“This sucks,” Sequencee muttered.

“It’s to be expected when handling shady deals such as this. We have no choice but to agree to their demands until they hand over all required authority to us,” Schwii said. As a princess, she was used to these kinds of pests. Though, when handling Sean earlier, she had let her emotions slip.

“.. I’m sorry,” Leticia lowered her head.

Currently, the three of them had been ushered into one of the guest rooms. They were invited to stay for the night, dinner with the count and countess will happen a while later.

“Don’t be. I was the one who recommended you accept the deal. If I hadn’t the capability, I wouldn’t have told you to.”

“.. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do. Moreover, I see that it can greatly benefit us moving into the future. Estia is located quite close to my homeland. If you permit it, we may be able to create the first official neutral zone.

“Neutral zone?”

“Evelyn will also need to lend a hand if we’re to allow demons into the human empire to do business. I reckon it would flourish. And don’t worry about the issue with the favor, I have my ways of making sure he doesn’t use it inappropriately.”

‘Just use Reese.’

Schwii began formulating plans and systems which could be implemented into Estia’s economy and culture.

For a piece of land so small, it was flexible. Schwii had no doubts that with a still-sprouting territory like Estia, there were a lot of opportunities.

“I don’t know what to do.. do you?” Leticia glanced at Sequencee with wary eyes.

“Like I know how management works. I guess we can only depend on Schwii for this.”

“Then.. is there any point in me being a baron? Schwii.. I’m simply a figurehead aren’t I?”

“You could think of it as such, though.. I think it’s better to think of it as her goodwill of wanting to help you.”

“Yes.. sorry.”

A sprout of inferiority complex. Leticia looked enviously at Schwii who just began a discussion with Evelyn via the pendant.

Of the three girls engaged to Sequencee, Leticia was the most useless. If not for their consideration, Leticia would’ve easily been gotten rid of if either of them didn’t wish for her to remain.

Just what was her role in this new ‘family’.

She didn’t know.

“Sequencee. I’m sorry,” Leticia leaned on his shoulders.

“What for?”

“I’m sorry..”

‘I’m so undeserving of this..’

===

‘Where did Reese go exactly..?’

“It’s been a while, Count Cordon, Countess Airi,” Leticia greeted. Sequencee and Schwii followed.

They took a seat around the long table.

Beside the two heads of the family, Sean and Lancet were also present. Seeing this, Sequence couldn’t help but wonder if the count had actually achieved monogamy in marriage.

“I heard that my son had decided to return the land to you,” Countess Airi was the first who spoke.

Leticia nodded reluctantly.

“I can’t understand his decision, but if that is what he wishes, I will not pursue,” she sounded greatly dissatisfied.

“To think the first thing you’d do when you come back home is bring a man, what a surprise,” Count Cordon joked with a genial smile. “How did you come to know him?”

“He saved me from slavery,” Leticia gave a curt response.

The table fell silent.

“That.. must’ve been difficult..”

“So was he the reason why you never returned?” Countess Airi questioned.

“I didn’t want to return. My presence is only a bother to the people of the home, even now, I don’t understand why you would want to have this meal with us,” Leticia said.

‘Harsh.’

The conversation was tossed back and forth between Leticia’s step parents and herself. The notion that people treat different people differently proves the truth. Just because someone is nice to you, doesn’t mean they would be when treating someone else.

As their opinions gradually grew heated, the food arrived. They put a stop to their banter and focus on the meal before them.

Leticia dropped a seed inside each dish. Fortunately the portions were served separately for each person.

“What is that?”

“It’s flaxen seed. It helps in digestion,” was a blatant lie.

The function of the seed was to check for poison. Sequencee and Schwii also did something similar, just less obvious.

Leticia barely ate any despite the quality of the taste.

“Does the food not suit you? Count Cordon asked out of concern.

“That’s not the case Count Cordon. I’m a light eater.”

“I see.”

The main course was followed with dessert– ice cream. there was no poison in any of what they ate.

“Tell me about yourself, who my daughter proclaims to be her partner,” Countess Airi spoke.

“Are you talking about me?” Sequencee said.

“Yes.”

‘What do I talk about?’

It would’ve been great if he remained silent throughout. Sequencee had no intention of making things more complicated than it already is.

Though..

“Do you still remember, Anna the Rending Wind?”

“.. Ah, yes. Yes I do.”

“I’m her son.”

“You can’t be serious,” Countess Airi narrowed her eyes.

“It’s up to you if you want to believe it.”

“I’m piqued,” Sean quipped.

“I heard that you went missing after your mother’s death. There were so many rumors going around about you during that period of time. Where had you gone?”

“No idea.”

‘The only person who knows it must be Reese.’

“Must have been hard knowing your mother lost her life to the demons. I deeply sympathize,” Sean said somnolently.

Sequencee shook his head and refocused his attention to the ice cream before him. The cream was melting, leaving little trials of white coming down the edge of the bowl.

‘What exactly happened after I went into the forest– and how I ended up at Mane’s Home– I don’t know.’

“Will you be staying the night?” Count Cordon asked.

“We would prefer to stay outside to not inconvenience your lordship, however.. since you’ve already gone out of your way to prepare all this, it would be impolite to decline now,” Schwii responded.

“Yes, yes. Please don’t worry about me and spend as long as you like here. I’ve always wanted to see my daughter with her partner.”

To Count Cordon’s words, the Countess clicked her tongue.

With Rose and Azaleas’ dead.. could it be that he’s gone senile? A thought like that crossed Leticia's mind.

===

“Begin the operation.”

“Huh? I thought we decided not to follow through on it?”

Sean, pushed his way into the tent and took out a big scroll tucked away on one of the shelves. He laid it over the table and opened it up. Leanne, who had been drafting up plans for the knight order’s next training expedition, hurried over to his side.

“We’ll commence lockdown. Guards will be stationed at these points. Notify the incognito team to keep a lookout for their every movement beginning now.”

“W-Wait. Commander, what are you doing?”

“We’ll restrain them here.”

“Sir Sean, I don’t understand what you stand to gain from this. Are you not aware that he’s engaged to the imperial princess? If you act recklessly around this there’s no.. hkgh–” before she could finish, he grabbed her slender neck and raised her into the air. She gasped for air, eyes trembled in terror.

A grin of ecstacy showed on his face.

He threw her against the table and kicked her until she rolled over to the corner of the space. She hugged herself and gasped.

“I want no objections. Leticia’s heart may be his, but her body will be mine.”

“You’re crazy!!”

“Oh?”

Leanne got back on her feet, staggering. She shot a glare towards Sean. “You’re willing to sell the entire county for the sake of something like this?!”

“Leanne, are you questioning my authority?”

“If the imperial princess finds out about this.. we will be doomed for sure. Think about your future sir!”

“War sounds nice, doesn't it?”

Leanne groaned. She leaned against the shelf, her fingers touching her bruised neck.

“Are you not aware that there are many ways to cover up lies?”

“You don’t know where the empire’s eyes and ears are.”

Sean laughed, “Of course I don’t.”

“Then you..”

“Do you not believe in me?”

“...”

“Of course, there should be equal value for equal repayment. We’ve done so much for her, we can simply let her go with this much, right?”

“You..”

“I can’t wait,” he licked his lips.

A shadow outside the tent quickly moved.