I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 218

Lukeville Family

“They’re the kind of family that fits best with the saying ‘it may break, but it won’t bend,’ and they’re also true loyal subjects of the Empire.”

Because of that, Edgar had a lot of worries right from the moment he first thought about asking them for help.

“First, how do I justify this? That’s the biggest problem.”

Even though Albrecht was blackmailing the Imperial Family, he couldn’t share the specific details.

After all, revealing this fact could cause the authority of the Imperial Family to crash down to the ground.

Moreover, considering that they’ve always been loyal to the Empire, they might feel a sense of betrayal.

But he thought that if he made a clumsy excuse, they’d catch on right away.

Even Yulken himself said in a roundabout way that “mixing in a suitable lie to get out of their sharp gaze would only backfire,” praising the current head of the Lukeville Family.

Therefore, what Edgar chose was the straightforward approach.

Accompanied by Yulken, he sought out the Lukeville Family, and the four of them, including Hagel, gathered in one place to persuade them and present their demands.

First, spread rumors that bandits have appeared near the highlands close to the Lukeville Family.

Second, take that as a pretext to request assistance from the Bertus Family.

Third, if reinforcements from the Bertus Family arrive, bind them to the location and delay things as much as possible, making it seem like there are no traces of the bandits.

While he could gloss over the second point, the mention of “delaying the situation and binding them” in the third point clearly had malicious intent.

Especially since the other party was also a citizen of the Empire.

“May I ask one thing, Sir Edgar? Who is this action meant for?”

Because of that, the cold tone questioned Edgar about the motives behind this scheme.

Why should they help, and was the ultimate goal of this plot just to serve the interests of the Robeheim Family?

From a third-party perspective, it might be entirely understandable for such misunderstandings to arise.

The Robeheim Family was the second most powerful family next to the Imperial Family, and the Bertus Family was at a similar level.

Thus, it wasn’t possible to completely rule out the possibility that this was simply a struggle to keep each other’s power in check.

“If this is merely a petty power struggle of yours, then I have no intention of entertaining it. If this situation ends up creating a rift with the Robeheim Family, my mind will not change.”

Of course, Derphain understood that Yulken was not the type to play such a small game.

But against the passage of time, even individuals can easily change, and the current head of the family was, after all, not him, but his daughter, Ariel.

It wouldn’t be strange if the direction of the family changed by the time it came to her.

Thus, Derphain firmly drew his line.

Sitting beside him, Hagel, who had sunk his gaze at his father’s stern warning, could neither support his friend nor defend his father.

It was too heavy and serious a matter for him to open his mouth carelessly.

“This is for the Imperial Family.”

“What do you mean, for the Imperial Family? Then I suppose I should comply willingly. Only, on the premise that you have evidence to back up your claims.”

Derphain’s eyes shone sharply, as if he had caught a whiff of something interesting.

Now that the name of the Empire had been brought up, if they were to bring forward some flimsy excuse and fumble their words, it could backfire on them.

However, the answer he received was entirely different from what he had anticipated…

“No. We can’t provide you with any evidence to support that. Sir Derphain.”

“……?”

This meant they couldn’t even present a justification for why they should offer their help.

That was a statement enough to terminate the negotiation, causing Derphain to momentarily stare blankly, wondering if his ears had deceived him, as he exchanged glances with Hagel.

“I can share the reasons with you. However, I can’t provide any evidence to back up the justification for why it ended up that way.”

“Then this conversation is essentially over. You didn’t just recklessly come barging in, relying solely on the power of the Robeheim Family, did you?”

At Edgar’s resolute response, Derphain’s tone grew somewhat rougher and elevated in pitch.

Despite the statements mixed with obvious attempts to demean the Robeheim Family, Yulken present at the scene said nothing.

He understood it was not yet time for him to speak.

Meanwhile, as Derphain shot cold glances at Edgar, who maintained a calm expression, Edgar finally opened his mouth.

“Are you saying that even if the Bertus Family were traitors who blackmailed the Imperial Family?”

The air, already cold, froze instantly with Edgar’s explosive declaration.

With this statement, Derphain found himself wondering for the second time today if his ears had deceived him.

