Chapter 53
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Guest
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An unexpected guest.
The butterfly effect stirred up by that guest was strangling the countess, tightening around her throat.
"This won't do."
Cold sweat beaded on the countess's forehead.
If she stayed put like this, she'd end up choked to death.
Sit and die? Or thrash about in desperation?
At that crossroads, the countess chose to fight back.
She was the wicked woman who'd secretly plotted with her lover and even spread the plague.
She wasn't the type to sit quietly and accept death.
The problem was the surveillance.
They were trying not to make it obvious, but she knew the soldiers in the castle had their eyes on her unusually sharp.
The count's cold attitude made it impossible to miss.
So she secretly packed her things in preparation, waiting for dawn when the watch slackened.
Stealthily, cautiously, she slipped out of her bedroom.
She retrieved the luggage she'd stashed beforehand in an inconspicuous corner.
She changed into the lightest outfit possible.
"Good. This might actually work."
Hiding in a corridor corner, the countess's eyes sparkled.
Knowing the castle's layout made finding gaps easy.
Just a little more.
Once she got out of the castle, straight through the dog hole...
"Leaving already?"
Right after slipping out the back of the castle through a secret passage.
A woman approached, brushing moonlight from her red hair.
It was Ekyon.
"Wh-what are you doing here...?"
"You? Even for a countess, that's awfully rude. Guess you were in that much of a hurry."
Ekyon pressed her status to corner the countess and blocked her path.
Her massive breasts, threatening to burst her shirt, pressed against the countess's chest.
Ekyon was hefty; the countess was petite.
Anyone could see Ekyon had the upper hand.
"Th-that's..."
"I know it must be unpleasant. But you know what happens if a suspect like you tries to flee, right? No excuses left, sneaking out at night like this..."
Die later, or die now?
At the worst crossroads, the countess's back grew slick with sweat.
"Uh, ugh..."
The countess's lips quivered.
Her mind went blank white; she couldn't think at all.
Sly and evil, sure—but that was it.
She didn't have the mental fortitude to stay calm when backed into the absolute corner.
"I'll go back."
"Smart choice."
In the end, the countess gave up thinking and turned on her heel.
A thick noose of the gallows was creeping closer.
Castor returned from her assignment.
She immediately submitted the evidence, then passed fitting sentences on the criminal gang.
Execution for the lover and the plague.
The countess was hooded and hanged.
That sent the count's mental state crashing through the floor; he lived sighing nonstop.
His trusted wife turning out to be trash—couldn't be helped.
To rise from that pain, only family love and time would do.
Or burying himself in work nonstop.
"Thanks to Your Highness and the vice-captain, we resolved this matter. I'm truly honored and deeply sorry."
On the day of departure, the count bowed his head in apology.
He was mortified that his failure to keep his wife in check had caused this mess.
"Not your fault, Count. You did well."
I patted his shoulder in comfort, then boarded the carriage and left.
A more anticlimactic end than expected, but all the more relaxing for it.
"Yes, Your Highness. Safe travels."
"Thanks. The treatment of demonkin slaves was exemplary, and the overall administration left nothing to criticize. You're a key figure in the territory, so chin up. The lord is the pillar of the land."
Praise brought tears to the count's eyes.
He looked so pitiful I patted his shoulder once more.
"I'll etch Your Highness's words into my bones."
"Good. Take care."
Final goodbyes done, I climbed into the luggage cart.
He was noble faction but extremely friendly—grateful and glad in many ways.
Clunk.
As I boarded the luggage compartment, the cart rumbled into motion.
"By the way, Sis, why are you riding here?"
After leaving the count's castle and passing the territory gate.
I asked Castor, sitting opposite.
We'd come in the imperial carriage, but that one was trailing behind.
"Wanted to chat face-to-face like this. Nostalgic, too."
"Aren't our paths different? We're planning to wander around here and there..."
"I can do the same. Or am I in the way?"
Castor's eyes drooped downward.
Like a kicked puppy—I couldn't tell her to get lost.
"...Not that."
In the end, I sighed and shook my head.
"Just, if you're coming along, send the carriage ahead. Long road; explain properly."
"Oh, right! Got it."
Castor hopped out of the cart, eyes sparkling.
Speed slowed safely; no injuries.
"Amazing."
My escorts were all puppy-like too; Sis felt similar.
Minus the stiff speech, easy to get along with.
"Sudden guest; nothing to say. Everyone, bear with it."
"We couldn't dream of refusing or showing discomfort. And we're not, anyway."
Ekyon replied flatly from the driver's seat.
Antiope and Aktaion in the compartment seemed fine with it too.
"Thrilled Your Highness cares, but really, it's fine. Serving royalty is a great honor."
