In fact, that was what he wanted from her: sharp judgment and courage at the cost of sacrifice, constant goodwill and bold determination, behaving herself cunningly, knowing her place, as if to show off the conditions that will enhance her usefulness.

What was more desirable in their relationship based on political interests?

“.. If that is your decision, I won’t force you anymore. ”

Eckart covered his clenched fist with the other hand. Though he wanted to spit out some other words, he shut his mouth like a surprised clam.

This was the best decision. She was not wrong.

Nevertheless, he did not know why he just felt stuffy. He did not want to know, and he should not know.

* * *

“You obtained a snake that served its purpose very well.”

Ober quickly emptied the glass of whiskey that Giyom filled.

Mrs. Chester, who sat across the long table, clicked her tongue. A purple lace fan she was holding shook like a butterfly’s wings.

“Excessive drinking is a shortcut to ruin. Haven’t you learnt the lesson yet after watching your dead father? Anyway, men are..”

“Did the previous head of the Chester family die after drinking too much? Which idiot would take it at face value?”

Ober made a ridiculous expression at her remarks. Mrs. Chester also shrugged, twisting her mouth slightly.

The man they mentioned was the late Marquis Calvin von Chester. Though he was only an earl, he was awarded the title of marquis for the contribution he made during the Lennox war. He was well known as a womanizer who had affairs with lots of women, and an opportunist who offered to the emperor his wife he belatedly took. To Ober and Mrs. Chester, he was a father and a husband respectively. But neither of them called him a father or husband.

“If you are tired, go and have a rest. I hate listening to someone’s drunk words.”

“That was a sure-fire way, but it wasn’t something that Duke Hubble would approve. He likes a more noble way of doing it.”

“I am not a stupid Ilius. Why should I get approval from that old man for each and every little thing?

At that moment Mrs,. Chester retorted in a displeased voice, “What? Noble way? I just don’t know if I could describe it as ‘a noble way’ that the emperor brutally killed Earl Dupling and Marquis Kylo, to whom he wanted to give one of the top five minister positions.”

“Anyway, it was known to the outside that they went hunting and were killed by a wild animal, right?”

“It’s just a rare coincidence that a snake appeared in the banquet room,” she said disdainfully, whose lips were a dark red rouge. She comfortably touched the seal ring on her right hand.

A black snake was embossed on it.

There was a pair of pythons in the seal of the Chester family. The black python Kiara and white python Rues. Chiara symbolized darkness and poison, while Rues symbolized light and wisdom. Both of them were engraved on the seal ring worn by Ober, now the head of the family.

It was customary, however, to inscribe only one of them in the seal given to the immediate members of the family head. Until now, most women and children with Chester as their last name chose a ring engraved with Rues. Maybe they thought light and wisdom seemed less ominous than darkness and poison.

But Erica, Marquise Chester, was different. She loved and valued Kiara much more. Throughout the long history of the Chester family, there were fewer than five people, including her, who chose Kiara.

“How skillful you are! It’s amazing that you chose Mrs. Renault among so many guests as the target.”

“Beatrice is overly calm just like her father. It’s hard to target her. But Mrs. Count is kind of hot-tempered, isn’t she? What I mean is that those who are carried away by emotions easily are good targets. I like her very much.”

Mrs. Chester smiled as if she was glad to hear that. Ober knew that she smiled sincerely, which creeped him out. He didn’t really like it when others said he looked like his mother. But he sometimes felt even respect for her when he found her murderous design so elegant.

“You’re going to Roshan soon, right?”

“Yes. I don’t think the emperor is that stupid.”

“You can do whatever you want to do, but don’t touch Marianne.”

Mrs. Chester made a mysterious expression at that. With her eyebrows bent lightly, she smiled a smile of unknown intention.

“Bale.”

She called his childhood name in a long time. Ober frowned to hear that. He did not like that name.

“Do you love her?” she asked.

He felt her question was too ridiculous. He let out a sigh mixed with scorn.

“Mom, whose son do you think I am?”

Love? Ober thought that word was very vulgar. He did not believe in the divinity of the god Airius, nor in the love of humans. Uncertainty and shallow illusions. He thought such false words were merely a means to deceive someone.

‘Do I love Marianne?’ he thought of her mother’s question. Of course, he didn’t. He just regarded what she had as useful. Her beauty, stupid attitude, territories and soldiers coming with her name, and the type of woman that the emperor coveted.

If he succeeded in taking her, he will see the emperor ruining himself with jealousy and loss. When he added the power of her family, he would be able to restore the stolen throne. And he would be able to exploit both her attractive body and the rest of her life by feeding blind love.

“There is no love in the world. I learned it from you, Mom. I know how such trifling feelings make humans so powerless, and how wise it is to give up such feelings and have power and honor instead.”

“I’m proud of you. I’m so happy to see you have grown well that I’m almost moved to tears.”

She reacted by deliberately pretending to wipe tears with her handkerchief. Ober snorted at her too obvious exaggeration. Their lookalike gray eyes faced each other.

“Don’t worry. I’m just as fond of her as you are. She is so cute as she reminds me of someone I know whenever I see her.”

The marquise laughed once again as if she was happy.

Ober quietly touched the empty glass while hearing her laughing. He tilted the glass Giyom was holding into his cup and drank whiskey again.

“Giyom.”

“Yes.”

“When was the date Yurt said he would come to the capital?”

“This month.”

“When he arrive, ask him to come and see me immediately.”

“Yes.”

Giyom bowed deeply. His indifferent face was hardened. Ober clicked his tongue without showing his pathetic feelings toward him.

“You don’t have to be scared that much. Now he can’t abuse you anymore. Why are you looking so scared when your master was changed time ago?”

“..”

“Don’t waste your breath. Just let me know when you hear of his arrival.”

“Okay.”

Giyom bowed and stepped back. Ober pointed to the marquise’s cup which was still full.

“This is a victory drink, Mom. Won’t you drink it?”

“If you pick a champagne too early, the carbonic acid will be lost and will ruin its taste.”

“Your comment befits you as a long-time wine lover.”

Ober rose from his seat and picked up the glass in front of her.

“Then, please excuse me. As you’re going to be pretty busy soon, I think you had better have a good rest.”

“This is what I want to say to you,” said Mrs. Chester, smiling graciously at his son. It was a meaningful smile.

***

In the morning two days later, there was a colorful procession coming out of the Lucio Imperial Palace. The two-headed eagle Brenda, the imperial bird of the Aslan Empire, and the seven-pronged trunk of a laurel tree were seen clearly at the top of the flag held by the flag bearer. It meant that the master of the procession was a member of the imperial family.

Several carriages and horses carrying dozens of elite knights back and forth drove on the big streets in the palace. They smoothly headed for the south gate of the palace as people who recognized the procession of noblemen hastily made way for them.

The clattering of horses’ hoofs were heard from all sides.

The procession soon arrived in front of Dona Bridge, where Lake Roen was within their view.

In front of the bridge, there was another lavish procession.

The doors of the four four-wheeled wagons, which seemed to carry noblewomen, opened one by one, and some familiar figures got off. Among the procession that stopped across the street, a man got off a wagon flying the flag of Brenda.

“May our god Airius’s blessing be bestowed on Your Majesty!”

A chorus of greetings to the emperor came out in unison.

“May our goddess Anthea protect you all.”

The central figure of the long procession and Brenda’s owner, Eckart, politely replied with her hands on chest. His dark blue cloak fluttered elegantly.

“Marianne!”