Chapter 17

“The Schultzmeyer Ducal House is an old and distinguished family founded shortly after the Empire itself. The first Duke of Schultzmeyer was the maternal cousin of Emperor Riharpeltz, who founded the Empire.”

“So they were very close, then.”

“That’s right. According to the records, the first Duke was the Emperor Riharpeltz’s closest blood relative and trusted friend.”

Colin answered with a proud look.

Early that morning, the old butler of the Ducal House, who had sat Gloria down just after she finished her meal, was now going on at length about the proud history of the Schultzmeyer Ducal House to the future Duchess whom he firmly believed he would one day serve.

“It is even said in stories passed down that Emperor Riharpeltz once declared that if anything should happen to him, he would entrust what came after him to the Duke of Schultzmeyer.”

“Wow, he must really have been an incredible person.”

Gloria, who had been listening attentively to Colin, let out an exclamation.

“But…….”

Why did someone so great settle in a place like this?

Gloria glanced out the window at the winter wind raging outside and let her words trail off.

To grant such a harsh land to a trusted aide whom he claimed was worthy of inheriting the throne itself. No matter how kindly one tried to interpret it, it seemed impossible to guess his true intention.

As though he fully understood Gloria’s question, Colin answered at once.

“The Emperor, who held Duke Schultzmeyer in the highest regard, wished to bestow upon him the most fertile estate in the capital and grant him an office so as to keep him close, but the Duke rejected every offer and came here, where he spent the rest of his life.”

“Why did he do that?”

“There are two theories.”

After moistening his throat with warm tea, Colin continued.

“The first is that the first Duke loved his wife very deeply, but as she was not of noble birth, it seems she suffered quite a bit of cold treatment. So, wanting to live as far from the capital as possible, they came here.”

“I see.”

“And the other is that he came here deliberately because this was Sikun territory.”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

“There is a story that when His Majesty was greatly troubled by the severe harm caused by the Sikun, the Duke volunteered to come here and promised that he would drive back the Sikun so that he could protect His Majesty the Emperor and the new Empire.”

“He must have been a man of extraordinary loyalty.”

“He was. In any case, that is how the Schultzmeyer Duchy came to be established here.”

Looking at the old butler full of pride, Gloria nodded. Colin opened his mouth once more.

“Although we are in such a remote frontier, we have not severed our ties with the imperial household. As I said, ours is a family of merit that helped found the Empire, and we are also a cadet branch of the Imperial Family. When the late Duke was still alive, he attended imperial events without fail.”

“Imperial events?”

“Indeed. The New Year gathering, the Founding Day festival, and such. He also entered the hunting competitions held by the imperial household and won prizes several times. The bearskin rug in His Grace’s study was one that the late Duke himself hunted.”

“Ah. I know that one.”

“So we also have a townhouse in the capital. Though it has been a long time since His Grace last went there, as he dislikes outside activities…….”

Ahem. Clearing his throat, Colin lifted his teacup once more. Having listened carefully, Gloria asked cautiously,

“Has he cut off contact with the imperial household? Or does His Grace simply refuse?”

“Invitations still come from the Imperial Palace whenever the occasion arises, but His Grace dislikes leaving the duchy, so he does not go.”

“That would be because of the curse, right?”

“That’s right.”

Colin admitted it calmly.

It was understandable that he would not carelessly leave the castle if he never knew where or how something might happen, but…….

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Please ask.”

“It’s about the curse His Grace received.”

“Yes.”

“Is there no way to break it?”

“I’m not sure what you mean…… did you not already break the curse, Miss?”

“What I did was only temporary. I didn’t break the curse completely, did I? Is there no way for him to be freed from it forever?”

“…….”

Colin’s expression darkened. Silent for a long while as though lost in thought, Colin finally spoke with difficulty.

“We too tried making inquiries in every direction in order to find a way, but we were unable to discover any decisive method.”

“Still, isn’t there at least something worth trying? Even if the chance is only one percent?”

“I understand that the imperial household also searched for a way to break the curse for a very long time…… but since it has gone unbroken for so many years, I fear there may be no proper solution at all.”

At that pessimistic answer, Gloria’s face darkened.

Well, if there were a way, surely they would have tried it long ago.

Pulling herself together from her sinking mood, Gloria asked again.

“Then what happened to the people cursed before His Grace?”

“We do not know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Who receives the curse is kept under the strictest secrecy, known only to the person in question and His Majesty the Emperor, so it is rarely revealed outside. There are only endless rumors.”

“Why is it kept secret?”

“Because if it became known that someone had received the curse, their life would be in danger.”

“Ah…….”

Realizing she had asked a foolish question, Gloria bit her lip.

It was not only parents who rejected a cursed child. Because a cursed child was regarded as the shame of the family and a disaster for the estate, many of those who were cursed lost their lives in childhood at the hands of others.

“So in rare cases, it is said that the imperial household protected them until they reached adulthood.”

“The imperial household protected them? Why?”

“Because the curse of the Sikun falls upon only one person in any given era.”

“Ah.”

Because as long as the cursed person remained alive, everyone else was safe from the curse.

At that cruel reality, Gloria’s face darkened.

“So His Grace too…….”

“That’s right. Since the late Duke made little effort to hide it, there are not few who know, but even so, it has not become widely known outside.”

Gloria sank into deep thought. The image of Astan, who had been endlessly tormented by nightmares even while unconscious, passed before her eyes.

“Considering that most people who received the curse of the Sikun went mad, the fact that he endured it this long is remarkable in itself.”

“…….”

“Now that he has met you, Miss……. I only hope that from here on, he will know nothing but happiness.”

The old butler’s voice trembled faintly. Gloria nodded with all her strength.

“That’s what will happen. I’m sure of it.”

* * *

The afternoon sunlight squeezed its way through the window lattice. Tap, drip. In the warming weather, the piled snow fell like raindrops. At the chirping of birds, Astan woke from sleep.

A bowl of medicine and a teapot had been left by his bedside, as though someone had come in and gone out while he slept. Astan slowly raised his upper body.

“Hoo.”

The wound that had not yet healed made his whole body ache. Perhaps because he had lain down too much. Thinking he should go out and at least get some air, Astan stepped down from the bed. As he reached for his outer garment against the chill slipping into his clothes, his eyes landed on the bracelet.

<It’ll be fine next time too.>

<Because I’m going to make it that way..>

Is she brave, or reckless?

She doesn’t even know how dangerous this bracelet is.