The Emperor’s Angel of Death

“I heard the Chapter Master is very close to Grand Duke Olga?”

The sudden question in the carriage startled Barris. His wife's words sounded like a casual inquiry, but Barris wasn't sure if there was some hidden meaning. After all, after so many years of marriage, his wife had likely heard some of the rumors about the family's bloodline secret.

“Ah, of course, they are close, otherwise, there wouldn't be a de Bondelin family as it exists today. He even rushed to see the Grand Duke one last time when Grand Duke Olga passed away. That was the last time I saw him. It seems that only Grand Duke Olga and the Astartes were so close. After that, the Star Knights went on an expedition to the Maelstrom.”

“Master, you've met Chapter Master Sojash Alexsey?”

His wife blinked, a look of surprise appearing on her heavily made-up face.

“You've never mentioned this.”

“Well, all the Grand Duke's foster sons were present at the time, but I was young. I doubt the Chapter Master would have noticed me.”

Barris's wife gently opened her folding fan, fanned herself a few times, and then said softly:

“Perhaps that's not the case.”

“Mary, you're acting a bit strange today.”

“Master, for Sere, you must find a way. I know there are things you don't want to bring up, but now that things have come to this, Sere will become an excellent knight. But if that's all he is, it will only bring him disaster. The Usurper will definitely try to eliminate this threat. You've had a few 'accidents' in the past, thankfully nothing happened, but what about Sere? What about our son?”

“Mary.”

Barris's attitude became unusually serious, and he glanced out the window to make sure there were no other carriages nearby before whispering:

“Don't say 'Usurper'! Someone might hear you and it will bring big trouble!”

“Will there be no trouble in the future? Master, what have you gained by enduring all these years? Even if they spare you, will they spare our son?”

“Mary, what are you saying? I am also a formal knight. No one is threatening us. You're too nervous.”

Mary glared at him.

“Master, don't lie to yourself about some things. If it's just a coincidence that you and Grand Duke Olga look a bit alike, what about Sere? I haven't read many books, but I know that appearance is the most obvious hereditary trait of a family. If you continue to pretend, you're only fooling yourself!”

Barris turned his head, feeling a little guilty, and said:

“Don't believe those rumors. Grand Duke Olga was childless his entire life. That's common knowledge.”

“Then why would your mother often secretly weep alone while looking at the Grand Duke's portrait? And what about the bolter shell pendant your mother left you before she passed away? You just said that only the Grand Duke himself and the Astartes were close to the family, so where did the pendant made from a bolter shell engraved with your name come from?”

Barris closed his eyes and said in an almost pleading tone:

“Mary, please stop.”

But his wife's emotions, which seemed to have been building up for years, also erupted at this moment, her voice becoming a bit shrill.

“Mattias is an Usurper! You and Sere are the real de Bondelin! The family should belong to you and Sere! Have they ever respected you for your years of forbearance? Have they been grateful to you? No! Those arrogant bastards are a bunch of ungrateful beasts! If Grand Duke Olga hadn't adopted them, their only identity would be the lowly mongrels they often talk about!”

Having married Barris for so many years, Mary had gained the status of a noblewoman, but in reality, she was highly ostracized by the noble ladies' circles, and often received only sneers and ridicule. Even with her gentle nature, years of this had accumulated a huge amount of resentment. However, she could understand Barris's caution, after all, might makes right, and Mattias, as the supreme ruler, could not be overthrown by the rumored bloodline secret alone.

But now an opportunity had appeared, an existence above Mattias was about to arrive.

“Shut your mouth!”

Suddenly, a roar interrupted Mary's incessant chatter. She was so surprised that the fan in her hand fell to the floor of the carriage.

Barris was panting as he looked at her, like an angry beast. At this moment, he had an astonishing resemblance to Grand Duke Olga.

For a brief moment, the carriage fell silent, with only Barris's gradually calming breathing and the sound of the wheels rolling.

About a minute later, faint sobbing replaced the breathing. Seeing his wife covering her face and crying, Barris then moved and sat next to her, putting his arm around her shoulder.

“I'm sorry, Mary, I didn't mean to... Alas, Mattias's succession to the High King was Grand Duke Olga's dying wish. It was Chapter Master Sojash who personally announced it and crowned him. I know you've suffered a lot these years, but I believe nothing is more important than the safety of our family. My mother also told me before she passed away, to live, to live peacefully... And the de Bondelin family doesn't explicitly state that it's father-to-son succession. How it should be inherited is not something we can take for granted.”

Mary lowered her hands, wiped her tears with a silk scarf, and murmured:

“Master, I'm not greedy for power. I never married you because of your status. I don't care about living a plain life either, but we have to think about Sere... You also know that he's been getting close to the daughter of Count Edson. I can tell that Sere likes her. Last time at the routine banquet, I tentatively chatted with Countess Edson, and what happened? She directly warned me to keep Sere away from Tasia, because her daughter will become the queen of the new High King in the future! Master, have you thought about how painful that will be for Sere? He's more outstanding than others, but he has to be inferior to others, even though the de Bondelin family should be his! He is Grand Duke Olga's grandson! What do you mean it's not father-to-son succession? Isn't Mattias planning to have his son inherit the throne now?”

Barris was speechless. His wife took his right hand.

“Barris, I have a feeling that your concession will no longer bring peace. Chapter Master Sojash's sudden visit this time must be something big! You have to reveal your identity—”

“Mary...”

Barris sighed softly, interrupting his wife's words.

“Have you ever thought that with the Grand Duke's close relationship with Chapter Master Sojash, would he not know about these things?”

Mary was stunned, then realized that her husband was right, and then muttered to herself:

“Then why...”

Barris shook his head.

“Because I'm not suitable to be the High King. The Grand Duke's choice was not wrong. Mattias and his brothers are excellent rulers. Although there are still some internal family conflicts, he has been working hard to improve, weaken the power of those great nobles, and strive to give the common people more opportunities... I don't have his will and determination. I am likely to be confused by lies and flattery from all directions. I feel very lucky to have your love, because I know I am an ordinary person.”