THSMW 46

chapter 46

“…If I hadn’t bought the farm.”

Siegfried murmured with a dark expression.

Of course, if Siegfried hadn’t gifted me the vineyard, the former owner might not have died.

But how could that possibly be Siegfried’s fault? The blame lay with Eisa, who killed an innocent person. If anyone deserved blame, it was Eisa.

“I figured you’d say something like that. But this was the Crown Prince’s tyranny. Your Highness has no reason to feel guilty.”

“I couldn’t even stop that tyranny. I’m utterly powerless…”

Siegfried, who had been standing beside me, slumped heavily onto the sofa. He covered his eyes with his large hand. Seeing him up close, I could almost feel the weight of his emotions.

Eisa had gone too far. Even after the subjugation mission, he sent assassins after us—and now he’d destroyed the vineyard too?

“Fortunately, they say the damage is still recoverable. It’ll take some time, but…”

The butler’s words were at least somewhat comforting. The Corte vineyard had been the pride of the South.

“I’ll pay for the restoration.”

Siegfried quickly spoke up, then fell silent as if he’d realized his mistake. If it became known that money from the Blanche Ducal House was involved, Eisa would surely attack the vineyard again. How frustrated must Siegfried feel right now?

“I’m sorry to everyone.”

“This isn’t your fault, Your Highness. So please stop apologizing.”

I reached out and gently pulled down Siegfried’s hand. The eyes he revealed were shaded with darkness in such a short time.

“This was clearly my mistake.”

Siegfried lowered his gaze with a groan of regret. It seemed like no matter what I said, it wouldn’t help. What should I do?

After a brief thought, I squeezed his hand. Siegfried paused and looked at me.

I interlaced my fingers with his. I could feel the uneven scars on his skin. He must have already been suffering mentally—there was no way I could let him feel worse.

Abyssion looked slightly displeased, but I didn’t let go of Siegfried’s hand.

“This may not be the right time, but… Your Highness, our family maintains a strictly neutral position.”

Abyssion suddenly spoke.

“…What are you trying to say, brother?”

“He means let go of her hand. The more a useless man like me says he likes you, the more our family will attract Eisa’s ire.”

Siegfried gave a bitter smile and tried to pull his hand away. I quickly grabbed his wrist.

“No matter how much the Crown Prince flails, the next emperor will still be you.”

“…You’re truly a comfort to me. Thank you for saying that.”

“No, I mean it—this isn’t just to make you feel better…”

“I know. And I mean it too. I need to become a man worthy of you. Is that what you wanted to hear, Count Abyssion?”

Siegfried turned his gaze toward Abyssion. Was it just me, or did it suddenly feel like he was asking for my hand in marriage?

“Ariel seems fond of you too, Your Highness. More and more marriage proposals have been arriving for her. Just a word of caution—you might need to be on guard.”

Abyssion gave a slight smile but soon returned to his usual impassive face.

“Now that I think about it, the Imperial Court issued a decree recently. They said they would be raising the tax rate on our territory. And they even wrote that other territories would follow suit—eventually. But for some reason, they chose Elifritz as the first.”

Isn’t that basically the Imperial Court’s way of pressuring our family for sheltering Siegfried? Why don’t they just come out and say, “Hand him over”?

And did he just say I like Siegfried? Well… maybe I’ve been a bit confused ever since I saw the older Siegfried, but still…

“…The Eastern front.”

Siegfried slowly opened his mouth.

He seemed to be thinking that he needed to head to the Eastern front to build power. To gain recognition. To create his own forces. Maybe even… to avoid seeing the vineyard reduced to ashes again. And perhaps… for me.

It was a predetermined event that Siegfried would go to the front lines, but a part of me hoped that I wasn’t one of the reasons why he was choosing to go.

“I should contact His Majesty. He won’t oppose it. He didn’t even bat an eye when I left the palace.”

“Would you like some paper and a pen?”

Abyssion promptly opened a drawer and handed him a crisp piece of stationery.

A while ago, he had told Siegfried to think it over, and now look at him.

