Broken Pride and Shattered Bonds

The Count, met head-on with a languid smile that was entirely out of place, slammed his cutlery down with a violent clatter.

“The only reason you, afflicted with Utia disease, were able to grow into an adult is because your last name is Alemir.”

“You seem to have forgotten…… I have raised myself since I founded the Eclipse Merchant Coalition ten years ago.”

The reason Ensius was able to reach adulthood was not because he was an Alemir, but because he was the Master of Eclipse.

When the factual relationship was stated clearly, a grinding sound of teeth echoed from the Count. It was a rather chilling sound, but Ensi only snorted.

It was a petty point to make for someone who had forgotten the parental duty to care for the child they brought into the world. There was no reason for him to fear a man who only knew how to say such things.

“Have you forgotten that the funds to found that coalition came from my appointment?”

“It was Mother’s wealth. And it was Mother’s money, which she left entirely to me.”

“Her property was originally mine as well!”

“Have you gone senile? Seeing as you can no longer distinguish Mother’s property—which is guaranteed by Imperial Law—it seems it would be better for you to step down from your administrative duties.”

“At this rate, you’ll commit a discourtesy toward His Majesty.”

Ensi, covering his mouth to hide his mockery, looked at the Count with an expression of pity.

“If you wish, I shall offer a petition to the Emperor myself. As you know, it is not a difficult task.”

“You arrogant……”

Skreeeech. The sound of wood being gouged rang out from the Count’s hand as he gripped the armrest. Perhaps trying to assert his status as an Alpha, he released an oppressively overbearing pheromone, but Ensi merely waved his hand dismissively as if brushing away an unpleasant odor.

“So, is that all you have to say? That my marriage proposal with Rascius will never happen?”

Continuing an argument over useless matters would be endless. Moreover, the pale complexions of Enrique and Dalia—who, unlike him, had failed to escape their father’s shadow—were beginning to annoy him.

Thus, Ensi took the lead in the conversation on behalf of the Count, who seemed to have no intention of reaching the main point. The pipe in his left hand flicked to its own rhythm.

“Rascius is not a fitting match. I will find a partner suited to your station, so give up on that excessive dream.”

Phew. The Count, exhaling a breath steeped in rage, forced his voice to remain calm. Believing that Ensi had understood enough by now, he moved to resume his meal.

“Do not misunderstand, Count.”

“What?”

“I am the one who decides my station, not you.”

Every word out of his mouth was nonsense, nothing but bullsh*t. Ensi sighed at the parade of words that weren’t even worth listening to.

To think he had to decline a meeting with Agniele just to attend a gathering like this. It was beyond regrettable; it was almost sorrowful.

“I am the one with the authority to strike your name from the nobility registry! Do you not realize that even if you are the Master of the Eclipse Coalition, you have no value if you are not a noble?”

“More stupid talk—. Once a name is registered, His Majesty’s permission is required to remove it from the nobility registry. Do you really think His Majesty would grant that so easily?”

The Master of the Eclipse Merchant Coalition had to be a noble of the Ingrid Empire. The Emperor wanted Ensius to remain a noble to ensure he wouldn’t defect to another country with all his wealth. It was even better if he was a noble belonging to the Emperor’s faction.

That way, wouldn’t the Emperor save face?

In reality, Ensi, who provided no small amount of help to the Emperor, knew that the sovereign would never take the Count of Alemir’s side. He might push them to reconcile, but that was all.

“Look at reality, Count. As long as you follow His Majesty, I will never be removed from the registry.”

It would be difficult for the Count to change his political course now. The current Count of Alemir had dipped his toes too deep into politics, and the same went for his heir, Enrique.

It was laughable to change one’s political stance just to cast out a single child. Betrayal carries significant risks, and the only thing the Count could gain through betrayal was the possibility of removing Ensius from the registry.

As the Count’s hands shook violently, unable to deny the truth, Ensi wore a sneer. Why did he even start a fight he couldn’t win?

He couldn’t understand how such a foolish man even managed to handle politics. Ensi put the neglected pipe to his lips and took a deep breath. Exhaling the smoke deliberately, he curled his lips.

“Regardless of what happens, I will not receive help from the family for the sake of marriage. Whether it’s a dowry or anything else. I will handle it on my own, so stop worrying about it as you have until now.”

“Ensius. As Father said, a union between families is not such an easy matter.”

No matter how much he was told not to worry, that was impossible. Enrique, who already had a fiancée, knew this well, which was why he opened his lips—previously sealed tight like a clam—to speak to Ensi.

“And?”

“……What?”

“I clearly stated. I will handle the dowry and everything else personally.”

“Ensius. You are also a member of the House of Alemir—.”

“Did you not understand? My marriage will be a union between an individual and a family, not a union between two families.”

If he married, it was certain that he would be the one entering the other’s household. In that case, wouldn’t he become what they call a ‘married-out stranger’? Where exactly is ‘Alemir’ supposed to cut in here?

