78 [78]

"I see."

"You're so calm, too."

"Now I'm young and don't know anything, so I just listen to advice."

"Yes, I hate him.”

Raymond turned his eyes to the sudden declaration of disapproval and answered.

"…yes."

Raymond himself is on the Verdick side anyway. Regardless of what Raymond would think of Verdick. Raymond's short answer makes the Marquis laugh like he's having fun.

"That doesn't mean you don't like it, so you don't have to be sensitive. I don't like it when a merchant dares to snoop around the hall. It's a bug that deliberately leads to conflict and sucks blood."

"That's a harsh assessment. I'm even more curious why you called me."

"I want to give you a better choice. I'm sorry for the tragedy that happened to Baron Sayertes."

"Do you have any connection with my brother?"

"A little."

"I've never heard of it."

The latter laid down his glass and moved his hand. The music rang louder.

"It's not really meant to be. The important thing is that I don't like Verdick Evans very much. That's all."

"I see."

"You're careful to the end. That attitude seems to hate making enemies, but it's hard to make friends. You'd better think carefully about my suggestion.”

And the Marquis beckoned another student.

The conversation with Raymond was over.

Raymond then received a bottle of wine that his servant had given him on his way back. And there was a lot of information about Verdick Evans in the wine bottle.

***

"Long time no see, Mr. Raymond."

“…….”

Who was it? Raymond didn't know who the woman was until he thought about it for a while. Oh, yeah. My fiancee. Three times in five years, the daughter of Verdick Evans.

"Lamond didn't come, so my father asked me to pick him up.”

A woman almost buried in her colorful clothes raised her head in an arrogant manner, but to Raymond, the tall man, it was nothing more than a child' And it didn't even catch Raymond's eye. Because of what he saw.

The letter the Marquis of Pancair handed over to him.

"…I see. I wouldn't have had to do that.”

"Why are you late?"

Because your father is a villain.

But Raymond couldn't speak.

After that, Raymond's daily life did not change much. It's changed a little. He became more sincere. There was no time to waste. That's not what anger was about Verdick. It wasn't the kind of anger that stabbed Verdick and shot him.

"My father will help you to the fullest."

Raymond knew.

"So don't do this again."

If he stays calm, Verdick will put the finest hay in his mouth no matter what the start is. And it can be seen from the pace of development of the territory every year that he makes his efforts as a new owner and a real owner of the Seyerthes family.

There were mines and factories in the meadow, and railways were built and the population increased. It would be Raymond's again if I married Isela. Perhaps you'd better put aside your revenge and get what you can from Verdick.

"But I don't want to live like that."

I didn't want to live while being raised by Berdick. Raymond knew well that if he lost his bearings in anger, he would get nothing. Raymond still had a lot to lose, and so did Verdick. They needed more than a fistfight.

Raymond wanted the fall of the whole Evans family.

And it was quite helpful for the Marquis of Pancake.

"No, no. Don't pick yet. You shouldn't give the impression of calculating human relationships. It's a bit silly, but it has to look honest.”

"Doesn't it look shallow?"

Raymond, who wielded his fist and grades among the feisty boys, didn't understand his advice a little. But the latter shook his head.

"It's okay because you're still young. It's a completely different matter to not look funny and to bluffing. It's natural that a young man is foolish. Never bluff yourself. I can see everything even if I'm a little sensible. That's a drop in value."

"Okay."

"You shouldn't look so servile. Once you look servile, it's over. Good posture and appearance.”

"Thank you."

Raymond found the fact a little funny. If his looks weren't good enough, Verdick wouldn't have wanted to buy him. There were a lot of conditions, but he was trying to put a nice stallion on his daughter. What would have happened to them if it was them, not their older brother, who fell ill?

Mate

"I'm sorry."

"Speaking half a beat slow. He's a little fast."

"Yes."

It's a little like a lady's class, debuting in society. Raymond seemed a little strangled. It may not be so different. But this wasn't that difficult. Raymond also felt a small sense of accomplishment in shaping his attitude through etiquette.

"And don't miss the senior secretary. Ask like you're interested in studying, not in Verdick's business. The Duke of Dalton is intellectually vain, so if a young man like you asks, he'll talk in a stream. And people like to think that they are generous."

Does the Marquis also feel satisfied with giving Raymond? But Raymond couldn't ask that. The Marquis asked when he saw Raymond looking sideways.

"Why do you think I like you?”

