Chapter 56

King Lauses is calm. Clearly, this is a situation where Grail would lose his temper, but he knows that whether to calm it down or let it explode depends on Albertina.

However, there are people around who are acting like the cat that got the cream.

The king is also suffering greatly.

Kishtria raised an eyebrow skillfully and formed a sarcastic smile. Even that expression was beautiful. However, it was a cynical look that he couldn't show to his beloved half-sister. His blue eyes held a cruel light.

Even Mikaelis, who brought the news, exuded a sense of bitter suffering and anguish.

"Hmm, so you came in on the chaos of the bandit attack, revealed yourself forcefully, and took her away from the duke's house against her will? Even though she was crying and refusing, you ignored it, took her to the castle, locked her up, and now that Albert is rejecting you completely, you're crying to me for help?"

It's incredibly selfish. It's clear that he's trying to rely on me when things get inconvenient.

Mikaelis nods at Kishtria's venomous words.

"…Albert's barrier only allows those she trusts to pass through.

So far, only Anna, who was Albert's personal maid, can come and go freely.

It's possible to force entry, but it puts a great deal of pressure on the person entering. If you go too deep, it also puts a strain on Albert, the caster, so it's not something that can be done easily."

"Barrier magic is quite a special type of magic, but there are types like this, I see."

"Because it's a rare attribute, it hasn't been studied as much as the common four or six elements.

I hear that special magic is also related to deities, spirits, fairies, and demons… Most people can't handle it, so research hasn't progressed much.

Moreover, the Sandis royal family's barrier is a very limited type of bloodline magic."

As a mage, Kishtria is concerned about the unknown principles, but he is relieved that Albertina seems to be safe.

He was worried that she might already have been betrothed to an unknown man.

He has heard many stories about the glory and the dark rumors surrounding the royal family's eyes, which are closely tied to the succession. The council of elders is said to have an almost obsessive interest in the topic.

Albertina's abduction was too sudden and too swift. He never thought that Duke Fortuna would take her directly to the castle.

From Count Cleft's behavior, he thought that even if Grail and Albertina's relationship was at its worst, there was still a familial love for her.

"Is the selection for entering and exiting the barrier just a hypothesis? Are you still going to go?"

"Of course. Albert is basically a terrible coward and a stranger to people, so there's no way she's in a normal state after being brought to such a place.

If there's a chance, I have to go.

No matter how much Anna tries to help, the only way for Albert to truly calm down is to see her father. I can only provide some comfort at best."

Kishtria shrugs.

His concern for Albertina shows that he is still an overprotective older brother.

The fact that the Latitche family as a whole had concealed Albertina's royal family eyes has, of course, brought criticism to Kishtria. While Grail is the most responsible, Kishtria has been persistently interrogated, trying to get a decisive confession from him, who seemed to have a weaker guard. However, from Kishtria's nonchalant demeanor, it doesn't seem like he's been treated that way.

Compared to the freezing glare from his stepfather Grail and the lightning-like rage from his real mother Latine, a bit of grandiose intimidation or sleazy questioning is nothing. It's not as bad as being caught by a persistent upper-class lady at a tea party or evening gathering. As the son of a duke, Kishtria can't be subjected to decisive violence or disrespectful words. The prestige of the Latitche family is still resonating.

"Can you at least bring Julius along?"

"I think it will be difficult, but I'll try."

"Albert likes the tea and herbal tea that this guy brews.

She doesn't seem to be eating much due to stress, so I at least want her to take in some fluids."

"If we can bring him, I'll prepare the tea leaves and honey that Albert likes.

And some fruits. Soft and not too heavy, or jellies and compotes might be acceptable… If it's from the Rose Trading Company, she will probably eat it. If I say it's for Albert, there should be no problem. It's all supervised by the Latitche family's chefs and pastry chefs, and the cooks are all connected to the Latitche family."

If they give Albertina something subpar, she might sense the difference and not touch it. But if it's something from the Rose Trading Company, which she has tried and loves, she will feel at ease with the familiar taste.

They shouldn't bring anything subpar.

"Normally, I would want to bring the head chef from the Latitche main house."

"Can't Julius cook?"

"…I can make simple things, but I don't think they're suitable for the young lady."

"If Albert can eat it, make it."

"It might not be suitable for the young lady's palate…"

"Make it."

"You're being unreasonable."

Sighing, Julius agreed, saying, "I can't guarantee she'll eat it, though."

Mikaelis listened quietly to the casual conversation between the two.

"The plan is set. I'll go report."

With that, Mikaelis stood up, shook his bright hair, and quickly turned on his heel.

From the fact that he was more reserved than usual, it was clear that Mikaelis was also carrying a lot on his mind. However, in his position, he had to swallow his emotions and follow orders.

The earnest knight, who held chivalrous ideals, was caught between his affection and concern for Albertina and his respect and admiration for Duke Fortuna, the head of the Sandis Kingdom's knights.