Therefore, it wouldn’t be a problem at all, yet those trapped in archaic ways of thinking could not easily accept it.

“It would be best to end this tedious conversation here. I am tired. Even if marriage talks with Rascius proceed, I will not contact Alemir under the pretext of a proposal, so you need not worry.”

Even if contact is made, if they send it to the Eclipse Merchant Coalition, I’ll handle it myself—adding that, Ensi put away his pipe and stood up.

“Since we aren’t in a relationship to share friendly greetings now, I shall take my leave. Enjoy your meal.”

There was no reply. Since Ensi had no expectations anyway, he didn’t bother looking back. Instead of the servant who hesitated to open the door while gauging the Count’s reaction, he opened the door himself and left the dining room.

“Young Master?”

“Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes.”

Noah and Emma, who were waiting in front of the door, widened their eyes slightly at the sight of Ensi leaving the dining room earlier than expected.

They had been tense internally because they could hear loud voices from inside. Seeing that Ensi’s mood appeared poor as expected, Noah and Emma exchanged a brief glance and moved quickly.

As Noah hurried to call the carriage—which was surely on standby—to the entrance, Emma draped the outer coat over Ensi’s shoulders again. It was a season where the weather was still harsh.

Ensi, who had only subtly slowed his pace when Emma reached out, adjusted the clothes himself.

“Wait, Ensius…… please wait a moment!”

Whether she had followed him out late, Dalia’s voice rang out along with urgent footsteps. Ttap-ttap, the sound of her heels hitting the floor forcefully announced that she was running—something she never did even inside the mansion for the sake of her dignity.

“Ensius!”

Slap!

Dalia tried to grab Ensi’s shoulder to stop him, but her hand was shoved away with a gesture that was nothing short of violent.

She couldn’t hold back a short groan from the pain she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Carefully cradling her reddened hand, Dalia looked up, her throat feeling parched.

Encountering Ensi’s frigid gaze, she reflexively stepped back.

“Do not touch me carelessly.”

Brush, brush. Ensi, dusting off the shoulder Dalia’s hand had almost touched with a sharp motion, tilted his chin slightly. Until just a moment ago, Ensi had been consistent in his indifference. Now, however, he was looking down at Dalia with a face clearly marked by displeasure.

Should she be grateful that he was at least showing an opening for conversation? Dalia’s heart sank at the question to which she had no answer. Forcing herself to ignore her irregularly beating heart, she forced her lips into an awkward smile.

“A letter came from the Academy. Asking if you are truly quitting, and saying that if you wish, they can process it as a temporary leave due to family matters like others do—.”

“It is unnecessary. Since it is a withdrawal. I will handle that on my part as well, so do not worry about it.”

“But……”

“Is there a problem?”

Dalia bit her lower lip at Ensi’s indifferent retort.

Originally, Ensius didn’t need to enter the Academy. To be more precise, he didn’t have the status to enter.

To maintain its reputation, Iglia Academy limited the number of children from a single family who could enroll to two. Since the House of Alemir had filled those slots with Enrique and Dalia, according to the rules, Ensius had no qualification.

If Ensius hadn’t been the Master of the Eclipse Merchant Coalition, that regulation would have functioned as a solid wall. However, Dalia, who knew a few exceptions to bypass the rules, had used bait that Ensius would find alluring to entice him into enrolling in the Academy.

She wasn’t unaware that the Academy would become a shackle for Ensius. Since he suffered from a rare disease, there would be much to worry about, and group life likely didn’t suit his disposition.

Of course, she had her own excuses. It was around the time Ensius reached the age for his debutante. The conflict between their father—who wanted to use the debutante-less Ensius as the subject of a political marriage—and Ensius—who wouldn’t listen to a word of it—was growing more intense by the day.

Even though Dalia herself remained, their father couldn’t give up on Ensius. From the perspective of a political marriage candidate, Dalia didn’t have as much value as Ensius.

And why wouldn’t that be? Ensius was the master of one of the largest merchant coalitions on the continent, and at the same time, he was an Omega, and at the same time…… he was a person suffering from a disease where it wouldn’t be strange for him to die at any moment.

Where else could one find such delectable prey?

For that reason, despite living in separate mansions, the fights between their father and Ensius never ceased.

Sometimes their father would visit the mansion where Ensius stayed to shout at him, and sometimes Ensius would seek out their father to fight him directly.

Nobility’s dignity aside, throwing objects was actually the better part of it. Expensive glass shattered, and the frequency of needing to bring in new furniture, including tables, increased, but that much could be endured.

The reason she decided she had to send Ensius to the Academy, even by force, was not because of such trivial matters.

The moment Dalia finally resolved to send Ensius to the Academy was…… yes. The night Ensius brought the head of a ruffian who had dared to trespass into his mansion on his father’s orders and threw it violently before his father’s eyes.

It was what happened that night.