AWML 52

Chapter : 52

The earlier claim that there was no villain? Scratch that—completely scratch that.

No, they were already the villains to us. What they called justice was oppression and filthy coercion. Marriage? Forget it. Kaisa hates it.

“Poseidon will need to be recharged. All the discussions we had at the negotiation table are now null and void. Of course, I trust you won’t object. After all, you broke every single condition we set back then: promising to send us back, cooperating so we could return—everything.”

Reivan’s eyes widened.

“What right do you have!”

“Right? Naturally, the right of the representative. Kaisa said he would only speak through me.”

This had been arranged beforehand. Enough of tormenting someone who cannot even speak.

“Representative?”

“Yes. Kaisa will not appear here again. Do not call him for this matter anymore. He can’t even understand you. Tch.”

Reivan’s face flushed red.

As I rose from my seat, Reivan blocked me.

“Sit. I haven’t given permission.”

“I don’t see why I should ask for such permission. Hah, Count, do you still not understand the situation?”

One becomes even more brazen in front of cowards.

“We could turn you into an enemy. You understand how dangerous it is to make the Swordmaster your enemy, don’t you?”

Reivan’s face went pale.

“And as you know, nobles are never merciful to enemies. Kaisa, I, neither of us. I don’t understand why anyone should be merciful to their enemy. Do you understand what that means?”

I slowly drew my thumb across my neck. Reivan’s eyes contorted in horror.

“It means I will crush you by any means necessary, Reivan.”

I skipped the honorific—why should I put on a pleasant face for someone like this? Besides, I am a Count’s daughter myself.

“Shall I make friction between Luikaron and Siern?”

Reivan closed his mouth as if tasting honey.

“Shall I go outside and tell everyone that Kaisa was threatened, forced into a marriage he didn’t want, and refused to recharge Poseidon? Shall I make a scene?”

Reivan’s eyes widened further. The emotions in them were almost uncontrollable.

“Think it’s impossible? No, I can do it. After all, I’m not from Luikaron, so there’s no shame. Then, whose side will the citizens of the Empire take? Are there any among them who do not remember the despair of the day Bardanos brought disaster? Even here, in Kester?”

I sneered without thinking. This was just a media tactic. I am a noble, after all. Why do they keep forgetting that?

Now Reivan seemed to realize who was in control. Perhaps this is why people only understand after being defeated. My words had struck hard; the echo lingered. I sighed and continued.

“Count, loyalty gained through coercion doesn’t last. It only leads to betrayal. But devotion chosen willingly is different. If Kaisa decides to fight for Siern on his own, that loyalty will be genuine.”

“I…”

“Think carefully, Count. Will you hold their hand again, or let it go entirely? If you want to cast us out to that sea, go ahead. Dying together isn’t necessarily bad.”

He added the last part for shock effect. Why die? We’ve survived this far already.

Still, it seemed my bluff had worked on Reivan. He didn’t stop me as I walked out. Once outside, I let out a sigh. Exactly—why provoke me? I was holding back just fine.

After his conversation with Milena, Reivan immediately called Bella. Bella immediately noticed that Reivan’s expression was different from usual.

“What happened, brother?”

“Sit, Bella.”

Reivan’s voice was heavy. When Bella sat on the sofa, he recounted the entire conversation with Milena. It included humiliation—he couldn’t believe he had been outmatched by Milena. It felt like being possessed by a ghost in an instant.

Bella’s expression darkened.

Reivan sighed.

“It seems Milena has completely taken control of Kaisa. Kaisa trusts only Milena. Whatever Milena says, he will follow her words.”

Bella gripped her teacup tightly, as if it might shatter.

Thinking of Milena and Kaisa side by side, anger surged within her. There had been a reason why she felt uneasy from the start. Perhaps she had already foreseen this day.

“So… you mean no matter what I do, it’s useless?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Reivan smiled coldly.

“Bella, think about it. They are strongest only when they are together.”

Milena lacked strength, Kaisa lacked words. Together, they were strongest.

“You need to separate Milena from Kaisa.”

Reivan spoke firmly.

“They are too close now. You must break that bond to create an opportunity for yourself with Kaisa.”

Bella bit her lip.

“But how? Kaisa cannot communicate in Siern language without Milena. Naturally, he relies on her.”

“That’s exactly what we’ll exploit.”

Reivan went to the desk and spread out a map.

“Physically separate Milena from Kaisa. Send her elsewhere.”

“Elsewhere?”

“For example…”

Reivan pointed at the map.

“A remote estate on the outskirts of the Kester territory. You can claim it’s to care for the Grand Lady. Milena goes with you.”

Bella’s eyes shone.

“That would separate Milena from Kaisa.”

“Exactly. First, send Kaisa into battle. The distance is significant, so it will take time to return. Meanwhile, you fill the space by Kaisa’s side.”

People can be used if necessary. As long as this succeeds.

“Every day, be by Kaisa’s side, communicate in Luikaron, help him, spend time together… Kaisa will open his heart to you. He’ll be isolated—no one else will understand him.”

“Really… will that work?”

The sparkle in Bella’s eyes faded, replaced by anxiety.

“Bella.”

Reivan grasped both of her shoulders and met her gaze steadily. He spoke bluntly but firmly.

“You have a much better position than Milena. Better conditions. That’s why you can win.”

“What do you mean?”

“First, you are the daughter of the Kester family.”

Reivan counted on his fingers.

“Second, you are beautiful. Milena is beautiful too, but you have a different charm. Intelligent, elegant, noble.”

Bella’s cheeks flushed. She had never received a compliment from Reivan like this.

“But Milena also…”

“Milena has become a commoner.”

Reivan said coldly.

“She may have been a Countess in Luikaron, but now she is merely a servant in the Kester estate. She has nothing to offer Kaisa. If they cannot return, that fact becomes permanent.”

Bella nodded carefully.

“I understand.”