Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 32

Chapter Title: A Deal with the Mercenary King

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Inside the carriage sat a man wearing a mask.

His eyes, now an ordinary brown thanks to magic, stared straight at me. It was fascinating how their intense gaze remained unchanged despite the color shift.

The shape of his pupils had changed too, which was newly intriguing.

His hair was black as well, but it probably wasn't dyed. Switching between blond and black on a whim would require some kind of magic.

I stepped into the carriage, closed the door, and said brightly,

"Thank you for taking the commission, Mercenary King Gerald."

"……."

Even with the mask on, I could clearly see his face twist in displeasure.

That's right. The conversation I'd had with Arpad back in the study earlier wasn't just to emphasize how close we were.

This was closer to the main point. I'd whispered softly into his ear,

"Mercenary King Gerald. It's a commission."

And as I'd hoped, Arpad had disguised himself as Gerald in secret, waiting obediently in the carriage for me.

Arpad let out a low sigh before speaking coldly.

"I'm a little disappointed in you."

This reaction was expected too.

I sat across from him, casually interlocking my fingers as I asked,

"Disappointed about what? Oh, did you know? Disappointment only comes from expectations. What did you expect so much from me?"

"……."

"Won't you tell me? If you let me know what you expected, I can do my best to live up to it."

Arpad turned his head away and clamped his mouth shut.

I grinned and nailed it down before he could solidify his unfounded disappointment.

"Are you disappointed because I couldn't handle my own family affairs and had to ask Crown Prince Arpad for help?"

"So you do know."

I shrugged.

"Of course. It was too obvious. You're not testing me with just one or two things."

It was similar to the emperor's behavior toward both of us.

A father and son who didn't get along but shared so many similarities.

There was no need to mention how he was monitoring how I treated the maid he'd assigned me.

He was probably observing every little action of mine.

What kind of person I was. Whether I was worth the price he'd paid. And so on.

But here I was, blurting out "Help me!" on something this important.

It was understandable why he'd be disappointed.

'Of course I can't just let him stay disappointed. Who does he think he is, getting disappointed without my permission!'

I opened my mouth with a beaming smile.

"By the way, the Black Mercenary Corps must have been mobilized too, right?"

The Black Mercenary Corps was the name of the mercenary group led by Gerald.

"Since you specifically addressed me as Mercenary King Gerald and all, I did issue standby orders near Delphin Manor."

"Good job. Such a good boy."

I patted Arpad—no, Mercenary King Gerald's—head.

The man grimaced even more and dodged my touch.

It was exactly like a finicky cat.

"I would tell Crown Prince Arpad that there's no need to be disappointed with me."

"In what way?"

"Because I didn't ask Crown Prince Arpad for help."

The man in front of me wasn't Crown Prince Arpad, but Mercenary King Gerald.

"I just commissioned a mercenary. Why should the Crown Prince be disappointed?"

"You know it's just wordplay, right?"

I let out a "Hah!" and laughed.

"Wordplay? Someone who knows how important legitimacy is..."

I added the decisive line.

"Besides, the Mercenary King Gerald and the Black Mercenary Corps haven't been active lately, have they? A long dry spell like this must be tough for you too."

"……."

As far as I knew, the mercenary world was fiercely competitive. Naturally, the Black Mercenary Corps needed consistent results to hold onto the top spot.

Even if his subordinates handled things on their own, there were limits.

'The boss needs to pull off something flashy and newsworthy to keep the name value up.'

So, this "commission" of mine was far from a loss for Mercenary King Gerald.

There was no reply from Arpad, but I was certain.

This could only be met with agreement.

"So, it's mutual benefit. Hilia Delphin hires a mercenary group personally to handle her family's internal strife."

"And while we're at it, give the long-absent Mercenary King Gerald a chance to shine?"

"You catch on quick. That's why I like you."

Arpad's expression visibly softened at my words.

"It's not entirely wrong. Crown Prince Arpad and the Mercenary King are different people, after all."

"Exactly. Of course they are."

I let out a subtle sigh of relief.

For me, the idea of whispering to the Crown Prince to borrow the imperial knights just to control my own household was unappealing.

It wouldn't help my reputation at all.

'Better to handle it by hiring mercenaries personally.'

