Poisoned Chalice (4)
“I’m glad you look healthy. Fenia.”
“no. Thank you for your hard work in coming this far. “Abama.”
The next plan was a dinner at the royal residence where Fenia was staying.
As the emperor himself came to inspect the lodgings where his youngest daughter was staying, the interior of the royal family’s lodgings was neater and neater than ever. The section where we come to eat was in perfect cleanliness, to the point where you could feel the enthusiasm to remove even a single speck of dust.
Faced with a banquet prepared to break the legs of the magnificent table, Emperor Cloel, Selaha, and Fenia continued their meal.
“Persica didn’t come. “I thought she wouldn’t miss a place like this.”
“Wasn’t there a lot of times when he stayed in the library whenever he had time and didn’t even attend the royal family’s schedule? “Ever since your second sister was young, she was so absorbed in something that she would not even pay attention to anything else.”
Emperor Cloel, who was just in a good mood after chatting with his daughter, asked Princess Fenia a lot about her current situation.
Fenia, who went to a foreign country and put her learning into practice at a young age, must have been so happy that she smiled kindly from time to time.
Unlike when he always sits solemnly in the throne room, he looks quite down to earth. Since there are very few eyes on the subject, there is no need to dress the body with dignity.
Seeing him as if he had let go of the weight of the emperor and returned to being a father, Fenia felt like her heart was softening.
“oh… I was really worried about you at first, but seeing you adjusting so well seems to put my mind at ease. Fenia.”
Eventually, Princess Selaha said something she didn’t even mean to say.
There was an unwritten rule between the three princesses. At the very least, we want to be friendly sisters in front of Emperor Cloel.
Of course, Emperor Cloel knows that the sisters have a very uncomfortable relationship with each other due to the dispute over the succession to the throne.
Still, I did not want to bring the political dispute to a private meeting. No matter what, we are a blood-related family.
“Do you know how surprised I was when I heard that the eldest son of the Ross Taylor family had been excommunicated shortly after entering school?”
Eventually, Princess Selaha began to cry.
This was the story of when Princess Fenia excommunicated Ed Rosstaylor. It feels like a long time ago now, but less than two years have passed.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you so kindly step on someone so aggressively, and I thought you’d changed a lot after being exposed to a new environment.”
“Sister Selaha.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s bad. No one who rules can turn a blind eye to the injustice of those under him. but… ”
Princess Selaha spoke politely while cutting the meat served by the servant with a knife.
“The student named Ed Rosstaylor, whom I saw at the duel meeting today, is doing well in school.”
“Excommunication from the family does not mean expulsion from Sylvania Academy. If I wanted to, I could have followed through with Sylvania’s bachelor’s degree and gotten expelled from school… ”
“You didn’t do that. After all, if he is just a middle schooler, even if we don’t make an effort to expel him, he will fall out on his own because he won’t be able to pay the tuition.”
However, Ed Rosstaylor stuck with Sylvania Academy until the end.
At this point, it would be easy to give up everything and go to the city and live by begging.
According to what Princess Selaha learned, a man named Ed Rosstaylor had set up a cabin camp in the northern forest and seems to have been living a wild life.
Although it was only fragmentary information collected over half a day, it was still somewhat reliable information.
“And, I also played the lottery at the Ross Taylor mansion’s social club… In fact, it is safe to say that he has recovered his original status. Fenia, did you stay quiet even after seeing this?”
“I knew my judgment was wrong.”
Even Fenia knows Selaha’s intentions. to make a scratch
It highlights the fact that he was using the authority of the imperial family to push a high-ranking noble into a corner and leave him alone.
Princess Fenia attacked with a straight attack.
“The man named Ed Rosstaylor was not so cruel and nasty that he should have been excommunicated. “He had to suffer and waste several years because of my lapse in judgment.”
“Penia. When you live as a member of the royal family, you can’t always make wise decisions. It is not uncommon for one wrong decision to push someone’s life into a corner. “Even if you make the right decision, it’s like that.”
“I guess so. But that doesn’t mean the damage goes away.”
Princess Fenia stopped talking and lowered her eyes.
Selaha laughed out loud at that sight.
The scenario is so perfect.
Ed Rosstaylor was excommunicated from the family due to Fenia’s wrong judgment and had to crawl on the floor.
A mistake that even Fenia himself acknowledged.
And, Ed Rosstaylor, who had to go through painful times due to that mistake, regained his position by making it on his own.
And, Ed Rosstaylor praised Selaha’s merits. And that too at the end of a dramatic duel meeting.
After the duel was over, Emperor Cloel met with Ed Rothtaylor along with Selaha and praised him for his achievements.
Emperor Cloel seemed to be greatly impressed by Ed Rosstaylor’s dependable and dignified appearance.
