TFLMLD 77

Chapter 77

Macaron’s Obsession

“Yes. That is—.”

“Tell me.”

After Calips left, whenever Macaron began to bring up her name his eyes took on the look of a clawed bird of prey. Momont knew that look came from the deep longing he felt for the one who was gone. Macaron’s outwardly forced composure was, in truth, as fragile as glass ready to shatter. Since Calips had left, his insides had been crushed until they felt rotted away.

“According to the head steward, the last person she met before leaving was Duke Evelyn. They said there was a note on the dressing table proposing an appointment….”

Once suspicion hardened into certainty, Macaron’s red eyes swallowed his anger.

“Withdraw every commercial contract with the Ripler family that’s ending this term.”

“Every single trade agreement?”

“Why. Is there any reason not to?”

“No, sir. I will carry out the order.”

When Momont quietly withdrew, the room was left desolately with Macaron alone. He stared at the emperor’s throne and, today as well, thought of Calips. Even the throne, which could give him everything, felt meaningless to him. He had seized all these positions solely for Calips. It was Calips who had moved him — someone who long ago had not cared about the throne — to act again. But the one who had set his whole life in motion was not by his side now. Macaron endured a pain every day that felt like daggers stabbing his heart as it crumbled. Yet the pain, instead of easing with time, only took root and grew deeper. The imperial wizard and the shadow knights, under special orders, were scouring the empire to the farthest reaches. If they could only find her, Macaron would do anything.

‘Where on earth did she go?’

A deep obsession stained his eyes.

“I will find her. I will, no matter what.”

Meanwhile, the white house of the Duchy of Meringue had been seeing many visitors lately. The collaboration with the Merchen trading company had gone smoothly. Merchen had praised the quick design and development that implemented the requested changes. From identifying the demand and needs in the first sales market — the Kingdom of Quinzlet — to developing and starting production of the Changer, every step proceeded like clockwork. Two weeks went by busier than usual.

After a heated meeting about mass-production issues had concluded and the staff were tidying up, the lady Marie — whom I had wanted to see — came to the house carrying a lot of things. She exchanged short greetings with Mr. Merchen and, after he left his seat, hugged me and lightly patted my back. When Marie brought out the tea she liked, she gave a little wink and began telling me what had been happening.

“You know, Evelyn actually showed up at high society this time, even though she never appears.”

Evelyn’s appearance was surprising because she was known for hardly ever showing herself in society. Marie’s lips tightened as if she worried bringing up Evelyn might be sensitive, but then she smiled and continued excitedly.

“Well, she acted as if she were some kind of empress. So arrogant…. She doesn’t even think about giving anything to anyone.”

I’d also been hearing a lot about Evelyn recently. Once the leading candidate to fill the vacant Empress seat, she had been disappearing lately. Some reporters were even calling it Evelyn’s downfall regarding the one issue for which Ripler alone hadn’t been punished. But all of that was only speculation — nothing confirmed. The reason the Empress seat remained vacant was likely because Macaron was still waiting for me. The retainers would keep silent while stabilizing imperial authority, but once things settled, Macaron probably would find it difficult to leave the Empress position empty forever. Whoever ended up in that position, though, it was no longer my concern. Still, the matter made me a little gloomy, so Marie — quick to sense it — briskly changed the topic.

“Oh, and you haven’t heard about the lord of the estate here, have you?”

“…….”

“How picky his personality is — you wouldn’t believe it.”

“You know the lord?”

This was the first time I’d heard of the Duke of Meringue.

“When we bought this place, that man gave us a lot of trouble.”

Come to think of it, the guide had mentioned something like that when explaining the place: that a fierce auction had occurred and it was sold at a high price. I’d been too preoccupied to ask Marie about it until now.

“Was the Duke of Meringue the last competitor to the winning bid?”

“Yes.”

Marie frowned as if recalling the day and then excitedly continued.

“My goodness, what a hobby to risk one’s life for. He probably won’t even live here. Just jacked the price up twice and left.”

Marie rarely gossiped about others, so the fact that she talked like this made it clear the Duke was someone not worth associating with.

‘He raised the price twofold even though he might never live here.’

Of course, auctions are like that, but still….

“What a nasty man, that one.”

“Yes. I’ve never seen anyone like him. You probably won’t meet him, and even if you do, don’t deal with him — it’s bad for your health.”

