I Am the 5-Year-Old Spy Who Kidnapped the Villain - Chapter 208

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 208】

As Callipus moved his long legs and reached the young marquis in an instant, a dark shadow fell over his terrified face.

“Traitors, you say. The only people who would dare call us traitors are those old Doctia bastards at best. Are you perhaps one of them?”

Grand Duke Callipus was not the type to initiate conversation with others at banquets.

At most, he would offer greetings when he spotted Grace or Count Briarwood.

The young marquis, faced with that glorious situation, instinctively fell to his knees and began groveling desperately.

“N-no, no! I have committed a mortal sin. I meant nothing by it, it was just a slip of the tongue from my heart, I will never let this happen again…”

“Right. As a noble, it would be wise to watch your tongue in official settings.”

Just then, a ceremonial voice rang out from elsewhere.

“The radiant sun of the Frozen Empire, Her Majesty Grace, enters!”

At the gatekeeper’s announcement, everyone turned toward Grace and showed their respects.

The young marquis, who had been kneeling, also forced his trembling legs to stand as he bowed his head.

“It seems there was a small disturbance while I was away. The reason we have gathered here today is to commend the achievements of the Croste Ducal Family. So I would appreciate it if you could refrain from ridiculous speculation.”

At her gentle but pointed words, people’s faces hardened.

Particularly Count Lulai, who had been the center of the disturbance, turned pale as if struggling to breathe and hid behind his wife.

“Everyone return to your positions. We shall begin the ceremony.”

In the somewhat tense atmosphere, Grace ascended the platform.

She looked around the audience and began to speak.

“To think that an honorary guest of Masamo would return after achieving such great merit – it is truly gratifying beyond measure.”

Though it wasn’t quite appropriate for an official occasion, it was a joke that instantly softened the atmosphere.

‘They say the Emperor has special affection for the Croste family.’

Sedric, who had been sitting with his back straight, thought to himself.

It seemed to be her own way of revealing her friendship with Callipus to blend Sedric into the atmosphere as well.

What followed was continued praise for Callipus and the Croste family—

‘The plan seems to have worked well.’

At some point, feeling that the gazes directed at him had softened, Sedric unconsciously let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

He was originally someone who rarely showed emotional fluctuation.

Even when he was caught by Aisha while disguised as Count Briarwood, he had been annoyed that his plan went awry, but his heart hadn’t pounded.

It was the same when the nobles called him ‘from Doctia.’

He was concerned about causing trouble, but it was something that would be resolved if he stepped aside.

However,

‘So what if our brother is from Doctia?’

The moment he saw Aisha, who took his hand, and his family members who acted boldly instead.

Sedric felt his heart pounding for the first time.

‘He was kidnapped and dragged away as a child and lived like an exploited foreign worker – what’s wrong with that?! What are you all staring at!’

Until now, no one had ever protected him like that.

His colleagues were wary of his excellence, and even Ariena had never embraced him with affection.

‘What am I that they would go so far…’

A corner of his heart felt strangely ticklish.

Finding it difficult to easily accept an emotion he had never felt in his life, he frowned and rubbed the back of his neck.

He had not been helpful to the Croste family.

Though he had lived in the ducal palace for quite some time, he had no assigned role.

But as of today, he had become an official son of the Croste family.

While feeling somehow dizzy about his newly granted position, he began thinking about the future.

‘Ariena, and the successor position.’

After Doctia fell, he had deliberately not asked about Ariena.

Though he was curious, it was a stain that he now had to forget.

And whether he liked it or not, now that he had become an official son, people might start talking about ‘who will be the successor?’

He had no desire to covet Lucas’s position.

Because he thought he wasn’t qualified for it.

‘…I need to make these two things clear.’

Having made up his mind alone, he whispered to Callipus.

“Your Highness.”

“What.”

“…Since it seems I’ve been established as an official son in this setting, I want to say that I have no intention of getting involved in the succession struggle of the Croste Ducal Family.”

Though he spoke seriously, Callipus chuckled as if finding it absurd.

“Who’s going to give it to you anyway?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I have no intention of giving you the head of house position either. It’s better to give it to someone who has worked hard for the family since childhood rather than to a troublemaker.”

“…”

It was strangely offensive, but since it was true, he had nothing to say.

Callipus, who had been watching such Sedric with amusement, smiled mysteriously.

