Chapter – 05
Just like the previous saints, she would be given a single premonition that she could never share with anyone else.
In other words, once the Sun God Sol’s resting period ended and the oracle was delivered, the benefits they could gain and the value of the bride price would all become insignificant.
“I… I raised him like this… how could it come to this…”
Fridis gasped in shock, struggling even to breathe, and her son Marvin stepped forward.
“Mother. I will go look for him, so please don’t worry too much.”
Her eyes snapped sharply toward him.
“You haven’t gone yet? Your only younger sibling is missing, and you’re moving so slowly?!”
Sensing the looming trouble, Marvin hurriedly left the room, just as her husband, Count Herman, brought over a cup of honeyed water.
“Darling, here’s some honeyed water. Drink it warm and calm yourself a bit.”
Fridis, pretending to comply, leaned into her husband and sipped the honeyed water, blowing on it to cool it down.
All the while, she kept grumbling.
“I’m so upset. Where on earth could he have gone that he hasn’t returned yet, not even for this important marriage arrangement? Ugh… really…”
“Mother!”
Seeing her son rush in again, Fridis’s eyes narrowed sharply into triangles. Her sharp expression made Marvin stammer in surprise.
“Th-The Crown Prince… has arrived!”
Huh? Crown Prince? At this hour?
Blinking a few times in disbelief, she asked,
“…Why?”
Flustered, Count Herman, his wife, and Marvin hurried to the entrance to receive the Crown Prince.
Though it was very late, none of them had the power to refuse the prince’s visit.
What could they do? Power is the ultimate authority.
But why would the Crown Prince pay a humble countly family a visit in the middle of the night?
The Herman family had no connections with the royal family. Their estate was in the most rural countryside, and the taxes they provided were insignificant.
Their presence in the capital was purely because of the high bride price.
Of course, after arranging Asha’s marriage and securing a sum, they would return to their estate. The wedding was for the eldest son who would soon become the lord of the land.
For a minor noble family that wouldn’t even have a seat at the Imperial Council, if the Crown Prince came visiting, they would have to get up immediately—even barefoot—to greet him.
Soon, the main gate opened, and knights on horseback rode into the small garden in formation.
They surrounded the estate as if taking control, and Count Herman, intimidated by the power of their horses and armor, gripped his wife’s hand tightly.
The knights took their positions, and a gilded carriage rolled through the garden.
The Empire’s rising star, a cruel and cold-blooded man known as the Crown Prince, Alesto, had arrived.
Count Herman, his wife, and Marvin bowed deeply.
“Your Highness, we welcome you.”
The three of them greeted the Crown Prince almost simultaneously.
Alesto approached Count Herman and personally helped him to his feet.
Though a simple gesture, every movement exuded refined elegance and an intimidating aura that made others feel small.
“Pleasure to meet you, Count. And you as well, Countess. I wondered who Asha takes after to be so lovely—both of you are tall and graceful.”
Count Herman’s eyes widened in surprise, while his wife lowered her gaze anxiously.
Alesto paid no attention to their reactions and indicated the interior of the house, speaking as if it were his own.
“Let’s go inside. The conversation might be long.”
Guided by the butler, they reached the parlor, and Alesto naturally took the seat of honor, gesturing to the remaining seats.
“Sit.”
The count and countess took their seats, while Marvin, feeling it wasn’t his place, discreetly stepped back.
The atmosphere was tense. Alesto had already made new history in the country.
He had claimed the Crown Prince title at a young age and ended a 15-year border war.
Yet behind the official title, there was another reputation:
“The Emperor’s will-defying illegitimate son.”
Though an unproven rumor, every noble had probably heard it at least once.
Especially for someone as ruthless and thorough as Alesto, attaching themselves to him required caution.
“I hope this isn’t anything serious.”
The count and countess, like Marvin, sat down warily. Alesto, however, remained silent for some time.
Finally, growing impatient, Count Herman broke the silence.
“Your Highness, may I ask… for what purpose—”
At that moment, Jerold Burns, dressed in uniform, entered the parlor and placed documents on the table.
Alesto, expressionless, handed over the papers and got straight to the point.
“I will pay Asha’s bride price. Sign it.”
Count Herman looked at the papers in the Crown Prince’s hand in shock. There were two copies of the marriage contract.
He pulled one slightly closer to him and held a pen, ready to sign at any moment. Then he glanced at his wife for approval.
Fridis, having grasped the situation, slowly spoke up.
“Your Highness. It seems Asha’s bride price has become even higher.”
Count Herman’s mouth dropped open.
Had he misheard? No—he had heard correctly.
Fridis was trying to negotiate a higher bride price for Asha in front of the Crown Prince.
He knew his wife had courage, but to do this in front of the Crown Prince…
Worried, he reached to hold her hand, trying to stop her.
“If you have any requests, speak them,” Alesto said generously.
Fridis replied deliberately:
“Please create a position for this person at court.”
Alesto’s lips curved slightly, amused.
“You’re ambitious.”
But his voice carried no trace of humor.
Fridis stood, bowed low, and spoke earnestly.
“Asha has been weak since childhood, and as her mother, I worry. As you know, people like us find it difficult to enter the palace. We wish to see her frequently and care for her, so I beg you to understand.”
She signaled her husband to comply, and Count Herman knelt beside her, pleading.
“We humbly request it.”
Alesto seemed to consider briefly, stroking his chin, before speaking:
“I didn’t know Asha was weak. Very well. If her mother visits often, Asha will adapt to the palace quickly. It will be good for her in many ways.”
The count and countess brightened at the positive response.
But Alesto’s words were not finished.
“Yes, I have a good idea. I’ll make a room for her on the third floor of my palace. Then you can care for your daughter every day.”
Fridis’s expression darkened instantly.
The Empire had seven infamous places of fear, and the third floor of the Crown Prince’s palace was one of them.
It was called “the place from which one cannot leave alive,” notorious for frequent disappearances of minor nobles and palace staff.
To give her residence there sounded no different from threatening her with disappearance.
Fridis’s voice became more cautious.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. Marvin here is our son and heir, and will soon need to prepare for marriage. It’s realistically difficult to see Asha every day. There’s no need to trouble yourself by preparing a room…”
Alesto interrupted her without concern.
“So, the son will disappear, then.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Your words, in the end, mean that because of your son, you cannot devote yourself to Asha. It would be easier if she were an only child. I will help you with that.”
Alesto, ignoring the countess’s stunned expression, signaled to a knight standing by the door.
The knight, in full uniform, drew his sword and approached Herman.
“U-ugh!”
The sharp blade gleamed as it rose high…
