BID Chapter 117

“Oscar?”

“Ah… sorry.”

I hastily switched to informal speech, as we had agreed to do so in front of my parents. But Genevieve’s face, as she stared at me, was as pale as if something had crushed her.

“Let’s go out.”

As we moved, the servants immediately flocked to us. Among them, moving in perfect unison, only Zachary stood still, quietly gazing in my direction.

“Don’t follow us.”

As soon as I spoke, the servants returned to their original positions. Genevieve naturally wrapped her arm around mine. I flinched involuntarily at the still awkward interlocking of arms. Then, conscious of the Marquis and Marchioness’s gaze, I supported her arm as naturally as possible and began to walk. Like that, the two of us quickly walked to my room. I immediately locked the door.

“Phew.”

Genevieve, looking unwell, pressed her chest tightly and heaved a deep sigh.

“Are you alright? If you’re feeling ill, should I call for a physician?”

“No. I don’t know why, but suddenly I couldn’t breathe. I think I’m okay now…”

She frowned, puzzled. Though she tried to appear calm on the outside, she must have been nervous inside as well.

‘Then, was I also like that because of nervousness?’

Suddenly, I recalled the chill I felt before stepping out of the room.

The atmosphere Zachary exuded was too… to simply dismiss it as mere nervousness.

“So this is your room.”

At that moment, Genevieve whistled softly, looking around curiously. The pale face from earlier had disappeared, replaced by her usual composed demeanor. Seeing her leisurely examining the room alone made me feel exasperated.

“By the way, how could you come so early without any prior notice?”

When I asked with a troubled expression, Genevieve glared at me as if she had been waiting for this.

“You think I came early because I wanted to? I barely managed to contact Princess Celestia’s side, but due to some issue with the priest, we’re running late and there’s not much time left.”

Genevieve sighed deeply and handed me a round bead.

I tilted my head, looking at the large, round bead. My slightly distorted reflection was visible on the surface of the purple glowing bead.

“What is this?”

“It’s an Imperial communication bead. Two people with the same beads can communicate through holy power. The problem is that you need to infuse holy power into it periodically, so you have to go to an Imperial priest regularly to recharge it. But now that priest…”

Her face was filled with irritation. It seems something had gone wrong because of this communication bead, forcing her to hurry.

“Moreover, the Princess’s side is extremely busy and said they couldn’t delay any further, so I had no choice but to move from dawn.”

I wondered how she managed to obtain such a communication bead.

“You have no idea how much funding I had to provide her for this…”

Hearing her mutter, it seems there must have been some kind of deal with the Princess.

“So, can we contact her right away?”

“Yes. That’s why I brought it. Here, if you press this firmly.”

Genevieve inserted her finger into the groove of the bead. After a moment, a voice came from the bead.

– …Miss Raven?

I stared at the bead with curious eyes. Is this like this world’s telephone or something? In the Kingdom of Solaris, which doesn’t believe in gods, there were hardly any items related to holy power like this.

Moreover, I was from the Serpentine family, far removed from holy power. So I had no way of knowing about such artifacts.

“Is the person connected to this communication bead-“

“Yes, it’s Princess Celestia.”

So the owner of the voice I just heard is Princess Celestia.

‘Zachary’s half-sister…’

I tried to recall the original story, but I couldn’t remember the details of their relationship. In the first place, even the memories of my past life were fading, so how could I remember such things?

However, as I was about to start a conversation with the Princess, I found myself with a lot to think about. It was because the goal was truly right before my eyes now.

“Oscar?”

Genevieve urged me, finding it strange that I remained silent.

I quickly collected myself and brought my face close to the bead.

“Ah, can you hear me?”

– Yes, I can hear you well. Please speak.

It felt awkward not being able to see her face, but I continued with my greeting.

“Hello, Your Highness.”

– Who are you?

“I am…”

I wondered if she had been informed to some extent beforehand. I looked at Genevieve, but her expression was ambiguous. It seems she hadn’t had time to give a full explanation due to the time constraints.

‘She probably just asked her to take one call.’

Genevieve didn’t know that the person I wanted to send was an Imperial Prince. So she must have had no choice but to speak vaguely.

“I apologize for contacting you so rudely. I am Oscar Serpentine, the second son of the Serpentine family.”

I greeted her cautiously.

At that moment, the noise from the other side completely disappeared.

– How did you…

Does she know me? Somehow, her reaction was strange.

Come to think of it, there probably isn’t anyone who doesn’t know that the Serpentine family is proficient in sorcery. Of course, in a bad way. Especially for someone from the Holy Empire who regards sorcery as heresy, they would hate it even more.

Then, is her current reaction a reflection of her antipathy towards the Serpentine family? But something feels off about that assumption.