The sight of a man named Ed Rosstaylor, who is once again winning through his own efforts, emphasizes Fenia’s mistakes and at the same time reveals Selaha’s credit for putting him back on track.
In Emperor Cloel’s eyes, it would seem that the trustworthy older sister had taken care of the immature younger brother’s mistakes.
It couldn’t be more perfect than this.
Ed Rosstaylor… Its very existence is enhancing Selaha’s own political standing.
Additionally, looking at the strangely unconfident appearance of Princess Fenia, a new possibility arose in Selaha’s head.
Princess Fenia is always doing things wrong because she cares too much about the feelings of her lowly subordinates… In Selah’s eyes, she just looks like a foolish idealist.
An emperor is one who reigns.
A person who shows sluggishness while worrying about the opinions of those below him is not suitable to be a monarch.
That fact… Didn’t Ed Rothtaylor know either?
If you think about it, it’s strange.
Fenia is the one who put Ed Rothtaylor in the abyss, so why on earth is Ed Rothtaylor attached to Princess Fenia’s power?
Looking at the man I’ve met a few times, I know that he has the qualities of a ruler.
He is the type of person who always finds the answer without getting upset over the slightest mistake or unexpected situation.
In Selaha’s eyes, the qualities of the author, Ed Rothtaylor, are clearly visible.
He is a wolf-like person who cannot be easily tamed. It is very strange for such a person to voluntarily bow his head and go under Fenia.
‘In the first place… Was he not loyal deep down in his heart? ?’
Selaha was lost in thought for a moment, scanning her chin, and then asked Fenia as if she were wondering.
“So, I heard that guy is close to you.”
“actually… It’s not that close. He is a man who rarely stays in the royal family’s quarters, and stays in his cabin, minding his own business. “He doesn’t actually seem to have much interest in the title of duke.”
Is Ed perhaps in control of the relationship between Fenia and Ed Rosstaylor?
When that possibility came to mind, Selaha suppressed a hearty laugh.
Do you mean that a person born with royal blood can be swayed by a duke?
Even, Princess Fenia is more sincere than you might think.
He got really angry at Selaha’s move to use Ed as a political scapegoat, and even slapped him.
At the imperial meeting, there was even a move as if they were openly trying to reinstate the Ross Taylor family.
I thought that Ed Rosstaylor was really lying down and being loyal to Fenia because he was so active, but… It was the opposite.
‘You’ve really gone as far as you can, Fenia. The blood of the royal family is shameful.’
Ed Rosstaylor is a powerful weapon, but it is meaningless in the hands of someone who does not know how to wield it.
Slowly, the man’s surroundings and the whole story seem to come into view. I think I also understand why he was suddenly praising himself at the duel meeting.
Did he think that, like Fenia, he could also be easily held and shaken?
However, it seems that the fact that Selaha is completely different from Fenia has been overlooked. Should I call him cocky or ambitious? His challenging attitude almost makes me laugh.
If you put your mind to it, it doesn’t seem like it would be that difficult to get that man in your hands. During this festival period, a specific methodology comes to mind that will completely lead that man to Selaha’s faction.
As she cut the meat with a knife, Princess Selaha smiled heartily.
*Orte and Sayla, who were quietly looking at the cabin full of life, could not close their mouths.
In the end, Lucy, who had no reason to go back because the concert was over, and Belle, who had no choice but to follow because she was so anxious about the situation, accompanied her.
When I first walked through the forest path of the North Forest, I guess I imagined that there was a mansion belonging to the Ross Taylor family secretly hidden in the forest…
Unfortunately, this cabin camp can never be called a mansion.
“The second floor is a magic engineering workshop that I personally use. The first floor is where I mainly live. Since most work is done around a campfire, quite a few tools are needed… “All the cooking utensils are gathered nearby.”
“Yes, it’s very different from what I imagined. “Hey, Master Ed.”
“Well, it would be a lot different if you were thinking of living a grand and luxurious life. “I find it easier to live like this in the first place.”
After putting his bag on the workbench, Ed sat down on a stump near the campfire and talked.
“and… “That’s your daughter’s cabin.”
I was shocked to find that Yenica Palover, who I thought was living a luxurious life in Ofilis Pavilion, was living a wild life in a corner of the forest.
Orte almost lost his mind at that fact, and Sayla felt dizzy for a moment.
“Uh, since when… ?”
“It’s been about a year.”
“1 year… ?! then… then… ”
By the standards of the Failover couple, if a man and woman in their prime lived together for a year on a street like this… In fact, it means the same thing as having seen everything.
Could it be that this is the world of nobility? Is it possible to live together like this without any problems?
Sayla lifted her eyes for a moment and looked at Yenika, who was sitting on the opposite tree stump and sweating coldly.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner…?” ! Yenika… !”
“Well, that’s… .”
