Chapter 11

I Came to See You (2)

Translated by alyalia

“About Duke Jalier’s successor, I heard that the second son will take over the successor position.”

“Isn’t the successor position going to the eldest son?”

“The vassal of Duke Jalier that I know says like that. The tradition of that family is to select the successor from the will of the head of the house. Still, people mistake it as the custom because the eldest son inherited it for several generations.”

“Then why did you come here and tell the story? Hoo, how bad is it for the eldest son to get his position being taken over by his younger brother…”

In a family where the eldest son usually becomes the successor, it was unusual for the second son to take over the title. This was a topic that was being talked about frequently by people.

“Have you all heard the rumors? The second son of Duke Jalier will take over the title… It was given by the will of the Duke before his funeral. But the reason behind the Duke’s death-!”

“Oh my! That’s crazy! It must be because of the eldest son.”

“I’m talking about this because it’s only us here right now… Honestly, it’s uncommon, right? I mean, for the Duke family fighting over the successor position.”

The rumors grew even more when his younger brother, who had inherited the title of Duke, died suddenly one day. On the day of his younger brother’s death, Aloken avoided the charges immediately because he was on vacation far away, but the public remained suspicious.

“Aloken Jalier killed his younger brother and took the Duke title!”

Therefore, it was not long before this rumor spread among the nobles.

“Vanora Celcius… As if it was not enough to provoke me, now you’re spreading such absurd delusions. I will send an official complaint letter to the Count soon.”

In any case, I highly appreciated the calm response he was showing. However, it was cumbersome as he kept being defensive about it, so I gradually came up with decisive information.

“If Lord is going to protect your successor position, at least hear this one last time and keep it on your mind.”

“You’re brave to say something like that.”

“I can help Lord become a Duke in the future.”

At my words, Aloken still had his unshaken, cold eyes.  But it didn’t take long for his mouth to open again.

“How far do you go with nonsense…”

“I know what your father, Duke Jalier, is suffering from.”

“…”

Even the servant, who kept a blank expression from behind Aloken, flinched at these words.

“If Lord could extend your father’s lifespan even for a day, would you do that?”

“…”

“If Lord can solidify your successor position, will you join hands with me?”

They finally confirmed that those words coming out from me were true. I could tell just by looking at those eyes that had just changed from a little while ago.

“I’m curious how you found out about that… I’m really curious!”

“When I overheard the succession issue, I saw that Duke Jalier was ill. For the rest, I just need to roll my head.”

“…”

“Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely want to help the Duke Jalier become healthy.”

His attitude changed rapidly. He had ignored me until now, but now Aloken was interested in the conversation.

‘As expected…’

I was sure he would take the bait of extending his father’s life. That’s because I had met him when he was already an adult, and Aloken Jalier at that time clearly told it.

“Did the ladies from the central region also believe that I’m the cruel Duke who killed my younger brother?”

“It’s sad to be misunderstood by even innocent ladies. Actually, it wasn’t my younger brother who was deprived of the title, it was me.”

“Do you want to know how it became like this? The old will couldn’t be modified because the previous Duke died suddenly of illness. Before he collapsed, we had finished all discussions that he would give me the Duke’s title.”

“If they know the truth, wouldn’t the young ladies even wonder if my younger brother killed the previous Duke? If only I had time, even if it had only been a month, I wouldn’t have had a scandal like this.”

I remembered for a moment the person I had met in the past and then focused on the present situation.

“…If you’ve dug this far, it’s meaningless to deny it anymore. However, I’m still perplexed to hear those words out of the blue from the young lady, who I didn’t even know before.”

“I know the medicine to treat the symptoms that the Duke is suffering from.”

“What’s the source of the medicine?”

“I can’t tell Lord everything.”

In response to her answer, Aloken looked troubled while he swept down his black hair.

“How can I trust you without you telling me anything?”

Of course, my method lacked persuasion.

‘However, it’s a bit difficult to reveal how I know this information in detail.’

I have been making this man mad with me so far, and now it’s time to take a breather.  

“Is it not enough with me guessing your father’s illness?”

“…”

“Okay, it’s not enough. But I have a situation too. I can’t reveal this before I think Lord is on my side.”

However, the man named Aloken didn’t seem to intend to pass on this vague excuse. I, who saw it, continued my words.

“It was just because I know all of this.”

“…”

“I know how to do astrology.”

“…”

I bring out the science of looking at the stars in the sky and predicting the future. My face was calm when I said that. As I boldly said, “Please move on from the source of information,” Aloken reacted unexpectedly after a brief silence.

“Astrology.”

It was a small recitation, then he was staring at me.

‘Is he being dumbfounded?’

Whether he couldn’t take my lie seriously or not, I didn’t really care and continued the conversation.

