Chapter 4.4

“If what you say is true, then all of this is because of that girl.”

Herace’s smooth brow furrowed slightly. Noticing the change, the Duke continued with a bitter smile.

“Kaiden has never once disobeyed me. But whenever it was something to do with the Ford family’s daughter, he always showed a bit of rebellion. He must have thought I wouldn’t notice, but well…….”

“…….”

“I knew that Kaiden wanted that girl.”

“……Your Grace.”

“And, aren’t you the same?”

The smile disappeared from Herace’s face as he looked at the Duke. Was he being asked if he knew Kaiden’s feelings? Or was he being asked if he wanted Brienne Ford himself?

“I’m not sure what you mean by your question.”

“If I’m asking about both things you’re thinking of, what would your answer be?”

“Well. If I’m right, Your Grace, you are more interested in my feelings than in Kaiden’s.”

Herace, who had at least maintained a polite front, dropped the pretense and answered coolly. The Duke, staring at him, nodded calmly.

“It’s not as if I don’t know who you brought as your partner today. Nor about the small commotion at the pre-ceremony party.”

“…….”

“Kaiden made a grave mistake. And I am not someone who tolerates mistakes. I think you understand me. A mistake is nothing more than an extension of failure.”

An extension of failure. There is light because there is darkness, and only by experiencing failure can one savor the joy of success. Yet the Duke of Bannon always insisted on only one side, as if unaware of their coexistence. Herace took a step forward, entering the circle of light cast by the candle.

“……Then you already consider Kaiden a failure, Your Grace.”

The candlelight reflected in the Duke’s deep blue eyes flickered uneasily. Herace, wearing a cold smile, raised his hand and cast a shadow beneath the flame.

“Where there is light, there must also be shadow. Why would you not allow your own child even a single shadow, Your Grace?”

But the Duke merely looked up at Herace. After a long pause, he spoke as if stating the obvious.

“Better that than a life trembling in fear that a single candle might go out in the dark. Only light is permitted to the Bannons. That’s how I was raised, and that’s what I learned. Kaiden must also walk the Bannon path.”

“The Bannon path, you say? Your Grace, I’ve thought this for some time, but such a way will only poison Kaiden. Today is no different.”

At some point, Herace’s voice had gained a forceful edge. He had long realized that Kaiden was nothing more than his father’s puppet, but he hadn’t expected it to be this severe.

“So? I don’t know what you want to say to me, Young Master. If you’re planning to offer some half-baked advice, save it. I’m too old and tired to get involved in childish squabbles.”

With a sigh that sounded disappointed, the Duke of Bannon clicked his tongue and abruptly snuffed out the candle. Darkness once again filled the room that had been lit, if only a little.

“I have only one question for you. Do you want Brienne Ford?”

“…….”

“If you say you do, I will give her to you. But if you refuse, I can’t allow that girl to ruin Kaiden any longer. Anything that stands in the way of Bannon’s future must be removed in advance.”

……To call her an obstacle. Herace, running a hand through his hair in frustration, looked at the Duke with a chilling calm in his eyes. He felt genuine disgust for the Duke of Bannon, who had once held sway over the Emperor of Rontiano.

“The times have changed, yet you still believe Rontiano lies beneath your feet, Your Grace. Like all things, Brienne does not belong to you. She is not anyone’s possession.”

“…….”

“You asked if I want Brienne Ford? Yes, I do. But what I want is Brienne’s heart, not her shell. So if you’re planning anything…”

Herace leaned forward, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he looked at the Duke.

“I’m prepared to turn a childish squabble into a war between families.”

* * *

Meanwhile. When Garzen asked Brienne if she’d learned about magic, she shook her head without hesitation.

“No, I didn’t really have the time to look into it.”

She’d been busy with Kaiden’s engagement preparations, and even if she had tried, it wasn’t as if she could learn magic overnight. Of course, Garzen seemed to have been hoping otherwise.

“What, then have you ever used magic?”

“Oh, that’s obviously…….”

Brienne started to answer carelessly, then clamped her lips shut. The look in Garzen’s eyes was far too hopeful.

“…I think, maybe once. I’m not sure, but there was a time when an invitation suddenly burned up right in front of me.”

“Oh, an invitation? What kind of invitation?”

