The Riberton Domain is located between the Lems River Empire and the Republic of Lepent.
Almost all ships heading north pass through this area, making the tolls collected annually enormous.
With this fund as a base, investments are made in other businesses, and the goods produced are then transported back via the Lems River.
Truly, the Riberton Domain is a place where fortunes are made. This vast wealth is the core driving force that elevates the Marquis of Riberton to a position akin to a king within his territory.
Yes, he boldly refers to himself as a king. At least within the Riberton Domain, his influence surpasses even that of the empire’s emperor.
What does that mean?
Though Riberton Domain officially belongs to the empire, in reality, it is almost like an independent country.
“So you’re saying that the younger son of the Marquis of Riberton is none other than Kyle de Riberton?”
“Even so, he’s nothing but a powerless scarecrow.”
“Oh? A scarecrow that manages to win the favor of Lady Lindelway’s family?”
“… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Kyle, who was riding alongside, flushed slightly.
Glenn chuckled softly and cast a glance at the carriage following behind. At that moment, his eyes met Sophia’s, who was watching from the window. When Sophia nodded and waved, Glenn waved back in return.
“People might mistake you for his own daughter.”
“A daughter? Even if you’re being generous, she’s more like a younger sister who causes a lot of trouble.”
“… I still find it hard to believe that the prince is so young.”
Kyle looked at Glenn with a new sense of respect.
Indeed, based on appearance alone… well, there’s no doubt about it.
He was the quintessential handsome nobleman type, the kind that would make village girls blush every time he briefly visited.
Setting that aside, it was hard to believe Glenn was still under twenty. His way of speaking and behavior clearly reflected someone either his age or older.
“Do you really see it that way?”
“It’s nothing.”
“So, is there any progress with Lady Tessa?”
Look at that.
What teenager talks like that?
Kyle turned back to Glenn with a probing look.
“… Prince, are you really more than ten years older?”
“Don’t treat me like an old man interested in young love. This is a professional question.”
“A professional question, huh…”
Kyle and Lady Tessa had already exchanged betrothal talks. They first met at the Arian ball, and the feeling was quite good.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone out of her way to come and assist him.
“Hmm, really? Perhaps Princess Isabelle was involved. The Lems River is a very important route even from Arian’s perspective.”
“Do you have to poke your nose into everything?”
“Don’t you think it’s strange? The next Marquis of Riberton has long been fixed as the eldest son. Most people don’t even know if there’s a second son. And you believe that just by meeting him once and dancing once, Lady Tessa would fall in love? Do you really think she’s that romantic?”
“… Suddenly, I’m beginning to dislike you, Your Highness.”
“Don’t worry, it’s not completely impossible. At least from what I’ve seen.”
“Is that so? Actually, I quite like Lady Tessa myself.”
This was Kyle’s sincere feeling.
At first glance, she was close to his ideal type. Through conversation, he was captivated by her gentle yet intelligent charm.
“Then why don’t you tell her yourself?”
“… So this is why men shouldn’t talk about romance.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
“That’s a rather condescending look.”
They were riding side by side, some distance behind the main group.
This was a space Glenn had deliberately arranged.
“Well, anyway. Let’s get to the main point.”
“… The main point?”
“You know, the reason why you oppose the empire and my father.”
“Do we have to talk about this now?”
“We’ll arrive at the Marquis of Riberton’s estate in a few hours. If not now, then when?”
“… Fine. Hah, I didn’t expect to say this to you twice.”
“Looks like Lady Tessa already heard about it, huh?”
And Isabelle probably heard some of it from Tessa as well. The two had convinced her with such confidence.
Glenn briefly recalled his conversation with Isabelle.
***
“You’re worried about the Riberton Domain, aren’t you?”
“… Are you even trying to read minds?”
“The Lems River is important to both the republic and Arian. And… I’ve become quite skilled at reading your expressions, Your Highness.”
… Should I be pleased?
Isabelle’s eyes curved ever so slightly.
“Should I be happy?”
“Of course. Do you think it’s common for a man to care this much?”
“What an honor, my lady.”
“Anyway, if you’re going to Riberton Domain, take Lady Tessa and Sir Kyle with you.”
“I’ve been introduced to Lady Tessa, so I know her, but…”
Kyle?
Even with memories of past lives, this was the first time Glenn had heard of him.
“He is the second son of the Marquis of Riberton and the one betrothed to Lady Tessa.”
“What does he have to do with me?”
“Kyle is the one who will become the next Marquis of Riberton. It’s better for both Lady Tessa and you. Why do you think that is?”
“… Hmm, is he someone who dislikes the empire?”
“That’s right. How did you get so smart?”
As she praised him, Isabelle naturally reached out and ruffled his hair. Glenn frowned slightly and leaned his head back.
“Is that confirmed information?”
