### Chapter 48 – Cedric (14) – Firstborn’s Dagger
“…As always, it’s nauseatingly extravagant.”
The residence of the Redbell Viscount.
Gazing at the place that could be called the main house of the Redbell family, Claudia furrowed her brow.
Though she had lived here for many years before being appointed as the Lord of Etchedling, she hated coming back here.
It wasn’t because of painful memories.
Rather, it was because there were too many happy memories.
When her mother was still alive…
During the times when Viscount Redbell acted as a ‘good father’ and Claudia truly believed in his sincerity, recalling those memories made her feel pitiful when compared to her present self.
Unable to easily enter the mansion, she simply glared at it for an indeterminate amount of time.
“…It’s indeed a spacious mansion. It truly seems worthwhile to manage.”
Whether spoken with sincerity or as a jest, it was a casual remark.
The moment Claudia heard Cedric’s voice, it was as if her feet, which had been glued to the ground, suddenly became lighter.
She smirked and retorted.
“There’s no one else but you who would call the Redbell mansion ‘just fairly decent.’ If you consider the size, it rivals the royal family.”
“Miss, as someone who will look toward even higher and broader places in the future, shouldn’t even a servant like me have such an attitude?”
“You talk well. You do.”
Although she muttered lightly, Claudia wasn’t in a bad mood.
Indeed, the past Claudia and the present Claudia are different.
The current Claudia is no longer the young child who was upset about learning her father’s love was a fabrication, but a distinguished Lord with significant accomplishments and reputation visiting this place.
With her chest puffed out and her chin held high, she confidently entered the mansion.
Inside the mansion were guests that had arrived before Claudia. Discovering their presence, Claudia greeted them with a mischievous smile.
“It’s been a while. Mira, Ervin.”
The stout and muscular young man with an impressive appearance frowned as if displeased.
The aristocratic young lady, adorned in a dress of an unmistakably rare quality, mirrored his reaction.
“You are my elder brother. I’ve told you countless times to keep proper etiquette, Claudia.”
“Ah, right. Must you always embarrass our family’s name by appearing so poorly raised?”
“Etiquette? Embarrassing the family’s name?”
Claudia ignored their reproaches and mocked them with a sneer, as if having listened to something absurd.
“Shall I make it clear to the entire kingdom which side truly lacks etiquette and tarnishes the family’s name?”
At Claudia’s cryptic statement, the two’s pupils flickered for but a moment.
Still, they were seasoned in the ways of the aristocracy, where politics intertwined with the social elite.
Mira maintained a composed face and questioned in return.
“I don’t know what story you’re talking about. Isn’t the one who brought the most disgrace upon the name of Redbell you?”
Her tone and expression seemed genuinely oblivious to the truth, making it rare for someone to suspect her as the perpetrator behind the assassination attempt on her half-sibling.
Ervin, the second son, also aligned with his sister’s attitude.
“Recently, I heard you’ve managed to perform acceptably as a Lord, so I had a bit of expectation, but it seems your unruly nature hasn’t changed. You should be ashamed.”
Their unabashed attitude was almost laughable, but in truth, they had their own calculations.
‘Pretense is evident. If their force was so mighty that they couldn’t capture the assassins alive, there’s no way Claudia could have such capability.’
‘Those operatives dispatched were all men of few words. It’s unlikely they’d give testimonies easily. Even if they did, admitting it here would mean no chance of survival. We must deny it at all costs!’
Their judgment wasn’t entirely misguided.
In the noble society, truth wasn’t particularly important, and rights and wrongs flip-flopped without hesitation.
Of course, if Claudia actually had witnesses and used them as leverage, the siblings would also have to prepare for significant losses. Conversely, Claudia needed to consider giving them some leniency to gain what she wanted.
However, there was one thing.
The two were mistaken in believing Claudia was that politically astute noble daughter.
“Oh, is that so?”
Claudia stared disapprovingly at their shameless attitudes and then, unfolding her fan with a rustle, covered her mouth and commanded.
“You lot. Bring those things we loaded onto the carriage here.”
“Yes, my lady.”
At this, some of the servants following Claudia turned back and exited to the gate.
Initially puzzled by Claudia’s intentions and wearing expressions of puzzlement, the siblings were struck with shock when they saw what the servants carried on their shoulders.
Men tightly bound like giant insects, utterly devoid of the energy to resist.
Searching their surroundings with anxious eyes, they eventually met the gazes of the two siblings and deeply bowed their heads.
