🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 07
“My Lady, you don’t have to do anything just yet. However, you must attend the succession ceremony today.”
*If it’s ‘just yet,’ does that mean there will be things to do later?* A small flicker of hope arose within her. Because no one, absolutely no one, needed her.
“Shall I prepare you?”
When Eda nodded slightly, the maid, Eda, smiled gently.
“Today, you’ll be meeting new people, so I’ll make you extra pretty.”
At Claude’s call, several maids entered carrying clothes and accessories.
“There are so many clothes in the wardrobe.”
“……”
Eda simply nodded.
For some reason, Ivar had never been sparing when it came to buying clothes for Eda. Of course, because of Ingrit, who used violence if she wore anything flashy, she had only ever worn the plainest outfits.
A pale emerald dress, tailored to fit Eda’s body, was draped over her. Dressed in such a vivid color, her pale face seemed to gain a touch of life.
Claude began chattering away with information Eda didn’t particularly want to know.
“Isn’t dressing up the mistress the very flower of a maid’s duty? It’s been my dream to do something like this!”
“Her hair is silver! It’s so pretty! And it matches her eye color so well!”
“Oh, my goodness, you’re so thin! Tell me your favorite foods, and I’ll make sure to prepare them for you.”
*How long will this prattle last?* Eda wasn’t exactly a good target for flattery. Perhaps it was because she was new here.
The other maids seemed to share the sentiment, casting pitying looks at the overly enthusiastic Claude.
“We’re done. Isn’t it beautiful? You mustn’t be too sad, even though the Lord has passed away.”
*Did she think my pitiful state was due to Ivar’s death?* Eda found it difficult to explain and simply gave up trying.
“My Lady, please look in the mirror!”
At Claude’s gesture, Eda turned her gaze to the mirror, and her eyes widened.
There, in the mirror, was Yuderin.
Crimson lips, rosy cheeks. Gaudy attire and appropriately wavy silver hair.
The woman who had been loved by all men stared back at her with wide eyes.
For a long time, Eda remained speechless at the dreamlike sight.
Somehow, her sunken cheeks were filled with vitality, and her cloudy eyes had become clear. She truly looked like a noble lady, and her heart raced.
Eda lowered her gaze. There, she saw the elegant image of a woman with downcast eyes.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
Eda gave Claude a small bow of thanks. Claude smiled and said,
“You are already a beautiful woman, my Lady. I just helped a little.”
Eda didn’t dislike Claude’s flattery. Somehow, she felt it might turn out to be a not-so-bad day.
However, by the time Eda arrived at the hall, the succession ceremony was already over.
Looking at the empty space, Eda wore a dazed expression.
Her slightly lifted spirits felt as if they had come crashing down.
—
***
—
“This time as well, the Emperor has taken a person with supernatural abilities into his service.”
It was a brief meeting, just before the succession ceremony.
At the report from Knight Berg, Astalda frowned. Astalda’s close associates also let out sighs.
It was certainly not a good sign that all those with supernatural abilities were falling into the Emperor’s grasp.
The ability possessed by the Emperor of the Bohgort Empire was the power to detect those with supernatural abilities.
Because of this, those who could control fire, move objects with their minds, summon rain, and even those with minor abilities like making plants grow had all fallen into the Emperor’s hands.
This place, Weselwolf, had been a kingdom a hundred years ago.
Weselwolf’s defining characteristic was its formidable military strength, born from its harsh environment.
It was said that a single well-trained common soldier from Weselwolf could rival a knight from another nation. Therefore, no one dared to covet their land.
Except for one: the Kingdom of Bohgort.
The people of Weselwolf suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Bohgort King’s army, which possessed abilities.
Even though the people of Weselwolf had grown like wolves in their harsh environment, they could not stand against their power.
Thus, Weselwolf became the name of a noble house, not a kingdom. Through a policy of integration, the King of Weselwolf became the Grand Duke of the Bohgort ‘Empire,’ and his bloodline had been inheriting the title ever since.
Granting the position of Grand Duke instead of annihilating the royal family was likely a form of confidence that they could keep the land even in the face of resistance.
However, the newly enthroned Emperor Guhgit seemed somewhat off.
He was fanatically gathering those with abilities and frequently provoked Astalda’s faction.
He harassed the House of Weselwolf for their slow victory in the war against Nuit, and sometimes sent inspectors, claiming the taxes from their territories were insufficient.
Emperor Guhgit was clearly keeping the Grand Ducal House of Weselwolf in check.
Considering they were gathering ability users, war seemed inevitable.
“We too must prepare.”
“The Emperor’s blade is pointed at us.”
“If that fool Ivar hadn’t done useless things, we wouldn’t feel this sense of crisis.”
“Do not insult my elder brother.”
At the sudden slander against Ivar, he snarled. *To say such things even after Ivar’s death?* Several people rolled their eyes and spoke impatiently.
“Isn’t that too much! He was the one who drove His Highness into a corner!”
This was likely the reason Astalda had survived. He did nothing, and said nothing.
He always quietly followed his brother. He acted as if he bore no hatred for him. Astalda Weselwolf was a man whose thoughts were unreadable.
“Let’s stop talking… Wouldn’t it have been better to marry Princess Sienna rather than Ivar’s woman?”
At Bulder’s worried remark, Astalda asked.
“Are you telling me to marry another woman?”
“Yes. In this day and age, a levirate marriage? Does that make sense? Just pass on the property and title, why on earth…?”
“That’s right. Even if she is his wife, why of all people, that foolish-looking…”
*Crash!*
“Shut up.”
Astalda’s face, which had been impassive even when his brother was insulted, turned savage as the table split in two.
The people were shocked and looked at Astalda.
“She is my wife. Speak ill of her, and I will cut your throat.”
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
Ultimately, Bulder, who had disparaged Eda, knelt and apologized.
Astalda’s eyes, looking down at him, still blazed. He seemed to be contemplating whether to draw his sword and execute him on the spot.
Watching this silently, Berg carefully asked.
“Did you know her before?”
At Berg’s question, instead of answering, he fidgeted with his index finger. Then, he looked at the brightening sky beyond the window. It was time. He stood up.
“My wife will not attend the succession ceremony. I hope there are no fools who will make an issue of this matter again.”
“Wait a moment, the Grand Duchess won’t attend the ceremony? That is…”
“She is not yet the Grand Duchess, as the marriage hasn’t been solemnized.”
Most of the sharp ones noticed the contradiction in Astalda’s words.
He claimed she wasn’t his wife, thus exempting her from wifely duties. Yet, he had hastily consummated the marriage with Eda.
He seemed to keep his distance, but then flew into a rage at an insult. There was clearly a sense of dissonance in Astalda’s actions.
Keeping her from the succession ceremony was likely also to prevent her from being subjected to people’s scorn.
“Come to think of it, Lady Eda was of the Mahina clan, no, of Duke Mahina’s bloodline, right? If so, the heir might possess a formidable supernatural ability…”
Another knight laughed and said.
“That can’t be possible. Would the Emperor have so readily given a pure-blooded Mahina to Weselwolf?”
“……”
“Before that, ‘the Wolf’s Kin’ cannot possess supernatural abilities.”
At the words of a knight who had long served within the castle, a somber air settled among them.
While Eda being at Astalda’s side was a problem, it wasn’t their main concern. The issue was the Emperor, who could turn his blade on them at any moment.
“How wonderful it would be if there were someone who could block the Emperor’s ability.”
Someone clicked their tongue and said. But no one answered. It was an impossible wish.
“The ‘Weselwolf Man’s’ ability is of no use whatsoever.”
A knight sighed and spoke.
