I played the role of an adopted daughter way too well, Chapter 050: The Eldest Son of Seaal Viscount House.

Sixteen-year-old Zelton’s short life came to an end.

The newsletter covered this incident with considerable weight.

[The Noble Family's Grievance at the South Gate of Winter Castle.]

[What did Zelton do wrong?]

It was an extremely unprecedented and shocking move.

There was criticism questioning whether a proper trial or understanding of the situation was prioritized.

In fact, even Viola didn’t expect the Duke to act so drastically.

The Duke simply summarized the situation in one line.

“These little rat bastards are bold these days, daring to mess around in Winter Castle.”

And then he personally beheaded him.

Like setting an example, he displayed the head at the south gate of Winter Castle.

Some nobles protested, but Duke Heron paid no mind to their objections.

Some nobles protested.

While others remained silent.

Few nobles praised Duke Heron for his actions.

However, the sentiment among the commoners was different.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course! I’m a citizen of Winter Castle, aren’t I?”

“What happened? Is the newsletter true?”

“Princess Viola sent her Partner Sword.”

“Did she come to us personally?”

“Yeah. She’s a regular at our house.”

“Sent it just because she’s a regular?”

“Of course! As one of the masters of Winter Castle, she just wanted to protect her citizens! I’m a citizen of Winter Castle!”

The commoners of Winter Castle were filled with pride.

Their master, the Bellatu Duke House, had beheaded a noble for their sake.

This became a message that resonated in the hearts of the commoners.

“Winter Castle never forsakes the people of Winter Castle.”

And at the center of this event was the ‘Partner Sword.’

Partner Sword Tundra.

“He moved like lightning and quickly chopped off the limbs of that Zelton brat.”

“Uh, no, that wasn’t…”

That wasn’t quite true.

Tundra did apprehend Zelton, but he didn’t personally kill him.

“Anyone who bullies the citizens of Winter Castle deserves that.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

The rumors had gotten a bit distorted.

Word spread that Viola, witnessing the harassment of the citizens of Winter Castle, sent her servant Tundra to deal with it instantly.

“See? The rumors were not wrong.”

“What rumors?”

“The Iron-Blooded Princess. The most Bellatu-like Bellatu, the rumors about the adopted daughter of Bellatu.”

Somewhere, where Viola was entirely unaware, praises for her began to rise little by little.

*

Duke Heron’s office.

It was now past 11 PM, a quiet hour.

The magical candle’s crimson glow touched the Duke’s cheek.

Viola looked at the orange-tinged cheek of the Duke, her legs trembling nervously beneath her skirt.

‘Why did he call me?’

He had been silent for 30 minutes since summoning her.

He was signing documents without even glancing her way.

‘What’s up with that?’

This was a man who beheaded even the son of a Viscount for causing trouble in Winter Castle.

There was even talk of beheading someone in the office.

It felt like the scent of blood lingered in the air.

‘Why is he silent after calling me?!’

After about 30 minutes passed,

The Duke finally opened his mouth.

“Why did I call you?”

How am I supposed to know that?

My father called me, so I just came.

Why are you asking me that, ugh.

But I had to think of a suitable answer.

I realized again.

Heron was certainly an absolute ruler of this world, and one does not go against an absolute ruler.

Having fallen into such a world, I had to adapt and survive.

I answered a question with another question.

“Why did you kill the eldest son of Seaal Viscount House?”

“Because it seemed like something you wanted.”

Huh?

Me?

Viola’s mind went blank for a moment.

‘Why did he think that?’

It seemed there was some kind of serious misunderstanding.

Zelton was indeed of low quality, but he hadn’t committed a deathly crime.

“Looks like you’re planning to move more seriously now?”

The Duke’s eyes narrowed.

Viola felt a vague fear.

She didn’t know what those eyes were saying.

His gaze felt like it was piercing right into her chest.

‘So, I’m interpreted as going into serious succession competition?’

That keyword was a hint.

Viola began to understand why Duke Heron escalated things to this level.

“Correct.”

No, it’s not correct.

I didn’t want things to escalate like this.

I thought he would just break a few bones and send me on my way.

Who would have guessed he would kill a Viscount’s son without a trial?

The Duke rested his chin in his hand.

From the way he was positioned, it seemed he was expecting her next words.

Please, don’t expect anything!

But regardless of her inner thoughts, Viola had to continue speaking as Viola Bellatu.

“Winter Castle has always protected humanity from ‘the Place Where the Eye Shines.’ As time passed, people became accustomed to this, and began to see the sharp edge of Winter Castle as a norm.

So, it was a buffoon like Zelton who dared to boast about committing murder inside Winter Castle.”

“And?”

“I wanted to deliver a warning. The fate of those who disrespect the authority of Bellatu in Winter Castle.”

That was a warning to the world.

……or at least, it was interpreted that way.

In truth, she had never really thought this far, but somehow it became so.

“Following this incident, the silent nobles will remain silent.”

“……”

“The nobles who protest will do so.”

“What’s the point of dividing that?”

“I need to clearly distinguish between enemies and allies, as the White Bellatu.”

