Chapter 29

Welcoming the family (7)

As a lover of the world, the High Priest tended to think positively about everything.

“When I saw the opera, the atmosphere was very good. Well, there’s nothing like blood ties when you get older.”

Of course, someone evaluated that positive view as a ‘flower field’.

“Miss Annabelle, who saved me out of sheer good will, deserves this kind of recompense.”

The High Priest began to fill the high-quality parchment paper with elegant letters.

“With and…your family and…the royal family…all that’s needed is my consent. I have my retirement event in a week, so to commemorate…”

He called the lower priest and ordered that the letter be delivered to the marquis in time for dinner.

At that time, there was a man who was thinking much more about Annabelle than the High Priest.“Annabelle hasn’t shown up for three days.”

Aaron muttered with a serious expression on his face, but Ian didn’t answer.

However, his eyes were slightly sunken, and his red eyes were lifeless.

“We see each other almost every day, but it is very sad. Isn’t it?”

“Why am I sad?”

Ian responded bluntly to Aaron as he swung his sword.

“It’s great because it’s not annoying.”

“But.”

Aaron crossed his arms and muttered.

“I did not complete the mission Annabelle gave me. I haven’t been able to see her yet. Soon, when Ian takes a shower, I’ll have to sneak in…”

“Don’t think about it, Aaron. That will never happen.”

“What? Gee, it looks like you’re not planning on taking a shower in the future.”

In the end, Ian pointed his sword at Aaron with a creepy face. Then he replied irritably.

“Annabelle was recently invited to a meal at the Marquis of Abedes. I mean, she’s not in the mood to snoop around here. So don’t wait for nothing.”

“Hmm.”

Aaron slipped back and tilted his head.

“I said I was upset, but I didn’t say I would be waiting. Were you waiting for her?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s so excited about going to the marquis that she forgot to beat me.”

“Oh my.”

Aaron kicked his tongue as if he was sorry for Ian’s blunt reply.

“You’re behind in your priorities. Is that why you’re upset?”

“Why are you sulking?”

“Oh my. I forgot you get mad when I ask why you were upset.”

Ian didn’t want to talk to Aaron anymore, so he roughly poked his sword in and went out.

Aaron had an amazing advantage. He turned Ian’s all sorts of uncomfortable feelings into anger.

But when the anger subsided, it was strange that Aaron’s words lingered in his ears.

‘I’m waiting, I’m sulking…’

In the three days when Annabelle didn’t show up, he had a lot of thoughts.

And after thinking about it, he alone concluded that the reason why she didn’t come was because of Marquis Abedes.

‘I thought you were serious about the sword.’

Ian swept his sweaty hair back and frowned.

‘Did she want to defeat me just to be recognized by the Marquis of Abedes…?’

Then, as Aaron said, he was sure he was behind in his priorities…

So would they get entangled like before again?

Was that why he was so upset?

Suddenly, he wondered for a moment whether he was waiting for Annabelle like Aaron said.

As he entered the bathroom to wash, he shook his head vigorously.

‘I’m sure she’s at the marquis by now.’

~*~

I went out of the house wearing the clothes that Marilyn had carefully made for me.

Reid said with a shaky expression on his face.

“Just having dinner doesn’t make you a marquis. You have to get first place and get a title. Okay?”

He seemed to think that I might give up on the swordsmanship contest if I was treated to a certain extent by the marquis.

He emphasized over and over that he was uneasy about putting even his house documents on the gambling board.

“Don’t let that slide. The inheritance money is real.”

“Of course. Achieving 1st place in the swordsmanship competition is also my long-time dream. So don’t worry.”

I worked hard to reassure him.

‘Why are they all like this…’

Neither my biological father nor our biological mother were good people, so it was consistent in a way.

‘Of course, I was also like that…’

I was also part of the bloodline. Until I remembered my past life, there was no such thing as the truth.

I stopped doing what I used to do not because I was really a good person, but to avoid the prison ending.

‘People who look like this end up hurting each other, huh?’

When the marquis arrived, he was stunned.

If I had come wearing a gray training suit, I would have been ignored by the maids here.