Perhaps seeing the vineyard destroyed had changed his mind.

Though our house was supposedly neutral, on the surface we were offering shelter to Siegfried and even accompanied him during the monster subjugation—so to Eisa, it could easily appear that the Elifritz family was supporting him.

Given the situation, Abyssion probably felt he could no longer protect Siegfried openly.

So instead of directly asking him to leave, he subtly expressed his expectations.

It carried the implication of: “When you return, be a man worthy of taking care of my sister.”

But even so, this seemed like the best option for all of us right now.

While Siegfried calmly began writing a letter to the Emperor, I decided to write one to the family of the former vineyard owner. After all, they were innocent victims.

Let me just say again—Eisa is a terrible person. If it came to being engaged to someone like him, I’d rather die.

Well—no, I don’t want to die. This time, I’ll survive no matter what.

I clenched my fist with resolve. Then I blinked in surprise.

Wait. Why did I just say “this time”? …Does that mean Ariel dies in the original novel?

I should’ve read the novel more closely. Scratching my head, I focused back on my letter.

“What’s with the gloomy mood?”

It was late at night when Miliard returned and asked bluntly. I was out for a walk in my nightgown and shawl when I rushed over to him.

“You brat, do you know what time it is?”

“Half past twelve…?”

“I wasn’t asking for the time!”

Miliard hunched his shoulders like he was trying to dodge an incoming barrage of nagging. I clicked my tongue and pinched his cheek lightly.

“How much did you lose today? I heard Abyssion is planning to cut your allowance in half.”

“Ugh, you tattled on me again! Show some mercy now and then, will you?”

I didn’t bother to explain that I had run straight to the study the moment he left. He probably already knew.

“Anyway, what’s that in your hand?”

As I continued tugging at his cheek, I suddenly noticed a small box in his hand. When my gaze landed on it, he beamed proudly.

“You think I always lose, don’t you? Well, sometimes I win too.”

“Not sometimes—this is the first time.”

“Tch.”

Miliard grumbled but didn’t deny it. He extended the box toward me without further explanation.

“I won it from some guy who said he was sightseeing down south. Said he didn’t have any cash, so I took this instead. Claimed it was pretty valuable.”

“So what’s inside?”

“No idea.”

Miliard blinked with a clueless expression. I rewarded that stupidity with a nice smack to his shoulder.

“How can you accept something without knowing what it is?”

“Ow! Come on, don’t hit so hard. That guy said he was a royal palace attendant! Would someone with a legit position give me something sketchy?”

“Why would a royal attendant be down in the South…?”

“Why are you so suspicious? Maybe he’s on vacation.”

Maybe. I’d probably become overly sensitive after hearing the news of the vineyard fire earlier today.

“By the way, what’s Abyssion doing? Is he mad?”

“Not in the best mood. Me neither.”

“Why?”

Chatting as we entered the mansion, we were greeted by the butler and maids still awake. Miliard casually waved them off and turned to me. I sighed.

“Remember that farm the prince gave me? It was attacked. The vineyard’s ruined, and the former owner was killed.”

“…What the hell. An attack? The South is usually way safer than other regions.”

“That’s why everyone suspects it was the Crown Prince. I think so too.”

“What? That attendant I got the box from said he worked in the Crown Prince’s palace…”

Miliard’s eyes widened in alarm. Seriously, accepting mystery packages from strangers? I shook my head.

“Can’t we just throw it away?”

“No way. I finally got this.”

“First time, you mean.”

“Okay, yes, the first—no, not the first time!”

Miliard huffed, his eyes narrowing. I had only half-meant my suggestion anyway. I shrugged.

“Just go wash up and get to bed. And put that thing somewhere the prince won’t see it. He already blames himself enough for what happened to the farm.”

Looking sulky, Miliard turned sharply and bounded up the stairs. I watched him for a moment, then returned to my room.

Lying in bed, I found it hard to fall asleep. After tossing and turning, I sat up, thinking I might go for another walk.

I threw on the shawl I’d left carelessly on the sofa and approached the door—when I suddenly sensed someone standing just outside.