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Side Story Chapter 276

She had been studying Joshua Sanders more closely than anyone else. Since he was someone who couldn’t be measured by existing standards, such an effort was essential.

“…My answer is no,” Kireua answered, as expected.

“Why?” Arash asked, struggling to suppress a laugh.

Even though she had expected his answer, Arash was curious about his reasons. She sincerely hoped that wasn’t because she had killed Ulabis, Kireua’s teacher. If so, she would be extremely disappointed to know that an owner of an Evil Sin, one of the roots of all evil, had turned her down for a humane reason.

Light and darkness. Demonic power and divine power. Joshua had two opposing sides as well as two sons, so Arash hoped his sons would represent one of his values each, not both. It would be perfect if Kireua here embodied darkness.

“I would be lying if I didn’t want Swallow as my ally, especially in a time like this,” Kireua said.

“…Avalon would certainly have trouble finding a better ally than us.”

“What do you mean?” Arash asked.

“The imperial family of Swallow wields less power than beggars. The moment I take your hand, I’ll have to help you build the imperial family’s power. Am I wrong?”

It was a more realistic reason than Arash had expected.

Arash smiled gently. “That is a reasonable conclusion. So you’re refusing my proposal because it’ll bring you more trouble than benefits…?”

“Besides, I have a much better and faster way to make Swallow my ally by marriage.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s one more person in the Imperial Family of Swallow whose rank happens to be higher than yours and has more legitimacy,” Kireua reminded Arash.

After pondering for a moment, Arash\'s eyes widened. Kireua was talking about the new empress of Swallow.

“...I never imagined you to be lovers,” she muttered.

“I’m speaking hypothetically. You’re the one who brought up an alliance by marriage first.”

“Are you aware of the age gap between you and her?”

“It’s said that nationality and age are meaningless before love. Nothing more needs to be said about a marriage of convenience,” Kireua answered with a shrug.

“Mmmm…”

‘This is new,’ Arash thought.

Despite her cleverness, Arash hadn’t seen this coming. No matter how close Kireua and Anna were, she was from the previous generation; not many men would want to marry a woman who was as old as his mother.

However, that just made it all the more interesting. Somehow she wants to tease and test Kireua even further.

“…Then why don’t you take me as your second wife?” Arash suggested.

“What?”

“Why are you surprised? I’m sure the idea isn’t anything new to you since your parents also—”

“Wait, that is not the issue here,” Kireua interrupted. “Both you and Anna carry the bel Grace name. Doesn’t that mean you two are related by blood? But you’re going to have the same husband and emperor?”

“Her Majesty is an adopted daughter, and I’m illegitimate. We may be half-sisters, but we technically don’t share blood.”

“Do you really think Swallow’s nobles will think the same?”

“That isn’t going to be a problem. After Her Majesty officially takes the throne, I will renounce the bel Grace name when the right time comes.”

Anna was another reason why Arash wore a mask and didn’t reveal her identity to the public. The existence of a person who could replace Anna would only hinder her efforts to restore the power of the throne. There was a good reason why the emperor’s siblings left the palace once he took the throne.

Nobles were people who would use an emperor’s siblings to get more power if they didn’t like their new emperor. It was better to voluntarily step down from the stage at the right time rather than walk on eggshells and be used by everyone for their entire lives.

“In other words, you’re going to join the Imperial Family of Avalon? I thought your plan was to make your future child the emperor of Swallow when the bel Grace bloodline is about to end,” Kireua asked, brow furrowed.

“I’m a greedy woman, so if I have two options, I’m going to make plans for both of them.”

“So I’m your insurance in both options, huh?”

“But I also need to meet your father. I don’t want to burn down a forest because I’m occupied with a single burning tree.[1]”

That was also the reason why Kireua couldn’t cut off Arash’s head right now despite his rising anger. It might benefit Avalon right now, but it would ultimately doom the Human Realm.

“…You have a part of the Angel Spirit, don’t you.”

“It is as you say.”

Kireua pondered the situation for a moment and then nodded. No matter how hard he thought about the matter, he didn’t see anywhere where he could afford to be swayed by his emotions. It wouldn’t be too late to get revenge after everything was over; right now, he had to be as rational as possible. If there was a method to have all primordial stones and the Angel Spirit’s fragment, Kireua should do it.

“…You’re serious about this proposal. Are you really okay with this? All else aside, it doesn’t seem right to ask a person you’ve only just yet to marry you,” Kireua mused, scratching his head.

“Most royalty are married on their first encounter, without knowing how their spouse looks.”

