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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Bennet Family
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The Bennet Family.
More precisely, the Bennet Ducal Family.
In the original story, they were depicted as Luciano's final hope.
But in reality, they didn't play much of a role.
That was because the Bennet family had secluded themselves in their duchy and never involved themselves in imperial affairs.
Still, it wasn't a setting you could ignore.
As a branch of the imperial family with the oldest living member of the imperial bloodline, they wielded significant influence in the empire.
In fact, when I first thought about building up my own power base, the Bennet family was the first one that came to mind.
If I could bring them to my side, it'd be like gaining an army of a million soldiers.
I'd even discreetly asked Delia if it was possible to build a connection with them.
But I quickly gave up.
She said the current grand duke and his younger brother were caught up in a power struggle and had no time for anything else.
In the original story, Luciano had repeatedly asked for their help, but the Bennet family always refused, citing their internal affairs.
There was only a brief mention of him visiting several times and being turned away each time.
In other words, the internal conflict dragged on until the end.
Since they never properly appeared in the story, there wasn't much information about the Bennet family, so I couldn't rely on the transmigrator's privilege there either.
Given the physical distance and their internal complications, I hadn't held out any hope of forging ties with the Bennet family.
'So why is someone from the Bennet family...'
They'd appeared at such a random moment.
Lady Ophelia smiled faintly at my dazed expression.
It was as if she'd known I'd be surprised.
"Keep your promise, now."
With that, she led her attendants away.
Before leaving, the head maid glanced at me briefly but said nothing.
Stunned by the unexpected and shocking encounter, I sat there blankly for a while.
Why was someone from the Bennet family even in the empire?
'They almost never leave the duchy. Is something going on?'
Of course, it didn't mean the entire Bennet family was about to make a move just because one member visited the empire.
But even just building a connection would stop Imperial Consort Isabel from acting so freely.
Judging from the maid's attitude alone, Lady Ophelia clearly held a high position in the Bennet family.
'This is a stroke of luck!'
It was an opportunity worth more than a fortune in gold.
'As expected, the protagonist's life brings luck even just from breathing!'
Still, I couldn't get arrogant about it.
Today's meeting was just a mere acquaintance.
I needed to build a proper relationship for it to help me later.
More importantly, what was Lady Ophelia's exact position?
It had to be very high up, right?
Then a sudden doubt crept in.
'But is there anyone left from the emperor's father's generation?'
I thought everyone from that generation had passed, leaving only the emperor's great-aunt alive...
If Lady Ophelia was her...
No, that couldn't be.
She'd definitely referred to them as her grandchildren.
-They're still young, so that's why? My grandchildren are too busy fighting each other.
-I hope they grow up quickly and mature soon.
-Those rascals never listen to their old grandma.
Even if she called herself a "porcupine granny."
'She wouldn't use expressions like that for a grand duke the same age as the emperor.'
I quickly shook my head to dispel the ominous thought.
* * *
Once I'd shaken off the stray thoughts, I headed back to Luciano's palace.
"Huh?"
The moment I spotted someone coming out of the palace, I let out a sound without thinking.
It was Harrison, who had been walking with his eyes on the ground.
"Ah..."
He looked up at the noise, spotted me belatedly, let out a gasp, and bowed at the waist.
"Greetings."
"Hello."
An awkward atmosphere flowed between us.
We'd seen each other's faces many times, but we'd never spoken.
We hadn't acted like we knew each other either.
Luciano's menacing aura made it hard to strike up a conversation anyway.
With nothing more to say, I was about to pass by when...
"Um..."
A small voice stopped me in my tracks.
Having called out, Harrison hesitated and didn't continue.
The air grew even more awkward.
"Do you have something to say?"
Harrison bowed deeply again.
"I know I've caused you discomfort lately. I'm sorry."
His polite apology only made my heart feel heavier.
"I'm fine."
I couldn't bring myself to ask if he was okay.
"I felt like I'd been making you uncomfortable every time, so I wanted to apologize properly."
Looking closely, Harrison's complexion had worsened noticeably.
His face looked haggard from all the mental strain.
He'd bowed so much that he even seemed smaller.
I knew all too well how sharp Luciano's cold words and icy gaze could be.
I understood Harrison's position, but it still made me pity him.
His insides must be in turmoil right now.
'He's already drowning in guilt, and now he's being ignored. It must feel hopeless.'
Even as I subtly took Luciano's side, my own heart wasn't at ease.
A frustrated sigh escaped me.
The reason Count Orlando, Harrison's father, had tried to poison Luciano was because of Harrison.
As a child, Harrison had fallen gravely ill.
It was a sudden illness, severe enough to be considered incurable.
They'd consulted every doctor and priest, but all said there was no hope.
