Chapter 10

In the stead of coming forward to explain the situation as a man and beg for permission to indulge in a relationship with our Estiya, you sit blatantly, audaciously entering the house of the woman you love.

Leaving everything to Estiya!

An irresponsible child.

The fork positioned in Ether’s hand warped. She flicked the useless object elsewhere and instead picked up a knife. It was a simple tablewear as any other, however, this was classified a murder weapon when yeilded by Cartina.

“Don’t bother him again.”

Estiya spoke straightforwardly. The hand which Ether held the knife somewhat lost its grip.

“The bombing wasn’t something we did.”

Kaylan hurriedly added those words, afraid he might earn hatred from Estiya.

“Of course, brother couldn’t have done it.”

He isn’t a bomb expert.

The Erhardt mansion was blown up. It was approximating a declaration of war. Cartina did not fuss or react in any surprised manner when they learned Erhardt’s troops had marched to the residence. This was obviously wrong.

No matter how much they disliked Erhardt, a war shouldn’t accumulate without justification. This is Erhardt and Cartina we’re talking about, both mentioned in the founding myth.

So the culprit was, of course, either Stefan or Hela.

A person who could bear the weight even if the complication spread towards the direction of a family-to-family conflict.

“Ah, Estiya. Come to think of it, this was found in my residence. It seemed like Cartina’s belongings, so I kept it preciously in order to return it to you.”

Rodrigo reached out to Günter for the object. The box was very luxurious, as if it were true the item was taken care of preciously. Glittering jewels adorned all over.

Rodrigo held out the box to Estiya. Her expression hardened the moment she witnessed the contents.

Inside was a knife consisting of many saw teeth. It seemed to be Kaylan’s. A dagger held a standard of four sawteeth. However, Kaylan’s daggers consisted of sixteen thin, sharp edges. Instead of the item being difficult to aim, his was both swift and deadly.

I couldn’t help but sigh. I’ve now learned of Rodrigo’s troubles over the past week. And the reason he visited today. If you’re going to do it, do it right. A contract is a contract.

I didn’t wish to do this, but I was left with no other choice. I didn’t expect my family to be so uncooperative. I lowered my head, biting my lower lip tightly. Tears formed around my eyes, thanks to the wound which caused blood to form from my lips. I raised my head and swiftly became a tragic heroine.

“Please don’t bother Rodrigo. If you make him uncomfortable… I’ll be very sad.”

If you harass Rodrigo, the threat of myself commiting suicide would work best, but it also might cause a counterproductive effect. Proper force was needed when pulling and pushing.

I buried my face in Rodrigo’s chest, producing the sound of myself trying to hold back tears. I could feel his muscles trembling finely.

You must be holding back your laughter. Please let them know I will be protecting Rodrigo with all my might.

Rodrigo matched my rhythm as he kissed the top of my head. I could hear the faces of the Cartinas breaking into pieces.

“What do we do now? Estiya cried. Tears dripped from Estiya’s eyes!”

One drop of Estiya’s tears acted as a powerful force. After tea time cancelled, Hela and Stefan locked themselves in the bedroom without speaking a word. After a short while, Cartina’s doctor Othel paid a visit. Kaylan, Ether, and Eyla gathered separately.

“Our Estiya’s eyes filled with pearl-like tears!”

Kaylan couldn’t keep his agitation from excluding and fiercely clenched his fists. In fact, Estiya did not shed tears. She didn’t act well enough for herself to burst into tears. The highest she had done was produce a drop in the corner of her eyes.

However, it certainly didn’t seem that way to Kaylan, Ether and Eyla. Estiya shed tears, cried profusely, and was thoroughly heartbroken.

“This was all because of him! I’ll make sure to remove him by all means!”

It was all because of Rodrigo that their Estiya was unwell. While Eyla proceeded to grip the sword in her hand, Ether prevented her from continuing her menacing thoughts.

“Let’s not act in any way that would make Estiya despaired. As Estiya made it clear, we can’t torment that shameless fellow.”

It had been a while since Rodrigo’s name had long disappeared in their conversation.

“Then, what should we do?”

Kaylan, Ether and Eyla shut their lips as they wore serious expressions. Their bodies spewed with life force.

“I’ve been mulling over it. There’s a reason why our Estiya easily fell for that little motherf*cker.”

“What is that?”

Kaylan opened his mouth as he wore a grave impression.

“The reason is that Estiya isn’t immune to men.”

Kaylan, prepared to hear complaints, felt slightly flustered when both Ether and Eyla listened intently. On the other hand, they thought his hypothesis was quite reasonable.

Estiya was the treasure of Cartina. Unlike her twin sisters, who had flirted with men to perfect their seduction skills since an early age, Estiya was raised thoroughly inside the Cartina mansion. Unless they were her direct servants, it was forbidden for one to speak with Estiya. Above all, Estiya had no such thing as a male attendant. They worried a mishap might occur due to her beautiful appearance.

Eventually, Estiya had never seen a man properly except for the Cartina family, the old butler, and her private soldiers, which wouldn’t dare make eye contact with her.

