<Chapter 6>
Thud, thud—Viscount Baden slammed his hand down on the table, creating an intimidating atmosphere.
Kardiel frowned at the violent display, but the viscount paid him no mind.
Rather, he thought that intimidating a child who didn’t yet understand the world was perfectly acceptable behavior for an adult.
A little fear would make persuasion all the more effective.
Besides, he was planning to soften his approach soon anyway.
Hmm, that should be enough. Time to offer the carrot.
Viscount Baden’s tone suddenly turned gentle.
“So, my nephew, from now on we must join forces to protect Daieren. That way, you can inherit the ducal title without any trouble in three years, can’t you?”
“……”
“Who else but a blood relative like me would protect you and your siblings to the very end?”
However, Kardiel did not respond right away.
He simply stared at Viscount Baden with an expressionless face for a long moment.
“Are you listening to me?”
Only when the impatient viscount pressed him for an answer did Kardiel finally speak.
“Yes, I heard you well.”
“Good. Then from now on, you and I are allies. This uncle will place his trust in our future duke.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll soon send a contact into the Daieren estate. Hahaha— ahem, ahem.”
Hearing the affirmative answer, Viscount Baden nearly burst into loud laughter.
Realizing where he was, he quickly cleared his throat, but he couldn’t stop celebrating inwardly.
As expected, children were easy to handle.
Especially the offspring of that foolish duke.
To Viscount Baden, Kardiel looked strikingly similar to the late duke in his youth.
The handsome face, the beautiful eyes, the luscious platinum-blond hair.
Indeed, the Daieren bloodline tended to produce attractive appearances.
But whether there was anything of substance beneath that fine exterior… well, who knew?
And among that bloodline, the most foolish of all had been the late Duke of Daieren.
As someone who had long enjoyed the benefits of the main family’s power by simply flattering him, Viscount Baden knew that better than anyone.
So if I flatter this half-grown brat as well…
He might be able to gain something even greater.
Greed flickered in Viscount Baden’s eyes.
However, there was something he had overlooked—that Kardiel was far more cold and mature than other children his age.
Above all, there was something Viscount Baden, who had never once visited the children before, could not possibly know.
The strong bond that had been built over ten years between Kardiel and Liselotte.
A bond forged as victims.
“I will remember what you said, Viscount Baden.”
“Yes, yes, you should.”
Kardiel did not bother to mention that those very words would later become a fatal weakness for the viscount.
After finishing his conversation with me, my brother quickly paid his respects and left.
Soon after I was informed of his departure, Kardiel returned with Viscount Baden to the room where my husband’s coffin lay.
But Viscount Baden’s expression was rather amusing.
That’s the face of someone who got exactly what he wanted.
His lips twitched as if he might burst into laughter at any moment—if not for the constraints of the funeral.
“Ahem, ahem. Has Baron Landgritz already left?”
“He departed just now. Once you finish paying your respects, we plan to conclude the visitation and prepare for the burial.”
“Oh, has it already gotten that late?”
At some point, the sun had completely set.
It was clearly time for him to leave—but Viscount Baden didn’t seem in any hurry to do so.
Instead of calling for a servant to bring his coat, he spoke to me.
“I have something to discuss with the duchess before I go.”
“It must be quite urgent, if it cannot wait until after the funeral.”
“Not necessarily urgent, but it concerns the future of the ducal house and the young duke’s education as heir. It cannot be delayed.”
Goodness.
At that moment, a chill ran down my spine.
This is exactly what Sir Yujeph said.
When I first heard that two guests who didn’t get along would come, and even guessed my brother’s purpose, it had only felt mildly surprising.
Back then, it didn’t quite feel real.
But now, even the exact topic Viscount Baden would bring up…
That felt different.
Only now was it beginning to truly sink in that Sir Yujeph somehow knew the future—though I had no idea how.
Though I felt dazed, I didn’t falter in delivering the lines I had prepared.
