Episode 29
“Sierra, what brings you to the royal palace?”
Ludwig, unexpectedly encountering me in front of the royal main gate, quickly approached with his long strides, as if he had a long stride with a small bundle on his mind. It was amusing to think that I had parted with him just yesterday, expecting him to be busy for a while, and now we met so immediately.
I rolled my eyes, looking at him, and said, “I came to see a friend in the palace. I’m on my way back to the ducal estate.”
“A friend in the palace… Are you talking about Arzen Selber?”
That was correct. Ludwig seemed to be aware of the fact that Arzen was now working at the royal magic department. When I nodded in agreement, his forehead subtly narrowed, but soon a smile covered it.
“Why would Ludwig be here….”
“I brought the documents that need royal approval for the formal succession process.”
“It’s fortunate that everything seems to be going smoothly if you’ve already received approval from the royal palace.”
It was a succession that had been declared and carried out without any intervention from the Elder Council. Considering the Elder Council’s potential interference, I had expected a fairly tough fight.
However, Ludwig’s face looked quite good, making my concerns seem unnecessary.
Well, actually, until he stepped out of the carriage, his forehead had been knitted, but it brightened as soon as he saw me.
“The Elder Council has firmly expressed their disapproval. It’s not surprising, given what I expected.”
What mattered most in the succession among the nobility was the will of the head of the family. Despite the entanglement of lineage and blood ties in aristocratic society, the family’s prestige was essentially the face of the family, so it was rare for the succession to involve matters up to the head of the family.
Except in cases where a very young head of the family couldn’t make sensible decisions or, conversely, when an elderly head of the family with a wandering mind couldn’t make proper decisions. Only in such exceptional cases did the closest heir step forward as the representative and get involved in the family’s major affairs.
But Duke Karsian was a robust middle-aged man and a talented individual who had completed the highest degree at the academy. Although there had been some finger-pointing at the Elder Council, which had taken advantage of the powerful influence of the duke’s family and prioritized only practical benefits, Ludwig’s confident and capable appearance made some people criticize the Elder Council openly.
“His Grace’s will was clearly stated in front of people yesterday. It seems that the Elder Council’s position will incur public resentment even more.”
Although it would take half a day for the situation to escalate into a full-fledged uproar since it had been expressed just this morning, I could tell without looking. Aristocratic society is very conservative. If there is a group trying to break established practices, there is an instinctive aversion.
So far, I had observed the behavior of the Elder Council from a distance because it was an internal issue of the Duke’s family. Still, if it involved the authority to succeed the head of the family, the story would be different.
They would criticize the Council, which had strongly protected the rights guaranteed by tradition, because of the meddling of an heir like Ludwig under the name of the Council.
“The Duke’s will was clearly expressed in front of the people yesterday. The Council’s position might provoke even more public resentment.”
Although it would take half a day for the situation to escalate into a full-fledged uproar since it had been expressed just this morning, I could tell without looking. Aristocratic society is very conservative. If there is a group trying to break established practices, there is an instinctive aversion.
So far, I had observed the behavior of the Elder Council from a distance because it was an internal issue of the Duke’s family. Still, if it involved the authority to succeed the head of the family, the story would be different.
‘They might criticize the Council, which has strongly protected the rights guaranteed by tradition, because of the meddling of an heir like Ludwig under the name of the Council. It’s an impossible situation.’
Within the Elder Council, there would have been considerable confusion over the sudden announcement of succession, especially since attempts to discredit Ludwig had just failed.
Even within the Council, the lack of a proper strategy and the abrupt expression of opposition were vividly portrayed. Ludwig seemed to share the same thoughts, as he nodded in agreement.
“It’s actually a fortunate turn of events. It provides a suitable opportunity to engage in public opinion warfare.”
Coincidentally, there were recent disturbances within the Empire concerning conflicts between the direct heirs and heirs apparent within noble families. A Marquis in the western region was assassinated by relatives, an act orchestrated by a faction of heirs apparent harboring ambitions, envious of the family’s power and prosperity. The news spread far and wide, extending beyond the internal family feud that had been quietly simmering into a public issue.
Considering the Karsian family’s high status as a well-known aristocratic family, this spark would likely ignite a blaze.
Ludwig, already carrying documents and arriving at the royal palace, had probably anticipated this, given the situation.
“If you need my assistance, please feel free to ask. I cannot guarantee it will be a significant help, but I’ll assist you to the best of my ability.”
“Your words alone are appreciated.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I could see that Ludwig’s start in this matter was smoother than expected. Engaged in a natural conversation with Ludwig, I momentarily forgot about the events of yesterday.
That… pertained to the mark.
When Ludwig met with me, he would always wear a buttoned-up shirt with a modest neckline. However, today, he wore a black shirt with an exposed neck. Thanks to that, I could see the red moon pattern for the first time in a long while.
At first glance, the pattern looked like a deep scar, as if it were a lingering mark. Something that would never be erased.
So, how was it initially mentioned in the original work?
‘When you promised to protect me, I felt a sharp pain in my neck. After enduring a time of excruciating pain, I found that this had settled in its place.’
‘That is…’
‘It’s something that fate brings to the Helteng. It’s a leash tied by a ferocious monster.’
‘A mark I’ve only heard about in words.’
‘You are my imprint, Lady Selber.’
‘It’s a qualification beyond my worth. But… may I consider it as a gift? Because it means you’ve thought of me to that extent.’
Before revealing the truth about his mark to Jena, Ludwig had struggled with his decision.
Could he be running away?
Nobody would willingly embrace holding the leash of a ferocious beast. It might be considered daunting, as it meant living one’s entire life entangled by it.
But Jena’s reaction was entirely different.
‘Thank you, Ludwig. For sharing such profound gift with me.’
Jena referred to it as a gift and considered it a profound ceremony.
Ludwig once again felt as if the mark had been etched onto his neck at that moment.
Even I, who was reading that part, found it plausible and nodded my head.
The radiant sun had completely engulfed the descendant of a ferocious dragon.
For a moment, recalling the original content, I lost words as I stared at the red moon pattern right before my eyes.
Ludwig seemed to know what I was staring at.
“If you’re curious, you can take a closer look. You were quite curious about the mark yesterday, too.”
“No, no, that’s not it.”
I clumsily stepped back, hands fidgeting. The pattern was clearly visible even from here—a pattern resembling three claw marks above a crescent moon.
What I was curious about wasn’t the shape of the pattern, but rather how Ludwig ended up with the mark and who the subject of the mark was. And could it be, by any chance, that I was the subject? Especially considering that, apart from me, there was no ‘woman’ by his side.
‘Indeed, we’ve built up favorable sentiments between us.’
But it was more a chain reaction resulting from accidental kindness rather than rational affection. At least, that was how it was for me.
‘Right, an imprint can be formed even without the emotions of love. For instance, when deeply moved by a favor received from someone.’
‘Wait, come to think of it….’
I finally figured out the cause of the uneasy feeling that had been bothering me since I met Arzen earlier.
What would happen to Ludwig if I were to die?
I had no idea about what would occur when a familiar, a person with an imprint, suddenly disappeared.
If, someday, Ludwig were to experience seizures and go on a rampage, who should be there to help him?
Originally, it would have been Jena’s responsibility, but the situation had changed.
“Ludwig, I have something I want to ask you.”
My mind was in turmoil, but I tried not to show it on the surface and pretended not to know as much as possible.
“By any chance… when you say ‘the person who caused Ludwig’s mark to appear’… are you referring to the person who became your imprint?”
“Yes, what would you like to know about my imprint?”
He seemed to emphasize ‘my’ imprint particularly strongly. Was it because of his feelings? But at the moment, I had no time to pay attention to the subtle change in his tone.
“What happens if they disappear?”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask directly what would happen if I were to die. Inquiring about what happens if the precious person with the leash disappears would be quite impolite.
Although it wasn’t a cheerful question to ask what would happen if they were to disappear, I tried my best in my own way.
“If they disappear….”
Ludwig’s voice lowered.
His golden eyes stared at me as if grasping my intentions.
“Oh, that. Well, you know. People can disappear overnight…. I heard that imprint plays an important role for dragon’s, but….”
“They won’t disappear.”
“…What?”
I blurted out reflexively.
“Just as I said. I have no intention of letting them disappear from my side.”
Ludwig responded succinctly, smiling mysteriously.
His answer was delivered with an air of assurance, as if there were no chance of the imprint disappearing from his sight, as if he had no intention of leaving them alone.
