Chapter 65

“But I think there is something more. I hear he’s moving the Golgartens and protecting Fertan’s daughter. He even issued threats that he normally wouldn’t make... Of course, we need magic for the night of blessing. That may be the reason, but I personally think Ricardis doesn’t see her just as a tool.”

Elpidio glanced at Diech where he was standing and continued.

“I like to have conversations with people of the same perspective, Diech.”

As if the situation he faced was unpleasant, Elpidio gave a noble order. Diech knelt and politely held the ashtray in both hands. At that moment, Elpidio showed a satisfied smile.

“She’s known Setistia since childhood, so it must be an old relationship. Ricardis may look like that, but he has a soft side, so maybe that woman is his...”

Elpidio laughed. His eyes gleamed like the scales of a snake.

“People tend to become weak when they have something precious. Do you know why I called you?”

“...”

“You’re friends with the Radwiell girl.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Then you are also useful.”

Diech only looked at Elpidio’s knees and hesitated. Elpidio harshly knocked his tobacco pipe into the ashtray, and it dropped to the floor. Diech lifted his head and met Elpidio’s gaze.

“I told you I liked you more than that bastard Tillend.”

3rd Prince Tillend was Elpidio’s younger brother. His personality, looks, and image were just like Elpidio’s. And his ambitions were second to none.

“You know your place.”

As Elpidio said that, he glanced up and down at Diech. The word ‘place’ brought Diech to his senses. As Elpidio sat on the sofa, crossing his legs, Diech knelt in front of him, acting as an ashtray.

“That’s why I like you, Diech. Do you understand what I said?” His voice began to sharpen.

Diech bit his lip as Rosaline’s figure came to mind. Her sleeping with a pale face in Drythorne Castle and more memories of the past came to him.

With short hair that fell to her shoulders, she smiled softly in the sunlight. Diech’s heart pounded. Suddenly, he remembered what Elpidio had said.

[People tend to become weak when they have something precious.]

Deich realized how weak he was now. He was miserable. He hadn’t forgotten why he was here, but he had become too weak.

“...Brother.”

Calyx’s secretary, Alter, laughed, saying it was ridiculous.

“His Highness, the 2nd Prince, seems more resourceful than I thought.”

It was not just a matter of Ricardis’ leadership skills that had the 1st Prince’s faction contributing to the unanimous vote in the meeting.

Calyx glanced at Alter. Alter raised his eyebrows and disclosed another piece of information he had learned.

“It seems that some bad things happened to some noble families a few days before the meeting. It is not widely known because it cannot be made public... Uh, I guess it’s because some things that aren’t quite pristine have suffered a blow [E/N: their dirty deeds have been discovered and are being used as blackmail]. They say that the families in which the unfortunate incidents occurred were, by chance, all noble families belonging to the 1st Prince’s faction. Thanks to that, they couldn’t afford to lose more strength in the meeting.”

“How coincidental.”

“It’s such a great coincidence, indeed.”

After hearing Alter’s words, Calyx pondered. It was a good result, but the process was rougher than he expected. It was different from how Ricardis had been doing things before now, back when he only passively reinforced his shields.

Calyx thought that maybe it was Rosaline who had changed the man. Even as he thought Ricardis’ steps were utterly naive, it didn’t seem like he was wrong either, so Calyx felt perplexed.

Whatever he was thinking, Ricardis ensured that his sister, who had been hanging around outside the fence, was inside his territory and protected. Thanks to that, Calyx could receive the letter with peace of mind.

Like Ricardis, Calyx had a business with him. He never expected to meet so soon, but it was a timely opportunity anyway.

Calyx tucked the letter into his pocket.

“It will be a long trip to the capital, Sister, so I will prepare.”

“Are we going together? What about Esther?”

Moved, Calyx’s eyes lit up. He was so proud of his sister’s development as she worried about their father and the land that was unfamiliar to her before.

“Viscount Radmare under the Radwiell will be in charge for the time being. Don’t worry.”

[Radmare: of Red Horse]

“Ah, Uncle Marsh.”

Rosaline nodded her head in understanding. Calyx looked at her with a strange expression on his face. ‘Have I ever told you about Viscount Radmare?’ But Macaron’s flight out the window quickly diverted his attention.

“I’ll ask Drythorne to make the preparations quick.”

“Okay,” Rosaline smiled brightly. “Then what do you want me to do?”

Calyx gestured with his chin to the book he held in his hand, and Rosaline’s mood instantly dampened.