novelraw Chapter 168: Beggar Siblings – Inside
Chapter 168: Beggar Siblings – Inside
168. Beggar Siblings – Inside
Leo straightened his posture.
Standing tall and looking Count Peter squarely in the eye, he said, “There’s no need to pretend, Count. I know everything.”
“...Have we met before?” Count Gustav Peter seemed genuinely puzzled.
Typical of a noble. They rarely revealed their true feelings.
Honesty is an easy weapon.
It could garner empathy and aid by exposing oneself, but it was always a card that could be played later.
On the other hand, hiding one's true feelings was difficult.
Once exposed, there was no turning back, so nobles were always cautious with their words and behavior.
Of course, Leo had seen through him long ago. In what seemed like the distant past, he had whispered his true feelings.- “Your Highness, are you running away again?”
- “Haha, you’re surprised. We met a few times when I was very young... You probably don’t remember, but I recognized you immediately. Both of you are still alive.”
“Do you not remember me, Count? We met a few times when I was very young...” Leo said. Now, there was no choice but to confront him directly.
There was a slight reaction. The Count’s expressionless face flinched, and Leo drove a wedge into his mask.
“Or should I call you Baron?”
“...Leave us,” the Count gestured to his butler. The butler left, bowing respectfully. Count Peter adopted a formal posture, with his right hand on his stomach and his left hand behind his back, slightly bowing—a stance reserved for greeting the king or prince.
But he didn’t lower his head. The Count merely bent his back slightly, his eyes fixed on Leo.
“Please, sit.”
The two sat down. Baron Monarch stared at the mysterious prince for a long time before speaking.
“Astonishing.”
There was a lot packed into that exclamation.
It’s amazing that you’re alive. It’s surprising that you became a royal guard. And it’s shocking that you remember me.
Their last meeting was more than ten years ago.
Leo had been so young that he could barely be called a child. When he had met the prince by chance while touring the palace, he had greeted him out of courtesy, not expecting to be remembered.
A genius.
This prince was undoubtedly a natural genius. Gustav could understand why Prince Eric had been so quick to exile his brother.
“Where is the princess?”
“...She’s buried.”
“...I apologize. My condolences.”
- Clink.
Count Peter stood up and bowed, while Leo stirred his teacup nonchalantly.
This time, Leo remained silent, expressing his sadness with a calm demeanor, as if he had been asked a question he didn’t want to recall.
I can stay like this. Now, it was the Count’s turn to speak up.
But the Count was not oblivious to the prince's manipulations.
His question had been a probe to see if someone was supporting him from behind. If the princess was dead, it was less likely that someone was aiding him.
So why did the prince come to see me ─ he pondered.
“Is your work difficult?”
“Fortunately, it’s manageable.”
“I see. Being a royal guard, you must be under the favor of the House of Tatalia.”
Leo’s eyebrow twitched and his eyes widened.
How dare he mention the favor of another royal house while knowing I am the rightful heir of House Yeriel... Though it was a provocation, I had to be angry here.
But getting angry was within the scope of his expectations.
Does he have ambition? Or not?
If he got angry, it meant he came to ask for something, and thus, would be in a disadvantageous position as a result. If he agreed, he would be considered an unambitious royal guard.
Neither outcome was satisfactory.
Leo sipped his tea, buying time. He carefully chose words to shake Baron Monarch.
“No, it is the favor of the Main Deity.”
“...”
What does that mean?
Count Peter felt his throat dry for the first time in a while.
It could be a meaningless statement. If the prince were a devout follower of the Holy Church.
But for that...
[ Quest: Nobles' Butcher 50/50 - {Nobility} skill has increased by one level. ]
[ Quest: Traitor 10/10 - {Blood of the King} skill has increased by one level. ]
The aura emanating from him was extraordinary. Such a person wouldn’t speak without meaning.
‘How much does he know?’
A thought crossed his mind.
Although unlikely, since he mentioned the Main Deity...
“Are you a devout believer?”
“Not as much as you, Baron Monarch.”
If only I had some tea.
Count Gustav Monarch licked his lips. However, his body leaned back and he crossed his legs rudely.
You. You’ve got the wrong address.
“Why did you say that? Do I look like a devout churchgoer?”
“Not wearing consecrated items does not mean one lacks faith. What matters is ‘the inner self,’ isn’t it?”
“Quite right. Your Highness seems to know a lot about me. So then... why have you come to me?”
Damn it. The same reaction. Leo clenched his fists unknowingly.
Archbishop Berg was like this too.
When he mentioned Count Peter’s name, he took on a dismissive attitude and refused to discuss anything further about the Count.
He intended to find out.
The plan was to use the {Bracelet of Barbatos} to charm the Count into swearing loyalty and confessing everything.
Just like he did with Marquis Gaiden.
But this wouldn’t work. If he pushed this topic further, even this conversation could be broken off.
Feeling he had no other choice, Leo took another sip of tea. As he drank, he thought,
[ Achievement: Met Eric de Yeriel - Gained mild favor with all nobles serving House Yriel. Gained mild favor with Eric de Yeriel. ]
[ Achievement: Met Cleon de Tatian - Gained mild favor with all nobles serving House Tatian. Gained mild favor with Cleon de Tatian. ]
He had to rely on these two favor achievements. His teacup was nearing empty.
“Please help me.”
He didn’t laugh outright, but Leo felt as though he might.
“Why should I help you, Your Highness?”
“...Are you satisfied with your current position? Don’t you have a reason for having a foot in both kingdoms? If I am restored to power...”
“What if I am satisfied?”
Count Peter interrupted.
Uncrossing his legs, he leaned forward, smiling with his teeth bared.
