Of course, the nobleman of a small country on the border, or even the heir of a count, may not be enough as a mate for the princess of a great empire, but now Byron is not the emperor of an empire but a wanted man. It was difficult to know what would happen in the future if things were difficult now.
There was no guarantee that the rebellion would succeed, so he had no intention of taking any definite action, such as getting engaged. All he wanted to do was boil a young girl to make it easier to cook.
It wasn’t because he was his child, but objectively, Gerald had a handsome face like a man. He was tall enough to be worn, so he was easy to wear and was a typical likable type.
‘It looks very similar to when I was young.’
Recalling his past when he made several women cry, the Count looked at his son with satisfaction.
Girls at that age were initially rather simple, so even if a handsome person showed them a tiny amount of kindness, they would quickly fall in love.
It was a fantastic collaboration that resulted from the Count’s prejudice against younger women, plus the misunderstanding that Ayla was Byron’s biological daughter.
“… … I understand.”
Gerald, who had been keeping his mouth shut with a stern expression just a moment ago, unexpectedly nodded and answered quickly.
‘Why are you so obedient?’
The Count thought it was really a big deal, but Gerald, who had already shown great interest in the unknown young lady, planned to do so even without his father telling him.
However, the justification of his father’s order was added.
Gerald raised the corners of his mouth slightly, remembering the pretty girl with the innocent expression he saw during the day.
* * *
“I don’t know if you enjoyed your meal.”
After a grand dinner welcoming Byron and his party, the Count, who was left alone with him, poured wine into Byron’s glass and asked.
It was a rare liquor that he had not been able to drink for several years because it was a waste, but upon hearing that Byron was a drinker, he thought it was an opportunity and opened it.
“Well, it wasn’t bad. It was the first satisfying meal I’ve had in a long time. It’s all thanks to the Count.”
Byron, who had eaten a hearty meal and was finally staying in a decent lodging, accepted the drink given by the Count with a cheerful expression on his face.
“I’m glad you’re satisfied, hehe.”
The Count flattered and smiled obsequiously as if his gallbladder had been removed. It was truly a sight to behold.
“The Count is showing such care, and I will definitely repay this favor in the future. I will keep my promise no matter what happens.”
Byron smiled darkly as he savored the fragrant wine. It really had been a long time since he felt this good.
“… … Oh, it’s about that promise.”
Although Byron seemed to be in a very good mood and even boasted that he would keep his promise, Count Senospon’s face darkened in an instant.
Just a moment ago, he was laughing like he was helpless. It was something he couldn’t figure out.
“What do you mean?”
Byron put down his glass and looked at the Count blankly. He had the feeling that something was going wrong.
“Well, it became difficult.”
The reason the Count provided supplies to Byron’s treason was, in fact, for the sake of the heir to the throne that he supported.
Since the Peles Empire descended as the loser of this continent, it was natural that the person who received the emperor’s support would have an advantage in the battle for the throne.
However, Hirum, the current emperor of the Peles Empire, has maintained an attitude of not interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries from the beginning of his reign.
It was an incredibly frustrating policy for Count Senospon, who wanted to put whoever he wanted on the throne, even if it meant borrowing the power of a foreign power.
“The Duke of Batches… … I got into a bit of an accident. I got caught playing around with the relief money… …, He is now exiled to an island.”
The Duke of Batches was the youngest son of the previous king and the half-brother of the current king.
Unlike the current king, who was born from the body of a maid, he is the late son born from the womb of the queen. He was 20 years apart from the current king, so he could almost be considered his son.
The late king was very happy when the Duke of Batches was born and wanted to put him on the throne, but the Duke passed away suddenly when he was three years old, and his eldest son, the current King, ascended the throne.
Some nobles believed that the current king, who had a mother with no roots, was unworthy, and that the Duke of Vaches was the true owner of the throne. Count Senospon was one of them.
However, the Duke of Batches was overthrown.
“Thanks to this, the forces supporting the duke have been half-disintegrated. “They are truly unscrupulous people. They spoke passionately about how they could not serve a lowly born person as king, but as if they had always done so, they stuck to the king’s side.”
Count Senospon snorted. They say they have no loyalty or guts.
“Hmm, something like that happened. The Count must be in a difficult situation.”
“… … Yes, I have a lot of worries. Since the Lord knows, I can only take it easy.”