“I’ve been thinking about how to handle the young duke’s education. We do have an excellent scholar serving as a tutor in the Daieren household, but unfortunately, he is nearing retirement age…”
“That’s exactly my point.”
Perhaps thinking we were in agreement, Viscount Baden plopped down in the chair my brother had just vacated and continued.
“To properly educate the young duke—the very future of Daieren—we need a more specialized educator. In particular, a dedicated private tutor.”
Honestly, I agreed with that.
While the current tutor was competent, it was undeniable that managing all three children’s education at once was a heavy burden.
Above all, what mother wouldn’t want to provide the best possible education for her children?
In truth, it had been difficult to hire additional tutors because of my husband.
Damn him—well, he’s already dead, isn’t he?
“You’re absolutely right. I’ve been thinking the same. Once the funeral is over, I was planning to look for a suitable candidate. So…”
“Ah, in that case—”
Viscount Baden cut me off. But I continued what I had been about to say.
Or rather, I tried to.
“I would like to entrust the matter to someone most reliable.”
“W-what?”
Oh dear, interrupting again.
“You mean you’ve already found a tutor? Who? Don’t tell me this was what you were secretly discussing with Baron Landgritz?”
Listening to others until they finish speaking is truly important.
Otherwise, you end up like this—losing your temper and stammering nonsense.
Why is the embarrassment mine?
“No, we haven’t found one yet. That’s why I’m asking you, Viscount Baden, to find one for us. After all, no one cares more about Daieren than you…”
“So you’re asking me to find a tutor? For the heir of Daieren—the young duke himself? How could someone like me dare—how could that possibly—”
Only then did Viscount Baden seem to realize something was off, trailing off mid-sentence.
What a shame. I would have liked to hear him finish belittling himself.
“My, do you truly think so, Viscount?”
“Ahem! I—well—”
“I didn’t realize you felt so burdened. I must apologize for overstepping. Very well, let’s forget the matter—”
“N-no, who said I refuse?!”
My ears…
“O-of course! I may be lacking—yes, lacking—but I am the Chairman of the Privy Council, serving His Majesty the Emperor at close quarters! And above all, I am closer to the young duke than anyone else! If not me, then who could possibly find such a tutor?!”
I had intended to leave it to him anyway, but watching him sweat to recover from his slip of the tongue was quite entertaining.
Lesson of the day: listen to people until they finish speaking.
“I’m relieved to hear you say that.”
“Hmph, of course.”
“And Viscount Baden, no matter how much lower your rank may be compared to a ducal house…”
“Hmm?”
“…I would never consider you so ‘insignificant and inadequate’ as to call yourself ‘daring.’”
“…?”
Don’t bother denying it. I heard you just fine.
“Then I’ll assume you’ll be in charge of finding the young duke’s tutor. I’m truly grateful for your willingness to help.”
Thus, the conversation seemed to conclude smoothly—just as Sir Yujeph had advised.
Honestly, I didn’t like this arrangement.
But Sir Yujeph’s firm warning echoed in my mind:
What is destined to happen cannot be avoided or stopped.
He had said it had already happened several times before.
If I stubbornly refused, he warned, Viscount Baden would use his authority as Chairman of the Privy Council to obtain an imperial decree.
It was an outrageous abuse of power.
I doubted he would really go that far—but thinking about it again, it wasn’t impossible.
With the ducal title at stake, what wouldn’t he do?
And if that happened, I would be the one at a disadvantage.
I would completely lose the right to interfere with or control my children’s education.
Then Daieren would be stolen right before my eyes.
That could not be allowed.
There was only one solution: ensure that events unfolded under the most advantageous conditions for me.
Still, weren’t both my brother and Viscount Baden quite amusing?
Both of them baring their fangs from either side, eager to devour Daieren.
As long as I stood firm, the ducal title would pass to its rightful heir.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze on my cheek.
When I turned, Kardiel was staring at me intently, his eyes burning.
I gave a subtle smile to my eldest son, whose expression revealed nothing.
Don’t worry, Kar. I won’t let that man lay a single finger on you or your siblings.
