Chapter 121
Such feelings while crossing one’s arms
Riegel had been amused ever since he saw Izar’s reaction when the ‘duke’s wife’ greeted him.
Izar, the comet. The head of the family that exterminates monsters.
And yet, he was showing jealousy. Just like a boy experiencing his first love, sulking and seething with jealousy!
“That’s why you specifically requested to send a lady enrolled here for the tour, isn’t it?”
He had been particularly concerned about Albireo Deneb’s high likelihood of being involved.
Riegel was well aware of how Albireo enjoyed mingling with women.
But the wife didn’t seem to realize that Izar was jealous at all.
“Please be kind to your wife, Duke.”
“….”
“For those of us whose marriages are contractual, it’s a blessing if we end up with someone we truly care about.”
It was unsolicited advice, but Riegel spoke gently. Somehow, the relationship between the two seemed precarious.
It was as if the thinnest yet strongest glass wall stood between them, despite their feelings for each other.
“She got caught up in my grandfather’s scheming because she’s an illegitimate child, just to humiliate your family.”
“…That’s correct. You don’t deny it.”
Izar growled, struggling to suppress his shame.
If she weren’t an illegitimate child like his detestable half-sibling, he wouldn’t feel this instinctive repulsion.
But it stung to have his weakness exposed to Riegel, who had lost his parents yet still looked at him with eyes full of sympathetic understanding that had irritated Izar since childhood.
“His Majesty intended to leave a stain on my family’s legacy. As a reward for saving the capital from a monster attack. How magnanimous.”
“…A stain, you say.”
“If we have children, what will people say behind our backs? You burden me with this disgrace and speak of cherishing…!”
Riegel gazed at Izar, who couldn’t hide his indignation and humiliation, with a sorrowful expression.
He seemed to understand why Izar was so stubborn.
‘The Duke must have heard such things repeatedly since childhood.’
For his family’s sake, leave no blemishes, remain perfect and pure.
‘All because their parents couldn’t resolve it and left it behind.’
And a tree that has grown twisted cannot grow in any other way.
“Indeed, the doctrine states that illegitimate children are abominable. But Duke, we all know the truth, don’t we?”
“What are you implying—”
“The temple pushes to ostracize illegitimate children only because they want to control noble marriages.”
“Your Highness.”
“And we shun them because we don’t want to lose more wealth as a penalty for indulgence.”
Riegel maintained a calm expression, like an untroubled surface of water, even as he completely denied the empire’s fundamental doctrine.
“Ha…!”
Izar let out a dry laugh and ran his hand over his face.
‘Everyone thinks he’s a weakling with his head buried in books. They’ve been completely deceived.’
No, that was merely a façade.
He must have kept an appropriate distance from the nobles to hide these dangerous thoughts.
But for Riegel to bring up such a dangerous topic so casually meant he considered Izar to be on the same side as him.
Izar sighed, his anger cooling.
“…Please forgive my rudeness. I believe Your Highness already has a good idea of what I desire.”
“A complete pardon for your family during my reign, I suppose. At least that assurance.”
It was a straightforward answer without any beating around the bush.
“Don’t worry, Duke Izar. My parents and uncle’s deaths were paid for by your father.”
And Izar himself had paid more than enough since then.
The emperor, in his old age, used it as an excuse to be spiteful until the day he died. He had constantly reprimanded his second son, calling him a philanderer while he was alive.
The death of a child often romanticizes even the least pleasant relationships.
“With the recent increase in monster attacks, your help is more needed than ever. It’s time to stop mistreating you.”
“Has the temple figured out the reason for this?”
“Haha.”
Riegel let out a dry laugh at Izar’s question. It was the first time since the Duke and Duchess arrived that he showed a cynical expression.
“Haven’t you seen what the temple has been obsessed with lately since you got here?”
“…”
Izar remained silent, lowering his chin at the question.
‘The temple has completely fallen into usury.’
The level of demands in exchange for divine power had increased significantly.
Even the holy contracts performed in the name of God were annulled by money.
He and the Antares family had colluded.
At that time, he couldn’t bear the existence of Freesia.
‘Ha, I ended up shackled just like those blinded by money.’
He almost laughed at the absurd sense of humiliation and self-pity.
But Riegel, unaware of this, spoke warmly.
“I think it’s time for some cleaning. To create a fairer empire. And I’d like to enlist your help when that time comes.”
It was a clear proposal for a future alliance. Riegel stood up from his seat by the window.
“Let’s head out now. Though we’ve left Lady Alpheratz with you, we shouldn’t keep you anxious any longer.”
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