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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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“So, you met with Sir Allen again?”
Usebia, who had just been about to put a grape in her mouth, flinched. She glanced nervously at the Baron, who was eating nonchalantly, and said,
“I-I couldn’t just return from the funeral without saying anything to the chief mourner…”
“Be mindful of your actions. Unless you intend to ruin your marriage prospects with unnecessary gossip.”
Usebia’s eyes welled up with tears. Her hands, hidden beneath the table, trembled.
Adelia, sitting beside her, gently took her daughter’s hand and addressed the Baron,
“It seems Sir Allen is quite fond of Usebia.”
The Baron’s hand, reaching for a piece of smoked meat, froze. He frowned slightly, wiped his greasy hands on the tablecloth, then clasped them together and looked at Adelia.
“What are you trying to say?”
“He’ll be deeply disappointed if Usebia marries Earl Bruah. He might even switch sides. If that happens, this marriage alliance will lose its purpose.”
The Baron was pursuing the marriage between Usebia and Earl Bruah to prevent the Earl’s intervention when he seized Baron Debussy’s territory.
But could he seize Baron Debussy’s territory without Allen? Considering their previous defeat before Allen’s arrival, he should be more worried about the opposite.
Adelia was cautiously pointing this out.
“That’s why I gave him the Montfel region. It’s a vast territory, far exceeding the Tolbatz manor. It should be enough to keep him in check.”
“He’s an exceptional knight. Moreover, his cunning surpasses even Lord Joang. The Montfel region might not be enough to bind him. Perhaps that’s why Earl Dressten summoned him…”
“Are you suggesting your judgment is superior to mine, wife?”
The Baron cut Adelia off, his face hardening. If Adelia weren’t the daughter of the Earl he served, he might have resorted to violence.
After all, a husband could use violence against his wife as he saw fit. In fact, his authority would be undermined if he didn’t exert control over his wife.
“Sometimes, a different perspective is necessary to accurately assess the value of things, or people.”
Adelia knew she was walking a tightrope, a single misstep sending her plummeting into the abyss.
Yet, she persisted, driven by a mother’s love for her child.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
However, her efforts were futile. They only seemed to strengthen the Baron’s resolve.
Disappointment mirrored her high expectations. Usebia looked at her mother, her eyes brimming with tears.
However, Adelia, knowing the Baron’s inferiority complex and his contrarian nature, could only gently stroke her daughter’s hand.
The fallout landed on their two sons, who had been sitting quietly, observing the situation.
“Segeric, think carefully. Even the most beautiful woman becomes tiresome eventually. What truly matters isn’t mere appearance, but how beneficial they are to the family.”
“Hmm, but shouldn’t you consider age when choosing an heir? Marrying an older woman could jeopardize the continuation of our lineage.”
“Indeed. A woman’s role is simply to bear an heir.”
The Baron said, glancing at Adelia. She pretended not to notice and continued eating.
Ailgar was next.
“Ailgar.”
“Yes, Father.”
Ailgar, who had been eating nonchalantly, as if this didn’t concern him, finally looked up.
“You’re twenty-three now, aren’t you? It’s time for you to become independent. I’ve secured a position for you in a suitable parish, so you won’t have to worry about making a living.”
“…”
Ailgar’s face hardened. Segeric, wary of Ailgar after Allen’s warning, couldn’t hide his glee.
“I’d prefer monetary compensation.”
The Baron frowned.
“Are you suggesting the position I’ve prepared is inferior to mere money? Even with money, acquiring such a position isn’t easy.”
“I intend to join the Crusades. The money is for my expenses.”
“It will be a meaningless death.”
“I might acquire territory and establish a new family there.”
Segeric scoffed.
“A man with no talent for swordsmanship? Acquiring territory and establishing a new family? How is that even possible, Father?”
“A lord doesn’t necessarily need to be skilled with a sword. The true qualities of a lord are the ability to gather followers and deploy them effectively.”
“There’s no need to hear any more! Ailgar is clearly trying to extort a large sum from you. Don’t fall for it, Father!”
Segeric, now confirmed as heir, was reluctant to share his inheritance with his brother.
“And why should I listen to you?”
“Father!”
“Segeric, I’m speaking.”
Segeric suppressed his frustration at the Baron’s cold tone. His position wasn’t secure yet, and the Baron could still change his mind.
Segeric glared at Ailgar instead, warning him that he wouldn’t forget this if he became the Baron.
“It would expand our family’s influence. Moreover, a constructive branch family could be beneficial in case of unforeseen circumstances.”
Ailgar ignored Segeric, as if he wasn’t even a factor.
“You bastard! What do you mean by that?! Unforeseen circumstances?!”
Segeric slammed his hand on the table and stood up. Ailgar simply looked up at his brother with an impassive expression.
“You have no children, Brother. Perhaps you’re infertile and can’t produce an heir, even with a wife.”
“Father! Did you hear what he said?! How dare he speak to his elder brother like that?!”
“Enough.”
Segeric finally sat down, albeit reluctantly, after the Baron’s cold reprimand. He continued to glare at Ailgar.
