🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 51
Zenemia hesitated before speaking.
“There’s one more problem. The Kraken.”
The air in the room instantly turned cold.
“That monster that His Highness Stout controls… if we go out to sea, there’s a high chance the Kraken will appear. However, I’m not sure if the Atlas can even stop it. I cannot be certain.”
Miles rubbed his chin. The Kraken was truly an ancient monster that no one could reasonably face. Perhaps only someone like Kaisa could even stand a chance. If that was the case, this voyage would truly be a life-or-death undertaking.
“Who would risk their life for such a voyage?”
Roela paused in thought before lifting her gaze.
“I can handle it. I’ve already received word that the mercenaries will soon set sail on a smuggling ship. We can take them aboard.”
She had already paid a substantial advance. That amount would easily allow her to get them onto this ship—or at least, she was confident she could.
“And I… I want to come too.”
Roela gritted her teeth.
“I’ll go myself to bring him aboard.”
At that, Miles raised his hand as well. He was the one who should have volunteered first. With Milena absent, he realized just how important she was. She was the only one who could clear the storm cloud hanging over Elbertan.
“I’ll go too.”
Seeing their resolve, Zenemia sighed.
“I cannot go. I am the only one who can keep Giberta in check. So it must be just the two of you—”
“I will go too.”
Adelhart, who had remained silent until now, raised his hand. His eyes darkened as he spoke.
“Let me come aboard as well. I want to meet Duke Kaisa myself.”
Everyone had different reasons, but they shared the same goal. The massive ship, Atlas, was ready to write a new chapter in history.
No matter what, duty had to be done.
Whether Kaisa was offered the title of Count or a marriage proposal with Bella Kester, I remained the maid caring for the Grand Lady, and Kaisa was the employed knight.
One could only speak with authority after fulfilling one’s duty.
So I continued to care for the Grand Lady as if nothing had happened.
“Milena, could you spare a moment?”
Reivan’s voice carried more weight than usual. I paused from organizing the Grand Lady Elizabeth’s medicine and looked up.
“Right now?”
“Yes. It’s important, so come to my office.”
Judging by the fact he came for me personally, it seemed serious.
In truth, I had anticipated such a moment. Recently, Reivan had become increasingly blatant in his interest in Kaisa, and his moves to use Bella were apparent. I never imagined he would embed ulterior motives even in language lessons.
Since it wasn’t working on Kaisa, now he was trying to provoke me.
Panic was defeat. I could handle this.
I took a deep breath and headed to Reivan’s office. When I knocked, a voice called me in.
The office was quiet. Reivan sat at his desk, with a single empty chair before him.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Count.”
Sitting down, I felt as if I were already a criminal. Clearly, this chair was chosen to pressure me. I straightened my posture and met his gaze. Reivan observed me briefly before speaking.
“Milena, you’re smart.”
“You flatter me.”
“No, truly. I cannot shake the thought that all of this started because of you.”
He lifted a teacup, then set it down, appearing tense. Why? Kaisa had already threatened them. A person who could not speak? If Kaisa could have spoken, he would have crushed them all.
Hence, he was now focusing on practical conversation lessons.
“Milena, why don’t we speak honestly? Beating around the bush is a waste of time.”
“…What is it you want to say?”
“I want you to help me persuade Kaisa. His Majesty the Emperor wants Kaisa to marry Bella and be granted a ducal title. I wish to assist in that.”
I raised an eyebrow.
The absurdity lay in the fact that Kaisa’s own will wasn’t considered at all. This was all Siern’s ambition.
“I believe this is all for Kaisa’s sake.”
That too was their claim.
“Kaisa doesn’t want it.”
I replied coldly. Reivan frowned. He pressed his hands to the desk and leaned toward me, his posture intimidating.
“You shouldn’t speak like that, Milena. You seem to think I’m being lenient just because I speak politely. Let me be clear: I am giving you an opportunity. I could proceed without courtesy if I wanted.”
“Proceed without courtesy?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Was he really saying he would force a marriage on Kaisa?
“Try it if you can, Count.”
No goodwill would reach him.
“Do you have a way to force a Swordmaster into marriage? How would you do it?”
“You. You can be used to pressure him. I am no gentleman.”
“I never assumed you were one.”
He was trying to use me. I had expected as much. Kaisa had two weaknesses:
His inability to speak, and me.
I was weaker than Kaisa—there was no denying that. But they had overlooked one thing: I am also the daughter of Elbertan. Even now, I was still Elbertan—the daughter of the Count of Elbertan, known as a master of diplomacy and strategy.
There was blood connection, after all.
“I am not a fool, Count.”
I met Reivan’s gaze firmly.
“I know the situation of the Siern Empire, that Poseidon is weakening, and how desperate the Kester family is.”
“….”
“And I knew from the beginning why Bella suddenly started teaching Kaisa a language. Unlike Kaisa, I predicted it from the start.”
Reivan remained silent, caught off guard. He had not expected me to see so far ahead. My insight was sharper than he anticipated.
“This is necessary for Siern, for the Empire.”
“Does Kaisa’s will not matter? Besides, you’ve restrained him.”
“That is by His Majesty the Emperor’s command. We are only controlling the Luikaron route due to the monster threat. It is to protect the Swordmaster.”
“Lies.”
I couldn’t help but sneer. Even now, claiming it was for Kaisa’s sake sounded so hypocritical and revolting.
“Now listen carefully, Count. Offering to recharge Poseidon was our act of goodwill for the people of Siern. Truly altruistic. But if you pressure Kaisa and me this way… why should we show such altruism? Why should we consider Siern’s circumstances?”
“Milena!!”
Reivan slammed his hand on the desk. His face was flushed with rage, expression hardened.
“He is a stranger. A complete stranger. And yet you feel no obligation to protect Siern. You have no duty to operate Poseidon.”
My voice lowered with intensity.
“Even if you disobey the Emperor’s orders, do you have the right to imprison him? Kaisa isn’t even a citizen of the Empire.”
I could see Reivan’s lips trembling. The reason they tried so hard to naturalize Kaisa was precisely that: to control him, to make him kneel, to leash him.
Now that I saw it clearly, their audacity was shameless.
