Chapter 342: At Least You Shouldn't Be Crying, Right? (2)
Chapter 342: At Least You Shouldn't Be Crying, Right? (2)
Faced with Patrick’s stern reprimand, Matthias fell into deep thought.
How should he answer?
How could he escape this crisis?
‘I don’t know.’
Matthias Carvan.
He was, by nature, a simple and straightforward man who lacked guile.
He had distinguished himself on the battlefield enough to be called the Overlord’s right hand, but those achievements were only possible because he had followed the Overlord’s commands and Noah Gregory’s strategies.
He was not a man accustomed to making judgments and acting on his own volition rather than following orders.
No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't find a clever scheme to escape this predicament.
In the end, the method he chose was…
Shring.
Matthias drew his sword.
Did he intend to fight back, regardless of the outcome?
No. The choice he made after drawing his blade was…
"I will shoulder all the guilt. Therefore, Double Dragon, I ask that you protect my lord’s family in my stead."
Matthias brought the sword to his own throat.
Patrick watched him intently and asked, "Are you trying to take responsibility with your life?"
"I know of no other way."
"……."
"I leave the rest to you."
Without a moment's hesitation, Matthias thrust the tip of the sword toward his neck with all his might.
Stab!
The blade pierced his skin. However…
"That’s enough."
It only went in a tiny bit.
Before he knew it, Patrick had grabbed the blade, stopping it in its tracks.
Blood trickled down the tip of the sword embedded in his neck, but the wound was not life-threatening.
Patrick let out a long sigh.
"Like master, like servant… Always dumping their shit on me."
"Double Dragon."
"In the first place, you were included in the mountain of chores that bastard left for me to clean up."
"……."
Matthias remained silent.
What could he possibly say?
In the end, he was nothing more than a loser who had failed to protect his lord…
Looking at the dejected Matthias, Patrick continued.
"Black Knight Matthias Carvan. As the victor, I hereby command you, the loser."
"……."
"Live."
"……."
"Your sins are not so light that they can be repaid by death. So, live and pay them back. Spend the rest of your life in atonement."
"……."
"That is the price for me granting your request."
As Patrick finished speaking, the strength slowly drained from Matthias’s hand.
Plunging his sword into the ground, he bowed his head.
"I swear to spend the rest of my life in atonement."
"It won't be easy. You're not my subordinate or anything, so I'm going to work you to the bone—to the point where you might actually wish you were dead."
"I would have it no other way."
The strongest man of the Yuzef Kingdom.
The Black Knight, Matthias Carvan, thus entered Patrick’s service.
*
Back to the present.
Patrick looked at Queen Catherina, who was kneeling before him.
"I want to make one thing clear while we're at it."
"Please, speak."
"You and your son are blameless."
"……."
Catherina clenched her fists.
It was the thing she wanted to hear most, yet it was also something she could never say herself.
How could she dare?
She was the Overlord’s wife.
She had even given birth to the Overlord’s son.
The name of the Overlord—a symbol of evil despised by the entire continent—would follow this mother and son for the rest of their lives.
Her son’s future was nothing but a path of thorns. Simply because he was the Overlord’s son.
However, there was only one person.
One person who could protect her and her son.
The Double Dragon standing right before her eyes.
And he had acknowledged them. He had said they were innocent.
With those words alone, she felt as if she had found hope in the midst of profound despair. However…
"I am deeply grateful for your immense consideration and mercy."
She steadied her trembling heart and maintained her humble posture.
She lowered herself completely.
It was as if she refused to show even a hint of relief or peace of mind, lest it be used against her.
Patrick felt pity for her.
‘She’s like a puppy that’s been abandoned once.’
Then again, her circumstances were tragic beyond measure.
Once a royal of the highest birth, she was now the wife of the Overlord, a man hated by the entire continent.
Even Patrick couldn't shield them from all the hatred and resentment that would be poured upon them—or more accurately, upon this mother and son.
So, it was understandable why she was so tense and humble.
