LVSMLA 39

Chapter 39

I had already intervened enough that the original storyline had changed significantly. However, events that unfolded independently of me were still progressing as they originally had, so it seemed unlikely that Kevin and Anessa would end up joining the trainee knight order.

Still, I couldn’t be sure whether the children would enlist in the navy as they did in the original story.

In the original, the Gilros siblings had lived difficult lives due to their low status and financial hardship. Their personalities had been much more mature and darker back then. But this time, thanks to receiving Wynyeits’ patronage and living in relative peace, they remained bright and carefree. They clearly did not fit into the harsh, violent atmosphere of the navy.

Unlike the original timeline, Callisto—who was now clinging to my arm, rubbing his cheek against it—was also still hopelessly childlike. Looking down at him, I felt a faint sense of guilt.

“…I might have raised them too gently.”

It seemed the change in all the children’s personalities was my fault. While it was good that they had grown up happy, I couldn’t help but worry whether Callisto would still be able to achieve his revenge and reclaim his rightful position like in the original story. Had I clipped his wings?

Perhaps the protagonist, who was meant to overcome hardship and grow, had instead remained a sheltered child under my protection, and as a result, the future might diverge completely from the original path.

But then again, maybe Callisto didn’t need to personally carry out revenge. I could take care of that for him. It might be better for him to simply stay in the count’s household and live peacefully, eventually marrying Lawrence. After all, Callisto’s happiness mattered most.

The same applied to the Gilros children. If they truly failed the imperial knight recruitment exam, I could use the Wynyeits name to sponsor them into the Imperial Academy instead. There was no need for them to walk a difficult path.

Having slightly shaken off my guilt, I turned to Brine. I spent time listening to her report on the cannon experiments and her thoughts on copper ore. While dull discussions continued, Kevin and Anessa practiced swordsmanship together, and Callisto remained pressed against my shoulder, absentmindedly playing with my hand.

As always, it was a peaceful afternoon. I wanted to preserve this time for the children forever.

A few weeks later, Duke Harrington visited the count’s estate again. Perhaps he had heard about my earlier conflict with Ivry, because this time he came without Camoys.

“This time, I owe Wynyeits my gratitude. I heard Young Lord Camoys was rude last time. Thank you for overlooking it.”

The duke spoke with a somewhat awkward expression. For a proud and arrogant man like him, this was a rare concession.

“It was nothing. I am honored to be of help to you,” I replied with a faint smile.

Harrington had come again to borrow funds. The collateral this time was yet another seemingly useless remote territory. In fact, it had no mine at all.

However, that land lay along the route from the imperial capital to Blast Port.

If I obtained it, I could completely block Harrington’s access between his territory and the northern trade hub. If he wanted to continue his northern trade, he would be forced to pass through that land—but once it was mine, I would never grant him passage.

Unaware of my thoughts, Harrington smiled cheerfully. It must be because his eastern trade was finally stabilizing again.

“It seems I’ll soon be able to repay all the funds for the new port development. Please wait just a little longer. I’ll repay everything at once.”

That day would never come. In truth, all that awaited Harrington was the gradual loss of all his mortgaged lands.

As enjoyable as it was to tighten another leash around him, the extended conversations after signing contracts were always exhausting. Since I had been taking stimulants, even minor exertion caused me to develop a fever and fall ill. My father was away inspecting distant territories, so I had to deal with Harrington alone today. I wished he would leave quickly, but he continued chatting as though nothing were wrong.

“Recently, Prince Roen has also been studying business more actively. As you know, I have no children, so Prince Roen will also inherit the Harrington dukedom. From now on, he will attend business meetings as well. In fact, it’s a little late already.”

“The First Prince?” I asked.

The mention of his name made my nerves sharpen. Roen was Callisto’s political rival, and the reason my health had deteriorated in the first place. He was the last person I wanted to meet.

“Then… will His Highness be accompanying you next time?”

It seemed I would have to avoid meetings with Harrington from now on. The necessary collateral had already been secured anyway.

But his answer was unexpected.

“He was supposed to come today as well, but he is late. Haven’t you received any message from him?”

“Today?”

My expression stiffened for a moment. Fortunately, I had not received any notice from Roen. The contract was already complete, so all that remained was for Harrington to leave.

I coughed and bent slightly. Noticing my condition, Harrington offered a few words of concern before finally standing up.

“You don’t look well. Then I shall take my leave.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

When Cliff opened the door for Harrington, a sudden chill swept through the room.

A young man with pale blond hair and a slender build stepped inside with long strides, carrying the sharp, cold aura of a winter blade. It was Roen, now twenty-one years old.

I closed my eyes tightly. I had hoped to avoid meeting him, but I had not expected it to happen like this. Roen was an unsettling presence. Ever since childhood, standing before him felt like facing a predatory beast.

But he was still the First Prince of the Empire. I had no choice but to bow.

“I greet His Highness the First Prince of Wynyeits.”

“Long time no see, Etienne.”

His bright blue eyes looked down at me with a faint smile. It had been six years since I last saw him.

“Your Highness. I thought you wouldn’t be able to come.”

Harrington greeted his nephew warmly.

“I was delayed due to matters at the palace, Uncle. I thought I would miss Etienne after the meeting ended, but it seems I was fortunate.”

“Haha. Young Lord Wynyeits was just about to leave because he was unwell.”

“Unwell?”

Roen narrowed his eyes, examining me closely. His gaze was intrusive and cold, making my body stiffen.

“Now that I think about it, I heard rumors that Etienne is frail. Is it true? It’s rare for an alpha of your caliber to be unhealthy.”

“It is just a bit of fatigue,” I answered.

Cold sweat formed down my back. Even though he could control his pheromones, Roen made no effort to hide his presence.

Though I was temporarily classified as an alpha due to stimulants, my natural constitution was weak. I would not be able to withstand the pheromones of an omega alpha like Roen.

His aura pierced me like shards of ice.

“I see. You’ve grown quite a lot, Etienne. How old are you now?”

“…Eighteen.”

I bit my lower lip to steady myself. Roen stepped closer and lifted my chin. A lazy smile lingered on his lips.

“You were beautiful as a child, but I didn’t expect you to grow into this. With a face like this… and an alpha, too. If I hadn’t seen your classification myself, I would have thought it was a lie.”

“That would be absurd,” I managed.

My vision blurred slightly. Noticing my discomfort, Harrington, who needed to maintain good relations with Wynyeits for funding, spoke awkwardly.

“Today’s business is concluded. You should return to the palace, Your Highness.”

“Is that so? How unfortunate. I wanted to speak more with Etienne. Well, I suppose we’ll meet more often from now on.”

Roen smiled and finally released me. His overwhelming pheromones also receded, and I felt like I could breathe again.

“Still, you will see me off, won’t you? It’s been a while.”

“…Of course, Your Highness.”

I wanted nothing more than to take a bath and wash away his scent, but I could not refuse an imperial order. I followed Roen and Harrington outside.

Once outside, Harrington left immediately after saying his farewells. However, Roen made no move to board his carriage, instead speaking casually to me.

“Who is that child? If there is a child in Wynyeits, then… is that the one from before?”

Following his gaze, I turned and saw Callisto standing silently, watching the imperial carriage.

My heart dropped.

Callisto slowly turned around.

His amber eyes briefly met mine, then shifted to Roen. His usually bright face was expressionless. Pale. I feared he might not be able to control his emotions.

But contrary to my worries, Callisto bowed politely without changing his expression.

“Callisto greets His Highness the First Prince.”

“So you are Callisto.”

Roen’s tone changed slightly.

“You’ve grown. How old are you?”

“…Thirteen.”

“Thirteen, huh.”

Roen tilted his head as he approached Callisto. His blue eyes shimmered dangerously like a frozen lake.

“But tell me… are you truly the count’s illegitimate child?”