Having never imagined Claudia would bring the assassins back to the main house, the siblings froze in horror. And toward them, Claudia made her declaration.
“In my opinion, these fellows seem to have some relation to the two of you, so I wanted to have a word. But if you know nothing, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll have to use them elsewhere.”
“Other places?”
“To Father. Since these scum dared to attack a member of the Redbell family, we must surely investigate their background and thoroughly deal with them. Someone with more experience would do a better job than me, right? Hm?”
The siblings couldn’t muster any response, as if struck speechless.
We couldn’t just let them fall into Father’s hands.
He would inevitably force them to confess, revealing their entire conspiracy.
But neither could they protect these men.
After all, retrieving them overtly would be akin to confessing their guilt.
‘You outrageous woman…!’
‘So you’re openly threatening us now!’
There was none of the usual refined, behind-the-scenes negotiations among the nobility.
It was as if Claudia was blatantly saying, “You made me angry, so I’m going to make you eat this.”
The two people, who had always considered themselves experienced through all manner of challenges, were at a loss.
Who among the Redbell family’s children could force such choices?
“Anyway, I have nothing more to say, so I’m going. See you later, if we meet again.”
“Wait, just a bit more, Claudia!”
“Y, yes! There’s a misunderstanding! Let’s have a talk!”
Ultimately, the two had no choice but to swallow their pride and grovel to Claudia.
It was a choice of a lesser evil compared to the worst.
And that scene was etched vividly into the eyes and ears of the family’s deities.
‘…Effectively, it’s a posture of submission. It won’t become a direct scandal, but with so many watching, at least those within the family will surely know.’
‘Though excessively harsh, in some sense, it was an exceedingly effective negotiation method. The tyrannical traits can be turned into weapons if used properly.’
By the time, the family patriarchs were political figures with considerable influence and knowledge.
Aware of the Viscount’s nature—a man who doesn’t tolerate his tools acting carelessly—none dared to interfere or speak in the succession struggle directly. However, one’s thoughts could not be so easily restrained.
Judging from them, Claudia had practically reduced the second and third siblings to insignificance within the family’s hierarchy.
This was the price they paid for the failed assassination, which was brushed off rather than dealt with decisively.
—
“Ah, I heard some commotion. So, everyone’s here.”
Of course, that didn’t mean Claudia had secured the highest position in the family.
Regardless of what became of the Viscount, the Redbell family had two people who were beyond treating the second and third siblings as mere ‘others’: the indisputable second, Armin Redbell.
With an appearance both gentle and dignified, he approached the group with a perfectly natural attitude and greeted them.
Ervin and Mira lightened their previously gloomy expressions while Claudia openly squinted her eyes.
“Long time no see, little one. I’ve heard news from time to time, but it’s not the same as hearing it from you. Have you been well these past times?”
“…Decent enough.”
“Thank goodness, thank goodness. As it feels like my worrying has greatly diminished.”
Despite Claudia’s short answer, Armin maintained his smile, unconcernedly.
His look of benevolence, like an overly indulgent older brother towards a less mature child.
To the dignitaries, his figure seemed to evoke the image of an expansive and generous vessel. But to Claudia, he was different.
‘So slippery.’
Unlike the second or third sibling, Armin, the eldest, had never openly shown hostility or caused her trouble.
On the contrary, he had mediated a few times when their actions had gone too far.
Even so, Claudia didn’t trust Armin.
This was less a matter of reason and more an instinctive feeling.
Seeing Armin reminded her of Viscount Redbell, the version of him from the days when her mother was still alive.
While smoothly deflecting sharp animosity, Armin turned his gaze toward the captured assassins.
“Are these people brought by you?”
“Indeed.”
“I don’t know the purpose, but bringing such people into the residence where the head of the family dwells isn’t appropriate. It would be better to send them back outside the house and then bring them back with the head’s permission later.”
“What if they disappear or are silenced while left outside?”
“This is Redbell’s land. If anyone commits such atrocities here, it will be seen as defying the head of the family, and such actions will surely be met with consequences.”
The statement was plain reasoning but also had a subtle undertone.
Upon hearing it, the eyes of the second and third siblings quivered, understanding it as a warning.
Confirming such sibling’s reaction, Claudia nodded.
She judged that no one would dare attempt to silence the captives in front of an audience; and if they tried, it would make for a good excuse.
“Return them outside.”
While giving the command to her servants, Claudia locked eyes with Cedric.
His compliance with her order as if there was no problem reassured her, making her feel this decision was the correct one.