“this… this… . I can’t believe I’m living such a romantic school life… !”
Ed’s method of confidently taking the stance of revealing the truth through public methods is… It wasn’t wrong either. If you try to hide something like this, it becomes more suspicious and things get complicated.
Ortega Sayla is an open-minded parent despite appearances.
He is not at all the type of person to scold his daughter to death for living a wild life and living with a man outside of her family.
Soon, Ortega applauded steadily and laughed heartily.
“is it… Is Yenika already that age too? ! A romantic camping life in this wild place… Surely, such romance is possible… ! I never thought that I would be stuck in a corner of a rural ranch forever, living like a woman milking cows… !”
“dad… Your voice is too loud… !”
“Hahaha, no one is listening, so why…” ! It’s definitely a nice forest… ! Master Ed, I saw you again! “I just imagined you to be an aristocratic and old-fashioned person, but surprisingly, you understand what a man’s life is like!”
“… It’s not something that will lift you up that much. “I just started camping because I had unavoidable circumstances.”
“Still, seeing such a wonderful cabin and camp, you must have grown attached to it. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to create a place filled with so much love!”
Orte was also skilled in woodworking and manual dexterity. All repairs to the equipment at Failover Ranch were Orte’s responsibility.
That’s why I could feel the affection everywhere in Ed’s camp. No matter what anyone says, Ed Rosstaylor has a lot of affection for this camp.
“Besides… Who would have thought that the man Nika was talking about was Master Ed… I think this Orte saved the country in his past life… !”
“The man Yenika was talking about?”
“Wow! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! The weather! The weather is so nice!!! By the way, you said you would cook with the meat that Mom and Dad brought?! What are you going to cook?! Can I help you?! You don’t know where your household items are, right? You seem like you’re going to be a bit lost, but I’ll help you! Ed, it’s no fun if you find out in advance, so stay in the cabin for now!”
Belle almost burst into tears as she watched Yenika flutter and struggle with all her might. She wonders if there is any way she can help, but no matter how much she thinks, there is no way.
“I can’t believe I’m feeling this happy! I’m really glad I came to Aken Island! I feel the most excited I have ever felt! I want to go back to the village quickly and tell people about this good news… ! Isn’t that right, Sayla!”
“is it so… Hehehe, our Yenika is already… You’ve grown so much… ”
At those words, Yenika looked as if she had been stabbed in the abdomen.
It’s all over. Now, when you return to Pulan, your hometown, you will be greeted by a group of village women dancing and celebrating Yenika as if they had been waiting for you.
“By the way, Master Ed. Are you good at shooting a bow? This Orte, I am proud of my bow skills. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to compete against you someday.”
“I just practiced for a while. “It would be nice if I could be taught something.”
“shit… ! I’m about to cry… ! Is this what tears of joy are like? ! I never thought it would be such a thrill to have a dream come true… !”
Orte, whose greatest dream was to go archery shooting with his son-in-law and have a drink, was literally on the verge of tears.
It’s hard for Ed to follow the stream of consciousness, wondering why this is so touching.
They are energetic people. And I just understand.
“I thought you might be displeased because your daughter is living a very different life than you thought.”
“Well… ! Master Ed! Do you think we are the kind of people who would be offended by something like this? Rather, I am proud of my daughter who is actively developing her own life! You’ve really grown up, you’ve grown up. Yenika!”
“Of course, Master Ed! He’s really open-minded about this, so you don’t have to worry too much about it! Rather, I am just worried that my daughter, who is lacking in our position, might cause trouble! I was a bit surprised at first, but when I heard that someone as trustworthy as Master Ed would be living with me, I was rather… ”
– Squeak
At that time, the door to Lortel’s villa inside opened.
It’s late. The sun was already setting.
Still, Lortel usually comes home much later. If the delivery schedule is delayed or delayed, there are many cases where people go out to work early in the morning and never return.
Therefore, I could not bear to think that Lortel would be home at a time when the sun was just beginning to set.
“Oh my, Senior Ed. Today’s festival schedule is… ”
Saying those words, Lortel, who pushed open the door in an elegantly dressed posture, was faced with the sight of Yenika’s parents making a fuss, Yenika sitting quietly, Lucy lying on her stomach on a nearby tree stump, It was Belle, looking at Lortel with wide eyes.
Lortel’s early departure from work was an act bordering on a complete whim. Unfortunately, there was no one present who could have predicted that whim.
“oh… ”
It was difficult for Lortel himself to immediately understand the sudden situation, so he had to stand for a moment in front of the gathered people holding the doorknob.
