750 – 8.5 Manatee (22)
‘How much’?
The money Gilford received for handing over his orphan to the Dark Church? Although it was faint, I still remembered it.
“200 Gold.”
“A bottle of this liquor costs about 500 gold.”
Tung, he said, sounding the bottle with his index finger.
I couldn’t guess his intention, so I looked at Biltheon in silence. Before he knew it, he was smiling self-mockingly.
“So we’re sharing two and a half orphans?”
“It’s probably more than that. What I ate and slept during… Also, there are many times when I unintentionally survived because of that sacrifice.”
“You’re amazing, you are.”
Pure praise without ridicule or flattery.
This was a possible compliment for a man who will soon be at the top of the world. Because he was a person who had no need to ridicule anyone or flatter anyone.
It is truly the language of the powerful.
It was also a word frequently used by swordsmen. Indeed, is it true that the bloodline that will become the supreme ruler of the continent has a different origin?
Suddenly, Sien came to mind, but I did my best to ignore the counterexample.
From Noble mtl dot com
“I didn’t know that. As a child, I was born into the imperial family and thought it was natural to receive generous treatment… “I didn’t know how my splendid life was built on the sacrifices of so many people.”
“Are you saying that not now?”
“At least I understand that responsibility… And the fact that on the thin ice of politics, and to stand at the top of the empire, there are inevitable compromises.”
It was a story that seemed like it would be long.
As the wine glass happened to be empty, I politely filled Biltheon’s glass. Eventually, taking advantage of the silence, I even said the words I couldn’t say.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you? Ha ha ha! “The empire should have thanked you, but why are you thanking me?”
“They said they would pardon Celine…” ….”
Huh.
Biltheon drank the wine in one gulp, then downed her glass and said,
“There is no need to be thankful.”
“Still… ….”
“When the Hastur family’s disposition was decided, I was also listening to the news.”
Only then did I become silent.
Because I could understand why Biltheon said such a thing.
“The atmosphere was already over, so it wasn’t the time to do anything… Still, it is true that I remained silent. Isn’t it funny? At the time, he made all kinds of calculations and kept his mouth shut, but now that the game is in his favor, he says he will apologize as if it were a favor……..”
If you think about it, it was a natural story.
The competition for the throne between Biltheon and Iris has been going on for a long time. There is no way that Viltheon would not know about the tricks of the opposing faction.
Now I think I know one of the reasons why Biltheon called me.
“It was irresponsible. “I apologize.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“The Hastur family was forced to make a sacrifice because it was necessary. So shouldn’t you apologize?”
Viltheon’s tone when he said that was extremely firm. Anyway, I can’t believe the person who was supposed to be the pinnacle of the empire bowed his head so carelessly.
Even though I felt frustrated, there was nothing I could do.
I just sighed.
“Perhaps it was one of those things that always happen.”
That was my final impression. Instead of answering, Biltheon filled his empty glass.
“When running a country, isn’t there a need for selection and concentration? Throwing something away, sacrificing something… “It must be a series of such choices.”
“You talk as if you’ve tried it.”
“I also had many similar moments.”
Ta-da, the drinking glasses collide and a clear sound rings out.
I had no choice but to follow Biltheon’s pace and empty my drink in one go. I could not get drunk if I wanted to, but I didn’t really want to.
The man sitting across from me said.
“But you didn’t do that.”
It was a calm voice, but it was a point that caught one off guard.
“I could have thrown it away… “That’s why I don’t know if Iris and I paid any attention to you.”
“Well, Princess Iris… ….”
“It would be better not to listen.”
It was a question I asked just in case, but it was still the same.
Viltheon’s expression as he answered that question was not comfortable either. She meant that Princess Iris was paying for her karma.
I also didn’t feel very good. So I drank alcohol.
“They say she is a princess, but she has gone beyond what is acceptable. Even the Alpenhauser family is involved… Even the Holy Kingdom and the Ten Kingdoms are watching. “You can’t get over her.”
I was told that I might not be able to see sunlight for the rest of my life.
