“Is rebellion the name of the neighborhood dog? How can it be knightly to abandon the empire just because life is difficult?”
“What has the Empire done for us? We swore loyalty to the Empire, but the Empire has no intention of taking care of our troubles!”
“Commander Goosen. You have betrayed the nobles of the capital!”
Hamel shouted. Director Goosen’s old face was distorted in pain.
“Please come to your senses! It was Duke Cisena of the capital, right? In the end, the ducal family was extinct. But how can we start a rebellion among ourselves!”
“We decided to pay the money as soon as it moves. There are other nobles who look after us other than the Cisse or Duke family!”
“After all, isn’t that the nobleman’s dog?”
“Vice-Captain Hamel!”
“If I am going to die as a dog, I will become a dog of the Empire! Even if I become a nobleman’s dog, they are not! Since the great axis of Duke Cisena has already collapsed, they cannot protect the guards.”
Hamel glared at Director Goosen.
Director Goosen also glared at Hamel.
Hamel knew how Director Goosen ended up like this.
The old leader had more affection for his place than anyone else in the guard, and was proud of it more than anyone else.
It was Count Belen who first pushed the leader to his limit.
It was Duke Sisena of the capital who tempted Director Goosen, who was pushed to his limit.
One day, a messenger from the Duke of Cisena suggested rebellion to Commander Guson.
The messenger said that, like Leader Guson, they were being treated unfairly, unbecoming of their position, and that since the empire had done nothing for them, they too could attack the empire.
The subtle poison inflicted by the messenger pierced Director Goosen’s heart. This was despite the fact that the Cisena duchy was completely destroyed within the war.
Even though there were no longer any operatives to protect the guards, Director Guson attempted to lead the guards and start a rebellion.
But Hamel could not sympathize with that feeling.
“Captain. Please think again.”
Hamel loved the empire. Even though he was an enemy of what the Empire did for Hamel, he loved many things about the Empire.
When they commit betrayal by raising their sword against a shapeless empire, in the end, only the good components that make up the empire are torn apart by the blade of the sword.
“I could go with you if you wanted to attack Count Belen. But not like this.”
“If you hit Count Velen, you will only be punished according to imperial law. What is the difference between this and that?”
“So now you’re going to throw these good people of the western village into a sea of blood?”
Director Goosen groaned in displeasure.
“There must be a way. A way to get our status recognized without hurting people.”
“Hamel, we waited a long time after hearing what you said.”
Director Goosen looked at Hamel with an old and tired face. I could hear the pain in his voice.
“How could we not know that you have done so much for us?”
“Captain.”
“You said you received support from the Count, but in reality, I know that you used your own money to help us. So I trusted you and waited. But I can’t wait any longer.”
Hamel lowered his head. He also knew.
It’s already been several months since I went to Count Belen’s house to meet the manager who didn’t even want to talk to me.
It was true that during those few months, he somehow managed to save up the small amount of money he saved and added it to the security guard’s living expenses.
“I can’t wait anymore.”
Director Guson spoke softly. Hamel gritted his teeth.
“Please just give me one last time.”
“…Is there a way to solve it?”
“……Even if there is no solution, please give me one last chance.”
At Hamel’s words, Director Goosen looked up at the ceiling.
The flickering light of the light bulb swayed precariously.
“……It’s your last chance.”
Director Guson’s words weighed heavily on me.
During dinner, Count Belen came in with a perplexed look on his face.
We ate breakfast separately and took care of lunch on our own, so it seemed like we could only talk about it at dinner.
“Well, Your Highness. My son was rude to you.”
“The mistake was made by Elena Seves, not me.”
“Ah, is that so. To the person accompanying me….”
Count Belen wiped his cold sweat with a handkerchief and smiled at me.
“Hehe, I’m sorry. Do you… understand?”
“yes?”
“My son is still young, so I guess I made a mistake by not knowing that he was an important person. Haha, isn’t that all proof that the Countess is beautiful and young in her prime?”
“ah…….”
What kind of nonsense is this?
When do I want to be recognized as young and beautiful by your drunken son?
I was about to nod my head because I didn’t want to dwell on what had already been done, but Count Belen’s words began to take an even stranger turn.
“But no matter what, we are a little upset because we think you have scolded him too harshly, even though he is a precious child of our family.”
“yes?”