Armin glanced at Cedric’s performance and then smiled kindly, saying,
“In that case, let’s head to the dining hall. The head of the family mentioned he had other matters and would join us late, so it seems we will start eating together first.”
—
*
The culinary standards of the Redbell Viscount’s residence are exceptionally high.
Despite being a viscount known for calculating tendencies across various matters worthy of a trading noble’s epithet, he was not solely obsessed with amassing wealth.
Luxurious bedding, fine clothing, exquisite food.
He was a man who didn’t shy away from extravagance in daily convenience and pleasures, and as proof, the dining table was filled with a variety of dishes made from a multitude of ingredients.
Yet, Claudia found no pleasure in the taste of these dishes.
“Even worse than what Cedric prepares, or what the kitchen head makes…”
Objectively, the quality of ingredients and the skills of the chef here at the main house should be superior.
However, no matter how exquisite the food, dining at the same table with people whose faces you don’t even want to see can only lead to loss of appetite.
While cutting a piece of chicken steak described as raised on exclusive feed, Claudia increasingly felt weary of this farce.
She wondered how much longer she’d have to endure this.
Since the viscount himself was unlikely to appear anyway, perhaps it was best to hastily finish eating and leave.
Just as she was seriously contemplating these thoughts, at a casual moment, like mentioning clouds while walking on the street, Armin said,
“By the way, Claudia, I heard the royal family is interested in arranging a match for you. What do you think?”
“…Hmm?”
The unexpected statement took a while for Claudia’s brain to process.
Facing the youngest with a dumbfounded expression, Armin continued his words.
“You’re aware that I often exchange pleasantries with the 2nd Prince. Upon hearing that you haven’t even promised an engagement, His Highness sighed deeply. He mentioned that being too absorbed in governing the kingdom has made him neglect your well-being.”
Family? Who was that?
What about the children sent in an incomplete dowry without due respect when Mother married into this wretched household?
While Claudia’s face grew progressively colder, Armin’s expression remained warmly unchanged.
“In the end, it’s customary for elders of a noble family to decide marriages. Even the head of the family agreed, recognizing it as a favored matter when the royal family itself took the initiative to arrange it. Thanks to that, His Highness the 2nd Prince is extremely enthusiastic. He promised to find you the best possible suitor, and you can certainly look forward to it.”
Claudia’s patience lasted only until that point.
CRASH!
“AH!?”
“Urgh, Claudia! What are you doing!!”
As Claudia kicked the leg of the table and stood up, the food on the table rocked violently, and some sauce splattered the opposite siblings.
However, Claudia paid no heed to them and shouted at Armin,
“You… you people have no right to decide my marriage!”
Looking at her with a wry smile due to the salad dressing stain on his clothing, Armin spoke gently as if reproaching a troublemaker:
“Such is the way of noble marriages. I’ve done the same, Ervin has, Mira has… Your turn has simply come, yet why do you raise such a fuss?”
“No! How could I possibly submit to a marriage arranged by you people!”
Each syllable Claudia squeezed out carried an abundance of raw emotion.
What was the reason behind all her efforts so far?
Why did she improve her image, care about the lives of her people as a lord, and stack countless achievements?
Wasn’t it to not be sold off as a mere item, like her mother, as the commodity of a strategic marriage?
Hardly had she just won the Viscount’s acknowledgment and readied herself for proper negotiations, yet being informed of such matters by an eldest brother like this, without even setting eyes on the Viscount, Claudia utterly rejected the circumstances.
And toward such a Claudia, Armin merely pronounced.
“Perhaps you’re mistaken, little one. The person who arranges this isn’t me or the Viscount—it’s none other than the royal family of this Virca kingdom.”
Although Armin said only that, Claudia heard the unsaid contents clearly.
—Or would you dare to overturn the will of the royal family alone?
Only then did she realize.
While the second and third sibling barely managed by using mere assassination schemes and were being retaliated against, the first one, Armin, had delivered a devastating strike using a method incomparable to theirs.
When a royal family’s ‘request’ functions more like a command, and their ‘goodwill’ acts like pressure,
The 2nd prince, offering ‘goodwill’ as an elder of the household to arrange a marriage, if Claudia rejected or led it to a dissolution, it would amount to nothing less than an act of desecration against the royal family.
No matter how troubled the royal family may be internally, the irrefutable fact remains that they are the sovereign rulers of the land.
No mere lord could refute that authority.
Claudia’s face turned vacant.
She recalled the face of a servant who awaited in the retainers’ quarters and wondered,
‘Sedric? What should I do in situations like these?’