“What will you do then?”
“...So you are content with being the friend of Marquis Tatian. That is a bit disappointing.”
Count Gustav Peter’s expression was one of surprise. His eyes widened before he burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Your Highness, you are quite bold. To have met with the Marquis of Tatian... I commend your courage. Allow me to offer you some advice.”
His laughter ceased, and his voice dropped to a cautious whisper, as if to avoid being overheard. “I don’t know how you managed to meet the Marquis, but you would do well to avoid him. He is a very dangerous man. He will soon find out that you visited me.”
“...Are you saying the Marquis knows my true identity?”
“No. Who in this country would recognize you as the prince?”
The Count leaned back, seemingly no longer interested in continuing the conversation. He looked at his teacup as if the topic had become mundane.
“Then... you have no intention of helping me?” Leo pressed, trying to contain his desperation.
Count Peter remained silent for a long time, simply observing Leo. It took a while before he finally spoke, and fortunately, his response was positive, albeit with conditions.
“Very well. I will assist you. However, I need some time to look into a few things. You will need to wait a little longer.”
Asking him to swear loyalty now would be futile. Leo left the Count’s mansion, feeling dejected. The only consolation was the Count’s respectful farewell.
Whether he could be trusted was still uncertain...
*
Leo didn’t return to the palace. Instead, he stopped by the theater to briefly meet Jenia. It was late, and Lena, who needed her sleep, was already dreaming.
“It’s been a while,” Jenia greeted.
“...Yes, it has,” Leo replied.
With the sun setting and nowhere else to go, they sat in the darkened theater audience.
“How is Lena doing these days?”
“She’s doing well. She’s learning to act very quickly.”
An awkward silence settled between them. Jenia looked away, remaining silent, and Leo found himself with little to say.
He liked this woman. He couldn’t deny it, though it wasn’t just because she reminded him of someone else. Comparing her to Minseo, who was a faint memory, was unfair.
‘...Right. Cassia has nothing to do with this. I didn’t even like her, and she’s happily living her life now...’
Leo took Jenia’s hand.
Her soft palm felt warm, and she turned to him with a startled expression.
“It’s inappropriate to hold a woman’s hand like this.”
“It was also a bit inappropriate for you to steal a kiss from a stranger,” Leo retorted.
Though he couldn’t see it clearly in the darkness, it seemed like Jenia smiled slightly. Leo spoke earnestly.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I’ve been neglectful. Even though I entrusted my sister to you, I rarely visited and often left quickly...”
“And?”
“Last time, I lied. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing in front of my sister, but it must have hurt you.”
“And?”
“I don’t think I ever just held your hand. I always took advantage of your hospitality...”
“And?”
“......I never told you what I do. I’m currently...”
“I don’t care about that. And?”
Jenia was getting closer. Leo thought carefully before speaking.
“.........I never told you I love you. Did I even say you were beautiful? I was always so bad at expressing myself... Mmph!”
Something soft pressed against his lips. Heavy breathing ensued, and Jenia, now on his lap, whispered.
“You have too many apologies. A single ‘I love you’ would suffice.”
Leo caressed Jenia’s cheek. He ran his fingers through her curly hair and whispered.
“Yes. I love you. Us.”
“I like that. But...”
Jenia caressed Leo’s lips, then stroked his sharp jaw and neck, whispering softly.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable here?”
*
In a dressing room with a makeshift bed, Leo gathered his scattered clothes.
They were the squire’s clothes, but he would have to wash and return them.
Under the flickering candlelight, Leo picked out random clothes from the dressing room, kissed the sweat-covered Jenia, and said,
“Wake up. I have to go now.”
Jenia stirred. She patted her back and picked up her clothes.
“Leo. When will you come next?”
“When do you want me to come?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Haha. Sorry, that’s impossible. I’ll come as soon as I can.”
“Alright. But don’t forget the
Next week...
Leo counted the days on his fingers.
That’s the day the prince of the Astin Kingdom arrives. As long as Gilbert Forte and Princess Chloe de Tatian don’t cause trouble on the first day, he should have time.
Leo promised to come next week and left the theater.
He greeted Ober, who was loitering outside the theater, and walked back through the night with newfound confidence.
He decided he would ask Jenia to leave with him.
After preventing Gilbert Forte and the princess from kissing, he planned to leave for the Conrad Kingdom.
Even though Count Peter had promised help, it didn’t matter if he did or not.
After all, there was no strict need to follow the "event" script. As soon as Prince Eric summoned Oriax, Leo could keep Archbishop Berg close, regardless of the method.
Whether through lies or by mobilizing knights for kidnapping, there were many ways.
The Archbishop, who had remained unyielding until the end, had endured days and nights of torment in the thorn forest and still burned with resolve in front of Barbatos’s apostle, Rev.
There’s no way he would ignore the apostle of Oriax.
And although it was already fall, it wasn’t too late.
Compared to the last round when he spent the winter in Taan Village, he now had a few months of leeway and knew exactly which knights were loyal to him.
No need for the painstaking effort of secretly persuading knights.
‘My salary is due in a few days... I’ll have enough for travel expenses.’
With his royal guard badge, passing through checkpoints would be easy. If he decided he couldn’t handle being a royal guard anymore, he could just retire.
They might not let him go easily, but given his potential to become a Sword Master, they wouldn’t be able to stop him from leaving.
He arrived at the palace.
In his room, he tossed the squire’s clothes into a basket.
As a royal guard, he had a maid assigned to him, so she would take care of the laundry.
A spacious room.
It wasn’t luxurious, but it had everything he needed. Leo threw himself onto the bed, thinking of Jenia and the way she blushed, and smiled broadly.
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