Chapter 2.14

Leticia Evris thought, perhaps her mother was right. Perhaps it was better to stay with her mother. Even when she was with Amy, the loneliness never truly went away. The same was true when she was with Karl Lavresion. She had always struggled with loneliness and emptiness, constantly yearning for someone’s love, hoping and longing again and again.

She claimed to have given up, but she hadn’t. She said she had resigned herself, but she hadn’t. She continued to crave affection.

She thought that if anyone stayed by her side, this overwhelming loneliness would disappear. But it didn’t. And in that realization, she finally understood.

Even if someone stayed by her side, even if they showed her kindness and affection, she would forever doubt and guard against their feelings. Yet, at the same time, she would continue to crave that affection and desire even greater love…

In the end, everything was her problem, and the loneliness was solely hers to bear.

No one else could ever fill her emptiness.

Not even if that “someone” was Karl Lavresion.

‘Mother. I don’t need you anymore…’

She murmured the words, and her mother in the dream widened her eyes and opened her mouth. This was her third time rebelling against her mother, even if it was in a dream.

Her mother’s figure gradually faded. Her vision blurred, and her mind grew hazy. 

Was it possible to fall asleep within a dream?

Before the question could be answered, her vision turned black. Darkness enveloped her.

***

“Did you make a bet with your siblings, Karl?” 

Amina entered the room, adjusting her robe as if she had just finished some official duty. Karl snorted, glaring at her partially exposed chest.

“What bet?”

“There’s a rumor going around that you’ve touched every woman Asar has been with.”

Karl narrowed his eyes and propped his chin on one hand. The woman lying with her head on his thigh turned and let out a crystalline laugh.

“Is that why you slept with me?” 

“Yeah.”

Karl answered the woman’s question bluntly. She laughed again, just as she had earlier, and Amina joined in with a chuckle.

“What kind of bet would lead to that? Something like, who’s better in bed?”

“It’s not a bet. Just…”

Karl trailed off, leaving his words unfinished but smiling. The woman resting on his thigh thought his smile resembled Asar’s.

Meeting her gaze, Karl spoke.

“Why, Ran?”

Ran’s eyes widened at the sound of her name. 

He remembered my name. 

Just hearing him say her name made her happy. After all, even if one was lucky enough to share a bed with a member of the Imperial Family, it usually ended as a one-night affair.

It was widely known, even among commoners, that members of the Arhadan Imperial Family and certain high-ranking nobles led promiscuous lives, spreading their seeds far and wide. Reactions varied, but even those who criticized such behavior secretly hoped to become their lovers. Just a taste of their wealth and power was enough to tempt anyone.

And Karl Lavresion was no ordinary man. Unlike Asar Hildant, who, while a high-ranking noble, was still an illegitimate child bearing his mother’s surname, Karl Lavresion was a legitimate heir and a member of the Imperial Family. Ran didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

“Karl…”

If he called my name, that means I can call his too, right? 

Gathering her courage, Ran called his name. But as if by magic, Karl’s smile vanished instantly.

“I never gave you permission to use my name.”

His cold expression and equally icy voice froze her in place. Realizing her mistake, Ran awkwardly smiled and got up from the bed.

“I’ve overstayed my welcome. You must have important matters to discuss with Madam. I’ll take my leave.”

“Go ahead.”

Karl answered indifferently, casting a fleeting glance at the woman hastily leaving the room before fixing his gaze on Amina, who was leaning against the wall.

“Why are you here?”

“Sharp as ever. That girl wasn’t one of Asar’s lovers, was she?”

“I asked why you’re here.”

“Don’t rush me. I’ll tell you. It’s about the Kingdom of Almann, you know? The territorial agreement isn’t progressing as expected.”

Though he hadn’t personally gone to the battlefield to subjugate the Kingdom of Almann, he was aware of the recent success in doing so.

The Kingdom of Almann was a small nation bordering the Chevrem Empire. Its barren lands often drove its people to cross the Chevrem border to raid or to pirate within Arhadan’s waters. When Almann pirates attacked a passenger ship carrying citizens of both the Chevrem and Arhadan Empires, killing everyone onboard, the two empires used it as a pretext to join forces and crush the Kingdom of Almann.