Even the name itself sounds hazardous. He may be sweet on the surface, but thinking that such a nasty person is the lord of nearby land left an awkward feeling. Still, I probably wouldn’t meet the Duke; he was said to rarely appear on his own estate. I assumed that and left it at that.

At that moment, Rainer was fretting over how to deal with what he had done. The officials from Mitnut who had come to him were not at all friendly as before.

“How will you compensate Mitnut for the losses they suffered after trusting your word and getting stabbed in the back?”

For mere officials to act arrogantly toward a crown prince of a country was unacceptable.

“Are you saying Mitnut lost the war because of me?”

“Perhaps you leaked information to us on purpose for reverse use? If not, how did Prince Macaron end up in the gorge….”

Rainer slammed his hand on the table and a vein stood out on his forehead.

“Are you accusing me now?”

‘How dare these idiots accuse me after I set the table for them?’

Rainer cursed inwardly. The Mitnut agents, shaken by his proud posture, quickly ended their explanation and rose.

“In any case, this is an invasion of our nation. Return the gorge area to us.”

“You lost it because you were incompetent. Don’t come here making a fuss!”

Rainer’s shout, with veins bulging, was met only by scornful laughter.

“If you can’t do that, Your Highness will not be left unharmed.”

“…….”

“We will have to reveal the information Your Highness told us.”

“Where do you think you are, threatening me……! Do you want to die?”

Rainer’s rage made the agents tremble briefly, but they added one polite threat before leaving.

“We trust you are wise and will make the right decision.”

If it became known that the crown prince of a country had betrayed his homeland and leaked war secrets for personal gain…… that would be the end of Rainer.

‘For now Macaron doesn’t have justification, so he won’t act rashly…. But if the crime is exposed, I am handing the justification over to Macaron myself.’

Rainer did not think Macaron would spare him. He was too far gone to hope for Macaron’s mercy. The Mitnut people who repaid kindness with treachery deserved to be dealt with harshly, but Rainer had no way out.

“If you reveal this, you won’t be safe either.”

“…….”

“Leave for now. I need time. Once I sit on the throne I’ll return the gorge.”

Of course, he was lying. The moment Rainer became emperor, he planned to tear the Mitnut kingdom apart. After they left, he pushed the table away and simmered in his anger for a long time. Things scattered across the floor, frames shattered, and a strong cut appeared across the back of his hand. When he had somewhat calmed down, Reilin opened the door and entered. She showed no particular reaction at the sight of the mess on the floor. She simply stepped on the broken glass and walked toward Rainer. Stopping a step away, she calmly looked at him, letting the poison in him show.

“It looks like Mitnut sent people. There mustn’t be trouble for me and House Clares.”

“Did you come here to say that?”

“Wouldn’t you like to at least have one strand of hope?”

Reilin stepped forward and, uncharacteristically, smoothed Rainer’s clothes.

“Who knows? Your son might even become an emperor.”

Rainer took a step forward and showed a sneer.

“You offer to take the blame for me with such generous nonsense.”

“Say another way if you have one.”

“You think I would die and take it all alone?”

Madness nigh filled Rainer’s violet eyes.

“What has House Clares ever done for me?”

A chill hung between them separated by a single step.

“Just admit it. You’re incompetent.”

“…….”

“I’m sick of you whining every time something happens.”

Reilin’s provoking words made Rainer scoff.

“Incompetent? Wasn’t it you who couldn’t say a word to that petty viscount Calips and got taken in? You even made wings for him with your own hands. The word ‘incompetent’ fits someone like you. Am I wrong?”

Rainer blamed everything on Reilin, and she likewise blamed everything on him. Given their usually atrocious relationship, this came as no surprise. Even the attendants usually left when they two fought, out of deference. But today, oddly, an attendant hurried in instead of leaving. Rainer and Reilin belonged to the sort that feared having their faults exposed; they were noble to the bone. Both frowned at the unexpected intruder.

“What’s the matter?”

When Reilin glared irritably, the pallid attendant stammered.

“Well, um—”

“Say it quickly!”

The attendant, about to speak, was cut off when the imperial guard burst in.

“Arrest the traitor: Rainer Creed and Reilin Clares.”

“……!”

“Do you want to die? Who dares—?”

Aint had barged in without permission.

“It’s an imperial order.”

Despite the polite phrasing, Aint’s handling was rough. It was natural for emotions to show toward a suspect who had tried to assassinate his lord. Rainer was dragged to the council chamber where a meeting was in progress.