I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 71

Yulken felt a deep skepticism regarding the increasing number of troublesome issues lately.

Even for someone with immense power ranked among the top three in the Empire, he was still vulnerable to daggers plunged from within.

Perhaps it was true that a castle’s impenetrable walls made it even weaker against internal enemies.

‘This is troublesome.’

He had one daughter, his only bloodline, a child he couldn’t bear to hurt.

Despite having spent almost 15 years apart due to his own foolishness, he recently saw a chance to bridge that distance with the help of a boy.

It was a joyous thing for a father to see his daughter, who was growing into a mature woman, meet someone she loved.

Especially since the young man she had feelings for seemed favorable in Yulken’s eyes.

In fact, it was as though he pushed the boy from behind, urging him to confess his feelings to his daughter sooner.

This young man was a successor from a minor baron family known as the Billhark Family, which was subordinate to the Robeheim Family.

Currently, he was staying at the Robeheim household as a friend and attendant to his daughter, Ariel, but that couldn’t last forever.

Thus, when Yulken heard that they had transitioned from childhood friends to lovers, he publicly announced it to the vassals of the family.

His aim was to clarify the vague position of that young man.

However, it became the starting point for bigger troubles.

Although Yulken had sensed it in advance, the aftermath was somewhat overwhelming.

More than he had anticipated.

“Ugh, my head hurts.”

He muttered softly, shaking his head as he sat at his desk, furrowing his brows.

However, for Elpelt, who assisted him, it was a statement that could not be ignored.

“Is it because of the young lady and her lover?”

“Yeah. No, it’s not exactly because of them.”

“I misspoke. It’s just that there’s no fault in two young people who are merely infatuated.”

Elpelt quickly lowered his head, acknowledging his mistake.

Indeed, as Yulken said, there was nothing wrong with the two young people in love.

The real problem lay with those within the family who tried to adjudicate love based on status and reputation.

“Lady Vincent, he doesn’t even try to hide his intentions. He’s too blatant.”

“He’s someone who’s always been steeped in blood purity, as you know very well.”

“Yeah, I know. I know it too well, actually.”

Vincent Roland.

He had established quite a significant standing within the Robeheim Family, not merely an elderly figure in the background but one of the heroics who once ruled the battlefield.

However, his temperament was notoriously difficult, and despite having fought in wars like Yulken, he had actually gained enlightenment in a different direction.

That direction was a strict adherence to blood purity.

This stood in stark contrast to Yulken, who prioritized personal ability over family reputation after experiencing the anguish of war against foreign tribes in the cold northern plains.

Vincent began to recognize that incompetent allies were even more dangerous than outstanding enemies, gradually solidifying that value system by openly driving out those with bad reputations from the family.

While his foundations made sense, the results were disastrous.

“However, to dismiss Sir Vincent…”

“That’s absurd. Besides, he has served this family since the previous generation.”

Though he was older than Yulken, Vincent’s reputation didn’t diminish.

Even within the family, there were quite a few who were close to him and his position was quite solid.

To dismiss such a man merely because he stood between his daughter and her lover?

No matter how much of a noble Yulken was, he couldn’t act arbitrarily.

Unless it was about rebellion or some other serious matter.

“This is complicated. If only a wedding had already taken place.”

Sometimes, even if it was just a formal procedure, there was a huge difference in the standing one could present when married or unmarried.

If Edgar was already recognized as Ariel’s formal husband after their wedding, the situation might have been different.

Even in that case, figures like Vincent would still attempt to openly undermine their relationship, but Yulken would be able to take a firm stance at that time.

However, right now he couldn’t seem to create the conditions to hastily marry the two, even if he wanted to resolve this situation.

“Yes, traditions can be quite burdensome at times.”

“However, I can’t break them.”

“If it were mere ceremonial nonsense, you would undoubtedly want to eliminate it due to your nature.”

“You know me too well.”

The heir of the Robeheim Family could formally take a spouse exactly three months after their coming-of-age ceremony.

This was not just an arbitrary rule; it stemmed from a sort of risk that came with blood.

They were born with a special magical power known as the “Magic of Domination,” which acted as poison to those not of the Robeheim bloodline.

So powerful was it that merely penetrating another’s body could ruin it.