“Welcome back, Annabelle.”

The Marquis of Abedes smiled and patted my shoulder.

“I should have invited you earlier.”

Elburn was silent with his sullen face, but Richard closed his eyes and smiled prettily.

He even showed manners to remove the chair from my seat.

“Yes, Annabelle. Come here more often.”

I looked into his blue eyes and swallowed dry.

‘Really? Why?’

Of course, he was originally like this.

A character who was horribly different from the outside while the inside was the villainous second male lead.

Honestly, I was the second best swordsman in the world, and I beat everyone, but…

That guy was a really evil and mean human being.

It was different from a one-dimensional little rogue villain like me.

‘You’re the person who even helped Carlon cast black magic. You’re a human who will destroy the world, but I can’t let you destroy it.’

Therefore, I needed to be more careful.

“You’ve been through a lot. But after all the hard work, there’s always joy, right?”

“Well, personally, I don’t think there is joy in the end… Anyways, I’m so happy to be with you guys now.”

Soon the curtain came on at a very strange mealtime.

The food was very delicious, but it was not as good as Oscar’s, so I wasn’t impressed.

A few personal conversations came and went.

As promised, issues such as Caitlyn and sword fighting were completely excluded.

Only by the time the main dish was served, Marquis Abedes coughed in vain and made a full-fledged conversation.

“You seem to be acquainted with Prince Robert these days.”

“Oh…”

“Prince Robert is very dexterous… He’s so careful that he keeps his mouth shut on all the rumors.”

As soon as Marquis Abedes spoke up, Richard responded quickly.

“So people who are interested in other people’s business and have nothing to do are all curious.”

I was sure the three people who were most curious were right in front of me…

“Really…are the two of you…on special terms?”

“I don’t know.”

Originally, I was not a bad guy, but I was good at telling small lies, fraud, and coercion.

“The Prince is so slick… No, I’m being prudent.”

I had to pretend to be stupid where I continued with the expression of a perfect child to take advantage of.

“Can you make a judgment? We are your family.”

“Yeah, yeah. If it’s not us, who will give you honest advice?”

Marquis Abedes nodded immediately.

No matter how much I didn’t have to consult someone, the last person I would tell is my father-in-law who made me an illegitimate child…

I clicked my tongue inside but kept myself from making fun of them on the outside.

“I think we can talk about this and that. For example…”

Even Elburn looked at me, swallowing dry saliva.

“They’re discussing where to crack down next.”

I didn’t miss Elburn almost dropping the fork.

“Cr-crackdown? That’s what the prince told you?”

Robert often investigated and cracked down on all kinds of illegal matters under the Emperor’s secret edict.

Because of the significant achievement so far, the emperor was able to gain trust without any other backing.

Of course Robert never said that to me. I just knew it from the original.

Ian was intertwined with the female lead while helping Robert investigate.

“Well….”

Of course it was cowardly to lie, but I was originally a coward by nature.

I even knew why everyone was so horrified.

Marquis Abedes and Crown Prince Carlon were involved in black magic. They were nervous about that being the subject of a covert crackdown.

Well, for now, Marquis Abedes and Crown Prince Carlon will not be caught anyway.

“I’m a good swordsman though.”

I added with a vague smile.

“You might think you need my help someday.”

“Heh, yeah.”

Marquis Abedes said, swallowing dry saliva.

“Then what kind of crack-down are they doing next?””

If they could know Robert’s move ahead of time, it would simply be a great piece of information for Crown Prince Carlon.

Richard, who fixed his eyes on my blank face, was also holding his breath with shining eyes.“It’s… oh, it’s a little hard to say…I’ll organize it in my head and tell you. I’ve never had a proper education other than swordsmanship. But this meat is a bit tough.”

Richard shouted urgently, ringing the bell.

“Grill it again! Top of the line!”

“I don’t like that wine either.”

“Get the best wine in the mansion right away.”“I like dessert, so…I’m already looking forward to it.”

“Tell the chef to prepare at least three kinds of desserts.”

It was then.

Suddenly, a servant ran in.

“Marquis! I’m sorry. It seems to be an urgent matter correspondence from the temple.”