Chapter 36

Four days before the meeting.

"This time, the biggest threat is Balhail. That guy won't miss such a good opportunity."

Pavel advised Altair with a serious expression. However, Altair continued to review the documents as if he hadn't heard Pavel's advice.

"My lord."

When Pavel, feeling frustrated, sighed and urged him, Altair finally put down the documents and looked at him.

"I know. He's a cunning guy, so he won't miss such a good opportunity."

"Even though you know that, how can you be so calm? My lord, you won't fall for Balhail's blind threats, but my lady, who has lived a peaceful life, won't be able to handle it easily."

At Pavel's words, Altair leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and narrowed his eyes as he scanned him up and down.

"Looking at you now, it seems you're more worried about Nadia than me?"

"Any Eilsford person would be the same. Who would worry about my lord?"

Altair is strong. No one knew this better than the people of Eilsford. It was also their pride. Just the fact that they had a lord who was stronger than anyone else allowed them to hold their heads high. Despite this, Altair snorted.

"...There are people who worry about me."

His tone sounded like he was showing off, which made Pavel narrow his eyes this time.

"Are you talking about my lady?"

"..."

"That's because my lady can't bear to see my lord fighting monsters."

"...There won't be such a sight in the future."

Altair grumbled and nervously brought the next document to his front.

"You also whined and told me not to go when I went to slay a dragon."

"...I didn't whine."

Pavel timidly protested and subtly avoided Altair's gaze, which made Altair chuckle in disbelief.

"Huh. Who was it that ran to Nadia and talked about the dragon?"

"Well... what...?"

Embarrassed, Pavel cleared his throat loudly and quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, my point is that we need to prepare a strategy against Balhail. He targeted my lady on the day of the wedding, so he will definitely make a move this time."

"Of course he will."

Altair replied calmly and signed the document. Seeing this, Pavel's eyes sparkled.

"Have you... already prepared a strategy?"

"Balhail has been active in social circles for a long time and has many allies. He has a tight grip on the eastern region, so if we touch him lightly, we might end up in trouble. That's why this meeting is an opportunity."

"This meeting is an opportunity?"

"Yes. Because there will be an outsider present."

"An outsider...?"

There is only one person. The Third Prince, Orca! Realizing this, Pavel's eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you going to use the prince?"

"Yes."

"If the prince finds out, he will be quite upset."

"Then we must keep it from him. By the time he realizes he's being used, everything will be over."

"Then..."

"Who Balhail tries to kill doesn't matter. On the day of the meeting, he will be the rebel who dared to try to kill the prince."

"There's no motive. Balhail and the prince have no connection..."

"Of course not. But a motive isn't really necessary."

At Altair's assurance, Pavel frowned. It might be possible to frame Balhail for treason right away, but if a thorough investigation is conducted, the holes will soon be exposed, and it will become clear that he was caught in a strange conspiracy. From then on, it would be dangerous for Altair, who used the royal name to eliminate his enemy.

"Don't worry. The emperor will execute Balhail without a thorough investigation."

"There must be... something you're planning?"

"I sent Blan to the capital. Thanks to him, I can get a good sense of the news and atmosphere there."

"Recently, the emperor and the nobles have been at odds over tax issues. The imperial power is weakening, and the influence of the nobles is growing... If this continues, the tax rate will drop according to the nobles' demands."

"...The emperor needs a reason to strengthen his power, you mean?"

"Well, a rebellion is a good card for the emperor to use to his full advantage, isn't it?"

Pavel's mouth dropped open at the unexpected development.

"Of course, the emperor will investigate the truth behind the scenes. He will find out that Balhail is not a real rebel and that Eilsford set up the whole thing. After everything is over, he might call me to the capital."

"Is it necessary to draw the emperor's attention in such a way?"

Being noticed by the emperor is both an honor and a danger. Pavel swallowed hard, feeling the tension already building, but Altair continued to speak calmly.

"Nadia's family, the Vain Marquessate, has been loyal to the emperor for generations. Even if they find a flaw, it's hard to oppose them with the emperor's firm protection. To exert power in the center, we need allies, and there are none stronger than the emperor... So we need to take that away."

Pavel, unable to find words for the unexpectedly grand plan, tightly closed his mouth. He always wished for Eilsford to become wealthy and strong, but what Altair was saying now exceeded his hopes.

"...Are you planning to enter the central government?"

For my lady? The unspoken words were left out, but Altair noticed Pavel's hidden question.

"Eilsford is different from before. We have a mithril mine and fertile orchards. If we remain weak like before, those who seek profit will take advantage of us. We need power."

