If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 24
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Cain publicly rejected the Emperor’s proposal to marry his daughter and declared his engagement to another woman. To exaggerate a bit, this could be seen as an audacious act of disregarding the Emperor of the entire nation, which could potentially lead to charges.
Cain would not have taken such action without thinking it through. Emperor Blahova’s gaze intensified, as if trying to gauge what was going on in Cain’s mind.
Unable to directly meet the gaze of the stern Emperor, Cain slightly lowered his head to avoid eye contact while facing the Emperor head-on.
Still, the Emperor scrutinized Cain for a while longer.
In the Emperor’s eyes, Cain was undoubtedly a loyal and outstanding subject, but at the same time, he was someone whose inner thoughts were hard to discern.
“I’m reminded of the first time I saw you, Cain.”
The Emperor finally spoke, as if admitting defeat.
“Time does fly, and it’s so fleeting, isn’t it?”
It had been seven years since the wandering knight, who grew up as an orphan who lost his parents at an early age from a vanished Viscount family, suddenly began to be revered as a hero.
A war hero emerged in troubled times. Cain, a lowly knight, was summoned to the palace when he was just on the cusp of his eighteenth birthday.
Although there were still traces of youth on his face, his large physique, which did not match his age, and the undaunted gaze that dared to challenge the Empire’s sun, pleased Emperor Blahova greatly.
Despite shedding much blood to ascend the throne, the war continued even after Emperor Blahova’s coronation. However, at that time, when the Empire’s citizens were feeling fatigued from the prolonged conflict, the sudden emergence of a hero felt like a blessing in the drought.
So, Cain was summoned to the capital, granted a mansion, and bestowed a noble title.
With the Emperor’s expectations, Cain worked harder and harder, and wherever he went, wars seemed to come to an easy conclusion. Of course, the outcome was always victory.
The perennial problem of external invasions in the northwestern border region was resolved by the hands of the mere 20-year-old knight Cain. There was no reason not to favor him. Emperor Blahova even considered adopting Cain, as he had no heir and was at risk of breaking the Vernat lineage.
An obscure knight of humble origins, was granted the title of Marquis. All due to his acknowledged abilities.
This time, it wasn’t just any noble title. The Emperor had conferred upon him an inheritable title, a title that could be passed on to his successors. It was a significant honor.
“I’ve heard rumors that I prefer you to the Crown Prince.”
The rumors about the Emperor favoring Cain over his own son had been circulating in the capital, Leden, for quite some time.
Well, it wasn’t entirely untrue. The Crown Prince, simply by virtue of being born as such, had enjoyed everything from birth. In reality, he was nothing more than a spoiled brat in the eyes of Emperor Blahova.
From the Emperor’s perspective, who had fought fiercely with his siblings and even foreign adversaries to ascend the throne, it made sense.
However, there was one thing that bothered the Emperor about his favored subject. It was Cain’s background as a member of the Kristin Order, but the Emperor didn’t particularly care.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. The chatter of ignorant commoners holds no power. It’s just empty noise that will vanish with time.”
“That’s not entirely incorrect. Isn’t it true that I value you more than anyone else?”
It was a pointed statement, laden with implications. It carried the undertone of, “I value you more than my own son, and yet you dare to reject the position of a son-in-law.”
“I am grateful for your favor, Your Majesty. That is why I dare to make a request.”
“What is it?”
“Please grant permission for my marriage to Lady Kristin.”
“Hmph. I won’t claim that I didn’t summon you for that matter. But with what audacity are you speaking like this? Are you trying to deceive me?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
“Then why do you dare to request permission for your marriage to Lady Kristin?”
“To uphold the command you have bestowed upon me, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“The northern borderlands, as Your Majesty is well aware, continue to suffer from persistent raids. Despite seeming to have been subdued for a while, pirates keep appearing somewhere and plundering the borderlands, causing great harm to the people.
Those who cannot withstand the plunder are gradually moving inland. Once they leave, the northern border’s defenses will weaken further. Pirates seeking plunder will venture into villages, going further and further down, and then…”
“Enough. Isn’t this something I’m well aware of as well? So, what is it that you want?”
