The Age Of Arrogance

So it was better to just make sure that the imperial family didn’t completely go along with the empress’s whims.

 

While he was lost in thought for a moment, the people gathered in the office were exchanging opinions.

 

‘I don’t think she fought with Lionel.’

 

He pretended not to, but he glanced at Asha and tried to read her mood.

 

Asha, who had barely made eye contact with him, was talking to the others without any problems. She was even looking at Giles.

 

‘Is she upset with me?’

 

As soon as Carlyle thought of that, he unknowingly exclaimed, “Ah!” and slapped his knee.

 

Everyone’s gaze turned to Carlyle.

 

“Do you have something in mind?”

 

“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

 

Carlyle quickly denied it and waited impatiently for the meeting to end.

 

‘It’s clear that she’s upset that I came back from Zyro without a gift.’

 

That was the only thing that could have upset Asha. And Carlyle had prepared a gift for her, which he had even confirmed with Decker.

 

He waited for the ‘right moment’ with a happy and slightly impatient heart.

 

“Then let’s end the report on the trip to Zyro here, and let’s all get some rest today.”

 

“Your Highness has worked the hardest. I will have the bath water prepared soon.”

 

“The bath water can wait a bit. Everyone except Countess Pervaz, go out.”

 

At Carlyle’s command, everyone except Asha got up from their seats.

 

However, no one seemed to think that anything big was going to happen between Carlyle and Asha. Even Asha herself.

 

When everyone left the room and it became quiet, Asha asked nonchalantly.

 

“Is there anything else you would like me to do?”

 

Carlyle found the question a little disappointing, but he pretended to be nonchalant and got up to get the gift for Asha.

 

“Take it.”

 

“What is this…?”

 

Asha looked alternately at the long thing in front of her and Carlyle and asked.

 

“A gift.”

 

“Yes…?”

 

“Open it.”

 

It was completely unexpected and incomprehensible, but Asha hesitated and untied the string that wrapped the object and peeled off the tightly wrapped cloth.

 

The object wrapped in thick velvet was, surprisingly, a sword.

 

 

“What is this?”

 

“You seem to be saying the same thing over and over again. It’s a gift, I said.”

 

“To me?”

 

“Do you think I would ask you to deliver someone else’s gift?”

 

Asha still didn’t understand this situation.

 

Cecilia’s words came to mind.

 

[After all, you’ll want to give a gift to someone precious, even for small excuses.]

 

I’m not someone Carlyle would want to give a gift to, am I…….

 

“Don’t you like it?”

 

Carlyle asked Asha, who was just looking down at the sword.

 

But Asha was confused about what to say.

 

“No, I like it. But…… I don’t really understand why you’re giving me this…….”

 

“I’m giving it to you to protect your life. I don’t know what the Empress will do to you, but your sword is too old.”

 

“Ah…….”

 

Asha finally understood.

 

‘So that’s it.’

 

She wondered what she had expected.

 

‘Of course, I can’t die until this contract is over.’

 

If she died, Carlyle would inherit the title of Count Pervaz, but there was no reason for Carlyle to remain in Pervaz without a wife.

 

In other words, the Emperor or Empress could use that reason to drag him to Zyro.

 

“I know the sword you use is the one the previous Count passed down. That sword is a heirloom, so you can keep it safe, but I think you should use this sword from now on…….”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Carlyle, who had been adding an explanation in case Asha was offended, was somehow disappointed by Asha’s attitude of accepting the gift so cleanly.

 

“……Take a good look at it. See if it’s too heavy or not, and if it’s comfortable to use.”

 

At that, Asha picked up the sword and swung it lightly.

 

Just by cutting the air a few times, she could feel that it was a very good sword.

 

“It’s good.”

 

“That’s it……?”

 

“Yes? Is there anything else I need to check?”

 

Carlyle had nothing more to say.

 

He felt a strange sense of emptiness and sadness for no reason.

 

“No, You’re not someone who’s only held a sword for a day or two, so you must have figured it out quickly.”

 

“I think I’ll need to use it a little more to know for sure, but it seems like a really good sword. Thank you again.”

 

“Well, I’m glad you like it.”

 

“Since you’ve even given me a sword, I guess I’ll have to make sure to stay alive until this contract expires in two years.”

 

Asha said jokingly, putting the sword back in its scabbard.

 

However, Carlyle’s mood worsened.

 

‘Until the contract expires in two years……’

 

He realized anew that their relationship had an end.

 

In fact, it was only 1.5 years left, not even 2 years.

 

Carlyle, who was chewing on this, asked rebelliously.

 

“What happens after the contract ends?”

 

Asha looked like she didn’t understand the question.

 

“As I said before, I think of you as my important ally. I would like you to stay by my side for a long time even after the contract ends.”

 

It was sincere.

 

Even if he were to regain the position of Crown Prince after two years, divorce Asha, and return to the palace, Carlyle thought of keeping Asha as his aide.

 

Because there are few people as strong and reliable as her.

 

“……It is an honor. Then I will try to live a little longer.”

 

Asha stood up with a smirk.

 

It was strange how that short smile seemed so empty.

 

* * *

 

Whoosh.

 

The sound of the sword cutting through the air rang out.

 

Horizontally, diagonally, backwards, vertically.

 

‘This is a good sword after all.’

 

Asha, who was swinging the sword she received from Carlyle in a corner of the training ground where the sun had just begun to rise, smiled as she ran her fingertips over the cold blade.

 

It was the first time she had received a new sword since she was twelve years old. Even the sword she had received when she started swordsmanship was a practice sword, so the blade was quite dull.

 

‘No matter how I look at it, it’s not an ordinary sword. Can I really receive something this good?’

 

It was hard yet light, and the handle seemed to fit perfectly in her hand. The scabbard was also light despite looking sturdy.

 

‘Considering His Highness Carlyle’s spending habits, this must be a very expensive gem, right?’

 

The red gem embedded in the hilt was not large, but it sparkled and asserted its presence whenever the hilt moved.

 

Since he also gave me a ruby necklace and ring during the wedding ceremony, I thought this might also be a ruby.

 

‘I heard it’s the second most precious gem after a diamond….’

 

Moreover, because of its red color, it also signified passionate love.

 

Asha, who was looking at the gem on the hilt in the bright morning sunlight, suddenly laughed at her own appearance.

 

‘What am I doing, trying to find meaning in everything again?’

 

Anyway, Carlyle probably didn’t think much of it.

 

The fact that he casually gave away the precious necklace, which was his deceased mother’s heirloom, as a deposit showed that he had no interest in jewelry or its meaning.

 

So what meaning could he have put into the small gem embedded in the sword?

 

‘Yeah, it doesn’t mean anything. He probably had someone else buy it for him.’