Chapter 4 (Part 1)

The capital, Devok, was abundant in everything. As money naturally accumulated, the nobles became even wealthier and, as if in competition, built mansions modeled after the splendid old temple style.

In the Averick Street, there were a series of townhouses from prestigious families from ancient times, and anyone who came from the countryside to Devok couldn’t help but admire the mansions in Averick Street. 

The magnificent and grand mansions made the viewers feel both awe and intimidation simultaneously. They couldn’t take their eyes off them, feeling a sense of distance, as if they could never er*ect even one of those marble columns no matter how hard they tried. Among them, the mansion that stood out in Averick Street was the Messerode family’s mansion, known throughout the kingdom.

Unlike other families, the Messerode family’s townhouse had tradition. The antique atmosphere emanating from the aged marble and the dazzling fountain in the Arknene style, gifted by the first king, were so beautiful that they left viewers in awe. Most noble townhouses were blocked by heavy iron gates, but the Messerode family’s townhouse was wide open.

This was one of the changes made when the young head of the Messerode family took over. Through the wide-open iron gates, a sophisticated carriage glided in. In front of the mansion, several servants stood in line, waiting for the carriage. 

As the carriage stopped, the waiting butler calmly opened the door. Shoes polished with high-quality cream stepped onto the dusty ground. The butler quickly approached.

“Duke, you have arrived.”

The tone was mixed with half tension and half delight. As the butler’s gaze rose, it met with emerald eyes. The depth of those eyes was so profound that it was impossible to fathom. The young head who had just inherited the Messerode family. 

The family he led was known as a heroic family that had served as the closest royal knights to the king for generations and had achieved great victories in the Modlin battle. The name was known even to beggars living day by day, prominent merchants in Devok, and even children who couldn’t read the newspaper.

Cardin Messerode. When that lineage, perhaps more precious than the royal blood, disappeared, there was an uproar for a while. People speculated whether the Messerode bloodline would finally end or if a cousin would inherit the family. Rumors of unknown origin spread so quickly that everyone clearly believed Cardin was dead. So, when the person who hadn’t appeared even at the former duke’s funeral suddenly showed up, everyone was surprised.

Contrary to the rampant rumors that he had lost his memory or was severely ill, the new head of the family proceeded with his work without hesitation, true to the Messerode name. Especially obtaining the gold mine development rights was an achievement that dispelled the concerns of his retainers at the funeral. In the eyes of the young man who had handled all these matters, a deeper darkness descended.

The butler felt the tension rise higher than the delight and swallowed hard. At the same time, a low voice resonated.

“I told you not to do this.”

The tone was light, but it exuded a heavy sense of authority. The butler forced a smile and opened his mouth to speak.

“What are you referring to…?”

Cardin’s gaze shifted briefly to the line of servants before returning to the butler. The butler quickly understood and continued speaking.

“It’s been a while since you’ve come, Duke, and this is a tradition we’ve always kept….”

“Isn’t everyone busy? What comes out of waiting for me pointlessly here?”

In a sarcastic and sharp voice, the butler silently bowed his head. The previous head of the family had a peculiar habit of gathering the servants, while the new head emphasized practicality to an excessive degree.

At that moment, a heavy presence enveloped the butler. The surrounding darkness seemed to press down on him.

“It would be nice if you understood when I say it once.”

The butler spoke without lifting his head.

“I will be careful.”

Cardin passed by the butler, who had pitifully bowed his upper body. He was sick of this situation. Every time he saw the cursed traditions carried on since his father’s time, it made his heart twist with irritation.

Already busy with the schedule of searching for Brienne, seeing traces of his father only aggravated his mood.

As his steps hastened roughly, his aide, Damon, quickly followed. He opened his mouth, fulfilling his role.

“Since you’re here, let me remind you of the schedule. There’s a noble meeting in three hours, a dinner appointment with Marquis Pendrick in the evening, and a meeting at the royal palace tomorrow morning…”

“What about the matter concerning the owner of the herb shop around Romseed Village?”

“There is currently no notable person. There are reports, but as you mentioned….” 

Cardin stopped and looked down at his aide. 

