<Chapter 78>
I intentionally ignored the two people and continued my conversation with Viscount Khodchen.
“As I explained earlier, Winstein has no grievances against the Khodchen family. However, I cannot allow the young lady to return with you immediately. I trust you understand this?”
“Of course, I do. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I’ve garnered some respect from the capital’s people after decades in the knight order. That’s likely why His Majesty has viewed me as a nuisance for years now…”
So that’s why Fiona was chosen as the first bride.
“Perhaps His Majesty wanted me to relinquish my position as Knight Commander by defying his orders. But I couldn’t even entertain such a choice…”
“…If only Father had refused the imperial order back then, things wouldn’t have gotten so complicated.”
At Fiona’s grumbling, Viscount Khodchen let out a bitter smile.
‘She’s still so naive.’
Feeling indignant, I decided to tattle to Viscount Khodchen.
“She’s currently hiding under the Marquis’ son’s protection.”
“What?!”
“I… I told you already! I did!”
Seeing him put on a pitiful face, I began to suspect Alvin’s claim of being the beloved youngest might actually hold some truth.
‘His immaturity is on par with Fiona’s.’
While I was lost in these thoughts, Temenos, who had been observing silently since Viscount Khodchen arrived, finally spoke, “Perhaps His Majesty intends to use this opportunity to eliminate the Khodchen family altogether.”
“Why? Didn’t the Viscount say he’s already stepped down as Knight Commander?”
“Because influence doesn’t disappear simply by relinquishing a title.”
Temenos’ gaze hovered somewhere between Viscount Khodchen and Fiona as he continued, “I heard several subordinates resigned en masse, stating they’d help find the young lady.”
“That… caused quite the disturbance, didn’t it?”
“It’s not a big deal. If they had crossed into the northern territory, I would have wiped them out. Luckily, they stayed just outside the border.”
What on earth is this about now?
I leaned toward Temenos and whispered, covering my mouth with my hand, “What are you talking about?”
“Those ‘mercenaries’ claiming to search for the runaway young lady stirred up trouble near the northern border.”
Apparently, they stirred up just enough chaos to irritate him but stayed precisely at the edge of the border as if they knew better.
Temenos made no effort to whisper. His intention for Fiona to hear was clear.
“Hmm. Now that I think about it, how did you manage to escape, young lady? Surely more than a few were chasing you.”
“Uh, well…”
Fiona rolled her eyes nervously, her gaze eventually landing on Alvin. It didn’t take a genius to guess who helped her escape.
“You! When I visited, you swore on your family name you didn’t know anything!”
“Yes! I’ll renounce the Kotis name if I must! Please take me as your son-in-law, Father-in-law!”
“Who’s your father-in-law?!”
Utter chaos.
Temenos intervened to stop the bickering with a firm warning. If they interrupted the conversation like this again, all three of them would be thrown out.
“The disappearance of the young lady and the young lord simultaneously has undoubtedly drawn His Majesty’s attention to both families. Viscount, can you act?”
“What kind of acting do you mean, exactly?”
Viscount Khodchen frowned, clearly unfamiliar with such a question.
Temenos scoffed, gesturing toward Fiona with his chin.
“It’s obvious. For today, you didn’t find your daughter at this estate.”
“Express grief, frustration, sorrow, and despair—basically, a mix of emotions. Can you manage that?”
After some deliberation, Viscount Khodchen nodded.
“I’m not much of an actor, but if I think about my daughter being pregnant, I can muster up the emotions.”
A sudden idea struck me, and I stopped Temenos before he could speak further.
“Could you also act like a lunatic?”
“Pardon? A lunatic, you say…”
“This estate was your last hope of finding your daughter. Not finding her here would lead any rational parent to accept her death and wish her peace in the afterlife…”
“That’s true. Though I’d never give up until my last breath.”
“That’s another logical perspective. But what if the parent refuses to accept the child’s death and goes mad?”
“Hmm…”
Viscount Khodchen mulled it over for a while before his expression softened, relieved this wasn’t his reality.
“What would such a reaction look like?”
“It’s simple. They’d turn to a cult.”
“…A cult?”
“For example, a cult promising to resurrect the dead child.”
“Y-you mean like a heresy?”
“Inosensia.”
Temenos, visibly startled by my words, tried to intervene, but I stopped him with a reassuring hand.
Would I, a Saintess, endorse something so outrageous?
“Of course, I’m not suggesting an actual cult. But, Viscount Khodchen,” I said solemnly, “you’ll need to become a fanatic who believes God might resurrect your daughter.”
* * *
“Nothing’s happened in the end.”
Most of the onlookers left disappointed after watching Winstein’s carriage pass through the front gate without incident.
However, not everyone departed. Some lingered, hopeful something dramatic might still unfold later.
Perhaps their persistence moved the heavens, as a commotion soon erupted at Winstein’s gate.
“My daughter must be here! Open the gate! Let me search myself! If you have nothing to hide, open it now!”
Viscount Khodchen’s cries were loud enough to draw murmurs from the crowd.
“Has Viscount Khodchen gone mad? Even if his opponent is the Duke, causing such a scene is reckless.”
“Is there anything stronger than a parent who’s lost their child? His behavior is understandable; he even resigned as Knight Commander to search for her.”
“Still, making a fuss won’t bring back someone who isn’t there… Poor man.”
“Wait, look! The gate is opening!”
As Khodchen was escorted inside, the crowd began placing bets.
Would he come out alone, or would he find his daughter?
“Obviously, he’ll come out alone. There’s no way the young lady would be hiding here.”
“Who knows? That rumor about her fleeing before reaching the north came from the north itself. What if they secretly captured her?”
“Captured by the Winsteins? That’s ridiculous! The Monster Duke would’ve eaten her by now!”
Amidst their chatter, the sun dipped low, painting the sky crimson. Finally, the gates reopened.
Creak.
“There, someone’s coming out!”
“Is it one person? Two?”
“It’s just him. The rest are the Winsteins’ servants. He’s alone.”
“See? I told you so. She’s not there.”
“Even if she were, Winstein would’ve left her in the north. Why bring her here?”
As Viscount Khodchen trudged away from the estate, the disappointed crowd began to disperse.
But soon, the viscount stopped, glanced back longingly, then collapsed, wailing like a child.
“Fiona! My daughter! My sweet daughter…!”
His cries, filled with genuine despair, struck a chord even with the once-curious crowd. Quietly, they began to scatter, unable to meet each other’s eyes.
<To be continued>
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Translator: Japchae
Editor: Maize
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