The Age Of Arrogance

“While the barbarians beat Pervaz, other nobles won’t be able to visit Pervaz. Even the usual supply lines will be cut off, and the informants won’t be able to come and go.”

 

“Ah…!”

 

Mathias only then understood his mother’s words.

 

In the end, Carlyle, becoming anxious, will have no choice but to throw away the marriage relationship and return to the capital.

 

“It would be even better if he dies from an enemy arrow then…”

 

“Th-that’s a bit…”

 

Mathias, who wants to be emperor but needs someone to go to the battlefield in his stead, hesitated. Beatrice grabbed the shoulder of that kind of son and shook it.

 

“Don’t be scared, Matti. Anyway, if Carlyle dies, there won’t be any reason for you to go to the battlefield.”

 

“Yes? Is that true?”

 

“Of course. Since you’re the only one who could become the crown prince, would I send you to a dangerous battlefield?”

 

“But… the crown prince or the emperor should rule in person…”

 

It was a saying implicitly understood from long ago that one must show an example as the person who leads the empire.

 

If one becomes the crown prince, they have to experience war. They should stand before the knights and soldiers, boost their morale, and bravely lead them.

 

However, Beatrice snorted and shook her head.

 

“That’s just for show. Anyway, to do that, there must be no son other than you. That’s why Carlyle must die.”

 

“…But lately, I heard that woman, father’s mistress, is making a fuss about trying to have a child?”

 

“Ohohoho!”

 

When the story about Viviana came out, Beatrice again let loose a laugh. This time, it was a laugh really close to an outburst of laughter.

 

“Ah, Matti. Don’t worry about that. That side won’t even be able to bear a daughter.”

 

“Yes? How?”

 

“Hmm. There is such a thing.”

 

Beatrice, leaving a strange smile lingering like an afterimage, went back to the story of Pervaz.

 

“Anyway, the urgent thing is Carlyle. Since your popularity is also rising in social circles, to further erase Carlyle’s presence, we must make sure communications can’t go in and out.”

 

She pondered a little then took out a piece of stationary and a pen.

 

“It seems a bit of investment is necessary.”

 

Beatrice, muttering words that couldn’t be understood to Matthias, wrote a letter to someone.

 

Support the Igram tribe with supplies and weapons. The Igram tribe does not necessarily need to win. Rather, it should be guided in a direction that prolongs the war.

 

She folded the letter with a smirk, put it in an envelope, and muttered.

 

“I wish for your misfortune, Carlyle.”

 

***

Thud!

 

The carriage wheel lurched again as it hit a deep pothole in the dirt road.

 

The maid, who had hit her head on the carriage wall, opened the window to the driver’s seat and shouted.

 

“How many times is this? If something happens to my lady, you’ll be held responsible!”

 

“I apologize! I’m being as careful as I can, but the road is really bad…”

 

“We paid extra for you to get us through this bad road safely! You were bragging that you’re the best driver in Zyro.”

 

The driver, who looked twice her age, was flustered by the maid’s sharp rebuke.

 

However, it was not a lie that he was the best driver in Zyro. He was definitely one of the top five drivers in Zyro, where there were no roads as bad as this.

 

“Don’t forget that my lady is Cecilia, the youngest daughter of the Dupret family. If something happens to her because of your bumpy carriage…!”

 

The maid scolded the driver a few more times before closing the window and checking on her lady.

 

“Are you uncomfortable, my lady? Oh my, what is Lord Pervaz doing? The roads are so bad, she should at least manage them…”

 

“That’s right, Angie. I knew the road conditions in Pervaz were bad when we left, but… this is a bit too much.”

 

Cecilia, who had been struggling to maintain her upright posture in the swaying carriage, sighed.

 

She had passed through a few poor estates on her way here, but the condition here was so bad that it was a far cry from those places.

 

‘I didn’t even expect a paved road, but a road made of hardened mud? No, can this even be called a road?’

 

The carriage she had brought was very sturdy, so it was able to move somehow, but if not, she would have been in a difficult situation where she could not go anywhere.

 

However, she didn’t want to waste her energy complaining.

 

“How much further is it to Pervaz Castle?”

 

Cecilia opened the carriage window and asked the guide following the carriage.

 

“It will take about half a day more to get there.”

 

At that, the maid Angie interjected.

 

“Half a day means we still have to go for six more hours?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Angie pouted, but the guide, who had been leading the way from the entrance of Pervaz, just nodded expressionlessly.

 

“I see. Thank you for your hard work.”

 

As Cecilia turned her head, Angie closed the carriage window and even pulled the curtains shut before muttering.

