December 24, 2020
"Your Highness, our young master—"
"That’s enough, old man. There’s no need to defend me. It doesn’t seem like His Highness is particularly displeased, anyway."
Fenrir smiled brightly and stepped beside Cher, once again offering a proper greeting. He lightly touched his forehead, chest, and shoulders in succession before bowing his head—an exclusive Roakin greeting.
"I formally introduce myself once again. Your Highness, Duke of Schwarhan, I am Fenrir Roakin, the sixth son of Palamar."
"Now that’s a proper introduction."
"I was only able to offer one because I am now sure that Your Highness does not see us as mere savages."
"What matters is how much your people can prove their worth."
Cabelenus casually gestured for him to sit. Fenrir bowed slightly and took a seat across from him.
"How much decision-making power do you hold?"
"Not much. There weren’t many who were intrigued by Your Highness’s proposal to begin with."
"Because of their grudge against the Empire."
"That’s right. Ever since the current emperor’s mother was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake, Roakin has been driven to the brink."
"Then why did you come here? Do you not resent the Empire?"
"I do."
Their gazes clashed in the air.
Fenrir did not avoid Cabelenus’s stare—he met it head-on.
"I grew up hearing countless voices of resentment. I was raised to believe that hatred was natural. And yet, that’s all it ever was."
"That’s all?"
"Hatred alone is meaningless. No matter how much the weak cry out in pain, they are never saved. At best, they might receive cheap sympathy."
"......."
"I didn’t want that. So I decided—I wouldn’t wait for salvation. I would take it for myself."
A smirk stretched across Fenrir’s lips.
His easy-going gaze now revealed the greed he had long kept hidden.
"You’re awfully honest in front of me."
"I know Your Highness will tolerate my impudence."
"You’re quick-witted."
"Unfortunately, I have five older brothers. I couldn’t afford not to be."
"Three of them are already on the verge of ruin."
Cabelenus nodded lightly.
"And the other two won’t last much longer."
Fenrir grinned confidently.
"How much military force do you have at your disposal?"
"Roakin’s soldiers may be few, but they are physically strong and incredibly agile. If used well, numbers won’t matter."
"Good. Report your available forces and capabilities to my adjutant. Once verified, we’ll integrate them into the operation."
"Then you’ll grant us Beltain?"
"If you carry out my demands perfectly, I have no problem handing it over."
Cabelenus nodded.
Gajev, standing behind him, presented a set of documents.
Fenrir took one glance at them and his expression stiffened.
Among them was a map of Neuschwein, including Beltain, with multiple red lines traced across the sea.
"These are..."
He recognized what they meant immediately.
The red markings weren’t arbitrary.
They were trade routes.
"You intend to use Beltain as a starting point to open a new trade route."
"......."
"You believe that if Roakin can establish trade without going through the Empire, its situation will improve significantly."
Cabelenus crossed his arms and nodded.
Fenrir quickly schooled his expression, but it was too late—he had already been seen through.
"The attempt itself isn’t bad. But achieving your goal won’t be easy. That sea holds many variables."
"I’m not sure what Your Highness is implying."
"Do you know why foreign merchants rarely use Beltain’s port?"
"Because Neuschwein was an isolationist nation—"
"Neuschwein was too small to offer anything valuable in trade. But more importantly, its waters are treacherous. The sea there is riddled with reefs—many ships have sunk just by attempting to dock."
Cabelenus reached out and pointed to the red lines on the map.
"There are ten possible routes ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ here. But only one of them leads to safe passage. The others are lined with reefs, making shipwrecks inevitable."
"......."
"Thinking too deeply about it is pointless. The conclusion is the same—Roakin has nothing to lose."
"In that case, I don’t understand."
"Why? Because you think I’m making a bad deal?"
Cabelenus chuckled.
"Frankly, yes. Your Highness has enough power to rival the emperor. There’s no reason for you to go out of your way to lend us a hand."
"I have no interest in power."
"Then why—"
"There is something I must protect."
For a moment, Fenrir thought he was joking.
But there was no amusement in his expression.
Cabelenus was serious.
