16
The Grand Duke’s regular assembly hall.
Key officials of the Grand Duchy of Luxior had gathered to discuss the severe crisis at hand—the annual trade volume had been halved.
“This is a disaster. At this rate, there’ll be serious disruptions to the administration and public order of the Grand Duchy…”
“It’s obvious that miser of a merchant diverted the supplies in advance! I wouldn't be surprised if the bandits were hired from the beginning!”
“Bandits, really? That sounds like a complete fabrication. Who would believe there are bandits roaming around in this dead of winter? What is this, the South?”
“We all suspect foul play, sure—but unless we have solid evidence, how can we summon the merchant guild head, interrogate him, and reclaim the supplies?”
With a prolonged harsh winter fast approaching, the sudden shortage of essential supplies had pushed everyone to the edge.
“Hmph. This is exactly why the Grand Duke’s seat must not remain vacant. Where is His Grace at such a critical moment?”
“Watch your words! Someone might think the Grand Prince is off vacationing, when he’s clearly on an expedition for the sake of the North.”
“That’s right. Isn’t it said that His Grace will be returning soon?”
“Let’s hope he returns quickly and reclaims control of the Grand Council. That way, those lowly traders wouldn’t dare pull such cheap tricks so brazenly.”
“Her Grace, the Grand Duchess, has dispatched knights across the region. Let’s remain calm and wait for any word.”
A heavy silence followed. No one had a real solution to offer.
At that moment, a young retainer sitting in the lowest seat cautiously opened his mouth. He had recently been promoted and was attending the council meeting for the first time.
“Uhm, this is just an idea—an emergency measure, really… but if we can't resolve this supply crisis in time, what if we made an appeal to the imperial family for aid, using the Young Lord staying in the annex as our representative?”
“…Wh-What did you just say?!”
“Ahem, ahem!”
Coughs of shock and disapproval echoed around the room. The officials nervously glanced at the head of the table where the Grand Duchess sat.
'That fool’s lost his mind. Did he really dare mention that illegitimate child in front of Her Grace?'
'He had potential… but he’ll probably be reassigned to a dead-end post soon.'
The dreadful silence that gripped the chamber was finally broken—by the Grand Duchess.
“...Today’s council meeting ends here. You may all leave.”
Sensing the Grand Duchess’s mood had hit rock bottom, the elder statesmen and vassals wasted no time obeying her command and promptly exited the room.
Only her aide, Jerome, remained.
“Jerome. What’s the status of the surveillance on the merchant guild head?”
“Regrettably, there’s been no significant progress yet, Your Grace.”
“And the knights conducting the search?”
“All available manpower has been deployed to search every possible location within the grand duchy where large volumes of supplies could be hidden. But it seems the merchant guild head has been extremely meticulous in covering his tracks, Your Grace.”
“...Use whatever means necessary. If it comes to it, take his family as hostages and secure the goods. I want this dealt with before any more unpleasant rumors start spreading.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
As Jerome retreated from the chamber, the Grand Duchess hurled her wine glass against the wall.
Smash!
“...How dare they.”
Her violet eyes shimmered with cold fury.
'That child of mine.'
Ten years ago, her husband—the former Grand Duke of the North—had brought home a small, filthy child with ash-gray hair.
Born from the womb of some nameless commoner, the child was nothing more than a disgraceful bastard. His mere existence was a stain on her honor—an abomination.
“I should have gotten rid of him from the beginning.”
And yet, the bastard child grew up to be someone who openly and proudly bore the blood of the Grand Duke's line, displaying remarkable talent.
'The Young Lord in the annex is exceptionally bright for his age.'
'As expected of the late Grand Duke’s bloodline—he shows a natural talent with the sword, just like the current Grand Prince.'
'There’s no doubt he’ll accomplish great things for the North and the grand duchy in the future…'
There had been reasons, of course, why she couldn’t eliminate him outright.
