[AFYC] Chapter 79
As Sabine began descending the stairs with a look of awe, Charlotte stepped up to the railing. Behind her, a throng of nobles gathered like a cloud.
“Isn’t that an Akhal-Teke?”
“Indeed, with that golden mane! It’s a horse money can’t buy!”
“It looks like the Count is gifting his daughter a horse that was given as a state gift from Ishas.”
Charlotte smiled as she listened to the nobles’ murmurs of admiration. Standing at the railing, surrounded by aristocrats like a queen, Charlotte captivated Count Jerome’s gaze.
At that moment, Sabine, who had practically flown down the stairs, grasped the hem of her dress and ran towards her father.
“Father!”
Count Jerome kissed his approaching daughter on the forehead. Sabine, who resembled her mother, gazed up at the royal gift with an entranced expression and carefully stroked the horse’s mane.
“I mentioned wanting this horse but never thought I’d receive it! Oh my...”
The Count, watching his daughter’s delight, smiled before turning his gaze back. Charlotte was still standing there, smiling.
The most beautiful woman in the world, one who needed to have everyone at her feet to be satisfied. The mother of his daughter. But a woman who would never truly be his wife.
The Count kissed his daughter’s forehead once more and whispered, “Happy birthday, Sabine.”
He gently stroked her hair before taking her hand and leading her back towards the building.
“Let’s go inside. I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.”
The Count sent his daughter up first when they reached the base of the stairs leading to the balcony.
“Go on ahead. I have something to attend to on the first floor.”
“Will you come quickly?” Sabine smiled brightly as she ascended the stairs, and the Count walked towards a door leading off the side.
As he entered the dimly lit hallway, someone silently emerged from the shadows. This presence, shrouded in darkness, always gave him a chill. However, no other appearance of theirs was any less unsettling.
Hiding his discomfort, the Count asked calmly, “How did it go?”
“Just as I reported. It’s been completely wiped out.”
The Count clicked his tongue quietly.
“They were greedy, but they got the job done. Now, I’ll need to find replacements.”
“There’s no shortage of people willing to work for the right price, so don’t worry.”
“The entire Beta Mercenary Corps, in just one day...”
“I’ve told you before, that’s nothing.”
“Did you sever all the ties properly?”
“Rest assured. We killed the leader right before the arrival of the key player and retrieved all the important documents.”
The Count let out a small sigh.
“Well done.”
“By the way, while I was here, I took a look at the guest list. Many people are invited solely by the young lady, including some unvetted singers and actors. It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.”
“It’s her birthday, and she wanted to invite them. How could I stop her? Once she’s in the palace, she’ll be more careful on her own, so don’t worry. By the way, did you find out anything about the woman travelling with the Marquis to the capital?”
The shadowed figure paused for a moment before replying.
“Nothing concrete yet. I’ll share anything meaningful as soon as I have it.”
The Count fell silent for a moment before changing the subject.
“Will you stay for a meal?”
The figure, knowing the offer was merely a formality, chuckled softly and turned to leave. Just before disappearing through a secret door, they added as if they had almost forgotten, “It seems the Marquis has returned to the capital.”
Left alone in the darkness, Count Jerome slowly exhaled.
“...”
In the distance, the sounds of laughter and music could be heard faintly.
Reminded that today was his only daughter’s birthday, he started walking back outside. As he ascended the stairs to the main hall, the city, draped in darkness, stretched beyond him. In the distance, the spires of the royal palace came into view.
The palace.
Why did that cursed statue at the entrance of the palace still come to mind every time he saw it?
When would that statue finally mean nothing to him?
When, at last?
The veins in the Count’s hand bulged as he clenched his fist tightly.
♔♔♔
Meanwhile, a carriage approached the roundabout in front of Luxen’s royal palace, guarded by the double-headed eagle.
Oscar, who had been reviewing documents the entire ride, set the papers aside and leaned back against the headrest.
The gaslights in front of the palace had been adjusted to shine particularly brightly, and the guards, standing tall like poplars, maintained a vigilant watch.
As the carriage moved, the view outside shifted. Oscar’s gaze rose upwards.
“...”