The Leoflon Empire was divided into the majority theological faction and the minority magical engineering faction. The theological faction was the orthodox noble force that believed the imperial family was born with the blood of the gods, and they were absolutely loyal to the imperial family.
In contrast, the magical engineering faction consisted of those who accepted knowledge from other Empires, and their history was less than two hundred years old.
In an Empire where the imperial family was no different from gods, magical engineering that created new things was taboo and treason. However, the development of other Empires that accepted various cultures became a great threat. In the end, the Leoflon Empire accepted magical engineering and packaged the magic stones essential for creation as gifts from the gods.
The nobles of the newly established magical engineering faction were permitted various experiments, but they were regulated in that all of it must be for the Empire.
This was the same even for Father, who had risen to the rank of Duke. However, he did not stop his indiscriminate experiments to evade such laws. After achieving special results, even the imperial family turned a blind eye to his experiments.
“Yes, if you just give me the time to tame it perfectly.”
I answered confidently. Father always harbored resentment toward the imperial family. Magical engineering had achieved great accomplishments in various magical items and life sciences. But no matter how well-made it was, it could not be commercialized without the imperial family’s permission.
“With my abilities, I’ll draw out the magical beast’s magic power to the highest level. If it transforms into a human, it will have even greater value; even if it’s difficult, we can extract much higher magic power than originally.”
The purpose of the experiment was to extract the magical beast’s magic power. If its quality became even higher, it was a gain, not a loss by any means.
“I’ll hand Father the leash of the imperial family.”
It was the final blow. I could see Father’s pupils shaking. As I watched that sight, I sensed victory.
“So that’s why you brought up marriage.”
“Yes, though it’s a magical beast, it is recorded in the imperial family’s records, after all.”
The Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince. But the child was so frail that it died without lasting even a day, they say. Afterward, evidence that the Empress had taken an abortifacient was discovered one after another. Even for a fetus, attempting to kill imperial blood was a great treason. Because of that, the Empress was deposed.
Of course, it was all a frame-up. The imperial family had packaged Cartel, born in beast form, that way and hidden him from the world.
“The Crown Prince who was said to be dead is… alive.”
And on top of that, holding evidence that the imperial family absolutely wants to hide.
A dark smile crept onto the corner of Father’s mouth. The moment the collection he had brought in even at the cost of debt turned into a treasure that could seize imperial power. He stroked his beard, gauging the future.
“But my daughter, even with such a clever idea, why didn’t you come to me first?”
It was a gentle voice, but thorns were embedded in the words. I hadn’t thought Father would accept this without a shred of suspicion. I brought out the words I had prepared in advance.
“Father, I don’t want to marry an ordinary, talentless man.”
“Hmm?”
He let out a question at my words. I approached his side and acted spoiled like a child.
“I want to keep helping Father and live like this. But if I marry, I have to leave here. And just thinking of some worthless guy as my husband makes me shudder.”
I was called the Red Rose of the Bennon family in high society. Regardless of status, I was more beautiful than anyone, and the young nobles were desperate to meet me somehow. And at the marriageable age, invitations from other families never ceased.
“So use me for something greater. You will, right?”
I shuddered as if I truly shuddered at the thought of an ordinary man. And then I clung to Father with a desperate expression. It was at that moment.
“Ha, hahaha!”
A loud laughter echoed through the room. Father, and the two men, were all startled by his hearty laugh. It was the first time in my life seeing him laugh like that.
“I knew you were clever, but I didn’t know it was to this extent. Good. Do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Father!”
It’s done! I clasped my hands together and my eyes sparkled. Father, still not wiping the smile from his face, helped me.
“I’ll handle the magical beast’s status separately. So that we can announce the marriage news before it turns into a human.”
A royal status from Irencia would be fine. I nodded at Father’s words.
Trade with the Irencia continent, located beyond the Mundus continent and the Atlantic Ocean, had only begun recently.
