Chapter 222

"Poisoned Chalice (3)"

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

In Tyke's dressing room. As Balveron Elphellan watched silently over Tyke, who lay unconscious and receiving simple treatment, his tongue clicked in disapproval, unseen by others. The man dressed in opulent noble attire, accenting his aristocracy, bore a contrasting slim and frail appearance compared to his blood-relation Tyke. With a scant beard at the tip of his nose, gaunt cheeks, and a seemingly haggard complexion, one might struggle to praise him as a great warrior; however, his intuition and eloquence were undeniable assets.

Despite not fitting the mold of an illustrious head of the Elphellan martial family, it was indubitable that he had managed to steer the family through tumultuous political tides. His political expertise had triumphed over martial prowess; the last thing he expected was Tyke to be so brutally crushed in this duel. He had heard of Ed Rothtaylor's reputation, but he could never foresee Tyke being so utterly overwhelmed, given the considerable difference in their statures.

'Princess Sella must be deeply disappointed... after such bold assertions... Damn it...'

The Elphellan family owed much to Princess Sella, and they seized every opportunity to prove their worth. They consistently invoked the family's name in imperial councils, secured key positions for their kin, and sustained their renown as a noble martial family, thanks, in part, to apprenticeship placements in the imperial knights granted by the princess. For the Elphellans, these connections were indeed the pathway to advancement.

Perhaps it was their recent focus on central power, neglecting their duty as martial nobility, that had led talents to dwindle. Despite all odds, Tyke's achievements came as a welcome boon. His status as the senior combat student of his class would grace him with lifelong honor even after graduation. With Sylvania Academy's reputation for minting commendable graduates, Tyke was well-placed to become an esteemed figurehead for the Elphellans.

But had they overestimated Tyke?

Considering Tyke's heaving body struggling to breathe, balveron sighed deeply.

'Useless... And to think I believed you an unexpected treasure...'

- Creak -

Without permission, someone entered the dressing room. Balveron, already displeased, frowned deeply at the intrusion. But his expression swiftly softened, and soon, he rushed to kneel before the newcomer.

"Pr-Princess Sella...!"

Accompanied by her royal guards, Princess Sella, the Frosted Princess herself, who held the fate of the Elphellan lineage, stepped into Tyke's dressing room.

"Had I been informed of your visit, I would've sent someone to greet you...!"

"No matter. I came by on other business and thought to visit."

With those words and a glance at the fallen Tyke, Princess Sella clicked her tongue. Though her disappointment was subtly betrayed, balveron felt as if his heart sank. To disappoint her was to directly affect the rise and fall of the Elphellan family.

Even without her support, the Elphellans had managed to build a respectable legacy, but a bond with central power was difficult to break once forged. Before joining with such power, they had coped; yet once attained, the fear of losing it becomes a haunting specter.

And Sella was key to that power.

The engagements with the central power certainly invited many constraints, but the fact remained: if Sella ascended to Empress, the Elphellans were poised to soar among the empire's most influential families. If only Balveron could sustain their favor until then, he might himself rival the grandeur of the legendary Duke Crebin.

"I apologize, Princess Sella, for failing to uphold my promise. Despite considerable efforts on our part..."

"Enough excuses. I didn't foresee Ed Rothtaylor becoming so swiftly formidable myself, so spare me the obvious retorts."

The princess appeared less vexed than expected. She had achieved her goal of flaunting her influence before the public and Emperor Clorel. That the praise came from Ed Rothtaylor's lips, though unexpected, was still a favorable outcome, softening the need for further reproofs.

Yet, she did not easily forgive shortcomings.

"Still, don't misconstrue my lack of censure for absence of disappointment. Your vows had me quite pleased; I feel quite the fool now."

"I-I am sorry... Princess Sella... I was shortsighted!"

"A good realization. You indeed faltered gravely, and my trust in you was equally flawed."

Her gaze, as cold as ever, betrayed her disappointment.

"Now, return to the manor and reflect. We'll discuss this matter further at a later date."

"A-Affirmed...!"

Balveron murmured in contrition, his voice quivering with embarrassment.

Looking down upon him, trembling and wallowing on the ground like a mere herbivore before a predator, Princess Sella inwardly scoffed at the sight.

"In the end, I'm lauded by adversaries. What a farce indeed."

