Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Letter
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..How did it end up like this.
That day had been just like any other.
A peaceful day when a little girl with golden hair and sky-blue eyes played in the garden with the maids.
She was a noble lady of the Argentus Empire. Specifically, the youngest daughter of the Marilsian Count's family, a high-ranking noble house—Sena Marilsian.
Sena was always the bright child who brought smiles to everyone's faces with her sun-like grin. Everyone in the count's family believed this peace would last forever.
Sena basked in the abundant love from her brother and parents, spending her time frolicking through the flower beds with the servants.
..Everyone thought this time would last forever.
Whispers and murmurs—
As Sena played like always, she noticed the atmosphere in the mansion was different. Normally, everyone would be smiling, but their faces were stiff and tense.
Her parents, especially so.
Being a sensitive child, Sena wondered why the mood had sunk so low.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she sneaked up to her father, the Marilsian Count's study and pressed her ear to the door.
To eavesdrop, as they say.
But this was the count's mansion, not some dog's house—there was no way a little girl could just listen in unnoticed.
..Normally, that is.
For some reason, the entire count's mansion was in disarray, full of oversights.
..Even the master of the house, the Marilsian Count, was unaware that his study door stood ajar.
Peeking through the gap, Sena realized her father and mother were arguing fiercely.
‘..Scary..’
It was the first time she'd seen her parents with such hardened expressions. Overwhelmed by this new fear, Sena couldn't tear herself away and ended up hearing their conversation to the end.
“You..! What do you mean by that! Betrothing Sena..!”
“But there's no other way to save the family, my lady..!”
Sena's mother, the Countess Marilsian, twisted her face in anguish.
..Again.
That terrifying expression.
‘She doesn't look like Mom..’
Grip—
“What do you..! Are you sure you've looked into it properly? Even so, betrothing that child..! And to a bastard, no less..!”
‘Bastard?’
Sena rolled the word "bastard" around in her mouth a few times.
She was around elementary school age by Earth's standards, but she was still a noble. She knew what a bastard was.
..An existence born outside the bloodline, a stain of dirty blood to any noble.
And she was to be betrothed to such a bastard?
“Do you think..! Do you think I want to force our precious Sena, whom I wouldn't trade for the world, into a betrothal? Especially to a bastard!”
“Then why..!”
The count raised his voice thunderously.
As if shouting at someone.
“Because this is the only way to save the family!!”
“...!”
“Those damned cultists ruined our investments, plunging us into severe financial crisis! We've held on until now, but we're at our limit..”
The count's face contorted as if he could kill someone. The countess's face twisted in kind as she faced him.
“Even so, that's too much..! Are you really going to accept every single one of the Banus Marquis Family's demands..?! I understand the financial aid and aligning with the noble faction! But why betroth her to a bastard..!”
..Hoo.. My lady. I understand your anger. My heart feels like it's burning too. But the situation is so dire that we'd accept even their humiliating proposal..! Haah..”
The raw emotions in the count's words—anger, sorrow, resignation—tore at Sena's heart.
Soon, the Countess Marilsian wiped away tears. Sena took in the sight once more, etching the sorrow of her always-smiling parents into her eyes.
‘..Because of me.’
Because of Sena's existence, her parents hurled harsh words at each other.
‘Mom and Dad are suffering because of me.’
She didn't fully grasp the situation.
But one thing was certain amid the uncertainty: the count and countess were raising their voices and shedding tears because of her.
Because she was their precious daughter.
That fact weighed on her young heart for the first time.
“..Then, at least ask Sena about it.”
“..Do you think that child will understand us?”
The countess bit her lip.
“We still have to talk to her. She's the one involved, after all..”
“..Hoo, alright, my lady..”
With that, the count and countess approached the door.
Sena snapped to attention and fled back to the garden.
And just like always, she put on an act of knowing nothing, smiling innocently.
.
.
.
.
“..Are you really okay with this?”
“Yeah!”
“Sena, think it over again. A betrothal isn't something to take lightly.”
