Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: A Day on the River
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"Come closer."
"......Yes."
"Your name?"
"It is Aser."
The moment he stepped into the room, Aser realized he had entered a completely different domain.
The doors began to shut quickly, one after another. Aser’s entire body went rigid.
"What brings you to me?"
"......As I'm sure you're already aware, our Lord was unable to return with us."
"I see."
"Therefore, I will be coming in Lord Gray's place from now on."
"Hmm."
A low, contemplative voice drifted toward him.
That alone was enough to make the hair on Aser’s body stand on end.
As he waited for Diel, the Lord of Artban, to respond, Aser's mind raced.
Who in the world was colluding with the Artban family?
No matter how hard he thought, no one came to mind.
After a long moment, Diel's voice broke the silence.
"I suppose it can't be helped. Since that's what happened to Gray, you shall come from now on."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"But what about the child?"
"Because of what happened to our Lord, we could no longer demand the child's return."
"I imagine so."
A suffocating silence followed.
Aser's mouth went dry with anxiety. Diel was being extremely reserved with his words.
He was sizing him up, trying to determine whether or not he was someone's pawn.
If there was an informant in the family, they would have surely reported that Aser had negotiated alone.
Diel was bound to find that suspicious.
Aser felt a burning sensation in his stomach.
The moment he misspoke, he would be disposed of without a trace.
He squeezed his eyes shut. What should he do? He had to make a choice.
With a heavy heart, Aser made his decision.
"I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
Diel's voice was colored with a hint of welcome.
As if he had finally taken an interest in the conversation, his shadow could be seen leaning forward.
"Actually, the Astrofel family made me a secret proposal."
"And what was that?"
"It was..."
"Speak freely."
Aser almost let out a bitter laugh.
How many people could possibly speak freely in a situation like this?
He would be lucky just not to tremble.
He forced open his constricted throat. A cracked voice squeezed out.
"The Astrofel family proposed that I become a double agent."
This was a true gamble, the outcome utterly unknowable.
The conversation came to a halt. A heavy silence descended.
Soon, the sound of something tapping against an armrest could be heard. What was he holding? Aser’s nerves were on edge.
He couldn't see anything past the screen.
If Diel were to throw a weapon now, there would be no way to block it. In that moment, every second felt like an eternity.
"I see. And your reason for telling me this is?"
The tapping stopped. Aser knew instinctively.
His fate would depend on his answer.
"As you know, the position of Head in our family is currently vacant."
"I am aware."
"......For the stability of our family, we need our heir, Lord Jeff. For that, I will follow Lord Artban's orders to the best of my ability."
"You'll follow me?"
The idea of being followed seemed to please Diel, his voice filled with amusement.
*Clang.*
The sound of something falling to the floor echoed. Aser's eyes darted toward the noise.
A luxurious silver dagger, its blade tarnished black, lay on the ground.
"I think it would be fine if you became the next Head of the Roisar family."
"......Pardon?"
"You seem more useful than the foolish Roisar purebloods."
The screen was pulled aside. A handsome, silver-haired man was revealed.
Stepping deliberately on the fallen dagger, Diel closed the distance between them.
"So, did you agree to be a double agent?"
"......Yes, I did."
"What does the Astrofel family want most right now?"
"The child's safety. And they knew about Ella's existence. It seems she confessed everything."
*Tsk.* Diel clicked his tongue.
"I should have dealt with her sooner."
"They were looking for evidence that the Artban family was involved."
"I thought as much. Well, that's fine."
Diel waved a dismissive hand, his reaction suggesting it was of no consequence despite the damning implications.
"After all, there isn't a single piece of evidence related to that in this world."
"......Pardon?"
"Gray has lost his mind, hasn't he? Who would believe the words of a madman?"
But isn't Isabel still around? As if reading Aser’s mind, Diel’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
"You don't need to worry about Isabel. Anyway, for the Astrofel family to prioritize the child's safety... that makes me even more curious."
"They cherished the child."
"Then that child will be the Astrofel family's weakness."
Diel's eyes glinted.
"When do you make contact with them?"
"I've arranged to visit them once a week."
