Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Even a Treacherous Subject Has His Uses
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"Have you arrived, Young Master?"
"Yes, Sein. We have much to discuss. It's not something for others' ears, so let's go upstairs to talk. And thank you for your hard work guarding Sein, Erasol. I will fulfill the promised reward soon."
"Yes! Lord Beonald! Thank you!"
Upon meeting, Beonald immediately took her up to his room and began explaining the events that had transpired in Baron Royen's territory.
The news was that her mother had been expelled from the barony long ago, had taken refuge in a temple, and had already passed away before Beonald arrived.
At first, Sein couldn't believe it, but when she received her mother's will and personal effects handed to her by Beonald, she realized it was true.
"H-How could this happen! Lady Meira clearly...! But this is definitely my mother's handwriting... Oh my goodness, how is this possible?"
"Well... interpreting it from a noble's perspective, it's something like, 'There's no need to try to keep a promise you don't have to keep anyway,' and the cost of meals, labor, and medicine for caring for one bedridden person probably seemed a waste."
"But I know what Lady Meira did!"
"Ah, I don't know what you did together under that person's orders, but there's no one who would listen to the testimony of a non-noble like you, and even if you had evidence, you'd just be used as a scapegoat since you were 'in on it' from the start. After all, behind her is the Royen Barony, and even the Delmain Baron, who is in the same faction."
"How could that be...?"
At Beonald's clear analysis, she slumped down.
Of course, she had considered the possibility that something like this might happen.
But with no other options, she had simply rationalized it to herself and 'chosen to believe.' Or rather, she had no choice but to believe.
After all, if she tried to uncover it or resist, all that remained for her was to labor alone to feed her sick mother, enter a brothel, or become the concubine of an old, newly-rich man.
"Well, it's not that I don't understand. If the only paths available are a cliff leading to death and a rough road, anyone would choose to endure the pain and take the rough road rather than the cliff leading to death."
"...Lord Beonald?"
"So you did nothing wrong. You are not foolish. I assure you. The thoughts and judgments you made are natural for a person."
"But my mother... my mother..."
"A deer not being able to fly is a natural thing. The bad ones are Lady Meira and, although she was of lower status and an illegitimate child, the Royen Barony that refused to keep the promise made to her. So, set your heart at ease."
Beonald tried very skillfully to comfort her, but the more he did, the thicker her tears flowed, and she bowed her head to Beonald, apologizing.
She still had guilt remaining.
Because she was originally a spy, appointed by Lady Meira to be Beonald's exclusive maid, to report his every move and relay his words and actions.
"I'm truly... truly sorry, kind Young Master Beonald. I failed to recognize such a young master sooner and, following Lady Meira's orders, did things that put you in danger."
"Is that so? But in the end, you chose me. Amidst the coercion of Lady Meira and concerns for your mother's safety, you sought hope from me and alerted me."
"It was just to survive... I betrayed Lady Meira and sided with you."
"Betrayal is one thing. Did Lady Meira show you mercy or kindness? If you had betrayed in that situation, even I would have despised you, but you didn't, did you? Far from mercy or kindness, she merely used you as a 'tool' and did not respect what you held dear. That's hardly even worth calling betrayal. You made the right choice."
"...Is that... really true?"
"Yes, so don't cry anymore. Your eyes are swollen; your beautiful face is getting ruined, isn't it? And from now on, you can follow me with peace of mind. I won't be like that foolish old hag who lets treasures rot and treats them uselessly."
"Ah... Lord Beonald."
If she had met a god, would this have been the feeling?
Before Beonald's benevolence, which embraced and saved her from betrayal, guilt, sorrow, and all negative emotions and thoughts, Sein trembled with emotion.
And she could no longer control her surging feelings, throwing herself into Beonald's arms and pouring out the sorrow and resentment accumulated from her hardships.
Beonald, like a parent, gently stroked her back, calmly waiting for her to stop crying.
'I really feel like I should thank Lady Meira. Well, being bound by status and gender, they can't properly see the value of things... I guess it can't be helped.'
While outwardly wearing a kind smile, Beonald was actually inwardly laughing with triumph.
Thanks to the villainess Lady Meira, this beautiful and wise talent! With loyalty so strong she would bravely leap into fire if he commanded, had fallen into his hands.
"There, have you calmed down now? Our situation isn't that good yet, and the game isn't over. So we need to get a grip, Sein."
"...Yes, Lord Beonald."
"Good. I intend to go and finish things with Lady Meira now... What do you want to do?"
"What do I want to do...?"
"How much revenge do you want on Lady Meira? That's what I mean. I've captured four knights from the Royen Barony and intend to collect their ransom and the price for their schemes... But if you have resentment, hatred, or unresolved feelings towards Lady Meira, I want to help you resolve them."
If everything up to now was just the process of raising Sein's favor and actively welcoming her as his subordinate, this was an act of putting a definitive finishing stamp.
