10-5
Gentle Retaliation
Translator : PolterGlast
If I were to raid
the warehouse of Uncle Morak or the colluding Hyamar Company in
this situation, it would be like advertising that I am the culprit of all the
incidents. Therefore, I decided to retaliate using another method.
Uncle Morak
has a grandchild. I kidnapped that still 9-year-old girl, Octavia, from
Uncle's territory. I built an underground tunnel, infiltrated the mansion, and
brought the sheltered daughter out into the outside world.
◇ ◆ ◇
Uncle would surely
never imagine that his grandchild, who disappeared from his territory, is
eating a Kebab Sandwich with the abomination in the Imperial Capital.
「Umm...
Prince Ashley, I am being kidnapped, am I not?」
「Yeah,
pretty much.」
「But,
is it okay... to be doing things like sightseeing...」
If I treat her
roughly, I'd fall to the same level as Uncle. Rather, there's no way I could do
such a thing to an innocent child.
「Do you
dislike the Imperial
Capital? If you don't like it, I'll introduce you to Naglfar. The
seafood there is delicious. Also, they sell foreign fruits and delicacies.
Let's see what else... I also saw a shop with a collection of rare folk crafts.」
「Wow,
that's amazing, I want to go... Ah, but I also want to greet Atomina-sama.
She is in Erin right now, isn't she...?」
Octavia was
such a good child, it was hard to believe she shared that man's bloodline. She
was quite ignorant of the world, but thanks to that, she was carelessly
enjoying her kidnapping life.
「That's
a good idea; Aneue will be pleased too. ...But Uncle will catch up soon.
It's better to narrow it down starting from what you want to do the most.」
「Then,
I can meet Atomina-sama on another occasion... Um, I want to go see a
play! I've always dreamed of going to a theater in the Imperial Capital...」
She has mature
tastes for a 9-year-old. Swaying her Imperial Family-esque blonde hair, she
smiled innocently at her kidnapper.
「A
play, huh...」
「Ah,
men don't really like them, do they... Then, something else...」
「No, I
don't mind. It might be good to experience a bit more of the entertainment in
this world.」
「This
world, you say...?」
「That's
right. I like books from the other world. I think those books are more
stimulating and mature than the entertainment of this world. They're so
interesting you lose track of time.」
「Wow...
That's amazing. You are very good at telling stories, Ashley-sama,
fufufu...」
Right about now, the
blood has drained from Uncle's entire body, and he must be regretting his
actions. That man, conceited in his position, surely never thought he would be
counterattacked by a mere nephew.
「That's
right, I'll tell you those stories until we reach the theater. Which do you
prefer, Sleeping Beauty or Beowulf?」
「Then,
both please, Prince Ashley♪」
We headed to the
theater while talking. Beowulf didn't quite hit the mark, but she
listened to Sleeping Beauty with sparkling eyes.
The play after that
wasn't bad either. It was a simple storyline, but interwoven with song and
dance, I well understood why women get engrossed in sorrowful love stories.
Then time flowed
slowly, and finally, Uncle Morak graced us with his presence. Just
before the play reached its climax. Octavia directed a blatantly annoyed
look, uncharacteristic of her, at the intruder who couldn't read the room.
「Did
you come to see the play too, Uncle? What a coincidence.」
His face was pale.
His grandchild must be very precious to him. That white face immediately dyed
into a bright red expression of anger.
「You
laid a hand on my grandchild, you bastard!! Return my grandchild, you scum!!」
「Grandfather,
you're ruining the play, so please
be quiet! Geez, this is so embarrassing!」
「Wh...
Gr-Grandpa came searching desperately... and yet you speak to me like that...... You bastard, Ashley,
return my grandchild, you absolute scum!!」
「Yeah,
do as you please. Watching a play isn't half bad once you try it.」
I offered my seat to
Uncle Morak. He had brought about five private guards with him. But even
Uncle Morak isn't foolish enough to start a killing spree in front of
his grandchild.
「Oh my,
Ashley-sama, are you leaving...? Even though it's at such a good part...」
「You
should watch the rest with your grandfather. The importance of family should
hit home.」
Uncle remained
frozen stiff. He must be confused. He had been thoroughly outplayed and even
lost his words. Glancing sideways at Uncle's disgraceful state, I decided to
leave the theater.
「This
makes it a true tie. If you lay a hand on my companions again, who knows what will happen next.
...Ah, also, I have one favor to ask of you. A kind grandfather would listen,
wouldn't he?」
「You,
you, monster... K-Kuh... Understood, say it... With this, we are truly even...」
An agreement was
reached in a certain direction. I left the theater and started walking toward
the Imperial Academy.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
As soon as I
arrived, I called Puis out with a letter from Uncle Morak. He was
surprised by the unexpected visitor. But he welcomed me happily.
「Ah! It
really is Ashley-sama! It's an honor that you came all this way! Ah, no,
but... what on earth brings you here this time...」
「I hear
you're graduating this year. Then won't you come to my place? I want to make
you the Consul of Erin.」
We were shown to a
reception room with sofas. At my words, he straightened up, and his complexion
changed from affection to something sharp and serious.
