The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 225

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Episode 30
After seeing Maximus off, Alpheus headed straight to the Training Grounds.
“Brisa, you should get some sleep first.”
He smiled wickedly, sword in hand.
“I’m going to train my Swordsmanship a bit more before I turn in.”
“All right.”
I nodded.
He still said his sword didn’t feel the same as before—though to be fair, he’d developed claws as sharp as steel, giving him a real advantage in close combat.
Yet he didn’t want to abandon Swordsmanship after wielding a blade his whole life.
“Don’t worry.”
Alpheus laughed heartily and ruffled my hair with both hands.
“It keeps getting better. My sword technique is becoming familiar at an absurd pace. Before long I’ll have all my old skill back. Sometimes I feel the urge to throw the blade and slash with my claws instead, but a cat-like Alpheus Sears doesn’t quite suit me, does it…….”
“No comparing yourself to animals.”
I winced as I spoke.
“If you must, pick something like a hyena instead of a cat.”
“I won’t hear it!”
Alpheus stiffened.
“Hyenas are canids, aren’t they? I’ve made it a rule to hate canine animals! Things like wolves, for instance.”
He let out a snort, his brow creasing.
“But where is Leopold anyway?”
“That’s what I’m wondering.”
Ever since receiving that letter from Harrison, I hadn’t been able to find Leopold.
He seemed to be somewhere in the Mansion, yet he hadn’t shown himself even when Maximus left. I was so concerned that at dinner I actually asked Gillab, “Did Leopold leave?”
“He didn’t even say goodbye to me? Was he kidnapped by someone? Is our Mansion in danger?”
“Gillab, if Leopold were being kidnapped, it wouldn’t just be your Mansion in trouble—it would be the entire Empire.”
Even Gillab didn’t know where Leopold had gone.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I waved at Alpheus.
“Sleep well.”
“You too, Brisa. And…….”
Alpheus patted my head repeatedly, then spoke with careful deliberation.
“Even if I act difficult toward Leopold, you know I have no intention of ignoring your wishes, right?”
His blue eyes grew distant for a moment.
“Personally, I’m quite put out with that Wolf Boy, but I know how much he cares for you. And I’m aware that you care for that wolf too.”
He’d raged all day long, yet now that Leopold had vanished, he seemed troubled.
“Besides, I’m only feeling a bit slighted, so don’t worry too much. Of course, if that wolf ever disappoints you even slightly, just tell me. I’ll repay him a hundredfold.”
I regarded Alpheus quietly.
“All right.”
And spoke slowly.
“I understand your heart.”
That was enough.
I had no desire to recite Leopold’s merits and the story between us to Alpheus.
And I didn’t say anything like “Be careful not to pull my hair—stroke with your left hand instead.” Because in this moment, my sincerity was just as genuine as his.
“You understand mine too, don’t you?”
At my question, Alpheus chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah. So forgive me a little jealousy. Honestly, this is a problem between that puppy and me, nothing to do with you. Anyway, see you tomorrow. Have good dreams.”
With that, Alpheus walked me to my door and then disappeared into the Training Grounds.
And when I opened the door and stepped into my room, a single letter lay on my table.
The name written on the envelope was Leopold Nogen.
[Brisa, I’m sorry our reunion after six years turned out to be such a mess. I didn’t foresee it—there were far too many people who absolutely refused to leave us alone.]
The letter began with a jest, but I couldn’t smile.
That Leopold, who could slip into my room so easily, had chosen to leave only a letter instead of seeing me…….
[Something’s come up in the Western Region, so I need to leave right away. I’ll need to assess the exact situation in person.
But if I’m not here, Gillab and the Crown Prince might try something, so I’m slipping away in secret.
Pretty one-dimensional, isn’t it? I’ve been clinging to Harrison too long, it seems.
My soul appears to be Contaminated, so I’ll receive the Exorcism Ritual before it’s too late. I want to keep my position as your Fiancé, after all.]
Though he’d tried to keep it light, the sentence “something’s come up in the Western Region” pressed heavily on my heart.
In the Western Region? Why on earth?
When I visited last time, Valerie had simply given me an armful of gems saying “We’ve nearly conquered it all!”—there was nothing else of note…….
