"Baron Prucus, this place is too noisy for a quiet conversation. Let's move to the reception room. Follow me."
"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
I followed him, glancing back at Yuria. Her expression and demeanor were as usual.
Yet I sensed her heightened tension. Normally, Yuria's gaze would be fixed on me, but now it was focused on the back of Makellos's neck.
Yuria clearly harbored murderous intent toward Makellos. Yet I couldn't detect even a trace of it. Even with my ability to sense and manipulate mana, and my extensive combat experience, I should have been acutely aware of such malice.
It wasn't perfect. Another assassin might have been astonished at her ability to conceal even her murderous intent, but I was her master. From my perspective, it was far from satisfactory.
Even though the chances are infinitesimally small, if Yuria kills Prime Minister Helbrit now, the consequences won't end with just trouble.
I extended my right arm and draped it around Yuria's shoulders. As I stroked her jaw and cheek, her demeanor and expression gradually returned to normal. She seemed to relish my touch.
As expected... all the trust we've built over the years has paid off.
Makellos, who had been walking ahead without looking back, must have sensed the sudden silence. He glanced back slightly.
"...Baron Prucus. Why are you being supported by the maid?"
"I have a heart condition. My chest feels a bit tight, perhaps from the tension."
"Is it severe enough to hinder your walking? I'll summon the court physicians."
"It's quite alright. It's a congenital condition I've had since birth. It will pass with time. I apologize for committing blasphemy before Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
"I'm not so rigid as to punish someone who is unwell. Pay it no mind."
"Thank you."
He turned to face forward again.
I chuckled silently.
The House Helbrit's inflexibility was notorious among the nobles. Though they refrained from mentioning it openly due to his position as the kingdom's second-in-command, everyone knew the Helbrit Clan would not hesitate to order massacres to protect their honor.
If he had been more flexible, Yuria might never have sought revenge against him.
I felt a measure of gratitude toward Makellos. Without him, Yuria would never have been born, and without his obsessive, almost pathological fastidiousness, she would never have become mine.
Of course, that didn't mean I would spare him.
After leaving the reception room, Makellos and I sat facing each other. Yuria stood silently behind me. A steaming teapot and cups sat untouched on the table.
"Baron Prucus."
"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister. Please speak."
"There's no time for pleasantries. I must oversee the banquet preparations, and His Majesty the King will arrive this afternoon. The tasks are overwhelming. So, I'll cut straight to the chase: Is your personal maid, Yuria Grace, from House Helbrit?"
I was taken aback.
I'd heard rumors of Makellos's bluntness, but I never imagined he'd be this direct.
Knowing Yuria's full name means he's investigated her.
Makellos is the Prime Minister. He wouldn't act rashly.
Asking me for confirmation now suggests he's uncertain. Or perhaps he's warning me.
After a moment's thought, I spoke.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, I am well aware that the defining traits of House Helbrit are silver-blue hair and blue eyes. However, not everyone in this world with silver-blue hair and blue eyes is a member of House Helbrit. My personal maid, Yuria, is a commoner. And..."
I reached out to Yuria. As always, she swiftly anticipated my intentions and moved to my side. When I opened my arms to her, she chose to settle lightly on my lap.
"She is my lover."
I kissed Yuria demonstratively.
"Mmm..."
It was a brief but unmistakably mutual kiss. Yuria met it on her own, calm and deliberate. The reason was obvious: Makellos was watching.
Makellos narrowed his eyes, watching Yuria and me engage in our display of affection. He showed no anger, nor did he raise his voice.
"So, Baron. Is Yuria Grace my blood?"
"You're no fun at all. I've just committed an act of insolence right under Your Excellency's nose, haven't I?"
"You'll pay the price for your insolence soon enough. Answer my question, Baron."
My hand moved to Yuria's waist, holding her close in a familiar, reassuring touch.
"Ah..."
Yuria gripped my shoulder, drawing a tense breath.
Makellos's eyebrows twitched.
"Baron, it's not too late. Answer my questions with proper respect."
I chuckled softly.
"No, Your Excellency."
I met Makellos's gaze directly. His blue eyes were identical to Yuria's.
"It's far too late, Your Excellency. Far too late."
"..."
Makellos seemed to conclude that reasoning with me was futile. He turned his attention to Yuria, who had gone still in my arms.
"Yuria Grace, answer me. Do you carry my blood?"
"..."
"I'll give you one more chance. Answer properly."
"...Master, I can barely restrain myself anymore."
Makellos finally rose from his seat.
"Baron Prucus, you and your maid will pay dearly for this."
I loosened my hold on Yuria and looked back at him.
"Ah, I see. Yes, you must pay the price."
He wouldn't kill me immediately. Today was the King's birthday, so I was safe for at least three days.
Makellos ignored my words and turned to leave.
"Yuria's mother was a knight."
"..."
Makellos froze, his gaze shifting between Yuria and me.
"She was a woman with black hair, a skilled Aura Expert. Though I only heard rumors, so I don't know the details. By the time I reached Yuria's village, she had been brutally murdered by bandits disguised as mercenaries."
"..."
"She was extremely cautious. Even though she wasn't a leper, she acted like one, rarely taking Yuria outside."
