Chapter 77
Merian, the Emperor’s sister, harbored a deep hatred for the Bedeusian family. The first reason was her ex-husband, the Duke of Bedeusian, and the second was because Aiden, not Damian, had been sent as a prisoner. Merian was furious at the Duke’s decision to discard Aiden as soon as he became useless, especially after pushing him into the role of commander in the territorial war. This deepened the animosity between Merian and the Bedeusian family considerably.
Recently, Merian had also clashed significantly with the Emperor, who seemed inclined to support the Bedeusian family. Among the royal family, she stood alone in her staunch dislike for the Bedeusian family. This, however, did not mean she favored the Ergen family, who were holding Aiden captive. In simple terms, she despised the Bedeusian family more than the Ergen family, who had taken Aiden prisoner.
Duke Ergen tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, the sound resonating pleasantly through the solid wood.
‘If I could just use Merian properly…’ He thought, perhaps, he could shift the current pro-Bedeusian sentiment. Merian was a smart woman; her position of influence in the Imperial Court, despite holding no official title, attested to her significance.
Duke Ergen knew the secret to her influence: money. Merian had smartly developed a mine left by the former emperor, amassing a great fortune and then growing it even further. Whenever the royal family faced financial difficulties, it was Merian who extended a helping hand. This financial leverage prevented the Emperor from easily disregarding her.
If he could mobilize such a powerful woman, the situation could change dramatically. However, finding a way to move her was challenging. With Aiden as their captive, it would be difficult to gain her favor. As Duke Ergen pondered this, his eyes moved quietly like a snake, eventually fixing on the underground prison.
“Aiden…” Yes, Aiden! Using Aiden would surely provoke a reaction from Merian. Duke Ergen’s eyes widened with excitement. Merian would certainly be stirred by Aiden’s plight. A dark, viscous thought swirled in the Duke’s mind.
‘If Aiden were to…’
Die lonely and forlorn as a prisoner…
The resentment towards the Bedeusian family, who sent him as a captive, would surely grow to mountainous proportions! To avoid any backlash towards the Ergen family, they would need to craft a story showing that Aiden was treated with utmost care. He needed to think of a narrative that would pierce Merian’s heart deeply.
His mind raced. Aiden, as a prisoner, would think of his family in the cell, overcome with the despair of being abandoned by the Bedeusian family. Eventually, Aiden would take his own life, dying alone in the cell with a heart full of resentment towards the Bedeusian family and longing for his mother.
“Perfect,” Duke Ergen murmured. The answer was clear: Aiden’s death. A grieving mother would stop at nothing to bring down the Bedeusian family. It was like getting something done without lifting a finger. He briefly considered releasing Aiden from captivity but quickly realized it was not feasible. If Aiden returned to the Bedeusian family, their power would only increase. It would be better to eliminate him cleanly.
The perfect scenario unfolded in his mind, sending a thrill through him that made him laugh out loud.
“Heh heh heh,” Duke Ergen bent over, struggling to stand upright from the overwhelming excitement.
“Ah ha ha ha!” His laughter echoed eerily through the silent room.
After laughing for a long time, Duke Ergen straightened up, his cheeks aching from the exertion. ‘It’s fortunate that Aiden was brought out of the underground prison recently.’
Treating a prisoner warmly within the castle would surely touch Merian’s heart if she ever found out. Thinking of Aiden somewhere in the castle, Duke Ergen’s lips curled into a smile.
* * *
Meanwhile, in a starkly different atmosphere from the Duke’s office, filled with mad flames, another place felt cold enough to form icicles on the ceiling. A chilling stillness pervaded the room.
“Eat,” Caverion said, placing a plate and bread on the table with a thud. Aiden looked up, a hint of dissatisfaction flickering in his dark pupils.
“Why? Is there a problem?” Caverion’s curt question made Aiden frown slightly.
“Why are you here?” Aiden asked.
“Is there something wrong with my presence here?” Caverion retorted.
Aiden closed his mouth, but Caverion already knew the answer. “As long as you’re in the castle, I’ll be managing you.”
Aiden’s frown deepened, now clearly expressing his displeasure. “Why?”
“Because this isn’t a prison, and I’ll be keeping an eye on you directly,” Caverion responded.
“Are you afraid I’ll escape?” Aiden’s voice was laced with defiance.
Caverion remained silent for a moment, then said, “You won’t be able to escape from here.” Their gazes met in the air, a tense silence between them.
