Ch#112
Chapter 112"By the way, how is young Ian doing?"
"Ian? Sigh... That kid has been really unsatisfactory lately."
"Pardon? Did something happen?"
"Nothing in particular, but it feels like his mind is elsewhere no matter what he does."
Talon Count clicked his tongue and sipped his tea.
"He was always so calm and quick-witted that even the eldest son suggested handing over a large fiefdom, but seeing how he's been lately....."
From what he said, it sounded like he might disown his second son as a low noble, but Laslo quickly caught the implication.
"It sounds like you think I know the reason."
"Haha, how could that be."
"Really? I think I know."
As expected, he couldn't win against this crafty old fox.
"Not just Ian, but some fool in my house has been half out of it all day too, so let's settle that matter within next year."
"Next year..... That's sooner than I thought. But shouldn't you resolve your own issue first?"
"That..... I'll handle it myself."
Laslo downed the remaining tea in one go and stood up.
"Sorry for interrupting your precious rest time. Next time, I'll treat you properly."
"A single cup of tea feels like quite a profit. I'll look forward to it. Haha!"
Talon Count, who had stood up lighter than when Laslo arrived, added one piece of advice to Laslo as he was about to leave the room.
"His Majesty cherishes you far more than you think. So don't be too intimidated and just ask him."
-2 -
.
Laslo's steps faltered at those words, but that was all.
Laslo left the room without a particular reply, and Talon Count watched his retreating figure with a gentle smile.
After leaving the room, Laslo pondered briefly but concluded there was no need to hesitate since he'd already made up his mind.
'In case His Majesty refuses the pardon, I need to find countermeasures as quickly as possible.'
Laslo decided to confront Dimarcus right away and went to see him.
But of all days, Edmund was on duty guarding the emperor today.
"Hm? Sir Criserus, aren't you off duty today? What brings you here at this hour?"
Edmund asked with a puzzled expression.
*I'll have to tell the Winblair Marquis that I requested a private audience with His Majesty.*
His mood soured since House Canian had Winblair behind them, and Winblair had heavily influenced Edmund's appointment as Imperial Guard deputy commander.
But that wasn't reason enough to dawdle.
"I'd like to see His Majesty briefly. Could you relay the message?"
"Pardon? But as you know, you need to apply for a private audience days in advance."
"I know. Even if it's refused, just ask."
Edmund seemed extremely curious about why Laslo had come but couldn't pry further and went to inform Dimarcus.
And shortly after returning, he said with a rather complicated expression,
"You're lucky, sir! His Majesty has granted the private audience!"
Laslo merely smiled at Edmund. He'd anticipated Dimarcus would be waiting for him since he wouldn't sit idly by while House Canian, backed by the Winblair Marquis, climbed up.
- 3 -
However, Dimarcus's expression upon facing him was far brighter than expected. Bright enough to seem excited.
"Come in. You're a bit later than I thought. Must have had a lot to mull over?"
He didn't even ask what it was about.
Instead of answering, Laslo poured water from the pitcher on the tea table and gulped it down.
Then, setting the cup down, he cut straight to the point.
"Could you pardon Edel Lancaster?"
Dimarcus calmly and elegantly sipped his tea, drawing it out. Fully aware that Laslo was burning up inside in the meantime.
"Hm, a pardon. Care to tell me why you're asking?"
"It's difficult to do anything while she's still a criminal."
"A pardon itself isn't hard. But if I do, she'll no longer be a criminal or spoils of war. That Count Canian will pounce immediately."
"I'll find a way to handle that."
Dimarcus realized Laslo was more serious than ever as he met his gaze without flinching once.
A laugh nearly escaped, but he quickly hid his smile behind the teacup to avoid misunderstanding.
"Well, fine. She's a prisoner I gave you anyway, so I'll follow your opinion. I'll add her name to this pardon list."
At the easier-than-expected approval, Laslo clenched his fist and asked again.
"What do you want from me in return?"
"Hm? In return?"
A glint appeared in Dimarcus's eyes.
*He thinks pardoning Edel Lancaster means he has to pay a price? Hm, interesting.*
He recalled a past moment when he'd wondered if Edel could ignite Laslo's passion.
.
Was this a faint ember, or a flame starting to blaze?
Dimarcus erased his sly smile and gazed steadily at Laslo before answering.
"If there's a price, it's for you to be happy."
Watching Laslo's horrified expression was quite amusing.
"May I say something extremely irreverent?"
"As a subject, or as my little brother?"
"............Just this once, as your brother."
"Go ahead."
"Don't talk nonsense."
Dimarcus burst into laughter at that.
It was the first time in his life someone had sworn at him starting with 'dog.' And it was absurdly delightful and fun.
Even as he laughed himself hoarse, Laslo furrowed his brow.
"I'm not joking, Your Majesty. I don't want any ambiguous debts between us."
"Ah, it's been so long since I laughed like this. But Laslo, my little brother!"
Laslo shot him a suspicious glance, but Dimarcus paid it no mind.
"You're requesting a pardon to stop Count Canian from taking Edel Lancaster, right?"
"Yes."
"It's also beneficial for me, so why would I ask a price from you? Just don't let those Canian bastards take her, as you assured. That would give me a real headache."
"Have you ever seen me lose what's mine?"
Dimarcus smiled faintly at the confident reply.
"Yes, that will do. If you need more help, don't hesitate to ask."
"I was planning to anyway."
As Laslo, having gotten the answer he wanted, tried to leave, Dimarcus stopped him.
"Wait, wait! I was going to call you anyway. Yesterday, my informant caught a guy blabbing something very interesting."
Though he called it interesting, Dimarcus's expression wasn't amused at all.
"Drunk out of his mind at a tavern, he was talking about a carriage overturn accident in Norwich 16 years ago."
Laslo's eyes widened instantly. Norwich was the exact region where his parents had died in a carriage accident 16 years prior.
Dimarcus continued with his smile completely gone.
"He said he was hired by a high noble to attack the carriage and disguise it as an accident. He wisely took the money first and fled right after, but his accomplices were all killed soon after...."
"Did he confess who commissioned it.....?"
"The imperial torturers are quite skilled. He spilled everything just from a scare."
"Who?"
His voice leaked cold, suppressed rage.
Dimarcus sighed lightly and answered.
"Winblair."
A grinding sound came from Laslo's jaw.
His parents' death had been treated as a simple accident amid indifference, but Laslo had always suspected it wasn't. The accident site was coincidentally on a sparsely traveled road, with no elements around to startle the horses.
He'd wondered if it was the emperor at the time, the new regime, or even the pack of collateral relatives who swarmed to seize the fortune....
"House Winblair......"
"We pressed him more, but he didn't know why they commissioned the murder. Well, no one kindly explains motives to assassins."
Laslo nodded slowly.
"The ringleaders of the disloyal movements and the backers of House Canian are all House Winblair."
"Exactly."
.
"Is this fate? It seems I'll end House Winblair with my own hands too."
"It's fortunate for me that we share the same enemy."
Dimarcus shrugged at Laslo, who was smiling through his rage.
It was sincere. To the point of feeling grateful to Isaac Winblair.
.
