Chapter 12: Counseling Time
Duke Aselton was a man without fault when it came to caring for his family and governing his country.
One may not necessarily like him, but it was hard to hate him. This was the evaluation of Duke Aselton. Although his beloved wife passed away after falling ill following the birth of their youngest child, he did not hold any resentment towards the child.
Rather, he considered his youngest son as the legacy left by his wife and did his best to ensure he had a bright childhood. The youngest seemed to recognize this dedicated effort, growing up healthy and without worry.
Duke Aselton took pride in having lived an honorable life fulfilling his duties as a ruler during his peaceful reign. Until now, he could think that way. If yubas had not bared his vicious fangs, he would have continued to think so going forward.
Backed by the church’s support, the rapidly growing yubas now had his sights set on the Povius Duchy, established by Duke Aselton’s ancestors. This was the reason he had repeatedly made decisions he would not have even considered under normal circumstances.
The grave sense of duty to not let his ancestors’ legacy end during his generation, and his resentment towards yubas’ vile and dreadful schemes, pushed Duke Aselton. To prevent the deep-rooted shame in a corner of his heart from escaping.
However, there was someone who brought out the truth that Duke Aselton had strived to turn away from.
“In the end, does this not mean we are submitting to them?”
As soon as he reached the prepared conclusion regarding the most pressing issue within the castle recently, one man openly showed signs of resistance. It was an act of audaciously questioning the lord’s authority, yet no one could point it out.
For the one opposing Duke Aselton’s decision was none other than his own son. Moreover, it was the second son who had fully inherited Duke Aselton’s chivalrous demeanor.
Therver Orin Stregos Clerio Povius.
With shoulder-length raven black hair and piercing eyes that shone like a slim falcon. A sharp nose, pointed chin, thick beard, and a sturdy physique with toned muscles visible even through his loose clothing.
“My younger brother who used to cry uncontrollably just from horseback riding has finally realized he is a man. Even after suffering such a grave insult, if he had stayed silent instead, I would have been even more upset.”
And the only person who evaluated Narva’s misbehavior in a positive light, saying that even if one was furious, slapping a woman who had just given birth was a bit much… to the extent that the vassals gathered in the audience chamber frowned deeply.
Not that they dared to voice it directly, but they felt Therver’s defense had gone too far. Even those who sympathized with Narva could not condone all of his misdeeds.
Some even avoided Therver’s gaze entirely, exchanging glances and whispering among themselves. Only after observing this strange atmosphere did Duke Aselton respond to Therver’s challenge.
Duke Aselton opened his mouth while rubbing the armrests of his throne.
“So is that the reason you have returned, abandoning your duty to stop the invaders?”
“To protect the weak and speak for the innocent. I came to speak for the loneliness of my brother, whose grievances no one will listen to.”
The second son Therver was indeed walking the path of a knight, just like his appearance suggested. Unlike the eldest son who had long prepared to inherit the title and was inspecting the lands, Therver only showed interest in martial arts and warfare.
Thanks to this, the line of succession was quite stable. Therver had even relinquished much of his own rights, saying he would live as his brother’s knight rather than lead like his brother. At the time, it only felt admirable and grateful…
Duke Aselton felt a throbbing headache as he watched Therver rampaging in the audience chamber, as if looking at a glass bottle completely clogged with dregs. He slowly closed his eyes and nodded.
‘Your brother asked me to do this!’
Due to his outstanding martial skills and biased interests, it was fine to entrust him with the duty of repelling the invaders coming upriver. He had thought it would be alright even if Therver fell short in other areas.
Even if the eldest son were to die unexpectedly, he believed the vassals could sufficiently support him. …It was a mistake. Therver, constantly engaged in battles, completely lacked contemplation and understanding of why Duke Aselton had made such a decision.
And consumed by chivalry and family love, Therver began to show heart-wrenching anger out of pity for his brother who had suffered a tragic ordeal. Unable to outright blame his father Duke Aselton, he targeted the vassals who had been by his side.
“I know what you’re thinking. I, too, have heard the rumors of Narva venting his anger on the servants within the castle.”
Therver stood upright and pointed his well-trimmed index finger at each of the vassals one by one, glaring at them with protruding bloodshot eyes. Whenever his terrifying gaze landed on them, the vassals subtly bowed their heads.
But Therver seemed even more displeased by this, slightly baring his teeth as he growled.
“But to me, it looked like a child who has realized his manhood, still lamenting his own powerlessness, crying out for others to share in the tragedy that has befallen him.”
“…S-Sir Therver. You say this even after hearing the rumors about Young Master Narva?”
“Everyone around him keeps their distance saying such things. Is it not because of this that Narva struggles in vain, going down an even more twisted path? A man cannot cry out loud! At times like this, only by having others beside him can he cry in his heart!”
Even amid the intense atmosphere, his remarks of conviction were trampled by his resounding shouts. Therver pounded his chest with his fists as if his throat was blocked, letting out a sigh full of lamentations.
The vassals could only slowly raise their heads and silently watch his display. Their expressions conveyed so much. Some even openly showed vulgar looks on their faces.
‘He’s really going overboard.’
Therver, the celebrated knight that the Povius Duchy and Duke Aselton took pride in.
He was a man with far more sensitivity than middle-aged men going through andropause, his eyes reddening at the mere sight of falling leaves. To the extent of taking it upon himself to be a protector, purely guessing at his brother’s loneliness that others were too busy cursing.
