Anyway, this was very important. She had to seize the magic stones that had been accumulated in the Sage’s Village, and establish a friendly relationship with the Hildebrunn royal family. So, she wanted to jump on Kahel’s leg, who was always ahead of her, and knock him down and then have him bend his knee to Leonard. Liddell’s gaze turned to Leonard again.
“How is it going with the dealings with the girls who are close by blood to the Queen, Father?”
“Now, there are two left. The rest either died of an accident or disease, or married someone on good terms.”
The smile drawn by Leonard’s lips was refreshing. The two remaining were the granddaughter of the Queen’s uncle, Marquis Ravel, so the Queen’s nephew. They were unable to reach out recklessly because Marquis Ravel had lived in the Tartan Empire and had served as a diplomat. However, the old Marquis returned to Logos with his family to spend the last years of his life in his hometown; thanks to that, Leonard was able to work in time.
The two granddaughters of the Marquis, aged 13 and 15, respectively, were not old enough to withstand the weight of the crown, but the Luave family, who insisted on the Queen’s collateral line even if she died soon, will try to put one of those children, even with the current Queen as regent on the throne.
So, it wasn’t good for the children, but sooner or later, Marquis Ravel’s residence will be flagged with mourning. Perhaps, there would be an accident in which the carriage on which the two ladies were riding overturned.
In front of Leonard who casually said such a story, Liddell smiled satisfied and nodded her head.
“I think it would be better for Lian to keep it a secret from him until everything is ready. Because Brother has a softer heart than he looks.”
“Tsk. Because the eldest son of the Santella family is so weak.”
Leonard frowned as if he didn’t like it, but Liddell shook her head.
“Nope. Lian is just perfect now. If Brother had been gifted with superior qualities, he would have had to fight me. Besides, now that there is a lot to hide, he has to play an active part as a character who shows the cheerful side of the Santella family. So, please be careful of expressions that will make Brother upset in front of him, Father.”
“Don’t worry too much.”
Although she is the successor, it would have been frowned upon for the young daughter to warn the head to ‘be careful’, but Leonard, who is the head of the household and obeys his daughter’s opinion, was also unexpectedly obedient. However, in a place where only those who knew all the secrets gathered, such an appearance was natural. Because Liddell was the essence of the Santella family and the future of the Santella family. No, because she was the child that was raised as a Queen in the first place.
Leonard and Cynthia had four children. However, the twins born after Liddell did not have very strong innate magical powers, so they were excluded from the successor candidates early. Since Lian unofficially gave up the successor position to Liddell, the twins were sent away to study separately. It was because they were afraid that the twins would be a hindrance when she had to do something important.
In the end, the only people inside Santella who knew the plan to make Liddell the Queen were Leonard and Liddell, and those who acted like limbs and those who had been working for this plan since Leonard’s predecessors.
But gradually, more and more people will be drawn into this plan. Liddell ate more than usual and got up from the meal. In order to attract Ragdrill, it was more convenient for her to give up her pride, so it would not be bad for her to go on a trip to Hildebrunn after a long time.
* * *
“You don’t have to make that face, Kahel.”
A weak voice that seemed to fade at any moment comforted Kahel. It was his mother, Evelyn, who was only able to see Kahel three days after he came to Terra Luave. In the meantime, she passed the crisis of death once more. As if she had decided to sleep until her husband and her son returned, she almost missed the string of her breath that went on like that.
Fortunately, as soon as Damien arrived at Terra Luave, he summoned her healers back for her, who was ill, so Kahel was able to sit face to face with his mother, who managed to wake herself up after three days. As soon as he came to Terra Luave, he had almost posted his mother’s obituary in the capital, so it seemed that he had a complicated expression on his face without realizing it.
“How are you feeling?”
“It’s so nice to see my son’s face after a long time.”
“I’m sorry. I came to see you only now.”
“Everyone in this country knows that you are busy. And maybe, that’s why your father can be with me. I’m sorry that I put a burden too heavy on you alone.”
Kahel carefully grabbed his mother’s skinny hand. Her cold, dry hands seemed to break his heart.
“I’m sorry, Mother. I’m sorry.”
“How many times have I told you? There is nothing wrong with you, who was just born. This is not what you intended. On the contrary, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for you to grow up so wonderfully without your mother’s care.”
A small cough followed at the end of her watery voice. Kahel supported his mother’s upper body, picked up the vial by her side, and carefully poured it into her mouth. Even so, the cough barely subsided after shaking her body a few more times.
Her son, whom she barely hugged when he was young, has grown strong enough to support his mother without shaking. For the first time, she was held in her son’s arms and looked up at his tall face. For Evelyn, she was infinitely resentful of the devilish curse casted on his son.
