Chapter 37

"People... a lot of people died?"

There were other deaths besides your mother? What else happened besides what Mr. Ricardo told you? Frida raised her voice in shock. Even though she deliberately ignored it, Daniel could see it clearly. The fear that would be cast over her clear and innocent eyes. This incident made him realize, whether he liked it or not, that Frida had already deeply entered his life. The unease that the line he had drawn would become blurred and useless came from the people on Daniel's side, not from Frida. Ricardo, of course, and Dominic as well. That cold guy, despite pretending to be indifferent, was more active in crossing and trampling the line than anyone else, making him even more problematic. If it were someone else, he wouldn't have cared, but the Mollis were different. They were like enemies. He had told them to stay away long ago, yet they continued to bother him. Especially since Ricardo had completely accepted Frida as family, it had become a headache. A small sigh that Frida couldn't hear slipped out from between Daniel's teeth.

"What Mr. Ricardo told you is a story that shouldn't be passed on carelessly. I apologize for not fulfilling my responsibility to you due to the circumstances."

Frida, who had already wrapped her arms around her knees, looked at Daniel with a serious expression.

"It's okay. I didn't know about it."

The fact that the Ekinasia potion contained an ingredient that could cause infertility was true, but she had only taken it once. To think that it led to the sacrifice of the Duke's mother and the deaths of others? It was unimaginable.

"Please continue to be unaware of it. With the Emperor not having any descendants, if a rumor spreads that there's something wrong with the Emperor's body, the Empress will suspect me first. Then everyone living in the duchy might be in danger."

Honestly, there was no one to blame. The problem was that he had confided in Ricardo to alleviate his guilt. That irresponsible and foolish guy. Daniel, who had folded his arms across his knees, covered his forehead. Just thinking about that day made his head ache as if it would split. Why did he do it? Even if he was jealous, why did he give such a thing to Leopold? The person who gave Daniel the Ekinasia potion was a woman who worked at the inn where the mercenaries sometimes stayed. She gave him a vial, feeling sorry for him because he had been coughing for days due to frequent exposure to the elements.

"Our handsome young master, you mustn't drink too much of this medicine. Take only a sip at a time, and stop as soon as your cough is gone. If you misuse it, you might not be able to have children. Such a handsome face should be passed down, shouldn't it? Hehe."

That winter, when he returned to the castle, the doctor was not taking good care of Leopold, who was coughing severely, due to the Duke's illness.

"Cough, cough. Long time no see, Daniel."

Leopold, who didn't act warmly, often called Daniel "brother" when their mother wasn't around, but only when he felt like it. He was indifferent and didn't mock Daniel for being a bastard. His noble bloodline gave him a high sense of self-worth. However, he was as insensitive and inconsiderate as a high-ranking noble.

"Brother, it must be nice to travel around. Cough. I'm tired of just reading books. Where did you go this time? Tell me. Cough, cough."

Tired of just reading books? Nice to travel around? Enjoying the sounds of animals in the mountains every day? What's so good about shivering in the cold winter forest? I want to eat meals prepared for me and sleep in a comfortable bed inside the warm castle. If only you weren't here, if only you weren't... I am the only bloodline in this family.

"Drink this, young master. It's good for your cough."

Why did he hand over that vial? Why didn't he stop Leopold from drinking the remaining half of the medicine in one go? Perhaps he had been waiting for this day since he first received the medicine. Maybe the devil inside him had been waiting for the opportunity. When the doctor, who found it strange that Leopold's cough suddenly stopped, discovered that Daniel had given him the medicine, a storm of bloodshed followed. The Duke's wife, Margret, was enraged at the possibility that Leopold might be infertile. The doctor who knew about the Ekinasia and the maid who helped him, as well as everyone who witnessed the commotion, were all killed. Even Daniel's mother was hanged. She left no room for any information to leak. She was heartless and merciless. Daniel survived only because of his mother's sacrifice and promise.

"If you spare me, I will live as Leopold's hunting dog for the rest of my life. You know Daniel's skills. He inherited a natural talent for swordsmanship from his maternal grandfather. That's why you coveted him."

A knight of the Rihardt Duke's family said this about the young Daniel, who played with a wooden sword as a child. A once-in-a-century genius. A knight who would rival the "Brave Brown Lion" Nuberg. The legendary knight, Duke Nuberg Morenhaitz, who became a border duke of the Rengen Empire solely through his sword skills. Impressed by this talent, Margret kept Daniel by her side. She seemed to have found it hard to let go after investing time and effort. Daniel, who had signed a lifelong contract to serve Leopold, survived miserably. The memories of that day flooded back. Daniel, pressing his forehead as if it would split, spoke calmly.

"Forget whatever you heard. I don't want anyone else to die because of me."

