TGW Chapter 25 Part 2

 

Beth took a deep breath in front of the entrance to the Red King's palace. She had been suddenly summoned by the Red King. With the Silver King absent, there was no one to shield her. She couldn’t avoid this encounter. Thus, she resolved to face it head-on.

A maid emerged from inside.

“Welcome, Countess. Her Majesty the Red King is expecting you.”

The maid spoke to the maid accompanying Beth.

“You are to wait here.”

The maid from the Red King's palace took hold of the handles of Beth’s mobility chair. She did this without asking Beth for her permission, but Beth did not say anything.

She did not intend to engage in a power struggle over such a minor discourtesy. Perhaps the Red King didn’t even consider it rude.

The maid from the Red King's palace pushed the mobility chair inside.

“It feels like I’m walking straight into enemy territory.”

Beth gave a wry smile.

The Red King welcomed Beth, reclining on the sofa in the reception room. With her chin slightly raised and her eyes cast downward, she looked both seductive and fierce.

“I gRit Her Majesty the Red King. I hope you will kindly understand that I cannot stand to offer my respects.”

“Can’t you really walk?”

“Pardon?”

“Not even a single step?”

Beth couldn’t discern the true meaning behind the Red King’s words, so she remained silent.

“What I mean is, are you pretending to be crippled to gain the Silver King’s sympathy? She may seem composed on the outside, but she has a soft heart. She still lacks the insight to see through people deeply.”

Beth’s expression hardened. A hot surge of anger rose within her.

“No, I would never deceive Her Highness the Silver King, not in the past and not in the future. Even if it meant losing something more precious than my legs.”

There was no way Patricia wouldn’t understand Beth’s sarcastic tone. The corner of Patricia’s lips curled up.

How pathetic. Patricia scoffed softly.

“What a fool. She hasn’t learned her lesson from my warning.”

Having experienced a harsh lesson, Beth should have been groveling in fear. But unexpectedly, the countess was calm. She didn’t show any signs of being afraid. Patricia found it incredibly annoying. What could she possibly be so arrogant about?

The Pope Countess's family fell far short of Patricia’s standards. They lacked both wealth and power. The reason for her stiff-necked arrogance was obvious. She was flaunting the Silver King’s power as if it were her own.

“She’s probably been by the Silver King’s side for so long that she deludes herself into thinking she’s like a mother to her. But I am her true mother. Does she really think the Silver King would choose a mere woman with whom she shares no blood over me?”

The resentment Patricia harbored toward Beth was still very much alive. Patricia had strong likes and dislikes when it came to people, and once someone got on her bad side, she wouldn’t rest until they were removed from her sight.

In fact, quite a few people who had fallen out of Patricia’s favor had been unable to set foot in society again.

“Well, I’ll leave you alone for now.”

She couldn’t make a move for the time being. The countess was like a beloved doll to the Silver King. Patricia would have to wait until the Silver King grew tired of her.

“I hope you remain steadfast in that conviction of yours.”

Patricia replied coldly.

“I summoned you because I have something to ask.”

“Please, ask away.”

“I was just going to observe, but it’s becoming more and more absurd. The disgraceful rumors surrounding the Silver King recently, for instance. No matter how wise the Silver King is, her youth makes her naive. Shouldn’t you, as someone who is always by her side, offer her honest counsel? What exactly do you do by her side all day?”

Patricia’s voice grew louder and sharper with each word. Her tone was as cold as ice.

Beth clenched her two clasped hands tighter. She was trying her best not to waver, but in truth, cold sweat was running down her back.

This was the very person who had cruelly trampled on her, her family, and her household. Beth was like a small candle in the strong winds of the Red King. Alongside her resentment, she was also terrified. Fear made her mind go blank.

“Your Majesty, I am not in a position to advise Her Highness the Silver King.”

Patricia frowned.

“Her Highness keeps me by her side merely because she is accustomed to my presence. I have no influence on her decisions.”

Ha! Patricia laughed coolly. If she refuted that, it would only mean she acknowledged Beth’s influence. She found Beth’s crafty evasion infuriating, yet it somewhat eased her pent-up frustration.