“But I can really extend Duke Jalier’s life. I will prove it and…”

“You need a price to do that.”

Aloken seemed to like what I had just said more than all the conversations so far. His face, which had been stiff all the time, has loosened up a bit.

“Yes. I dare to ask for a deal.”

“It’s much easier to understand a person who wants something than a person willing to give something. Good. So what price do you want?”

I thought positively about the reaction from Aloken and eventually put an end to this conversation.

“Please be engaged with me.”

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“…”

“…”

Upon hearing this, the man named Aloken pondered for a long time and then answered.

“I have done many activities here since I was young, so it was natural for me to hear various rumors about the children of nobles in the capital.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m not a human being swept away by rumors, but I thought it wouldn’t be true about the rumors that the eldest daughter of Celcius was sick until now.”

“Yes.”

“But as I reflect on what Lady said to me, my old belief is about to be shaken.”

To put it simply, he was asking, ‘Are you really a sick personsick person?’. 

Aloken continued as if this was not the only problem.

“In addition, I’ve already picked someone to engage with.”

“Do you love that person?”

“No way. There are just a few families that will help me.”

‘Ah, if that’s the reason, there’s nothing more to be embarrassed about.’

I made it clear what I wanted.

“I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to sign a contract called engagement for a while. Two years, maybe three years at the most.”

Aloken chose a rather rude sentence and refuted it as I spoke quietly without avoiding his gaze.  

“You said you wanted me engaged with you for two years?”

“Don’t say it rudely like that.”

“Is there any benefit for Vanora Celcius other than my reputation being tarnished? What are you making time for?”

Due to various circumstances, this was not immediately answered, but I briefly summarized the situation.

“Right now, there’s someone I’m engaged with. I hate that person. But my family doesn’t seem to want to break up the engagement…”

“So you want to break your engagement?”

“With the name of Lord, my parents will change their attitude like flipping the palm of their hand. And two years is enough time for Lord to find a new fiancée.”

Of course, only half of my words were true. It was true that I intended to break up the engagement with Naverius using his power. Still, the reason it took two years or more was different.

‘I need time to plan my revenge.’

For some reason, the current Countess Celcius is eager to marry me with someone.

‘I have to deceive Hanar.’

The Countess wouldn’t stop trying to get me married, even if I broke the engagement right away. I needed an immediate engagement to get away from my family’s attention.

“But you never know what you will feel when you’re close to the man… It’s difficult if you have a crush on me.”

I responded to his words with a straight, expressionless expression.

“That won’t happen.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because I know that love only ruins my life.”

This is what I really feel. For me, affection between people is a concept that exists only in books, and at the same time, it is disgusting.

If my mother didn’t love Count Celcius and treated him more formally, if my father swore a hundred years not to betray his family, if only Naverius… had ever loved me, everything might be different.

I had never been truly loved. I even ended my life because of the concept of love, so why would I yearn for love again?

Upon hearing this, Aloken smiled sincerely for the first time.

“This matches my values.”

“…”

“Strangely, you match with me well.”

‘Does this mean that he accepts my offer?’

Subsequently, Aloken said.

“Hmm, it’s a deal… However, I will apply for the engagement after the Duke shows signs of improvement.”

“Yes.”

“Can you prove your ability right now?”

At those words, I thought for a moment.

‘If I want to break the engagement, the faster I move, the better.’

The marriage with Naverius didn’t come out of my mouth in this life. However, it will soon be carried out rapidly by parents of both families.

‘If I let go of this, the situation will only worsen, so let’s strike first.’

After I decided, I threw in a piece of information Aloken would have wanted.

“I’ll teach you how to relieve the Duke’s illness.”

“I’m listening.”

“Right now, stop the Duke from eating all the fruit he has been eating.”

“…”

“And soak his cloth in tea mint oil and make him inhale it little by little. He will immediately get better.”

Upon hearing this, Aloken opened his mouth.

“What if I did as you said and then his illness got worse?”

“…”

“So, if something goes wrong with the Duke, which only exist two in this Kingdom, what is your responsibility?”

I could see that his words had weight.

‘When did the Duke fall? First of all, Duke Jalier himself is not on the guestlist for today’s wedding.’

I couldn’t go to the beginning where I had worked hard so far. I fell into contemplation for a moment.

‘If the Duke collapsed without modifying the will, Aloken will try no matter what I say.’

It was when I turned 17 that the Duke’s illness and its treatment were revealed to the world. So at this point, I can’t give a detailed answer to Duke’s disease and its treatment. Eventually, I got my guts to play.

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“If Lord did as I told, but the condition of Duke Jalier deteriorated-”

“Then what?”

“Tear my limbs until I die.”