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Chapter 81
In Katieron, Taibern and Hider had set out for war. Upon hearing the news, Kiera let out a sigh of relief.
‘Looks like they took Hider along in hopes of awakening him.’
If Karte had awakened as a Sword Master, then it would’ve been him leaving instead of Hider. Just the thought of it made her shiver.
Fortunately, there had been progress in Karte’s condition. With every dose of medicine, his swordsmanship skills were improving at an astonishing pace.
Even the sword master she had worked so hard to bring in as a tutor praised Karte’s rapid achievements.
The appearance of contamination sources and monsters in the East had also contributed.
Because the Imperial Family was fully focused on that matter, all talk of annulment had disappeared for the time being.
Now, only one thing remained: Karte’s proper awakening!
And at last, today, the signs appeared. Kiera walked quickly down the corridor.
Since the contamination source had been discovered in the East, darkness had fallen over the House of Aites. Her father had taken to bed, and creditors circled like vultures.
Investors turned into debt collectors overnight. Citing worries about the Eastern situation, they demanded repayment.
Among them was Count Zeck of Katieron.
‘Arrogant fools. Just wait. Soon everything will be overturned!’
All the humiliation would end the moment Karte awakened. The privileges and benefits granted to a family that possessed a Sword Master were immeasurable.
In a way, she even felt relieved that she was divorced. Karte would not become Katieron’s Sword Master, but Aites’s.
The Emperor would surely bestow all benefits and privileges upon Aites.
“Hurry, my lady!”
A brilliant light was pouring from the training grounds. Yet Kiera didn’t even blink, her eyes fixed on every moment.
Karte—her son—was awakening as a Sword Master.
All the humiliation and disgrace she had endured flashed before her eyes.
Karte’s achievement would redefine everything.
Kiera clasped her hands tightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
When the awakening ended, Karte turned to look at her.
His eyes were far more mature. In fact, they didn’t even seem like Karte’s eyes.
“Karte…? Are you all right? Do you feel anything strange?”
Kiera asked cautiously.
“No, Mother.”
The voice was cold. Again, not like Karte. Kiera swallowed nervously. Karte brushed past her with icy eyes, as though she were no more than an object.
Kiera blinked rapidly.
A warning she had long ignored resurfaced in her mind:
‘If he takes the medicine, there’s a high chance of mental side effects. He could become a simpleton, or develop personality disorders. There are other risks as well… In the worst case, he could lose everything he achieved. But even then, it would still be worth the price.’
Kiera’s hands trembled.
“No… That can’t be. There’s no way.”
There hadn’t been a single problem so far, had there? She spun around quickly.
“Kyaaa! M-my lord!”
“Don’t block my way.”
Karte casually cut down a maid who stood before him, and walked past as if nothing had happened.
Kiera staggered.
“My lady!”
“I wasn’t wrong.”
Kiera bit her lip hard. Karte was only fourteen. The youngest Sword Master in history.
He had reached that realm.
This was something to celebrate—yes, it had to be. Kiera pressed her lips together until they hurt.
Not long after Taibern and Hider had departed, the news of Karte’s awakening as a Sword Master spread through the capital, Berbeze.
It couldn’t be true.
Karte had never had even a speck of talent.
And now suddenly, a Sword Master?
“Isn’t it just a stupid rumor?”
“No, it’s real.”
Dania shook her head.
“They say Lady Kiera is strutting around with her head held high, boasting about how her son became a Sword Master at fourteen. Tch, our young master did the same, but!”
At the time, revealing it would have caused more harm than good, so it had been kept secret.
“But how? You know as well as I do—Karte never had any talent at all.”
“That’s what I’m saying. I don’t know how it happened, but… They say a marriage between Princess Siela and Lord Karte will take place soon.”
That was exactly like the original story.
Kiera’s divorce from Herden had seemed like it might change things, but with Karte’s awakening, the story was back on track.
“A Sword Master son-in-law—of course His Majesty would want that. Ugh, just thinking about Karte lording it over everyone makes me sick. Don’t you agree?”
A chill ran through her. She recalled the time Dania had been kidnapped.
Though they were fine now, it hadn’t been long since that terrible incident.
If Aites regained power through Karte’s awakening, they would be capable of anything.
“Why that look on your face?”
“I’m uneasy. What if they cause trouble again?”
“Oh, come on. Nothing will happen. The Duke is here, and so is Sir Hilden.”
At Dania’s words, she forced herself to nod. Yes, nothing would happen. If trouble came, they’d prepare and handle it.
She pushed away her fears.
Things were different from the original now—maybe that was why she felt scared. Best to stop thinking about it.
After everything they’d gone through, what more could possibly happen?
At the insistence of House Aites, the wedding between Karte and Princess Siela was hurriedly arranged. Some criticized it, saying it was no time for weddings. Others cheered enthusiastically.
The Imperial marriage distracted the public. Anxiety over the possibility of contamination sources appearing in the capital lessened somewhat.
But within the Imperial Family, problems arose.
“I don’t like you! And you don’t like me either! I won’t marry you!”
Siela stomped her foot. Her father and mother firmly pushed the marriage forward. She was a princess—even if young, she could not shirk her duty.
Still, Siela thought only of Hider. She couldn’t believe she was being forced to marry someone like Karte.
“Princess Siela! Have you no sense of dignity?”
The Emperor thundered. Seeing Siela throwing a tantrum while Karte sat calmly beside her made his face burn with shame.
Besides, this union was vital for both the Imperial Family and House Aites.
“Waaah! Why are you all picking on me?”
As Siela burst into tears, the Empress smiled awkwardly and turned to Karte.
“Karte. Would you take Siela outside and try to comfort her?”
Perhaps if they spent time together, her feelings might soften. And honestly, the Empress also just wanted the headache-inducing Siela gone so the adults could discuss urgent matters.
“I understand.”
Karte nodded and stood, then pulled Siela up by the wrist.
“W-what are you doing!”
“Enough. Let’s go.”
He replied flatly. No matter how Siela struggled, she couldn’t resist the strength of a Sword Master.
“Let go! I said, let go!”
She wasn’t released until they reached the garden.
Siela glared at him furiously.
“You—you brute! Look at the bruise! I’ll tell Mother and Father everything!”
“So?”
“What?”
“You think that will break off our marriage? Or get me thrown in prison?”
Siela flinched at the change in his demeanor. Karte’s cold eyes fixed on her.
“We will marry, and you will be my wife.”
“You—you’re crazy! You don’t even like me!”
“That doesn’t matter. You can give me what I want. Consider this a warning.”
His voice was frigid.
“From now on, you’ll behave quietly and properly.”
“W-who do you think you are!”
“If you keep being noisy and troublesome—”
Karte stepped closer. Siela froze.
“I’ll kill you.”
Her face went pale.
“No one would ever know.”
“Hic…”
“And don’t tell anyone about what I just said. Because if you do, I’ll kill your mother and father too. Now nod if you understand.”
Terrified, Siela nodded. At that moment, it seemed entirely possible Karte would carry out his threat.
