It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 47
“The Count of Solen, having sensed the imperial betrayal, seemed to have evacuated his family in advance and set fire to the lord’s castle. Fortunately, the imperial family believed the matter had been thoroughly dealt with.”
So my connection to the imperial family’s enmity wasn’t just limited to me, Selenia Solen?
“The means used to erase Solen was ‘Rex Ruina.’ The very organization you know as the information guild.”
“Wait, what…? Then—”
“Yes, they claim to be the dogs of the imperial family, but behind the scenes, they have been aiding Solen.”
“Would the imperial family not be aware of this?”
I couldn’t help but feel fear, considering how I had used them to send money and letters. Had I unwittingly put my family in danger?
“You may set your mind at ease on that matter. The only reason I uncovered this in the first place was… honestly, nothing short of a miracle.”
“Are you certain?”
“I can say so with confidence. Had they been compromised, you would have long since fallen into the imperial family’s hands.”
A chill ran down my spine.
What would have happened if Lionel hadn’t found me first?
There was no guarantee that my secret would have remained hidden forever. Eventually, my location and identity would have been exposed, and I would have been dragged before the imperial family. Worse, my family would have been placed in danger because of me.
“You seem surprised. I didn’t expect you to be unaware of Solen’s true nature.”
“My father and brother never even let me set foot in the underground training grounds. The most they allowed was running to build stamina. I suppose they were protecting me because I was the youngest.”
I felt a deep sense of guilt that I had been so happy and loved, living in blissful ignorance, oblivious to the burdens my family bore.
There must have been moments when they seemed troubled.
There must have been times when they sighed without realizing it.
Yet, so preoccupied with myself, I had never noticed. Never asked. Never offered to share the weight they carried.
All I had ever done was throw tantrums about wanting to go to the capital to make friends.
“…But I did visit the capital once when I was young. Could anyone recognize me?”
That night when we parted, my father never told me where to go or where to avoid.
Perhaps he never expected that I would end up in the capital, where I had no ties.
If even one person identified me as Selenia Solen, it would only be a matter of time before the information reached the imperial family.
“Do you recall who you met at the time?”
Lionel, deep in thought, asked.
“No… I was too young. I must have been around three or four.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about. The Count of Solen sent fake portraits of his daughter to the imperial family every year, as they demanded. The hair and eye color were entirely different.”
I was stunned yet again.
First, that my father had done something so dangerous. Second, that Lionel had obtained those false portraits.
“…How did you even learn of something like this?”
“The Crown Prince showed them to me once. He still has the portraits in his possession.”
The mere mention of the Crown Prince made my heart drop. And the fact that Axion personally kept my false portraits…
“It seems the Count of Solen had been preparing for this from the moment his daughter was born. He thoroughly deceived the imperial family, so you needn’t worry about your identity being discovered.”
I glanced at the name written beside Lionel’s on the contract.
Sasha Dillot of the Kingdom of Cloren.
That was the name I would have to use in place of ‘Selenia Solen’ from now on.
Once I married Lionel, even that would change. I would become Sasha Luanax.
“The day will come when the name Solen is restored. The first step toward that is our visit to Rex Ruina.”
Sensing my unease, Lionel continued.
“They will not be easy to persuade. That is why I need you to be there. Unless we gain their trust, there will be no way to contact your family.”
So that was why he was bringing me along. Without their trust, I had no means of reaching my loved ones.
“Why is Your Grace helping Solen?”