But if I don't get betrothed, won't Mom and Dad be in trouble?
Sena barely swallowed her true feelings.
And then,
“I'm really okay!”
“..Alright, I see. Okay, Sena..”
The Countess Marilsian let out a sigh heavy with sorrow and walked away somewhere.
After that, Sena heard that a contract had been signed with the Banus Marquis Family.
..And that the boy she would spend her life with was coming here.
And then,
“Ah, h-hello..?”
“...Pleased to meet you, Lady Marilsian.”
She met a boy with a cold demeanor, looking somehow lonely like a wounded wolf.
..Thus, Yujin and Sena's first meeting came to pass.
Back at the mansion.
Greeted by the knight-turned-secretary he'd seen that morning.
“You're back, Your Excellency.”
Nod—
Yujin glanced at him with an expression asking if anything had happened.
“Nothing out of the ordinary. Minor issue with a few Black Lotus Knights sustaining light injuries during training, but otherwise, all quiet.”
Black Lotus Knights.
The greatest military force of the Banus family since the empire's founding.
The knights under the Black Lotus Knights were at least mid-level Experts, with quite a few at Graduate level between Master and high-level Expert.
‘They only rise to the Black Lotus Knights after training and proving themselves in lower knight orders before reaching mid-level Expert.’
And the most unique aspect of this knight order was their fanatical loyalty to the 'family head.'
Even if something treasonous occurred within the family, and someone seized the marquis title by force.
The key point was that if the usurper had sufficient qualifications in the Black Knights' eyes, they wouldn't stir. Ultimately, they obeyed only the commands of a qualified family head with overwhelming might and dominance, regardless of the means.
That's why, when he returned from the war and conducted purges, the Black Lotus Knights survived under Yujin. They not only stayed silent about his actions but even offered support.
‘Knights are all the same.’
Whether the imperial guard knights or his family's Black Lotus Knights—the Black Knights—they held near-religious reverence for Masters.
He understood it.
A Master was the pinnacle of what they aspired to.
‘That's why seizing control of the family was even easier.’
Yujin shook off the idle thoughts and looked at the secretary.
“What about Lady Arkabella?”
“After entering the palace to see Your Excellency, she quietly slipped out of the mansion about an hour later.”
“I see. Understood.”
She'd returned discreetly to the duke's residence.
Then he'd have to set a time soon to talk.
‘...Hmm.’
...That aside, should he get engaged to Lucia first? She said it was fine to take another woman, reason unknown.
It was a matter of order.
Engaging Irene first would be kicking the imperial family to the curb, but engaging Lucia first would allow him to embrace Irene too.
…
‘Tricky issue.’
As he shook his head and tried to pass the secretary,
“Your Excellency.”
He handed over a letter.
“What's this?”
“..A letter from Archduchess Arkabella. She said to deliver it upon your return. It seems magically treated, likely intended for your eyes only before disposal..”
Magically treated, huh.
Sure enough, Irene's mana clung to the paper.
‘..Come to think of it, she's a mage.’
He wasn't sure of her exact level, but at her young age, she seemed around 5th or 6th circle—truly the blood of the Arkabella Duke Family.
‘Their reputation as a magical powerhouse holds true.’
Of course, others might scoff at the thought.
The continent's youngest Master in history, who etched his name in its annals, thinking such things.
“Got it. I'll check it myself. You're dismissed.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The secretary bowed and quietly withdrew.
Yujin entered his room and opened the letter.
Then, a purple mana reminiscent of Irene's hair color began slowly burning the paper.
“……?”
He was taken aback.
He'd meant to read it, but the letter suddenly ignited.
‘Did someone else tamper with it?’
No, only Irene's purple mana was on it. Which meant this was truly her intent..
‘...Maybe I should learn at least the basics of magic.’
At that moment, Irene's recorded voice transmitted directly into Yujin's mind.
—“Your Excellency. I'll come see you tomorrow morning.”
—“Your loving Irene.”
“...Huh.”