Zester’s ability to take action was remarkable.
The accused, Matthew Holton, was immediately seized and thrown into the castle dungeon and Zester shut himself away to begin discussions with the butler, Paul, and his adjutant, Gregory, to determine his punishment.
Whether it was because his wife had personally requested it, or because he truly felt the severity of the incident, Cassia didn’t know. Whatever the reason, it was good.
Cassia smiled with satisfaction as she thought of Zester, who was holed up in his office with Paul and Gregory, skipping even his meals.
“I cannot imagine what business is so pressing that he would skip a meal.”
Cassia’s expression, which had been immersed in satisfied thoughts, crumbled at the sound of Bertol’s voice coming from the far side of the spacious dining table.
While she liked that Zester was pouring his attention into territory affairs, even setting aside hospitality for a guest (had it been any other guest, she would have stopped him), she wasn’t quite excited about the fact that she had to endure this uncomfortable meal with Bertol in his place.
She couldn’t let a guest as important as Bertol eat alone, so she was forced to have this lunch with just the two of them.
Though he made it sound like he was regretful Zester couldn’t make it, a satisfied smile lingered on Bertol’s face. He was clearly looking forward to spending time alone with Cassia.
Staring intently at his smiling face, Cassia thought it was actually for the better. There was something she needed to discuss with Bertol.
Specifically, the territory war that, if things went according to schedule, was less than two months away.
“It is a very important matter, so he had no choice but to be absent. I hope you will generously understand, Lord Count.”
“Oh, I am not displeased at all. Naturally, if there are busy circumstances, work must come first. And besides, I find it quite satisfying to share a meal alone with the Baroness.”
“I am grateful you consider it so.”
Grateful, my foot.
Cassia smiled brightly, though her heart was filled with curses at his sleazy reply.
“Ah, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you, Lord Count. If you don’t mind, may I?”
“You can ask anything.”
At her cautious opening, Bertol put down the cutlery he was holding and faced her.
Resting his chin on his hand and smiling with his red eyes languidly curved, the face of this young noble was, in truth, surprisingly handsome.
A high-ranking noble, a skilled soldier, striking looks, and a robust physique.
Bertol Axios. He wasn’t called the King of the North for nothing. His reputation was rampant, even the capital.
Of course, none of that mattered in Cassia’s eyes.
“I was never much interested in war history, but after coming to Greze and hearing of my husband’s exploits, I became interested and studied a bit. After reading various things, the most interesting topic was the territory wars, both large and small.”
“Oh? And what about them did you find interesting?”
“Actually, I used to think the phrase ‘necessary war’ was a contradiction. Why deliberately create bloodshed and drive innocents to their death? Until the current Empire was formed, countless kingdoms on the continent were invaded and absorbed. I felt sorry for their history, buried underwater…”
“Haha…Your thoughts are as lovely as your beauty, Baroness.”
“Oh my, thank you.”
‘Any opening he gets, he tries to flirt.’
Cassia, the noblewoman, whose exterior was vastly different from her interior, was indeed a master of facial control. She maintained a kind and elegant expression as she continued.
“But territorial wars seem to have a slightly different meaning. Sometimes they happen by mutual agreement…”
“Indeed. Sometimes weak territories form an alliance to initiate one to keep a strong territory in check, and sometimes strong territories deliberately declare war periodically to solidify their power. Territorial wars are not merely wars meant to expand land.”
“Yes. That’s why I thought that, unlike other wars, territory wars might actually be necessary. I realized anew how important it is for a strong territory to declare war first and firmly establish the superiority of its power. In reading histories, I was shocked by how many lives were lost when minor lords launched reckless assaults, not knowing where they stand.”
“Quite so. In wars without agreement, both sides fight to the death. They go into war with the mindset of wiping out not just the castle, but the entire territory.”
Because of those damned invasion wars, the already poor and shabby Greze had been devastated even further. Recalling the bitter memories of the territory war, Cassia let out a sharp breath.
“It has already been a year since the last territorial war occurred.”
Mashing the steamed potato in front of her with the tip of her fork, Cassia carefully brought up the main topic.
“Yes. It has been a year.”
“Isn’t it about time for the winds of war to stir in the North again?”
“Hmm, well. That won’t happen. The difference in power is too great. They may tremble at the thought of me attacking, but I doubt there are any lords bold enough to be preparing to invade me.”
Ah. Cassia exclaimed internally. She felt she understood why, in her previous life, Bertol had been caught completely off guard and taken the full brunt of the allied attack from Varnan and Viche.
‘His overconfidence and complacency are just piercing the sky.’
It was understandable. No northern land could match Axios alone. Furthermore, unlike the South, where territories often maintained tight alliances, the North was an extremely individualistic place, so there was almost no history of small territories forming alliances.
But that very fact had become his blind spot, and Bertol was struck by the invasion of the Varnan and Viche alliance in the past life. They had attcked, aiming first at Greze, intending to march on Axios next. But their campaign had crumbled at Greze’s walls.