The Duke chuckled softly.

“Are you saying that the silent ones are our potential allies and the protesting ones are potential enemies?”

“No.”

Viola shook her head.

“It’s the opposite.”

“Why is that?”

“I think my father’s actions were right, but I don’t believe they were legal.”

Viola’s heart raced.

In a sense, she was saying his actions were illegal!

‘But I won’t provoke him.’

I know, having read the source material.

Heron wasn’t a tyrant who acted on a whim.

Many people think so, but that’s not true.

‘And yet…’

My hands and feet began to tremble.

I had to display extreme restraint to not show it.

“The silent ones are cowards. And the protesting ones are madmen who lost their fear.”

“Neither side is an ally.

Winter Castle is simply Winter Castle. Allies are not needed.”

Such a reckless statement, yet one that Heron liked to hear.

Once he got to hear what he wanted, he got down to business.

“However, I prefer a madman over a coward.”

A faint smile lingered on the Duke’s lips.

Since Medea, the 1st Princess, there hadn’t been a child who had such a satisfying conversation with him.

In fact, it was much more enjoyable than when he spoke with Medea.

“Among the protesting noble families, I plan to take in those who have no personal connection with Seaal Viscount House and whose past is clean.”

“Are you saying that one day, you will dominate Bellatu?”

Viola felt her heart drop!

No. Not me.

It’s my sister, Sister Medea.

As you know, she’s the real deal. I plan to help her on the side while enjoying the spoils.

“Yes.”

…..

Damn it.

This isn’t right.

“That’s a good mindset.”

“Also.”

Viola wanted to cry but spoke calmly.

“There was something unusual about the love Seaal Viscount and his wife had for their child.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I’m also entering society at twelve.”

Meaning, she prepared herself to learn about households that had children around that age.

‘It’s not like I studied; I just know from reading the novel.’

Anyway, according to the novel, the Viscount wouldn’t just sit still.

While things were somewhat different from the story, eventually, the Seaal Viscount and the Bellatu Duke would clash.

“The Seaal Viscount will surely take some form of action.”

It was the same in the story.

The Viscount’s son, Zelton, meets his end at the hands of Bichen.

“I will never forgive the Bellatu Duke, the enemy of my son.”

Then the Seaal Viscount marches toward Winter Castle.

With a mere five hundred troops, they are all slaughtered at the south gate of Winter Castle.

In the story, Duke Heron praises the Seaal Viscount.

“Your actions were right.”

It’s cowardly to remain idle after your child has been killed.

Even if it’s only fighting back like this, it’s the right action for a parent.

Such were Heron’s thoughts in the story.

“Then, why did he charge knowing he would die?”

“Because I am his father.”

“Even knowing he would die?”

“Humans sometimes act foolishly when they believe it means something.”

And then Heron subjected the Seaal Viscount to hanging instead of execution.

Ironically, Heron did not spare financial and military support for the Seaal Viscount House that lost its son.

This was also mentioned in the novel.

“There was a child in the womb of Seaal Viscountess.

The Viscountess named the child ‘Vengas.’

Vengas meant revenge.”

Later, this Vengas would become a powerful mage and an enemy of the Bellatu Duke… such was the content of the novel.

What a crazy worldview it is!

Killing a father births a formidable enemy named Jeremy Parail, and killing both a brother and a son produces another enemy named Vengas Seaal.

[The Shadow of Bellatu] was this kind of world.

Heron asked.

“What actions will you take?”

“I’ll ask the Empire to mediate.”

“And?”

“The Empire will probably refuse to mediate.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not beneficial for them. The Empire won’t actively involve itself in unprofitable matters.”

“Still, wouldn’t the Seaal Viscount House have the justification?”

“The one who first broke the laws of Winter Castle was Zelton.”

A moment of silence followed.

But then, unexpectedly, words from Heron came.

“And he tried to steal your happiness.”

“What?”

For a moment, Viola thought she misheard.

“Egg Tart, isn’t that your favorite?”

“Well… yes.”

Viola cleared her throat and continued.

“The Seaal Viscount, who was also shunned by the Empire, will make a final choice.”

“What final choice?”

“Is there a parent who could remain idle after losing their child?”

“Usually, they’d stay quiet, especially if it’s against Winter Castle.”

“From what I gather, the Seaal Viscount will definitely not stay still. He will surely march towards Winter Castle.”

Heron nodded once.

“Then we must kill him honorably.”

No.

That would create a powerful enemy known as the Great Mage Vengas.

At least let’s avoid that, Father.

Do you really think he would march?

Prepared to die for it?”

“Humans do sometimes act out of foolishness. When it has meaning.”

Those were the words of the original Seaal Viscount.

“Everyone has their moments of folly. When that foolishness holds significance.”

Viola said,

“I too want to act foolishly.”

For my brilliant old age.

For a long, clean life.

To prevent the birth of the Great Mage known as Vengas!

“Please send me as a special envoy. I want to visit Seaal Viscount House.”

This might be a bit lacking.

Adding something fitting for a Bellatu,

“I will prove my worth as the White Bellatu, just like in the Storm Fortress.”