I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 225

Albrecht realized that the enemy had invaded and immediately requested reinforcements from the royal palace.

While the palace often turned a blind eye to disputes or conflicts among the nobles when there was a reasonable justification on one side, this case was merely an apparent one-sided invasion.

A man who had arrived as Albrecht’s representative stood upright as he presented himself before the emperor.

Being one of Albrecht’s closest aides, he understood all too well who held the upper hand in their relationship.

“Is it true that the Robeheim Family has invaded the Bertus Family?”

“Yes, your majesty! They are already knocking on the gates right in front of the castle!”

However, as his voice could potentially be heard outside, he made sure to speak with utmost respect.

Then he stealthily glanced at the emperor seated on the red throne, thinking that Bartheus would surely leap to his feet upon hearing this news.

After all, the life of the imperial family was in Albrecht’s hands.

Even if the emperor secretly requested aid from the Robeheim Family, he had no choice but to outwardly comply with the demands of the Bertus Family.

In the end, this battle had been predetermined from the beginning.

If only the Robeheim Family’s offensive had been a little more discreet and passionate, and the castle had fallen before there was time to request reinforcements, perhaps the outcome might have been slightly different.

“However, it’s strange. Why must such a significant news be conveyed to me secretly in the absence of other ministers?”

“Excuse me? What do you mean by that…?”

The man, who had been wearing a smirk while anticipating a response, blinked in shock at the sudden question.

It wasn’t that he failed to understand the underlying motive behind the words, but rather that it bewildered him to see such an attitude from someone who should have known the reason for acting this way.

“Isn’t it obvious? In a fight without justification, you could state the facts openly in front of the ministers. Yet, there’s a reason you’ve come to me secretly, which I cannot grasp.”

“The intentions of your majesty are the intentions of the imperial family, are they not? There’s no need to convince all those people in one place.”

He worded it in a roundabout way, but the meaning was clear.

Rather than risking suspicion by addressing all those ministers, one emperor alone, who carried no real authority, could be used as a puppet to dictate their actions.

Only those who despised the imperial family would dare to utter such words.

“I see. Nevertheless, I need to understand the situation thoroughly to provide assistance. Please wait a moment until the Robeheim Family lays out their position.”

As Bartheus shrugged nonchalantly, attempting to stall for time, the man gritted his teeth.

Was he really not grasping the severity of the situation? If the Bertus Family fell, he would lose his beloved ones forever.

“…Your Majesty, are you truly unaware of the gravity of the situation?”

“I do know. It’s just that had they a justification, I couldn’t disregard the matter as an impartial mediator.”

Mediator, what a nice term to use.

The very reason Albrecht sent a representative was to command the immediate expulsion of the Robeheim Family, and this was undoubtedly not a mild matter that could be negotiated.

“Are you saying that means you intend to forsake the safety of your family?”

The man, whose frustration was boiling over as time dragged on, stared fiercely at Bartheus as he issued a threat.

After all, he wielded the knife here.

Even if the Bertus Family perished, Albrecht would remain.

His loyal subordinate knew that his master was an immortal being.

Thus, this tug-of-war was essentially pointless.

If he relinquished aid now, Bartheus would risk the lives of his entire family, perhaps even his own, while Albrecht would merely temporarily lose a useful family and a backing.

Albrecht could later rally again to regain strength in secrecy.

By then, the meager mercy he had shown until now would surely vanish.

“You know your master’s strength better than anyone. Do you really intend to forsake your family’s lives just to save some petty pride?”

“…”

Recalling Albrecht’s existence, the man delivered his final warning while tapping the ground twice with his feet, as if time was running out.

He then smirked coldly at the emperor, who had fallen silent.

After all, the outcome had been predetermined from the very beginning. How laughable it was for him to act rebelliously with such trivial pride.

“Now, Your Majesty. Once again, I will request this. Please send the royal knights and reinforcements to the Bertus Family’s castle promptly.”

“…As you wish.”

Finally, as the surrender declaration slipped from Bartheus’s lips, the man abruptly turned on his heel.

How disgraceful it was that a mere puppet, kept alive by the mercy of his master, dared to oppose his will.

Once they successfully dealt with the Robeheim Family, he would undoubtedly seek out his master in order to impose a harsh punishment.

“Then I shall take my leave now. Please send them as speedily as possible.”

As he was about to exit the audience chamber, the man turned around once more, adopting an exaggerated pose as if he were the protagonist of a stage play while bowing.

At that moment, a faint smile crept onto Bartheus’s otherwise expressionless face.

“I don’t quite understand what you mean by ‘send them’.”

“…Excuse me?”

When he had just been told to act according to his wishes, what could this sudden shift mean?

As he tried to process the conversation, confusion clouded the man’s face, and the emperor pointed to his ears, as if to signify he should listen carefully, then added:

“I meant to say that the lives of my family are at stake. If you get the chance, be sure to pass that along to your master.”

Snap.

As he snapped his fingers, five guards, who had been standing outside, swiftly rushed in.

The man, who had no idea what was occurring, recalled Bartheus’s words from earlier and his expression hardened.

He had a gut feeling he knew exactly why the guards were entering now.

“You dare to speak that way to the Emperor! Hey, seize that traitor immediately!”

“Yes!”

“Let go of me! You fools! Bartheus, how could you… Ugh!”

The man, gagged and dragged away, looked back at Bartheus with an indignant gaze until the door to the audience chamber closed.

As the dust settled, Bartheus slumped back in his throne as if he had just collapsed.

This small act of bravery had been instilled in him by his wife.

From the moment he requested aid from the Robeheim Family, he had prepared himself to lose everything.

However, Bartheus had never truly abandoned the lives of his family. It was because he had the confidence to save them that he could boldly convey his true intentions.

‘Is my role here completed?’

The first decision the puppet emperor could make, and perhaps the last one as well.

Whether the peace that followed would be a blessing or a greater nightmare depended on the hero’s performance.