120.1. Hate The Sin, But Not The Sinner, Isn’t It?

The mastermind was Zaid’s mother, Bella.

The Black Rose Princess let out a small sigh.

“Mother is no longer in this country, is she?”

The Black Rose Princess Layla looked at Kyle’s father, Margrave Veil Road, who nodded.

“We don’t know what methods she used, but it’s almost certain she crossed the mountainous border between the Kingdom of Maugalia and the Empire of Dubatyn.”

“Then… I no longer need to hide my true feelings.”

Layla turned to Kyle.

“Kyle, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to care for you much until now. I was always so scared of Mother and did whatever she told me.”

“Layla… Sister…”

Kyle looked at Layla with a tearful expression.

“Layla, what do you mean you were afraid of Bella?”

“It’s hard to explain with words, but… It felt like she lived only to make Zaid the lord…”

“Hmm…”

The Margrave Veil Road folded his arms and fell silent.

Then Van waved his hand.

“We mobilized all our wizards and priests to confirm that Zaid, Kyle, and even Myrna were cursed.”

“What?”

I couldn’t help but let out a voice when I heard the name Myrna.

Oh no!

It would be disrespectful in front of His Majesty the King!

The knights and attendants behind Van moved slightly, but Van just smiled and continued speaking.

It seemed like he was willing to overlook it.

“Rest assured, Myrna’s curse was very mild. It was just something that made her appetite decrease a bit. But it has almost completely faded now. We lifted it yesterday, of course.”

Myrna was cursed too!?

I can’t forgive Bella!

“Kyle and Myrna are twins. It seems they were cursed before they were born, with most of it affecting Kyle and just a small part on Myrna. The reason Kyle has lived this long is likely because some of the curse was dispersed to Myrna.”

So Myrna was secretly helping her brother.

I’ll praise her later.

“It seems that Kyle and Zaid were both under quite complex curses.”

It seems?

“Most of the curse was dispelled with an Elixir. However, since it was a complex curse, some specific ones remained. Those were also dispelled.”

Elixirs are a cure-all, but dispelling curses is just a bonus.

Even with hints, the royal court’s wizards and priests were amazing to investigate and dispel the curses on the two. I’d like to thank them if I get the chance.

Jabil-sensei sighed and threw a stack of parchment onto the table.

It seemed to be the documents that were handed to Van’s attendant.

“A curse to conceal another curse… To think such a troublesome curse was maintained for so many years… Come to think of it, the time when they tried to forcibly push Kyle and Myrna to the dangerous frontier was also when Bella had fewer opportunities to interact with Kyle.”

Van scratched his head.

“Bella is now a wanted criminal. At the same time, we’ll dissolve her marriage with Orthros. I’ll inform the Empire along with our protest.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Margrave Veil Road straightened his back.

“So, this will leave you single, but a lord can’t remain that way. Orthros, you’ll marry one of my daughters.”

“W-What!? But most of His Majesty’s daughters who aren’t married yet are still minors!”

“I think one or two are adults… What, are my daughters not good enough for you?”

“No, that’s not what I meant, but the age difference is…”

“A gap like that isn’t uncommon. This is a royal command. Choose whichever one you like.”

Wow.

Noble marriages are scary!

Van crossed his arms.

“I appreciate that you cherished my sister Ilmina.”

Ilmina… The mother who gave birth to Kyle and Myrna.

So that means Margrave Veil Road and his kin have royal blood!

Well, considering he’s an important Margrave, that’s to be expected.

“And I was also grateful, though regretful, that I half-forced you to marry Bella as a second wife to strengthen international relations with the Empire.”

“As a Margrave, it was necessary.”

So Orthros and Bella’s marriage was a political one.

“I remember when you brought Bella and Jabil here on Orthros’ wyvern.”

“That was a tough time…”

I see!

Since the Empire is only connected by a steep mountain path, I wondered how they brought her here, but they used a wyvern!

As I was nodding in understanding, Van turned a sharp gaze toward the Margrave Veil Road.

“Orthros, who will inherit?”

“Flaten will be the heir.”

“Is Kyle not an option?”

The Margravef Veil Road looked at Kyle.

“…Kyle is not suited to be a lord. I don’t intend to make him the heir.”

Van raised an eyebrow.

“You’ve said that before. Explain why here.”

“Yes… Kyle is… too kind. A time will come when a lord must harden their heart and not hesitate to make sacrifices.”