「But, I
think I will be hated by His Majesty the Emperor. Your position will worsen,
you know...?」
「If
it's Father, there's no problem. It's true my parent and your grandfather might
have been in conflict... but that's an ancient story from before we were even
born. It's ridiculous to go along with the conveniences of old men forever.」
When I conveyed
exactly what I wanted to say, Puis smiled. Half agreement, half
opposition, I'd say. But his eyes were favorable.
「You
are a mysterious person... You are certainly correct, but the world isn't that
simple either. Reality is very harsh.」
「Right.
But more importantly, help me, Puis. Without you, I'll be tied down to Erin.
It's true I received the Imperial Demesne Erin, but that's to protect
the people of Erin from corruption and violence. I thought if I became
Lord and changed the head of the magistrate, it would be somewhat better.」
I'll be honest. I
don't want my time stolen by trivial chores like the restoration of the burned Manor. The damage from that
arson was minimal, but I hear it's too scorched-smelling to live in for a
while.
By the way, it was
decided just a moment ago that the restoration costs will be covered by the
kind Uncle's assistance.
「So you
fired the previous magistrate. Haa, you are truly an outrageous
person... It's short-sighted, but that decisiveness is quite something.」
「I have
things I want to do. I can't keep my eyes only on Erin. Due to certain
circumstances, I have to leave the Empire in the near future. Until then, I
want to do what I must as much as possible. Please, help me, Puis.」
「Yes,
understood. Then let's do this. From now on, please tell me everything about
your private life with Georg-sama candidly, leaving nothing out.」
「Life
with Georg-aniue...? I don't understand, why on earth?」
Why does Aniue
come up there? What I understand even less is that Puis's brown cheeks
were flushing with color.
There seems to be
some element that excites him. He's been looking at me dazzled since earlier.
When I stared back, he began to look enchanted and ecstatic, so I don't get it.
What is this...?
「It's
great, isn't it, Georg-sama. A super strait-laced military man and a
beautiful young noble. His true face is an ideal older brother who dotes on his
younger brother...」
「Dotes...?
Isn't that beautifying Aniue a bit too much...?」
I knew Puis
deeply admired Georg-aniue, but I didn't think it was to this extent.
「In
contrast, Ashley-sama!」
「Wh-,
next is me...?!」
「An
unfortunate Prince who didn't see the light of day for a long time! But his
conviction is no less than Georg-sama's, and he clumsily rebels while
receiving his brother's love!! Aah, how, how precious... It's so beautiful my
eyes might go blind...」
Umu. I don't get
it... I am just a prodigal Prince, not someone so grandiose. Puis was
living in another fantasy that we didn't know about...
「I see.
But, so what...?」
「Nine
times out of ten, you two are in love with each other; there's no mistake!!」
「That is
a mistake!! You, what are you misunderstanding?!」
「Yes.
Both of you just can't be honest with your feelings... but deep in your hearts,
the older and younger brothers desire each other maddeningly! Aah, what a
beautiful love of the Imperial Family!! I can see that live by your side from
now on, can't I... I am, I am a lucky man......」
I didn't know. Were Aniue
and I gay? No, as if
that could be true... That said, in his current state, it doesn't seem like
he'll listen to a single excuse...
「I
don't get it... I don't get it, but anyway, it's fine that you'll be the
Consul, right...?」
「Yes.
Of course!」
「Then I
leave it to you. I requested Uncle Morak to give you credits—no, I gave
him a modest threat. As long as the relationship between Uncle and me doesn't get
any more complicated, you should be able to graduate.」
「Oh
my... what did you do to Morak-sama...?」
From there, he
returned to the usual cool Puis. He asked me with a composed face.
「A
minor kidnapping.」
「I see,
a kidnapping. Don't tell me you confined Georg-sama...?」
His impression was
somewhat off, but... On the other hand, I also felt more affection than before.
Revealing the true nature he had been hiding probably means he likes me.
「That's
impossible. Even if I put Aniue in a jail cell, the cell would break
first.」
「Fufufu...
True. Then understood. I will gladly become the Consul of Erin. But
please, never forget our promise, okay...?」
「There's
absolutely nothing like what you're imagining, you know...?」
「No,
don't mind it. I can cover it with delusions.」
「I
see... I don't get it, but do as you please then...」
「Yes...
Ashley-sama♪」
「Ugh...
Then, the first order. Stop with the coaxing voice...」
Thus, I brought
Consul Puis back to the Imperial Demesne Erin. There was no
movement resembling a counterattack from Uncle, or rather, perhaps realizing
the atrocity he committed too late, he showed signs of fearing Georg-aniue's
wrath.
Even as
Vice-Chairman of the Senate and the richest man in the Imperial Family, it
seems General Georg alone is terrifying. Due to his bravery and
excellence as a commander, the man named Georg will continue to be
caught up in conspiracies from now on.
I want to protect Aniue and Aneue. That wish existed in exchange for my freedom.
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