Raymond was curious about that. Does the Marquis want to destroy Verdick through himself? But why is it so bothersome and how to go back? Is it worth it? Valuation as a stallion? But he doesn't have a daughter. Raymond gave up his thought. It's not time to measure, it's time to take.

"…I don't know. But I don't want to let you down."

"You're a good student."

Raymond's answer made the Marquis laugh and hit him on the shoulder.

"I'll tell you the important thing. You have to keep your cause. That would be your biggest weapon."

Raymond didn't know that pigeons were still used so much in the era of telegrams. Invitations and letters of recommendation came and went to avoid Berdick's eyes. Raymond began to find a way to avoid relying on Berdick.

"People are still excited about the values of the old days. There are more members of the House of Representatives, and Verdick's wealth is greater than any other count. But why would he want to be a nobleman?”

I think it's because most of the rich are still aristocrats.

"If I get the money, then I want to get honor and history.”

"I don't know, Marquis. Honor is not earned because you want it."

The latter shook his head.

"No, honor is made, Raymond. You know how many people, so-called righteous people who saved and developed the country, just fall without a name. No one remembers who invented the scissors."

"You can't create something out of nothing."

"Yeah, so Verdick bought you for fame.”

"I have no honor."

Raymond knew himself. All you have now is grades that are only available in school. And it was the appearance. His family has fallen and he owes Berdick a fortune.

"You're insulting your ancestors now. All the nobles' first owners have been granted lands through great efforts, so how glorious and historical is it? All Evans has is notoriety."

"I made a slip of the tongue."

"It's not good to apologize too often."

"Yes."

"No, just keep quiet. When you need it... it's appropriate to apologize at the end. Oh no. I can't believe I have to teach you this. No, don't apologize. Later."

Raymond shut his mouth. The duke pointed to the portraits behind his room.

"Berdick Evans wants to have history. Yes, to put it simply, honor is not just a trinket. What he wants is power. It's a stable foundation. You know the Evans are from a country beyond the White Mountains."

"Yes."

"So their foundations are cash, gold, and jewelry. Those things are nothing compared to the ground. The foundation comes from the ground, from the law. So I had to get her married."

"Why didn't you do it yourself?”

Based on Berdick Evans' move, he could have become a senior to Zion. But he married the daughter of another merchant and saw her child. The latter told me in a word.

"Berdick Evans had less than a tenth of his fortune when he was young. You don't have a jaw."

"I see."

"And no matter how much influence the Seyertes have lost, it is ridiculous that the Baron family and the Outlander are getting married. You're so arrogant. Even now, during the civil war, foreign aristocrats continue to come in... How dare you... just a merchant."

The Marquis glared at the floor. He seemed genuinely offended.

"The weapons industry is where he's been making a lot of money lately as a stranger."

The Marquis was also making money through the arms industry and defense. Raymond felt a little ashamed. Because he was still only a student. He doesn't know how Verdick is trying to make money and gain power. It wasn't even thought Berdyk would share it.

"Berdick Evans doesn't trust me."

"That doesn't matter.”

The Marquis touched the pen.

"He put you in the army, I don't know. I'm not sure. I would have put you in the Senate. It's okay to learn law. Anyway, if he sent you to a military school, he wouldn't waste it. Do your best in there. I have no choice but to leave it up to you.”

"Yes."

"You said before that you would follow whatever I say?”

"Yes."

"Be the ideal article. I mean, a hero enough to go crazy when children see him. To the point where people are cheering at you."

The eyes of the Marquis of Pancair were strangely sparkling. Raymond thought later that he was joking, but his face was serious.

"You just live in honor. It's the hardest thing, but it won't be that difficult for you."

And take good care of your face. Raymond couldn't even say a passing remark. But it wasn't that difficult. Raymond was lucky, and he was born with good looks.

Whatever the Marquis thinks, whether he wants to take Verdick's fortune through Raymond, maybe he needs another Sioux, or a kind of flower-planting game. Raymond didn't know but it didn't matter.

Raymond was charged with a cause, but it wasn't that difficult. As the Marquis said.

If you live as you are, you will be given a medal. Raymond was hated by several dignitaries, jealous of some of his peers, but received more cheers than that.

Then Raymond won the title of the knight three years later, and saw the crown prince come looking for him with shining eyes.

"Are you Lord Raymond Sayertes? I've heard a lot about you from the Marquis of Pancaire.”

Raymond saw the face of Prince Louis. Then there stood the Marquis of Pancair.

the highest honor

royal envy