‘Telling her to relax won't actually make her relax.’
Patrick didn't intend to stop at words.
To keep his promise, he intended to provide a foundation upon which this mother and son could live in peace.
"If there is anything you desire, tell me."
"How could I dare harbor such a wish?"
"……."
"The kindness you have already shown us is more than we deserve."
"……."
Patrick scratched his head.
"It’s really rare for me to say something like this."
"……."
"Stop being so frustrating and just take it when I’m offering."
This truly was a rare occurrence.
Normally, he was the type of person who would say:
[You don't need it? You really said that, right? Don't try to take it back later. Saying no once and then changing your mind later is the 38th thing I hate most.]
It was truly uncommon for Patrick to try this hard to give someone something.
‘Heh, Master, don't I look quite like a Great Hero now?’
[Are you sick or something?]
‘This old man…’
Patrick felt a brief surge of irritation but simply let out a sigh.
Well, what could he do?
‘It’s all karma I’ve built for myself...’
[Are you really sick? Let’s go see a doctor.]
‘…….’
He hated his Master.
As Patrick’s shoulders slumped, Queen Catherina spoke.
"Is it truly alright for me to say what I desire?"
"Of course."
"Is it really alright?"
"I promise. On my name, I will do whatever it is, as long as it’s within my power. Provided, of course, that it doesn't go against what is right."
Patrick went ahead and made a firm promise.
In truth, it wouldn't be a loss even if he granted almost any condition she asked for.
He had already gained a massive advantage thanks to her formal surrender on behalf of the Yuzef Kingdom’s royal family.
The Schneider Duchy had been able to fully annex the vast territories of the Yuzef Kingdom while minimizing the bloodshed required in the process.
Considering that achievement, he could grant almost any request.
‘Even if she asks for the former territory of the Flame Kingdom to be separated and made independent... well, it’s not something I couldn't do.’
At that moment, Catherina stood up, looked at Patrick, and spoke.
"Please make sure to keep that promise."
"I told you, of course I—huh?"
Rustle.
He heard a sound he had heard once before.
The sound of fabric sliding against human skin. The identity of that sound was…
"Uh... uh-oh. Hey. What are you doing?"
Patrick tried to stop her in a panic, but it was no use.
Catherina took off her clothes.
Despite Patrick’s protests, she moved her hands without hesitation, shedding the garments covering her body one by one.
Before long, she had stripped completely, revealing her naked form. Without even trying to cover herself, she looked at Patrick and spoke.
"My body is lacking, but I hope to receive the Grand Duke’s favor."
"No, wait. Excuse me, Queen?"
This wasn't right.
How on earth did the conversation suddenly jump to this? As Patrick tried to say something, Catherina beat him to it.
"You told me to ask for whatever I wanted, didn't you? You even gave me your word."
Well, he did say that. He had made a promise.
"This is what I want."
"……."
"Surely, the strongest man on the continent and the Grand Duke of the Schneider Duchy wouldn't break a promise so lightly."
Damn it, this is why you shouldn't make promises recklessly.
As Patrick stood there troubled, Catherina approached him with a seductive smile.
"I wouldn't dare dream of being your primary wife. Even as a concubine, please, let me stay by your side."
"Look, let’s just talk for a second."
"Are you telling me to ask for what I want, only to reject me now?"
"……."
"If that is the case, there is nothing I can do. This shameless, vulgar woman has no other way to survive, so please, just take my life."
"……."
So, either sleep with her or kill her?
One of the two?
Wow... there was no way out.
‘Master, what do I do?’
[I don't know, kid.]
‘How can you not know?!’
[Why did you run your mouth and cause this mess in the first place?]
‘How was I supposed to know?!’
[Anyway, I don't know. Don't look for me.]
Damn it, as always, his Master was useless.
And in the meantime, Queen Catherina was drawing closer.
Patrick backed away bit by bit, but he had run out of physical space to retreat.
He was literally cornered.
Catherina reached him, gently wrapped her arms around his neck, and smiled.
