Chapter 551
Chapter 551
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 551
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Swordmaster in a Count's Family
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“Ugh...”
Clear, transparent tears streamed down her cheeks.
I quietly waited for her tears to stop. I figured if it was her tears, they'd cease soon enough. But unexpectedly, there was no sign of them letting up.
“I... I love you too, my lord.”
She took a step toward me. I pulled Yuria into my arms.
Deep down, I felt sorry for her.
The ring.
It was a ring that would vanish if I returned to my original world.
'I'll have to find the closest match from reality and give her that. Or maybe squeeze the dwarves to craft an even cooler one.'
Soon enough, Yuria's sobs subsided. Now it was time to head back to the room and confirm our love with our bodies.
Just as I grabbed her shoulders and opened my mouth to speak—
Boom!
The temple chapel doors flew open with a sound like a bomb dropping. Storming in were Duchess Filtania, her retainers, and their escorts. All told, over thirty people had barged in.
“Duchess Filtania! This is the sacred interior of the Temple of Love! The goddess will not forgive such outrage!”
The temple priest tried to block the duchess, but she didn't even glance at him, her eyes fixed on me and Yuria.
I spotted an old woman beside the duchess. Cloaked in a robe. The one who'd taken half my fortune and given me the ring. From the glimpse of her face, I could tell she was smirking.
'...No way. Did that old hag drag the duchess here?'
The back of my head throbbed. I never expected her to pull something like this. Was half my fortune not enough?
“Yuria. Let's run.”
I grabbed her shoulders and waist. If we bolted through the nearby window at full speed, we could shake off the knights.
“No. It's fine.”
Yuria slipped from my embrace. Her expression had returned to normal. No trace of her tears remained. She stepped forward confidently toward the duchess.
“You arrived faster than I expected.”
“......”
The duchess glared fiercely at Yuria. But only for a moment. She let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“I yield. Yuria. Return to the family home. How long do you intend to leave your position vacant?”
“His Majesty's response has arrived, I see.”
“Yes. I never imagined you'd go this far.”
“Mother. Are you formally acknowledging our relationship?”
“......I acknowledge it. And don't forget, Yuria. In exchange for my concession, you must elevate House Filtania to the highest seat.”
What was going on? I couldn't grasp the situation, my eyes just darting around. I had no idea why things were suddenly resolving so smoothly.
The duchess still glared at me, clearly displeased.
“Let's go back. Yujin. No, Viscount Yujin.”
“......!!”
Now I got it.
Our biggest issue had been status. Nobles marry other nobles. Lower nobility might wed wealthy merchants, but not House Filtania.
'While I was locked in the underground dungeon for a month, Yuria must have been working to make me a noble!'
I learned later that Yuria had forged documents, spread rumors through agents, and struck a deal bordering on blackmail with the king. In exchange for handing over evidence of Crown Prince Parein's dirty deeds, he'd granted me a noble title.
I was now a full-fledged noble.
“When will you hold the wedding?”
Yuria glanced at the ring on her left ring finger and smiled faintly.
“As soon as possible. Next week, perhaps?”
“Don't be ridiculous. You'll need at least three months to prepare.”
“Yes. I know.”
After our brief fugitive life, Yuria and I returned to House Filtania.
If status was the problem, then solve the status issue.
It hit me anew just how incredibly capable Yuria was.
Time had skipped forward.
I was in a lavish room, not the servant's quarters I'd used before. Because I was no longer a butler—I was a noble. The son-in-law of House Filtania, no less.
I immediately set out to find Yuria. She was in her office, not her room, preparing for the succession.
“Yuria. Time skipped for me... Did it for you too...?”
“This world's time revolves around you, my lord. When you first rewind, I do too. When you skip, so do I.”
“That's unexpected. What about advice, then?”
“Advice?”
Yuria knew nothing about advice.
I'd suspected advice might be her counsel, but it seemed they were entirely separate.
“This chapter is about destruction. Our destruction, my lord. Or Mary Komotops and Crown Prince Parein's. Those are the two possibilities.”
“It's one and the same in the end. We can't be destroyed, so those bastards will be.”
“Yes. I'll prepare. Though they'll ruin themselves without my involvement...”
Her words trailed off.
We gazed at each other.
“Lady Yuria.”
“......Yes, Yujin.”
Our faces drew close, lips meeting. I explored her mouth as our lips moved. Mm... smooch. The sounds of our kiss filled the office.
Yuria and I visited the academy we'd both dropped out of. To see Mary.