As expected, Garzen’s face brightened. Brienne, giving him an awkward smile, shrugged her shoulders lightly.

“The invitation to the engagement ceremony of the man I loved.”

“…Oh dear.”

Garzen averted his gaze, avoiding Brienne’s eyes. Meanwhile, Lusell, who had been slumped in the corner of the cell, suddenly lifted his head and rushed over to Brienne.

“It’s a relief you remember the situation, Miss Brienne! Now, let’s try to recall what you were feeling then. What did you think as you looked at the invitation?”

“Hey, Lusell, you…”

“Yes? Why?”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re completely clueless?”

Garzen looked at Lusell as if he were crazy, but Lusell didn’t even seem to realize what he’d done wrong. Brienne, flustered, took a step back and tried to recall that day.

“At the time, I was just angry. So angry that…”

“Yes, you were angry?”

Lusell’s eyes sparkled strangely as he nodded. Brienne parted her lips, then shook her head.

“That’s… all.”

No matter how hard she tried, she really couldn’t remember anything else. Feeling wronged, Brienne avoided Lusell’s suddenly subdued gaze and looked to Garzen instead. Only then did Garzen, who had been watching from the side, push Lusell aside and approach Brienne.

“Then, Miss, are you angry now? Or not?”

“Angry?”

“Yes, those bastards kidnapped you. Locked you up in this damp, filthy underground cell. And in such an elegant dress and high heels, too! Aren’t you angry?”

“Of course I’m angry…!”

If Garzen and Lusell hadn’t been with her, Brienne might have been trembling in fear alone. She didn’t know who had planned all this, but she couldn’t forgive them. As Brienne’s expression crumpled, Garzen grinned.

“That’s the look! Good, keep that spirit. Now, try channeling that anger into your fingertips.”

“What? No, Zen…!”

Brienne looked at Garzen, who strode toward the bars, with a flustered expression. Garzen, glancing back playfully, tapped the rustiest bar with his bound hands.

“Miss, right here, right here.”

‘Did he really want me to use magic now?’

‘…Me?’

Brienne looked at Lusell, her face blank. It was an instinctive plea for help, but Lusell’s eyes were shining just as much as before.

‘These people, really…’

She could only hope for so much. With a sigh, Brienne reluctantly stepped up beside Garzen. Garzen looked down at her, grinning broadly.

“Miss, don’t be too nervous, just give it a try. I guarantee you’ll do well anyway.”

And then……

“Hey, you! Do you even know who this lady is, pulling a stunt like this?”

Suddenly, he shouted so loudly it seemed the cell would burst. Brienne, standing right next to him, was truly startled.

“Zen, w-what are you doing! Don’t provoke them…!”

“Just wait.”

Garzen winked at Brienne as if to reassure her, but then he kicked the bars and raised his voice even more.

“You still don’t get the situation, do you? You’ve really messed with the wrong people. Even if you don’t care about the rest of us, this lady is an incredible noble!”

“What?”

The guard sneered and approached the bars. He twisted his face in a warning as he stopped in front of Garzen.

“Noble or not, who cares? You’re the ones who don’t get the situation. Flaunting your status at a time like this? That’s just plain stupid.”

“Huh, don’t you know what happens if you mess with a grand noble in Rontiano? As soon as we get out of here, lunatics like you….”

「We follow only our own god. In our paradise, the leash of status no longer exists!」

A guard shouted something in Roetan and spat on the floor. His eyes, filled with inexplicable hatred, turned toward Brienne.

“Grand noble or not, did you really think a threat like that would work on me? Here’s some advice—if you want to go back unharmed, you’d better keep your mouth shut. D*mn, filthy nobles….”

‘……Wait, ‘if you want to go back?’’

‘Does that mean they’re actually considering letting us go?’

Brienne frowned, reviewing the actions of those who had left earlier and the guard’s words. Thinking calmly, their words were harsh, but they hadn’t taken any valuables, threatened their lives, or used violence.

They didn’t separate the group either, only kept them together under watch, as if they were ‘waiting’ for something.

‘……What are they waiting for? I’ve only been thinking about escaping as soon as possible, but I never considered what their purpose was.’

Just as Brienne was about to ask the guard for the time, Garzen stepped in front of her.

“Now! Miss!”