“I’ve stationed selected knights at the main gate, and even if you manage to leave the castle, there will be trackers. Of course, I’ll also be looking for you.”
“…”
Aiden did not respond, but Caverion continued, “Using the power of an awakener, playing hide and seek would be an easy game.”
Caverion’s eyes moved to Aiden’s feet, specifically to the shackles
“Even if you try to use your meager skills.”
Aiden raised one eyebrow slightly.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Caverion pulled out a chair from the table and sat down, the movement abrupt.
“I know you were the one who saved Raylenne when the assassin attacked her in the forest.”
Aiden remained silent.
“Raylenne credited the rescue to Haele, but in truth, she knew it was you who broke free from the chains and subdued the assassin.” Aiden neither confirmed nor denied the statement.
Caverion had observed that Aiden was adept at controlling his expressions. In fact, it seemed he hid all emotions behind that indifferent face. Whenever they faced each other, Aiden always appeared detached, as if feeling nothing at all.
“What is it that you’re curious about?” Aiden asked.
“How did you break the chains that day?” Caverion asked.
Aiden’s eyes swept the floor briefly. “I broke them with my hands.”
Caverion wasn’t surprised by the seemingly outlandish answer, knowing that Aiden wasn’t one to joke frivolously.
“Did you always have such strength?”
“No,” Aiden replied, and Caverion didn’t doubt him. If he had such strength before, he wouldn’t have lost the war and been taken prisoner.
“Then did it just appear suddenly?”
Aiden paused at the next question, tilting his head slightly. “Is there a reason I should answer all your questions?”
Aiden knew how to steer the conversation to his advantage. He answered just enough to keep Caverion interested, withholding the crucial details as if tempting with a taste before snatching it away.
But Caverion also knew how to handle Aiden.
“Raylenne.”
At the mention of the name, Aiden’s eyes sharpened.
“I’ll let you see Raylenne tonight.”
Aiden didn’t bite the bait immediately, as if unsure of the intentions behind the offer. “Why make such an offer?”
“Because I know you have special feelings for Raylenne.”
For the first time, Aiden’s expression wavered.
Caverion sneered coldly. “I’m not a fool. I can see it in your eyes and the way you act like a docile animal around her.”
“…”
“I know Raylenne is kind to you. She’s naturally soft-hearted, so it’s only natural for her to pity you.” Caverion dismissed Raylenne’s kindness as mere pity.
“So don’t harbor any false hopes.”
“…”
“The extent of my kindness is letting you see Raylenne.” Caverion looked at Aiden, who stared back quietly.
“Are you ready to answer my questions now?”
A vein pulsed on Aiden’s forehead, but Caverion knew that Aiden would soon give in. He couldn’t refuse the bait dangled before him. As expected, Aiden, though glaring as if he wanted to kill Caverion, finally spoke.
“This power manifested while I was imprisoned.” Aiden continued in a calm tone despite his rigid expression. “It’s like an inexplicable energy circulating inside me. But I can’t control it at will; it just surfaces unpredictably.”
Caverion stroked his chin thoughtfully. “So you don’t know the source of this power?”
“No,” Aiden replied, his face showing no signs of deceit.
As Caverion stared at him, a thought crossed his mind.
‘Could Aiden Bedeusian be the subject of the prophecy…?’
However, he quickly dismissed the idea. Awakeners manifested their powers before the age of twenty, and Aiden was older than that. There had never been an exception.
Still, even if Aiden wasn’t an Awakened, this situation was troubling. If Aiden’s power surfaced again unpredictably, he might break free and attempt an escape. Thus, he needed to be watched carefully.
“Do you have any more questions?” Aiden’s indifferent voice broke his thoughts.
“I’ll ask if I think of any,” Caverion replied.
“And will you use Raylenne as bait to persuade me again?” Aiden remarked, flopping down onto the bed. “It doesn’t reflect well on you to use your sister as a bargaining chip.”
“Shut up,” Caverion snapped, but Aiden remained calm.
“So I’d advise against using such tactics. You wouldn’t want to disappoint Raylenne, who trusts and looks up to her brother.”
‘This damn hyena,’ Caverion thought, realizing Aiden had turned the offer into his own leverage. He glared at Aiden before turning away. Behind him, Aiden’s voice followed.
“Don’t forget your promise to let me see Raylenne.”
