The Age Of Arrogance

“What…?”

 

Dorothea was stunned. She could barely mutter

 

She was afraid to even fathom what her father meant.

 

“That plan was the one that His Highness Carlyle opposed. It was a necessary step for our victory, though.”

 

“Are you saying that you just went ahead with it?”

 

“Yes. And by involving Cecilia Dupret in this, we created a weakness for that woman. We thought we could make her fall at a crucial moment.”

 

Dorothea was taken aback by her father’s audacity.

 

But Giles said something even more shocking.

 

“Dorothy, now that I’ve brought you this far, it’s time for you to do your part.”

 

“My ‘part’…?”

 

“Do whatever it takes to win His Highness Carlyle’s heart! Flirt with him, help him with his work, whatever!”

 

Dorothea felt like she was suffocating.

 

She no longer wanted to be the Crown Princess or the Empress. She knew too well that she could not live quietly reading books in the midst of this ruthless power struggle.

 

But she could not disobey her father’s orders either. For her, as well as for everyone in the Raphelt family, the head of the house’s opinion was absolute.

 

“Yes… I will try.”

 

“Countess Pervaz is likely to die soon, so now is your chance. Make sure you leave your mark.”

 

“What? You mean the Countess is going to die?”

 

“I don’t know the details. Don’t pry into unnecessary things. Do you understand?”

 

Dorothea was silently shocked, thinking of Asha, who had been blunt but somehow felt affectionate.

 

The more she met her, the more she learned about her righteous, free-spirited, and honest nature. That’s why she was more drawn to her than Carlyle.

 

‘To use that person’s death as an opportunity…?’

 

The ideals and morality that she had learned from books seemed to be crumbling. For Dorothea, who relied on books for her only comfort, it felt like the world was falling apart.

 

* * *

 

“Sigh…….”

 

Today, Carlyle also sent Nina away and was left alone with Asha. He held her hand tightly and focused his mind.

 

After closing his eyes and concentrating for a long time, he exhaled as if he was a little tired and put his hand on Asha’s neck to check her pulse.

 

“Definitely, it’s gotten better than before.”

 

Although his stomach felt empty as if he had squeezed out all his energy, Carlyle couldn’t help but smile.

 

One of his hidden secrets, given to him by the blessing of God, is that the blessing of God is in the form of divine power.

 

And the second secret was that this divine power was not limited to combat. Of course, since there were few people who knew that he possessed divine power, it could not be called a ‘second’ secret.

 

‘It’s not as good as a healing priest, but it’s enough to buy some time while we find a healing priest.’

 

The black smoke that Asha was hit with was definitely a very bad magic. He could tell because he had fought many demons for a long time.

 

As far as Carlyle knew, the only way to cure magical injuries was with divine power. Moreover, among those with divine power, only healing priests could effectively remove magic.

 

However, there were few healing priests and they were so busy that it was not easy to ask for a healing priest.

 

‘If you don’t get treated for magic quickly after being hit, you can survive, but you can go crazy. I have to bring a healing priest as soon as possible.’

 

Carlyle tried to calm his anxious heart and stroked Asha’s hand with his thumb.

 

Even the calluses from holding the sword felt only lovely.

 

‘Will the Countess look at me strangely when she wakes up? No, I’ll be lucky if she doesn’t despise me before that.’

 

It was quite possible, given that the situation when they last parted was not very good.

 

‘Yes, it’s okay if you despise me, so please just wake up. Then I’ll do whatever it takes to cling to you.’

 

Carlyle smiled bitterly and kissed Asha’s hand lightly.

 

It had been more than a month since Asha lost consciousness.

 

Thanks to Nina’s diligent care, the wounds on her body were gradually recovering, but seeing Asha with her eyes closed every day felt like wandering through the middle of hell.

 

As Carlyle sighed, someone knocked on the door.

 

“Come in.”

 

The one who opened the door with his permission was Decker, his right arm in a cast.

 

Carlyle smiled faintly and greeted him.

 

“It looks like you’re alive now.”

 

“Thanks to Your Highness. The medicine you gave me worked very well.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

Decker hesitated for a bit, feeling awkward with Carlyle’s much-changed attitude, then approached Asha’s bed.

 

“Still… I don’t think you’ve found a healing priest yet…?”

 

“The priests quickly grabbed the Empress’s hand. So, would the healing priests respond to my call? I just hope there is someone rebellious against the palace or the church…”

 

Carlyle’s heart was also burning.

 

He had been trying to bribe them with a large sum of money that they could never touch as priests, but it seemed that everyone thought ‘Carlyle Evaristo is finished now’.

