Chapter 85

Bertha started laughing at the end as she received a surprised gift from her grandson-in-law and his aide’s cute actions.

“Can’t stop you,” she said as she gladly gave him her cane.

Idith pondered for a bit then took the cane in a motion similar to that of taking a long sword.

“I didn’t even expect much from the Viscount…”

She looked like she was trying to avoid the word son-in-law, “I didn’t think my grandson-in-law would be more eager than my granddaughter.”

To think he’d do something so cute. She followed Idith in a joyous mood.

Idith bowed deeply to her again. Idith thought that the reason why she followed him without concern was probably because she saw his face in a foresight. He was again reminded of the greatness of the ability of foresight.

He wasn’t thinking of it in the beginning, but he swore he would never lie in front of the madam. White lies or not, it would just look like child’s play to someone who already knew everything.

He politely led Bertha to the bedroom. She followed him with a walk so powerful, so firm, it didn’t fit someone who was so old.

***

There were a few reasons why Aden brought Bertha to Ilyin’s bedroom. First, she was Ilyin’s only blood relative, so he had to be on her good side. Even though he was the Duke of Winter and the master of Biflten who ruled the north frozen with snowstorms, he couldn’t force the marriage life with Ilyin.

Of course, Ilyin looked happy in his embrace but if her grandmother Bertha opposed the marriage then he didn’t know what would happen. He didn’t think Ilyin would leave Biflten immediately but even if she thought of leaving, he had no intention of letting her go.

“Treat her with the highest care.”

Aden didn’t want Ilyin to feel an even bigger loss than losing her mother and if did and was because of him, it was an even bigger sin. To win Bertha’s heart for Ilyin was a thing that he had to be doing.

If Bertha found Aden uncomfortable, then Ilyin wouldn’t be able to stay comfortably.

If he got on Bertha’s wrong side, then there could arise a cruel situation where Ilyin would have to choose between Bertha and Biflten.

“Welcome.” Ilyin greeted Bertha with a bright face.

Another important reason was because of this. Ilyin lost her mother suddenly a few days ago. He was hoping that spending some time with her family would console her.

Thankfully Ilyin recovered her laughter quickly while she was with Bertha and on the nights when she was left alone with her thoughts, she would spend it with Aden. By spending some lewd nights —that would make Idith, who was guarding the door, feel embarrassed—he was just trying his best not to make her feel alone.

“It’s Milo.”

Aden cocked his head a little. There was no reason for Milo to be here right now.

“Come in.”

What was the reason for Milo to come to Viscount Arlen’s personally? Aden thought.

“Milo at your service.”

Milo came dressed in the clothings of a servant, rather than the head of the Acid Merchant. It wasn’t too surprising. Milo’s task wasn’t limited to taking care of the merchant. Milo’s tasks also involved being undercover and collecting information.

“Cut the formality.”

Even though no one was watching, Aden had no intention of having a long conversation in a barely sound-proofed room.

“What is it?”

Milo moved carefully. He brought out a pen and paper and then relayed the report through writing.

Aden didn’t think that was too much precaution. Of course, there was almost no one who could keep so quiet around him without him noticing. His senses were so rare, it was even hard to find amongst the Biflten monsters, who had much more heightened senses than humans. Even then, it was better to be careful.

‘I think you should return to the winter region quickly.’

Milo wrote. Aden’s eyes narrowed. Idith, who was guarding behind him, opened his eyes wide. Milo quickly wrote underneath.

‘We got a report from Elo through the mansion.’

From Elo? There was only one thing that could make them report in such a hurry.

‘Is it regarding the Esther Tribe?’

‘Yes.’

There was no way. Even though it was April when the northwestern wind was strong, there was no way that the powerful Elo would quickly collapse to the point of having to contact the mansion in just a few days.

If they had no such strength to hold back the monsters, they wouldn’t have been able to keep their main base near the monsters’ territory to begin with.

And either way, the messengers would have had a hard time delivering messages in the cold weather, so the news of the Duke of Winter heading to the warm region couldn’t have left the proximity of the mansion.

How then could the Esther Tribe that was so weak against the Divine Power move at such perfect timing?

Something was wrong.

‘Get ready.’

He wrote as he got up.