The Price of Saving a Vicious Beast - Chapter 17

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The count couldn’t bring himself to answer.

He had only just stepped onto the path of advancement within the noble council, and yet what the crown prince was asking for was no different from demanding that he offer up Adelaide’s entire life.

Killian looked down at the silent count with cold eyes, then spoke again.

“Or do you intend to leave your son, Roem Eport, lingering at the fringes of power as well?”

The count’s face froze as if struck by lightning.

Killian continued, as though it were nothing.

“No, that wouldn’t do. Every gain comes with a price, doesn’t it? The fortune your family has received through Adelaide Eport, when it’s time to repay it, you’ll be paying back double. Are you prepared for that?”

It was a blatant threat.

And one the crown prince had more than enough power to carry out.

In the end, the count had only one possible answer.

After the count left, Killian summoned Bertholdt and issued several orders.

One of them was to have Viscount Romeo reassigned to the borderlands.

“…Viscount Romeo, Your Highness? He does command a small knight order, but…”

“As far away as possible. Far enough that he’ll have to take his entire family with him. Far enough that they’ll never set foot in the capital again.”

“…Your Highness. The border regions are unstable these days. The viscount has a young daughter. It is customary not to assign border defense duties to those with families to protect…”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Bertholdt.”

Killian’s gaze turned ice-cold.

There was no point in speaking on the viscount’s behalf any further. Bertholdt bowed his head.

It was not his place to question the crown prince’s thoughts, only to carry out his commands.

* * *

When Killian returned to the Eport estate again, Adelaide did not come out to greet him.

Unusual. Ascending alone to the third floor, Killian let out a low whistle.

“Adelaide?”

He knocked, then opened the door. The lighthearted expression he had worn moments ago vanished.

“Y-you’re here? I’m sorry—I should have come to meet you.”

Adelaide hurriedly hid a handkerchief. Her eyes were red and swollen.

Killian, pretending not to notice, spoke in a gentle tone.

“What’s wrong? Have you been crying?”

At the question, the tears she had been holding back spilled over.

Adelaide burst into sobs, her words tumbling out incoherently. About Viscount Romeo suddenly being appointed commander of the border garrison. About how there had been no time to prepare. And how the viscountess and her daughter had been forced to leave with him.

“I—I… I was going to meet Rose… but…”

Killian already knew everything.. She had wanted to meet her, but couldn’t.

Because Madame Shirley, who oversaw her etiquette lessons, had forbidden her from leaving, citing her insufficient progress. And the one who had instructed Madame Shirley to do so was Count Eport.

He had been told Adelaide was deeply hurt by the restriction.

After failing to meet her friend and learning the Romeo family had left for the border, she had spent the entire day in tears.

‘How foolish.’

Though he comforted her gently, playing the part of a caring friend, Killian found her reaction displeasing. To become this attached to someone she had met only once, exchanged only a few letters with.

‘…Well. Once is fine.’

He forced himself to let it go, but the unpleasant feeling lingered.

To think that something he owned would wag its tail for someone else. But he had already made things clear to the count. It wouldn’t happen again.

For someone as magnanimous as himself, overlooking it this once was more than generous.

“Adelaide. I’m here, aren’t I?”

You only need me. Isn’t that right? He didn’t say it aloud. He already knew the answer.

Instead, Killian gently wrapped his arms around her, embracing her like a kind friend.

“Sniff… Killi…”

Like a wounded little animal seeking its mother, Adelaide threw herself into his arms.

Her face, hot and damp, pressed against his chest. Her body was pleasantly warm against the chill of autumn.

Killian tightened his hold slightly. The faint scent of her soap lingered at the tip of his nose.