 

“This place is really strange, my lady. I don’t see anything that’s properly done around here. The people seem strange too…”

 

Angie said, mindful of the guide outside.

 

The guide, who was paid to do his job, had never smiled once since the beginning. He even looked quite poor.

 

Cecilia was the one who actually persuaded Angie not to come.

 

“I told you before we left. It’s going to be tough.”

 

And it was Angie who volunteered to accompany her on this tough journey.

 

“But still, I couldn’t leave you to be escorted by someone else. After all, I’m the lady’s maid.”

 

“I appreciate it, Angie.”

 

“Hehe!”

 

Angie, who had become disheveled from the rough carriage ride, burst into laughter at that remark.

 

But Cecilia couldn’t bring herself to laugh along.

 

“But once we enter Pervaz Castle, we have to be careful what we say. This strange place is where Prince Carlyle chose to stay, and the lord of this strange place is Prince Carlyle’s wife.”

 

At this, Angie frowned deeply.

 

“I really don’t understand. No matter how necessary it is, how could he marry another woman while leaving you behind?”

 

Angie had tremendous pride in the mistress she served.

 

And for good reason, as Cecilia Dupret was unanimously acknowledged as the ‘finest lady.’ The expression ‘the most beautiful flower’ seemed inadequate.

 

Cecilia was not only beautiful but also intelligent, with good manners and a keen eye for things.

 

Her demeanor, which could be described by her attendants as harsh, picky, detached, and full of criticism, suited Angie’s image of an empress perfectly.

 

‘An empress must not only be kind.’

 

So, believing firmly that her lady would become the crown princess and she would become the crown princess’s maid, Angie couldn’t believe it when suddenly Carlyle was stripped of the crown prince position and married a woman that emerged out of nowhere.

 

Both events were shocking, but from Angie’s perspective, the latter was more unbelievable.

 

“There must be a reason. It was also an unavoidable choice for his Highness Carlyle. And in the end, Countess Pervaz gained the most from it.”

 

“That’s right. Countess Pervaz as the crown princess… it’s absurd.”

 

The name “Pervaz” soon came to mean sinner or barbarian, equivalent to poverty or the lower class.

 

Who could understand that the lord of such a place should hold the most shining position?

 

‘Yes, that marriage is a deception. Ultimately, our lady will become the crown princess.’

 

Angie clenched her fists tightly.

 

***

 

“Your Highness! The thing the Duke of Dupret said he would send, do you remember?”

 

Carlyle, who was conversing while sitting facing Giles, raised his eyebrows slightly at the question of Lionel, who had returned after leaving for a while after hearing the message of the servant of Pervaz Castle.

 

“I remember. Something like he said he would send evidence of loyalty.”

 

“I’m glad you remember, at least you’ll be less flustered. That very proof has just arrived at Pervaz Castle.”

 

“Really? Bring it in.”

 

Carlyle replied nonchalantly with his legs crossed.

 

Lionel opened the door, hoping only that Carlyle would not be greatly flustered.

 

“Come in, Lady Dupret.”

 

“What?”

 

At the same time that Carlyle and Giles were surprised at the words ‘Lady Dupret’, Cecilia entered the room.

 

“May the glory of God be upon Your Highness. I present myself to His Royal Highness.”

 

Cecilia lowered her body while lightly pressing down on the hem of her dress.

 

Blonde hair reflecting sunlight, honey-like golden eyes, soft and white skin and lips as if dyed with stephanotis flower water, milk-like smooth and white décolletage and breasts protruding above a tightly pressed stomacher…

 

She was very elegant and intellectual, yet somewhat provocative.

 

‘So that’s why men go crazy over her.’

 

Lionel thought, welcoming the entrance of the woman who did not match with Pervaz at all.

 

‘Except for just one person, that one.’

 

Carlyle’s expression turned sour as he was faced with the unexpected ‘evidence of loyalty’.

 

No remorse at reuniting with the woman who was mentioned as a candidate for his wife, nor any sense of joy at meeting the most beautiful woman in society, was felt at all.

 

However, before Cecilia could raise her head, Carlyle cleanly erased his startled expression and smiled smoothly with his flawless face.

 

“What brings you here, Lady Dupret? It must have been a difficult journey for a delicate lady to manage…”

 

“I believe you have received the letter sent by my father.”

 

“Of course. He said he would send evidence of loyalty, and I was wondering what it could be…”

 

At those words, Cecilia’s eyes sparkled.

 

“I am that evidence, Your Highness. I, Cecilia Dupret, have come to help you regain the throne.”

 

****

 

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