“Yes, because our Estiya is naive.”

“Honestly, that bearish bastard, to have such a fair face.”

Ether and Eyla seemed to have agreed with Kaylan’s thoughts.

Yes, it was because their Estiya is naive. Because she is naive.

“So, what do you think?”

“Estiya also needs to meet others. A person who sees trash for the first time wouldn’t know it was trash.”

“So, we should introduce Estiya to a man?”

Eyla’s voice broke off. She felt like they were choosing the miniature of worst in order to avoid the worst.

She only wanted to do good things for Estiya…

“No, let’s make it clear to her what trash is. Then she will realize that what is next to her is also trash.”

Anyhow, every man was trash in Estiya’s eyes except for her brother and father.

Kaylan muttered grimly.

“Do you have someone in mind? You have a plan, don’t you?”

Eyla asked. In fact, there wasn’t any plan. The Cartinas were people who believed that ‘no plan was the best plan’. Whenever an incident occured, they were capable of handling the consequences without any such thing as a plan. As Kaylan dawdled, Ether, who had been listening silently till now, rose from her seat.

“A person who wouldn’t bear staying behind the scenes.”

“Well?”

“At least, he is more powerful than the Grand Duke.”

Kaylan stroked his chin as he selected the probable candidates. If they had to be of higher status than the Grand Duke’s family…

“Are you talking about the Crown Prince, that son of a b*tch?”

Kaylan shouted. Calling the Crown Prince the son of a b*tch, it couldn’t happen unless they were Cartina.

“Detheus, that loser?”

Eyla shook her head first.

Detheus Royal Palemon.

The Crown Prince of the Palemon Empire and the next Emperor, called the Prince of Light by the people of the Empire.

“Do you know what a scumbag guy he is?”

“I know. And how easy he is to fall in love. And how his interest disappears quickly. He is the best candidate trash who emits the most smell.”

Ether’s plan accumulated to be this.

Introduce Estiya to Detheus. With the one hundred percent possibility Detheus will have a crush on Estiya.

Estiya is that pretty and charming. In fact, was there anyone in the Empire who wouldn’t fall in love with Estiya?

Ether effortlessly convinced herself there was absolutely no chance. Detheus will do anything to seduce Estiya once he falls in love with her at first glance. Estiya would then realize men like Rodrigo seduce and play women using their loose and swift tongue.

What if Estiya falls for Detheus?

They would inform her of Detheus’s past with women. Even a saint would run away crying after hearing of his terrible history.

“Rodrigo is… He’s clean in that way.”

It was too bad.

Ether muttered so to herself, then asked what the two thought of her plan. Kaylan and Eyla unwillingly agreed. Because there was no other way. They concluded their decisions carefully. The work was carried out at a pace faster than light, just as expected from Cartina.

“Cartina?”

Detheus lifted his eyebrows as he gently caressed the side of the sleeping woman, her back exposed from a side of the bed.

“Yes, Your Royal Highness. There was a request for a visit from Lord Kaylan of Cartina.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

The servant only lowered his eyes, unable to find the answer to his question.

“When I asked for him to meet me, I was only rejected. Why does he come to the Crown Prince’s palace on his own?”

Detheus’s question was not specifically directed at the servant, yet a cold sweat still managed to form on his forehead.

“When did he say the meeting would take place?”

Only then was the servant pleased to hear questions he could answer. He opened his mouth.

“This afternoon, Your Highness.”

Detheus jumped from bed as soon as he heard the timing of the sudden meeting. The silk blanket slid down his sturdy naked body. His movement was so great that the woman who was fast asleep abruptly flipped. Detheus frowned as he glanced at the small back.

He raised his big hand and struck the woman in the back. The clash was so harsh, it caused the attendant to tremble like a leaf.

“Ugh.”

The woman screamed as she fell from the edge of the bed.

“Get out of here.”

Embarrassment spread through the woman’s eyes. However, she had no time to hesitate. This was because Detheus raised his hand again.

“A precious guest will arrive soon. You will have to prepare properly.”

After his words left, the servants immediately turned busy. Detheus slowly crossed the room to the window in his naked state.

“Cartina is coming…”

He fiddled with his chin. A pleasant smile hung around his mouth. Detheus repeatedly clenched his hands.

He wanted Cartina under his possession. The desire hidden in the depths of his chest caused him to lift his head.

Cartina only obeyed the orders of the Emperor. They never listened to anyone other than him. The same was true even for the Crown Prince. Because there was no guarantee the Crown Prince would become emperor while amidst the active Imperial family.

But on the contrary, if they chose him, it would be likely for him to become Emperor. Detheus had two younger siblings. One younger sister and brother. The younger brother needed to be constantly kept in check, even if he had no right to succeed the throne.

So he strived to have Cartina since early on, only in vain.

It was difficult for him to meet Stefan, while Kaylan hadn’t given him one chance.

For him to come with his own feet.

Detheus intended to comply with whatever they asked.