The Pope Countess was nothing to the Silver King.

“That’s right. There’s no reason for me to be bothered by such a trivial thing.”

“I’m glad you know your place.”

“...”

“You must know where the Silver King is right now and with whom she is?”

“Yes.”

“Since you’re always by her side, you must know something. How much of the scandal between the Silver King and Marquis Rudd is true, and how much is just gossip?”

“There are parts that have been exaggerated, but there are also parts that are true.”

Patricia, who had been leaning back on the sofa, suddenly leaned forward toward Beth.

“The Silver King told me something outrageous. Do you have any idea what that might be?”

“Her Highness likes Marquis Raad. She expressed her admiration, saying he is a charming man.”

Patricia sighed and put her hand on her forehead.

Sienna and Beth had coordinated their story in advance. They had anticipated that, in Sienna’s absence, Patricia would surely summon Beth to inquire about her relationship with Marquis Rudd.

“What did she say she found appealing about him?”

“She said he is not easy.”

Patricia’s eyes widened.

“Go on.”

“Up until now, only those who bow their heads have been by Her Highness’s side. But Marquis Rudd is said to occasionally act disrespectfully toward Her Highness. She said she found that amusing.”

Lost in thought, the wrinkles on Patricia’s brow appeared and disappeared several times. What Beth said matched the impression she had gotten when she had met Marquis Rudd in person before.

“If it’s that man, he wouldn’t be entirely submissive even in front of the Silver King. Did he provoke her competitive spirit?”

Knowing her daughter’s personality, it made sense to her. She was relieved that the feelings weren’t like those of romantic affection between a man and a woman.

“I must separate them before it turns into another kind of emotion. She likes that he’s not submissive... My daughter, honestly, her tastes are...”

Does she need to select such men to put in front of the Silver King?

“I should have paired her with the Morton Duke’s son, not Luke, from the start.”

Levi Morton was smarter than Joseph Luke. If given a hint about the Silver King’s preferences, he could easily act in a way that suited her tastes.

But it was a regret that came too late. She couldn’t bring the dead back to life.

“We can’t just leave the Silver King and the Marquis as they are, can we?”

Patricia muttered to herself, feeling frustrated.

“If I may offer a suggestion...”

Patricia lifted her head.

“The Marquis Rudd is not suitable to be beside Her Highness the Silver King, who will one day ascend to the highest position.”

Patricia’s sharp expression softened a bit; she was on edge, ready to strike at any foolish remark.

“That’s right. I think so, too.”

“However, it is not a good idea for Your Majesty to intervene directly.”

“Why not?”

“There are those who give up when met with opposition and those who become more obstinate.”

“The Silver King falls into the latter category, doesn’t she? Yes... She’s stubborn and dislikes interference.”

Patricia nodded. She looked at Beth with newfound interest. Being by her side for so long, she seems to understand her daughter’s personality well.

Patricia’s feelings became somewhat more generous. She had been discRitly monitoring Beth’s surroundings and the Pope Countess’s family. There had been no annoying actions, like building power, yet.

“If she continues to know her place and stays in her lane, she could have a comfortable old age.”

It seemed acceptable to have a countess by the Silver King’s side. After all, she could also be a weak point for the Silver King.

“Countess Pope.”

“Yes.”

“In truth, I do not find you agreeable, but if the Silver King insists that it must be you, what can I do? I will continue to keep an eye on you.”

“...”

“I have heard your opinion. You may go now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Beth exited the Red King's palace and exhaled the breath she had been holding. Her hands, resting on her knees, were trembling. She thought it was a blessing she couldn’t walk. Otherwise, her legs would have given way, and she would have collapsed miserably.

Feigning composure in front of the Red King was Beth’s last bit of pride.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The maid waiting outside began to push the mobility chair. As they were passing through the corridor, a maid from the Red King's palace hurried over.

“Countess. Her Majesty the Red King asked me to give you this.”

The maid held out a small embroidered pouch. Beth took it without a word and clenched it tightly in her hand. She felt something hard inside the pouch. Beth’s heart hardened as well. She could only give a bitter smile.