In his despair, the devil's hand reached out to Count Orlando.
Someone approached him: poison Luciano, and they'd provide an elixir to save Harrison.
It was an obvious trap, but...
A parent's pain for their child cuts deeper than their own.
Even knowing he was the only one close to Luciano, Count Orlando had no choice but to choose his son's life.
So, he poisoned Luciano.
He'd thought the attempt would fail and he wouldn't get the elixir, but the trader handed it over willingly.
Leaving behind words that both needed to stay alive so Luciano would suffer every time he saw them.
Harrison, learning the truth too late, writhed in guilt.
He'd lived with remorse toward Luciano ever since.
Too ashamed to face him directly, he'd just hovered around.
Finally mustering courage, he found the wall even higher than before and despaired again.
Knowing his complicated feelings, I couldn't just blame him outright.
"His Highness is just a bit shy around people."
It was a stretch to call it shyness, but I said it for Harrison's sake.
As if reading my mind, he gave an awkward smile.
But it faded quickly.
"I won't cause you any more discomfort now. Please visit freely."
His calm tone made my heart sink.
From his emotionless face, hiding even his depression, I could tell his decision.
"You're quitting?"
Harrison flinched.
When our eyes met, he hurriedly looked away.
As I stayed silent, he spoke as if making excuses.
"I don't think it's going to work. There's no sign of His Highness's anger fading. And the more I visit, the more displeased he seems."
He mumbled with an expression that said it was best if he didn't show up anymore.
He was shrinking even more.
His face looked utterly devastated, like he'd sunk into the deep sea.
I could empathize with his desire to give up.
Until he crosses that line, Luciano is a sharp blade incarnate.
But if he gave up now, Harrison would surely regret it.
He'd carried that guilt for so long.
His remorse for Luciano was genuine.
And in the original story, Harrison eventually earned Luciano's forgiveness.
Of course, I thought he'd endure.
'I didn't expect him to give up.'
Why? How?
Could it be because of me that things escalated faster?
Harrison was Luciano's excellent aide.
'They can't end like this...'
It was so sudden my head felt like it would burst.
"Some things just can't be helped. Well, then..."
Harrison bowed as if for a final farewell and turned away.
I couldn't let it end like this!
As his dejected back receded, I shouted desperately.
"Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Harrison halted.
"I might. No, I will."
There was still hesitation.
"Then you need to try harder."
Harrison clamped his mouth shut.
"Have you really tried until you thought it was truly over?"
"......"
Harrison couldn't answer.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of anger.
Look at this?
I could understand if he gave up because he truly couldn't endure.
But quitting without giving his all?
What a rookie!
"I told you to keep trying until you can no longer!"
At my shout, Harrison jolted.
"But..."
"No buts! You keep going until you believe it's truly the end!"
My loud voice made Harrison shrink further.
"It feels hopeless..."
He might not have my shameless persistence, but he had to endure with stubbornness and diligence!
He really wasn't acting like a proper sub-male lead.
"It took me a long time too."
At my blunt words, Harrison blinked his ox-like innocent eyes.
"It took me over a year to get this close to Crown Prince Luciano. You have no idea how much he ignored me at first."
Thinking back even now made my heart race.
From the injustice.
Only then did the doubt clear from his green eyes.
"Is that so?"
He murmured in a voice tinged with quiet surprise.
It was hard to believe, given how Luciano treated me now.
Once he crossed that line, even I was shocked by how much Luciano's attitude changed.
"Crown Prince Luciano's walls are top difficulty."
Harrison nodded in agreement.
"But they're not impenetrable. Look at how soft he is with me."
This time, his nod was even more enthusiastic, full of eager agreement.
"His Highness just takes longer and is more cautious about trusting people than others. Keep knocking, and it'll open eventually."
Did my words give him courage?
A glimmer of hope appeared on Harrison's previously gloomy face.
"Will I be able to earn his forgiveness?"
He'd turned positive!
"Of course! So if you truly want to stay by Crown Prince Luciano's side, don't give up."
I answered even more energetically on purpose.
"Thank you for your words. I hope that day comes for me too."
His response was firmer now.
So I reacted with excitement.
"It definitely will. Crown Prince Luciano might look tough and crispy on the outside, but he's soft and moist inside."
"Understood. My efforts weren't enough. I'll try harder."
I hadn't expected him to be convinced so easily!
"Yes. Keep at it."
I raised my hand in a fighting pose.
Harrison gave a slight smile.
His expression looked much clearer now.
"Thank you for the encouragement. By the way, miss, how long did it take you to get close to His Highness?"
Harrison asked a bit sheepishly.
He seemed determined to match my effort in time.
So I answered simply.
"Me? A little over a year!"
Harrison's face, flushed with hope, paled in an instant.
