Chapter 1

Part 1 — 0. Prologue

Count Laster, the Minister of Finance, was the Emperor’s foremost confidant.

The purpose of Count Laster’s life was to serve the Emperor, and people often said there was nothing he would not do for his sovereign.

Among the people of the capital, there was even a saying:

“If it were Count Laster, he’d probably hand over even his only son for the Emperor.”

That rumor was so widespread that there was little point in saying anything more.

No—or rather, the very only son mentioned in those rumors, Mirane Laster, could only add one bitter thought.

Would Father have ever considered me important enough to weigh against anything in the first place?

Mirane could say with absolute certainty that Count Laster did not cherish him.

No one understood better than he did that, in his father’s eyes, he was worth less than a common stone.

Although he was an illegitimate child and therefore could never inherit the county, he was still Count Laster’s only son. One would think such a child should have been treasured beyond measure.

Instead, Count Laster treated him with cold indifference—and at times, outright contempt.

It was impossible for Mirane not to feel bitter.

It’s not as though I chose to resemble Mother…

The reason dated back to an old secret.

Count Laster had always possessed an icy disposition. Yet one day he fell deeply in love with a fairy, transforming into a man so passionate that everyone around him was astonished.

Then, one day, the fairy vanished.

At the height of their love, she left Count Laster behind, abandoning him with nothing but their infant son, Mirane.

After that, the Count became colder than ever.

More ruthless.

More sinister.

He came to hate the only thing she had left behind—the child who reminded him of her.

And so twenty-eight years passed.

Whenever overwhelming sorrow consumed him, Mirane sometimes found himself wondering…

What if she had never run away?

People often said that if his mother had remained, theirs would surely have been a warm and loving family.

Whenever exhaustion wore him down, he could never quite stop himself from imagining it.

But it’s only a fantasy.

He never allowed himself to dwell on resentment for long.

It was nothing more than wishful thinking.

With a bitter smile, he always pushed those thoughts aside.

Time spent blaming others was time wasted.

Wouldn’t it be far more worthwhile to cultivate healthy hobbies, appreciate the arts, and make something meaningful of his own life?

So instead…

He devoted himself to becoming better.

More perfect.

More impeccable.

So that he might earn the acknowledgment of others—

And perhaps, one day…

His father’s.

Thus Mirane relentlessly drove himself forward until he became someone whom no one could find fault with.

He never neglected his swordsmanship training.

He mastered multiple languages.

He read books on etiquette, history, and philosophy.

He never revealed weakness before others, hiding every vulnerable corner of himself behind a gentle smile.

And thus was born—

“The Perfect Knight, Mirane Laster.”

People accepted him as a remarkable young noble despite his status as an illegitimate son.

Anyone who met him found him worthy of admiration.

A model noble.

The kindhearted and gentle young man, scorned by his cold-hearted father, soon earned widespread fame throughout noble society.

Many pitied his circumstances.

Many more were captivated by his kindness.

Not long afterward, he also began to distinguish himself as a knight.

The truth was simple.

He possessed extraordinary natural talent.

Though his refined appearance made him seem more suited to a scholar’s desk than the battlefield, the path of a knight proved to be his true calling.

The endless repetition of sword drills suited him perfectly.

His ability to concentrate was nothing short of exceptional.

Alongside the striking beauty inherited from his fairy mother, Mirane had also inherited a robust physique from both parents.

Combined with his unwavering diligence, those natural gifts elevated him to the ranks of the Order’s finest knights.

And with Count Laster as his father—and the Emperor’s personal favor behind him—the still-young Mirane was appointed Commander of the Imperial Third Knight Order.

Of course, his rise had not been without obstacles.

Because he had climbed so quickly at such a young age, malicious rumors spread during the early days of his appointment.

People whispered that Count Laster’s influence and his close relationship with the Emperor had secured the position for him.

Those rumors caused him no small amount of trouble.

Yet before long, they faded away.

The very people who despised favoritism the most—his fellow knights—stood up for him.

“No matter how you look at him, Mirane Laster is an outstanding knight beyond reproach.”

Mirane merely smiled at their praise.

He neither denied it nor accepted it with arrogance.

If I truly believed this position were beyond my abilities, I would never have accepted it.

And if I prove unworthy… then one day I will naturally have to step down.

That was simply how he viewed things.

Just as he had expected, the rumors eventually disappeared.

People came to recognize his abilities.

“He’s Count Laster’s son? They don’t resemble each other at all.”

“Hey, don’t compare a human being to a beast.”

“He may be illegitimate, but he was granted knighthood, so his birth is hardly an issue anymore… Is he engaged?”

“Damn it… I’d rather not have to speak with the Count.”

It was an ordinary life—

And yet an honorable one.

People no longer spoke ill of him.

Instead, they praised his good character and marveled at the brilliance he had displayed at such a young age.

His future as one of the Empire’s leading figures seemed all but guaranteed.

He spent time with friends.

Achieved one success after another.

Earned the admiration of those around him.

Having overcome the wounds of his childhood, he had finally seized the happy life he deserved.

If life continued like this…

That would be enough.

That was what Mirane believed.

But that wish…

Was never granted.

“Mirane Laster.”

“You are going to marry Grand Duke Valenstein.”

Those words fell from the heavens like a bolt of lightning—

And changed everything.