Chapter 122. About the Raman Family

Ellen refrained from calling Felix by his first name out of consideration for the surrounding eyes.

Even though Enoch had made strange remarks, Ellen didn’t think Felix harbored feelings beyond friendship for her.

To her, he was always a good friend, and she believed it was the same for him.

So she thought he would understand. Even if she kept a bit of distance in a formal setting, their friendship remained strong.

“…It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Mr. Werner. How have you been?”

“Always… the same as usual.”

“I heard you’ve been busy with business every day. Please take care of your health.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Felix’s face was as clean and neat as ever, and Ellen smiled at him comfortably, confident that he felt the same way.

Glancing around, Ellen covered her mouth with her hand and whispered in a voice only Felix and Luna could hear.

“Actually, I’m curious about something… May I ask?”

“…What are you curious about?”

“Well, it’s nothing much… Is there someone named ‘Karthus’ in the Werner family?”

Perhaps it was an unexpected question, as both Felix and Luna blinked in surprise almost at the same time.

Ellen awkwardly smiled and waited silently for their answer, wondering if asking about Karthus Werner was the right thing to do.

“Well… Why do you ask about him?”

Luna spoke first. It wasn’t the answer Ellen wanted but a counter-question. Ellen responded in a similarly small voice.

“It’s for personal reasons… Is it difficult to answer?”

“No, it’s not that… Uncle Karthus passed away over 20 years ago. So…”

Ellen flinched and widened her eyes. Passed away over 20 years ago, then…

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t know he had passed.”

“Oh, no. There’s no need to apologize. Right, brother?”

“…Yes. But… Why did you ask about Uncle Karthus?”

Ellen hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Actually… It seems Karthus Werner was acquainted with my mother.”

“What…?! Your Highness’s mother was acquainted with Uncle Karthus…?”

Luna asked in surprise, and Felix also looked quite shocked. Ellen carefully considered how much to reveal before responding.

“In one of my mother’s keepsakes, her diary… there’s a brief mention of Karthus Werner. So I was curious and asked.”

“I see… Actually, Uncle Karthus passed away before my brother and I were born, so we never met him. We’ve only seen his portrait and writings. And our father cherished Uncle Karthus very much. Even after his passing, he missed him so much… We heard so many stories about him that we felt a sense of familiarity.”

“…I see.”

Karthus Werner had been dead for over 20 years… How old was he when he passed away?

Ellen wanted to ask more, but it didn’t seem polite, so she decided to leave it at that. After all, she had greeted the Werner siblings and learned who Karthus Werner was.

“Well, I’ll go greet others now. I hope you both enjoy yourselves.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you. I hope you have a pleasant time too, Your Highness.”

“…It was a pleasure to speak with you. Thank you again for the invitation.”

After smiling at the easygoing Luna and the polite Felix, Ellen slowly moved away.

“What were you talking about with Felix Werner?”

As soon as King Henry’s speech ended, the hunting competition officially began. Ellen, exasperated by Enoch’s persistence, shook her head and replied nonchalantly.

“Nothing much. Just greetings and small talk. Were you watching me talk to Felix the whole time?”

“Of course, I’d be concerned if my wife were chatting amicably with a guy full of ulterior motives. As I’ve said many times, that guy doesn’t just see you as a friend. He has feelings for you.”

“Are you still on about that? Felix is just a friend, I’ve told you since we were kids…”

“Enough. I’m tired of hearing that. I just hope I don’t end up shooting that clueless guy in a fit of anger today.”

“What? Are you out of your mind?”

“Why are you surprised? Was I ever sane? I’ve always been crazy. And I’m crazier because of you.”

Ellen was at a loss for words, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. Enoch lightly kissed her lips and smiled mischievously. It was a fierce and playful smile.

“You’re my wife, and I’m possessive of what’s mine. That’s something I learned because of you.”

“…Please stop talking about me like I’m your possession.”

“I’ll try. It might be difficult, though.”

Then he stole another kiss, even biting her lip, making Ellen shake with anger. This man, who was sure to win the hunting competition, rode off with a confident demeanor.

Ellen glared at his retreating figure, briefly imagining what it would be like to see the perfect Enoch Bayern in a ridiculous state. It somewhat lifted her spirits, though she felt a bit pathetic for such thoughts…

Anyway, the hunting party set off towards the forest under the warm light of 9 AM. The front line included King Henry, Duke Berstein, Lady Ashwood, Prince Ikram Halmatiya of Katar, and the Bayern Grand Ducal couple.