“Wasn’t it my mother who cut it off in the middle?”

“Pardon?”

Cardin extended his hand. The aide blinked as if he didn’t understand. Cardin spoke in a cool voice. 

“The documents compiling the list of people?” 

The aide finally rummaged through his briefcase. Before he could hand it over, Cardin took the documents and skimmed through them. The aide busily followed him. 

As soon as Cardin reached his office, he placed the documents on the desk. When he turned around, the aide belatedly stood beside him. 

“I’ll have to go myself.” 

The aide spoke with wide eyes. 

“You’ve only been back for a few days, and you have a schedule to handle here. If you leave again…”

“Is that why the work was done like this?”

“I’m sorry.” 

Cardin frowned as if something bothered him. 

“What about the herbs?” 

The aide, as if accustomed to it, handed over a bundle of herbs. Cardin slowly smelled the herbs. It was a scent he found unfamiliar and unpleasant before, but strangely, after parting with Brienne, smelling these herbs calmed his mind.

At that moment, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed. Clutching the herb pouch, he looked at his aide as if dismissing his thoughts. 

“Where did you get these herbs from?”

“Near the village of Romseed, someone who went on a short vacation brought them. Just a moment, I had it noted here…”

“I’m familiar with it.”

“…….”

“It smells like the scent I encountered that summer.” 

The aide stared at him blankly for a moment before speaking belatedly. 

“It might be because the herbs were picked in the summer. Also, Your Grace, your mother prepared these documents as well…” 

The aide cautiously pointed to the well-organized documents on the desk. The documents contained illustrations of women. It was a marriage proposal with nothing but a graceful impression. Accepting these documents would mean the marriage was finalized.

In his eyes, there was no gleaming interest, only boredom. He flipped through them, perhaps looking for a familiar name, but none appeared.

Cardin gathered the documents all at once. At that moment, the door swung open. Casually looking back, he saw his mother, dressed in an excessively neat black dress, staring at him with a cold face.

Cardin smiled and spoke. 

“Mother, you always appear like a ghost.”

He lifted the marriage proposal and spoke as if chewing it out.

“Unpleasantly.”

The aide, sensing the atmosphere, quickly bowed his head and left the office. Hernes spoke in a blunt tone. 

“If you’ve taken over after your father, it’s also your duty to marry and produce an heir. Did I do something wrong?” 

Cardin tore up the marriage proposal. 

“I clearly said I would marry Brienne, yet you still ignore my words.”

He placed the torn proposal in the trash. Hernes looked at the discarded proposal and spoke in a low voice. 

“The Oldain Mine, it might be too much for you to handle alone.” 

There was a hint of mockery in her slightly raised tone. Cardin didn’t engage in conversation and simply looked at her. His sharp eyes and eyebrows, which seemed to twist sensitively, appeared almost foolish. Not knowing his situation.

Hernes spoke as if advising. 

“Expanding the number of private soldiers to search for that girl and actively dealing with them is only possible with approval from the royal palace.” 

Cardin chuckled and perched on the desk. 

“So, you’re telling me to marry a woman who already has multiple lovers and even children?”

“At least a woman from a family that can support you is better. Why bother with someone insignificant? Besides, who knows if that girl has already made a lover? She might even be married by now.” 

Cardin’s face twisted abruptly. His chilly eyes turned coldly towards his mother.

“Still, I will marry her.”

Hernes’s brow furrowed slightly. But it was only for a moment. She calmly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and spoke. 

“I’ve already arranged a meeting with Foyne, who is related to the royal family, at noon today. If you don’t attend, I won’t be able to approve your trust fund operations, so think carefully.” 

Cardin chuckled. 

“Have you learned to threaten now?” 

Hernes frowned. Cardin leisurely looked at his mother’s face and spoke. 

“Congratulations, Mother. That threat might work the best so far.” 

Hernes looked at her son with an expressionless face. 

“It’s best to marry as soon as possible. Only when you have an heir will Roquek’s lawsuit turn into a piece of paper.”

“I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry.”

“Then do it well.” 

One of Cardin’s eyebrows lifted.