He is such a wonderful son…… She needs to find a pretty and lovely girl as his companion…….
But Evelyn didn’t bring the bitterness out of her mouth. If she said anything, she would only hurt Kahel more. Instead, she asked playfully,
“Is there a girl that you liked at the moment?”
Anticipating the appearance of her son who would just shake his head lightly, it was a meaningless word thrown like a joke. She never thought Kahel would stop.
“Kahel……?”
“No, no. There is not.”
Seeing her son shaking his head vigorously as if in bewilderment, Evelyn’s heart jumped again and she seemed to be able to get up from the spot at any moment.
“There is? Isn’t it? Who is it? Huh?”
“Not really. However, a person who does not respond to my devilish power…… I found one.”
“Is that really true?”
Evelyn’s sunken eyes suddenly began to come alive. This was great news. It was also the news she had been waiting for.
“What…… kind of person? A noble? No, it doesn’t matter if she’s not a noble. What is her relationship with you?”
“She is the illegitimate daughter of a local noble who took part in the attack on the Duchy of Luave. Just before her execution, I found out that she didn’t respond to my devilish power…… Since then, she has been my close maid. Although she was originally a commoner, she was recently given the title of a Baronet for various reasons. This is the title she received as the author of the Duchess’ biography, so she will probably come to see Mother soon.”
Evelyn gave him a look as if she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, and then she replied with a little, ‘Yes.’ Wouldn’t it be great if the maid could be Kahel’s match, but she couldn’t force Kahel or the girl to feel that way. But she at least wished the close maid would be with Kahel for a long time.
“Later, will you send her right away when you go? The girl that is your close maid…….”
Kahel, who clearly knew what Evelyn was expecting, was a little bit embarrassed. There was no denying that he had strange feelings for Lena, but he didn’t want to give Lena a strange pressure or hope for anything in the present situation where he doesn’t even know what those feelings really are.
“She does not know that I am cursed. If she finds out about the filthy nature of the devilish curse, she wouldn’t want to stay by my side any longer, even if she wasn’t affected by it. So, please don’t force her to do anything, Mother.”
“Yes. That’s not what I’m trying to do. Just…… I just want to see her face…… Because I don’t have much time left.”
Kahel’s heart was pounding painfully again.
After a few more words with Evelyn, he left the room and immediately looked for Lena. Even if it wasn’t his mother’s request, he was going to show Lena to his mother. Lena said that she would do anything to help write his mother’s biography anyway, so it would be better to meet his mother in person.
As she listened to the explanation, she followed Kahel to the front of the bedroom on the back of the first floor, where the Duchess was lying. Lena was nervous and swallowed a gulp.
“Mother might fall asleep while talking. Because she was too weak. Then, you can sit down for a while and then come out quietly. As soon as you leave, the doctor and caregivers will come in.”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps…… Mother may say strange things, but there’s nothing to worry about. Just give her an answer that will make Mother feel more comfortable.”
“Understood.”
Kahel glanced down at Lena, whose purple eyes twinkled, and then knocked lightly on his mother’s door.
* * *
“The name…… What did you say?”
A voice that would not be hard to hear if she wasn’t paying attention asked Lena her name. Kahel, who briefly introduced Lena to the Duchess, left the room with the other caregivers, so she and Lena were the only ones in her room, and the loudest noise in the room was Lena’s tense breathing.
“Le, Lena…… Belrose, Madam.”
The pale, skinny Duchess smiled softly. Her eyes were sunken, but the bright green eyes that had not yet faded were looking straight into Lena’s eyes.
“My son…… you are his close maid?”
“Yes! I still have a long way to go, but I’m, I’m doing my best!”
Again the Duchess laughed. Even her laughing seemed difficult, but she was still trying to.
“Miss Lena…… You are pretty.”
“What? Ah, I, th, thank …… you.”
“You look healthy.”
When she said she was pretty, she said thanks, but when she said she looked healthy, Lena hesitated, not knowing how to respond. After giving birth to Kahel at the age of twenty-two, the Duchess’ illness only kept getting worse without getting better. It was impossible to judge what a healthy young woman would look like in the eyes of the Duchess, who had barely lived her life without enjoying anything for well over 20 years.
However, Evelyn had guessed all of Lena’s thoughts.
“It’s not a sin to be healthy, so there’s nothing to be difficult about. Besides, I’m the one to make a difficult request to Miss Lena.”
With a sad look on her face, Lena got restless and walked over to her.
“Don’t, don’t be afraid and say it, Madam.”
Evelyn once again admired Lena’s clear eyes, which could be seen clearly under the dim lighting, and raised her hand like a dry branch.