Chapter 7
“Rayleigh is still young… and not exactly bright. Do you really think she can pull something like that off?”
At his wife’s question, Viscount Bitence glared at her.
“Normally? Of course she couldn’t. That’s exactly why she’ll catch them off guard.”
“Ah…”
“The important thing is that no one would ever suspect a girl like her of acting as a spy.”
“I see.”
“Our first objective is to find out how much the House of Elestain intends to bid for the Core Ruby mine.”
“Yes. I’ve already passed the instructions on to Margaret. She’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“Even if she fails this time, it’ll be enough if she naturally becomes part of the ducal household. Sooner or later, the opportunity for her to be useful will come.”
“It seems I was worrying over nothing.”
“Well, that’s what most people would think. But who do you think Marquis Malvern is? He gave these orders after considering every possibility.”
Mentioning the Marquis’s name, the viscount puffed himself up as though it reflected his own greatness.
Viscount Bitence was not a particularly capable man.
Certainly not the sort of person bold enough to marry off his young daughter to a ducal house simply to use her as a spy.
The only reason he dared undertake such a risky scheme…
Was because Marquis Malvern stood behind him.
As one of the most influential figures in central politics, the marquis was a powerful patron.
The viscount firmly believed that as long as he remained under Malvern’s protection, his own future was secure.
Hadn’t he already succeeded in marrying his daughter into the House of Elestain at the marquis’s command?
“So even that useless girl finally has a purpose.”
“Hmph. At least the money I spent raising her wasn’t entirely wasted.”
The reason they treated Rayleigh with such cruelty…
Was because she wasn’t their biological daughter.
Narrowing his eyes, Viscount Bitence recalled the events from over a decade ago.
His wife had once given birth to a baby girl…
Who died immediately after birth.
Long before the child was born, he had already promised that if the baby were a daughter, she would one day be married off for political gain.
Her death had caused him considerable financial losses.
He already had a son to inherit the family.
A daughter had simply been another business asset.
So, in secret…
He brought home an abandoned infant from the slums.
Since she was only meant to be “used” one day anyway, he had no reservations about raising a child of low birth as his own daughter.
He never told Rayleigh the truth, fearing she might reveal it to others.
Instead, he spent as little money on her as possible and treated her as nothing more than a disposable tool.
Then…
Not long ago, that carefully arranged political marriage had fallen apart.
Everything he had invested in Rayleigh was about to become worthless.
So he hurriedly searched for somewhere else to “sell” her.
That place had been the household of an elderly count looking for a second wife.
Considering the money and years he’d invested in raising her, it wasn’t a particularly profitable deal.
Still, at least he wouldn’t lose money.
Then…
“Viscount Bitence.”
“Yes, Your Excellency, Marquis Malvern.”
“It just so happens… I think your daughter would be perfect.”
It was Marquis Malvern who informed him that the House of Elestain was searching for a young bride.
To be honest, compared to marrying her off to the elderly count, there wasn’t much immediate profit for the viscount himself.
But earning the favor of the leader of such a powerful political faction…
That alone was worth far more.
And if Rayleigh continued bringing the marquis valuable information from within the House of Elestain, the viscount’s standing within the faction would only continue to rise.
Hmph. So even that wretched little girl has finally become useful.
In truth, Marquis Malvern had never expected very much from Rayleigh in the first place.
Her role was simple.
Blend naturally into the House of Elestain.
Lower their guard.
Then, when the decisive opportunity arose…
Report it.
With a satisfied smile, Viscount Bitence crushed out his cigarette.
At last…
The time had come to reap the rewards of his long-term investment.
After dinner, Walter walked beside Rayleigh with a broad smile still plastered across his face.
Tilting her head, she asked,
“Father… isn’t your residence in the other direction?”
“Now that we’ve finished eating, I thought I’d take a little walk and escort you back. Would that make you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all! I’m happy that you’re going out of your way for me.”
“Hehe… that’s a relief.”
Walter looked down at her with an unreserved grin.
Rayleigh smiled back.
Maybe… he’s simply happy because it feels like he finally has a daughter.
The unconditional affection from her father-in-law felt unfamiliar…
And oddly ticklish.
Compared to her own parents, whose only thoughts had been how to exploit and abuse their daughter…
The difference was like heaven and earth.
“Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve been doing all the talking. Is there anything you’d like to ask me?”
“Ah…”
A question that had been lingering in Rayleigh’s mind finally escaped her lips.
“Father… why did you choose me as your daughter-in-law? Honestly… my family isn’t nearly prestigious enough to become relatives of a ducal house.”
The House of Elestain might have remained distant from the political center…
But that didn’t diminish its prestige.
It was an ancient family.
For generations, they had protected the northern frontier from monsters and earned the people’s respect as the shield of the North.
Though little known outside their territory, they also appeared to possess wealth worthy of a ducal house.
If that were the case…
Surely many noble families would have wanted to marry into House Elestain.
Even if they needed to choose carefully because they wished to conceal the secret that they were beastfolk…
There was still no reason to select such an insignificant family as House Bitence.
Walter’s eyes flashed for a moment before slowly dimming.
“Hmm… Yes. I suppose it’s something you should know.”
He began speaking quietly.
“Our family has always chosen our spouses very carefully.”
“I see.”
“The North is a harsh land where we face monster waves directly… and we’re also in a region where military conflicts are more likely to occur. In circumstances like those, your partner must be someone trustworthy enough to guard your back.”
“That makes sense.”
A bitter smile touched Walter’s lips.
For a brief moment…
It almost resembled self-mockery.
Then it disappeared.
“But throughout our family’s history… there have been times when the Duchess of Elestain betrayed the ducal house.”
“…!”
“Sadly… the daughters of powerful noble families were especially prone to doing so.”
Rayleigh was startled.
She had always assumed that the custom of bringing in daughters-in-law while they were still children existed solely because of the family’s secret as beastfolk.
Apparently…
Political considerations had also played a role.
“Though it was never made public… Serge’s mother…”
Walter paused.
“…my former wife… was one of them.”
“…!”
“It was… a tragic affair.”
Rayleigh froze.
This was completely different from what the fairies had shown her.
[The Duke loves Rima!]
[Rima loves the Duke too!]
[They love each other!]
She had naturally assumed it was a sad story in which two people had loved each other deeply before the duchess passed away.
Instead…
The former Duchess of Elestain had betrayed the family.
It was a truth she had never expected.
“Well… even if that hadn’t happened, if someone truly doesn’t wish to remain in this family, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“…”
“So if you ever decide this family isn’t the right place for you… you only have to tell me.”
Walter smiled kindly.
“There’s still plenty of time before you become an adult. Think it over carefully. If you decide you want to leave someday, I’ll let you go without standing in your way.”
“…!”
“You’ve already met Serge, so you probably understand. He’s… a difficult child. I know perfectly well that he may not be the right partner for everyone. I have no intention of forcing you to stay if that’s how you feel.”
There was unmistakable resignation in his voice.
Objectively speaking…
Those words should have delighted Rayleigh.
She had been planning to leave this family one day anyway.
Yet instead of happiness…
Her heart only grew heavier, as though weighed down by a stone.
“You’ve only just arrived at this castle, and here I am talking about such heavy matters. In any case…”
Walter smiled gently.
“The most important thing is that our daughter-in-law stays healthy and happy. Never forget that.”
“…Yes.”
A subdued silence settled between them.
Then—
“Bark!”
A sharp bark suddenly shattered the quiet.
Both of them turned toward the sound.
Standing there and gazing up at them…
Was a tiny fox cub with jet-black fur and brilliant golden eyes.
