”

 

“This, this…!”

 

Giles was about to explode in anger.

 

“Sir Raphelt? Who are you talking to… Hmm? Countess Pervaz?”

 

Carlyle, who had come to find Giles, looked at the two people staring at each other with a puzzled look.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing, Your Highness. But is there something wrong? You left your seat during the banquet.”

 

Giles tried to divert his attention, but Carlyle didn’t take the bait. Asha’s expression was clearly troubled.