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Chapter: 15
Ivan’s bedroom was dim and quiet, like the dead of night.
A faint artificial scent, likely from burning scented candles, filled the air.
Amid it all, Ivan sat propped against the bed, eyes closed, wearing a peaceful expression.
During the silence, the servant standing beside Théodore trembled, worried that any misstep might bring trouble upon him.
Annoyed by the servant, Théodore signaled him to leave.
“Ha… Théodore…”
Not long after the servant left, Ivan let out a faint sigh and opened his eyes.
His gray eyes, stripped of all vigor, scanned Théodore.
From head to toe, Théodore and Ivan looked strikingly alike. As time passed, Théodore would become an exact mirror of Ivan.
If there was one difference between father and son, it was this:
“I do not know how long I must tolerate your recklessness. Imagine how distressed His Majesty the Emperor would be if he saw this.”
Ivan’s loyalty to the royal family soared beyond measure.
“I don’t understand what’s wrong…”
“So, you’ve had a daughter I didn’t know about. And she’s an Agentine?”
A sharp edge of anger laced Ivan’s words.
“You already knew about that?”
“Théodore!”
“The Emperor wishes for the integration of all peoples without discrimination. Should we treat her differently just because she is Agentine?”
“How dare you invoke the Emperor’s name?”
Ivan picked up a scattered shard of glass.
Blood ran down his hand from the shard, yet he held it toward Théodore without flinching.
Théodore casually observed the shard Ivan brandished.
Here was a man, weakened by years of illness, willing to wield a piece of glass at his own son simply because his son defied the Emperor’s will.
Such extreme loyalty. Perhaps it was even love.
Théodore could not comprehend Ivan’s fanatical devotion. Though the Velbat family had sworn allegiance to the royal family, Ivan’s zeal exceeded reason.
Théodore approached and gently removed the shard from Ivan’s hand.
“Théodore! You…!”
No sooner had the glass left his hand than Ivan grabbed Théodore by the collar. Blood from his hand soaked Théodore’s clothes, yet Théodore did not recoil.
The fury that had threatened to strike Théodore dissipated as Ivan’s violent coughing left him weakened.
“Cough, cough!”
Finally, Théodore leaned closer and laid Ivan back on the bed.
Ivan’s hand, clutching Théodore’s collar, trembled. Théodore removed it and placed it on the bed.
A vivid stain of blood marked Théodore’s collar.
“Getting angry is bad for your health. You must live long and well.”
Until the Crown Prince dies. Until the vow carved into my flesh is fully passed on.
Swallowing the rest of his words, Théodore pulled the thick blanket up to Ivan’s chest.
From afar, it could look like a tender moment between father and son.
But Ivan, still fuming, gripped the blanket tightly and glared at Théodore.
“Who gave you permission to take in an adopted daughter?”
A metallic sound accompanied each of Ivan’s exhales.
“I should have sought your permission first. I acted rashly, letting my eagerness get ahead of my judgment,” Théodore admitted with a bowed head. This submissive stance was likely what Ivan had expected.
Seeing Théodore yield, Ivan seized the moment.
“And you bring in an adopted daughter, of all people, an Agentine? Are you truly sane?”
“…Though they are a ‘harsh race,’ if it benefits the Antitesia royal family, shouldn’t I bring them in?”
“Your words are smooth, yet there isn’t a shred of proper loyalty in you!”
Ivan snorted in disbelief.
What exactly does he call proper loyalty? Watching over nobles as the Emperor’s eyes, eliminating rivals, driving other kingdoms to ruin… How much more blood must I stain my hands?
Théodore smiled bitterly.
“The Agentine I brought has the ability to manipulate wind. Used well, it could serve the Emperor’s commands efficiently.”
“What?”
“Believe it or not, it’s true. Haven’t you heard the rumors that Agentines can control wind?”
Ivan’s eyes widened at Théodore’s words.
The Agentine’s reputed ability was too famous to be unknown, but to Ivan, it was nothing more than a dusty legend.
He thought it impossible, and so he could only regard Théodore’s claim with skepticism.
“Have you seen this ability yourself?”
“Of course. It’s far too valuable to let go unused.”
Théodore pulled out Seria’s adoption papers from his pocket and held them before Ivan.
“I brought her from a monastery in Nac. While inspecting the Agentine residence, I saw her using this ability and decided to adopt her.”
The papers bore the seals of both the monastery head and the Velbat family. The handwriting was unmistakably Théodore’s.
Seeing the adoption date, five years ago, Ivan’s brow furrowed.
“Five years ago? Hah! You deceived me—and even the Emperor—for five years.”
Mentioning the Emperor only further inflamed Ivan.
Yet Théodore calmly explained.
“Because her ability is unusual, I thought it best to proceed discreetly. Moreover, you harbored considerable prejudice against Agentines. I apologize for not telling you sooner.”
“The one who knew this would dare such a thing? Tch!”
Ivan clicked his tongue and shoved Théodore’s arm holding the papers. He was displeased that Théodore had acted without permission.
Yet the fact that he did not explode in rage suggested a certain curiosity about Seria’s abilities. Perhaps he would judge her personally in time.
As if confirming Théodore’s guess, Ivan’s voice softened from the bed.
“Have her enter the palace as soon as possible to pay respects to the Emperor.”
“Understood. Won’t you meet Seria yourself?”
“Not now. When the time comes, I will summon her myself. You may leave.”
Ivan waved his hand, urging Théodore to leave. Théodore bowed politely and exited the bedroom.
Even a toothless lion is still a lion. Though withdrawn from the family’s affairs, his power could not be ignored.
Ivan maintained communication with the Emperor and had loyal agents planted everywhere—all to monitor Théodore. Every action of Théodore’s would be a thorn in his side.
Théodore then proceeded to Seria’s room.
Several maids were gossiping nearby.
Seeing this, Théodore’s eyes hardened.
“Is she really a princess?”
“Yes! And yet, of all people, you bring in a lowly Agentine…”
“Birds of a feather, huh? You should have seen when she first arrived—there was nothing distant or formal about them.”
The maids spoke loudly without even trying to lower their voices. Théodore’s footsteps on the corridor carried their chatter to him.
“What are you doing here?”
At the low growl of his voice, the maids jumped, turning in fear.
“M-Marquess!”
“It’s just…”
“We were wrong! Truly wrong…”
The three of them fidgeted anxiously, clearly panicked.
Their desperate posture was not at all amusing.
Théodore met their eyes.
Tch, wrong timing.
Of all times…
He wouldn’t dare kill… would he?
Their outward appearance betrayed none of their inner thoughts.
As expected.
Théodore clicked his tongue in irritation.
“I specifically said no one should come.”
His piercing gray eyes made the maids flinch. They bowed repeatedly, retreating in a flurry.
Théodore let out a short sigh and opened the door.
“Seria.”
There she stood, frozen right before the door.