“Is it just this...”

She could guess what was inside the pouch. She had received them several times before. Even if she didn’t want to accept it, she couldn’t refuse. They were troublesome items that ended up rolling around in the drawer of her dressing table.

The Red King didn’t realize that trying to buy someone’s loyalty with cold jewelry was the wrong approach. There were always plenty of sycophants hovering around, eager to accept any favor.

Beth felt a sense of revulsion. There was only one reason she had not left the palace: she could not leave Sienna, whom she had raised like her own child, alone in this heartless imperial palace. She wanted to protect the one who was both strong and fragile.

 

***

 

The interior layout of the Duke of Bless's office was designed for his convenience, as he needed to move around in a mobile chair. There were no sofas inside, and the pathways between the furniture were wide to ensure that nothing would obstruct the movement of the mobile chair.

The Duke’s desk was positioned relatively far from the walls, which were lined with low bookshelves. The Duke could access all the books and documents while moving around in his mobile chair.

“It seems the Duke has been in this condition for a long time.”

In the past, she would have felt very sorry for the Duke. She would have wondered if he could handle his duties with his physical limitations.

But Sienna had Beth by her side. Even though Beth had a physical disability, there was nothing she couldn’t do. Sometimes, Sienna forgot about Beth's condition altogether.

“Let’s see. I have it organized right here.”

The Duke rummaged through the bookshelf and pulled out a pile of documents. He placed them on the desk and opened a financial report.

“Here, take a look. This is last year’s budget. Please have a seat... Ah, the chair is over there.”

Sienna picked up the chair that was placed in the corner the Duke indicated and brought it over to the desk. The Duke’s desk was arranged so that a mobile chair could easily approach it from any direction. Sienna and the Duke sat facing each other at the rectangular desk.

The Duke showed her the settlement report from last year, along with this year’s budget proposal and policy plan. It was almost like looking at confidential information about the domain.

“Is it really okay for me to see this?”

She couldn't refuse the Duke's kindness. She was curious. It was a chance to learn through a real-life study, not just from abstract knowledge found in books. Before she knew it, she was deeply engrossed in the conversation with the Duke.

“So, this policy connects to this one, which then leads to an increase in farm income.”

The Duke clapped his hands in admiration with an exaggerated gesture.

“You grasp ten things when I teach you one. If only my son could be half as bright as you, I would have no more to wish for.”

“I’ve always been a quick learner.”

The Duke burst into laughter. After a hearty laugh, he glanced at the clock. It was almost noon.

“Oh my, it’s already this late. You must be hungry. The meal preparations should be nearly complete.”

Sienna stood up reluctantly. The Duke admired her.

“Is the Imperial Family truly blessed by the gods?”

A splendid appearance and an exceptional mind. He didn’t envy those qualities.

But he did envy the Imperial Family that produced a descendant like the Silver King, who possessed a keen eagerness to learn with an open mind.

When a noble family is established, it tends to decline over time. This is a natural flow, much like the birth and death of humans. Thus, there aren’t many cases where a child surpasses their parent. A family is considered prosperous even if it merely maintains what the parents have achieved.

In that sense, the decline of the Imperial Family seems to be a matter of the distant future. The current emperor is better than the late emperor.

“And the Silver King is better than the current emperor.”

The rumors she had heard were worrying, but they turned out to be unfounded.

“Can we continue after lunch? Ah, I’m taking too much of your time.”

“While you’re staying at the castle, of course, we can do that. However, it’s good for your health to move around after eating. You should take a walk around the castle. You’re welcome to go anywhere within Whitestone Castle.”

“...Whitestone Castle? Is that the name of the Duke's castle?”

“Yes. It’s a simple name derived from the characteristics of the exterior.”

Sienna recalled the word "Blackstone Castle" that she had heard in her dream. Black and white. Though opposites, they somehow felt similar.

“Is there also a Blackstone Castle?”

She asked jokingly, but the Duke hesitated.

“There is. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say there was. It hasn’t collapsed, but no one lives there anymore...”

The Duke mumbled bitterly, staring into the distance. He didn’t notice the troubled look on Sienna’s face.