She mulled over Ed Rothtaylor's acts of defense, his nonchalant demeanor as he adjusted his clothing with Lucy and Tanya flanking him. Then her gaze returned to Balveron, pathetic in his fear, a stark contrast to Ed's dignity. True allies should not grovel, they must retain their steadfastness even amidst flattery.

Too remarkable a talent for Phoenia, she thought. His rise from dismal depths fortifying him, understanding the noble dignity yet acquainted fully with the baseness of humanity. His political skills complemented by martial prowess, his connections outshone many. Although they stood opposed politically, Ed would be an unmatched adviser if swayed.

She knew as a monarch, capable advisors were essential for a prosperous reign. While she might not consider reconciliation if he remained stubbornly adversarial, his open defense alters the equation. Of course, Sella was no fool; Ed's actions bore ulterior motives. Still, much remained uncertain.

- 'My judgments, unabated by emotional or political considerations, rest on one criteria alone.'

- 'Who is fit to be an Emperor? I deemed Princess Sella suitable, and nothing more.'

Chuckling at his words, Sella's smile was tinged with sarcasm. His flattery was welcome, though she knew the hollow truth behind it. Exasperated, fawning sycophants clamored, their desperate compliments amusing in their own right.

But the weight of his words, coming from someone so grounded in their being, stood apart from frivolous flatterings. Not all wilt before noble lineage; some stand defiant, their resolve unshakable.

'I want him.'

The corners of her mouth tugged upward, chilling to the unsuspecting eye.

'To make that man kneel, to command him under my reign...!'

Her eyes, glinting with naive delight at her desired 'toy,' belied a deeper, different nature of pride and power lust far removed from childlike innocence.

'It's begrudging, but it seems I've fallen... Ah, what delightful torment.'

Her twisted 'love,' far from romance, perhaps more akin to possessiveness or monopolization, is casually dismissed by Sella. The true nature of these feelings is irrelevant.

Who could ever humble such pride? Her steward, Dest, had long concluded that no such person could exist in this empire.

A soaring rose on a cliff's edge, destined for the respect of Clorel the Emperor alone. And to Dest, it seemed an everlasting certainty.

But Ed Rothtaylor could be a powerful asset if persuaded. His talents in administration, judgment, combat, and connections, coupled with his lineage and future potential, were beyond reproach.

Yet what Sella, the princess with little interest in lower thoughts, failed to notice was that Ed Rothtaylor was a 'poisoned chalice.'

Observing Sella, oblivious to her underestimation as she looked on with a smirk, balveron Elphellan—a man with his own profound implications—watched intently.

* * *

Yenika Faelover was drained of color.

Seeking Ed from a stir of concern, Yenika almost fainted at the spectacle in his chamber. Kadan and Silla arguing with Belle Mayar, with Ed looking on perplexedly from a plush sofa, was quite the scene.

"Our dignity as staff, we understand perfectly well. Still, we pride ourselves deeply on a lifetime of ranching. This meat we've raised, we wish to cook with our hands...! Please, consider this a humble request from beneath your status; we will not disappoint! I, Kadan, cannot yield here!"

Kadan's impassioned plea seemed to augur a headache swelling in the bustle of the room. Belle Mayar, facing this fervor head-on, appeared quite troubled.

"No, you cannot. It's impossible to enter Ed's quarters....! Absolutely not!"

Had Belle Mayar ever shown such resolve before, rejecting someone so firmly?

Her usual indirect refusal, crafted to avoid offending, seemed extreme for her. In Ophelius Hall, her role as a maid required formality, but here, against Kadan, she was distinctly out of character.

Being involved in affairs with Ed often leads to trouble and cornered situations.

Despite the awkwardness, one must do what needs to be done.

Yenika almost teared up at Belle's desperate struggle.

Unable to just stand by, Yenika burst into the waiting room, loudly exclaiming,

"Mom! Dad! When did you get here? You can't just come in here unannounced! It's rude to Ed... no, to Lord Ed!"

"Yenika! We couldn't find you anywhere and decided to come here first!"

"Mom...! Why didn't you stop dad?"

"Stop him...? It's not like he's doing anything wrong...?"

Yenika, clearly distressed, quickly grabbed her parents' arms and pulled them away.

"I'm sorry, Lord Ed! I should have told you earlier about this situation... Anyway, I'll explain the details later! No, I will do it! I mean... I'll provide you with the explanation... May I have the opportunity to explain? Anyway, let's move on!"