 

“Well, I’ll bring them somehow, so don’t worry too much. If all else fails, I’ll kidnap them.”

 

“But if you kidnap the priests, the Order won’t just stand by and do nothing.”

 

“Excommunicate me, then. What’s so scary about those who tarnish the will of God with human greed?”

 

Carlyle looked at Asha blankly again and added.

 

“It’s much more terrifying to lose Countess Pervaz.”

 

If Carlyle’s people had heard it, they would have thought ‘why?’, but Pervaz’s people, including Decker, fully agreed with that statement.

 

The Pervaz family, which started with Amir, was now everything to Pervaz.

 

“I’m too… scared.”

 

Decker said in a trembling voice.

 

“I don’t know what I can do by staying in Pervaz without a Pervaz family member. I don’t even know why I’m alive instead of Asha…”

 

“I understand that feeling, but it’s too early to despair. I told you, I’ll kidnap the healing priests even if I have to.”

 

Carlyle got up from his seat and approached Decker.

 

And he lightly patted his left shoulder, which was not wearing a triangular bandage.

 

“The Countess will definitely live. Because I’m going to make it happen.”

 

“Please… I beg of you. I’m happy to help with that kidnapping plan.”

 

Carlyle smiled at Decker’s sincere eyes.

 

Just then, someone else knocked quietly.

 

“Who is it? Is it Nina?”

 

However, the person who carefully opened the door was Dorothea.

 

“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation. I stopped by to greet Your Highness.”

 

Dorothea, who had arrived yesterday, had tried several times to meet Carlyle, but he kept refusing her on the pretext of being busy. It was also true that he was really busy inspecting the castle that had not yet been fully restored, but it was also because he was disgusted by Giles’s intentions for bringing Dorothea.

 

However, Dorothea, who was urged by her father to stamp Carlyle’s approval, had no choice but to come all the way to Asha’s room, even though she knew it was rude.

 

“I thought I told you through the messenger that I would consider it a greeting…”

 

Carlyle’s eyes turned cold, knowing that it was Giles’s orders.

 

“I-I apologize, I just…”

 

“Why? Did you need to confirm that Countess Pervaz is dead?”

 

“What? Oh, no! It’s not that, I…!”

 

Dorothea was startled and waved her hands, but Decker, who had been standing between them, quickly took a step towards Dorothea and hid her behind his broad back.

 

“How can that be, Your Highness? It would be very inconvenient and embarrassing for a guest to stay without even greeting the host.”

 

“……Is that so?”

 

“You seem to be trying to reassure me, but Your Highness seems to be the one who is too sharp.”

 

As he laughed and patted Dorothea on the back, Carlyle nodded, albeit shakily.

 

“You’re right, I think I overreacted. I apologize, Lady Raphelt.”

 

“Oh, no. I am truly sorry for upsetting Your Highness.”

 

Dorothea bowed deeply and apologized.

 

Decker pushed her back slightly and soothed Carlyle.

 

“Anyway, I will trust Your Highness and withdraw. Please leave Lady Raphelt in my care.”

 

“Hmm, very well.”

 

Then he took Dorothea out of the room.

 

Decker, who had been walking silently, turned around quickly when they reached a place where no one was looking.

 

“Are you okay, My Lady?”

 

“Ah……”

 

Dorothea was so surprised by the unexpected comfort that she could not say anything and burst into tears.

 

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

 

“Why are you apologizing? When His Highness Carlyle gets angry, I’m so scared that I almost cry too.”

 

Even at his joke, Dorothea could not smile and kept wiping her tears with the end of her sleeve. She finally opened her mouth.

 

“Pe, Countess Pervaz…… Is she okay?”

 

There was no trace of evil in her large green eyes, which were filled with tears, that wished for Asha’s death.

 

“…… she’ll be fine. His Highness Carlyle promised.”

 

Decker forced a smile.

 

Dorothea nodded her head reluctantly.

 

“She is a strong man, so she will definitely be fine! I will pray every day too. I really will.”

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

They had to share a sad smile even in the warm autumn sunlight.

 

Then Decker suddenly asked.

 

“By the way…… Did you hurt your leg? Or are your shoes uncomfortable?”

 

“Huh? Oh, no!”

 

“No? Your steps seem a little uncomfortable.”

 

It seemed that the sprain she had suffered when she got off the carriage yesterday was throbbing again, but Dorothea just shook her head.

 

“No, I’m fine.”

 

Decker, who had been watching Dorothea, who kept avoiding his gaze, nodded slightly.

 

“That’s good then. I’ll take you to your room.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Dorothea was relieved that she had not been caught in her pitiful state and returned to her room.