“I know what I said, but I actually don’t want to marry someone like that, especially if it’s you. Don’t tell me you already forgot that you’re my enemy? I want to tear you to pieces right now. Grand Duke Lucifer might have started it, but it’s your scheme and your poison that killed my teacher.”

“Are you going to kill me right now?” Arash inquired.

“No, I shouldn’t.”

Arash smiled again. “See? In that case, I can assume that you accept my proposal, right?”

“Only if you agree to become my concubine.”

Arash’s smile vanished behind a blank look of surprise. “…Concubine…?”

“Yes, I said ‘concubine’.”

The proposal was actually a gamble on Kireua’s part. From what he had seen, Arash was a smart woman and could easily come after Kireua’s life using her brilliant mind after everything was over. Nevertheless, Kireua had to keep her by his side—he didn’t want to go home with his teacher’s killer running free.

“…How interesting. I never imagined becoming someone’s concubine…”

“Since you aren’t my wife, people won’t criticize me for not loving you or abandoning you when I don’t find you useful anymore.” Kireua shrugged.

Arash went silent.

“What? Are you against becoming a concubine even though you’re illegitimate?”

“I like how realistic you are. I suppose that I will have to work on currying your favor from now on.” Arash turned with a smile. “I’ll take that as a yes to my proposal for now—but we’ll see if I become your wife or your concubine.”

That was how their dangerous alliance began.

*

The freedom fighters were quickly suppressed. Kireua had no choice but to watch it all happen. Not only were they strangers, attempting to save them would be diplomatic suicide for the relations between Avalon and Swallow. Besides, Arash had stated that she had no plan to execute all of them.

“You aren’t going to kill them, are you?” Kireua asked, just in case.

“Swallow already has their leaders, and the king of Thran is dead. If Swallow continues to use violence, even the common people of Thran will resort to rebellion, which is not what the empire wants.”

“Your goal all along has been to crush their spirit, not hunt them down.”

“But I also have other priorities.”

Arash referred to the enthronement of the new empress of Swallow, naturally. This was the same reason why Kireua couldn’t go back to Avalon yet. Although he desperately wished to return, he believed he should check on Anna first.

“The inside of the palace will probably be crowded because of the imperial order summoning all of Swallow’s nobility. Do you still want to meet her?”

“I already told you that I don’t believe a word you say. I’m going to see how Anna is myself,” Kireua insisted with an annoyed frown.

“Then let’s go.”

Because Arash was by Kireua’s side, no one stopped him as he walked through the inner palace.

“This is the First Council Chamber. It was never used after the throne became empty, but it’s different now. I’m sure everyone is in he—” Arash flinched. “…What’s going on?”

From the thick crowd of people, a great amount of murderous energy could be felt.

At his level, Kireua quickly noticed what was going on.

“…The real power of Swallow isn’t Grand Duke Lucifer. They’ve been here all along.”

Kireua was certain that he had made a wise decision. If such a formidable force were to launch a surprise attack on Avalon, the empire would be in grave danger.

‘On the other hand, Avalon would gain the upper hand if they became our allies.’

Kireua clenched his fist.

“Is something going on inside?” Arash wondered.

“Fo-Fox Master, it’s…”

“Forget it. I’ll see what has happened with my own eyes.”

“V-Very good.” The head butler hastened to announce Arash’s arrival.

Arash’s eyes widened as the knights opened the doors. Even Kireua, looking over her shoulders, was equally startled.

The chamber was divided into two groups, each glaring at each other as if they were ready to fight at any moment.

Arash sighed, her eyes glued on one man in particular. “…I didn’t think the lord of the Killian family himself was going to come.”

The two groups continued to argue with each other, not even glancing at the people who had just entered the chamber. Kireua could recognize one of them, Duke Voltaire.

“Cut it out, you two!”

“I cannot agree to this nonsensical idea of striking Hubalt’s capital.”

Voltaire scowled at the man. “Are you defying an imperial order, Duke Killian?”

Anna had been watching their quarrel on her throne with a troubled look, but her eyes widened when she realized who had just entered the chamber.

“Hey, Kire—!”

“I see what is going on now, but please stop,” Arash said before Anna could finish. “I’m here with a solution.”

“The Fox Master…? And Kireua Sanders…?”

“I trust this makes my intentions clear,” Arash said. Knowing that everyone’s eyes were on her, she linked arms with Kireua.

As all of the nobles connected Kireua’s name with the name standing next to Arash, they forgot all about their argument and stared blankly.

However, one person—one woman was grinding her teeth down to nubs.

“Th-That bitch…”

1. The raw is 나무에 붙은 불에 정신이 팔려, 숲 전체를 태우는 우를 범하고 싶지는 않거든요. It’s the idiom about how one ends up creating a bigger problem because of a small problem. ☜