CH 267

Count Serdian, who had been picking his words for some time, slowly opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

‘Tell Princess Ariel.'

‘!'

‘Tell her that if she's willing to give away all the tributes she has taken so far… I'll let it slide this time. Instead, if this happens again, we will do it according to the rules.

"Of… Of course! Thank you. Count Serdian. Thank you. Really. Sob.'

He shouldn't have made such a choice, swayed by the emotions of the moment.

He had no choice but to blame his own ignorance for being naive enough to think that the matter would come to an end.

‘Count, Princess Ariel has asked for a private meeting.'

‘A private meeting?'

Count Serdian, who was fixing his tie, turned his gaze to Baron Charne.

‘Yes. She said she has something important to tell you…'

‘It's an important day as I have to bring the tribute to Queen Estella. Tell her I'll go to her residence after meeting the Queen.'

‘That… She said she will return the items you mentioned the other day.'

‘…'

Count Serdian let out a ‘Hmm.' as he scratched his neck, hesitating to answer.

When it came to importance, it was difficult to determine which was more or less important.

With one hand on his chin, Count Serdian, who was organizing his thoughts, slowly opened his mouth.

‘How much time left until the meeting with Queen Estella?'

‘You have about three hours to spare.'

‘Arthur, you. You didn't forget your promise to me, did you?

"O…f course! I won't do that again.'

‘There is still time, so I'll meet the Princess first. You'll be at ease if we get this over with.'

‘…'

The Baron couldn't say anything at Count Serdian's gentle voice, and his eyes filled with tears.

Even then, he couldn't even imagine it.

That he would be horribly abandoned and betrayed.

‘The conversation can get long, so you should go to the place where the Queen is staying first.

"B… But how can I, the Queen…'

The Count smiled nicely at the stuttering Baron Charne and nodded as if it was alright.

Screech.

A carriage that looked old at a glance stopped in front of the large mansion that showed off its splendor even from a distance.

Even though they were in the same space, it was clearly different from the outer walls surrounding the mansion, creating a strange sense of alienation.

From the rusty carriage to the modest clothing, Count Serdian's usual frugal character could be seen.

‘Are you Count Jaden Serdian?'

One of the servants that had come out in advance approached Count Serdian and spoke to him.

Due to the severe weather, the young-looking boy's cheeks, as well as the tip of his nose, were red.

‘Yes. That is correct.'

‘Princess Ariel is waiting for you. Please come inside. The weather is pretty cold.'

Count Serdian nodded and stepped inside the mansion.

The large fireplace at the entrance of the mansion was swallowing dry firewood and emitting a hot fire.

The well-organized interior was filled with warmth, so his frozen body seemed to warm up.

‘The Princess is in the living room.'

With a cheerful knock, the firmly closed door opened.

‘Welcome. I am Ariel Clermant.'

At the same time, Ariel greeted Count Serdian with a bright smile.

‘I greet the Princess of the Libert Kingdom. I am Jaden Serdian, treasurer of the Stellen Kingdom.'

‘Please sit here. Lilane, bring us hot tea and a pie.'

‘Ah, it's fine. I can't stay long because I have a schedule after this.'

‘Is that so?'

Ariel tilted her head and lifted one corner of her mouth.

At that appearance, which was different from what he first saw, Count Serdian swallowed dry.

‘I heard that you have something to tell me.'

‘Oh, right! I do. I called you because I have something to tell you.'

‘Please, go ahead.'

‘Count Serdian really is simple and honest, as I have heard.'

‘…'

Ariel lifted the teacup in front of her and took it to her mouth.

As if noticing something strange, Count Serdian's gaze turned sharp as he looked at Ariel.

‘What is it that you want to tell me? I came so you could return the tributes you have been taking.'

‘Hohoho. Our Count is so naive.'

‘Please, enough with the jokes. My goodwill towards the Princess will end here.'

‘Count Serdian, threatening… is about looking at your opponent. Marquis Charne must be meeting Queen Estella by now.'

‘…'

Ariel smiled and pointed at the clock's hands.

Count Serdian pursed his lips silently and waited for Ariel's next words.

‘As of today, Jaden Serdian's reputation as an honest and dignified man will be shattered.'

‘What does that mean…?'

‘If you go home now, you should pack your stuff first. You'll have to flee to somewhere very far.'

‘…'

‘One of the tributes to be given to Queen Estella will be somewhere in the Count's house.'

And a very precious item, too.

Ariel smiled beautifully and crumpled the tip of her nose.

At her words, the Count's blue eyes shook quickly.

‘Unfortunately… there won't be enough time to find the tribute that Count Serdian stole.'

‘I never did such a thing.'

‘Yes. Of course you didn't. The noble and sincere Count Serdian would never do something like that. But what do we do? There will be evidence to support it.'

‘It will be over if I prove it to be fabricated. This is very unpleasant. I'll get up now.'