"I shall take that as your acceptance."
The soft, sweet scent of a woman tickled Patrick’s nose.
Her lips slowly approached his.
Just as their lips were about to touch…
"Queen Catherina?"
"Yes?"
Patrick straightened his expression and pushed her away.
Looking at her as she wore that dizzying smile, he spoke.
"That’s enough."
"Do you not find me to your liking?"
"……."
"I don't think women like me are common."
"Well, that’s true. But…"
"But what?"
"Usually, if you're going to seduce someone like this…"
"……."
"At least you shouldn't be crying, right?"
"……."
"Isn't that so?"
What Patrick saw were the tears streaming incessantly down her cheeks.
Patrick said to her, "This isn't what you truly want, is it?"
"……."
"Therefore, the promise is void. Tell me what you really want, or at the very least…"
"……."
"Tell me your honest feelings."
That one sentence broke Catherina.
"Ugh…"
The expression she had been struggling to maintain crumbled.
Burying her face in Patrick’s chest, she burst into tears.
Her shoulders shook violently, and her tears flowed without stopping.
‘Yeah. It must have been hard.’
Patrick let out a sigh.
He understood why she had tried to use such an extreme method.
The husband she had respected and loved turned out to be a villain who had joined forces with a Dark Mage to destroy her homeland.
She had given birth to the child of that villain and enemy.
And even in the midst of all this, she still loved her son.
A mother can sometimes become strong in a way that no man can compare to.
She must have resolved to do anything for the sake of her beloved son.
To change the life of her son, who was born as the Overlord’s child, she felt she had to become Patrick’s woman, even if only as a concubine.
If she did that, her son could be reborn as the son of the Double Dragon.
Everything was for her one and only son…
That was the motivation that had driven her. However…
"Ugh… H-hic…"
"It’s okay to cry. Don't hold it back, just cry."
"Waaaaah!"
No matter how strong she tried to be, in the end, she was just a fragile woman.
A woman of the noble Spirit Royal Family bloodline who had displayed great valor on the battlefield, she wept at Patrick’s permission.
Like a small child.
Patrick hesitated on what to do, then simply placed his hand on her head and stroked it gently.
As if soothing a crying child.
And then…
"Patrick, what’s going on—"
Isabella entered the tent.
Upon witnessing the scene inside, her body froze solid.
She had entered out of concern after hearing a woman’s crying, and what she saw was…
How was she supposed to take this?
"Wait, Isabella," Patrick said hurriedly.
"I know this looks like a situation that could be misunderstood. I really do. But if you just listen to me, you'll understand."
Patrick desperately tried to clear up the misunderstanding. However…
"Honey, what’s— What the fuck?!"
Wow, that was the first time he’d ever heard an Elf swear.
No, that wasn't the problem—Elione had walked in too. And…
"Everyone, why are you—"
April had entered as well.
Seeing her frozen stiff, a hollow laugh escaped Patrick’s lips.
Haha. Everyone’s here. Everyone.
How was he supposed to escape this crisis?
"First of all, no. It’s really not what it looks like. I can explain everything. No, we can explain everything."
Patrick making excuses by himself would just sound like the bullshit of a man caught cheating.
Patrick hurriedly asked for help.
"Please, say something. Nothing happened between us, and nothing was going to happen, right? So please, clear up the misunderstanding for my wives."
Then, Queen Catherina…
"Hic… hiccup… that is… ugh… hic… uwaaaah…"
"……."
Ah, she still couldn't control her crying.
Right. That could happen.
Physiologically, once the floodgates of tears open, it takes some time to pull oneself together, doesn't it?
Sure. That could happen.
The problem was that by doing that right now…
‘It looks to everyone like I’m threatening you into doing something against your will!’
Patrick looked at his beloved wives.
Meeting their eyes, which were filled with distrust, disgust, and contempt, a resigned smile played on Patrick’s lips.
"I'm screwed."
K-BOOM!
Patrick’s tent was blown to smithereens.