Chapter 264: [Side Story] Yuriel Wayne Dayna Louerg - Linnaea borealis (2)Night, the time when most would go to rest.
He's at it again...
Yuriel looked at Ferzen's displeased expression.
He did a good job of hiding it, but Yuriel was someone raised to become his woman, so she could notice his foul mood.
She could easily guess that this was because of the letter he received.
"Grandfather is coming up to Louerg, isn’t he...?"
Ferzen, who had been stroking Yuriel's belly, stiffened as she voiced her guess.
"......You're sharp as always, Yuriel."
"Of course...I've been raised to be with you, how could I fail to notice your mood?"
The Elder of the Alfred Family, the Old Snake. Someone whom Ferzen had a pathological dislike for.
But his existence itself was not something that would hold Ferzen's attention for this long.
What made Ferzen uncomfortable was not Corleone's existence itself, but...
The contract he signed to marry Yuriel.
Should Yuriel give birth to a boy, the child would be sent to the Alfred Family.
That's what concerned Ferzen.
"I..."
"Yuriel, do not insult me by saying you're okay with that."
Carlea, his daughter.
As he spent time with her, Ferzen realized the tremendous affection a father could hold for his children.
"Hmm... Honestly, if I say I'm okay with it, it would be a lie. But if you act out of concern for my such feelings, Grandfather will not back down quietly."
A conflict between Alfred and Louerg would cause a commotion between the North and the Center.
At the same time, there was a huge chance that Brutein would join in.
Considering Alfred's and Brutein's fame in the Empire, this conflict could escalate into a full-blown civil war.
The Imperial Family's power had weakened greatly due to this war, since this conflict happened during a time when the Imperial Family was trying to reduce the Noble's influence, leading to a centralization of power.
Because of this, the current Empire doesn't have the strength to endure a clash between Brutein and Alfred.
No, the empire may be able to endure, but the imperial family will no longer be able to.
Moreover, it's undeniable that Ferzen himself was one of the causes of the war with Elmark.
"Even if you don't say it, I know what you're feeling Yuriel. I...Feel sorry for you. Because you won't be able to enjoy the happiness of being a mother, and even if you give me a daughter, it will only delay the inevitable."
"If I hadn't agreed to that contract, I wouldn't be by your side. The child in my womb wouldn't exist as well. I'm not trying to rationalize this, but it's something we cannot change."
If Ferzen truly wanted to,
He could do something.
However, the Brutein blood cursing through his veins recoiled at the mere thought of putting the Imperial Family in danger just for his selfishness.
It was a conflict between Ferzen Von Schweig Brutein and Ferzen Von Schweig Loeurg.
Yuriel understood this, that's why she offered her words as consolation.
Realistically speaking, now that he awakened his memories as Berthem Elqua Erue, he could stomp down the personality imprint that his Brutein blood carried......
But his bloodline, his identity as Ferzen, was the only anchor that gave Ferzen's self a minimum of humanity until he saw the epilogue as a villain.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was the other side of the scale that balanced 'Ferzen', as his OCD had been cured.
During his brief time as Berthem, if he judged that 'Ferzen' self would be something harmful to his existence not as a God, but as a human, then it would have disappeared just like his OCD when he embraced Lizzy.
"Fufu...Now...Don't be like that, that frown doesn't suit you."
"......"
"When you frown, you look scarier than ever, Honey~"
Ferzen smiled a bit when Yuriel flirted with him, using a rare term of endearment.
Soon, Yuriel got closer to him, and a deep peachy fragrance emanated from her.
It wasn't the milky smell that clang to Euphemia.
Meeting his eyes, Yuriel shyly whispered,
"...Do you want to touch my breasts?"
Although Ferzen thought the way Yuriel was comforting and soothing him was quite one-dimensional, the peach scent that was gradually captivating him soon drew his large hand upward.
And then his hand slipped inside the collar of Yuriel's clothes, gently fondling.
If before Yuriel's bosom was already too large to be properly held in one hand...
Her larger size seemed to captivate Ferzen.
Fondle-.
As Ferzen continued to caress her breasts, Yuriel let out a faint moan as she slipped her hand inside Ferzen's pants.
"Fufu..."
"Pray to tell, Yuriel, what's so funny?"
When he raised his hand and lightly tasted it, he felt a faint sweetness different from Euphemia's.
Was this an illusion he felt because of her body scent that had changed with the perfume?
Thinking it didn't matter either way, Ferzen lightly bit her earlobe, finding her admirable for becoming a mother to his child even in the midst of this.
Yuriel Wayne Dayna Louerg.
......The woman who would forever be his summer.
No matter the time,
Nor the season they were in.
*****"Hoo..."
September 14th.
As Summer ended, a cold chill permeated Louerg.
Gazing at this scene from his carriage, Corleone hummed.
Pillars firmly blocked the chilly wind.
Several carriages were lined up in the main gate leading to Loeurg.
Was this the same backwater territory from the past?
"As expected. Their breed is simply different."
Had it been anyone else, shouldn't they have failed in their efforts to revitalize this land?
But Brutein's lineage was different.
Even in the worst territory of the Empire, Loeurg, they found a way to succeed.
The nobles who once bowed to the Asran Family now gathered around Louerg.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this land the Brutein of the North.
Honestly, Corleone still couldn't understand Brutein's actions. They were now in the perfect position to swallow the North whole, but their 'loyalty' towards the Imperial Family held them back.
But...
If a child with both Alfred and Brutein blood were to be born...Wouldn't they be akin to the Moon and Sun combined?
A child of prosperity, who could control the shady aspects of the land.
"Go to the back gate."
"...The back gate, you say?"
"Since we came up loudly, they'll be waiting for me at the main gate. So let us tease him a bit by entering through the back gate."
Although he had already arrived in the North in early September, Corleone took his time visiting each Northern family, making Ferzen sure of his movements.
Because of this, they knew Corleone would arrive at Louerg today, so his desire to enter through the back gate instead of the main one was purely a manifestation of his rotten personality.
However, as the carriage entered through the back gate......
He was able to meet a man who was waiting for him right in front, exuding a characteristically overbearing atmosphere - Ferzen.
"It seems you can't get rid of your snake-like habits...Tsk, Tsk...After all, why would someone enter through the back gate when they were expected at the main one?"
"Heh... Hahahaha!"
Despite the unmistakably cold and clear insult, Corleone laughed.
His twisted affection towards Brutein made him delighted with this situation.
What would it mean that Ferzen read his movements?
It was none other than proof that he understood his existence that much.
This meant that,
Brutein understood Alfred.
Had he been a bit younger, his trousers would be in a sticky mess, as his pleasure peaked for a moment.
"...It makes me realize anew that you and I are family."
"......"
Hearing those words, Ferzen's face twisted into an ugly expression, clearly revealing his disgust and contempt.
But as if Corleone wanted to see even such an expression of Ferzen closer, he moved his cane and approached.
Thud!
However,
Ferzen kicked his cane.
Sadly for him, the Old Snake didn't fall, on the contrary,
He looked straight into Ferzen's crimson eyes, as he straightened his posture, as a twisted smile stretched over his face.
"...Damn old fart."
In the end, Ferzen coldly turned his back on that repulsive obsession.
Leaving the poor butler who was sweating, despite the bitter cold, to guide Corleone inside the mansion.