TMSWD~19

Chapter 19

“Duke, there’s nothing valuable left in the estate. The vault is intact, fortunately, but everything else—even the tableware—has been taken…!”

Aiden, who had just returned to the ducal manor, asked in disbelief.

“What happened to the knights I left behind?”

“They’re all gone. We managed to catch one servant who was trying to flee secretly, so we’ll bring him in immediately.”

Before long, the servant was dragged in.

He was clutching a large bag tightly, as if preparing for a midnight escape.

Terrified, he immediately began to make excuses.

“They said staying in the ducal estate would bring harm! A-and with the ‘Feeding Competition’ going on, none of the retainers came either!”

“Henry as well?”

“Y-yes!”

Aiden pressed his temple, already aching.

“One of my maids was also blinded by that event. Your people are no exception.”

Evelyn’s words came back to him.

Recently, none of his retainers who reported on the capital had contacted him.

At the time, he assumed it was due to imperial pressure forcing them into caution.

But…

Had they become addicted to gambling and neglected their duties?

And not a single report about the “Feeding Competition” had been sent either.

“Master Henry was the first to stop coming.”

“YOU LIAR! I’ll twist your neck if you’re lying!”

Scott’s threat made the servant tremble violently.

“I-it’s true! Please believe me, Duke!”

Henry had served Aiden for many years—almost like a mentor from his youth.

His betrayal was difficult to accept.

Aiden’s heavy gaze shifted to the servant’s bag.

“What is that?”

“T-this is…”

The servant hugged the bag tighter.

With a nod from Aiden, Scott snatched it and dumped its contents out.

Candlesticks, silver cutlery, porcelain teacups—luxurious items scattered across the floor.

So that’s how it is.

The head steward would know every single item in the estate.

He had clearly hidden them and tried to steal them quietly.

“I’m sorry! Please forgive me just this once! My family… we couldn’t even afford proper meals so I had no choice!”

“You’re paid enough. And you still can’t support your family?”

“T-that’s because… I spent it all on the ‘Feeding Competition’…”

At that familiar phrase, Aiden frowned.

At that moment—

Knock knock.

The door opened abruptly, and a knight rushed in.

He was one of those who had fought alongside Aiden in the war against Brang.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Duke!”

“What is it?”

“We’ve captured an intruder hiding in the garden.”

“Intruder?”

“Yes… but the thing is…”

He gestured awkwardly.

Another knight brought someone in from the hallway.

“….”

Silence filled the room.

“That child… was hiding in the garden?”

“Yes.”

The boy trembled violently, eyes red with fear.

He looked malnourished, as if he had not eaten properly in days.

“Lock up the servant. Keep him under watch.”

“Yes, sir.”

“D-Duke! Please! Just once! Please!”

The servant’s screams faded as he was dragged away.

Aiden did not even look at him.

Once the noise disappeared, he stood and walked toward the child.

The boy flinched at his towering presence.

“How did you get into the ducal estate? Why were you hiding in the garden? Where are your parents?”

“….”

“This may sound like interrogation, but I only need information. If you cooperate, I’ll provide food. Speak honestly.”

“Food…?”

“Yes.”

The boy’s eyes trembled violently.

After a moment, he finally spoke.

“I came in to cook something… anything. There’s still grass here… my mother used to be a maid here. I don’t know about my father.”

“Where is your mother now?”

“….”

The boy lowered his head, shaking.

“She… she went to the arena.”

“The arena?”

“To place bets on the ‘Feeding Competition.’”

His face twisted as he fought back tears.

Aiden’s jaw tightened.

“She abandoned her child… for that?”

“She didn’t abandon me!”

The boy suddenly shouted.

“She said if we just endure a little, we can eat meat every day! Someone in the next town even bought a big house! So if we just wait… just a little…”

“….”

“Then I could live happily eating good food with my mom…”

Finally, tears fell like glass beads from the boy’s eyes.

His quiet sobbing filled the room.

Aiden’s golden-amber eyes trembled like a storm.

Cruel… utterly vile.

The ‘Feeding Competition’ had countless tragedies—but this was one of them.

People clinging to the faintest chance of wealth like a hostage called hope.

Rumors of sudden riches consumed their minds until they forgot everything else—even their most precious family.

Aiden exhaled heavily.

“Scott.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Find food nearby and give it to the child. Pack some for him to take home as well.”

“…Yes, sir.”

His clenched fist shook.

Knuckles turned white from the force.

When Scott left with the child, Aiden remained alone and muttered bitterly.

“Damn it.”

His hatred for the Emperor surged uncontrollably.

The absolute ruler, who should protect her people, was instead driving them into ruin.

Did she truly deserve the throne?

Or perhaps…

He ran a hand through his black hair in irritation and looked out the window.

“The Emperor has no interest in governing the Empire. Only ruling over it.”

“….”

“If this continues, the Empire will collapse. The capital is already broken. In just five months.”

In the center of the sky, the moon shone coldly—like a watchful eye.

* * *

A few days later, inside the imperial arena.

A new hall was being constructed to replace the collapsed grand banquet hall, but it was still unfinished.

Thus, Aiden’s victory ceremony was forced to be held outdoors in the arena.

Nobles gathered in familiar seating areas, chatting about the recent “Feeding Competition.”

Meanwhile, Aiden and his knights stood in the center of the arena.

Unlike the shaded seats, they stood under the blazing sun.

Uniforms buttoned tightly to the neck, they waited for Mary.

Soon, a loud announcement echoed.

“All hail Her Majesty the Emperor! Her Majesty Mary Ares Strovana has arrived!”

Mary entered first.

Behind her were Evelyn, Robert, and the Chamberlain.

All nobles rose and bowed.

The scene mirrored the “Feeding Competition” exactly, despite the different occasion.

Mary sat and scanned the arena.

“Duke.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Though far apart, their aura allowed their voices to carry easily.

“You have made great sacrifices for the Empire. Are your knights well?”

“Your Majesty, there was fortunately no large-scale engagement in the Brang war. Therefore, I believe the Glaster forces suffered minimal losses.”

“I see. The Count has an excellent memory.”

Her dull gaze shifted downward.

Robert, her loyal supporter, stood and bowed deeply.

“I am honored.”

Unfortunately, Evelyn, seated right behind him, had a clear view of his expression.

His handsome face wore an ecstatic smile that made her stomach turn.

Evelyn forced herself to steady her expression, focusing intently so she would not react.