“We’ve arrived,” the coachman said, bowing his head to Hera.
The red-light district was worthy of its name, bathed in the glow of countless crimson lanterns. Scantily clad women flirted with passersby, and occasionally, male prostitutes flexed their muscles and winked at the ladies.
“…What a vulgar street.” Hera frowned as she entered one of the buildings.
Upon stepping inside, burly men blocked her path, glaring. But when they saw the guard knights by Hera’s side, they realized she was a noble and immediately bowed low, clearing the way.
“Tch.”
Hera clicked her tongue and walked further in.
Soon after, a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Drink up! Your big bro here is buying tonight!”
“Woooooo!”
The voice was slurred, as if drunk, and thick with a strange heat.
Hera had a feeling she knew who it was.
“…Louis Berg,” she muttered, frowning.
To think the man who was supposed to become the Duchy’s son-in-law was acting like this. She couldn’t fathom what he was thinking to live like that.
Hera headed for the second floor.
“Open,” she commanded the men guarding the second floor.
The men glanced nervously at Hera and her guard knights, then hesitantly opened the door to a private room. Drrrrrk.
The scene that unfolded as the door opened was a spectacle. Clothes strewn about, women barely dressed, and among them, Louis Berg, similarly undressed.
Tables were covered with all sorts of expensive alcohol, and white powder was sprinkled everywhere.
“Drink up! Huh? Look who it is! Isn’t this the Ducal Lady of Artezia! Come on in and pour some drinks. Or… are you thinking of having a wild time with us?”
“Hah!” Hera snorted incredulously. What in the world was this scene?
She could understand womanizing. Men were, after all, creatures driven wild by the fairer sex. But alcohol and drugs? And to behave so disgracefully even towards her?
Was this truly the act of a man who was to become the Artezia Duchy’s son-in-law?
“…Fine. It’s better this way,” Hera muttered, feeling utterly disgusted.
She fixed a cold, flat stare on Louis Berg and said, “You said you wanted to break off the engagement? Fine, I’ll do it. But you and your House won’t be able to advance in the central political scene. If you don’t want that, then let’s say I was the one who proposed breaking it off. I don’t want to hear rumors about being jilted by a mere County.”
“Tch, you’re ruining my buzz. Just handle those complicated matters yourself. If you’re not going to join the party, hurry and get out. I need to have more fun with these ladies.”
“Hah! I see why the Count threw you out. Fine, you take care. And you do seem to get along well with the women around you. How about becoming a man-whore? It seems you won’t be able to become a knight anyway.”
Hera sneered and turned her back. Her guard knights, shaking their heads at the drunken Louis, followed behind her.
“Where shall we take you?”
“To Dragunov County. Send a letter of apology first, that while I know it to be against etiquette, I wish to see them immediately.”
“Yes, I will send a messenger right away.” One of the guard knights replied with a bow, then left for the Messenger Guild to send the letter.
Hera’s eyes gleamed as she watched the knight go.
Dragunov County is by no means inferior to Berg County. That being the case, it would be better to form an engagement with them instead.
There was only one reason she had considered an engagement with Louis Berg, which was the recruitment of Count Berg.
Louis Berg was said to be the son most cherished by the Count, so she had planned to marry him for that reason. But now, that was no longer the case.
The man had no ability, was abandoned by his family, and only cared about women. What reason was there to marry the likes of him?
I’ll just say my House proposed breaking the engagement, and I’ll explain it well to Father. Since enticing Dragunov County won’t result in a loss anyway, Father will surely calm his anger.
So long as her plan worked, everything would be resolved cleanly.
Hera boarded the carriage that had arrived unnoticed, making a vow: to make the man who had subjected her to such humiliation regret it.
* * *
Just after Hera left, Louis Berg let the corners of his overly cheerful smile fall back into place and released a faint sigh.
“…She’s gone.”
He channeled Aura to dispel the effects of the alcohol and then spoke to the women who were flattering him nearby.
“You can go back now. I’ll pay you double, so don’t worry about not getting paid.”
“Come on… Who can we trust if not you, Young Master? You’re a regular here.”
“…I sense a barb in your words, but I appreciate you trusting me.”
“Hehe. Anyway, please visit again next time~”
The women beamed at the mention of double payment, released Louis’s arms, and left the private room.
Left alone, Louis leaned back in his chair and let out a faint sigh. Pretending to be steeped in debauchery after so long was exhausting.
He had even asked his father to help with the act, and it seemed he had pulled it off splendidly.
Seeing how Hera gave up so easily, the woman must have truly believed he was a lost cause to his House.
She only needed the youngest son who was favored by the Count, after all.
Louis was sure she wouldn’t seek him out again. Perhaps she would go find another victim?
“Well, that’s none of my business.”
Louis chuckled as he pinched some of the white powder placed on the table, putting it in his mouth. A melting sweetness spread over his tongue.