Did this man even realize what he was carelessly saying?

“I’m at a loss for words. Have you lost your mind after riding the coattails of the Robeheim Family?”

“I’m neither insane nor stupid enough to spout nonsense backed by my lover’s family. I’m merely stating the facts as they are.”

Edgar subtly shifted his gaze towards Yulken, suggesting to Derphain, ‘You should wait to see Yulken’s reaction before you respond.’

“I can certainly attest to how loyal he has been, your Highness… or should I now refer to you as Duke Yulken? But that does not mean it serves as evidence to support this statement.”

“I know this. However, isn’t it true that you, Sir Derphain, are ignoring what you are aware of?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Derphain’s eyebrows twitched for a moment.

Not because he was unaware of what he was ignoring, but because he felt a jolt of realization.

“If the former Emperor, now retired from active duty, personally came to you and pleaded, almost bowing his head in front of you, then he should have at least fabricated a plausible excuse, even if it were a lie.”

“That’s absurd. To use the lack of evidence as evidence?”

“Yes, but don’t you harbor any doubts about this?”

Naturally. Frankly, it was as if Edgar had read his mind.

Derphain had been struggling to understand why the Robeheim Family would lower themselves to such a disgraceful position, clinging to emotions to make their case.

After all, if they wanted to, they could easily fabricate one or two pieces of false evidence suggesting that the Bertus Family blackmailed the Emperor.

But the fact that they had chosen not to do so meant that, rather than risking false evidence to persuade him, they were choosing to abandon the negotiation without revealing the truth.

“…You want to say that there is a reason you cannot reveal the truth to me. Is that what you mean?”

“That will depend on how you interpret it, Sir Derphain.”

Edgar also knew well that Sir Derphain was not the type to easily sway over such ridiculous demands.

But what could he do? Sometimes, there are matters that must not be disclosed.

If he had intended to expose this fact, he would have publicly divulged it from the beginning, having clear evidence in hand to divert public sentiment away from the Bertus Family.

However, that wasn’t the way to save everyone.

If that method had been employed, the Imperial Family would undoubtedly be treated as puppets and face public condemnation.

Of course, Bartheus, who had cooperated with Albrecht, was indeed at fault.

But did that mean the authority of the remaining family members, who had to live shunned by their husband and father, should also plummet? Edgar could only tilt his head at that opinion.

So, wouldn’t it be right to save more people, even if it means slightly easing the blame on one man?

Some might point fingers at him for being selfish, but this was the path he chose.

“Anyway, what I’m trying to convey is this. Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you, Sir Derphain.”

Even as Edgar deeply bowed his head for the last appeal, Derphain bit his lips tightly and turned his head coldly.

Certainly, there were many strange elements. It felt strongly that he should agree to this proposal.

But that wasn’t a rational choice for him to make as the head of the family. Thus, to prevent his heart from wavering, he deliberately turned his gaze away.

“…You speak nonsense. Return. I shall silence this matter.”

Even with Derphain’s cold response, Edgar did not lift his head.

At that moment, someone unexpected moved, causing Derphain’s eyes to widen.

“I also ask this of you, Sir Derphain.”

“Yulken?!”

The most revered figure in the Empire, second only to the Imperial Family, and once a man whom Derphain had respected greatly, bowed his head alongside his young friend.

“You might think this is nonsense. But we are in such desperate circumstances that we must appeal to emotions. Please, can you understand this feeling?”

“Please raise your head…! For a person who once held the title of Duke to bow so carelessly is a disgrace to the nation’s honor!”

Derphain was shocked and tried to stop him, but Yulken refused to easily raise his head, wanting to stand in solidarity with Edgar.

Then even Hagel, who had been quietly watching the conversation, stood up and interposed himself in front of his father, bowing his head as well.

“Father, I dare to plead as well.”

“Hagel, you must stay out of this! You’re here only because you’ll be the next head of the family, and you’re too young to be part of this! What on earth gives you the right to say such things!”

“I know this. I understand that Edgar’s words lack any real basis. However, if my friend truly is the person I believe him to be, he’s not someone so light that he’d bow his head for mere games of power.”

Hagel clearly remembered the gaze of the friend who carved his name into the stone while surveying the crowd at the palace that day.