Fenrir unconsciously scowled.
"Something to protect?"
"I will spare nothing for this. I will make sure not even a scratch reaches it. And to do that, I will do whatever it takes."
"Can I ask what you are trying to protect?"
"You’ve already seen her, haven’t you?"
A slow smile spread across Cabelenus’s lips.
As if just the thought of it was sweet.
It was an expression entirely unbefitting a man infamous for his cruelty.
And that was how Fenrir knew—he wasn’t lying.
"I am not a kind man. I use and discard people as I see fit."
With one exception.
His beast-like gaze gleamed sharply.
Fenrir swallowed dryly.
Cabelenus wasn’t revealing a weakness.
He was issuing a warning.
"She is the only one who makes me ignore personal gain. You understand what that means, don’t you?"
"What I hear is that if I want to achieve my goals, I must protect her—no matter what."
"Glad to see you catch on quickly. It seems I judged you correctly."
Cabelenus leisurely slid the map toward Fenrir.
"I prefer people who can control their desires. Those who understand what they should have and what they cannot have."
"If I am someone who can restrain his desires, then what kind of man is Your Highness?"
"I am a man who can recognize desire and fulfill it."
Cabelenus’s fingers traced the red lines on the map.
Fenrir’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared at them.
"If I exceed Your Highness’s expectations and produce results beyond what you anticipate... would you offer more than just this?"
"If you can accomplish that, I have no problem giving more."
"Aren’t you afraid of Roakin growing stronger? If we regain our strength, our first target will be the Empire."
Cher tugged on Fenrir’s sleeve in alarm, but Fenrir ignored him.
There was an answer he wanted to hear.
"Afraid? It would take Roakin decades to return to full strength. If they have any sense, they wouldn’t dare start a fight too soon."
"Then...?"
"I won’t run from a fight if it comes. But I have no reason to start one myself. Roakin means little to me."
"......."
"You look satisfied with that answer."
Cabelenus smirked.
Fenrir’s concerns were plain to see.
"Even without the Empire’s pressure, Roakin’s situation will only improve if it can stabilize internally."
"That depends on what I do from here, doesn’t it?"
"Even without external enemies, a nation can still rot from within."
"I’ll take that as advice."
Fenrir smirked playfully.
Cabelenus studied the ambitious young man before him.
He was still raw, still inexperienced.
But the fire in his eyes was undeniable.
An ally that was turning out to be far better than expected.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
***
"Why do people even eat beans? They don’t even taste good."
"That’s why you’re not growing."
"You didn’t eat any beans either!"
Mikael snapped, pointing his fork at Cabelenus. On his plate, an untouched pile of beans sat there as if they had been left to rot.
"I don’t need to eat beans to grow."
Cabelenus, as indifferent as ever, casually covered the beans with his meat. But he couldn’t do anything about Mikael’s openly displeased expression.
"Well, I’ll grow just fine without eating beans too!"
"Talk when you’ve actually grown."
"Just wait and see! I’ll get huge just to spite you. So don’t get scared when I tower over you."
"Yeah, right."
Cabelenus replied disinterestedly but then suddenly shifted his gaze when he noticed someone watching. Alicia had set down her utensils and was quietly observing the two of them.
"Mikael, you shouldn’t be picky with food."
"But he’s not eating them either!"
"That’s—"
"Mom, you said it yourself! Telling someone to do something you won’t do is wrong!"
"That’s not the same—"
"And adults are supposed to set an example!"
There was no counterargument to that. Alicia wrinkled her nose slightly before turning her gaze toward Cabelenus. Under her expectant stare, Cabelenus pressed his lips together.
"Just tell him not to eat them. It’s not like beans are necessary."
"Children need a balanced diet."
"Just feed him something else."
"......."
"......Fine."
Cabelenus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before scooping up a few beans with his spoon and putting them in his mouth. The palace’s chef had undoubtedly done his best, but neither the taste nor the texture was remotely enjoyable. He would rather chew on rocks.
"See? Now you eat."
"You have to finish everything on your plate."
"......."
"If you eat all of yours, I’ll eat all of mine too."