‘When you think of it that way, my husband might be even more amazing than Count Axios…’
Because Greze appeared like it could easily be destroyed, and their target must have been Axios located behind it, yet the territory war ended in Greze without them ever setting foot in Axios.
Who would have known that Greze’s pitiful military force, the Jackal mercenaries and the few soldiers urgently sent from Axios, would be that hard to break?
Anyway, even if the same territorial war was repeated, there would be no victory for the Varnan and Viche alliance. But Cassia’s wish was not victory. It was to eliminate the damage to Greze.
This time, they had to strike first. The stage for the territory war must not be Greze.
“Since it has been a long time since the last territory war, isn’t one necessary, if only to solidify Axios as the supreme power in the North?”
There was no way he couldn’t hear the intent behind Cassia’s cautious question. It sounded like she was telling him to start a territorial war first…
Bertol tilted his head, intrigued.
“What is your intention in suddenly bringing this up, Baroness?”
“I don’t have any specific intention. Wouldn’t it be annoying for you, Count, if lesser lords tried to climb over you? Since they’ll be trying to strike a larger territory to expand their land, won’t they commit to the war with all their might? I mention this because I think unannounced invasion would be far bloodier than a war you chose.”
“To start a territory war first to solidify the power supremacy…I see. Then, does Greze intend to support me?”
“Of course. How could it be otherwise?”
Bertol watched with interest as Cassia answered immediately and tilted her wine glass.
‘Is she thinking of validating their position now that they’ve grown a bit? For me, it would be a meaningless war, but it would certainly be a necessary war for Greze. It would paint a picture of a small, invisible territory leading a sturdy army and joining the power struggle of the North.’
That was what Bertol thought. Of course, Cassia had foreseen that Bertol would gauge her inner thoughts and come to such a conclusion.
Her true intention was to prevent damage to Greze, but since such persuasion wouldn’t work on those who didn’t know the future, it was better for him to misunderstand. To let him think she was gathering an army and plotting to join the power struggle in the North.
“It makes no difference to me whether I prepare for a territory war or not, but for Greze, which is just starting to grow, it would certainly be a necessary war. Riding on my power, at that…”
“….”
“Funny though. Isn’t this grand picture drawn only for your benefit? What do I stand to gain by starting a territory war? To expand Greze’s influence? Why should I trouble myself for such a thing?”
‘Ah, then just sit there and get beaten up…’
Suppressing the urge to snap at him, Cassia forced a smile. If she sat still and waited for the war to happen, Greze would be wrecked, so at this point, she had to act weak.
“Of course, compared to Axios, our territory is woefully lacking, so it may look as though we seek to lean on your strength but…”
“However, it doesn’t matter.”
“…Pardon?”
Cassia tilted her head, puzzled by Bertol’s reaction as he suddenly cut her off.
If he continued to act sly, she planned to gently coax him. While Greze may be small and unassuming, their forces had already become something to reckon with among the northern territories. If he was allied with Greze, Bertol didn’t stand to lose anything.
“I will gladly move as you wish, Baroness.”
‘What is this? I haven’t even started persuading him yet though?’
Seeing Cassia’s puzzled expression, Bertol burst into laughter and slowly rose from his seat.
The dining hall was empty as all the servants were dismissed. Only the sound of Bertol’s shoes echoed as he slowly walked towards her.
“I’m saying I don’t mind even if you intend to use me. If it is you, and not anyone else, you are welcome anytime.”
Eventually, Bertol stopped before Cassia and leaned his body forward. Cassia reflexively leaned back in her chair, looking wary.
“I have no reason to be wary of Greze growing. If it grows enough to become a nuisance, I will simply devour it.”
The distance between their faces, as he leaned towards her, was uncomfortable. She could feel his breath as he exhaled.
Cassia’s eyes were narrowed and with a frown, she met Bertol’s gaze, whose intentions were unclear.
Heh. Bertol let out a short laugh and slowly lifted his hand to grasp Cassia’s slender chin. His thumb pressed firmly against her lower lip.
His head grew surprisingly hot at the soft texture touching his fingertips. It had been a truly long time since he had lost his self-control to this extent.
Bertol suppressed a groan that was rising to his lips and kept his expression composed.
“So, I will gladly allow myself to be swept along by your cunning schemes.”
“….”
“In the end, both Greze, and you…”
Cassia’s frown deepened and she quickly slapped Bertol’s hand away. Even at the rather sharp slap, Bertol smiled leisurely as if he didn’t care.
“All of it…”
It was the gaze of a beast.
Cassia stared at his gleaming red eyes, trying to appear unfazed, but inwardly, her heart trembled with anxiety.
“…will be mine.”
The words she had hoped he would never say had finally come out of his mouth.
Bertol Axios. This damned man. He was bent on retracing every single step of her past life.
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