Although she was an arrogant and selfish princess, there was no way to hide her bitter aftertaste at the thought of suffering throughout her life. She even suffered from not being able to go out due to her sickly body as a child.
Maybe she won’t feel like she’s gone back to those days.
I wonder if he noticed my feelings like this.
Viltheon smiled bitterly and offered me a drink again. Words of comfort were a bonus.
“Don’t pity me. “Aren’t there still too many enemies for that?”
“But aren’t you Shien’s older sister?”
“hahahahaha! My wife’s love is already extreme… Can I also look forward to her sister’s virtue?”
The sound of lively laughter brightened the heavy atmosphere.
In many ways, he was a man with a talent for speaking. From his knack for changing the topic at the right time to even the new topic being an area where the two can reach a consensus.
I responded to that effort and swallowed a short laugh.
“Thanks to her younger sister.”
“For your information, I lived my whole life without being able to thank her for being a younger sister… “As you know.”
I responded to Biltheon’s joke with a laugh and a drink.
However, there was something else I wanted to say.
“Didn’t you say we were friends?”
In a rare occurrence, Biltheon’s body suddenly stiffened.
It was as if he didn’t expect these words to come out of my mouth. It was a relationship that had been steadily pushing forward since our last meeting, but I had never made any comments in response.
It was because I was confused. But now I know.
In fact, this man is also one of those people who are so lonely and lonely that it makes you shudder.
Isn’t it telling how he suddenly calls me out for a drink, tells me about myself without even asking, and even shares his concerns?
Viltheon wanted an equal partner.
“So, rather than saying it’s thanks to my sister, I should say it’s thanks to her friend.”
“…… Flaw.”
At my words, Bill Theon grinned and raised the corners of his mouth. Even that only lasts a moment.
“hahahaha, hehehe… hahahaha!”
Eventually, he threw back his head and burst into laughter. Without hesitation, as if he was just so happy that he couldn’t bear it.
The great laughter continued for a while, leaving the man scratching his eyes with her fingers.
“Hey, this is actually my specialty… Indeed, it’s fun. Fun… “Sir Ian, you are such a good friend.”
There was nothing to add. Just fill the glass, clink the glasses, and take a sip.
The main topic started from then.
“Okay, then…” Sir Ian.”
The man lowered his voice and his expression became quite serious. He was still smiling, but his eyes seemed to have become deeper.
As I sensed something important, I immediately emptied my glass. The same was true for Biltheon.
Just like that, we both felt the lingering scent of alcohol.
“A member of the imperial family, a strong successor to the next throne… “Can you stop all this nonsense and just ask me a favor?”
“By whom?”
“As your friend and Shien’s ugly brother.”
We shook our heads as we exchanged questions and answers.
It was a request that should be listened to. How can I ignore what my friend and my lover’s brother says?
Viltheon asked.
“I heard that the next destination is ‘Cheongeomsan Mountain.’ Am I right?”
“I think that will happen.”
“West of the Empire.”
The man let out a bitter smile as she let out a mixture of sighs and lamentations.
And the next moment.
“Shien’s maternal family is there.”
My body instantly froze at the unexpected information that Biltheon gave out.
Shien’s maternal family.
In other words, it meant that this was where Shien’s biological mother was staying. She was the woman who had indelibly hurt Shien when he was young.
But I believed.
Even though she strangled Shien after discovering her true feelings, she would not have loved Shien only for the sake of Ilsin’s glory. That’s why I shared her short promise with Sien.
We made a promise to go see it together someday.
So I was able to force myself to smile again. On the contrary, he tried to act calm as if everything went well.
“Well, really…” Good for you. I made a promise with Sien before. Let’s go see her mother together… It’s time to keep that promise…….”
“I can’t.”
Yes, I wanted to do that.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Literally, it’s impossible. Because Shien’s mother, that is, Empress Dowager… ….”
After hearing the next words, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Because you went missing.”
Silence.
I didn’t know what to say, so my lips opened and closed repeatedly. Biltheon was just looking away with a pained expression.
“That was more than 10 years ago.”
It was truly a strange family affair.