Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Smiling While Hiding the Dagger (2)
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Carlo's red eyes and Mikel's blue eyes gleamed sharply.
"Both of you are as spirited as ever."
A voice laced with laughter dropped between them. Benifer stepped forward, positioning herself between the two lords like a barrier.
"Isn't that enough for greetings?"
At her mediation, the two lords reluctantly backed down.
"Ahem, well. It was just that I was happy to see you after so long."
"The feeling is mutual. It's been months, so your expression of joy was a bit excessive."
Hollow words continued.
Carlo chuckled dryly before asking,
"Come to think of it, Lord Mikel, didn't you bring your heir?"
He reached out and gripped Cain's shoulder.
"Isn't this kind of occasion a great learning opportunity?"
"That child... well."
Mikel's beard twitched.
"He's quite shy, you see. Besides, he can pursue his studies without needing 'this kind' of place."
It was a lofty statement, like a crane declaring no need to enter the muddy political swamp.
Crackle!
Sparks flew between the two lords again. It was a fierce exchange, each landing a solid blow.
"Oh my, you should have brought him at least once."
Lady Benifer skillfully inserted herself between the two.
"Breathing the capital's air would be good for him, wouldn't it? It'd be a valuable experience."
She winked with the tip of her nose and glanced at Cain.
"Who knows? He might even fall in love with that tall young man right here?"
Ho, ho, ho.
As Benifer's laughter continued, the two lords exchanged meaningful glances.
Benifer was probing their intentions under the guise of fussing.
'Any intention to unite the two heirs?'
That would signify a bond between the Ardante Family and the Concellare Family. It was an event that could upend the empire's power structure entirely.
"Conveniently,"
Carlo curled the corner of his lips.
"Their ages are similar. What do you think, Lord Mikel?"
"Father!"
Cain called out to Carlo in a lowered voice, then scanned the surroundings and promptly shut his mouth.
Mikel carefully examined Cain's face.
"Hmm."
Objectively speaking, Cain was not a bad choice. In fact, there was no better option in the entire empire.
But no one joins hands with a vulture for gain, especially one that might turn and bite at any moment.
"My daughter is still too young."
Mikel replied with a smile. It was an ambiguous tone, neither yes nor no.
"Heh heh, too young? From what I know, she's the same age as my son."
"That's true, but parents always see their children as young, don't they? Unless they're bragging."
He didn't forget to land one final jab at Carlo.
"By the way, haven't they arrived yet?"
Benifer changed the subject.
"Arrived where?"
"Ovest Territory."
"They always send a proxy anyway."
Carlo sneered as he surveyed the conference hall.
"So it must be one of those in there."
"They used to send the same knight every time, but I don't see him this year. That's why I thought they hadn't come."
"Looks like they sent someone different this year."
Benifer slowly nodded as Mikel spoke.
"Hasn't it been too long since we last saw Lord Diego Kindriel?"
"The western mountains of the empire are infamous for their danger. Without him, the border would have fallen long ago."
Benifer twisted her lips at Mikel's concerned tone.
"That doesn't excuse staying secluded for years like this. He should be grateful for His Majesty the Emperor's generosity."
"I agree."
Seizing the opportunity, Carlo stepped in.
"Is it so hard to show his face once every few months? This is an important gathering that decides the empire's major and minor affairs."
"Hmm."
Mikel merely let out a low groan.
On the surface, they seemed to be chatting idly, but in reality, they were fiercely checking each other.
It was the fate of those who held the empire's vastest territories and power. Showing even the slightest weakness meant falling behind and being eliminated.
"By the way, I saw that the last agenda item for today's meeting is quite intriguing."
Finally, a substantial remark came from Mikel's mouth. Carlo and Benifer's eyes took on meaningful glints.
"I agree. Very intriguing."
"It's the agenda that stirs debate every year."
The three pairs of eyes clashed in midair.
"...Then we should head in. Time's up."
Mikel was the first to avert his gaze.
"Very well. His Majesty the Emperor will arrive soon, so we should take our seats."
Benifer followed suit.
"Lord Carlo, aren't you coming in?"
"I'll head in shortly. First, a word with my son."
"...If that's the case."
The two turned and walked toward their seats. Their paces matched, neither leading nor following.
"Father."
Cain tore his eyes from their retreating backs.
"You don't seem to get along well."
"Why do you think that?"
"Everyone's smiling, but there's blades in their eyes."
As he answered, Cain let out an "Ah."
"But you seem to share some intentions with Lady Benifer."
"Oh? Hardly. I wouldn't even associate with that woman."
"...Pardon?"
"Son, remember this well."
A sneer crossed Carlo's lips.
"I'd sooner join hands with Mikel than with her."
"..."