Princess Roelyn, being frail, did not participate, and Queen Olivia, Angela, and other noble ladies followed slowly from behind.

Few women were actively involved in shooting and hunting. Ellen felt somewhat awkward being part of that active group. Her riding skills had improved significantly, and she was already good at shooting.

‘But I don’t really like hunting…’

If she had to hunt, she preferred to catch fierce animals like bears, wolves, or boars. Shooting weak animals like deer or birds felt wrong…

Bang!

“Oh, His Grace the Grand Duke has caught a pheasant!”

Bang!

“This time, a deer…! Oh, what a magnificent stag!”

Bang!

“No! He even got that swift and small marten…! Truly exceptional shooting skills!”

‘……’

Meanwhile, Enoch was killing game left and right as soon as he entered the forest. Ellen secretly stuck out her tongue at his rabid behavior. That man will be haunted by the spirits of those animals…

“Wow— Enoch’s shooting skills are really impressive. Well, he’s not a war hero for nothing. Perhaps, Ellen, you fell for him because of his shooting skills…”

“……”

“…I guess not. I apologize for my rudeness.”

Ikram, who tried to strike up a conversation, quickly changed the subject after seeing Ellen’s expression.

Thinking he needed to change the topic to something Ellen would find interesting, he quickly brought it up.

“Last time, we didn’t get to continue our conversation about your maternal family, the Raman family. If you’re still curious, I’d be happy to tell you more. How about it?”

Of course, Ellen welcomed it with open arms. Seeing her visibly brighten, Ikram smiled awkwardly and continued.

“So, about 400 years ago, the Raman family lost their territory and fell from grace. Originally, they were a noble family with over a thousand years of history, but 400 years ago, they lost everything due to a vassal’s betrayal in a war… and had to start over as poor merchants.”

Four hundred years ago… That’s a long time. The history of Europia and Almaira goes back over 2,000 years, but still… They say even ten years can change a landscape. Four hundred years was an unimaginable span of time.

And to think they were a family with over a thousand years of history… Ellen briefly wondered if Ikram was making up a story. It was that hard to believe.

“Though they no longer hold the same status, the Raman family has diligently continued their commercial activities, maintaining a significant presence in Katar. However, in Freuden…”

Ikram paused and smiled awkwardly.

“…It seems they found it difficult to settle. To do business, one needs trust, and at that time, it was nearly impossible. It’s different now, of course. Anyway, that’s why they arranged a strategic marriage with the Lopez family, your paternal side. Baron Lopez promised to help the Raman family find investors in Freuden.”

Ellen knew that story too. At the time, the head of the Raman family married off his youngest daughter, Petra, to Victor Lopez to establish ties in Freuden society. In exchange for resolving the Lopez family’s financial issues, they sought investors through Victor.

After securing sufficient investment, they left for Costania in southwestern Europia and never contacted their married daughter again.

It was all from her mother’s stories, who deeply resented her family for abandoning her and cutting off contact.

Would things have been different if the Raman family had cared even a little about her mother? Ellen pondered, but it was ultimately a meaningless thought.

Her mother was murdered by Victor Lopez and Margot, and it was Ellen herself who avenged her.

‘The Raman family probably doesn’t even know my mother’s death was a murder, not a suicide.’

Given they’ve had no contact, they likely don’t care.

“…And now they’re staying in the Principality of Asir. Whether the Baile Canal will extend to southeastern Asir remains to be seen, but if it does, it will make travel between here in Rheinfelden and western Katar through the canal much easier. That would bring tremendous benefits to all of us.”

In other words, the Raman family quickly sniffed out the money and went to the Principality of Asir. Ellen smiled cynically. In a way, they were a thorough and impressive family, but their pursuit of profit without knowing their family member had died miserably was not admirable.

“That’s all I know about the Raman family. Do you have any other questions?”

“Hmm, no, that’s enough. Thank you for telling me.”

“Not at all. By the way, Enoch is already over there. I’d better catch up quickly.”

Ikram’s black eyes sparkled with competitiveness. He lightly held his hunting rifle and spun it skillfully. Ellen sincerely wished him luck, hoping to see Enoch’s disappointed face at least once.

“Ha ha, thank you for your support. If I win, Ellen, I look forward to receiving a handkerchief from you.”

After Ikram left with a confident stride, someone quietly approached Ellen.

It was none other than Angela.

“Supporting another man instead of your husband… I can’t understand it. But I’m sure you have profound reasons beyond my comprehension, right?”

“……”

This woman, she’s at it again.