The Baron clicked his tongue and continued,
“He’s not entirely wrong.”
“Father…?”
“You don’t even have a bastard, Segeric.”
“That’s because I’m careful with contraception…”
“If you truly wish to succeed me, you’ll need to prove you possess the qualities your brother mentioned. And Ailgar, all I can offer you is a sum equivalent to the value of the parish.”
Both sons’ faces fell. The Baron didn’t care. As the meal ended in a heavy silence,
“I’ll marry Sir Allen. If I can’t, I’ll enter a convent.”
Usebia, who hadn’t touched her food since the Baron reprimanded her for meeting with Allen, made a shocking declaration.
“Do you think entering religious life is so easy? Especially for someone infatuated with a man?”
The Baron remained unfazed. In fact, he looked amused.
“I’m serious.”
“I’ve made my decision, and you have no choice but to accept. You refuse? Then I’ll have you bound and delivered to Earl Bruah.”
“That’s unfair!”
Despite Usebia’s courageous outburst, the Baron remained unmoved. He even scoffed at her.
“Did you think all the comfort and safety you’ve enjoyed came for free? You’re simply paying the price now.”
“Father…!”
“Tsk, tsk. You talk of love because you’ve never known hardship. Would you refuse the position of Earl Bruah’s wife if you were a mere peasant?”
The Baron’s words were ruthless. Usebia burst into tears and fled the hall.
As the Baron clicked his tongue, Josephine, who had been quietly observing the situation, her eyes suddenly lit up. She stood up abruptly.
“I’ll go after her.”
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Usebia was crying, her face buried in her bed. Josephine quietly entered the room and sat beside her.
“Sob, Sister…?”
Usebia, startled by the movement of the bed, turned her head. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
Josephine spoke playfully,
“Whew, I thought I was going to suffocate! Thanks to you, I was able to escape that awkward situation.”
“Sister, I’m being serious!”
Usebia pouted and buried her face in the bed again.
“You really love him, don’t you?”
“I would die for him.”
Josephine’s eyes widened slightly at Usebia’s uncharacteristically resolute words. A pang of jealousy and envy flashed through her.
Fortunately, Usebia’s face was buried in the bed, so she didn’t see Josephine’s expression.
“Does Sir Allen feel the same?”
Josephine asked, gently stroking Usebia’s back.
“Of course! He said he would do anything to marry me! He said he could change Father’s mind if he gained more merit in the war.”
“Well, do you think that’ll be so easy? It seems your marriage will be finalized before the next war even begins…”
“…”
Usebia remained silent. She knew it was a likely scenario.
“Even if another war breaks out before then, and even if Sir Allen gains merit, do you think Father will give his permission? He’s not one to feed a fish he’s already caught, even if it means its death.”
Josephine placed a strange emphasis on the phrase “even if it means its death.”
“Moreover, even if Sir Allen achieves great things, would your greedy father give up a marriage alliance with the Bruah family? He wouldn’t give it up even if he were buried alive.”
This time, she emphasized the phrase “buried alive.”
Josephine continued, subtly emphasizing words and phrases related to death. This was Allen’s request.
‘Does this really work?’
Josephine, unfamiliar with the concept of gaslighting, which had only gained recognition in the 21st century, couldn’t help but doubt its effectiveness.
“Sister, are you making fun of me?”
Usebia turned to Josephine, her eyes narrowed. Josephine, realizing she had gone too far, forced a smile.
‘He emphasized that I had to gradually increase the intensity.’
Another important point was that it had to be natural, like water seeping into cloth. Josephine patted Usebia’s backside.
“Actually, I came here because I was curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“How far have you and Sir Allen gone?”
Josephine grinned mischievously, and Usebia’s face flushed crimson.
“W-Why do you want to know?”
“I’m worried. Even lovers who are head over heels for each other before sex can break up if they’re not compatible in bed.”
“S-Sex? C-Compatible?”
Usebia gasped. Josephine’s lips twitched, and her eyes sparkled at Usebia’s flustered reaction.
“You haven’t… done it yet, have you? That’s a big problem! You love each other enough to die for each other, but what if you’re not compatible?”
“Is… is compatibility that important…?”
“Of course~! Countless couples have broken up due to incompatibility!”
“Oh no… that can’t happen…”
Usebia fidgeted anxiously. Josephine, realizing once again how much Usebia loved Allen, bit her lip.
‘It’s not fair.’
Josephine unconsciously touched the vial hidden beneath her skirt.
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Meanwhile, Allen, who had instructed Josephine to gaslight Usebia, was riding towards Quaran without rest.
It wasn’t just the vial that Fiore, who had arrived just before the funeral, had brought.
‘Anya is in danger?’
Anya had been especially close to their father. She would undoubtedly want to attend his funeral. However, instead of attending, Anya had sent a message through Jin.
She claimed her life was in danger, and she couldn’t even leave the castle, let alone attend the funeral.
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No way! my anya😭
Thanks Teot!
Tftc
If the author hurts Anya, I’ll riot!!