Chapter 13
Duke Delsen was part of a faction completely opposed to the Crown Prince.
Simply put, Heinz was one of the key supporters of the second prince, who aimed to usurp the throne from the Crown Prince. He had aligned himself with this faction as well.
To curry favor with the most powerful figure within that faction, Duke Delsen, he had planned to offer Rayliel as a concubine.
But now…!
“You must be quite shocked. But the truth is, His Highness the Crown Prince, urgently needs to speak with the Lady of the Adelheit family…”
Ian, trying to carefully explain the situation, was abruptly cut off by Lexid.
“I don’t think there’s any need to be so polite about it.”
Lexid’s tone was cold as he interrupted Ian.
“Why bother being courteous to a man who sells his daughter to a stinking old man just to gain some power?”
“Y-Your Highness—”
“Rayliel Adelheit is coming with me.”
“W-What do you mean? Rayliel is supposed to marry Duke Delsen today…!”
“Did I make myself unclear?”
With a swift motion, Lexid unsheathed the sword hanging at his waist.
As he suddenly drew his sword, Heinz and Karin’s faces twisted with fear.
“Defying the imperial family, no matter which noble family you belong to, is treason.”
Damn it.
Ian muttered quietly as he wiped his brow.
“And in the Allen Empire, the penalty for treason is death—swift and without trial.”
Lexid’s eyes, burning like flames, glared at the members of the Adelheit family as if he could kill them on the spot.
The intensity of his gaze was enough to send shivers down their spines, including Rayliel, who had been watching the situation unfold in a daze.
But Heinz knew he couldn’t back down. If he missed this opportunity, the Adelheit family—and he himself—would surely fall out of favor with Duke Delsen.
Moreover, if the Crown Prince took Rayliel away on the very day they had an agreement, and in such a manner…
“F-Forgive me, Your Highness, but this cannot be allowed!” Heinz said, bowing his head as if to apologize.
“Why?”
Lexid stepped forward, bringing his face close to Heinz’s as he looked down at him.
“I’m a member of the imperial family.”
Thud.
Lexid lightly tapped the tip of his sword against Heinz’s chin.
“And you’re nothing but a petty noble.”
“…….”
“That goes for Duke Delsen as well.”
“T-The Duke and I have already agreed on this. He promised to take my daughter as his concubine, and I accepted. If I break the marriage agreement…”
“Daughter, hmm.”
“Yes…?”
“You have another one.”
Lexid’s sword now pointed at Seltin, who was trembling behind Karin.
“Send her instead. That should solve the problem, shouldn’t it, Count?”
Lexid smiled gently, as if to assure Heinz not to worry.
“Or would you like me to go and explain everything to the Duke myself?”
“Your Highness, please, let’s have a proper conversation…”
Ian tried to interject, but it was of no use.
“The lady from the Adelheit family who was to be taken as a concubine has already lost her purity to me.”
With that single statement, everyone’s faces turned to shock, including Ian’s.
“So, you planned to deceive Duke Delsen? Quite bold of you, Count Adelheit.”
Lexid smirked.
He then moved toward Seltin, without hesitation.
“Mom…!”
Seltin cried out, panicking as Karin tried to shield her, but it was no use. Lexid simply shoved Karin aside, and she fell to the ground with a short scream.
Now face to face with Lexid, Seltin trembled uncontrollably.
“…….”
Lexid’s gaze slowly traveled over Seltin, as if assessing her. It was a look she had never seen before, one that made her feel like prey about to be hunted.
“It seems you don’t need any more embellishment—it looks like you’ve already been indulging in luxury.”
Lexid remarked with a cold smile.
“Take her away.”
“W-What…?”
“That should settle things.”
Lexid’s tone was final. He grabbed Seltin’s wrist, twisting it firmly, and began dragging her toward the carriage that Duke Delsen had sent.
“Your Highness! Please… Wait… No…! Mother! Father!”
Seltin screamed, struggling, but to no avail. Like Rayliel earlier, she was dragged away like a dog on a leash.
“Dear!”
Karin’s desperate cry filled the air as she pleaded for Heinz to do something. Heinz bit his lip and clenched his fists tightly under his sleeves.
And then…
“Please… Return Seltin to me, Your Highness… Please…”
Heinz muttered in a voice that resembled a cornered rat’s, barely able to speak.
“I’ll do as you say, Your Highness. I beg you…”
He squeezed his eyes shut, his desperation clear.
“We’re done here.”
Lexid sheathed his sword and tossed Seltin back toward Heinz, murmuring softly.
“See? I told you, there’s no need to be polite.”
He turned to Ian with a scathing grin.
“When you’re dealing with dogs, you have to act like a dog yourself, don’t you?”
Then…
“Ah!”
In one swift motion, Lexid pulled Rayliel toward him.
Her body, as light as a feather, was suddenly lifted into the air. Before she could even react, she found herself thrown onto the horse’s back, trembling with fear. It all happened so quickly that she had no chance to resist.
Regardless of how anyone else reacted, Lexid mounted the horse with ease, just as he had when he arrived. This time, he sat behind Rayliel, securing her in front of him.
“It’s been a pleasure, Count Adelheit.”
Lexid looked down at Heinz, who had collapsed onto the ground.
“If your younger daughter does indeed become Duke Delsen’s concubine, send word to the Crown Prince’s palace. I’ll make sure to celebrate it in grand manner.”
Those were Lexid’s final words to them.
He then spurred the horse into motion, and the pure white steed bolted forward without hesitation, carrying Rayliel away in a whirlwind of chaos.
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