“Where is Blackstone Castle?”

“If you travel northeast from here, it takes about three days by carriage to reach it.”

“Northeast...”

Sienna tried to recall the map she had memorized in her mind. Strangely, that area seemed to be a blank in her memory.

The Duke added more information.

“In the past, it was the Duchy of Acheron. Acheron Castle is Blackstone Castle. It was a very famous place. But that’s all in the past now.”

 

***

 

The Duke's household members and the two distinguished guests who had visited today were seated around the long dining table. Besides the Duke and his eldest son and daughter-in-law, there were many people Sienna was seeing for the first time. The Duke began introducing his family.

"Most of them have already married and moved out, but since we have important guests visiting today, I thought it would be nice for you to meet everyone. You already know my eldest son, and next to him is my second son..."

The introductions took a while. The Duke had six sons in total, and all six of them were married, making a total of twelve people.

"My youngest son is currently at his maternal grandmother’s home. My father-in-law is bedridden."

Sienna spoke up, "I hope he recovers soon. You have seven sons in total?"

"Yes. All of them are full siblings. People are always curious about that."

"It seems you have quite a fondness for children."

"I wanted to have a large, lively family. I think it was the right choice. As I get older, I realize how lonely it is without siblings. I initially planned to stop at five, but I found myself hoping for a daughter. In the end, it didn’t work out. Thankfully, my daughters-in-law have blessed me with beautiful granddaughters, which has fulfilled my wish."

The Duke looked around at his daughters-in-law with a satisfied smile. The daughters-in-law, meeting his gaze, smiled shyly, and the atmosphere of a harmonious family was palpable.

The maids were busy moving around to serve the main meal. The dishes were placed in front of everyone, one by one.

As Sienna put some food in her mouth, she became lost in thought.

“The Duke has no siblings?”

The Duke of Bless appeared to be in his mid-fifties, with his eldest son in his mid-thirties. In her dream, it was said that the mother of the Iron King was of the Bless Duke's bloodline. The timeline would fit if the current Duke had a sister.

If the Iron King's position in the line of succession became higher than Sienna's in the future, making him the emperor, then the Iron King's mother must have been a direct descendant of the Duke.

Sienna's mother, Patricia, was the Duke's daughter. Even within the same ducal family, the ranks of direct and collateral lines were distinct.

“I need to confirm it. The Duke could have had a sister who passed away.”

Learning about the existence of Blackstone Castle was also a shock. There was no evidence that Blackstone Castle in her dream was the same as the Acheron Ducal Castle, but she had a strong intuition that they were one and the same.

The land that was once the Acheron Duchy now had no owner. This was due to imperial law.

According to the law, land without an heir could not be owned by anyone for thirty years until a legitimate heir was found. This law also applied to the feudal dominion of a lord.

There were no exceptions to the rule, nor could the period be shortened. Even if the Acheron Ducal House committed crimes, it did not affect the dominion rights. Currently, the land was under state management, and the Rimonen Ducal House had been appointed by the state to manage it.

“Rimonen...”

The more she thought about it, the more it seemed that the Rimonen House was deeply involved in the downfall of the Acheron Ducal House.

One of Sienna's teachers, who taught her about economics, had said, "There is nothing as honest as the flow of money." Humans always fight over interests. No one gets involved in something without gain.

“That's why in major crime investigations, those who stand to gain the most from the event are the primary suspects.”

The Rimonen House would be reaping huge profits by managing the Acheron lands. In other words, they had benefited the most from the disappearance of the Acheron House.

"They must be exploiting the land as much as they can since it's ownerless."

It was unlikely that the Rimonen House had simply been lucky enough to monopolize the gains from that land. It was also strange that the other ducal houses turned a blind eye. After all, there had been fierce disputes recently over mining rights.

“Only a little time remains out of the thirty years.”

The time to decide who would govern the land was approaching.

“If the old Acheron lands had become independent as a principality, Kuhn would become the ruler within four to five years in the future.”

As she chewed her food, Sienna suddenly stopped moving her jaw.

“...So within five years, the Iron King becomes the emperor? Does that mean His Majesty will pass away?”

