Chapter 82: The Prelude to the Great War
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: The Prelude to the Great War
Segerik decided to track down Ailgar and his remnants immediately after reorganizing his forces.
My advice had hit home: if he hastily held the succession ceremony only to have Ailgar interfere, it would become a dark history talked about for ages to come.
I’ll say it again: for nobles, reputation was everything. They lived and died by it.
In the end, the succession ceremony was postponed until everything was resolved. Of course, it wasn’t all good news. My marriage to Eusebia was delayed as well.
If I can’t have my succession ceremony, then you can’t get married! That was the spiteful sentiment I sensed in his decision. Men of the Rasino family… tsk.
“I’ll leave it to you, then.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have the troops perfectly reorganized before we march.”
The next day.
After entrusting Dreng and Muel with the task of reorganizing the troops, I went to the inner castle to find Eusebia.
I strode freely through the inner quarters, a men-forbidden area, and no one dared to stop me. On the contrary, everyone I passed bowed their heads and scrambled to show deference.
At the last banquet, Segerik had praised me as his foremost vassal and even announced my marriage to Eusebia. As a result, I had gained the power of being under one person but above all others.
Though it’s just a barony, for now.
I didn’t get carried away. My goal wasn’t to be the second-in-command of a mere barony.
My free pass didn’t last long. The two guards standing before Eusebia’s door crossed their spears in an X, blocking my path.
“Sir Allen. The lady of the house has ordered that only family members be allowed entry.”
I recalled Adeleade, whose expression had been sour throughout the banquet. When Segerik announced my marriage to Eusebia, she had let out a sigh so heavy it felt like the world was ending.
It was a strikingly rude gesture coming from such a cultured noblewoman. She was indirectly opposing this marriage.
But she couldn’t go against the tide.
“It seems you couldn’t attend the banquet because you were on duty. Lord Segerik has publicly announced the marriage between myself and Lady Eusebia.”
Riding on someone else’s coattails wasn’t my style, nor was it dignified. But right now, meeting Eusebia was more important than anything else.
The kind, naive young lady had assassinated her own father. She had to be mentally cornered.
In other words, this is the perfect opportunity to dye her in my colors.
She had a major role to play in my future plans. The time I’d bought on the pretext of reorganizing the troops was only a few days, so I had to make contact with her somehow.
“But the lady of the house…”
The guards blocking me had expressions fraught with difficulty. And why wouldn’t they? They were like shrimp caught between two whales—Segerik and Adeleade—and their backs were about to break.
Still, the fact that they didn’t back down suggested that within the inner quarters, the influence of Adeleade, the mistress of the house, was stronger.
Perhaps Segerik, who had yet to officially become the baron, needed more time.
That’s why I like her even more.
I was actually pleased with this situation. It was proof of Adeleade’s competence. A woman skilled enough to mediate between the baron and his vassals shouldn’t be pushed around by the likes of Segerik.
Adeleade’s excellence, which would soon be mine, was a blessing to me. Of course, dominating Eusebia came first.
“Who is your lord? The baroness, or Lord Segerik?”
My expression turned a shade colder. I knew my condescending gaze placed immense pressure on my inferiors.
Added to that was my reputation, which had stirred up all of Polton.
They might be capable soldiers, worthy of guarding the inner castle, but they were no match for the pressure I was exuding.
The guards looked even more troubled, shuffling their feet, unsure of what to do. A little more pressure, and they looked ready to open the door themselves.
Click.
Just then, their savior appeared. The door opened, and Adeleade emerged from within.
“Sir Allen? What is this commotion?”
The beauty, with skin as white as snow and hair and eyes like ebony, still exuded a mature charm.
The term ‘bagel girl’ felt like it was created for her. Who would look at that face and think she was in her forties?
Her mature figure, curved in all the right places, stirred a desire to reach out and knead her body.
However, that beauty was slightly faded, likely due to the unprecedented events: her own daughter had killed her husband, and her two sons were at war over the barony.
I showed my respect to my future mother-in-law.
“My apologies for the disturbance, Baroness Adeleade. I came to see my wife, but these men blocked my way, saying it was on your orders.”
“Wife? Please use the proper term. You are not yet married, are you not?”
They say a son-in-law is loved by his mother-in-law, but Adeleade’s gaze was as cold as ice.
Even so, I smiled.
With the baron dead, Segerik was the head of the family. This marriage wasn’t something Adeleade could overturn just by opposing it.
All she could do was indirectly show her displeasure, just as she had at the banquet.
“I stand corrected. As her husband-to-be, I came to see my future bride. Please allow me. I will be leaving for the battlefield soon, so this may be the last time.”
I pressed Adeleade with an irrefutable argument. Even if it was a marriage of convenience, shouldn’t they be together in a situation like this?
For a couple as inseparable as Eusebia and I, it was only natural to spend time together.
Adeleade knew this, which was why she was biting her lip in frustration.
“Sir Allen, my daughter is in great shock over her father’s death. Her health has deteriorated, and she is in no condition to see you.”
Adeleade’s mistake was not realizing that seeing Eusebia in such a state was precisely my objective.
If anything, her words only made me more determined.
“Wouldn’t two helping hands be better than one? Besides, you know how much Eusebia loves me. The embrace of a loved one is more comforting than anything else.”
For someone as principled and logical as Adeleade, nothing was more effective than a sound argument.
“Truly… Sir Allen, you are quite eloquent for a knight.”
It wasn’t a compliment. Her irritated gaze proved it.
“Will you grant me permission?”
I held my ground, unfazed. Her last statement was as good as a surrender.
“Haaah…”
Finally, Adeleade raised the white flag and stepped aside. The guards, too, let out sighs of relief and withdrew their crossed spears.