"Not a lapdog, but reliable enough."
"Thanks for understanding."
I sighed with a chuckle.
Not comfortable, but their considerate poker faces were appreciated.
Five territories to inspect to the eastern edge.
Light detours to nearby villages would take time, but necessary.
Originally meant to inspect that viscount's land too...
Castor vouched, and eastward flow, so skipped.
"Back."
Castor leaped back onto the cart.
Jumped down from below—no sound, no shake.
Plus, a bundle on her shoulder.
Extra weight, yet absorbed all impact—unbelievable.
"Ah, yeah. How'd you do that? No shock at all."
"This? Assassin's trick. Learnable quick. Want it?"
"No, thanks. Fine."
I shook my head with a smile.
Tempting, but no need from Castor.
Aktaion over there twitching shoulders would do.
"Must've stung."
Aktaion twitching secretly made my lips twitch.
Her pretending nonchalance was oddly hilarious.
"Oh. Sis did the pilgrimage too, right? How long?"
"Me? About half a year."
Casual chat, but shocking answer.
Half a year—way too fast.
"For real?"
Startled question; Castor nodded flatly.
Not just me—my bitches all wide-eyed.
"Yeah. Maximized efficiency, no breaks. Finish fast is best."
"Fastest among royals?"
"Yep. Ancestors, Mom, Emperor toured leisurely... not me. Pollux average."
"Your sister?"
"And yours too."
Pollux, huh.
Hearing the other sis's name made me want to see her soon.
"See her soon?"
"Yeah. Both heading north anyway."
"Right."
Sisters northern originally.
Just dispatched east temporarily; heading home natural.
"Stay a few days, then go. Spend time with Grandma. Different tasks; natural."
"True."
"Mm. But while together, want good times. Allow it?"
"No reason to refuse. Please do."
Hand out; Castor shook it.
Warm and cozy—nice.
With Castor added, the five territory inspections flew by.
She stepped up for needless tasks.
Specifically, assigned one sector per territory entry...
Investigated faster than anyone, returned.
Not sloppy either.
As precise as my bitches.
Shared load eased burden, burden sped time.
Exaggerate: HOV lane level.
Plus, punished the lord enslaving demonkin illegally.
All around efficient and fiery.
"Almost there."
Days on the move.
Finally entered Grandma's grand castle.
Pure white like painted; sturdy, huge.
Fairy tale stuff.
Even at night, glowed pristine white.
Castle itself like soft lighting.
"Really white."
"Shocked me first time too. White Night Castle lives up to the name. Still does."
Castor nodded, hopping down.
Castle bright; stables on grounds dim.
"Come. Your escorts should greet too."
"Yes."
Followed after dismounting, walked grounds with Castor.
Escorts made quite the group.
"Layout similar."
Inside, big picture same.
Just room positions, decor differences.
"Here."
Along moonlit hall, up stairs awhile.
Castor stopped at pure white door.
Inside white, outside white.
White Night Castle mostly white—but this door black.
"Only this door black?"
"Symbol for special one: lord's room. Used to hold breath passing it."
Castor nodded, knocked.
Knock knock. Night made it echo sharp.
"Grandma. Back. Brought Crown Prince; may we enter?"
"Come in."
Room's owner paused briefly before answering.
Short time, but pondered.
Castor opened at permission.
"Oh."
Moonlight filtering room.
Sky-blue haired woman at window, basking in it.
Plus, dress baring chest and thighs.
Sexy enough to rush blood to my cock.
Odd not in royal leather suit... but more exposure.
"Calm down, calm."
Dazed a sec, followed Castor in.
Three escorts behind same.
"Got the message?"
"Yes. While I cleaned up, this kid caused a huge stir."
Woman chatted casually with Castor, turned to me.
Cool exterior, soft inside.
"You're Orpheus's son. First time face-to-face?"
"Yes. Pleasure, ma'am. I'm Niu."
Bowed politely with respect.
Castle lord and my grandma deserved it.
"Welcome. I'm Amphion, your grandma."
As expected. Hearing it direct buzzed my skull.
What grandma this young?
"Yes, Grandma. Thrilled and honored to meet you."
"Me too. Plus, handled that pesky plague—look even prettier."
"Luck. And my escort caught the clue."
"Keeping that escort? All your power. Proud. But..."
Grandma Amphion frowned, arms crossed.
Supporting her hefty tits, made them stand out more.
"Damn."
Young looks, but grandma.
Trouble harboring desire, but cock reacted anyway.
"Healthy libido good, but not one bitch impregnated. That's disappointing."
Sudden blindside hit my ears.
Cock heating up iced instantly.