It was as delicious as one would expect of Imperial patented sugar.
* * *
Meanwhile, within House Praha—the ruling family of the North—voices were raised in a heated argument over a letter.
Bang!
A table shook with a sharp crack.
"Louis Berg is nothing but a wastrel! How could someone like him possibly lift Lea’s curse? Are we really expected to believe that?!"
“Indeed! This is an insult to us! We must demand retribution from them immediately! Furthermore, isn’t that fellow from the Noble Faction? Even if he had a way to cure Lea, why would he tell us? It’s utter nonsense from the start!”
The subject of their heated discussion was a letter from Berg County. It claimed that Louis Berg could cure Lea Praha’s mysterious illness—and demanded an engagement if he succeeded.
These two matters were the reason for their excitement, and the reason for their anger.
The Grand Duke’s eldest daughter clenched her jaw before speaking.
“We’re all well aware of the rumors about Louis Berg. A lecher who chases after women, Artezia Duchy’s lapdog, the disgrace of Berg County. Isn’t it amusing how all those descriptions fit one man? But I’ve never heard of such a man mastering medicine. Or what, has he become a saint now?”
“That’s right! All else aside, how could we give Lea to that kind of man? We cannot!”
“I say we capture the fool and threaten him? If he truly knows a cure, surely he will confess for his life. And if not, we can simply end him for deceiving a Ducal House,” the eldest daughter said in a chilling voice.
The Northern Grand Duke gazed at his daughters with an expressionless face.
“…”
Seeing him remain silent, the eldest daughter and second daughter anxiously called out to him.
“Father!”
In a low voice, the Grand Duke said, “So, you mean to give up on the method to cure Lea’s affliction?”
“You know that’s not what we mean! The point is that it’s impossible for that man to possess any such cure! The moment we refused his offer of marriage, he suddenly claims to know a way to cure Lea’s illness? Even a child wouldn’t believe that!”
The Grand Duke barked, “But what if! What if he can truly cure Lea?”
His daughters fell silent.
The Grand Duke continued, “Will you kneel and beg only then? Or will you perhaps resort to blackmail? I am amazed… to think your trivial pride outweighs Lea’s life. Truly amazed.”
“…That’s not what we meant.”
“Then what is it?”
“…”
A moment of silence fell over them.
“Lea is as precious to me as you are, girls. I cannot forgive the affliction that ruined her life.”
“…Father.”
"It doesn't matter if he's nothing but a cheat. If there's even the slightest chance he can cure Lea, I’ll gladly be deceived. Wouldn't you?"
The Grand Duke's voice was dry, withered of all emotion.
His daughters pressed their lips together. How could they not feel pity for Lea? They would throw themselves into danger without hesitation for their younger sister.
But didn't everything point to that wastrel Louis Berg being a liar? If they allowed themselves to be swayed and promised anything, their family would be ruined in an instant.
…Father has already lost his ability to make good judgments.
He intended to be deceived by Louis Berg because he might be able to cure Lea, his darling little girl.
The Grand Duke’s eldest daughter sighed and thought, I think it’ll be better to just summon him here and expose everything.
If Louis’s lie was revealed before his eyes, their father might come to his senses.
The eldest daughter smiled wryly and said, “Let us summon him to the North. Tell him that if he can cure Lea, we will reward him handsomely.”
“…Thank you, my dear.”
“No thanks are needed. We all wish to cure Lea’s affliction just as much.”
The family vassals would object, but she could handle that herself.
The Grand Duke’s eldest daughter let out a faint sigh, her expression bitter as she braced herself to teach that wastrel, Louis Berg, a lesson.
* * *
As I returned from training, Father summoned me and said, “A letter has arrived from the Praha family.”
“What does it say?”
“They want you to travel North and cure their youngest daughter. Apparently, the discussion of engagement can come after.”
“Just like I thought.” I nodded.
I didn’t expect the engagement to be settled in one go. Most members of the Praha family likely considered me a fraud.
Think about it. The moment they refused my request for engagement, I suddenly claimed I could cure their youngest daughter’s affliction, as if I’d been waiting for it.
Even I would find that hard to believe.
Though well, it’s something I can prove with results.
I shrugged, recalling the methods to cure Lea’s strange illness.
Just then, Father spoke with a worried face.
“…Will you truly be fine? If you go to the North, the House won’t be able to protect you. Make one mistake, and that will be the day your head is forfeit. Can you truly cure her?”
“It’s no problem,” I replied with a faint smile.
I had full confidence, which was why I sent the letter. I didn’t consider even the possibility of making a mistake.
“I’ll go—and I’ll bring back a lovely wife. You just prepare a banquet, Father.”
“…You certainly sound capable.”
“Isn’t that my charm?” I replied with a grin.
It was time to head north.