In truth, hiring mercenaries to deal with my own family's knights was embarrassing enough.

It screamed that the household wasn't in order.

'But if the mercenary I hire is the famous Mercenary King Gerald, that's a different story.'

The Mercenary King wasn't called that for nothing.

Even prominent noble houses, or royals, couldn't easily hire the Black Mercenary Corps.

But if Gerald himself stepped in? That alone would make headlines.

People would see my capabilities in a new light.

Arpad dropped his princely demeanor and crossed his long legs as he asked.

His tone shifted.

"Then, allow me to ask the client a question."

"As many as you like."

"How do you plan to pay for a commission worthy of the Mercenary King's name?"

I smiled triumphantly and whispered into Arpad's ear.

I didn't miss how his eyes widened in surprise for a split second.

Arpad furrowed his brow and countered.

"...Isn't that changing the terms? That means nothing to Mercenary King Gerald."

"But it's great for Crown Prince Arpad."

A double life was all about treating the same person differently when it suited.

"And it's not bad for the Mercenary King either."

"I don't see how it's good for him."

"A commoner personally brings down Grand Duke Ludwig—and faces no punishment for it."

I'll make sure of that.

"That alone will greatly elevate Mercenary King Gerald's status."

"That's if it succeeds. Can a commoner like Gerald really touch Ludwig and walk away unpunished?"

"You're right."

I replied to Arpad in a relaxed tone.

To pull that off, the only way would be for Mercenary King Gerald to swear loyalty directly to the emperor and receive a pardon.

Since Mercenary King Gerald was one of the rare sword masters on the continent who could wield aura.

Arpad—no, Gerald—struck first.

"I have no intention of swearing loyalty to the emperor."

"I know. I wouldn't ask you to. A card like the Mercenary King only has value if it's kept exclusive."

A faint smile tugged at Gerald's lips.

"That sounds like you want to keep me all to yourself."

"……."

This guy was definitely interpreting it that way on purpose, but it wasn't entirely wrong.

I emphasized,

"Anyone would want exclusive rights to Mercenary King Gerald."

I thought I heard Arpad click his tongue.

I quickly changed the subject.

"You don't need to worry about punishment for kicking Ludwig out or chasing him away. By tomorrow, no one will care about such a trivial matter."

"Trivial?"

I laughed confidently.

"Because Ludwig and Evangeline's scandal will be the talk of the town by then."

I whispered in a low voice.

"In that mess, who touched Ludwig will become a very minor detail."

My teeth chattered, but I'd lived as Ludwig's wife three times.

Thanks to that, I knew him inside out.

'In a situation like this, Ludwig won't be in his right mind.'

Especially not long after being humiliated by Arpad, the source of his inferiority complex.

'If he's drowning in booze, perfect. If not... it doesn't matter.'

I'll make sure he's too drunk to avoid mistakes.

And that... would essentially be a political death sentence for Ludwig.

I took both of Arpad's hands in mine. Fortunately, he didn't pull away or dodge.

Thanks to that, I could lift them so his palms faced the sky.

Then I tapped Arpad's right hand with one finger.

"Crown Prince Arpad can topple a rival without lifting a finger."

Like a fisherman dangling bait.

Tempting enough to make him want to snap it up immediately.

I placed my other hand on his left and tickled it lightly.

"On top of that, Mercenary King Gerald gains a feat of forcing even royalty to kneel."

Teasing his palm, I suddenly gripped both his hands tight.

"!"

Arpad showed a flicker of surprise. It felt good to catch this man off guard for once.

"I've placed flowers in your hands."

I raised the corner of my mouth and concluded.

"Whether you grasp them is up to you."

I leaned in even closer, whispering so my breath brushed his skin.

"Choose."

"……."

Silence lingered for a moment.

But in the end, Arpad bared his teeth in a grin.

His rough hands seized mine in return.

'Yes! It's done!'

I'd thought he'd have no choice but to accept, but I'd been more tense than I realized.

My legs nearly gave out from relief.

At that moment, the carriage arrived at Delphin Manor and stopped.

Since I'd been standing, passionately persuading Arpad, I tumbled forward.

Naturally, Arpad was right there to catch me.

I ended up flung straight into his arms.