*“Oh, hello. My name is Lortel Kecheln, the current acting president of the Elte Chamber of Commerce, the head of the Sylvania branch, and a second-year student at Sylvania Academy. If you were Pulan, would you be delivering livestock products to the gateway city of Kletz? I know some people at the Elte Chamber of Commerce branch in Kletz, and it was rumored to be a place with good air and water. Are bacon cheese rolls still sold in the market these days? “It suited my taste perfectly and I still remember how delicious it was.”
Lortel is amazing when it comes to affinity.
This is because it is natural for a merchant to be able to converse eloquently with people he or she has met for the first time.
The Palover couple, who had just been behaving wildly and laughing with joy, sat down by the bonfire as soon as Lortel Kecheln appeared and began to sweat profusely.
I didn’t say there were two women living with me.
And, of course, the woman who came out from the inside was actually a key figure in the Elte Trading Company, which was in charge of 30% of the distribution of livestock products in Toren Village.
“ha ha ha… okay. Lortel… Kecheln Nari… ”
“It’s Toren Village… I’ve heard many times that Senior Yenika is from Pulan, but I never imagined that she was from Toren Village. Toren’s livestock products are of really good quality. “It’s such a good product that even our Elte company is purchasing quite a lot of it.”
There is a bone in the horse.
Jenica stamped her feet as she looked at the Palover couple, who had suddenly become worldly ladies and gentlemen.
“Dad mom..! Don’t be discouraged… ! Just because our livestock products aren’t selling doesn’t mean we have to worry about others… ! My daughter was given a baronetcy… !”
“Well, that’s true, but… Most of the village people have sales outlets near Elte Trading Company… ”
“They say we can make a good living, but the village people are completely different… ”
Yenika seemed to be losing her mind.
Lortel and Yenika are close to each other. I don’t want to bow down for a few bucks… !
but… In a situation where the livelihood of the villagers depends on it, it seems unlikely that the Failover couple will raise their heads easily… !
“Oh my, there’s no need for you two to feel so uncomfortable~.”
Lortel sat down next to Ed, holding the mug filled with herbal tea with both hands and carefully placing it on his lap.
It looked elegant and neat, but it felt like a ghost was lurking behind it.
ah… Is this the power of reality?
Are adults so helpless and broken in the face of money and interests?
As if she had realized that fact, Yenica looked as if she had lost her homeland to which she could return.
“As you can see, I live in the same camp as senior Ed. “Is there any reason for me to do anything to harm the two people that Senior Ed considers so special?”
The way she naturally clings to Ed doesn’t seem like they’ve been together for a year or two.
The Palover couple, who were looking at the two people with their eyes wide open so wide that they thought they might burst out, soon began to break into a cold sweat.
When I first noticed that the master of the Rosstaylor family had a strange atmosphere like Yenika, I felt such a sense of joy that the whole world seemed like paradise… When I thought about it, I overlooked the fact that the private lives of noblemen were all promiscuous.
At first, I couldn’t consider such a possibility due to Ed’s impression of being dependable and sturdy, but he was also a decent nobleman.
“as… How many people are there… ?”
Ortega asked with difficulty.
Before Ed could respond, Lortel struck first.
“About seven people… ? No, it seems like there are about 11 people recently..?”
He clung to Ed’s side and answered with a satisfied smile.
There are very few people here who truly understand the meaning of Ortega’s question. Lortel, who was the quickest and most perceptive of all, was able to organize the entire situation in an instant and then give an answer.
Lortel, who is good at improvising, was able to instantly judge which answer would be most beneficial to him in the current situation. Indeed, she can be said to be a fox-like woman.
Before Ed can say anything, Lortel adds.
“Not that many, maybe… ? We mutually agreed… ”
Sayla Palover looked shocked, and then her lips began to turn bluish.
Then, how old is Yenika, and how old is Lortel, the real power of Elte Company?
Lortel’s sudden response sent the Palover couple into a state of panic. Is this the life of a nobleman?
This was the moment when Belle, who had been quietly listening, thought it was dangerous to go any further and was about to intervene.
“I’m so tired.”
Lucy, who had been quietly lying on a tree stump, suddenly stood up, yawned, and stretched.
It’s a cute movement that looks like a small squirrel has just woken up from its sleep.
Now that I think about it, what is this wizard who has been accompanying me as if it were a natural thing?
“I’m going to sleep.”
When Ortega and Sayla finally began to wonder such questions, Lucy left those words and walked away from the campfire.
The bouncing gait, filled with magical energy, is exciting.
And, the place where Lucy opened the door and went to sleep… It was Ed’s cabin.
– Bang!
Naturally, Lucy went into Ed’s cabin to sleep and closed the door.
“… ”
“… ”
“… ”
Belle rubbed her face as if she was having a hard time. Even if you are a top-notch maid, it is impossible to control this kind of chaos.
Among the people sitting awkwardly in the center of the chaos, only the crackling sound of the bonfire was breaking the silence.
perfeito lucy