Chapter 21
“More than anything…?”
“The fact that you talked to me first and even joked around surprised me.”
“Yes…”
Actually, just as Caverion was surprised by Raylenne’s changed behavior, Raylenne was equally taken aback by Caverion’s change in attitude. He had become considerably kinder. Even now, his slightly smiling face no longer harbored any hostility. Clearly, there was a change in the dynamics between them.
“By the way, what happened with Helis’s punishment of Aiden Bedeusian?”
“…For punishment, Helis made Aiden eat Hayashin fruit today.”
Caverion’s eyes widened.
“Hayashin fruit?”
“Yes, do you know about it?”
Caverion nodded.
“I’ve heard it causes excruciating pain.”
Raylenne was a little surprised that Caverion knew about Hayashin fruit. Even if Helis had looked it up on purpose, there was no reason for Caverion to know about such a peculiar fruit. He must have been diligent in accumulating knowledge, not just in swordsmanship, as described in the original story.
“What happened to Aiden?”
“He suffered greatly.”
…It was me who suffered, not Aiden.
Raylenne gritted her teeth, hiding her true feelings. Caverion’s expression was peculiar. His tense brows suggested he was deep in thought.
Raylenne considered Caverion for a moment. He wasn’t someone with affection for his family, but he wasn’t a bad person. He took good care of the knights under his command and the common people in his territory. He was a person of great responsibility.
Although he didn’t feel responsible for the captive Aiden, he might have a human side that would make him view this situation negatively.
Gathering her thoughts, Raylenne slowly began to speak.
“Brother, do you think it was right to punish Aiden like this?”
“…”
Caverion looked at Raylenne. His eyes widened slightly at her question, more in surprise than anger.
“…What do you think?”
“Honestly, I don’t think this punishment was fair.”
Caverion’s pace slowed.
“Why?”
“Aiden is a prisoner, not a toy. Taking out one’s anger after being beaten is inappropriate. Regardless of Aiden being from the Bedeusian Duchy, it was an inappropriate punishment.”
Caverion seemed deep in thought. Encouraged by his contemplative look, Raylenne continued.
“And Helis’s attitude is problematic. As his sister, I’m worried. It feels like Helis is becoming more and more twisted…”
“I think so too.”
Fortunately, Caverion agreed.
“I watched him, hoping he’d mature with age, but recently Helis has been crossing the line.”
Raylenne saw this as an opportunity and asked naturally.
“Is there any marriage plan for Helis?”
“Marriage plan?”
“Yes. I think you should marry first, but Helis is so immature that getting him married might help.”
Raylenne sighed deeply, playing the role of a concerned sister.
“There have been marriage proposals from various places, but Helis has turned them all down.”
Oh…? That was unexpected.
“He seems quite adamant about this, even against Father’s wishes.”
Damn. Does he have a particular girl in mind?
Raylenne couldn’t let the conversation end here. Even if she couldn’t get rid of Helis immediately, she needed to keep him away from the dungeon.
“Brother, I have a favor to ask.”
Caverion tilted his head, looking at Raylenne.
“Tell me.”
“I want to completely restrict access to the dungeon.”
“Why do you ask this?”
“This incident happened because Helis entered the dungeon on his own. We were lucky it was only a nose injury. If it had been worse…”
Raylenne put on a worried expression.
“I want to prevent such accidents in advance.”
“…That makes sense.”
Caverion nodded.
“Alright, I’ll talk to Father about it.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
Raylenne smiled brightly as she got the answer she wanted.
‘Good. I’ll tell Haele about this first thing tomorrow morning.’
As she silently rejoiced, Caverion spoke again.
“Raylenne, since we’re talking about marriage…”
“Yes?”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
Raylenne blinked.
‘Of course not.’
Thinking back, the only men she had met were the ones in this house. She had stayed in this mansion every day, so it was natural.
“Not yet.”
“I see.”
Caverion looked somewhat relieved. Raylenne watched him intently.
“I was just curious because you suddenly brought up marriage.”
Feeling awkward under her gaze, Caverion explained himself.
‘Who said anything?’
But she could guess why.
Being the eldest, he was likely concerned about his siblings’ marriages.
“What about you, Brother? Do you have anyone in mind?”
Even though she knew the answer, she asked out of courtesy.
In the original story, Caverion would chase after the escaped Aiden to enhance his own power. As he struggled to control his power, he would meet and become attracted to the heroine, Karina, who could manage his strength.
Though she didn’t know how far the story had progressed, it would be some time before he met the heroine.
“Not yet.”
As expected, Caverion answered.