“Of course. For more details, ask him yourself. But one thing’s certain: Kyle hates both the empire and his father more than anyone else.”
“Hmm…”
“Trust me. If you listen to me, you’ll also get Lady Tessa’s help. That’s already been discussed with her.”
Isabelle’s sharp eyes gleamed.
In truth, she was confident he wouldn’t refuse. Glenn was no fool.
“So, make Kyle the next Marquis of Riberton.”
***
This was the background behind Glenn, Kyle, and Tessa traveling together. The official reason was to negotiate tolls and taxes on the Lems River with Arian and the Republic of Lepent. Since Arian’s official envoys had already been dispatched for similar reasons, it seemed quite natural.
Above all, openly supporting Kyle was impossible. The line of succession in Riberton was firmly set for the eldest son.
“… This isn’t exactly a pleasant topic.”
Kyle spoke somewhat bitterly, but Glenn remained indifferent.
“That’s just life.”
“So why do you talk like an old man?”
Glenn didn’t reply but urged him with a glance.
“Alright. The first thing I want to talk about is… about my mother.”
And so Kyle’s story began.
***
Eleanor Belandre.
Kyle’s mother, eldest daughter of the Belandre family, and a genius of misfortune.
The Belandre family was originally of merchant origin.
They weren’t nobility, but through a unique secret perfume manufacturing technique, they amassed incredible wealth.
By developing a method that made the scent of perfume last much longer through special processing, they gained immense popularity among the empire’s and other countries’ upper classes.
Along with this, the Belandre family’s high-class perfumes also attracted attention.
Eleanor was the key figure who brought this family to the pinnacle of the luxury goods industry.
“My mother had several times the insight of ordinary people.”
“How much?”
“It’s said she could identify who someone was just by their scent before the carriage even arrived.”
The luxury goods business has a very high profit margin, catering mainly to vain nobles.
Thanks to Eleanor, the Belandre family naturally gained vast wealth. They donated a large sum to the empire’s church and were directly granted baronial status by the emperor.
Did good fortune come one after another?
Not long after becoming barons, the Belandre family received a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Riberton. It was the Marquis himself who formally asked Eleanor to marry him.
Not as a concubine, but as his official second wife.
This was no ordinary case but a tremendous opportunity. After much consideration, Eleanor accepted the proposal, and soon after, married the Marquis.
“I was born because of her, but in truth, this was the beginning of her misfortune.”
Consider why the Marquis married Eleanor.
Was it because he loved her? Because he was smitten at first sight?
If so, that would have been better.
The Marquis married to involve himself in the luxury goods business. More precisely, he recognized Eleanor’s genius and business acumen early on and intended to use her.
Therefore, though she was the second wife, she was busier than anyone else. Not by choice, but because of her husband’s request.
“Yet my mother managed it well. Thanks to her, the Riberton family successfully entered the luxury goods market.”
“So, it was resolved well?”
“No. Riberton already had many businesses. The luxury goods sector was just an additional expansion. Naturally, there were those who looked unfavorably upon this—most notably, the empire’s emperor.”
The current emperor did not want the Marquis of Riberton’s influence to grow. Thus, he pressured the Belandre family and warned the Marquis that he would not tolerate further expansion.
But unfortunately, the Marquis ignored the emperor’s warnings and pushed ahead with expansion. The emperor was outraged and, before the year ended, accused the Belandre family of tax evasion and stripped them of their baronial title.
This marked the beginning of the downfall of the Belandre family.
“My mother pleaded with tears, begging for help to save our family. But the Marquis didn’t listen—in fact, he got angry. He told her to be thankful he hadn’t thrown me out yet.”
“The worst.”
“If I hadn’t been born, my mother would have been kicked out immediately. That’s the kind of man my father is.”
Does misfortune always come in succession?
When everything they had built burned away, the head of the Belandre family fell ill and soon passed away. In his final moments, he expressed regret that he had failed to protect his daughter’s efforts and felt ashamed as a father.
With the head’s death, the Belandre family completely collapsed. The emperor and the Marquis seized the family’s business assets and divided them between themselves.
What’s even more surprising is that afterward, they seemed to have called a truce.
“Since both sides got what they wanted, there was no longer any reason to fight.”
Watching all this, Eleanor eventually collapsed.
Though it was said to be from overwork, the psychological burden must have been greater. Kyle had to watch his mother weaken day by day right beside him.
Then, one early dawn when pure white snow was falling, she left Kyle.
“I am more insightful than most people. My bright, deep blue eyes are my pride. These are the things my grandmother Tulda passed on to me… But—”
Snap.
“This cursed hair color is a curse to me. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of the hatred I hold for that man.”
That was why every time Kyle looks in the mirror, he carries his mother’s vengeance.
At the same time, he hates the empire. And he hates his father, the Marquis of Riberton.
Revenge for his mother.
This is the reason he lives today.
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