“Isn’t that something you can understand? You can pass it on as a mistake made by young people, but you don’t hand over discipline to our count family.”
… … what? Something sounds strange?
“count.”
Before I could even tell if I should be angry, Klaus put down the dishes with a thud.
Even though it was a very small sound, the atmosphere in the banquet hall instantly froze.
When Count Belen fell silent, Klaus stood up. His gaze became sharp.
“Let’s talk again. Your child made a mistake with me.”
“Ah, ah, is that so? Oh, you didn’t tell me earlier. I just heard that you made a mistake from the person accompanying you, so I asked to see if it was possible, and only the person accompanying you said you made a mistake….”
Klaus said, glaring at Count Belen, who was speaking gibberish.
“I told your son that Elena Sebes’ will is my will, but it seems he didn’t get it, did he?”
“Ah, my goodness…”
“Insulting Elena Seves is an insult to me, and what Elena Seves does is the same as acting in my name. But how dare the Count criticize her?”
“Oh, no. I didn’t know that. It was just that my son spoke to me a little bit, but I thought he was scolded too harshly, so I wanted to say something with a father’s heart….”
“You talked to me a little bit?”
I interrupted Count Belen, who was still rambling, and went in.
Count Belen momentarily showed an angry expression, but soon skillfully adjusted his expression and lowered his head.
“Yes. That’s what I heard.”
“He wasn’t just talking to me, he was trying to catch me. If I didn’t avoid him, he was going to grab me and drag me away.”
“Oh my. That’s it.”
“That’s it?”
Klaus raised his eyes and walked towards Count Belen. Before anyone could stop him, Klaus strongly grabbed Count Belen’s shoulder.
“Kaaak!”
He’s rolling his eyes in pain, but I guess his shoulder blades are okay, right?
While I was worried about the condition of Count Belen’s shoulder, Klaus spoke coldly.
“Then this is no different from talking.”
“Your Majesty, I was wrong. Please save me.”
“It’s admirable that you care for your son, but you also have to respect your son depending on the time and place.”
“I was wrong, Your Majesty. I committed a mortal sin, Your Majesty!”
“Aren’t you going to apologize to Elena Sebes?”
“Young lady, I was wrong! I’m sorry!”
“Yes… go…”
Count Belen left the house crying as if he was going to die. I awkwardly bowed my head to Klaus.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“…Thank you.”
Klaus’ ears turned slightly red.
He wrinkled his nose and added grumpily.
“I just made the meal quiet because the young lady asked me to at least bring some food.”
“Thank you very much. But why are you talking so grumpily?”
“……ha.”
Klaus dropped his shoulders and buried his head in his hands.
Why is that guy like that?
“It’s very difficult to maintain composure when dealing with a young lady.”
Klaus muttered. I watched Klaus carefully.
“Your Majesty, are you enjoying fall these days? I’m not at the age where menopause is approaching.”
“…You’d better be quiet when eating.”
Klaus spat out and lifted the utensils again.
We ate more quietly than ever.
I couldn’t get over the awkward atmosphere with Klaus, and the next day, Hamel came to see me.
“Hamel. What’s going on?”
“Perhaps it would be possible to talk to your majesty, Elena?”
Hamel’s eyes seemed a little bloodshot.
I quickly nodded.
“That’s okay, but….”
The problem is that me and Klaus are in a bit of an awkward situation right now.
‘I need to talk to you, but I’m not sure if it’s okay.’
While I was hesitating, I heard a voice from behind me.
“Are you looking for me?”
“majesty!”
“If you have something to talk about, I should join in. You didn’t mean to talk about it just the two of you, right?”
Klaus, who said that and approached me rashly, somehow didn’t seem to be in a good mood today either.
“Hamel already said he wanted to talk to your majesty, so that’s good.”
“really?”
“Of course. Now, let’s go.”
I grabbed Klaus’ arm.
Klaus’ eyebrows twitched slightly, and he walked away with a more relaxed look on his face.
‘So why on earth are you doing this?’
Putting my embarrassment aside, the three of us soon took our seats in the VIP section of the teahouse.
Hamel was sitting in a good seat and looked quite nervous.
“……majesty.”
“You have something to say to me?”
“Yes that’s right.”
After crying like that, Hamel lowered his head with a heavy face.
“The Guard is planning a treason. Please help our Guard.”