"That woman's head is filled only with the Emperor. She's intent on offering the entire empire to him."
Carlo's brows furrowed as he finished speaking.
Through the Mare Guild, he'd learned that a significant portion of the eastern territories had already fallen into the Emperor's hands.
Precisely, into the hands of the Emperor's close aides, but that was just a ploy to fool the eyes.
'The Emperor's bitch.'
The curse rose to the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it down.
He didn't want to show Cain this crude side. He wanted to always appear as the kind and affectionate father.
No, he had to.
Carlo composed his emotions and spoke calmly.
"So avoid dealing with that woman as much as possible. She harbors poison within."
"Understood, Father."
Cain replied with obedient eyes.
"Your words have never been wrong. I trust you, Father."
An endlessly pure and clear confidence. A pristine sense of justice without a shred of doubt.
For that, Carlo would do anything. Even if it meant staining his own hands with filthy blood.
"Now, go on up."
He pointed toward the second-floor gallery outside the conference hall.
"I've prepared the seat with the best view. The place for my son must always be the finest."
"Thank you, Father."
"Do you understand that this conference hall is divided into four sections—east, west, south, and north?"
Carlo's hand pointed to one section of the hall. Behind it sat the group of nobles who had approached them so cordially earlier.
"That's our seat in Sud Territory. So, Cain, you sit in the upper part of that section."
"Yes. Though one seat seems empty."
Cain sharply pointed out the fact. His gaze was directed opposite his father's seat.
"Has Ovest Territory not arrived yet?"
Carlo glanced at the seat and scoffed inwardly.
'That narrow-minded fool, as always.'
In fact, Carlo had contributed to Diego no longer attending the conferences.
The trigger was minor. He hated seeing him lauded as the empire's strongest and strutting about with his nose in the air.
So he'd embarrassed him a few times in meetings.
'I didn't expect him to stop coming entirely.'
He hadn't realized the man was so petty. Truly befitting the title of Blue Wolf—lofty, or rather, stiff.
'What can that stubborn old man do anyway?'
Come to think of it, the Kindriel Family posed no real threat. Still, Carlo was the type whose temper wouldn't settle until he removed anything that irked his eyes.
"What does he plan to do when the meeting starts soon? Is he not even sending a proxy now?"
He clicked his tongue.
"Stop worrying about it and head up. We have our own business to attend to."
"Understood. I'll see you after the meeting."
Cain bowed politely and turned. Just as he lifted his foot onto the stairs to the second floor, "—!"
He froze in place.
"Father?"
He had witnessed Carlo's eyes widening abruptly.
"What's wrong?"
Carlo didn't answer. He merely stared outside the conference hall and muttered.
"That person...?"
It was a voice as if biting his lip. Profound shock etched into it.
"What...?"
To resolve his doubt, Cain descended the stairs again. He searched for where his father's gaze was directed.
Thud, thud.
A young man was walking toward the conference hall.
His sky-blue hair was neatly combed back, revealing a strikingly handsome face below, as if painted.
His tall stature and well-proportioned build harmonized perfectly. The tailored coat fit snugly, exuding luxury while accentuating his firm physique.
A leisurely gait devoid of any haste. Violet eyes languidly half-lidded.
"...No way?"
Carlo muttered in disbelief. His gaze frantically scanned the young man's blue hair.
By then, the young man had reached the entrance of the conference hall.
Thud.
His footsteps halted, and his pink lips parted.
"Move aside?"
It was an utterly roguish and flippant tone.
"..."
Cain stood blankly for a moment. Then he looked around and pointed at himself with a finger.
"...Were you talking to me just now?"
"Who else is here?"
The young man furrowed his brows as if asking the obvious.
"Or hurry up to the second floor."
Suddenly, Cain had become an unwelcome guest blocking the entrance.
'What the hell is this guy?'
No one had ever treated him this way before. The young man's arrogant attitude greatly irritated Cain.
Unaware that he himself was using rough language, Cain scanned the young man up and down.
'Is he really a noble?'
Upon closer inspection—and regrettably—
The young man exuded noble grace and etiquette. Even just standing there, his bearing was distinctly different from a commoner's.
However.
'Those eyes.'
Arrogant, as if looking down on others, confident yet aloof. It created a roguish aura unfit for a noble.
Moreover, the young man was slightly taller than Cain. That fact subtly fueled Cain's annoyance.
'If he's here, he must be a noble.'
Did he know anyone with such a face?
As Cain tilted his head, Carlo slowly opened his mouth.
"Young man, may I ask your father's name?"
"You know, so why pretend?"
The young man grinned. At those words, Carlo let out a low sigh, "Ha."
"Then you are..."
"As you guessed."
A smile shattered through the young man's narrowing eyes.
"Abel Ovest Kindriel."