While the former Grand Duke was alive, the boy had his protection. After his death, even her own son, the current Grand Prince, showed warmth and compassion toward his half-brother. Not to mention the disapproving gazes of a few stubborn vassals still loyal to the former Grand Duke’s honor.
Because of that, the Grand Duchess had to act in secret, careful not to dirty her own hands or draw public suspicion.
She employed underhanded methods.
Cutting off supplies to the annex.
Throwing him in the dungeon to torture him with cold.
Publicly snubbing and humiliating him at formal events—
All quiet, indirect cruelties that slowly suffocated him.
Yet somehow, that bastard with the stubborn life managed to survive.
'If we can’t resolve the supply shortage in time, perhaps we could, as a temporary measure, send the Young Lord in the annex to request aid from the Imperial Family…'
Now, just ahead of the winter coming-of-age ceremony, he had become a threat to the rightful heir’s vacant position.
The Grand Duchess ground her teeth in frustration.
“That bastard must never get his hands on the Grand Duchy. No matter what it takes.”
It had been a long, grueling journey to reach this point.
She had sacrificed too much—too many things—to get here. There was no way she’d let it all unravel now.
Gazing down at her hand, where red wine—like blood—dripped down her fingers, she spoke coldly.
“The day this hand will be stained with that accursed blood... is finally drawing near.”
It was finally time to finish the task she had postponed for so long.
***
“So? Isn’t it a brilliant plan?”
I puffed up my chest proudly after sharing my idea. Even upon reflection, I thought it was a pretty solid plan.
“So, in summary, we storm the location mentioned in the letter ourselves, recover the stolen supplies, and gain official recognition for the achievement—am I right?”
I nodded at Sion’s neat summary.
“Exactly! If everything goes according to plan, it benefits both you and the North. A win-win situation!”
“Indeed, it's not a bad idea at all, young lord.”
Garen, who had been quietly listening, nodded in agreement.
“If you were to resolve such a critical matter yourself, it would surely enhance your position within the Grand Duchy.”
“Right? Besides, if we tell the Grand Duchess or the higher-ups too soon, there’s a chance Sion could be falsely accused of colluding with the merchant head. Not to mention—someone might skim off the top during the recovery.”
After all, corruption was everywhere—even here.
And from what I knew, most of the current officials in the Grand Castle were either aligned with the Grand Duchess or too scared to oppose her. Expecting such a massive operation to favor Sion was wishful thinking at best.
“So, what do you say, Sion? Us taking care of this directly is the fastest and surest way to help the North.”
Sion fell silent, lost in thought.
I decided to drive the point home.
“For the record—whether you come with me or not, I’m going. Even if I have to do it alone.”
At my words, Sion suddenly stopped and turned sharply to look at me. His previously unreadable expression had hardened noticeably.
“…What did you just say?”
I tightened the hood of my sleepwear in preparation to leave and replied confidently.
“There’s no way I’m letting this golden opportunity slip by, right? And besides, unlike last time, I won’t run out of fairy power, so there’s no problem now!”
“……”
“Anyway! Since we’re on the topic, Sion, you just stay here and wait safely! Garen and I will take care of it and be back in a flash!”
“…Me too?”
I ignored Garen’s flustered protest and zipped straight toward the glass doors on the terrace.
“We’ll be back once things are sorted out over there, so make sure to lock up—”
Thud.
Something blocked the glass door with a dull thud. It was Sion’s arm.
“…Huh?”
I looked up and saw Sion staring down at me, expressionless.
“So you really meant you were going to sneak into that place alone?”
Startled by Sion’s strange tone, I hesitated.
“Uh… Not sneak in exactly… More like fly in…”
“Stop playing word games.”
His steel-blue eyes cooled into an icy stare.
“Just yesterday, you got kidnapped without being able to do anything—by a kid barely seven years old. And now you think you’re ready for this?”
“Well, like I said, back then I was out of power and—”
I was about to make an excuse, but fell silent when I saw Sion’s cold, unamused face.
There was no doubt about it—
My favorite character was really mad right now.
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