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Chapter: 22
“Alive…”
Ivan clicked his tongue in disappointment and removed his hand from Seria’s shoulder.
As the pressure on her shoulder disappeared, Seria nearly collapsed.
Regaining her balance just in time, she followed Ivan to the table.
“You have quite a decent ability. If you can manipulate the wind, it will be more useful outside than here.”
“Thank you…”
“One thing, though—you need to build your courage. Can you truly be of use if you can’t even kill one person?”
Ivan’s tone had softened, almost kindly.
Judging by the way the Duke’s attitude had changed, it was clear in his eyes that Seria’s wind manipulation ability was indeed useful.
It was frustrating, however, that he measured usefulness purely by whether she could harm someone—but she couldn’t openly show her displeasure.
Seria silently nodded.
“Now that I think about it, Harrison said something to me. That you were being arrogant today, not knowing your place.”
Ivan smirked as he held a teacup.
“That…!”
Harrison must have tattled already. I lost my temper for a moment, and it was my fault.
She needed some way to justify herself, but no excuses came to mind.
Ultimately, Seria bowed her head instead of making excuses.
“I apologize.”
“I like that you don’t overthink things. Harrison… no matter how learned he is, he’s still insignificant. He’s been a nuisance anyway.”
“What…?”
Surprised by Ivan’s words, Seria lifted her head reflexively.
‘Wasn’t Harrison sent by Duke Belbart to test me?’
She hadn’t expected him to treat him that way.
“I tolerated him for a while because he was needed, but he got carried away. It’s time to cut him off. You won’t see Harrison in Belbart again.”
Ivan put down his teacup and stared at Seria intently.
“If there is something you desire from me, speak.”
Seria’s pupils widened at his words.
‘Does this mean he acknowledges me?’
He seemed to genuinely acknowledge her, but she thought it best to confirm.
She shook her head slightly.
“I am satisfied that you acknowledge my ability, Your Grace.”
“Humility is good, but excessive humility will make you frustrating to others. Think carefully before you answer.”
Ivan looked relaxed, but he wasn’t simply asking her to state a wish. With his meticulous personality, this was likely a test of some sort.
Seria clenched her hands resting on her lap.
“Then… I would like to help with the affairs of the Belbart family as well.”
“Haha. Impressive.”
A faint chuckle escaped Ivan’s expressionless face.
Even now, the tension didn’t fully dissipate; she couldn’t afford to relax for a moment.
Seria swallowed hard.
“Very well. If that is your wish, you shall do so. Carry out the duties of the Belbart family diligently.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Was it finally over?
But this was only the first step. The path ahead was long.
She couldn’t be content with just this.
A glint of determination shone in Seria’s eyes as she looked at Ivan.
Theodore stood in front of the Emperor’s office, checking his appearance once more.
Were his clothes wrinkled? Was his hair disheveled?
Only after checking several times did he signal to the attendant.
No sloppiness could be tolerated. The Emperor would notice the slightest flaw.
“Your Majesty, Viscount Belbart requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
A disinterested voice came from beyond the door.
“Enter.”
As the attendant opened the office door, the scent of burning candles wafted out.
It was the exact same scent Theodore had noticed in Ivan’s room before.
He had wondered why someone who didn’t like incense would light candles—perhaps it was a gift from the Emperor.
Theodore’s nose twitched slightly.
“Long time no see, Viscount Belbart.”
A woman standing by the window turned toward Theodore.
Her red hair shone without a single gray strand, and her golden eyes were lion-like. She looked young enough to be his contemporary.
Her name was Carne Vis Antithesia, Emperor of the Antithesia Empire.
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty. I trust you are well?”
Theodore bowed.
“I am as always.”
Carne picked up a document from her desk.
“There are still some matters to attend to, so please wait a moment.”
“Yes, understood.”
Bowing again, Theodore opened the door leading from the office to the reception room.
“Hah.”
Sitting on the sofa, Theodore let out a short sigh.
Feeling a growing pressure in his chest, he unbuttoned one of his tightly fastened shirt buttons.
Then he took a pill from his pocket.
The first time Theodore met Carne, he was only six years old.
Led by Ivan, dressed in uncomfortable layers, he had entered the palace.
Before him stood a figure seemingly forged from sunlight.
Carne, lounging with a bored expression, exuded the aura of someone at the pinnacle of all things.
Even just standing before her made his heart race and his body feel weighed down.
“You must be Theodore. You resemble Ivan exactly—will grow into a fine young man.”
The young Theodore received a warm smile.
The initial intimidation disappeared entirely.
She made eye contact kindly, spoke first, and even let him sit on her lap.
Theodore found her behavior unfamiliar, so different from the stories he had heard about Ivan.
Yet soon, his heart melted.
For the first time, someone reached out to him warmly. How could he refuse?
“You grew up without a mother. I’ve always worried about you. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to see you occasionally. How does that sound?”
Theodore nodded obediently.
Ivan had hoped for this, and he himself welcomed Carne’s attention.
He hoped that attention was affection directed toward him.
From then on, Carne often invited Theodore to the palace, using the pretext of being a friend’s child, the heir of Belbart.
He genuinely enjoyed the time spent with her.
Hearing praise from Carne, praise he had never heard from Ivan, made him feel as if he owned the world.
“Your Majesty! Today…”
When he ran to meet Carne in her office as usual, Theodore felt the same sensation he had the first time he met her.
A force constricting his body in a way he couldn’t explain.
“Greet him, Theodore. This is my heir, ‘Ricardo.’”
Theodore’s eyes darted quickly.
Once to Carne’s face, once to the figure hiding behind her—Ricardo.
Ricardo, peeking out cautiously, had red hair. His eyes, when visible, were a vivid gold.
“He is only two years older than you, so I thought you two would get along. I wanted to introduce you.”
Carne gently stroked Ricardo’s hair.
In Theodore’s eyes, they looked like a perfect mother and child.
Being unrelated by blood, no matter how hard he tried, Theodore could never insert himself between them.
He couldn’t respond, only lowering his head.
“From now on, spend time with Ricardo, not me. You are intelligent and kind, Theodore; he will have much to learn from you.”
“Why…!”
Startled by Carne’s sudden declaration, Theodore lifted his head abruptly.
He thought it might be better to avoid the palace than face Ricardo continually.
A sense of loss and emptiness filled his body.
He clenched his fists without realizing it.
At that moment, a sharp pain pierced his heart.
“Ugh…”
Unable to bear the pain, Theodore clutched his chest and fell forward.
Unlike the anxious Ricardo, Carne observed calmly.
“Enough…”
She stopped Ricardo from rushing forward and knelt beside Theodore.
“Does it hurt, Theodore?”
Even as Carne asked, he could only gasp for breath.
“Those who harbor insolent thoughts feel this way. Didn’t Ivan tell you? As a Belbart, you must obey my words absolutely.”
Amid the pain, her cold voice rang clearly in his ears.
If he went against her, he would not survive.
Breathing heavily, Theodore spoke.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Haha, indeed. This is how it should be with Antithesia and Belbart. Please take care of Ricardo, Theodore.”
Carne stroked Theodore’s hair.
He finally turned his head slightly to look at her face, and a smile spread across it.