But suddenly, a question arose. Why hadn’t he gotten married before meeting the heroine? Was it the fate of a supporting male lead to be single until then?
‘That’s unfortunate.’
Raylenne sighed inwardly.
Caverion then spoke with a serious face.
“The maid who tried to kill you.”
“Helen? Have you found her?”
Mentioning Helen, whom she had almost forgotten, Raylenne’s expression grew serious.
“Not yet. But I discovered something odd.”
“…Something odd?”
“I sent someone to her place of origin, but they couldn’t find any trace of the Barony of Maklar.”
A crease appeared on Raylenne’s smooth forehead.
“What do you mean…?”
[I’m from a small rural area, a barony without any lands, so you wouldn’t know of it…]
Raylenne recalled Helen saying this, blushing with embarrassment.
But for it not to exist? Had they moved?
It wasn’t impossible. Helen’s family was a nameless barony without lands, and unregistered commoners could move freely.
Or perhaps Helen had lied about her origins.
Whoever the real culprit was, they were thorough, as if they had planned for everything.
“I’ve sent searchers to the Bedeusian Duchy, so it won’t take long.”
Caverion’s voice was low.
“Given how meticulously they’ve moved, it’s likely the Bedeusian Duchy is retaliating for their defeat.”
Raylenne’s eyes darkened.
The Bedeusian Duchy… Could it really be them?
Though they were a strong suspect as Caverion suggested, she still had doubts. Why would they target her specifically, instead of Caverion or the Duke of Ergen?
Raylenne looked up at the unusually bright moon and prayed. She hoped the real culprit would be caught soon.
* * *
The next day, as soon as Raylenne opened her eyes, she busily prepared to start her day.
“Should I go quickly?”
She changed her clothes, gathered the prepared items, and headed down to the dungeon. As soon as she descended, she saw Haele sitting there. Raylenne suddenly became curious seeing Haele alone.
‘Does he guard the dungeon alone for 24 hours?’
Haele was always in the dungeon. If this were Korea, it would be a clear violation of labor laws, and there would be an uproar accusing the Ergen Duchy of abuse of power.
“You’ve arrived, Lady Raylenne.”
Haele stood up and bowed when he saw Raylenne.
“Do you guard this place alone?”
“No. In the evening, the guards from the mansion patrol near the dungeon, and I take a break and sleep then.”
That made sense. Haele wasn’t stuck here like a ghost all day.
“By the way, you look better each day, Lady Raylenne.”
Haele commented, noticing Raylenne’s brighter appearance today. Haele was right. Since getting rid of Magnolia, her health had been improving day by day. While she wasn’t sure what other threats might come, she felt safe for now.
“You’re here to see Aiden Bedeusian, right?”
Haele took out a key from the drawer. She glanced inside the drawer and saw several other keys.
“One of those must be the key to Aiden’s shackles.”
As Haele looked at her, Raylenne quickly shifted her gaze.
“Here it is.”
Haele handed over the key to Aiden’s cell. Raylenne didn’t go straight to the cell; she fiddled with the key in her hand, as there was something she needed to tell Haele.
“Haele.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, no one is allowed to enter the dungeon.”
Haele tilted his head in confusion.
“No one?”
“Yes, no one. I’ve received permission from my brother.”
“Even the Duke of Ergen?”
Raylenne hesitated for a moment. She hadn’t considered that…
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, she calmly replied, “If Father comes, tell him I have the key and that he can’t enter without it. He won’t be able to go in alone.”
“Understood.”
“And especially, Helis is strictly forbidden from entering. No matter what he does in front of the dungeon, do not let him in.”
In truth, the permission was mainly to keep Helis out. As long as he was controlled, everything would be fine.
“…Yes, understood.”
Haele seemed to hope such a situation wouldn’t occur. Raylenne understood his feelings. Dealing with Helis would be no easy task. Satisfied with how things were going, Raylenne noticed Haele’s gaze on the bag in her hand.
“Lady Raylenne, you seem to have brought quite a lot today.”
Raylenne subtly moved the bag behind her.
“I need to do some maintenance in the cell.”
“Yourself?!”
Haele was startled.
“It’s nothing major. Just minor repairs I can handle.”
“Even so, it would be better to have the servants do it…”
“If I let others into Aiden’s cell and they get attacked, it will be a hassle. Or would you prefer to do it?”
Haele was afraid of Aiden and was reluctant to enter the cell. His eyes wavered. Eventually, he sat back down and lowered his head.
“Please go ahead, Lady Raylenne.”
As expected. Raylenne smiled at the anticipated reaction and walked alone toward the cell.
