The Age Of Arrogance

It was the end of August, when Pervaz’s short summer was almost over.

 

Sitting by the window with a cool breeze blowing occasionally, Carlyle muttered to Lionel, who was sorting through a pile of letters.

 

“Come to think of it, Pervaz seems to be quite stable now. I guess it’s natural since they received so many supplies.”

 

“Of course, the supplies and money are important, but it is also true that Countess Pervaz is remarkable. To be honest, I had a new appreciation for her.”

 

A young woman of just twenty-two.

 

She had never received a proper education due to the war that had been going on since her birth, and she had no one to guide her.

 

Lionel had underestimated Asha not because of her appearance, but because of her real situation.

 

He thought she was brave for cutting off the enemy leader’s head and ending the war, and for gambling her life in front of the emperor and the prince, but he didn’t think she was much more than that.

 

“On my way to Pervaz with Your Highness, I thought that I might have to take care of the Pervaz administration in the worst-case scenario.”

 

“You still followed me here. That’s some loyalty.”

 

“I didn’t have a choice.”

 

“If you had a choice?”

 

“…Of course I would have followed Your Highness.”

 

Lionel avoided Carlyle’s gaze and sweated a little before returning to the topic of Asha.

 

“But Countess Pervaz didn’t hesitate to start rebuilding Pervaz. She didn’t even ask us what to do or how to do it. No, she wasn’t someone who needed to learn from us in the first place.”

 

“I agree. I thought that big guy was the actual administrator, but it doesn’t seem like that’s the case either. No, that big guy was also a bit unexpected.”

 

Carlyle said, thinking of Decker.

 

He thought Decker would be at most Asha’s escort, but it seemed that Decker had more influence over the servants and warriors of Pervaz Castle than Asha.

 

“Decker Donovan was also quite unexpected. But then again, all the people of Pervaz are unexpected. In some ways, I think they are more enlightened than the people of the capital.”

 

“That’s right. All the rumors about Pervaz were just speculation and prejudice. We didn’t really know anything.”

 

In the capital, the gods and beliefs that had long since disappeared were still alive in Pervaz.

 

The sight of people dressed in rags not coveting others’ belongings and rebuilding their lives in unison under the orders of their lord seemed to stimulate a passion that even he himself had forgotten.

 

While Carlyle was lost in thought about Pervaz and Asha, Lionel, who had been diligently sorting through the letters during their conversation, stopped and handed him an envelope.

 

“A letter from the House of Dupret.”

 

Carlyle glanced at it and tore open the envelope that Lionel handed him without using a letter knife, quickly scanning the lines.

 

“Oh, the House of Dupret is moving quickly.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Read it yourself. The content is quite interesting.”

 

Carlyle handed the letter back to Lionel, chuckling. Lionel tilted his head and opened the letter.

 

It seemed like the entire page was dedicated to useless greetings, but perhaps it was a ‘cushion’ to deliver bad news.

 

…Currently, His Highness Matthias’ position in the social circles is rising, while malicious rumors are circulating about His Highness Carlyle.

 

According to the testimony of Count Dupret, Matthias is a victim who was unable to reveal himself because of Carlyle’s persecution, and is a ‘genius’ in the art of kingship, ‘as it turns out’.

 

Moreover, he was threatened by assassins sent by Carlyle and the Gould family countless times since he was a child, and because of the injuries he suffered at that time, he was unable to wield a sword again.

 

“This… isn’t the subject matter reversed? Who was the one suffering from assassins!”

 

“Don’t get excited and keep reading. I told you it’s interesting.”

 

…Furthermore, His Majesty the Emperor has recently been favoring the priests. They are said to be people recommended by Her Majesty the Empress, but according to our investigation, High Priest Gabriel Knox has a considerable influence.

 

Judging from the rumors spreading from the temple…

 

Lionel burst out laughing again.

 

“Those who claim to serve God are spreading rumors?”

 

“Everyone believes it to be true because it came from the mouths of the priests.”

 

Carlyle still had a light attitude, as if it was someone else’s business. But Lionel had to hold his hot nape tightly.

 

He exhaled roughly and finished reading the letter.

 

…Dupret’s loyalty to Your Highness has not changed in the slightest, and he still wishes to create a future with Your Highness.

 

Of course, this Valentine Dupret is not a subject who only talks about loyalty with a three-inch tongue.

 

Soon, undeniable evidence of our sincerity will go to Perbaz.