To Kishtria and Julius, he might seem like a chest-churning, tyrannical old man, but Mikaelis might see something different because of his other connections.

His emotions are with Albertina, but as a count, he is trying to remain rational and assess the situation calmly. He is a difficult man.

However, because of his straightforward character, he brings information from a different angle than Kishtria and Julius, and he doesn't have any hostility towards them.

Given the great debt the Latitche family and Albertina owe to Mikaelis, they are confident he won't betray them. If he did, Ghibliel, the super-passionate younger sister, would explode in a fit of rage before Kishtria and Julius could even raise a fist. Ghibliel's attachment to Albertina is extraordinary. Albertina also dotes on Ghibliel with a love that rivals her affection for her half-brother Kishtria.

Albertina is generally kind to those below her, but her affection for Ghibliel is particularly deep. It's so deep that Kishtria and Julius sometimes send envious glances.

When she hears about Albertina's situation, she will undoubtedly leave school and social events to rush over.

Despite her delicate and fragile appearance, the powerful countess can sometimes overwhelm the three of them. She will raise her delicate voice sternly and mercilessly scold them for their pitiful and lamentable behavior. Using her social skills, she will pinpoint their weaknesses and attack them relentlessly.

She is truly a red little devil. One of the three came up with the name, but they all agreed it fit perfectly.

The two decided to hold a strategy meeting to prepare for the red little devil's arrival while they waited. It would probably be a waste of time, but it would provide some comfort.

The permission was granted easily.

The Prime Minister and the Council of Elders were hesitant, but King Lauses silenced them with a roar: "Do you intend to let my niece's daughter die because of your convenience!"

Even the usually mild-mannered King Lauses's unexpected rage made the Prime Minister and the Council of Elders back down.

Kishtria and the others secretly reassessed Lauses, but kept it to themselves.

No matter how mild and gentle he might be, he is still the king of a nation. Even if he is concerned about the succession, he didn't recklessly jump at Albertina.

The current king is getting old, and Albertina is the only one with the royal family's eyes who can bear children. The three princes, Lucas, Leoard, and Elmedia, do not have the royal family's eyes. If there were no issues, it would be natural for Albertina to marry Lucas or Leoard, but the tension between the royal family and the Latitche family is too great. Moreover, both princes have become infatuated with other women, making marriage impossible. Using the royal family's position to force the issue would be too much, and the Latitche family is too powerful.

Albertina is the only child of the Latitche duke.

Taking her away in such a kidnapping-like manner was the worst possible scenario. When Grail returns from the expedition, it's clear he will be furious.

Hiding a daughter with the royal family's eyes was a crime, but considering Albertina's overly sensitive nature, it was understandable. Those who know Albertina in the Latitche circle agree that she has a gentle heart and is completely uninterested in power struggles. They are also worried about her fragile mental and physical state after the kidnapping.

Furthermore, it would be unfair to ignore Grail's significant contributions to the Sandis Kingdom, both openly and behind the scenes.

Albertina's well-being has been protected by Grail's excessive love and overprotectiveness.

Taking his beloved daughter away from the family, despite her clear rejection, is bound to make Grail furious.

He has touched Grail's most sensitive nerve. It won't end well.

The girl, brought to an unfamiliar place against her will, is crying and rejecting everyone, even setting up a barrier out of fear. That is the current state of Albertina. King Lauses understands this calmly. It would be difficult to return her to the Latitche family in this state. Moving her would be dangerous. However, bringing her relatives and placing them around her should help calm her down.

If the king were to show his emaciated and exhausted daughter, Grail's anger would only intensify.

The knights, who were there to monitor and protect, were half-skeptical that Kishtria, the half-brother, could pass through the barrier.

Kishtria's birth, from a distant relative of the duke's family and the son of a mistress, was an open secret. While no one openly mocked him, rumors spread easily due to his high profile.

"This is the barrier. Julius, are you ready?"

"…I apologize, but the tea set that Albertina likes couldn't be prepared in time.

I have managed to gather some of her favorite tea leaves. The tea she usually drinks is available. However, the vintage leaves of Chal de Feanin that she has particularly enjoyed recently are out of stock at the Rose Trading Company, and the next shipment is next week. The materials for light snacks, fruit chips, and syrup-soaked fruits are all ready."

"Hmm, that's fine."

The handsome young duke, who receives constant attention from young ladies, glanced sideways at his servant and muttered indifferently.

Then, without any hesitation, he stepped into the barrier that even seasoned knights and palace mages couldn't penetrate.

The thin magical membrane, similar to glass or soap, easily accepted Kishtria and Julius. The tea cart prepared by Julius also passed through.

The knights who tried to follow were easily repelled by the barrier and fell on their backsides outside.

Those who managed to get up tried to force their way in, but the barrier showed no sign of letting them through.

Without even glancing at the commotion behind them, the two continued down the long corridor.

Thank you for reading.