Crown Prince Parein had withdrawn too. From his perspective, he'd already secured Mary, and with the throne in sight, he had no time to waste at the academy.
Mary had changed. The unpretentious, modest, bright charm she'd had as a noble was gone. Now, her earrings, necklace, and dress were all flashy luxuries.
“I hope you've been well, Miss Mary Komotops.”
Yuria spoke to her with a smile, my arm linked with hers.
Mary didn't hide her displeasure, scowling openly.
“I would have been, if you hadn't shown up. What do you want?”
“Nothing much. Just delivering an invitation.”
“Invitation?”
I handed her an elegant envelope edged in gold leaf. Mary tore it open immediately. Her face crumpled like paper.
“A wedding... invitation?”
“Yujin and I are marrying next year. In a way, it's thanks to you, Miss Komotops, so we came to deliver it in person.”
It was an excuse. Really, we were here to provoke her. And it worked.
Grind.
Mary gnashed her teeth.
“...Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Yuria. You must be so happy.”
“Yes. Marrying someone who makes me happy makes me happy. When will you marry His Highness the Crown Prince, Miss Komotops?”
“......We're engaged, but no wedding date yet. More importantly, shouldn't you focus on your own marriage, Lady Yuria? Yujin was a butler originally. The retainers won't take it lightly. With such different backgrounds, I worry your marriage won't go smoothly.”
“Thank you for your concern, but the retainers all accept our union. As for married life... I believe Yujin and I can make it work.”
Yuria leaned into me. I held her. Our blatant flaunting made Mary's eyebrows shoot up.
“I'm more worried about you, Miss Komotops. Aren't your meetings with the crown prince growing fewer lately?”
“......That's none of your business, Lady Yuria.”
“I'm just worried about you. Distance breeds detachment. His position is even higher than mine. You're engaged but not married yet. The young ladies tempting him and nobles eyeing power won't stay idle.”
“Are you saying Crown Prince Parein is ignoring me and cheating?! You're cursing me!”
Mary exploded. She'd clearly been stewing over exactly what Yuria mentioned. Otherwise, she wouldn't react so sensitively.
“If I've upset you, I apologize. But know this—I said it out of concern for you.”
“Ha. You think I don't see through your attempt to get under my skin?”
Riiip. Tear! Rip!
Mary tore the invitation to shreds right in front of us.
“I'll attend your wedding when the time comes. And I won't forget today. We have nothing more to say, so leave.”
“Understood, Miss Komotops. I wish you continued peace.”
We left Mary behind and departed the academy.
Not long after, rumors spread that Mary was cheating. Her partner was a young academy professor.
“Lady Yuria. Is the rumor true?”
I asked her, committed to playing my role in this world.
“Yes, Yujin. The rumors are true. Investigation showed she's met Professor Nelman alone several times. Mary Komotops. Far more formidable than I thought.”
I'd expected Parein to slip first, not Mary.
Afterward, Professor Nelman vanished without a trace. But those in the know all understood. Crown Prince Parein had erased him.
Mary dropped out and started following Parein everywhere. Obvious. He was obsessed with her.
She was trapped in an invisible cage.
“Lady Yuria. Is it alright to do nothing? Crown Prince Parein is advancing unchecked. If this continues...”
“It's fine. He won't become king.”
“Pardon? The only heir is Crown Prince Parein.”
“He's a tyrant. Watch his actions, and you'll see his nature.”
“So letting him take the throne is the problem, no?”
“The royal family's power isn't absolute here. House Filtania alone rivals them. And there are three more families of similar might.”
“Hmm. That must headache the king.”
“Nobles don't want a tyrant. He lacks the force to be one. No power. Even as king, his orders would lack weight.”
A king without power is a tiger without teeth or claws.
Yuria continued.
“He has no military might to purge dissenters. No wealth—the royal coffers can't sway the economy. This country can't birth a tyrant.”
She asserted it was the kingdom's structure.
“And the nobles know. The previous crown prince didn't die of illness—Parein orchestrated it.”
“......So Parein's just rampaging now.”
“Yes. Rampages don't last forever. Eventually, he'll collapse. Then... the nobles will decide. Fortunately, there are plenty of royals.”
“Could it be...”
“Yes?”
“Nothing, Lady Yuria. More tea?”
“Yes, please. Yujin.”
A thought crossed my mind.
Parein's rampage began the day he sought Yuria's help. He followed her advice, tasted success, learned how to gain profit.
With everything going smoothly, he'd gained confidence, indulged in power's pleasures.
'Could Yuria have created the current Parein?'
The idea nagged, but I shook it off.
No way that could be possible.