am-books Chapter 11
Chapter 11
"...If it were up to me, I would kill them. While they don’t pose a threat to me, they are seedlings that could one day threaten Arthur’s power.”
“Is it really that serious? They’re just an adopted daughter and a bastard son, after all.”
Ehan didn’t understand why she was so fixated on them. Sure, being at the top of the academy was impressive, but their bloodline wasn’t even close to that of the little prince. Compared to Arthur’s pedigree, they were no more than commoners wielding cheap spoons.
“Yes, for now.”
"...For now?”
“What I am about to tell you is highly classified. Only three people aside from myself are aware of it, so don’t go running your mouth.”
“Then I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option. Just listen.”
...A tyrant through and through.
“First, Irene Windler. My uncle adopted her because she bears a striking resemblance to his late wife.”
“Pff, how typical of nobles. Adopting a replacement for his dead wife?”
“Don’t mock him. Grief is something both commoners and nobles experience alike. He must have been deeply mourning her loss.”
It was understandable that he would take in someone who looked like his wife. But...
“According to the royal family’s analysis, Irene Windler is likely his biological daughter.”
"...What?"
“There’s a good chance Irene Windler is my uncle’s only child. My aunt died from a fall, but she was heavily pregnant at the time. She might have given birth before passing.”
“She fell to her death and still survived long enough to give birth?”
“My aunt was a pure-blooded elf. A noblewoman with mysteries as profound as those of royalty. It’s not impossible that she survived just long enough.”
“...”
"Surprising, isn’t it? I was just as shocked when I found out.”
"...Hmm.”
Ehan was sure that his surprise and Isis’s were of a completely different nature.
‘Why does this sound so familiar...?’
A secret birth, extraordinary lineage, rising from humble origins to become a top student in the academy, then adopted because of her resemblance to a duchess who might have been her real mother.
Wasn’t this straight out of a...?
‘Romance fantasy heroine backstory?’
Ehan had read enough romance novels during his late-night guard shifts as a sergeant to recognize the pattern. A character in a romance game or novel, someone who turns their life around after being reincarnated.
‘No, no. I’m overthinking this.’
He tried to shake off the ridiculous thought. It was just a tragic story, and any normal adult should respond with sympathy, not absurd theories.
“But Irene Windler is an odd one. She has a habit of saying, ‘I have somewhere else to return to,’ as if it were a mantra. She also insisted that if my uncle adopts another daughter within two years, the adoption contract with her should be canceled immediately. It’s a strange stipulation...”
"She’s the real deal."
“Hm? What did you say?”
“Ah, nothing.”
"?"
Ehan was now convinced.
That woman... without a doubt.
‘So, I’m not the only one, huh?’
He had never assumed he was unique in this bizarre situation. Still, he hadn’t expected to encounter someone else under such familiar circumstances.
And to think it was in such an obvious genre.
‘So, is this world actually a romance fantasy?’
But why was everything still so bleak and hopeless?
That was quite a line. It resonated with him deeply. It seemed that only someone of her caliber could speak like that.
“That’s why I need you to keep an eye on them. With your eyes—no, with your instincts—you can discern anything.”
“...I thought your request was going to be something huge after all that build-up. So, you just want me to keep an eye on them?”
The anticlimactic nature of the request left Ehan dumbfounded. After all the dramatic explanations, this was the conclusion?
“No. You can’t decide based on just one look.”
“...??”
“They’re still young. Right now, they might not have any ambitions for power, but who knows how they’ll change in the future. You need to monitor them continuously.”
“...How long are we talking about?”
“At least for the three years they’ll be at the academy. By then, we’ll have a clearer idea.”
“...”
“So, I’m asking you to—”
“I’m not buying it.”
“...Interrupting someone is a very bad habit.”
“Given the situation, I think it’s a very good habit.”
“...Hmph.”
“Uu?”
Arthur tilted his head cutely, perhaps unfamiliar with seeing his mother frustrated, while Ehan remained resolutely impassive.
“The conversation’s over, right? Well then...”
Ehan turned to leave, having no intention of getting further involved in this game of political intrigue.
Toss.
“...Huh?”
“Drink this.”
Just as he was about to leave, a small glass bottle was suddenly thrown his way. The liquid inside was a shimmering purple, and Ehan blinked in surprise.
“Shouldn’t I know what this is before I drink it?”
“You won’t regret it. I swear on the Pendragon name that there’s no trickery involved.”
“...”
Swearing on a family name was a powerful oath, one that bound the soul. Breaking it would bring unbearable agony every single day.
Given that, Ehan sighed.
“Well, fine.”
Pop.
Without hesitation, he uncorked the bottle and downed the liquid. If she said it wasn’t a bad deal, then it had to be something worthwhile.
But then...
“...What the?!!”
“Hmph.”
Ehan’s eyes widened in shock as Isis smiled like a victor.
The winner of this game had been decided.
And there was no denying it.
‘...I have to accept this now.’
Because there was one undeniable fact.
For the first time in fifteen years, his “broken” parts were sending signals again.
Tears almost welled up in his eyes at the sensation he had long since forgotten.