The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 11

There isn’t a finger that doesn’t hurt when bitten, but my youngest daughter, Maria, was especially painful.

Maria had been frail since birth, and I raised her with utmost care and love.

I raised and taught all my children with modern hygiene concepts, but I was even stricter with Maria.

Fearing the worst, I kept her outings to a minimum until she became an adult, and even when she did go out, she had to cover her face below the eyes with a cotton cloth modeled after a modern mask, and wash her hands with precious soap every hour.

Perhaps because of these precautions, Maria often suffered from minor illnesses but never contracted any major ones.

However, perhaps because she was raised like a bird in a cage, on the day she became an adult, she declared she would study abroad in the capital of the Obla Kingdom.

In this world, it was unthinkable for a woman, let alone the daughter of a grand noble like myself, to study abroad in the capital.

Naturally, I opposed the idea, and it seemed her dream would remain just that—a dream—since my youngest daughter, who had spent almost her entire life inside the castle, longed for freedom above all else.

A year passed, and it appeared to be just a fleeting commotion.

But the girl never forgot her dream.

On her next birthday, having long dealt with a merchant guild that frequently did business with the ducal family, Maria secretly sent a letter to someone in the capital through the guild, and a few months later, her wish was granted.

This was because the recipient of Maria’s letter was one of the heroes of the Dark Dragon War, someone whom even Duke Si-on could not easily refuse.

Maria had sent her letter to the then King of the Obla Kingdom, who was both her father’s friend and her uncle, her mother’s brother.

Maria was the only one among my children who had a godfather outside of the duchy, and that godfather was the King of Obla, who had always doted on his niece since she was young.

The king, cherishing his niece dearly, agreed to her request.

He assured Si-on that she would stay in a royal estate in the capital and be looked after by people of the royal court—a promise from his closest friend and brother-in-law that Si-on couldn’t refuse.

No, initially, I politely declined.

But somehow, my youngest daughter’s desire became known in the capital and the royal court, and her dream quickly turned into a political issue.

The nobles at the heart of the royal palace became aware of Maria’s move to the capital.

Fearing the tremendous growth of the Si-on Duchy, which was practically a semi-independent state governed by the hero of the Dark Dragon War, the nobles, whose ties with the royal family ran deep, strongly supported Maria’s move.

Wasn’t the direct descendant of the Si-on Ducal Family, essentially a “hostage,” willingly coming to the capital?

In the end, Maria, who had sought to escape one cage, merely entered another—the capital and the royal palace.

With the situation having grown so large, I could no longer stop Maria’s departure to the capital.

It was clear how it would look if I publicly opposed the King’s decision.

If I kept refusing, it would not only damage my friend the King’s reputation but also increase suspicion and checks from the nobles.

In the end, I would have to go to the capital myself to explain, but if they saw that I hadn’t aged at all in decades, there would be an uproar.

Therefore, I had no choice but to allow Maria to go to the capital.

However, after all the commotion she went through to get there, Maria didn’t even last a year in the capital.

She eloped with Adrian Kilburn Ritner, a prospective knight of the Royal Guard.

* * *

“That horse seriously injured my son. He broke his shin. Because of that, he lost his chance to become Master Lycas’s squire. I had to personally apologize to Master Lycas because my son wasn’t properly managed. Do you think 100,000 Dien can make up for my son’s shin and my apology?”

Hearing the calm yet stubborn tone of Baron Kilburn, who had eloped with my youngest daughter, my expression became complex.

“Well, even so, that’s a bit…”

Administrator Swart, who had been defending me earnestly, faltered slightly.

Lycas was a renowned knight and swordmaster throughout the Obla Kingdom.

Regardless of the circumstances, the administrator, feeling the weight of the swordmaster’s name, glanced nervously at me.

Baron Kilburn, who appeared to be around fifty years old, also turned his gaze to me.

‘Hmm?’

The moment our eyes met, Baron Kilburn felt puzzled.

The young scion of the royal cadet branch, who looked barely old enough to be his child, seemed somewhat off.

He should either be angry or scared, but his expression was completely different.

The baron was slightly displeased by the strange, somewhat sorrowful gaze that seemed to be drawing something.

“Did you say your name was Sir Salen? I’d like to hear your thoughts on this matter. Do you also think I’m being unreasonable?”

Though young, Baron Kilburn still showed respect, as Salen was a member of the royal family.

However, the emotions in his tone and expression made his demeanor slightly intimidating.

‘Even if things go awry, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just cut the throat of that damn horse and forgo the compensation and reparations.’

Wanting that outcome, Baron Kilburn watched Si-on intently, urging him to respond.

“I wouldn’t say it’s completely unreasonable. So, I’ll follow your wishes, Baron.”

“What?”

“What?!”

Baron Kilburn and Administrator Swart both looked shocked at the unexpected response.

“And I apologize as the owner since my horse caused harm to your son.”

“Hmm.”

Though he was a proud member of the royal family, even from a cadet branch, Baron Kilburn was perplexed by Si-on’s direct apology.

However, Si-on continued, erasing the strange expression he had shown momentarily, and spoke calmly.

“And I’ll pay the compensation right away, so first, I’d like to see my horses. Both of them.”

“…Fine.”

Baron Kilburn nodded and ordered his subordinates to bring the horses.

The expressions of the local nobles and officials who had gathered in the parlor with Administrator Swart, nervously watching the situation, relaxed.

Although it was a trivial matter, it had almost escalated into a dispute with a member of the royal family, so they were relieved it ended well.

“The handling of the perpetrator can be coordinated with the Burgos Administrator.”