After saying this, he found it bitterly ironic. He had done so many things with a sword in his hand. Now he says he doesn't want anyone to die because of him? It doesn't make sense. Daniel lowered his head to hide the sneer that escaped.

"I understand what you mean."

Frida's voice, small and delicate but firm, tried to console him.

"Why do you say it's because of the Duke? It's because the Empress didn't investigate properly and misunderstood... Anyway, she is cruel and harsh. The Duke was just a child. Only thirteen years old."

Ricardo had repeatedly consoled him, saying, "You were just a child. Thirteen years old?" Thirteen? What does that mean? Does it change anything? No, not at all. I was a petty, malicious, and immature thirteen-year-old who envied my sick brother and tried to benefit myself.

"Don't believe Ricardo's words. He probably made me sound good."

The Mollis were blind when it came to Daniel. It took years to accept them as part of his life. To be precise, he didn't accept them; they just stuck around. He would take responsibility for the two of them, but he didn't want to involve more people. Daniel redrew the blurred line.

"The truth is that many people died because of me. You might end up being one of them. I warn you to avoid any trouble because of me."

Normally, this would make someone scared or annoyed. But his wife was neither normal nor within the realm of common sense.

"No, that's not the truth; it's self-blame. The truth is... this is what the truth looks like."

Frida suddenly knelt on the floor and crawled into the dim darkness. She reached out and found a book, then sat facing Daniel and opened it. With her back blocking the light, Daniel's view was filled only with her. She pointed to a page with her fingertips.

"I've looked it all up. Ekinasia is an herb effective for coughs and inflammation, and so on. Here, look at this part. Long-term, high-dose use may cause infertility. It says 'may cause,' not 'causes.' Drinking it just once would never be a problem. If it's such a mysterious herb, maybe we should plant it all over the duchy. We could make a fortune."

Why are you taking my side?

"My point is not that the Duke did well, but that the Empress was clearly wrong. She wasn't mature at all."

"Why..."

At this point, he couldn't help but ask out of curiosity. For the pretentious Ricardo, it could be loyalty to his maternal grandfather and first love. For Dominic, it could be gratitude to Daniel's mother, who raised him like a son instead of abandoning him. And the bitter affection that turned into love. But how do you explain this small woman's feelings? Why does she send such infinite trust?

"Why am I good?"

Frida, who had slammed the book shut, snorted.

"I don't know. Today's Duke is not really my type."

***

The Duke and Duchess returned to Marian Hall late at night. Waiting for them in the dark corridor were Muriel and Dominic. As Muriel followed Frida into the bedroom, Dominic pulled Daniel by the arm.

"Let's go to the study. I have something urgent to report."

Dominic quickly closed the door behind him as they entered the study.

"A crazy deer is coming."

Daniel, who was about to sit down, grimaced, holding the back of the chair.

"Uptike?"

"Boyle is also coming."

"I know. In four days."

Dominic, who had braced his hands on the desk, bowed his head and took a deep breath.

"No, at this rate, they'll arrive tomorrow. Two of them, or rather, three, including Boyle's wife."

"What are you talking about?"

As Daniel sat down, Dominic's sigh became deeper and longer.

"The crazy deer is bringing Boyle and his wife in her carriage."

"Why?"

"Their carriage broke down, and the crazy deer just happened to show up."

"Was it your doing?"

Dominic, who had been blinking in confusion at Daniel's question, removed his hands from the desk and shouted.

"No, man! If it were just him, maybe, but why would I break a carriage with a noblewoman in it?"

"You didn't think about it?"

"Well..."

Dominic, at a loss for words, scratched his chin. He had thought about it.

"We've caused enough trouble. It's annoying when they stir things up. I thought about keeping the nobleman in the castle for a few months as an excuse if he got hurt. It wouldn't be bad for Boyle. He could rest and make money."

Daniel, looking out the darkened window, fell into deep thought. Actually, Boyle wasn't a concern. Showing him what he wanted and letting a minor piece of news reach the Empress's ears would be enough. He could entrust the internal affairs of the castle to Frida, who was struggling alone. As Dominic said, she might be a valuable asset. If his wife came with him, she could be a maid for Frida. A duchess should have at least one maid. The problem was "Heinrich Uptike." That guy... is a headache. If I had known he would be this troublesome, I would have left him to die or live in the Battle of Calais. Tap, tap. Daniel's fingertips tapped the desk rhythmically.

"This is a headache."

Dominic chimed in.

"Can I leave for a while?"

"Stop talking nonsense."

"Really break the carriage before they arrive?"

"Dominic."

"Yes. It won't work... Hmm."

Dominic, who had been frowning and touching his chin, approached Daniel.

"By the way, where did you find the Duchess?"

"Brabant Hall."

"What? Why a dusty old warehouse?"

Daniel, glancing up at Dominic, who was standing to his right, asked coldly.

"Did you... think I was someone who doesn't read books?"