“Thank you.”
As I bowed and reached for the doorknob, Adeleade briefly grabbed my hand, stopping me.
For a moment, it felt like a jolt of electricity passed through me. Come to think of it, this was my first time touching her.
Her skin, as firm as a woman in her twenties, and her delicate hand left a strange impression on me.
Unaware of my thoughts, she dismissed the guards before speaking.
“Let me be frank. My daughter has changed a great deal since she began associating with you. And not for the better. That is why I am worried. Will my daughter be happy with you?”
Adeleade was speaking not just of the present, but of the entire future after the marriage.
“I have willingly walked into countless hells to be with Eusebia. You must know my sincerity, as does Eusebia. Please consider what path will lead to her true happiness.”
This was the Eusebia who had assassinated her own father to marry me. To prevent an even greater tragedy, and for the sake of her daughter’s true happiness, Adeleade had no choice but to choose me.
“My concern, from beginning to end, has been you. Can you truly make Eusebia happy? Will you stand by her and protect her, no matter what she does?”
Adeleade was worried about what would happen after I learned that her daughter had assassinated the baron.
Indeed, what man would keep a woman who murdered her own father by his side? If he ever got on her bad side, he might be assassinated himself.
In any case, Adeleade was genuinely worried about her daughter’s future.
It was a familial love not often seen in women from prestigious noble houses. Perhaps I could use this to win her over as well. The thought crossed my mind.
“I promise you. Eusebia will be happy with me.”
“That sentiment. You had better not let it change. Unless you wish to pay a harsh price.”
After another warning, Adeleade finally let go of my hand and turned away.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her retreating figure—a woman who possessed both the looks of someone in her twenties and a mature body—until she was just a dot in the distance.
Did she know that the more she displayed her competence and noble character, the more my desire for her burned?
But it wasn’t time to touch her yet. Her turn would come in the more distant future. But it wouldn’t be long.
I smirked and tightened my grip on the doorknob. Eusebia was waiting for me inside the room.
Eusebia had her face buried in the bed. When I carefully sat down beside her, she slowly lifted her head. Her face was a mess.
Her eyes were brimming with tears, as if she had just been crying, and they were bloodshot. Her once silk-like skin was dry as if struck by a drought, and her lips were chapped.
Her complexion was dark overall, making her look like a sick person with not long to live.
“Eusebia. I can only imagine how sad you must be. Having lost both my parents, I can guess how much pain you are in.”
I spoke, feigning ignorance. My words were like needles, piercing her eyes and bursting them open. Tears poured out as if a dam had broken.
“Sir Allen…!”
She immediately burrowed into my arms, clutching my clothes as if afraid I would run away. The front of my tunic grew damp with her tears.
“Be strong. The late baron would not want to see his daughter in such distress.”
Eusebia shook her head.
“No. It’s not that… I, I did wrong… I just wanted to be with you, that’s all, but, ahhh—if only your letter had come a little sooner. No, I was stupid. I don’t know how I could do such a thing while wearing a human face. I really don’t know. I really…”
Eusebia rambled incoherently. I stroked her back and glanced at the table beside the bed.
The letter I had sent was lying open. It was the letter I had written with the intent of provoking her into assassinating the baron.
Now, it was driving her deeper into regret. It wasn't my original intention, but it wasn't a bad outcome.
“Eusebia, what have you done to blame yourself so much? Have you not heard the news yet? That Lord Segerik has permitted our marriage?”
Eusebia, who had slightly lifted her head from my chest, had pupils that trembled minutely. She pulled away from me and buried her face in the bed again.
“Ahh—I’m not worthy. How can I stand by your side with this sinful body…? My existence will only be a burden to you…”
“What have you been talking about since a moment ago?”
I asked slyly, my face a mask of ignorance.
“It’s all your fault. If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t have committed such a horrific act… No. That’s an excuse. I was the wicked one. Blinded by love, I did something I should never have done. Ahhh—”
Eusebia wailed. I forced her to sit up and held her again. Then, still feigning ignorance, I asked.
“What in the world are you talking about?”
Eusebia avoided my gaze. Her face was filled with fear. She was afraid that I would abandon her if I learned the truth.
She hesitated for a long time before finally telling me the truth: that she had fallen for Josephine’s trick and put poison in the baron’s teacup.
Her trust in me had overcome her fear. The irony was that I was the one who had manipulated Josephine into doing it.
After she finished speaking, Eusebia watched my reaction. Right now, she desperately needed comfort. If she couldn’t alleviate her guilt, she might break down completely.
That was what I wanted. I feigned a look of utter shock and shot to my feet.
Eusebia, who had been in my arms, collapsed weakly. Her eyes, looking at me, trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
“How could a person…!”
“I-I’m sorry. I, I wasn’t in my right mind… I was just tricked by her words that this was the only way to be with you…”
A beat later, Eusebia grabbed my clothes and clung to me.
I coldly shook her hand off.
“Even so, you were the one who did it with your own hands…!”
When I turned my back, Eusebia grabbed me by the waist again.
“D-don’t leave me! You’re all I have left now… Please, please…!”
Eusebia clung to me like a whining child. She was desperate, as if she would die if the hands holding onto me were to let go.
I pried her hands off with force and said.
“How am I supposed to live my whole life with a woman who killed her own father? There will be times when we disagree, and I cannot bear the risk of being assassinated every time that happens.”
“No! How could I ever do that to you, Sir Allen…! I love you! I love you so much I would die if you told me to…!”
“Can you prove that?”
“H-how…?”
I took a chair from beside the bed, sat down with my back to the door, and crossed my legs. Then, I gave my command.
“First… take off your clothes.”