“Let’s do that. Then…”

Having done all he needed, Baron Kilburn was about to leave when Si-on’s voice stopped him.

“But may I ask you one question?”

“What’s the question?”

Was he trying to nitpick? Baron Kilburn’s face hardened slightly.

“I apologize, but what is your relationship with Sir Adrian Kilburn Ritner?”

Baron Kilburn, still frowning, replied in a heavy tone.

“He was my father.”

“…!”

Si-on flinched, and Baron Kilburn found it odd.

It was strange enough that this cadet branch member of the royal family, who seemed barely old enough to be his son, knew his father, who had died decades ago, but to react this way?

‘Could it be about that incident?’

He’d heard that his father had once been the most famous person in the Obla Kingdom.

But that was a long time ago, and by the time he was old enough to understand the world, his father’s fame had mostly faded.

It was stranger that someone who looked no older than twenty-five knew anything about his father.

“Then you’re Baron Kilburn’s… never mind. I asked something pointless. Excuse me.”

Si-on bowed his head slightly and turned away.

Baron Kilburn found him an odd character, but that was all.

He didn’t see the bittersweet longing on Si-on’s face as he walked away.

* * *

“Sir Salen, are you alright?”

Administrator Swart cautiously approached Si-on as they exited the parlor.

Given that Si-on was both a prime investment opportunity and a potential massive benefactor, Swart couldn’t help but be concerned about Si-on’s sour expression.

“Hm? Ah, I’m fine. I was just thinking of someone else.”

“I see. I didn’t expect you to pay the full compensation. If I had more time, I would have tried to resolve this somehow.”

Although the likelihood of that was near zero, the administrator still said what came to mind.

“Of course, I don’t doubt that. But why take the hard route when the easy one is available? The compensation is reasonable, and besides, Lagos is Burgos’s neighbor. To ensure my investment proceeds smoothly, it’s best to avoid conflicts with neighbors.”

“Absolutely, you’re right.”

Finally understanding his enormous investor’s mindset, the administrator’s expression brightened.

“By the way, while listening to the baron, I figured out which of his children bought your horse.”

“Oh, really? Who was it?”

“His youngest son. Of all the Kilburn Baron’s children, he’s the only one with talent in martial arts and is expected to become a knight.”

“His youngest son, huh…”

Si-on continued walking, muttering quietly to himself.

‘The youngest grandson of my youngest daughter bought my horse. What a small world.’

Baron Kilburn was indeed the son of Adrian and Maria.

Si-on had seen him once, as a baby, and that was the first and last time.

Baron Kilburn was the only one of Si-on’s many grandsons whom he had seen only once.

‘Fate is truly strange, Maria.’

Recalling his beloved youngest daughter, who was no longer in this world, Si-on smiled sadly.

But feeling Administrator Swart’s gaze on him, he quickly wiped the expression from his face.

“Administrator, do you know how Baron Kilburn became the lord of Lagos?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. I don’t know the details, but the previous lord of Lagos, Baron Kilburn, had no children, so he adopted a few heirs from his relatives. The current Baron Kilburn was one of them and eventually became the lord.”

“I see.”

It seemed he differed from his father, who was bold but short-sighted and impulsive.

Well, given that he had a mother who was incomparable to his useless father, it was no surprise he resembled her more.

‘Whose son is he, anyway? Of course.’

Though he looked a lot like Adrian, which Si-on didn’t like, the grandson clearly inherited Maria’s intelligence and character, which made him quite impressive in Si-on’s eyes.

That’s why Si-on had chosen to pay the compensation and apologize without further conflict.

‘Hm? Hold on.’

Suddenly struck by a thought, Si-on narrowed his eyes.

‘If this goes well…’

“Huh?”

Administrator Swart’s startled reaction made Si-on look up.

“What’s going on now… Oh!”

The castle staff, who had been guiding the two, were also taken aback.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!

A black horse burst out from the opposite building, galloping madly across the castle’s courtyard straight toward them.

“Ah!”

“Move, move out of the way!”

The massive horse charged at them as if it would crash into them, and the terrified onlookers scattered in panic.

But Si-on stood still.

“Sir Salen!”

Administrator Swart, who had leaped out of the way faster than anyone else, imagined the disaster about to unfold and shouted.

Neigh! Neigh!

The black horse, which had been charging like a mad beast, stopped abruptly, almost as if it was a lie.

Not only that, but it reared up on its hind legs, and then, like a long-reared dog, it began rubbing its head and neck against Si-on’s body, licking him affectionately.

“You rascal, Blackie. Have you been well?”

Si-on smiled warmly, accepting the horse’s affectionate behavior.

Administrator Swart and the castle staff watched in astonishment.

The castle staff, in particular, pointed at Si-on and the horse, opening and closing their mouths in sheer disbelief.

But Si-on paid them no mind, roughly patting the mane and neck of the horse, who was busy rubbing and licking, and checked its body as he spoke.

“Huh? Look at you, all fattened up. You must’ve been living the high life, huh?”

Flinch!

Blackie, still making eye contact with Si-on, slowly pulled its neck back and averted its head, trying to dodge Si-on’s gaze.

“Well, losing the weight is no big deal. But where’s Goldie?”

Neigh! Neigh!

Just as Blackie was about to gesture something, a loud voice rang out.

“What’s going on? Stormbringer! What are you doing? Why are you acting like that?!”

Hearing an inexplicably angry voice, Si-on turned his head.

A young man, who didn’t appear to be even twenty, was looking this way with a shocked expression.

“…!”

Si-on’s eyes widened.

The young man bore an uncanny resemblance to his youngest daughter when she was startled or angry, even though she usually acted bright and cheerful due to her frail health.