Akatsuki Translations

The lands owned by the Mordred family were far from prosperous. They lacked abundant marine resources, and the thin, rocky soil was ill-suited for agriculture. There was no trace of mineral wealth, only an uneven landscape covered in dense forests. The small town’s inhabitants eked out a meager living by harvesting and processing timber.

As Bineau struggled with estate management, some advised him to switch to large-scale sheep farming or dairy production. Others suggested selling raw lumber instead of processed wood. “Nonsense,” Bineau had dismissed these suggestions.

The ability to precisely cut wooden components and efficiently assemble them into attractive crafts was the unique heritage of Mordred’s artisans. To abandon this and diversify would be heresy to Bineau, who, as head of the family, was duty-bound to protect the family name and traditions.

Yet, he couldn’t deny feeling the limitations of his current business connections. This drove his search for new trading partners.

Hearing rumors of a prosperous northern trading city, Bineau sought formal trade rights. However, as a new, foreign entity without prior connections, he needed permission from higher authorities—something typically reserved for grand nobles of marquis rank or above. Only the Royal Oversight Court could issue such permits, and Gwen Vlad, who controlled the organization, had repeatedly ignored Bineau’s requests.

Gwen was an exceptional figure, excelling both as prime minister and military leader. He was also peculiar in his lack of interest in personal gain, making him immune to bribes or favors.

Bineau craved a powerful backer. The ideal would be one of the two grand ducal houses, far above the Mordred family in status. But dangling minor profits before such elevated houses would be pointless. There was, however, another house that surpassed even the grand dukes and could influence the Royal Oversight Court: the Murakumo royal family.

Princess Sa’salia, the royal orphan, had long secluded herself in the palace, cutting off outside contact. Recently, however, her activities had increased, and she was said to be traveling for study.

Bineau reasoned that the long-secluded princess might also desire connections. Surely, a link to the count-ranked Mordred family would benefit her as well.

Yet, when he requested a meeting via direct correspondence, the royal house barely responded. Frustrated, Bineau attempted to appeal directly to Shi’shi’Jishi Amai, the captain of the royal guard, only to be brusquely refused. This made him realize his expectations had been nothing but self-serving delusions.

“Who is granted an audience is determined solely by Her Highness’s will. It is not for a subject to decide,” the guard captain had told him.

Bineau was overcome with despair. It was clear that the princess had no interest in associating with the Mordred family, despite their count status, given their distance from both military and political power.

On the day Amai personally refused his request for an audience, Bineau couldn’t bring himself to meekly withdraw. He had never before defied authority, but a string of business failures and the unbearable humiliation of his supposedly obedient heir bringing home some low-born suitor had pushed him to desperation.

After parting with Amai, Bineau secretly followed him. Fortunately, dressed in his formal attire as a Bright, he didn’t attract suspicion. He walked confidently in public areas and hid carefully in less populated spots as he tailed Amai.

Soon, Amai approached a long staircase leading to the royal chambers. Realizing the area ahead would be heavily guarded, Bineau concealed himself in the shadows of the staircase and waited.

Before long, as he had hoped, Amai reappeared from above, this time accompanied by Princess Sa’salia herself. There was no time to admire her unique charm and beauty. Bineau steeled himself for this perfect opportunity to directly request an audience. As the princess, led by her guard, reached the bottom of the stairs, Bineau made his decision.

──Now!

But Bineau hesitated at the last moment, recognizing the young man in Bright attire walking alongside the princess.

──It can’t be…

Hidden in the shadows, he blinked several times, but there was no mistake. It was the same commoner he had seen dining with Aise.

The young man stopped, tugging at his collar uncomfortably. As he did so, his belt slipped to the floor. Before he could reach for it, Princess Sa’salia herself knelt down and picked it up. A hushed murmur of surprise spread among the other Brights on guard.

The young man casually accepted the belt from the kneeling princess.

“Thanks. I’m not used to this outfit yet,” he said.

“It’s fine,” Sa’salia replied.

From his hiding spot, Bineau could clearly see Sa’salia’s profile as she smiled happily at the thanks. Her expression wasn’t that of a royal bestowing capricious mercy on a subject, but of a young woman lost in love.

What am I witnessing? Bineau thought, struggling to accept the scene before him as reality. He wondered if he might be dreaming, having fallen asleep after drinking in a foul mood.

