Chapter 7 – Part 5

At Neskan’s suggestion, a second negotiation table was set up after the first one with Zethan.

Whereas the first meeting had been to confirm each other’s intentions, this one was to discuss in depth Neskan’s plan to kidnap the Marchioness of Grit.

Neskan was frankly offended that Zethan was treating him as he would naturally treat a vassal, but it was not a bad opportunity.

It might be the perfect opportunity to use the Marquis of Grit or the Marchioness to frame Sorvan, forcing the Luben Empire to step up to the plate and eliminating his only competition, Zethan.

Raised as a crown prince, Zethan is unfamiliar with the geography of the Luben Empire, so this is a great opportunity to take him out by surprise while he’s still in hiding. 

If he could find an area he’d studied, take Zethan there, and get his hands on him, the Kingdom of Cains would be his.

In the Luben Empire, if diplomatic issues were raised about Marquis Grit or Sorban, all he had to do was tell them that it was Zethan’s doing.

If he declared that he had executed his brother, a dangerous man who had committed a diplomatically troublesome crime, Luben would have no further recourse.

He would also gain the trust of the people of the Kingdom of Cains.

While thinking about this, Neskan entered Zethan’s tent. He had to hide his malicious smile as he entered.

“You’re here.”

Zethan said it in his characteristically languid voice. The tent was unchanged from before.

Neskan gestured to his men and sat down, ready for anything.

“Brother, as I told you the other day……”

Zethan raised a hand to interrupt Neskan.

Neskan, who habitually stopped talking as it was a frequent occurrence in the palace, frowned slightly. He could have just ignored it, but he was already used to it and stopped talking without realizing it.

“I’ll go first.”

Zethan began to speak without listening to Neskan’s reply. As usual, his answer didn’t matter.

“The more I think about it, I don’t like your plan.”

“You haven’t even heard of …… yet, have you?”

Neskan said with a frown.

“I’m just saying that I don’t think it would make a difference.”

“……So you’re suggesting we start a civil war again?”

Neskan was actually at a disadvantage right now.

The current ceasefire had given them a little breathing room, but they still lacked a lot.

“I was just thinking…… why go back when there’s an easier way, brother.”

With that, Zethan quickly jumped onto the table and pointed his sword at Neskan’s throat. 

At the same time, the knights waiting inside and outside the tent overpowered Neskan’s men, some of whom were cut down as they plunged their swords through the tent.

“Do you really…… mean to tell me that it’s going to be so bloody?”

“That is not for you to decide. You’re going to die anyway.”

“Ha, what…….”

Zethan swung his sword without hesitation. Even Neskan’s eyes widened in surprise.

The tent was stained with the blood of Neskan and his men, but Zethan didn’t care, as he had no further use for it.

“Conquer the castle.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was the end of a years-long civil war in the Kingdom of Cains and the crowning of a new king.

* * *

Sorvan learned the details of the situation when Zethan sent him a letter.

It said that he would be given a choice. If he would give up all rights as heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Cains, he would no longer be watched or pursued.

It was Zethan’s way of showing mercy. Although Sorvan didn’t know it himself, he was involved in Neskan’s easy handling because of his own choices.

“The civil war in the Kingdom of Cains is over, and I’ve decided to stay here with Masha.”

Sorvan chose to stay, and he abandoned the name Fenel.

With no more threat due to his lineage, there was no tension or fear on his face anymore.

“I’m glad.”

For the first time since Eli’s collapse, a faint smile crossed Ruby’s face.

* * *

“Are you looking for something?”

The owner’s eyes scanned the woman in front of him, his intuition telling him that this was someone who would buy expensive things. The jewelry she was wearing looked expensive, as did the dress she was wearing and the lace gloves she was wearing.

“Is this all you have?”

The man next to her asked, as she glanced around unimpressed and shook her head as if she didn’t like anything in particular.

“Do, do you not like anything?”

“If this is all there is, then let’s go.”

The man motioned for her to leave, holding out his hand to escort her out.

“Now, wait a minute, and I’ll bring you something else.”

This was clearly a customer who was going to buy something expensive, and he couldn’t let her go. The owner quickly went inside and came out with a box.

“This is for a special customer,” he said.

“Let me see.”

The owner carefully opened the box, revealing the jewelry inside. They were certainly much finer than the jewelry on display.

The woman picked up one of the gems.

“As expected, you have a good eye. I’ve never seen this gem before. The craftsmanship seems even more exquisite. It’s a special gem.”

“For example, is there only one?”

“I guess she could say it’s rare.”

Holding up the familiar jewelry, Emily’s expression turned serious.

“I’ll buy it.”

“Let’s buy it,” said Leton, noticing Emily’s expression.

After purchasing the jewelry, the two of them climbed into the carriage.

“This is my mother’s jewelry.”

Once in the carriage, Emily pulled out a jewelry box.

This was where one of the men who had attacked Eli was selling the goods he’d been paid for by the man who’d bought him.

She wondered if she would recognize the bargain, but there it was: Marie’s jewelry that shouldn’t be here.

That meant her mother was involved in this.

“You’re really…… amazing.”

Emily laughed in disbelief.

She’d always thought her brother’s behavior was a little over the top, but now that she’d found this, it didn’t seem so.

“We’ll know for sure when we get back, but first, let’s see if we can make some other stops.”

Leton said, trying to comfort Emily, who had sunk into a sullen silence.

* * *

“If you need any help, just let me know.”

Sorvan escorted Ruby to the front of the carriage.

“But I owe you too much. I haven’t even repaid everything yet.”

“That’s okay, Ruby, you’re just as special to me.”

What she doesn’t know is that she’s found comfort in helping Ruby, who seems to be a shell of her former self.

“It’s always nice of you to say that.”

Ruby did the same. But this time, she didn’t want anyone to help her, she was going to do it herself.

Ruby climbed into the carriage, Gardner followed with a bow to Sorvan, and the carriage was soon underway.

“The Kingdom of Caines has nothing to do with this; they’ve been focusing on repairing and rebuilding war-torn places since the civil war ended.”

As the carriage pulled away from Del Viscount, Ruby filled Gardner in on the situation.

“So…… you’re saying that the man who ordered the assassination was from the Luben Empire?”

Gardner said it with a serious expression. Ruby gave a small nod.

“You’re going to be loud again.”

Whoever had caused the Marquis of Grit to be harmed would not be guilty of the crime lightly, and the world would be abuzz with the news.

But Ruby didn’t care. She didn’t care if the empire made noise or not.

She just wanted to avenge Eli and make sure he woke up safe and sound.

* * *

“I can’t believe the day will come when you leave this manor.”

Lady Miles said, her eyes flushed with emotion.

It was the day that Arlen would enter the palace to prepare for her wedding. It would be her home for the rest of her life.

“Come see me often.”

Arlen hugged her mother.

“I will, and you’d better stop crying.”

Duke Miles joined them in their embrace. The regret in his gesture was palpable. The three of them greeted each other until the Imperial Handmaiden, who had come to fetch Arlen, told them they must go.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories