What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 138

#138 The Real Deal Appears, Now (1)

The morning at Romero Palace was quiet.

-Squeak!

-Grumble…

…It wasn’t entirely quiet, but since no one reacted, it was effectively quiet.

Cedric sipped his coffee, listlessly flipping through documents.

He didn’t care what the two Divine Beasts, left in the Imperial Palace, did.

It was annoying that they hovered around him while he was handling state affairs and stayed in his bedroom at night, but it was said that the Divine Beasts’ work was no different from the work of the Main God.

So, he sat silently alone at his vast office desk.

Occasionally, servants, including David, brought refreshments.

-Squeak!

Finally, Perry flapped his black ears and climbed onto the desk.

The Crown Prince frowned slightly.

When he ignored Perry and reached for the next document, the Divine Beast moved nimbly, placing his two front paws on the stack of papers with a thud!

It was a clear obstruction of business.

“…Annoying.”

Emboldened by Perry, Lea climbed up the desk leg and stood beside her companion.

The most timid of the three Divine Beasts was, for some reason, staring straight at him.

Cedric sighed softly. It seemed like they were asking for toys again.

-Snap!

-Whoosh!

When he took off his glove and flicked his fingers, a long, snake-like flame appeared.

The ‘Fire Snake’ moved wildly as if it were alive.

However, the Divine Beasts showed no interest.

He had gone to the trouble of providing new toys, but the reaction was lukewarm.

This time, the Crown Prince’s brow furrowed.

The blazing snake quickly turned into sparks and disappeared.

“What is it you want?”

-Squeak…

He asked, putting on his glove. Perry approached with an attitude that said, ‘Now we can talk.’

The Crown Prince couldn’t tell if he was projecting too much of a human image onto the Divine Beast, or if the Divine Beast was mimicking humans too much.

Soon, Perry conjured an orange begonia from his nose.

“Do you want to perform tricks?”

-Whimper.

The Divine Beast whimpered sadly and rolled around.

He covered his head with his front paws and curled up in the corner of the table.

Lea grinned, conjuring a bluish-gray cornflower from her nose. It was a familiar color.

-Squeak!

Lea jumped up and down, acting cute.

Then, Perry, who had been dejected, suddenly stood up.

The Divine Beast, who had quickly withered the begonia, now conjured a purple tulip on his forehead.

And then,

-Squeak!

He charged towards Lea. Soon, the two of them became one and rolled around on the desk.

Documents fluttered here and there, and purple and blue petals swirled before his eyes.

Cedric stared down at the two Divine Beasts with a face as stiff as a statue.

The lone orange begonia, and the other two getting along. It was a blatant metaphor.

“Are you trying to–”

-Knock knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. The Crown Prince tried to focus his senses on the sacred stone in his heart.

It was absurd to be swayed by the provocations of the tiny Divine Beasts.

Soon, David entered and paid his respects.

“Your Highness. Urgent news from Serenite [a territory].”

“……”

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered. The servant continued calmly.

“Yesterday evening, near the Lord’s Castle, Marquis Yeser and the Sarnez ducal family’s carriage procession were ambushed by a band of about 40 robbers.”

Both knew that Elisabeth could easily handle that many adversaries.

It was nothing important.

“They were all arrested and imprisoned in the Lord’s Castle, and there were no casualties.”

“I didn’t know the Marquis enjoyed irony.”

Cedric retorted.

This was a typical Liester upper-class jest, meaning it was amusing that the prince was caught up in an accident in Serenite, which means ‘peace’ and ‘comfort’.

David smiled serenely and replied.

“It is only after turmoil in body and mind that one realizes the preciousness of comfort. You have given it a good name, Your Highness.”

“……”

“The carriage is ready at any time.”

The servant bowed politely and withdrew.

The Divine Beasts, who had come down to his lap, began to press against the Crown Prince’s stiff stomach, as if begging for something.

The veins stood out on the man’s hand.

Everyone, including the impious teacher, urged him to act first.

Cedric Liester was a noble member of the Imperial Family.

He had never felt the need to do so.

*

“How could this happen…”

Everyone stationed at the Serenite Lord’s Castle was employed by the Imperial Family.

From next month, I would be paying their salaries, but until recently, they were the Emperor’s servants.

It was no wonder that the whole castle was in an uproar over the outrageous news of the attack, and the servants and maids stayed up all night.

Rather, it seemed like our group slept the best.

I was eating breakfast in the room next to the bedroom when I raised my head.

Chantal, the head of the Lord’s Castle servants, was pacing anxiously. There were dark circles under her eyes.

“It’s alright, Chantal. No one was hurt.”

“To think that such precious people would suffer such an ordeal as soon as they arrived in the territory, it’s all our fault for not being faithful.”

She poured out her self-reproach at my words.

Chantal, in her late fifties, was from a baronet family that had served the Imperial Family since her great-grandmother’s generation.

She had a sharp and stern impression when she gave me her first greeting last night, but she had been making that expression ever since she saw the string of robbers being dragged in.

“Madam Chantal, the Marquis truly doesn’t mind. He is only worried that there might be others who have suffered the same damage.”

Benjamin comforted her. I gave a bright smile.

“Please tell the others that they don’t need to worry about me. Actually, I’m the one who brought those guys.”

Then, I put a bite of fruit salad with honey on it into my mouth.

The sweet and sour strawberries and blueberries were mixed with Comte cheese [a type of French cheese], creating a rich and fresh taste.

Chantal looked bewildered, but she seemed relieved to see me clear four plates of buckwheat crepes.

I was glad that eating well could be helpful at times.

-Knock knock.

“Come in.”

I swallowed the food and answered.

It was Lady Elisabeth and Ganael who appeared beyond the door.

“Did you sleep well, Marquis?”

“Good morning, Vice Captain. Was there any progress?”

I asked, wiping my mouth with a napkin, and she replied reliably.

“Yes. The manpower guarding the Lord’s Castle consists only of a small number of knights and imperial soldiers, but I have reported to His Majesty, so additional troops will be coming.”

I nodded.

Although I had received the title of Marquis, it was a position that ambiguously straddled honorary and practical duties.

Because I was both a partner of the Imperial Family’s priest and a hostage from an enemy country, it was the result of Frederick the Emperor’s fierce compromise.

Unlike other nobles, I could not grant knighthoods or have private soldiers.

However, as a Marquis, I received taxes from the territory, and since my authority was clear, I could also perform basic administrative acts.

Anyway. It didn’t matter to us, but it was troublesome if people inside and outside the Lord’s Castle were in the same danger.

It was a good thing if more soldiers came.

“Also, the guards interrogated the robber gang last night, and all the robbers are first-timers.”

“Yes?”

This was unexpected. Ganael also widened his golden eyes.

“They admit that their usual behavior is terrible. According to the guards who investigated the surrounding villages, they often caused trouble in stores and didn’t pay their debts. However, they have never wielded weapons or committed robbery.”

“So, they met us as soon as they conspired to make a big score as a group.”

“That’s right.”

Lady Elisabeth also raised the corners of her mouth as I burst out laughing.

At this point, it seemed like we weren’t the unlucky ones, but them.

Of course, they should be punished for their heinous acts.

“And… Their leader revealed that she is the eldest of the Ahs family.”

“Yes?”

This was truly shocking news. I bit my tongue, wondering if I had misheard.

Ganael and Chantal were shocked, and Benjamin groaned.

Lady Elisabeth, who was speaking, also had a troubled face.

“To be exact, she introduced herself as Joan de Ahs. She is confident that her younger brother, Emil, will pay the bail.”

‘Do you know me? Huh? Do you know who my brother is!’

The resounding voice came to mind.

I had heard that the Ahs merchant was influential in the region, and I also knew that his sister was a famous troublemaker, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent.

I quickly organized my thoughts. First of all, what’s important is.

“What does the Sarnez Duke say?”

“He sent a messenger to the Ahs merchant early this morning. He expressed strong regret, so the meeting with the merchant may be canceled.”

Lady Elisabeth replied. It was natural.

Even if the sister city relationship wasn’t canceled, the Duke was insulted that an accident had occurred while escorting the prince.

I looked at Demi and Dduk-ssim, who were lying next to me, and asked.