While the conquest had been successful, the aftermath was proving problematic. Dividing the spoils was no easy task, and negotiations had already broken down four times.

“A member of the Imperial Family needs to go to the Chevrem Empire, and it seems you’re the most suitable candidate.”

“What?”

Karl frowned at the sudden suggestion.

“The Emperor of the Chevrem Empire is more stubborn and old-fashioned than expected. He sent back the envoy we dispatched.”

“…”

“So now, one of our Imperial Family members has to go as a representative, and you’re perfect for the role. It’s also a good chance for you to establish yourself. Plus, I’ll come along. It’ll be fun, don’t you think? Visiting the Chevrem Empire.”

Her tone was as casual as if she were talking about visiting a neighboring town. Karl couldn’t believe it.

“And you’re just informing me of this now?”

“It’s time for you to start securing your position. Even as the firstborn, you have siblings eyeing your place.”

Amina clicked her tongue and shook her head. Karl let out a dry laugh. 

What was there for a member of the Imperial Family with no claim to the throne to do? 

Drawing too much attention with ambitious ventures would only make him a target. Karl had no particular desire for power.

The lands granted to him by the Emperor were more than enough to live on. In fact, they were more than he needed.

“Become the Crown Prince’s right-hand man.”

Amina’s voice was low, almost a whisper, as she narrowed her eyes and smiled faintly.

“As a man, wouldn’t it be better to have power as well as wealth?”

“…”

“It would certainly irritate Asar even more.”

Karl’s expression hardened. Half-reclining on the bed, he turned sharply to face Amina.

“…What are you talking about?”

“Oh, did you think I wouldn’t know? He’s my son now too, you know.”

When Karl didn’t respond, Amina smiled knowingly.

“That day, Asar deliberately called you without explaining, didn’t he?”

Her tone was almost childlike in its innocence. Karl remained silent, his stiff expression speaking volumes. Amina continued as if she didn’t notice.

“Shouldn’t you pay him back?”

She was confident Karl would accept her proposal.

As she predicted, a few days later, Karl Lavresion began preparations to leave Arhadan for the Chevrem Empire. Amina was delighted, calling it an exciting opportunity.

***

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be a good idea to visit the children at least once?”

Hans, glancing nervously at Karl Lavresion’s hollow eyes, asked in a timid voice. Karl’s dark, lifeless gaze remained fixed on Leticia Evris, who lay motionless like a corpse.

“They’ve never been held by their parents, not even once.”

Hans was right. The twins had been left in the care of their nursemaids and had yet to be embraced by either their mother or father. Hans, unable to bear it, had even gone to see the children himself.

“The children are innocent, after all.”

However, Karl Lavresion remained silent, as if Hans’ words had fallen on deaf ears. He simply placed his hand under Leticia Evris’s nose to check for her breath. Hans, watching this scene with a look of exasperation, shook his head.

No matter what, they were his children. I can barely stand not seeing my own child for long periods.

Suppressing the bitter laugh that had risen to his throat, Hans turned his back and left the room. Then, he headed to the room where his lord’s children were.

As he entered, he saw the twins lying on the bed and the nursemaid tidying up the room. The nursemaid bowed deeply as soon as she saw Hans.

“They’ve just fallen asleep.”

“I see.”

Hans gazed at the twins, who were sleeping soundly. Their chubby cheeks were adorably plump. The twins, being of different genders, also looked quite different. The son resembled their mother, while the daughter bore a striking resemblance to their father. Seeing his lord’s features in the face of a child who hadn’t even fully grown yet left Hans with mixed feelings.

Despite the nursemaid’s claim that they had only just fallen asleep, one of the children stirred and opened their eyes. The child whimpered and reached out toward Hans.

“There, there.”

It seemed the child mistook him for their father. Hans gave a bittersweet smile as he held the child’s hand. Neither of the children had been given names yet.

As one child woke, the other soon followed. Hans consoled the whimpering twins, holding both their tiny hands. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for the two innocent children.