He drooped his eyebrows and smiled hideously, pretending to be even more pitiful.
However, what came back from Byron was a response beyond imagination.
“What are you worried about? As long as I ascend to the throne of emperor, it won’t be difficult for Duke Batches to ascend to the throne. No, there would be a way for the earl, rather than the duke, to sit on the throne directly.”
“yes?”
Ascend to the throne yourself? It was a treasonable thought that he had never even imagined. The count was so shocked that the back of his neck seemed to be stiffening.
“Have you never even thought about it? The Count doesn’t distribute as much as you think.”
Byron chuckled as if the Count’s reaction was funny. He then took a sip of wine, anticipating what kind of reaction his remarks would have. It was truly fragrant and sweet.
“… … .”
The Count was lost in thought without saying a word. He drank the wine he couldn’t drink because it was too precious, but it felt like his throat was burning.
It was true that he hadn’t thought about it. However, if I thought about it carefully… ….
‘Not bad?’
No, it wasn’t that bad. It was a pretty tempting offer, and honestly, he was a bit greedy.
A faint smile appeared on his drunken face, and Byron, who was watching it, realized its meaning. His words had worked.
“… … “Do you like the place? I don’t know if there are any inconveniences.”
The Count smiled and asked with a much calmer expression.
It wasn’t a remark meant as a refusal. It was an answer to a grateful offer with even more extreme hospitality. And Byron also knew that fact very well.
“Well, I don’t know. It’s inconvenient, so… … . No, I can think of one thing.”
Byron smiled and opened his mouth as if he remembered something.
“My daughter’s room can only be locked from the inside. Could you install a new lock so that it can be locked from the outside?”
“… … Yes? In your daughter’s room?”
The Count asked with wide eyes.
Why would he want to lock his daughter in a room? As a father, this was a comment he couldn’t really understand.
Of course, every time he saw Gerald rebelling because he was quite big, he felt like he was getting upset over the child not being able to do what he wanted, but he never once thought about wanting to keep that child locked away.
“Ah, that’s right. Since we are in the same boat, I will trust my count and tell him a secret.”
At the Count’s reaction, Byron chuckled slightly and then smiled, folding his eyes prettily.
“That child is not my biological daughter. She is a hunting dog that I raise. A very useful hunting dog. Oh, the boy doesn’t know this, so he’ll have to keep it a secret.”
It was a smile so bright and beautiful that it gave him goosebumps, yet inhuman.
The Count felt fear for a moment at that sight, but soon that fear disappeared, overwhelmed by other emotions. Those were disappointment and helplessness.
‘… … ‘I messed it up for no reason.’
He was full of expectations that he might have the Princess of the Empire as his daughter-in-law, but he felt completely vain when he found out that she was not his biological daughter.
‘Well, the position of a prince of a country is better than that of an empire.’
The Count, who struggled for a moment in futility, quickly overcame it and smiled brightly, filling Byron’s empty glass with alcohol. He thought that today’s drinking party was the most meaningful event in his life.
* * *
Ayla’s life did not change much just because she came to a foreign country. Her life was no different from usual, with her being locked in her room early as the sun set and waking up at dawn to undergo hard training.
Of course, after realizing that Byron’s curse was on her body, her attitude became much more cautious.
It was only natural. If she sacrificed herself and survived, she could take revenge and atone for her parents.
Still, contrary to her complicated mind, her teacher Cloud’s attitude has softened a bit recently, and he has become much more lenient than before, making her feel much more comfortable. Just like now.
“Why don’t you take a break for a while, young lady?”
She wondered when it was brought here, Cloud said, tapping the armrest of the iron chair. Next to him were two steaming mugs, and judging from the sweet scent of chocolate, they seemed to contain cocoa.
“… … “Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”
Ayla sat on a chair and accepted the cocoa he offered.
It was quite a new experience to sit in such an exotic garden and relax while looking at the spring flowers that had just begun to bloom.
Ayla sat back comfortably in the chair and tried to enjoy her leisure time. That is until she felt her eyes peeking at her from somewhere.
This was a garden attached to an outbuilding located in the deepest part of the count’s estate, and it was a place with strict security where entry was strictly prohibited except for a few trusted users.
To sneak into a place like that and spy on them.
Cloud felt those gazes as well, and without even thinking about who would go first, he rushed into the bushes where he could sense someone’s presence, and pointed his blade at the intruder.
“Who are you?”…