Kuhn, too, had been deep in thought, to the point where he couldn’t taste the food. As soon as he entered the Duke’s archive earlier, he wondered, “Will I find something useful here?”

Unlike the well-organized archives of other ducal houses, this one had been left in disarray, practically abandoned. But treasures are often found buried under dust.

As he hastily organized the place with the help of the Duke’s people, he had been called for a meal. His mind was filled only with thoughts of finishing quickly and going back to searching the archives.

He had visited the archives of all five ducal houses. The Bless Duke's archive was the last one. To outsiders, he seemed busy, but in reality, he had found nothing of value. That was only to be expected.

If he had been able to obtain substantial evidence from the archives through an official request, it would have been a miracle. If there was anything to hide, it would have already been concealed.

"As expected, the Emperor just intends to use me as a distraction."

The inspection of the archives had been initiated under the Emperor's orders. Although it appeared as if he had been given full authority with the title of inspector, Kuhn had never thought that the Emperor trusted him.

When entrusting someone with an important task, the one giving the orders usually tries to communicate sufficiently with the person receiving them, asking how things are going and offering encouragement. That’s the norm. Kuhn himself was like that when giving orders to his subordinates.

However, the Emperor had never once called Kuhn in private.

And if the Emperor truly intended to investigate past affairs, he would not have used such a superficial method. He would have conducted an unannounced raid and search.

Kuhn hadn't expected much, so he wasn’t disappointed either. He had no intention of bowing down to the Emperor.

His position of supporting Dian was that of an equal partner. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen Dian. Many kingdoms on the continent had tried to recruit Kuhn with far better conditions than Dian offered.

Kuhn had realized the Emperor's true intentions long ago. But he continued to act as if he were earnestly investigating. As long as he followed the Emperor’s will, the title of "Marquis of Rad" allowed him to wield untouchable power.

And moving according to the Emperor's intentions hadn't caused him any loss so far. It wasn’t often one got the opportunity to examine the archives of the ducal houses. Under the guise of investigation, Kuhn could read rare old books that had been left in the archives. He also negotiated with owners who didn’t understand the value of these books and obtained some of them.

“It's suspiciously clean.”

The situation immediately following the fall of the Acheron House seemed as if that period of time had simply disappeared, leaving nothing behind.

“The other ducal houses must have been in on it.”

But probably not. If they had helped, they would have gained something. The Rimone House had taken almost all the spoils resulting from the destruction of the Acheron House.

There were two possibilities.

First, the other ducal houses did not get involved but chose to turn a blind eye. They chose complete silence, not even leaving a single line in the records.

Second, the deceased Duke Rimone had meticulously erased all traces over the years. Twenty-five years is a very long time, long enough to forget even things you’ve seen with your own eyes.

"What does the Emperor plan to do after throwing me out in front of everyone?"

The key was held by two people. The Emperor and Jeffrey. After their private meeting, the Emperor ordered an investigation into past affairs. Dian had said she didn’t know what was discussed that day.

But the outcome was predictable: the restoration of the Acheron House and the reinstatement of Dian’s place in the line of succession.

“I'm not sure how they plan to achieve that outcome, but one thing is certain.”

It seemed neither the Emperor nor Jeffrey wanted Kuhn to contribute to the great task of restoring the Acheron House. That made sense for the Emperor. Kuhn was not an imperial citizen and certainly not the Emperor’s loyal subject.

The problem was Dian’s uncle. His attitude was ambiguous. Instead of opening up more as time went on, it felt like he was keeping a distance. It was unclear why Jeffrey had accompanied them all the way to the Bless Duchy to meet the Duke.

"He was my close friend. I wanted to let my friend know I’m alive."

Kuhn had let it go with a simple “I see.” He thought there was no point in prying, as he wouldn’t get an answer anyway.

“Am I going to be betrayed?”

Kuhn muttered, but his expression didn’t look too serious. He had already considered countless possibilities when he decided to ally with Dian.

Sienna and Kuhn both quietly ate their meal, lost in their own thoughts. The lunch ended in a subdued atmosphere.

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