—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Segeric decided to pursue Ailgar and his remaining forces immediately after regrouping.
He had heeded my advice that hastily holding the succession ceremony before dealing with Ailgar could become a source of lasting embarrassment.
As I mentioned before, nobles lived and died by their reputations.
The succession ceremony was postponed until everything was resolved. Of course, there were downsides. My marriage to Usebia was also delayed.
It felt like a petty act of spite: “If I can’t have the succession ceremony, then you can’t have your wedding either!” That’s just how the men of the Rasino family were…. tsk.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have the troops fully prepared before the expedition.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day,
Having entrusted Dreng and Muel with preparing the troops, I went to the inner castle to visit Usebia.
No one stopped me as I freely roamed the inner chambers, a restricted area for men. On the contrary, everyone I encountered bowed and scraped, eager to please.
Thanks to Segeric publicly praising me as his most trusted vassal and announcing my marriage to Usebia at the banquet, I had become the second most powerful person in the household.
‘Still just a Baron’s household, though.’
I wasn’t impressed. My ambitions extended far beyond being a mere second-in-command.
My free pass didn’t last long. Two guards stationed outside Usebia’s room crossed their spears, blocking my path.
“Sir Allen, we have orders from the Lady to allow only family members to enter.”
I recalled Adelia’s displeasure at the banquet. She had sighed dramatically when Segeric announced my marriage to Usebia.
It was an uncharacteristically rude act for the refined and composed Baroness. She was indirectly objecting to the marriage.
However, she couldn’t defy the inevitable.
“It seems you weren’t present at the banquet due to your guard duty. Lord Segeric announced my marriage to Lady Usebia.”
Using another person’s name to get my way wasn’t my style, it lacked dignity. However, seeing Usebia was my priority now.
The kind and innocent young lady had assassinated her own father. She would be in a fragile mental state.
‘This is the perfect opportunity to mold her to my will.’
She would play a crucial role in my future plans. And the time I had gained under the pretext of preparing for the expedition was limited to a few days, so I had to make contact.
“However, the Lady…”
The guards blocking my path looked troubled. And why wouldn’t they be? They were caught between Segeric and Adelia, two powerful figures, and were about to be crushed.
Still, their refusal to back down suggested Adelia’s influence was stronger within the inner castle.
Perhaps Segeric, not yet the Baron, needed more time to consolidate his power.
‘And that’s why I find this situation appealing.’
It was a testament to Adelia’s competence. A skilled manipulator, capable of mediating between the Baron and his vassals, wouldn’t be easily overshadowed by the likes of Segeric.
Adelia’s skills would be a valuable asset once she became mine. However, controlling Usebia was my immediate priority.
“Who is your lord? The Baroness, or Lord Segeric?”
My expression hardened. I knew my condescending gaze was intimidating to subordinates.
Combined with my reputation, which had caused such a stir in Polton,
These soldiers, while capable enough to be assigned to guard duty in the inner castle, were no match for my pressure.
They fidgeted nervously, their faces look troubled, on the verge of giving in and opening the door.
-Click.
Just then, their savior appeared. Adelia opened the door and stepped out.
“Sir Allen? What’s all the commotion?”
The beautiful woman, with her snow-white skin, raven hair, and dark eyes, exuded a mature allure.
The term “curvy” seemed to have been coined for her. Who would believe she was in her forties?
Her voluptuous figure, with its massive curves and hollows, aroused of desire to grasp and knead her flesh.
However, her beauty was slightly dimmed. It was likely due to the unprecedented events that had transpired: her daughter murdering her husband, and her two sons waging war against each other for the barony.
I showed the Baroness the respect she was due.
“My apologies, Baroness Adelia. I came to see my wife, but these men are blocking my way, claiming they have your orders.”
“Your wife? Please use the correct term. You’re not married yet.”
They say a mother in law loves her son in law. However, Adelia’s gaze, as she looked at me, was icy.
Still, I smiled.
With the Baron dead, Segeric was the head of the family. It wasn’t a marriage she could prevent with her objections.
All she could do was express her displeasure indirectly, as she had at the banquet.
“Allow me to rephrase. I’ve come to see my future wife. I’ll be leaving for the battlefield soon, so this might be our last chance to see each other.”
I used an undeniable truth to pressure Adelia. Even if it was a marriage of convenience, shouldn’t they spend time together in such circumstances?
If, as I claimed, Usebia and I were deeply in love, it was only natural for us to want to be together.
Adelia knew this, which was why she was biting her lip in frustration.
“Sir Allen, my daughter has been deeply affected by her father’s death. She’s not well and isn’t ready to see you.”
Adelia’s mistake was her not realizing that seeing Usebia in such a state was precisely my intention.
Her words only made me more determined.
“Two hands are better than one when offering comfort. Moreover, you know how much Usebia loves me. And that the embrace of a loved one is more comforting than anything.”
Against someone as principled and logical as Adelia, there was no argument more effective than logic itself.
“Truly… Sir Allen, you have a way with words, unlike most knights.”
It wasn’t a compliment. Her irritated expression made that clear.
“Will you grant me permission?”
I stood my ground, unfazed. Her words were essentially a surrender.
