Prologue: The Perfect Knight

Count Laster, the Minister of Finance, was the Emperor’s foremost confidant.

The sole purpose of Count Laster’s life was to serve the Emperor. People said he would do anything for his monarch.

Among the capital’s citizens, a saying even circulated: “Count Laster would sacrifice his only son for the Emperor.” Any further explanation would be pointless.

No—the “only son” in that rumor, Miraine Laster, added a harsh sentiment to that bitter assessment.

‘Was I ever even worth weighing on Father’s scale?’

Miraine could say that quite easily. He knew Count Laster would never cherish him.

He knew better than anyone that his father treated him worse than a pebble.

Though a bastard, he was the only son and could not inherit the earldom. Count Laster coldly treated and even despised his child, who should have been loved without reserve.

For Miraine, it could only be bitter.

It wasn’t as if he had chosen to resemble his mother.

This was related to a secret history from long ago.

Count Laster, cold by nature, fell in love with a fairy and became startlingly passionate. But one day, the fairy vanished. In the midst of their blazing love, she left Count Laster behind, leaving Miraine with him.

After that, the Count became even more cold-blooded and sinister. He began to hate the legacy that reminded him of her.

And so it continued for twenty-eight years.

Whenever overwhelmed by sorrow, Miraine would entertain a hopeful thought: ‘What if she hadn’t run away?’

People said that if Miraine’s mother had stayed, their family would surely have been harmonious, and sometimes, when he was too exhausted, he couldn’t escape that thought.

‘It’s just a family affair anyway.’

But he couldn’t hold onto resentment for long. It was merely his own wishful thinking, so he would end his musings with a bitter smile.

It was a waste to spend time blaming anyone. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to enjoy wholesome hobbies and cultural activities?

He simply devoted himself to refining himself more thoroughly.

More perfect, more meticulous.

To gain people’s approval, to gain his father’s approval.

Thus Miraine drove himself ruthlessly, becoming a perfect person against whom no one could find fault. He never neglected swordsmanship training, learned multiple languages, and read books of culture. He never showed his weak side in public, hiding his vulnerabilities behind gentle smiles.

And the “Perfect Knight, Miraine Laster” thus completed was accepted by people as a fine noble youth, not at all like a bastard.

Miraine Laster, the paragon of nobility, worthy of everyone’s respect!

This gentle and kind young man, mistreated by his cold-blooded father, soon gained fame among the nobles.

There were many who sympathized with his situation and many who were captivated by his warmth.

And not long after, he became promising as a knight.

In truth, it was due to his innate talent. Unexpectedly, the path of a knight suited this gentle young man, who looked like a bookworm.

The repetitive basics of swordsmanship were a matter of constitution, but the ability to focus was talent.

Apart from the beautiful appearance inherited from his mother, Miraine received a healthy body from both parents. His diligence, combined with that natural talent, made him a top figure in the knightage, and the backing of “Count Laster,” along with the Emperor’s favor, made him—still young—the captain of the Third Imperial Knight Order.

Of course, the process was not without obstacles.

Having risen to prominence at such a young age, Miraine suffered from malicious rumors in the early days of his tenure. The connection between Count Laster and the Emperor troubled him greatly for a time.

But soon those rumors died down, as his fellow knights—who would normally be most incensed by nepotism—rallied to his defense.

“Miraine Laster is a flawless knight in every aspect.”

Miraine simply smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying his peers’ assessment.

‘If I had thought the position was beyond my merit, I wouldn’t have accepted it. If I am lacking, I’ll have to step down someday.’

That was his mindset.

As he expected, the rumors soon quieted, and he earned people’s recognition.

“That guy is Count Laster’s son? Doesn’t look a bit like him.”

“Hey, where are you comparing a person to a beast?”

“He’s a bastard, but since he received a knighthood, his background isn’t an issue… Is he taken?”

“Damn, I don’t want to have anything to do with the Count.”

A life of both ordinary and honorable continuity.

People spoke of his kind character rather than slander, and they praised the talent that bloomed at a young age.

He was promised a future as a key figure of the empire.

He socialized with friends, displayed achievements, and earned people’s respect.

Overcoming the wounds of his childhood, he had won a happy life.

It seemed living like this would be enough.

Miraine thought so.

But his wish was not to be fulfilled…

“Miraine Laster. You are to marry the Grand Duke Valenstein.”

Because of the thunderbolt news that arrived one day.