At the very least, it wasn’t the gaze of a man who would easily change his attitude and be corrupted by power.

If he had misjudged the man, that would be one thing, but Hagel was confident when it came to discerning people’s character.

The reason he ended up with the lovely woman he now cherished was precisely because of his insight into her, beneath the surface appearance that seemed rather lighthearted.

A while later, a heated exchange between both men continued.

The specifics of the exchange were known only to them, but considering the letter that Albrecht had received, it was likely they had found a way, one way or another.

* * * * * * *

A week later.

In a highland significantly southeast of Hildak, two men stood at the forefront with soldiers in tow.

“They said they’d send three hundred men.”

“Yes, Father.”

At his father’s mumble, Hagel responded immediately, and at the same time, Derphain’s expression twisted tightly as he leaned on his sword, staring sharply down the mountain.

“…I don’t understand why we, as the loyal subjects of the Empire, should be here doing this.”

“I’m sorry. Because of my ineffectual persuasion…”

“You have no need to worry, my child. Even if it weren’t for your persuasion, I was already likely to be swayed by them.”

Derphain gently ruffled his strong son’s hair, relaxing the grip on the sword in his hand.

After all, their mission wasn’t that critical.

They were not here to harm anyone; all they had to do was hold these men back. So there was no need to bear any heavy-hearted burdens.

“Did Sir Edgar say anything else?”

“Yes, he only left behind an apology for not giving more information at that time.”

“Then it must be one of two things. Either it was so weighty a matter he couldn’t even disclose it to you, who are his friend, or he’s fallen so low as to want to use you.”

Derphain’s words pierced through Hagel’s skin and heart like a blade.

Literally. If this was just a fabrication, it would mean losing one of the few precious friends he had.

Yet for some reason, he didn’t feel such an uneasy sense.

“I don’t believe that’s the case.”

“Oh? What makes you say so?”

Confident in his response, Derphain raised an eyebrow slightly.

Thanks to his father’s teaching to always be cautious with his words, Hagel had never carelessly spoken out.

Yet now, he was genuinely curious about what had allowed him to say such things. Was he simply at the end of his tether?

“I don’t have any solid grounds. I just trust my friend. Rather, I’m more curious about why you accepted such a request, Father.”

From what Hagel knew, his father Derphain was the type who would only act when he had substantiated evidence and proof backing it up.

In a sense, he could be seen as the antithesis of Yulken.

So ordinarily, he would have categorically refused, even if his son had stepped forward to plead.

However, the fact that he had sided with them suggested there was something within himself that made him feel confident in doing so.

“I have no special reason. It’s just that the unease lingering in my heart and their circumstances coincidentally aligned at this moment.”

“Unease?”

“The current head of the Bertus Family. While I’ve not often met him, he was truly a peculiar man.”

He was probably one of the most unique individuals Derphain had ever encountered.

Generally, sycophants exuded a snake-like vibe, while true loyalists had a bear-like aura, but he wasn’t like that.

It was as though he was someone camouflaged behind a firm mask as if he were acting.

“Yet he used to hover around His Highness quite often. Back then, I only thought it was due to his position, that he was closer to His Highness. But perhaps there was another reason altogether.”

“That’s not like you to speculate, Father.”

“You’re right. While I said it to your friend, perhaps it was I who was truly out of my mind.”

Chuckling lightly, a somewhat frivolous laugh escaped Derphain as he turned his gaze to the approaching group.

“They’re coming. You stay with the soldiers. I will handle the reception.”

“Yes, Father.”

Whether this was the right choice or not would only be determined by the result.

Ultimately, the responsibility for the choice would fall on him, thus Derphain held no fear over it.

Only the uncertainty about the consequences if this decision turned out to be wrong occupied his thoughts.

With that in mind, Derphain beamed at the commander leading the approaching soldiers from the Bertus Family.

He bore a resemblance to the impression Edgar had described.

“If that person is here, I was instructed to keep them restrained, even if it means forcing myself to do so.”

Feeling that the situation would likely become rather burdensome, he extended both arms and stepped forward with a welcoming demeanor towards the nominal reinforcements.