Nobles often proceeded with marriages that only exchanged vows for the sake of trade. It was mainly done by lower-status nobles, and there were many cases where they never saw their husband’s face in their lifetime. In other words, it meant a marriage on paper.
‘For me, it’s a good thing.’
Cartel in the form of a magical beast couldn’t pretend to be my husband. So packaging it as a marriage through a vow document would be more beneficial.
“I’ll submit the marriage certificate to the imperial capital soon.”
Father seemed to have completely changed his mind at my proposal. Lacus, whom he had been grabbing by the collar as if to blow his head off just moments ago, had long been forgotten from his memory.
“Father! Please wait a moment!”
It was the moment I had barely passed one hurdle. The voice that stopped Father was none other than Arden’s.
“No matter how it’s a lie, marriage to a beast!”
He shouted urgently, as if it was absurd. It was the complete opposite of his usual soft-spoken demeanor. Before I could even be surprised by his new side, I reflexively grabbed Arden’s arm.
No. If I act like this to him…!
“It’s already decided.”
“Don’t… Aak!”
Before I could stop him. Arden’s limbs, who was approaching Father, twisted with a horrific scream. A red gem was shining near his chest.
“How many times have I taught you not to defy me.”
Father clicked his tongue and said. On his middle finger was a ring embedded with a red gem. My two older brothers, and even my younger sibling, all wore the same necklace. It was used as a signal to call us, or as a tool for training by inflicting pain. That pain was beyond imagination. The sensation of limbs breaking and flesh tearing made one taste hell in an instant.
“Heuk…!”
Arden eventually collapsed to the floor. But as if he had no intention of backing down, he desperately tried to raise his body.
“Your education is still insufficient.”
“Father, it seems my brother cherishes me too much. So…”
I spoke to Father with a smiling face. But he didn’t turn his gaze to me. Instead, he hardened his eyes coldly, as if to drive the wedge in deeper.
“Do you need me to give the pain you feel to your younger sibling to make you come to your senses?”
With Father’s single word, Arden’s movement stopped abruptly. He immediately ceased his resistance and endured the pain by curling up his body. Ah, it was the sight I hated the most.
“Do it properly. So that your well-grown younger sibling doesn’t suffer because of you.”
“…Yes, Father.”
He murmured with his head pressed to the floor. Father withdrew his hand upon seeing Arden behaving obediently. The necklace was the biggest reason the half-breeds couldn’t escape this castle. Not only could it not be removed, but it could also track their location.
Father inflicted pain on Arden every time he didn’t obey orders, and if that didn’t tame him, he would transfer that pain to me instead.
‘Arden. The pain your younger sibling endures is all because of you.’
After that day, he carried out every command Father gave without complaint, no matter how dirty the task.
“Then, Floria, I believe you’ll do well, so I’ll take my leave.”
He passed by me with his back turned. It was fortunate. If the timing had been even slightly off, my expression would have been fully revealed.
“…I’ll handle everything. Father.”
I saw him off with a voice that didn’t match my expression.
Yes. I’ll handle everything. So…
*** *** *** *** ***
After Father’s permission was granted, I was able to come and go from the underground cave more freely than before. Under the pretext of easing Cartel’s tension, the research was also halted. In just a few days, news of my marriage would spread from the capital to even the small territories. Fortunately, there was a family from another continent with whom we had ties, making the arrangements even easier.
[I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.]
Cartel was maintaining the form of a leopard. Even though it was clearly the face of a beast, his entire countenance was filled with an expression of utter disbelief.
“If I say I’ll do it, I will.”
I let his words go in one ear and out the other as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Since that day, many things had been added to the inside of the cave. From a large bed for comfortable rest to a table and chairs, and other furniture, all were prepared at the highest quality. If this weren’t a cave, and if there weren’t massive iron bars and ferocious beasts right in front of me, it would be insufficient in no way to be seen as a bridal chamber.
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