And the emperor is the one who can lend that power. Realizing this, Altair chuckled at Pavel, who was staring at him blankly.

"If you're scared, you can get off the galloping horse."

It means he can leave for peace anytime. Realizing this, Pavel snapped back to his senses.

"Who said I'm scared? I enjoy speed."

"You can't even ride a horse."

"I can ride a horse. It's just slower than walking."

"...That's just not being able to ride, isn't it?"

Altair chuckled in disbelief and stood up from his seat.

"Everything that needed to be done is finished."

All the documents to be processed today and the preparations for the upcoming meeting were done. * * *

"...So that's how it happened."

I heard the proper explanation, but my head was still numb. Altair had foreseen Balhail's threat and planned to use it to completely destroy him. It was a very clever move. If I were a reader of a novel, I would have marveled at Altair's ingenuity.

'But...'

I am not a detached reader observing everything from a distance; I am Nadia Eilsford, living and breathing within this story. I looked at the spot where Balhail had disappeared, feeling a bit dazed. He had threatened me and tried to force me to submit. I could still feel the heavy pressure on my neck where he had grabbed me. The memory of the suffocating feeling was still vivid.

'I know this is a brilliant method.'

I know everything. A deep feeling welled up in my chest. I knew what it was. It was disappointment.

'Too... disappointed.'

I massaged my neck, which Balhail had roughly grabbed, and bit my lip. Sensing that something was wrong with me, Altair approached and reached out his hand, but I took a step back to avoid his touch. Altair, with his hand still outstretched, frowned slightly.

"...I understand. If you had known in advance, you would have... complained and made mistakes... And Altair would have taken all the necessary precautions to keep me safe, and Cain actually appeared to help, but..."

The more I spoke, the more I felt choked up. I tightly closed my mouth and tried to control my emotions. I held back, held back, and held back again. After my parents passed away, I always held back, so suppressing my emotions was familiar. But for some reason, it wasn't as easy as before. I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath.

"...Too many things happened suddenly. I will understand everything in time. I'll go to the carriage and rest for a while. I need to change my clothes too."

"Nadia."

Altair called out to me as if he wanted to say something, but I ignored him and kept walking. I could feel Cain, who was hesitating between me and Altair, quickly following me. As I walked back to where the carriage was, I was angry with myself for being so foolish. There was a tent in such a secluded place, yet I didn't think it was strange and walked in obediently. It was something I could have easily figured out if I had thought about it.

"Um... my lady... My lord said to step in immediately if you were in danger."

While I was stomping along, Cain cautiously spoke from behind.

"I was going to step in immediately, but I thought it would be better to buy as much time as possible until the Black Dragon Knights appeared... It was my own judgment... My mistake."

"No, that was the right judgment."

If Cain had appeared earlier and Balhail had sensed something was wrong, he might have fled, and we wouldn't have been able to capture him so cleanly.

"The plan was perfect, and Cain acted according to the plan. I understand that. But I'm human."

"My lady..."

"I understand it in my head. But being caught up in a plan without knowing, and that plan coming from someone I trusted, it's bound to be disappointing. Please don't try to calm my feelings."

"...Yes."

While Cain hesitated, we reached the place where the carriages were lined up. Eilsford's carriage stood out among the many carriages, so I quickly found its location. A knight guarding the carriage looked surprised at my appearance, which seemed out of the ordinary. Normally, I would have smiled to reassure him, but I didn't have the time. I opened the carriage door, went inside, and closed it. In the small space, I tried to regulate my breathing, but my heart, which was pounding, didn't calm down easily. The sound of my heartbeat gave me a new realization.

'I'm... angry now.'

Beyond disappointment, I was angry with Altair.

'How dare I, me?'

The fact made me laugh involuntarily.

"Huh. Do you even have the right to be angry, Nadia Eilsford?"

With a self-reproach, I tightly closed my eyes. * * * In the peaceful meeting, a sudden commotion arose, and Orca quietly called one of his subordinates. The news he received was surprising.

"Your Highness. The Black Dragon Knights have arrested someone."

"The Black Dragon Knights? Who?"

"Balhail Eilsford. He apparently dared to target Your Highness."

"He dared to target me? He didn't seem to have the courage for that."

Orca narrowed his eyes, recalling Balhail, who had groveled in front of him. There was definitely something hidden in this incident.

'And...'

"Another Eilsford."

Lately, that name keeps coming up. Orca's face, which had lost its smile, now showed a hint of interest.