Translator: Nox

The Mansion Awaits Spring

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

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After seeing April off, Fezin also headed home. Since he had given her his carriage, he had to catch a private one, but he wasn’t particularly fond of riding in carriages used by the general public.

Right next to the square, there were two townhouses belonging to the Grand Ducal family.

Fezin had inherited one of them and was living there. Since it wasn’t a long distance, he decided to walk home.

Quite a few people were still wandering the streets, which remained lit.

With people out until late at night, the number of thieves had decreased. On the other hand, an increase in crimes like public intoxication filled that void. In the end, police resources were deployed at the same levels as before.

Walking alone left him deep in thought.

He thought of April as she stepped into the road to catch a carriage, and the carriage that had charged at her as if to run her over.

If he hadn’t rushed over, there would have been an accident.

The scene of arresting April Runos using the largest transport carriage belonging to the Grand Duchy Police had the powerful impact he had expected.

People were now convinced of the fact that she was a witch. Those who had lost family to the fog all cursed her.

It was exactly as the Special Investigation Headquarters had intended.

The effect was almost too good. To avoid sympathizing with April Runos, Fezin stoked his own feelings of hatred toward her.

He deliberately distorted the memory of how she had covered her face with both hands and laughed while weeping when he tied her shoelaces.

He decided to remember it as her mocking him maliciously.

As soon as he reached the townhouse, Fezin took a bath in warm water.

He was naturally a bit fastidious and sensitive.

The water temperature had to be just right, and the texture of his pajamas had to be consistent.

Above all, he hated it when the servants spoke to him, so no one addressed him unless it was a matter of great importance.

Thanks to that, the townhouse was usually quiet—though many conversations were likely being exchanged on the first floor where the servants gathered and in the annex where the kitchen was located.

The only person who would initiate conversation with such a man was the butler, Pascal.

The old man had looked after Fezin since he was very young and knew him better than anyone; Fezin, in turn, felt an attachment to the butler.

Ever since Pascal had come here on Miller’s orders to care for Fezin, he had been helping him adjust to the Grand Duchy.

Pascal spoke in a soft tone.

“Young Master, a letter has arrived from headquarters. Shall we go to the drawing room?”

“Let’s go.”

Fezin narrowed his eyes slightly as he answered.

The fact that the butler had the guest wait in the drawing room meant it wasn’t an ordinary mail carrier, but a Police officer from headquarters who had come in person. That also meant the letter he was about to receive wouldn’t be a simple greeting.

When the butler brought out a robe to wear over his pajamas, Fezin said:

“Give me my uniform instead.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The butler draped the robe over his arm and immediately instructed a servant to bring the uniform.

Fezin’s intuition that this would be an extension of work was correct.

Upon entering the drawing room, he spotted the officer sitting and waiting, and he let out a short laugh.

Hearing that laugh, the officer stood up with a bright face.

“Fezin.”

“Lian.”

It was Lian Ragnar, who had graduated from the Military Academy with Fezin.

Though not as overtly as Lian, Fezin couldn’t hide his happiness either. He approached the waiting Lian, who had his arms open, hugged him, and patted his back.

He was glad to see him, but at the same time, his doubts grew.

At the mention of the name ‘Lian,’ the butler behind Fezin looked startled and hurriedly disappeared.

Lian Ragnar, an officer of the Empire’s Police and the nephew of the Emperor of the Rasa Empire. The Emperor cherished his youngest sister more than anyone, and Lian was her eldest son.

Such a man as Lian Ragnar had come to this townhouse without prior notice, and without even stopping by the Grand Ducal Residence first.

The appearance of a member of the Imperial family arriving so informally caused the lights in the entire townhouse to be turned on.

Lian looked embarrassed by the bustle that could be felt despite the silence.

“I tried to come quietly, but you’ve made things noisy.”

“If you’d told me you were coming, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Lian laughed sheepishly at Fezin’s reproach. He then sat down and spoke.

“It’s been a long time.”

“What do you mean ‘a long time’? It’s only been two months.”

“In the academy, we were stuck together whether we liked it or not. You even stayed at my house during breaks.”

“If you put it that way, then yes, it has been a long time.”

As he spoke, Fezin briefly locked the drawing room door and slid the bolt from the inside.

Returning to his seat, Lian said:

“His Majesty the Emperor is curious to know how you are doing.”

“Get to the point. Before the alcohol arrives.”

“That is the point.”

“Don’t play around. Northern liquor is strong; I can’t drink more than a few glasses.”

“What about you?”

“I can drink it just fine, obviously. I was worried about you.”

Hearing the arrogant reply from Fezin that he had grown used to during their academy days for the first time in two months, Lian burst into laughter again out of sheer joy.

Lian spoke.

“Well, His Majesty… wants to know what it is you desire.”

“What I desire?”

“Yes.”

“The headquarters, obviously. There’s nothing else I—”

Fezin stopped mid-sentence as he was answering absentmindedly.

Lian continued smoothly.

“After all, it would be much more reassuring for His Majesty if an Imperial person were to become the head of the Grand Duchy, wouldn’t it?”

It was a question asking if he wanted his brother’s position.

And it was also a command to do whatever it took to take that position if he wanted it.

Fezin suppressed the atmosphere with a laugh and spoke.

“I have no interest in my brother’s position. Miller isn’t exceptionally talented, but coming back after seven years, I see the Grand Duchy has become incredibly prosperous.”

“Are you sure?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is it really… just prosperous?”

At Lian’s question, Fezin raised his head and locked eyes with him.

Lian’s beautiful eyes, which resembled his mother’s, had often felt chilling even back in their cadet days.

Both of them knew that if they ever competed for the position of head of the Police, they would be each other’s greatest enemy.

Therefore, if one rose to the top first, the other would eventually have to retire without ever reaching the summit.

That was the nature of being in the same class. They were each other’s greatest support, yet their biggest rivals. It was something cold yet hot, hot yet cold.

Fezin pulled out a cigarette, placed it in his mouth, and lit it.

After taking his time, he leaned back in his chair.

“That isn’t an important issue.”

“Why?”

“Because I love my brother.”

Fezin’s answer was clear. Having confirmed that Fezin had no interest in the position of head of the Grand Duchy even if the Emperor handed it to him, Lian smiled and changed the subject.

“How is life in the Grand Duchy?”

“It’s fine so far.”

“Do you want to return to the Empire?”

“I’ll try adjusting a bit more.”

What Lian had come here to deliver had already been accurately conveyed to Fezin.

As an officer of the Empire’s Police, he must show absolute obedience to the Imperial family.

To Fezin, this was so obvious that he wondered why Lian had to come in person to deliver the message.

To act as if he were dead, or to get blood on his hands and kill if ordered to.

Fezin had learned that regarding the Emperor’s commands during his cadet days, and he had no doubt in his belief that he would carry them out.

“The biggest question today is why you came all this way to say something so obvious. Did my loyalty really need to be confirmed to this extent?”

At Fezin’s words, Lian continued.

“It’s not that, I just wanted to see your face while I was at it… How is the investigation headquarters?”

“I haven’t been able to do anything yet.”

At his answer, Lian’s gaze grew a bit colder.

“I watched you throughout our cadet years. You aren’t the type of person who wouldn’t have been able to do anything by now.”

“You’re overestimating me.”

“I’m evaluating you accurately. It’s not that you couldn’t do anything; you must be carrying out a different mission.”

It was as Lian said. When Fezin remained silent with only a cynical look, Lian pressed further.

“Exactly what mission did His Majesty the Emperor command you to perform?”