"Excellent."
What was so excellent about it?
Diel wore an expression of utmost satisfaction.
"Let's bring the child over when the time is right. Until then, you will earn the trust of the Astrofel people."
"Understood."
"I'll have to prepare a cage."
At the word "cage," Aser barely managed to swallow the curse that rose to his throat.
What kind of a madman is this?
"......May I ask just one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"Why are you so obsessed with the child?"
He could understand being interested after hearing of the child's birth.
He could even understand wanting to see her, since the Astrofel Lord doted on her so much.
But was it really necessary to push his family into such danger for this?
"I'm simply doing as I please. I thought it would be even better if my family could seize great power. Shouldn't the Artban family try to take the top seat as well?"
Doing as he pleases? Was that why he had committed treason?
Aser was at a loss for words.
It was a moment that clearly showed what happens when a smart madman is given power.
* * *
The second day of the trip.
Today was the day for boating. I was incredibly excited. I was finally going to ride in a boat!
I put on a wide-brimmed straw hat to shield myself from the sun.
The sunlight on the Benea River was intense.
"Welcome. We've been waiting for you."
The villa manager greeted us with a respectful nod. Three rowboats were waiting by the riverbank.
Why three?
"Aren't we supposed to go two by two?"
In the books I'd read, two people faced each other and took turns rowing.
No sooner had I spoken than Set made a face and said distastefully,
"We're riding together?"
Then Arban followed up with a question of his own.
"Who's riding with whom?"
Well... Kaide was going to ride with me, so that meant Set and Arban would be together, right?
As I stared blankly at the two of them, Set's expression soured.
He genuinely seemed to hate the idea.
"I'd rather stay at the villa than get in a rowboat alone with him."
"That goes for me, too."
"But isn't it more fun to ride together?"
…...No?
Their faces crumpled as if they'd heard something unspeakable.
A strong resolve, as if they'd rather the sky fall than ever get in a rowboat alone together, was plain to see.
Arban stated flatly,
"It's disgusting."
"You're not the only one."
Set shot back, not yielding an inch.
......If they hated it that much, there was nothing to be done. So that's why the manager had prepared three rowboats.
The manager, smiling as if he'd expected this, guided us forward. The oars were already in the boats.
"You can push the boats into the river, and once they're floating a bit, you can get in."
"Okay!"
We did as the manager said and pushed the rowboats to the river's edge.
I hopped inside. The boat rocked. I hoped I wouldn't get seasick or anything.
Kaide took the oars and began to row. The boat started to move.
"Whoa."
Even though I had spent all of yesterday in the water, this felt completely new.
I reached my hand down.
I had the illusion that I could catch the cool river water.
"I'm going on ahead."
Arban, who had been following beside us, began rowing fiercely and shot forward.
I took in the riverside scenery, feeling the gentle movement of the rowboat.
"It's so quiet."
"This isn't so bad."
"Uh-huh. It feels like we're in the sky."
Floating on the river that clearly reflected the sky, it truly felt like we were up in the heavens.
"Looks like they're enjoying themselves, too."
"Huh? Where?"
"Over there."
I turned my head in the direction Kaide was pointing.
Arban's boat, which had been surging ahead just moments ago, was now stopped.
And not far from it, Set's boat was also at a standstill.
I couldn't see them sitting up, so I figured they were both lying down, admiring the sky.
"I love it so much. Right, Papa?"
"Indeed."
"Let's come again next time. I wanna come here every year."
"Well, it is yours."
Kaide replied, giving me permission to do as I pleased.
Only then did the reality that he had given me the Benea River as a gift truly sink in.
"Whoa."
This was mine, wasn't it? The entire Benea River was my property.
I pinched my cheek, trying to grasp this dreamlike reality.
"Ouch!"
It brought tears to my eyes.
"......What are you doing?"
Kaide frowned. I shook my head, saying it was nothing.
Then I flopped onto my back and gazed up at the sky.
No one suggested heading back until it was time for dinner.
The river reflecting the night sky had a different kind of beauty. I felt like I would sleep soundly tonight.
But that night, I was struck by a high fever.