Chapter Fifty-Six: Adults and Children (1)
I said in surprise:
“Does this mean that the Duke Crowner is the result of the betrayal of the wife of the former Duke with a common knight?”
That sentence was difficult to comprehend.
I thought for a long time before speaking again:
“So Jerome is not related to the former Duke at all?”
The wise man replied:
“Not quite. The former duke and his former wife were cousins.”
What a distorted family tree.
When I scowled, Sedge laughed as if he had anticipated my response.
“The higher the family’s status, the more obsessed they become with the purity of blood,” he said. Then he added, shrugging his shoulders: “So his adoption aroused a lot of gossip.”
“But weren’t there other children in the family who could be heirs?” I asked.
“There was no one there. The Crowner family is known for the scarcity of their offspring.”
However, for the son of a sinful relationship to be made the heir to an ancient house?! That was never a gentlemanly thing to do.
‘Didn’t the previous Duke have a daughter by his own?’
Currently second wife, Melanie Crowner.
There is no law in the empire preventing women from inheriting the title of nobility.
Some ancient families even passed their titles to their daughters.
“I really can't understand,” I said in amazement.
“Perhaps the reason is that there were no notable knights in the family,” Sedge answered. The Crowner House is primarily a house of knights. Jerome was then a famous mercenary throughout the empire.”
mercenary? So this explains his cruelty and harshness, even with children.
But his tragic past didn't matter to me.
I said coldly: “I am not asking about his past, but about a weak point in him... something fatal, if possible.”
Sage furrowed his eyebrows and said wearily, “Even if I were wise, how would I know what the leader of an assassination squad didn’t know?”
What he said makes sense. I bit my lip in frustration.
Suddenly he shouted as if he remembered: “Oh, yes... I remembered something.”
"What is it?"
“Twelve years ago, I was invited to a banquet at the ducal palace. “I think it was to celebrate his daughter’s birth.”
Celebrating lineage is a duty among noble families. It was not unusual for banquets to be held for the birth of a child, but for a banquet to be held that lasted an entire month just because of the birth of a daughter... that was rare.
Sedge frowned as he saw me change my features.
He said: “What’s wrong with your face?” Did I say something wrong?
“No… not because of you. But for him to be able to pamper his daughter while amputating the arm of a child who only had the name 'murderer'...that's disgusting.”
'Jerome's daughter, then.'
I raised my gaze to the ceiling.
A child who looks like that monster... I can't imagine her.
Poor thing...what sin did she have to give birth to his daughter?
I muttered sarcastically to myself: ‘If I inherited his features, she would be ugly. Perhaps her mother was beautiful, so her beauty would save the girl’s face.’
"But why do you ask about the Duke's weakness at all?" Sedge asked me suddenly.
I replied: “Because stabbing him in his pride wasn’t enough.”
His face brightened and he approached excitedly: “Huh? Did you fight with him? Who won?
I pushed his head with my hand and got up. “I'll leave.”
He said in a joking tone: “Where to?” Do you intend to direct your blow through his daughter this time?
I answered him sternly: “No.” I would never use a child. “I am an adult.”
He sighed sarcastically: “Nanny or assassin... You are still as strange as ever.” What killer is this who talks about “principles”?
“A murderer without principles is not a murderer... but a serial killer,” I said as I opened the door. Even assassination has ethics.”
I left him stunned and left the hut. The day was unusually bright.
See, how is that little guy's training going now?
I smiled unconsciously as I thought of Edwin. Just thinking about it made me laugh… something that hasn't happened to me since Ian.
In the shade of a tree near the training ground, Edwin was standing next to Jerome.
Every knight who passed in front of them gave them a sideways glance. A truly strange sight: the most insignificant prince of the imperial family next to the most famous duke in the country.
'What should I do?!'
Edwin did not notice the others' glances. All his focus was on his hero standing next to him. He did not dare to look into his eyes, but merely stared blankly.
Jerome asked him: “Yesterday was your first day of training, right?”
"Yes, correct."
He stood like a soldier in front of his commander. Only then did he dare to look at the Duke.
Jerome was staring straight ahead like him, but the difference between them was like heaven and earth.
It is “presence.” Just standing there was a tremendous awe in my soul.
Edwin quickly shrank and lowered his head.
“I heard you held up well on your first day,” Jerome said. Have you trained before?
“Never… never.”
“So that's impressive. "You have talent."
Edwin shuddered in surprise: “Really?!”
Jerome continued: “These boys are used to this training, so their resilience is natural. As for you, it was your first attempt, and that is commendable.”
The impact of the Duke's words was different from any other praise. To hear it from his role model… was a feeling that overwhelmed his heart. He tried to hide his happiness so as not to appear trivial.
“I would like to give you some guidance, Your Highness,” Jerome said, turning to him.
"guidance…?"
Edwin was confused. The greatest knight in the empire offers to be his mentor! He should have been flying with joy… but he felt something strange.
“Why me…?”
“Because I see in you a seed worth nurturing.” He said it with a confident smile.
Edwin's heart skipped a beat.
“Do I really have talent?”
Jerome smiled and replied with a question: “What do you think is necessary to become a knight?”
“Pride...and honor, perhaps?” He answered, recalling what he had read in books.
Jerome laughed lightly: “It's not a mistake, but that comes after you've already become a knight. What you need to become a knight...is determination.”
He clenched his palm and stared at the soldiers running in pain.
“Talent is necessary, yes. But effort develops it, and determination alone maintains that effort.” Then he turned to him: “And you have outstanding determination, Your Highness.”
Edwin gasped softly.
“And I have the power to make you the greatest knight in the empire,” said Jerome, placing his hand on his shoulder, “as long as you have the determination.”
The boy's shoulders trembled.
“I heard that you will be sent to the Holy Kingdom after you reach the age of majority. Is this true?
"…maybe."
Jerome smiled: “If that is not your wish, I can take the matter to the Emperor himself. He will not dare to turn my disciple away.”
Edwin looked at that huge, rough hand... the hand he had once wished would be extended to him. But he did not find the warmth he was hoping for. Rather, he felt a weight restricting him.
“What do you say then, Your Highness?”
Jerome pressed a calm smile, as if he was sure of the answer.
But Edwin gathered his courage and said: “Thank you very much... but I think I need a little longer before I decide to be your student.”
The moment he removed his hand, Jerome's features contorted in suppressed anger.