“You have other work to do, so don’t think about coveting the successor position.”

“…I never intended to covet it in the first place. But what is this work you’re talking about?”

“You’ll know when you hear what Her Majesty Grace has to say.”

He wanted to hear it right away, but unfortunately Callipus didn’t provide any more information.

He just leaned back against his chair and gestured toward the Emperor.

“…”

He was curious, but it was an awkward situation to press further.

Sedric nodded silently and turned his gaze back to Grace.

Having finished talking about Callipus, she was now praising Aisha.

It was when several nobles, tired of listening to what was essentially bragging disguised as a speech, were discreetly yawning.

“…Therefore, recognizing Grand Duke Callipus’s achievements, I shall grant the Grand Duke the Dia Territory and the Grik Granary Region.”

People’s heads snapped up.

“…So he’s finally officially becoming a Grand Duke.”

“The Grik Granary Region is famous for wheat production, right? I’m curious how business will change if the Croste family rules it in earnest.”

“We need to get on Croste’s good side.”

The granting of territory wasn’t important only to the receiving noble.

The business systems between connected families would change depending on how that territory was managed.

And the Dia Territory…

‘That’s where the old Doctia Royal Palace is located – what are they planning to do with it?’

Though it was on the smaller side compared to other territories, it was a domain with good enough conditions to establish a royal palace.

Unlike the people who were showing interest, Sedric’s face darkened slightly.

His gaze was fixed on Callipus, who had risen from his seat to face Grace, but his mind inevitably turned to Ariena.

‘If she died, her body would be…’

There.

He squeezed his eyes shut.

It was better not to entertain any ‘what if’ thoughts.

She had probably already been cremated en masse without even a grave, or buried somewhere random.

Just like all the other spies had been.

He couldn’t even consider the possibility that Callipus had recognized her and rescued her separately.

Because Ariena was someone who had completely betrayed Croste.

He knew this in his head.

But memories of that foolish time when he had thought of her as a mother kept surfacing.

‘…Sigh.’

Unable to express it outwardly, he could only sigh inwardly as his brow furrowed.

“Sedric Croste, Young Master.”

A gentle but clear voice pierced his ears.

It was Grace.

Sedric wasn’t the only one surprised by the sudden call.

Sedric, who received the gazes of the surrounding people who had all gathered out of curiosity with an expressionless face, stood up from his seat and showed proper courtesy.

“Following Grand Duke Callipus’s opinion, we deeply recognize Prince Sedric’s achievements in this war, and will grant him the Dia Territory and bestow upon him the title of Count.”

“…?”

Sedric’s expression hardened in shock at Grace’s sudden announcement.

“The Grand Duke is yielding the Dia Territory to the Prince?”

“Why would he give away that prime territory?”

Grace chuckled and opened her mouth, leaving behind the sounds of surprise and murmuring.

“Don’t you want to accept it? Come here quickly.”

“…I humbly accept your command.”

At first thinking he had misheard, he hurriedly stood before Grace at her urging.

“You are hereby appointed as Count Sedric, who will protect the Dia Territory according to the Emperor’s proclamation.”

Along with the Emperor’s command, applause erupted from behind.

Even as he returned to his seat in a daze, he couldn’t understand.

Was this the task he was supposed to handle?

I’m already grateful that you recognized me as a prince, but why are you giving me a title and land as well?

As soon as he faced Callipus, he was about to pour out such questions—

“Ariena is dead.”

The firm tone cut off all his questions at once.

“….”

Sedric, momentarily speechless, nodded his head.

Since he had expected it, his outward expression was utterly emotionless.

“I almost died because of Burley’s attack, but she took the sword in my place.”

“…?”

However, at the following words, his emotionless eyes slowly widened.

“Even as she was dying, she asked about your well-being. When I told her you were safe and well, she was very relieved.”

Sedric froze as if time had stopped for a moment.

He couldn’t believe it.

He tried to open his dry mouth, but couldn’t voice any questions.

A large hand was placed on top of Sedric’s head.

“Ariena’s grave is behind Doctia Castle, so you take good care of it. That’s why I granted you the territory.”

Callipus roughly tousled his hair that was styled with pomade, muttering “Your hair needs to be fixed again,” and then sat down.

“What are you doing? Sit down already.”

Then he shrugged his shoulders as if nothing had happened.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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