Forcing out honorifics she normally wouldn't use only twisted her words further.

But that was not the immediate concern. Yenika had to get her parents out of the room, no matter what.

"What's the rush, Yenika? There's no need to hurry since it's not urgent. If they're your parents, they're precious guests to me too."

But Ed calmed Yenika down as if there was no urgency.

It was strange how everyone seemed to be in a panic.

At that moment, Yenika realized she had never fully explained the situation to Ed.

She had glossed over the truth, not wanting to worry Ed, claiming she had informed her family about everything.

She remembered the day she was kicked out of Ophelius Hall, reassuring Ed that her family understood and she managed to secure tuition funds somehow.

She also recalled assuring Ed that everyone agreed to her living arrangements and wild life, so he didn't need to worry.

Yenika didn't detail her full situation to Ed because she didn't want him to worry.

So, from Ed's perspective, Yenika's parents must be understanding and generous.

Indeed, Kadan and Silla were quite open-minded and would understand the truth. Ed sensed that too—they were genuine and had honest beliefs.

However, the problem laid elsewhere. Rumors would spread back home! In her hometown, which she would return to for a lifetime after graduation, the community would be ablaze with embarrassing gossip regarding Yenika's life.

For Yenika, who was sensitive at this tender age where simply holding hands could cause a shudder, such rumors back home were more than just pain—they were torture!

The old village gossips could be cruel... The innocent Yenika had spent days with her ears covered, overwhelmed by shock at the unthinkable horror of those words.

Now, it could be Yenika herself at the center of the scandal...!

Hell was upon her. Even the thought transformed her once peaceful homeland, Phulanshan, into a fiery purgatory. That... she must prevent at all costs!

Sadly, it was a predicament of Yenika's own making.

"Ed... no, Lord Ed...! There are things I haven't spoken of yet, and I wonder if we should set aside time later to discuss them more thoroughly. Maybe that would be a better idea considering the situation? Or not? Is it right? What do you think?"

"Yenika, why are you rambling on by yourself? You haven't changed a bit since you were young! Whenever you're troubled or lying, you always start babbling like this. Right, dear?"

"That's right. Haha! Our Yenika is terrible at lying! It's a concern for us as parents!"

Kadan laughed heartily and patted Yenika's head.

"Oh, look at her, she's getting hot. And why is her face so red like an apple?"

"Now that I think about it, there's nothing left to hide that would make her so flustered in front of Lord Ed..."

Silla trailed off mid-sentence, realizing something.

What could Yenika possibly need to hide from her parents?

Watching Yenika panic, arms flung wide to block Ed, seeded a strange suspicion.

Her cheeks turned beet red, her eyes trembling, she stood small with arms open in front of Ed. But what could it possibly mean?

The only thing Yenika had significant enough to hide from Kadan and Silla...

"Dear..."

"Yes? Silla? What's wrong? Do you have a stomachache?"

Obliviously jovial, Kadan asked Silla.

Upon their arrival to Acken Island, they had hoped Yenika had found a prospective groom.

Throughout the last vacation, they had been dying to know who the young man carrying a strange tension with Yenika was.

But now, at this moment, years of nurturing Yenika pressed alarm bells in their heads.

Yenika's face, now entirely red, stood obstructing Ed.

Belle had approached Ed and was whispering something into his ear hidden by an uplifted palm.

Ed's expression stiffened instantly, with a slight dilation of the pupils, yet he didn't seem highly perturbed.

However, Silla could not keep silent.

She remembered the conversation between Yenika and Kadan during the last vacation.

"That... Lord Ed. I saw you sparring earlier... Do you... I mean... Are you good with a bow?"

"Yes...?"

Ed replied hesitantly.

- "Do you shoot well? Tossing back drinks with a prospective son-in-law and shooting targets was my dream... No, too early for alcohol."

- "I... shoot well..."

Flashbacks of the conversation riddle Silla, her expression hardening immediately.

She stood motionless, unable to respond.

"Um? Silla? What's wrong? If you need the restroom, ask for permission and go now. It's not good to hold it in just because it's embarrassing! Kahaha! Was that awkward? But we're past that age...! Kahaha!"

Oblivious Kadan said as Silla stood petrified beside him, as if she had witnessed a meteor striking Earth.

Her mouth hung open with no sign of closing.