"Baron, what was her name?"
"Kellia," I replied without hesitation.
"She used the name 'Kellia,' I believe. It was just one of the many names she went by."
"Do you know her real name?"
"Yes. It was Nell Lins."
"..."
Makellos stared at Yuria.
Makellos and Yuria locked eyes, but their gaze held no familial warmth.
"Yuria Grace, I'll give you a chance."
"...What kind of chance are you talking about?" Yuria finally responded to Makellos's words.
"A chance to return to where you truly belong."
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, I am exactly where I should be."
"Is that so? I understand."
Makellos turned and left without looking back.
I could guarantee that Makellos would stop at nothing to kill both Yuria and me.
"Yuria, how are you feeling? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
As I undressed her maid outfit piece by piece, I asked, "...I've never felt this way before, so I don't know how to describe it. But one thing I can say for certain: Duke Helbrit and his family must die. Otherwise..."
"I know. I haven't forgotten our promise. But please, just wait a little longer."
"...I will wait."
"Thank you. I can't wait for the day you're completely mine."
I sat her naked body on the chair and swayed my hips.
"Thank you all for attending today."
The King entered the banquet hall with the Prince and Princess. He sat on the prepared throne and delivered his prepared speech. Though he still pretended to retain his former vigor, everyone knew the truth: the King was already old and frail, lacking even the strength to command.
I listened to the King's speech with one ear, letting the words flow out the other, while my eyes drifted to the blonde men and women surrounding him.
Aiden Rapelli.
The quintessential wastrel prince, fond of wine and women. He was currently the most likely successor to the throne, despite his incompetence, thanks to the backing of House Helbrit. They planned to use Aiden as a puppet, seizing the kingdom's true power for themselves.
Being royalty, he was undeniably handsome.
In the original work, he dies without ever even sitting on the throne.
My gaze shifted to the opposite side, where a woman so beautiful she made me swallow hard stood.
Aileen Rapelli.
King Rapelli's daughter, the princess.
As one of the heroines from the original work, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Sparkling blonde hair and sapphire-like eyes. Snow-white skin and a figure sculpted like a masterpiece.
Unlike Aiden, who was subtly frowning in boredom, she stood tall and confident, a faint smile playing on her lips. Though far more capable than Aiden, her gender and the House Helbrit's political isolation posed significant obstacles.
Damn... she's hot.
Beside the royal family stood the House Helbrit:
Duke Makellos, both a duke and the Prime Minister.
His son and designated heir, Halios Helbrit.
And the Duke's wife, Kathrine Helbrit.
She, too, possessed silver-blue hair and azure eyes, appearing remarkably young no older than her early to mid-thirties.
...And Makellos's cousin.
The House Helbrit had practiced consanguineous marriage for generations, typically between siblings. Since Makellos had no sisters, he married his female cousin.
This tradition, rooted in maintaining the purity of their bloodline, was a cornerstone of the Helbrit legacy.
Even in this world, such practices were rare but not unheard of. A search would reveal quite a few noble families who practiced consanguineous marriage.
They've been marrying within the family for centuries, yet there's no sign of genetic disorders. Must be because it's a fantasy world.
I clicked my tongue as I watched Kathrine Helbrit. I wanted to bed her, but she was on Yuria's revenge list. After weighing the pros and cons in my mind, I decided to give up cleanly. Yuria's value far outweighed that of a woman like Kathrine by several thousand times.
"...Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us. The banquet will continue for three days, so please enjoy yourselves and stay as long as you wish."
The King's speech concluded.
Next, the nobles presented their birthday gifts to the King. This was a pre-arranged spectacle, and the nobles gasped in admiration at each unique offering.
Once the gift-giving ceremony ended, the nobles began to freely enjoy the banquet.
I glanced around and spotted Vivi Heollis, then approached her. She was surrounded by young nobles, while her fianc , Gent, was flitting about, meeting other influential figures.
"You seem to be having an interesting conversation. May I join you?"
"Oh! Baron Prucus!"
"Ah! Isn't that Baron Prucus, the youngest Aura Expert? A pleasure to meet you! I'm from the eastern region..."
They instantly swarmed around me, chattering excitedly. I smiled politely and exchanged greetings.
"It's an honor to meet you, Baron Prucus! I'm Baron Basiv Meikeld!"
The con man offered a handshake with a disarmingly sincere smile.
"A pleasure to meet you, Baron Meikeld. However, I must confess my ignorance I've never heard of the name Basiv Meikeld before. Could you tell me where you're from?"
"I hail from a remote mountain village in the northeast. It's embarrassing to admit, but the Johee Clan has fallen into decline. We barely cling to our noble title. Apart from our lineage, we're no different from any commoner, which is rather shameful. That's why I originally had no intention of visiting the Royal Capital. However, since it's His Majesty the King's birthday, I couldn't dare commit such disloyalty and came to the capital."
"Your loyalty is truly remarkable."
"Ha ha. Though our clan has fallen, our loyalty to His Majesty the King remains unwavering."
"I noticed you all were engaged in lively conversation earlier. What was the topic?"
He glanced around cautiously, then finally smiled faintly and replied, "We were discussing medicinal herbs. I'm currently developing a medicinal herb cultivation project."