Mikael’s eyes sparkled. Opportunities to put Cabelenus in a difficult spot didn’t come often.
"Then if I eat them, you have to eat them immediately too."
"Huh?"
"You might suddenly change your mind and say you can’t eat them anymore."
"Do you really not trust me?"
Mikael forced a bright smile and wiggled in his seat, but Cabelenus wasn’t one to fall for such tricks. Instead, he smirked and pointed at Mikael’s plate with his spoon.
"Not at all."
"......."
"Less talking, more eating."
"That’s right. Mikael, pick up your spoon."
With both his uncle and mother ganging up on him, there was no room for escape. Mikael pulled a face but reluctantly took a spoonful of beans into his mouth.
"Make sure you chew properly so you don’t get an upset stomach, okay?"
"Mmngh..."
"If you’re done chewing, take another bite."
"I’m not done chewing yet."
Even though there was nothing left in his mouth, Mikael pretended to keep chewing. The reality was hard to accept—his plate was still full of beans.
"Uncle."
"What?"
"Beans taste bad, don’t they?"
"They do."
"Right? Doesn’t it make you want to stop eating them?"
Mikael grumbled as he poked at the beans with his spoon.
"Yeah, but I’ll keep eating them anyway."
"Why? You just said they taste bad!"
"I’ve been working on my discipline lately."
Cabelenus frowned as he scooped up the remaining beans on his plate. He could no longer refuse, not with Mikael’s expectant gaze locked onto him. In the end, Cabelenus emptied his plate to meet those expectations.
"See, Mikael? Both your mother and uncle ate all of theirs. You’re the only one left."
"But..."
"You have to eat everything without picking around if you want to grow up into a great adult."
"......."
"You also made a promise to your uncle."
"...Tch, fine."
Pouting, Mikael picked up his spoon again. Alicia watched him chew with satisfaction before turning to Cabelenus.
"Thank you for helping."
She whispered softly enough that Mikael wouldn’t hear. Cabelenus’s lips curled into a subtle smile.
"If you finish your meal, want to go see Rex?"
"......."
"I’ll even let you pet his fur today."
"...Really?"
"Of course, as long as you finish those beans first."
Cabelenus motioned toward the half-full plate with his chin. Mikael’s face fell as he reluctantly forced another spoonful into his mouth.
"Not like I can see Rex today anyway."
"Why not?"
"I have things to do."
"What could you possibly have to do?"
"What do you mean? I’m a very busy person, you know?"
Mikael huffed and turned his head away.
"You play all day."
"This time, I’m not playing."
"Then what?"
"I have something very important to do."
"Something important? What is it?"
"It’s a secret, so I can’t... no, wait! Uncle, you can come too! I just realized that would be even better!"
Mikael’s sulky expression instantly brightened. Cabelenus narrowed his eyes at the sudden enthusiasm.
"Now I’m getting worried."
"Worried? This is very important, you know."
Mikael declared firmly, but the more serious he became, the darker Cabelenus’s expression grew.
Mikael had a habit of getting into unpredictable situations.
"What exactly is this about? Is it a secret from your mother too?"
"Well... I’ll tell her later!"
"Later? Why?"
Alicia dragged out her words playfully, and Mikael’s face stiffened immediately.
"It’s just—It’s more fun to tell her later!"
"Really?"
"Yes! Really! You really have to wait! It’ll be so much better that way! I promise!"
His expression and words were so painfully unnatural that it was obvious he was lying.
But rather than scolding him, Alicia simply looked amused.
Cabelenus, on the other hand, found himself unable to make sense of the situation.
"Can I ask what’s happening right now?"
"Who knows? I have no idea."
"You don’t know?"
"Mikael didn’t tell me. So I don’t know anything."
Alicia rested her chin on her hand and smiled.
Cabelenus frowned even deeper.
She said she didn’t know, but the look in her eyes told a different story.
She knew everything.
The only one completely in the dark was Mikael himself.
‘What the hell are these two even thinking?’
Cabelenus pursed his lips as he stared into their identical gray eyes.
There was no point in asking.
Neither of them looked like they planned to tell him.
