IBTBD 26

chapter 26

“Astrahan… has been confined in the underground prison.”

Gerard said with a tense, stiff expression, as if his anxiety hadn’t fully subsided.

Still, he was the heir of the Astrahan Duke family.

It seemed he was contemplating whether locking him up in a moldy underground prison was truly the right course of action.

“That’s unfortunate.”

Kenich replied casually.

His tone was as even as always, but the faint lines on his face betrayed a deep sense of regret.

“Keep him barely alive. He might come in handy as leverage in dealings with the Duke of Astrahan.”

“Yes, understood.”

Gerard answered obediently, showing no objection.

‘Well, at least that’s a relief.’

After all, his life was spared.

All thanks to Gerard’s quick thinking.

I didn’t know why my name had come up or what incident made Kenich change his mind, but…

Well, whatever works.

‘If the heirs of both Duke families lose their power, the Imperial family would benefit the most.’

If that happened, it wouldn’t be good for me either.

For now, the incident was concluded by confining Erzin Astrahan to an underground prison from which escape was impossible.

There was no worry that the brainwashed Erzin would harm Kenich.

And considering that Erzin, who had dared to target a Duke in Kreuz Castle, was still alive, this was truly the best possible outcome.

‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’

Even I didn’t know the reason, which frustrated me.

We had only exchanged a single conversation.

He was a dangerous man who could have annihilated my family or put me in grave danger.

So why do I feel this way?

‘Somehow… it doesn’t feel unfamiliar.’

Erzin’s face reminded me of my past self—my own moments of loss and desperation.

Erzin, heir of a prestigious family, and I, heir of a fallen one.

It was absurd to compare the two, yet for some reason, I couldn’t shake the thought.

‘Perhaps…’

It must have started the moment I saw the dead eyes of Erzin Astrahan, devoid of hope or will.

Snap—!

Unconsciously, I split an almond in half with a blank expression.

“Why, aren’t you happy with today’s meal?”

Kenich asked, staring at me. I didn’t notice when he had started observing.

“Well, considering you usually try to hide plated dishes in your cheek pouch…”

‘Hey, when did I ever—’

I had indulged in snacks before, but I had never tried to swallow a plated dish.

After glaring at Gerard with my fish-like eyes for a moment, I shook my head lightly.

“Chut, chut-chut.”

Enough, enough.

There was no point in explaining anyway.

“What does that mean?”

“Well… the food tastes amazing, but maybe today it just doesn’t feel like eating,” Gerard offered his personal interpretation.

‘Oh, heavens.’

For the first time at Black Dragon Castle, I felt understood.

After fiddling with his fork a bit, it seemed Gerard was no different from me.

“Seeing that Lady Cherry didn’t click her tongue at me, I guess I was right! The question now is why…”

Gerard let out a deep, groaning sigh.

“What happened today?”

“Well, I went through all sorts of trials, but I imagine nothing particularly happened to Lady Cherry.”

It was a pointed statement.

Kenich’s expression twisted coldly, but Gerard deliberately kept his gaze on me.

“Perhaps it’s because you had a long time alone today… kind of like…”

“Kind of like?”

“Some sort of… protest, maybe?”

“I see. Makes sense.”

Kenich nodded seriously.

‘Sigh… no, you foolish reptiles…’

Now it had become a fixed routine: the lullaby time at the end of the day.

From several days of experience, I realized that the important part wasn’t the song itself but the steady rhythm of a gentle patting hand.

“Chut…”

Did my hand hold some magical power?

As I quietly stared at it, a faint, breathy laugh seemed to drift from above my head.

It was Kenich, leaning back diagonally on the bed.

W-was he watching me?

He had been reviewing documents until just now.

Quickly clasping my hands behind me and pretending to look away, I heard his drowsy voice.

“I’ll be busy for a while.”

Though his gaze remained fixed on the documents, his words were clearly meant for me.

It seemed that what Gerard had said earlier in the evening had left a mark on him.

“Chut.”

Alright, I get it.

I just nodded shortly.

It wasn’t a protest, as Gerard had guessed, and I was well aware of how much work a Duke had.

From the mundane tasks of his territory to the complicated matters with the Imperial palace and the nobles of the capital…

‘Not to mention the internal affairs of Black Dragon Castle.’

And with Erzin’s arrival, the castle had grown noisy.

I could understand why Kenich was swamped.

Moreover, I had my own tasks tomorrow.

I planned to examine Erzin’s room carefully while he was absent.

But then…

“Starting tomorrow, Ria Viper will be with you all day.”

A bolt from the blue.

“Chut?”

No! That’s unnecessary!

I frantically waved my arms, but between him and me, there was a wall of communication that couldn’t easily be bridged.

“You’ll be busy interrogating Erzin Astrahan, but I’ll have you check in with Gerard from time to time. So…”

“Chut?”

“Don’t be picky with food. You need to eat a balanced diet to live long.”

No need for that!

But…

‘Live long?’

I tilted my head toward Kenich, wanting to ask.

It was a question that probably wouldn’t be understood, but I wanted to ask it at least once.

How long would I be able to stay in Black Dragon Castle?

I feared I’d be cast out just as arbitrarily as I had been allowed to stay, thanks to my lullaby.

‘Or… like Erzin, am I just another piece to leverage in dealings with the Emperor?’

It felt as though a heavy stone was pressed on my chest.

Why did it feel like I was plunging into a black abyss?

As I sank into my thoughts, I could hear Kenich breathing softly.

Perhaps tonight he would sleep deeper than ever before.

After all, Erzin Astrahan, who had aimed at him, was now confined.

“Chut.”

Good night, Kenich.

I patted the back of his hand one last time and left the bed.

Unaware of the faint shimmer of light on his hand.

Drops, drip—

The sound of water droplets falling from the ceiling echoed through the underground prison.

“Let’s speak frankly.”

Gerard, forced into overtime without even returning to his room, dragged a chair with a tired face.

His role was to interrogate the man who had dared to target the Duke of Kreuz Castle.

It would have been ideal if it could be handled on the spot, as usual.

But the opponent was the only one who could rival the Kreuz family—the heir of Astrahan.

And he was acting under the Emperor’s orders.

“Speak frankly… nothing is more dangerous than that.”

Erzin slowly crossed his legs and spoke.

Though classified as a high-risk prisoner with restraints on his hands and feet, his expression and actions radiated ease.

It was the look of someone who had already achieved his goal.

‘What on earth is he scheming?’

Gerard narrowed his eyes, trying to gauge his intentions.

But who was Erzin Astrahan?

As cunning as a snake, he was adept at hiding his true intentions.

In the end, Gerard could only wait for him to reveal himself.

“Sigh… Lord Astrahan, if you continue to be this uncooperative, there’s nothing I can do to help you.”

“Kreuz’s lapdog is going to help me? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.”

“I didn’t expect much, but you really have no intention of talking to me at all, do you?”

Gerard made a quick judgment.

It was already 3 a.m.

Further time would be wasted.

“Then I’ll take my leave for today. There’s… plenty of time.”

The moment Gerard got up, letting out these strange words…

Clatter—!