“Sigh…”
Adelia finally gave in and stepped aside. The guards, relieved, lowered their crossed spears.
“Thank you.”
As I reached for the doorknob, Adelia placed her hand over mine, stopping me.
A jolt, like static electricity, ran through me. Come to think of it, this was our first physical contact.
Her skin, as supple as a woman in her twenties, and her delicate hand evoked a strange sensation.
Oblivious to my thoughts, she dismissed the guards before speaking.
“Let me be frank. My daughter has changed a lot since she started seeing you. And not in a good way. I’m worried. I’m not sure if she’ll be happy with you.”
Adelia was referring to both the present and the future, after our marriage.
“I willingly walked into countless dangerous situations for Usebia. You must be aware of my sincerity. And Usebia feels the same. Please consider what would truly make her happy.”
Usebia had assassinated her father to be with me. For the sake of her daughter’s happiness, and to prevent further tragedy, Adelia had no choice but to choose me.
“I’ve really been concerned about you since the beginning. Can you truly make Usebia happy? Will you protect her, no matter what she does?”
Adelia was worried about what I would do after learning that Usebia had assassinated the Baron.
Indeed, what man would stay with a woman who murdered her own father? He would constantly be living under the threat of assassination.
In any case, Adelia was genuinely concerned for her daughter’s future.
It was an unusual display of familial affection, unexpected from a woman from such a prestigious noble family. Could I use this to my advantage? The thought crossed my mind.
“I promise you, Usebia will be happy with me.”
“You better not change your mind. Unless you want to face dire consequences.”
Adelia, after another warning, finally released my hand and turned away.
I watched her retreating figure, her youthful appearance and mature body equally alluring, until she was out of sight.
Did she know that her competence and dignified demeanor only fueled my desire?
However, it wasn’t time to make my move on her yet. Her turn would come later, though it wouldn’t be long.
I grinned and opened the door.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Usebia was waiting inside.
Usebia was lying face down on the bed. She slowly raised her head as I quietly sat down beside her. She looked terrible.
Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her usually smooth skin was dry and flaky, and her lips were chapped.
Her overall pallor made her look like a terminally ill patient.
“Usebia, I can only imagine your grief. Having lost both my parents, I understand the pain you must be feeling.”
I feigned ignorance, my words like needles, pricking her tear ducts. Tears streamed down her face like a broken dam.
“Sir Knight…!”
She threw herself into my arms, clutching my clothes as if afraid I would disappear. My shirt grew damp with her tears.
“Be strong. The late Baron wouldn’t want to see his daughter in such distress.”
Usebia shook her head.
“No. That’s not it… I… I made a mistake… I just wanted to be with you… that’s all I wanted… Ahhh… If only your letter had arrived sooner… No, I was foolish. How could I have done such a thing? I don’t understand. I really don’t…”
Usebia rambled incoherently. I stroked her back, my gaze falling on the table beside the bed.
The letter I had sent lay open. It was a letter intended to manipulate and goad her into assassinating the Baron.
It was now fueling her regret. While it wasn’t my original intention, it wasn’t a bad outcome.
“Usebia, what did you do to deserve such self recrimination? Haven’t you heard? Lord Segeric has granted permission for our marriage.”
Usebia, who had slightly lifted her head from my embrace, froze, her eyes trembling. She pulled away from me and buried her face in the bed again.
“Ahhh… I don’t deserve you. How can I be with you after what I’ve done…? I’m only a burden to you…”
“What are you talking about?”
I feigned ignorance, my expression innocent.
“It’s all your fault. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have done such a terrible thing… No, that’s just an excuse. I’m a wicked woman. Blinded by love, I committed an unforgivable sin. Ahhh…”
Usebia sobbed. I pulled her up and embraced her again, still feigning ignorance.
“What are you talking about?”
Usebia avoided my gaze, her face etched with fear. She was afraid I would abandon her if I knew the truth.
After a long hesitation, she confessed. She had been tricked by Josephine and poisoned the Baron’s tea.
She trusted me more than her fear. Ironically, it was I who had manipulated Josephine into doing so.
Usebia looked at me nervously after her confession. She desperately needed comfort. She might break down if she couldn’t alleviate her guilt.
That was precisely what I wanted. I feigned shock and stood up abruptly.
Usebia, who had been leaning against me, slumped onto the bed, her eyes trembling as she looked up at me.
“How could you…!”
“I-I’m sorry. I… I wasn’t thinking straight… I was just… I was fooled into believing it was the only way to be with you…”
Usebia, a beat later, clung to my clothes.
I coldly pushed her hand away.
“Even so, you were the one who did it…!”
As I turned my back, Usebia grabbed my waist.
“D-Don’t leave me! You’re the only one I have left… Please, please…!”
Usebia clung to me like a child, desperate, as if she would die if she let go.
I pried her hands off me and said,
“How can I spend my life with a woman who murdered her own father? There will be disagreements in any relationship, and I can’t live with the constant threat of assassination.”
“No! I would never do that to you…! I love you! I love you enough to die for you…!”
“Can you prove it?”
“H-How…?”
I brought a chair over and sat down facing away from the bed, crossing my legs, and ordered,
“First… take off your clothes.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It’s a show time!
Thanks for the chappie!
The fck