Moreover, didn’t she specifically say “you” rather than referring to the family? It even felt as if she already knew me.

“I don’t have time for a long explanation.”

However, I couldn’t afford to be caught up in unnecessary speculation. The Marquis and Marchioness would still be in conversation, but it would be troublesome to drag this out any longer. Genevieve and I need to return before their conversation ends.

“Zachary Thaddeus, the sixth prince of the Thaddeus Empire, is at the Serpentine estate.”

At that moment, Genevieve’s mouth fell open. I hastily continued speaking.

“However, he has a problem and needs to return to the Empire for treatment. Would it be possible for you to come and fetch him on the date Miss Raven specified? If you can guarantee Zachary’s treatment and safety upon arrival in the Empire, I will do whatever it takes to send him to the Empire.”

I tried to speak as calmly as possible, but strangely, it felt as if my throat was constricting, and I had to force out my voice several times. Even though it was so obvious that I should send him back, strangely…

‘No. I need to send him back as soon as possible.’

I composed my expression with a resolute heart. I can no longer be trapped by personal emotions. If Zachary stays in this mansion any longer, he will eventually break down just like in the original story.

– …

Celestia didn’t respond immediately. A momentary silence fell. Celestia remained silent, while Genevieve looked at me as if demanding an explanation for all of this right away. I quietly waited for Celestia’s answer.

– I…

I could feel Celestia hesitating. And then.

– I cannot accept that proposal.

An unexpected answer came.

“Pardon?”

It seemed Genevieve felt the same way.

Zachary Thaddeus. Genevieve must know that he is Celestia’s half-brother.

First, she must have been surprised by the fact that Celestia’s missing half-brother was here, and second, she was clearly shocked by Celestia’s refusal.

‘Even if there’s a succession battle going on, weren’t they on good terms with Zachary?’

The reason I sought Celestia’s help was because of the scene still vividly etched in my mind. She defended Zachary, who had committed a massacre. She pleaded that her brother wasn’t originally such a cruel person. Celestia was the only one who protected him.

Because of that memory, I thought she and Zachary had quite an affectionate relationship.

“If… if you’re concerned about the succession battle, there’s no need to worry. He’s not in a state to do such things.”

– I know better than anyone that that child is not one to participate in the succession battle. That’s not the reason. In the first place…

The Princess seemed about to say something but then closed her mouth. Then what could be the real reason? Judging by the trembling in her voice, she seemed to be shaken by Zachary’s existence, but…

“I don’t know why the Empire’s sixth prince is here, but you’ve involved me in a complicated matter.”

Genevieve, who interjected, clicked her tongue irritably. She looked determined to hear an explanation that would convince her one way or another. She pushed me aside and spoke to Celestia.

“Princess Celestia. If you cannot accept this proposal, I’ll have no choice but to reclaim the funds I’ve provided so far.”

– …Miss Raven, are you daring to threaten me?

Celestia’s surprise could be felt through the bead.

“It’s not a threat, but a polite request. If you refuse this proposal, I’m sorry, but naturally there will be no further support in the future.”

– Miss Raven! This is different from what you said. Do you think I would leave you unscathed when I ascend to the throne?

“That would only be possible if I still have my money, wouldn’t it? If this doesn’t work out, I really won’t be able to provide support, and I’m not just saying that. You know that my funds are tied up with my family, don’t you? If this goes well, I promise overflowing support.”

– But from the beginning, that child…!

She seemed to open her mouth as if wronged by Genevieve’s stern attitude, but then she didn’t continue and firmly closed her lips.

Raven seemed to be more intricately involved with Celestia than I had expected. From what I could gather, it seemed that the Princess currently needed a lot of funds to succeed to the throne.

And it appears she received that money from Genevieve. For the Princess to react like this, it must be a considerable amount without a doubt.

Even from this brief conversation, I could infer what was happening. The Princess had run out of funds due to the prolonged succession battle.

Genevieve Raven’s competence impressed me anew. Just the fact that she had funded Celestia, one of the most likely candidates for the throne, was impressive enough. I could easily imagine how much effort she must have put in to establish a deal with Celestia. Thanks to her, I was fortunately able to contact Celestia.

– …Sigh. Alright. Then if you agree to one condition, we can proceed.

“A condition…”

– It would take too long to explain, but it’s not difficult. By the way, when do you expect the date to be?

I wanted to ask more details about the condition, but due to the rapid flow of the conversation, there was no opportunity to do so.

“Let’s coordinate the date as quickly as possible. That way, Your Highness can receive the funds faster. Let’s see, the possible date is…”

– Imperial Calendar, December 19th.

Celestia said firmly.

– It must be that day without fail.

It was a date ten days from now.