Anyway, by now both Lady Meira and the Count would surely view him unfavorably, and with him having called knights from another noble, it was as if he had crossed a river of no return.
So, as there was no longer any meaning in staying at the Callermain Earldom, he intended to firmly take his share, including the knights' ransom, before leaving, and by entrusting their punishment to Sein, he aimed to solidify all her loyalty and affection.
"M-Me, you say?"
"Yes, anyway, after collecting the knights' ransom and... various other things, I plan to leave this place. Of course, I'll take you too. You're my person now. Anyway... if you say you don't particularly want to do anything, I'll just take what's due politely, but if you ask me to eliminate both Baron Royen and Lady Meira, I'll give you their heads, even if it means I have to flee."
At Beonald's intense final proposal, Sein was once again at a loss.
Lady Meira and Baron Royen. The lives of the nobles who had dominated her whole life would be ended if she requested it. As the unimaginable was about to become reality, her mind was overloaded.
Still tightly clutching her mother's necklace and will, she closed her eyes tightly and began to ponder what to do.
A short while later, having finished her thoughts, she conveyed her decision to Beonald.
Lady Meira's room.
And at the same time, while Beonald was deep in conversation with Sein, Lady Meira was pacing anxiously around her room, unable to hide her impatience.
The reason for her anxiety was that the knights from her family home, the Royen Barony, who should have arrived by yesterday at the latest, still hadn't shown up.
If they were late, there should at least be some word, but with no news at all, she couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"Sir Zed, surely nothing's gone wrong, right? Why haven't the requested knights arrived yet? They should have been here by now!"
"I've already sent people again. But they probably haven't reached the Barony yet. Perhaps the Barony had some business and couldn't assemble the knights, or something else happened causing a delay. Just wait calmly, my lady."
"That must be it, right? Well, calling for knights suddenly... they must be a little late?"
"Yes, that must be it."
At Sir Zed's calm words, Lady Meira took a deep breath, trying to calm her impatience.
She told herself there was nothing to worry about if they were a little late, regained her composure, and tried to look at the situation objectively.
"By the way, where is that Beonald now?"
"He's still just repeating hunting for the griffon he's raising or sparring with Miss Heidi. Nothing particularly special."
Beonald's work had been too fast, so Sir Zed and all those under him were completely unaware, not even dreaming that Beonald had dealt with and captured some of the Royen Barony's knights.
Anyway, based on the information received, Lady Meira could regain her composure regarding dealing with Beonald, but there were still plenty of matters gnawing at her.
"Hoo~ That aside, how is our Ralt?"
"As for Young Master Ralt, he is still not coming out of his room. It seems he is slowly improving as the Count personally goes to talk with him... but it still seems it will take a little more time."
"Well, it's a relief that Father is personally looking after him."
As the legitimate heir of the family, thanks to the Count himself stepping in to care for Ralt, there was progress, but it was inevitable that it would take time.
In the days after coming of age, every day is precious... She wished he would quickly return as the heir.
"What about the movements of the other wives?"
"With Young Master Ralt in seclusion, there are those who frequently try to see the acting head of the Lengel family. They must be dreaming foolish dreams."
"Eeek! Those wretches! To think of such things now! When we have our Ralt...!"
"They probably think if they bear a son, there's a possibility the Count's mind might change."
After Ralt shut himself in his room, initially they thought he had just gone in to rest due to overwork, but as the period grew longer, the other wives who had been pushed aside by Lady Meira's power began to see it as a chance and started working to produce a second child with the acting head of the Lengel family, beginning to hold hope.
With Ralt in his current state, if they only had a son and Ralt continued not to appear, there was a possibility that the newly born child of theirs could establish itself as the heir to the Callermain Earldom.
If that happened, it would be tantamount to Lady Meira's downfall. One could truly feel how harsh and terrifying women's wars were, just like men's political wars.
"Those wicked wenches! How dare they covet someone else's position! Do they think I'll just sit back and watch if they have a son?"
"They probably mean to properly protect it this time. Anyway, this phenomenon will eventually... as long as Young Master Ralt regains his senses..."
Knock knock!
In the midst of discussing family matters, an unfamiliar knock was suddenly heard.
Then, a voice from behind the door, familiar yet one that absolutely shouldn't be heard here, left Lady Meira and Sir Zed no choice but to be startled.
"It's me, Mother. Beonald. May I come in?"
"H-How is that thing here?"
"My lady, compose yourself first and tidy your appearance. I will stall Young Master Beonald for a moment."
For a moment, Lady Meira was flustered, but Sir Zed quickly stepped forward to receive Beonald, and during that time, she straightened her clothes and composure, thinking about why he had come here.
And about 30 minutes later, having roughly finished sorting out her feelings, Lady Meira allowed Beonald to enter, then summoned attendants and butlers to formally receive him and ask the reason for his visit.