How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

I kicked away a small stone at my feet with a soft sigh, hoping nothing unexpected would happen.

The streets were filled with the warm afternoon sunlight. Today, the alleys were unusually quiet, making it pleasant to walk.

Gehardt turned to me with a bright expression and spoke.

“Today’s negotiations went very well, Grand Consort. I cannot wait to return to Hezekia.”

“That is true. Everyone must be longing for home.”

“That is so, but… Sir Walter and the other knights are coming along as well. Knowing that the son we thought dead has returned alive… imagining how delighted Butler Wilhelm will be brings tears to my eyes, krrh…”

“Still, do not cry just yet.”

Though rough and rugged like a mountain man, Gehardt had a surprisingly emotional side. Thinking of Walter, my heart felt lighter. As Gehardt said, only good things remained for a while. There was no reason to be anxious.

We walked slowly together, as if taking a stroll. Turning the corner of an alley and entering the narrow path leading out of the city, the clattering sound of carriage wheels grew louder from somewhere.

The sound intensified until suddenly a black carriage slid to a stop before us. Gehardt and the staff immediately assumed defensive positions, but before they could react, the carriage door was flung open. Inside, a banner with an elaborate crest flapped in the wind.

Gehardt’s eyes flickered with a sudden shock. A low, almost whispered voice escaped him.

“Is that not the Elsworth family crest, Grand Consort?”

“That seems so.”

I did not know the details, but since Gehardt said so, I went along with it. Soon, the banner was lifted, revealing a dignified elderly man with neatly combed gray hair and beard stepping down from the carriage.

He surveyed me with cold eyes, then twisted his lips into a mocking grin.

“And who might this be? My son, no, the Grand Consort of Hezekia, is it not?”

He appeared to be the Earl of Elsworth. I gave a reluctant greeting.

“…It has been a long time, Father.”

Although he was Ruellin’s adoptive father in the original body, this was my first time meeting him. Why had he appeared so suddenly, and why was he picking a fight? I stared blankly, trying to gauge his intentions. His eyes, glaring at me, were far from ordinary.

“Father, huh? You have grown quite bold in my absence.”

“….”

His expression suggested I had used an improper title. Even though the Earl had raised Ruellin from about seven or eight years old, I could not even call him Father?

I replied with a slightly sullen tone, unable to hide my disbelief.

“Then what should I call you, Earl? But due to my status, using an honorific is proper, Father.”

“Hah!”

He had brought Ruellin from a rural estate to serve as a pawn for a political marriage. It seemed he had truly treated Ruellin only as a chess piece and servant. Gehardt’s face twisted, as if he understood the full situation.

The cold, harsh elderly man spoke, as if issuing a command.

“Indeed, you said Father, so your words are appropriate. After coming to the capital after a long time, is it not customary to visit your father first? How dare you come without even a greeting to me?”

His voice was icy and intimidating. If this had been the original Ruellin, it would have been almost impossible to oppose him. Overcoming trauma built from childhood is not easy.

However, I was not the original Ruellin, and I had no reason to fear the Earl of Elsworth. I smiled slightly and replied in a calm, measured tone.

“You know better than anyone that I am no longer part of the Elsworth household. You are the one who sent me directly to Hezekia.”

“…Ha, very well! You were the famous Grand Consort of Hezekia. But why has such a precious person been confined to shabby lodgings all this time?”