And I only realized it after collapsing onto his excessively firm, broad chest.

His steady heartbeat thumped against my ear, we were pressed so close.

'Kyaa!'

I tried to spring up with a silent scream, but something stopped me midway.

Arpad had wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me.

"……."

"……."

An awkward silence filled the carriage.

I was about to thank him for supporting me and smooth things over.

But Arpad spouted utter nonsense.

"Taking your legal husband to rescue your lover in crisis feels a bit off, doesn't it? Doesn't your conscience bother you?"

What kind of ridiculous drivel is this?

I asked incredulously,

"Even if you're trying to change the subject because it's awkward, isn't that too out of left field?"

"I'm not trying to change the subject."

Yeah, sure.

I raised my fingers one by one, correcting his nonsense.

"First, I'm here with Mercenary King Gerald, not my husband Crown Prince Arpad."

Officially, Arpad should be at the Crown Prince's Palace right now, so it was true.

"Second, Sir Beltein isn't my lover."

And Arpad—no, Mercenary King Gerald (that jerk)...

"Yes, yes. Of course, client."

His tone dripped with disbelief.

Just then, a voice from outside announced our arrival at Delphin Manor, cutting me off before I could retort further.

Ugh, what a shame!

Meanwhile, the Delphin ducal house's butler Polmon was trembling in embarrassment and fear.

All because of Ludwig, who was drunk out of his mind and causing a scene, just as Hilia had predicted.

"Y-Your Highness. Grand Duke. Please, pull yourself together."

"Ugh, how could this happen...!"

Ludwig's slurred words tumbled out onto the floor.

Anyone could see he was a total mess.

"You bastard! You see me as a pathetic man who lost his wife too, don't you?! You're looking down on me behind my back! Think I don't know?!"

Ludwig bellowed, then lunged at Polmon with enough fury to rip out his mustache.

"Eek! Your Highness! Stop!"

Polmon endured quite the ordeal until Ludwig finally collapsed from his rampage and passed out.

Once the abuse ended, the butler felt a surge of resentment.

'Yesterday, because of his orders, I ignored the young lady's command, and now he treats me like this?'

"Crown Princess Her Highness ordered Annie the maid and Sir Beltein the knight brought to Delphin Manor."

The butler hadn't even offered the palace servant tea—a grave discourtesy.

The reason Polmon could do that despite knowing better was simple.

Yesterday, Ludwig had been fully in control and issued the order boldly.

"Crown Princess? Don't make me laugh! If she wants them so bad, tell her to come get them herself!"

"Butler, you're not thinking of siding with Hilia now, are you? You must've heard the rumors that her banquet was ruined before it even started. There's no chance she'll be recognized as Crown Princess."

Evangeline Ruth had returned to Delphin Manor after a long absence and sat beside Ludwig.

She openly threatened the butler.

"Fine. Even if you change your mind now and follow Hilia's orders, it could happen. After all, Hilia is the direct heir of the Delphin ducal house."

"Miss Evangeline!"

"But remember this. Neither I nor the Empress will accept someone who's betrayed us once."

With a cruel smile on her beautiful face, Evangeline warned him.

"Do as you please."

Don't follow Hilia if you want to live.

And over the past three years, the butler had grown accustomed to obeying Ludwig and Evangeline, not Hilia.

In the first place, it was thanks to Evangeline that he'd become butler.

Right after the previous duke's death, the old butler had suddenly passed away under suspicious circumstances. Ludwig had recommended the current one to the clueless young Hilia back then.

No need to mention Evangeline was behind it.

Under their protection, he'd committed all sorts of petty corruptions in the manor to line his pockets.

Switching sides now meant giving all that up.

The butler steeled himself again.

'It's fine. That weak-willed, indecisive Hilia won't do anything to me. But Evangeline is different. She might actually kill me.'

It even crossed his mind now that Evangeline might have been behind the previous butler's death.

The butler focused on tending to the booze-soaked Ludwig when disaster struck out of nowhere.

"Butler! She's here!"

"What? Who?"

"The young lady! The young lady!"

He'd thought Evangeline had come back to see Ludwig.

But the pale servant uttered a completely different name.

"Miss Hilia has arrived!"

"……!"