‘Harrison doesn’t know the situation here. But something serious enough to make him call for Leopold to return immediately must have happened.’
[There were so many people that we couldn’t have a dramatic reunion or a proper conversation, but I was glad to see you.
Even talking to you about bees and their honey sacs was enjoyable. Though truthfully, I have no interest in bees whatsoever.]
Here he was, callously writing in what might become an official record that he felt no affection for creatures essential to nature—how could he be so reckless…….
What if I included this in a history book…….
[Behila is simply not a good place for a reunion. I’ll look into the situation in the Western Region and then head to Sears. If the Marquis ends up very angry with me, would you transform me into a puppy?
Seeing me in that form might soften his heart with old memories. If that doesn’t help, I could always play with him by tossing a discus around.
That’s rather taxing, but there’s no avoiding it. Better than being thrown over, after all.]
The letter ended in Leopold’s typical calm, lighthearted way, with tender words woven throughout that warmed my heart.
Yet I found myself biting my nails—something I hadn’t done in a very long time—gripped by unease.
‘It’s nothing serious, right? It has to be…….’
[P.S.
How are you planning to celebrate your Coming-of-Age Ceremony? I’m escorting you, right?]
Even now, Leopold was curious about my Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
My twentieth birthday, coming soon.
‘Alpheus will be making a fuss about preparing it himself.’
Both of them had returned later than expected, yet they would be able to attend my Coming-of-Age Ceremony safely.
Well, I was grateful for that much, at least.
I rested my chin in my hand and stared at Leopold’s letter for a long while.
* * *
At that very moment.
Maximus was busy.
“I’ll look into it right away.”
The Master of the Magic Tower took the honey he’d brought directly from his hands.
“Thank you so very much, Your Highness.”
The girl with pink hair, her eyes carrying the wisdom of age, bowed deeply to him.
“How fortunate the Empire is to have you in this age.”
Objectively, it was true. After all, he was doing his utmost to prevent the Disaster of Vampires and Dark Magic.
Despite the Imperial Palace’s indifference, Maximus moved diligently to minimize the damage that would befall the Empire.
“The Empire seems poised to gain a good leader, and I’m truly grateful for that.”
That remark essentially meant she was supporting him as the next Crown Prince. Of course, given that the Master was technically a Commoner, her backing wouldn’t be of much practical use.
But recognition was always sweet.
Turning from the Magic Tower, he headed for the Imperial Palace—the place where he was born and raised, the wearying place he had to cling to no matter what.
After requesting an urgent audience with the Emperor, he fell into brooding silence.
‘He’ll just tell me to handle it myself anyway.’
Neither incompetent nor truly capable—an ambiguous ruler.
As a child, he’d been unhappy that the Emperor didn’t love Anais. He’d felt pity for his forsaken mother.
But now he understood: the Emperor loved none of his many wives and children.
He had never poured great affection even upon the Crown Prince, who had been the Legitimate Eldest Son for so long. Yet he did try to maintain the Crown Prince’s position for as long as possible.
The truth was, Maximus had always found his father, the Emperor, contemptible.
Had the Emperor been a ruthless Tyrant, Maximus wouldn’t think this way. He could even understand if he’d been a man frantic about power like the Crown Prince.
But the Emperor was neither type. He simply drifted through circumstances, offering only the vague judgments that wouldn’t cause trouble.
While thinking these thoughts, a court attendant announced him.
“His Majesty the Emperor bids you enter.”
“Understood.”
Maximus walked slowly toward the Audience Chamber.
The Emperor sat with an indifferent expression. Or rather, he looked bored.
“So you say you must urgently report on what happened in Behila?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Maximus began calmly recounting the events from Behila and the solutions he’d devised. Yet he held little hope.
It was obvious he would receive only the same lukewarm reply as always: “Do it that way. Handle it yourself.”
But after hearing his rather lengthy report, the Emperor regarded him in silence.
Maximus was quite startled—he’d never seen his father look at him with such absorbed concentration. Not even when he was very young.
“So tell me, Maximus.”
As Maximus opened his eyes wide in confusion, the Emperor asked abruptly.
“Do you want the bloodline of the Princess of Riente?”

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