Watching Therver rampage in the audience chamber, Duke Aselton felt a throbbing headache. It was only natural, with his beloved youngest son having resorted to such measures, and his second son acting this way while he was already anguished over having to be strict.
Duke Aselton pressed his left hand to his forehead, nodded slowly as the dizziness passed.
“Therver. I acknowledge there is reason in your words. However, Narva has not been without his own thoughts all this time. He is currently meeting with yubas’ wife to sort out his thoughts, so let us meet Narva once that is over.”
“Y-Your Highness! As I believed, you would immediately understand my advice!!!”
Therver filled the entire audience chamber with his overjoyed voice. Duke Aselton simply kept nodding in agreement. The atmosphere in the audience chamber did not further cool down thanks to the wisdom Duke Aselton had accumulated as a ruler.
The easiest way to solve a headache-inducing problem at a glance.
‘Narva, since this was your doing, you should be the one to resolve it.’
That was passing the buck.
***
There was one thing I absolutely did not want to overlook while preparing for the monastery journey. Today was the day for that.
The path to meeting Miriam Orn yubas, the woman who had legally been my wife for about 7 months, was unbearably heavy. It wasn’t because of the people whispering as I passed by and avoiding me.
It was because of the man John of Riverside, who clung to me like a vibrating massager, going buuuung. John would grab my clothes, roll his eyes around, and let out strange groans.
“Hiiiick! Y-Young Master! The stares! I can feel the stares!!!”
“Rest assured. It’s just paintings.”
“Hiikyaaak! The birds outside the window are looking at us!!”
“People are looking at you too.”
“Wh-Who are you talking about?!”
Instead of answering out loud, I slowly turned my head to meet John’s gaze. I had picked up somewhere that making eye contact was crucial when trying to calm someone down.
Normally, information of unknown origin often turns out to be nonsense, but this time seemed to be an exception. John of Riverside regained his composure surprisingly quickly. He even let go of my clothes and fixed his posture.
“Sorry… I’m sorry, Young Master. I had forgotten the existence I fear the most.”
“Hmm?”
There was a bit of uncertainty, but it was fine that he regained his composure. The demeanor of Edwina, who had been quietly leading the way, was changing too. Edwina had an expression that suggested she enjoyed the silence with only white noise.
John’s rowdy behavior had undoubtedly gotten on her nerves. For a while, only footsteps echoed in the barely-found silence. Then, in front of the destination, Edwina spoke in a solemn, resolute voice.
“…Lady Miriam, your husband is here. He requests a private audience.”
Knock, knock, knock. A clear knocking sound cut through the quiet corridor. But there was no sound from beyond the door. At Miriam’s lack of response, it was unsurprisingly John of Riverside who made the biggest fuss.
“It has been seven months since you have not shared a bed. Might she not feel resentful?”
“…”
The reason our John’s head is still attached is probably because it’s fine even if it is. I was too busy with ominous thoughts to pay him any mind. Had yubas proceeded to Plan C? Surely he wasn’t that insane?
…Come to think of it, he was indeed insane enough to impregnate his own daughter. Now that the possibility had become reality, I could not remain still. I instructed Edwina, who was standing dumbfounded in front of the door.
“Edwina. If there is no response, call the soldiers. If need be, we’ll break down the door and enter.”
If Plan A was to go around and attempt kidnapping, Plan B was to kill me to preserve the inheritance rights. But if it was difficult to preserve the inheritance rights, yubas could resort to the final option, Plan C.
Given yubas’ actions to avoid war, it was not a method he would easily choose… but he was not the type to rule out manipulating the justification for war by turning the assassin’s blade not towards me, but Miriam.
Fortunately, that did not seem to be the case.
The tightly closed door had lightly opened. And through the opened gap, a gentle-looking woman with snow-white hair and warm hazel eyes revealed herself.
“…I did not expect the Young Master, who has already guessed the situation, to come here.”
Miriam Orn yubas.
She was responding to me, despite not reacting at all when Edwina knocked and spoke. Upon seeing Miriam’s beauty that he had only heard rumors of, John of Riverside’s eyes went wide.
But it was still too early to be relieved. Naturally, for this could be yubas’ final resort. After glancing at Edwina and John, I raised my hand, signaling them to stop following.
“If I do not come out by the time the sun touches the windowsill, immediately call the soldiers. However, no one is to approach inside during that time. You two must also keep your distance and not dare eavesdrop on my conversation.”
“Of course, Young Master!”
John was good at following instructions, if nothing else. As soon as the order was given, he immediately stepped back to keep his distance. Edwina was no less adept at understanding her lord’s intentions.
Edwina even went so far as to worry about me, her lord. As she retreated with graceful steps, she looked back this way with concerned eyes.
“Young Master, surely you have not developed feelings for Lady Miriam’s beauty now?”
“I’ve felt that from the beginning.”
“Young… Master.”
Miriam might be an assassin prepared by yubas – realizing the implication of those words, Edwina pursed her lips. As a subordinate who had to send her lord to a potentially deadly place, she undoubtedly felt ashamed.
To encourage Edwina, I gave her a confident smile.
“What happens next depends on you.”
“…Yes, Young Master. I will definitely follow your instructions.”
With those final words, I readily turned my back. Towards the room where Miriam and her child resided. Miriam, looking more haggard than when I first saw her, gestured into her room with a weak smile.
“You have already guessed everything, haven’t you?”