Sa’salia walked on, an unguarded smile on her face, staying close enough to the young man that their clothes brushed. The Brights of the royal guard followed, forming a protective wall. Only Captain Amai and a dark-haired knight remained behind.

“Hey, are we sure the Sa’salia we’ve been guarding all this time wasn’t an impostor?” the dark-haired knight muttered, crossing his arms.

“They’re both the same Princess Sa’salia,” Amai replied, touching the knight’s shoulder.

“Doesn’t seem like it. I’ve never seen Her Highness in such a good mood. It’s like she’s a different person.”

“Thanks to him,” Amai said.

“I don’t like it. We’re always on edge about her moods, but that kid just has to be there, and she softens up completely.”

“If you’re speaking out of jealousy, you should mind your place.”

“That’s not it! What I’m saying is, this situation, where her mood swings on the whim of some commoner kid—”

“I’m joking. I understand too. If this continues, it’ll be hard to keep under wraps. But matters of the heart aren’t easily controlled by outside wishes. Her Highness had completely closed off her heart due to past experiences. There’s no doubt it’s his achievement that’s brought her back into the light. All her current actions and efforts stem from a desire to be acknowledged by him. It’s obvious what would happen if we took that away.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why it’s so frustrating—knowing but being unable to do anything.”

“Now is the time to watch quietly. Her Highness’s peace of mind is paramount. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to reciprocate her feelings to the same degree. From an outsider’s perspective, it’s rather heartwarming, like a younger sister doting on an older brother.”

“Wonder how long that’ll last. Pardon the disrespect, but if a beauty like that came onto me, I’d fall for her without hesitation.”

“It’s not just about looks. In his position, if pursued by royalty, I’d be planning my escape to a foreign country to save my life. In that respect, he’s certainly extraordinary.”

“I’ll agree with that. He was completely unfazed while being glared at by all those Brights. His heart must be covered in thick fur on top of coarse hair.”

“He’s already achieved remarkable things. Even Lord Gwen seems to hold him in high regard. I secretly hope that soon, we’ll be able to welcome him into the royal guard without anyone objecting.”

“Heh, if he joins, I’ll make sure to give him a hard time.”

“I won’t let you,” Amai chuckled.

The two continued their friendly banter as they walked away.

Left alone in the darkness, Bineau remained frozen, swallowing the saliva that had accumulated in his mouth.

Bineau’s heart pounded loudly in his chest.

Without a doubt, what he had just witnessed and overheard was priceless information. He couldn’t begin to calculate the potential rewards if used wisely.

──Perhaps I could use this to blackmail the royal family…

Bineau immediately shook his head, dismissing the foolish thought. In his current desire for backing, such an attempt to extort the royal family could lead to losing everything.

There must be a better way to use this information effectively. Bineau stood frozen, his mind racing at full speed.

──Of course, that’s it.

Like a flash of lightning, a memory seared into his mind resurfaced. It was the image of that young man, sitting intimately at the dinner table with his daughter.

What should have been an unpleasant memory had instantly transformed into a gold mine.

Hurrying back to the manor, Bineau pushed open the door to Aise’s room, where she was under house arrest.

“Aise,” he called.

“Father,” she replied, languidly sitting by the window in her Bright uniform, seemingly not having slept.

Bineau cleared his throat dramatically. “About that man from last night…”

Aise’s face immediately twisted with anger. “If you intend to harm him, I won’t tell you anything!”

“No, no—that’s not it,” Bineau said, softening his voice unusually in an attempt to appease his hostile daughter.

“I went too far. I regret acting so violently without trying to understand the situation.”

Puzzled by her father’s sudden change in attitude, Aise tilted her head. “Are you being sincere?”

Bineau nodded with all his might. “I speak the absolute truth. In fact, I’d like to apologize to him directly.”

“Yes, that’s… but…”

“You must be close to him if you invited him for dinner. I’d like to formally invite him to a dinner party in the name of the Mordred family head to apologize for my rudeness. Could you deliver the invitation?”

Aise’s gloomy face instantly brightened. “Yes! If that’s the case, I’ll get ready right away—oh, I should change—no, I should prepare the horse first—but I want to freshen up too…”

“I’ll take care of the details. You focus on getting yourself ready.”

As he watched his daughter, suddenly in high spirits, pulling out colorful dresses to choose from, Bineau felt conflicted. He wondered if those two men discussing the princess earlier had felt the same way he did now.