“Did they say what their motive was?”

“That’s the problem. The subordinates testify that Ahs ordered them to do it, and she only repeats that she will get out on bail.”

I swallowed the sigh that came out with the tea. Troublesome things happened from the very first day in the territory.

But now that I had become the ‘Lord’, I couldn’t just imprison the criminals and pretend I didn’t know.

I raised my eyes and met Lady Elisabeth’s gray eyes.

“I will meet her.”

*

Chantal busily left the room, saying she would take care of the Lord’s Castle’s unsettling atmosphere.

Lady Elisabeth, accompanied by the guards, led the way.

Hugging Demi in my arms, I followed behind with Benjamin and Ganael.

Dduk-ssim sat on the crown of my head.

I chuckled, finding it funny that I was touring the prison on my first day in the territory.

How did this happen? Is it because I’m moving with the protagonist?

“Has Sir Sarnez woken up?”

“Yes, he is having breakfast.”

Benjamin immediately informed me. The Duke’s family was staying in the guest room of the Lord’s Castle.

I nodded and observed the unfamiliar corridor.

Inside the stone walls, there were tapestries so luxurious that my mouth dropped open.

They were not simple patterns, but fabrics depicting people and backgrounds, most of which dealt with the achievements of the late Emperor Celine, who ended the era of war.

Thick wood formed a splendid arch, supporting the ceiling.

The tables and silver trays placed everywhere were sparkling.

It made me smile wryly, showing how much the people of the Lord’s Castle had suffered to welcome me.

I hoped things would work out well.

“This way.”

Lady Elisabeth gestured. It was amazing that she had already memorized the structure despite it being her first time. I was amazed that we had already passed through three spires. Surely there was only one way.

-Tap, tap.

-Thud, thud…

The carpet ended after passing through the stairs leading down.

The footsteps echoed loudly, and there was no light except for the torches.

By the time the guards opened the huge iron door, I really felt like I had entered a prison.

There was a musty smell of mold and water.

Dduk-ssim came down from my head and burrowed into my jacket pocket.

I stroked him with my fingertips as I walked.

-Clang!

I flinched.

“Wake up. Joan de Ahs. The Marquis of Serenite wishes to see you.”

“Ah, it’s killing my head…”

Lady Elisabeth, who kicked a certain iron bar, said coldly.

Joan’s grumbling echoed through the hallway.

I straightened my back and revealed myself in front of her.

A woman with light brown skin, wearing a luxurious cloth on her head, flinched when she saw me.

I could still smell the alcohol.

“What is it? You really have purple eyes.”

“Show some respect. Surely you know who this is?”

“Hello.”

I greeted first.

Joan, who was sprawled out on the floor, narrowed her eyes as if she had seen something strange, and slowly prostrated herself.

However, she didn’t stop grumbling.

“I get backstabbed by the same imperial people, and I become a prisoner of the enemy prince…”

“Why did you do it?”

I asked immediately.

It wasn’t the time to ask about her well-being, and it didn’t seem like Joan wanted that either.

Then she raised her head sharply.

“Why should I answer? If you’re angry, just kill me without asking. Isn’t that what you guys usually do?”

“I think you have committed a great crime, but not one that deserves death. I think you can be reformed enough.”

“Reformation my ass. Ptooey.”

She spat on the stone floor. I tilted my head with a troubled expression.

“Shall I give a revelation?”

“…What?”

“What I did yesterday. I can open a circle and force you to confess. I’m asking you now out of respect for your free will.”

Joan made an absurd face at my words. She opened her jaw as if she was dumbfounded, and then let out a hollow breath.

I just waited.

I had accurately conveyed my sincerity to her, so there was no need to persuade her further.

We met as the lord and the prisoner, not to become friends.

“…It seems like 5 minutes have passed. I will open the sanctuary.”

“Okay, I’ll talk! Damn it!”

She shouted. Ganael frowned.

Joan scratched the back of her head and wiped her cheeks roughly, and then made a shocking statement.

“My brother is trying to seduce some noble lady coming from the Imperial City this time and marry her. I caused an accident to stop that. Are you satisfied?”