Chapter Fifty-Five: The Duke and the Nanny (2)
Jerome said with a tense face, apparently unable to comprehend what he heard:
“What did you say?!” You don't trust one of the dukes of this nation? What is the reason?
I have many reasons.
The battlefield scene came back to mind on the day I met Jerome Crowner for the first time, when I infiltrated his tent to carry out the organization’s order to assassinate him.
He said that day with a sarcastic smile: “A woman, then?” Are you the famous “Silver Thread Butcher”?
However, one of the junior members sent with me made a mistake, and our matter was quickly revealed.
I knelt down and said, “Let this boy go.”
He was still a child who had not yet reached adulthood. He was thrown into the organization after his family was unable to feed him.
“I will tell you who ordered your assassination,” I continued, “so let his life be spared.”
Such things are forbidden for murderers: the target is not wooed and the commander’s secret is not revealed. But I could not bear for the child to die a senseless death. I just wanted to buy him time to escape. But he had collapsed and fainted, and his clothes were wet from fright.
“You will tell me who sent you, then?” said Jerome, looking at me. "I'm not keen on that...but I have a suggestion." Then he smiled a dangerous smile:
“If you defeat me, I will let you and the boy go. What do you think, Silver Thread Butcher?
What's the point of asking about the possibility of defeating the strongest knight in the empire head-on? I had no choice but to fight.
At first his strength overwhelmed me, then I changed the course of the battle through sudden strikes and weapons hidden in my clothes. Finally he knelt down in front of me.
But I made a huge mistake: I trusted people's promises.
I said to him while holding the child’s hand: “I won as we agreed.” I will leave, and the assassination attempt will not be repeated. So rest assured...”
However, blood suddenly spurted out, and the little boy screamed. I turned around and saw that his arm had been amputated.
Jerome shouted frantically, waving his sword: “Where are you running to, you rat?!”
The tent collapsed from the ferocity of his movement, and his curses became louder:
“If I meet you again, I will kill you. Do you think you will be saved after targeting a duke of the country, you slut!”
I carried the child and ran until I left the camp, but I could not save him. His bleeding was more than his young body could bear.
I came back to the present and said in a steady voice: “In short, I do not see position or position as sufficient reason to build confidence.”
Jerome was silent for a long time, confusion evident in his eyes.
Then I turned around: “I have to leave.” Tomorrow a duty awaits me with their Highnesses.”
He said quickly: “Wait! If you want to repeat this offer, ask His Highness the Prince directly, not from me.”
I turned away from him, ignoring his attempt to stop me, feeling the intensity of his gaze behind my back.
It was a grand display on the surface—the most powerful knight in the empire teaching the prince himself. But it was not a fair offer, but a political calculation.
I heard his conversation with the Emperor: he did not want to raise Edwin to the throne, but to make him a shield protecting the Crown Prince or a puppet to be managed to serve the will of Cavilius III.
I won't be fooled a second time.
The face of that child who lost his life that day passed through my mind, and the victory I felt was hidden in my heart.
At the training ground of the Knights of Gloria:
“Hail the leader!”
The rows were lined up, and eyes were on the stage. Jerome stood at the top, surveying them with a stern look:
“I saw your monster fighting performance yesterday... and it was disgraceful.”
Their faces turned pale.
“Half a day to put out a few wyvern monsters?!” Didn't you see the Adamant Knights take down one in minutes? Then you claim to be the elite of the empire?!
“No, sir!”
He said in a voice like thunder: “What is said about you has deceived you.” Today I will break this vanity. From this moment on… the training doubles.”
The news struck like a thunderbolt. Twenty up and down the mountain in full armor. They exchanged shameful looks, but no one dared to object.
“Why are you standing? Go!”
The ground shook with their steps, and then he suddenly shouted: “You… stop.”
He turned to the end of the class.
“Prince Edwin.”
The boy gasped: “Me?!”
Jerome came closer so that he was on top of him and said with surprising kindness: “Let's have a little talk.”
And in a hut hedged among the grass:
“Jerome Crowner,” he said, sorting through his papers, “I haven’t heard that name in a while.” "You were lucky he didn't recognize you."
I answered him as I leaned in his chair: “People are captive to what their eyes see, and he is like them.” They only see an ordinary woman now.”
He looked at me and then asked: “Your disguise this time is brilliant.” Did you use a drink to shorten your height?
“Something like that.” I didn't want to tell him the truth.
“I asked you about him,” I said, “because I don’t know ‘the man’ Jerome, I only know ‘the knight’.”
He thought for a moment and then said: “What I know is that he is not a legal heir.” The former Duke has adopted him as his successor.”
I asked him: “An illegitimate son, then?”
He shook his head and said: “It is more complicated than that.” It is said that the former duke’s ex-wife cheated on him with a common knight, and Jerome was the fruit of that betrayal.”