However, when nobles held a wedding ceremony, there was a procedure to exchange and inscribe each other’s magical powers into their bodies.

At that moment, if a member of the Robeheim Family received the “Magic of Domination,” the other person’s body would be at risk.

Yet, generally, anyone born with the “Magic of Domination” eventually learned to control it perfectly.

Specifically, they would automatically learn to transform that overpowering magic into a normal person’s magic.

This period usually extended around three months before and after coming of age.

Thus, they estimated that one could marry after three months from their coming-of-age ceremony.

“…I was the same when I was dating my wife. I was constantly anxious about when I could hold the coming-of-age ceremony and make her my wife.”

Yulken revealed his covered right hand, showing a black pattern etched there, not the emblem of the Robeheim Family but a different design.

This was proof that he had made an eternal vow with Helene.

“Just like you and the Lady, you share many similarities.”

“Perhaps. Blood doesn’t lie, does it?”

They truly looked alike.

It was a matter of being drawn to the person rather than their family connections or reputation.

It was the certainty of being determined to hold on to someone once they’d made that choice.

Their stubbornness, unwillingness to lose, and inability to be honest.

Yulken had always thought it was fortunate that his daughter did not resemble him, but now it seemed increasingly difficult to identify their differences.

“Even her face and appearance are a perfect match for my wife. Whenever we talk as a family, it feels like I’m holding flowers in both hands.”

Suddenly, Yulken revealed a bit of a foolhearted smile.

Elpelt awkwardly smiled, realizing that he might have to endure two hours of family bragging from his master.

But with so much work still to do, he decided it was unreasonable to allow that, so he cut in.

“Bragging about family in front of a vassal without a spouse… that’s just too much.”

“Who told you to live alone until that age? I had definitely warned you.”

“What could I do if there wasn’t a single woman that caught my eye?”

“Tsk, you’re aiming too high. Though, I should talk.”

In terms of standards, even Elpelt should bow down in front of Yulken.

It would be more accurate to say Yulken had concrete tastes rather than being overly picky.

His wife, Helene, was undoubtedly beautiful, but it was her unique gentle and warm ambiance at the time that drew him in.

Even her endlessly selfless nature was the very embodiment of Yulken’s ideal type.

“Why don’t you get a proper introduction now?”

“Isn’t it a bit too late? Besides, I think it’s better to think of the Robeheim Family as my own family.”

In other words, work is love.

“That’s a pleasing thing for me. It would be absurd for your parents, but you know.”

“Not necessarily. After all, there will be someone to carry on the line; they just say to do my duty.”

“They must be generous folks.”

Though he said so, deep down his parents likely wished for their burly son to settle down with someone.

Yulken shook his head, unable to sympathize with his vassal who had never been a parent, then returned his focus to the mountain of paperwork.

“But what do you plan to do once the young lady hears about this?”

“…Don’t even mention that. I’ve even commanded my wife to keep it under wraps.”

“Given how sharp she is, she’ll quickly catch on to the murky atmosphere. The boy is around, too.”

“……”

Yulken suddenly recalled the face of the maid who is with Ariel and widened his eyes in surprise.

It was entirely possible.

Though young, she had inherited enough of her mother, Shepi,’s sharpness, demonstrating clarity to perceive the mood long before.

Moreover, as a user, there would certainly be conversations that could be shared among the servants.

Shuri would likely not miss that opportunity and would exploit it fully.

In that case, noticing this unsettling situation wouldn’t be too difficult.

“Do you think she already knows?”

“I’m not sure. However, the certainly is that when the time comes…”

“I don’t want to imagine it. It’s one thing for me to be perceived as incompetent; it’s another for the girl to bear such a burden.”

To think that the family’s hidden enemies would attempt to undermine his daughter’s lover.

While Yulken meant no insult to Ariel, it was a reality he could hardly accept.

“If you catch wind of any such sentiments, do let me know. We should discuss it separately.”

“Understood. So you’re not planning to inform her in advance.”

“As a lacking father, I should do everything I can, even if it’s just to the limit of my abilities. It won’t be too late to talk about it when the time comes.”

With that, Yulken, seemingly unable to focus on work anymore, threw the pen onto the desk irritably and leaned back in his chair.

There was still much time left in the day.

It was doubtful he could complete all the pending work today at this rate.