 

I earnestly ask you to welcome us warmly.

 

The letter ended there.

 

Lionel checked Valentine Dupret’s signature and tilted his head.

 

“Undeniable evidence…?”

 

“It seems they’re sending someone.”

 

“That’s right. What could it be?”

 

However, whatever it was, it was a welcome thing that the Dupret family had not turned away and was still sending their support.

 

After all, the Dupret family was a powerful family that was even included in the ’30 Most Influential Families’ of the influential weekly magazine Remington.

 

“I was worried that they would turn away because Your Highness married Countess Pervaz, but that’s a relief.”

 

“They must be expecting me to get a divorce in 3 years. Duke Valentine Dupret is a human who calculates well, but the ambition of his daughter Cecilia is also considerable.”

 

Carlyle thought of Cecilia, who was so reckless that she had put everything on the line to become the Crown Princess.

 

There were many beauties called the flowers of the social circles. However, Cecilia not only had good looks, but also a proud and arrogant personality, and the ability to match it, and that made her stand out even among the beauties.

 

‘If she becomes the Crown Princess and then the Empress… Yes, I’m sure she’ll do well.’

 

That was why Carlyle had also secretly decided on her as his partner.

 

However, the reason he had been putting off the selection of a concubine even though he was of age was because she had too many similarities to Beatrice.

 

Things like being a blonde and blue-eyed beauty, and a strong desire for the position of Empress and power.

 

However, Lionel, unaware of such inner thoughts, spoke while watching Carlyle’s expression.

 

“To be honest, when Your Highness said you were going to marry Count Pervaz, the first person who came to mind was Lady Dupret.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Didn’t Your Highness also have feelings for Lady Dupret?”

 

“Me?”

 

Both Carlyle and Lionel looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

 

“Oh, no, I really thought that… .”

 

“Then what did you see?”

 

“At every victory banquet, you would always dance with Lady Dupret and talk to her… .”

 

“That’s because she was a fish I needed to catch. You think I fell in love with that woman just because of that?”

 

Lionel closed his mouth without being able to say anything more.

 

‘I wonder if Cecilia would be heartbroken if she knew. She seems to like His Highness Carlyle.’

 

Although he felt sorry for her, it was not something that needed to be debated now.

 

However, Carlyle, as if he had seen through Lionel’s heart, spoke with a chuckle.

 

“That woman is the same. Do you think Cecilia Dupret would like me? What she likes is not me, but the position of Crown Princess.”

 

“Yes? That can’t be. She seemed to like Your Highness… .”

 

“I can act like I’m in love with anyone if I need to. That’s all that woman is doing.”

 

“…No, you can’t do that.”

 

Lionel denied it, shaking his head.

 

The idea of Carlyle Evaristo pretending to be in love.

 

Does he even know what it means to be in love?

 

Carlyle didn’t seem to have any intention of refuting that either, and just shrugged his shoulders. Then, as if something suddenly came to mind, he stopped moving.

 

“Wait. Surely you’re not going to do something so ridiculous… ?”

 

“Yes? Who? What are you talking about?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

 

The thought crossed Carlyle’s mind that the Dupret family might send something ridiculous as proof of their loyalty, but he dismissed it with a thought of, ‘Surely not.’

 

“Contact Pete and tell him to send more accurate information. Especially about the origins and activities of the priests who are interfering in the imperial family.”

 

“Shouldn’t we also put someone on the High Priest’s side?”

 

“Hmm… Let’s check with the priests who have entered the royal family first. I have a feeling that the temple and Gabriel Knox are playing their own game.”

 

The High Priest’s side is conservative and very cautious.

 

However, judging from the way things were going, it was quite urgent and bold for the Pope or his side to have done it.

 

‘Gabriel Knox… There’s something about that man.’

 

Carlyle’s animalistic ‘sense’ kept pointing to Gabriel.

 

* * *

 

“Are you really going?”

 

Ellen, the eldest of the Dupret family, looked at her sister who was packing her bags and asked. Cecilia was already annoyed by her brother, who had tried to dissuade her from her decision several times.

 

“Why do you keep asking me that? I’ve already sent a letter to His Highness Carlyle!”

 

When Ellen reacted harshly to Cecilia’s venomous reaction, thinking that she was only speaking out of concern for her sister, he also shouted angrily.

 

“Hey! This isn’t just any place, it’s Pervaz! You haven’t even heard the rumors about what kind of place it is?”

 

****

 

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