Newlywed Life Begins with a Mistake - Chapter 17

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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 17

“What exactly do you want?”

A voice suppressing anger filled the air in the drawing room of Count Nordil’s castle.

Former Count Nordil trembled as he looked at the woman before him.

“You should know well enough.”

Even at his direct question, the woman casually sipped her tea and displayed textbook-perfect etiquette as if nothing was wrong.

Though she had common brown hair and bronze eyes that you’d see on any commoner.

‘Why do I sense such an extraordinary aura from her?’

For some reason, the woman displayed the bearing of nobility.

“Father! You mustn’t be swayed by this gold-digger! We should throw her in the underground prison immediately!”

The current Count Nordil, who had suffered every time he flirted with pretty women, had become trapped in the stuffy notion that all beautiful women were gold-diggers after several harsh lessons.

As a result, he was throwing a fit, thinking that Evelyn had caused the mural incident to catch his attention.

Former Count Nordil firmly restrained his son.

“Be quiet.”

“But, Father!”

“I said be quiet!”

Count Nordil, who had shouted, let out a groan.

He needed to be careful.

Of all things, the Chekupin Wall had been mentioned.

What was the Chekupin Wall?

[I shall leave the results of our struggle for future generations to know.]

December, Imperial Year 740.

Breaking through the bitter snowstorm, Duke Chekupin usurped the throne after a long struggle.

Having killed the tyrant who oppressed the imperial citizens, he wanted to open a new era and announced to the people after creating a wall with nothing written on it, rather than a monument filled with praise and achievements.

[A wall that anyone can write on, regardless of status.]

Do not forget the era when every word and letter was censored.

That was his meaning.

To respect freedom of expression, the new emperor erected a large wall in the center of Nordil Estate Square and encouraged free graffiti regardless of social class.

The imperial citizens of that time were bewildered by this strange request, but gradually showed interest when the emperor and other credible nobles led by example.

Any writing or drawing was acceptable as long as it didn’t diminish the meaning of its existence.

With those words, the Chekupin Wall became a lively tourist destination.

Until Former Count Nordil started charging expensive admission fees.

“Is it right to privately abuse such a meaningful monument?”

“Watch your words! It was done to improve the estate’s image.”

Once it was a golden goose that brought in bundles of money, but now it was an eyesore.

It was unsightly, but they couldn’t just tear down the wall arbitrarily.

The existence of the Chekupin Wall had long since faded to the point where even vain nobles would wonder if such a thing had ever existed.

Therefore, Count Nordil and his son decided to change the estate’s atmosphere while filling their own pockets.

In reality, blinded by money, they had charged admission fees for a wall that could be used for free and raised prices, leading to such results.

“It wasn’t to fill your own pockets because it was troublesome to deal with, was it?”

“Of course not!”

Though he hastily denied Evelyn’s words, Count Nordil and his son had indeed gathered artists to paint their portraits under the pretext of repairing the troublesome wall, creating murals.

They thought it would be fine since hardly anyone knew about the Chekupin Wall except scholars pursuing pure academics or high-ranking nobles who had to memorize detailed history.

But of all people, the woman before them had pinpointed exactly that to threaten them.

“Anyway, please return the palladium.”

Her shameless demand for the palladium made his blood pressure soar.

“Impossible. And who are you to demand the palladium?”

“Well—”

“She is a noble person! Show proper respect!”

He had asked the woman holding the teacup, but it was the Head Maid of House Heteus standing behind her who answered instead.

Despite clearly knowing that it was improper for a subordinate to interrupt a conversation, Sophia intervened.

“A noble person?”

There were only a handful of noble people in the current regime.

Countess Heteus, who was born a princess.

Former Count Seldian, who had ruled the North.

Princess Seldian, the ruler of the North.

Only these three were in positions where they could be called noble.

Could this person be Princess Seldian?

Though her hair and eye color were different, her features were somewhat similar…

‘No! Considering the relationship between the South and North, that’s impossible!’

Shaking off his idle thoughts, he finally reached a conclusion.

‘She must be a mistress.’

Since her status wasn’t legitimate, the head maid would act that way.

House Heteus had no duchess.

Several noble daughters had been mentioned as marriage candidates for Casian, but none had been officially announced.

In this situation, if she were a mistress.

‘She’s probably trying to achieve something and then take the position of duchess.’

When his thoughts reached that point, Former Count Nordil straightened his hunched shoulders and spoke arrogantly.

“I don’t care what your identity is. However, since you damaged the mural, you must receive severe punishment.”

No matter how much influence Count Heteus had, there was no way he would come all this way for a government official.

Thinking this way, Former Count Nordil tried to summon his knights.

“Damon, immediately imprison this woman…”

“It’s been a while, Count Nordil. Should I call you Former Count now?”

Former Count Nordil’s words could not be completed.

Because at that moment, Casian appeared.

“H-how!”

“We doubled the number of gatekeepers! How is this possible!”

Count Nordil and his son were startled by Casian’s appearance.

Count Heteus had infiltrated the count’s castle, which boasted defenses as solid as an iron fortress.

The defensive barrier that had never been breached was pierced through in an instant.

I clearly ordered them to strengthen the perimeter! How did this happen?

While Count Nordil and his son were trying to grasp the situation, Casian sat down heavily next to Evelyn.

Casian reached for the teapot.

“It seemed like there was some commotion, so I stopped by.”

Dark tea reminiscent of blood slowly filled the pure white teacup that highlighted its pristine beauty.

Count Nordil, who had been staring blankly at the elegant movements, belatedly came to his senses and pulled the bell cord.

However, before he could give orders, his own butler and knights, bound and covered in blood, were dragged here first.

“Ugh!”

“Damon? What happened! Why are the knights like this!”

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

“T-this can’t be…”

Even if the perimeter was breached, he thought the knights under his command would be safe.

“How could these skilled mercenaries…”

Everyone had fallen.

Damon was one thing, but the knights were aura manifesters he had acquired with difficulty by investing huge sums. How were they so brutally defeated?

Although Casian’s swordsmanship was said to be excellent, these men were no pushovers either.

They were skilled fighters he had hired by paying several thousand gold per person…

They had collapsed helplessly like a sandcastle swept away by a giant tsunami.

Unaware that the Valhalla Knight Order had found gaps when Evelyn entered Count Nordil’s castle, breached the defenses, and subdued them, Count Nordil sat down in his chair with a dejected face.

Heavy silence filled the drawing room.

Despite the terrible scene reeking of blood.

“Your hospitality is rather rough.”

Casian spoke casually as if offering greetings and sipped his tea.

Even the way he drank tea fully displayed the dignity of a nobleman.

That’s what made it frightening.

Despite blood stains scattered everywhere, the man calmly drank the blood-red tea as if nothing had happened.

As if this was nothing at all.

If he could invade so easily, why had he maintained such a humble attitude until now?

Countless questions swirled, but one thing was certain.

Count Heteus could infiltrate his sanctuary anytime. He had simply been showing mercy until now.

Fear crept into Count Nordil’s eyes as the reality finally hit him.

‘Is this really the end?’

Was there truly no way to escape?

But father had opposed the House of Count Heteus…

That’s right, if it’s father!

“F-father!”

He looked at Former Count Nordil as if grasping at a lifeline, but he was staring blankly at Casian like a death row inmate facing execution.

Witnessing this sight, the light of hope faded from Count Nordil’s eyes.

Just when even that thread of hope had disappeared.

“Let’s discuss how to properly conduct negotiations regarding our agreement.”

The sentence was delivered by the predator who had devoured everything.

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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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