Chapter 102

– For Carl to say such a thing… I’ve failed as a father.

“I knew he was stronger than he appeared, but I was still worried. I asked him to be honest with me, yet I kept so much from him. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to resent me.”

Adrian’s dejected tone made Glenn sigh and rub his forehead.

He’d given Adrian Heineken a convenient excuse – magic stone research – to keep Carl occupied at the castle because he knew the prince, selfless to a fault, would readily offer himself for any task, even war.

He’d wanted to minimize the risks, to prevent any unforeseen incidents before they dealt with Parman. He hadn’t anticipated trouble brewing within the castle walls. It was his mistake.

He’d already endured a lengthy lecture from the Empress, so his mood was just as foul as Adrian’s.

– Grant him whatever he desires, as long as it doesn’t endanger him.

“That was my intention all along.”

Glenn simply nodded at his son’s words.

They discussed the casualties, then Glenn addressed the main issue.

– I’ll be sending a separate investigative team to handle this incident.

It was both an investigation and a reinforcement of Lindbergh’s defenses.

With the main building undergoing repairs, everyone had been relocated to the annex.

They’d decided to demolish the tower completely and conduct a thorough search of the underground passages. The Heineken delegation, already stretched thin, couldn’t handle the additional workload, so reinforcements were requested.

The incident had exposed the vulnerability of Lindbergh’s capital. There were calls to recall Adrian, Carl, Belfry, and Leia, now that war with Parman was inevitable. However, Leia Lindbergh refused.

Despite the news of the castle being in ruins, she insisted on completing her tour of the territories.

– That Leia… she’s quite something. She said that since the nation needed to be rebuilt anyway, the destruction of the castle is a fitting opening act for the new Lindbergh. A clean slate.

“That’s what she wrote in her report.”

Glenn chuckled softly.

– She’s seen so much darkness… her eyes are filled with a cold fire. She was adamant, saying she wouldn’t be able to stand on her own if she had to rely on Heineken every time something went wrong.

He added that her stubbornness reminded him of Carl Lindbergh.

“Carl said the same. He’s changed. He said he can no longer stand by and watch while people are dying. He’s been working tirelessly, trying to understand what happened.”

Not just assisting with the cleanup, carrying bricks and distributing water, but also creating magic tools and exploring the underground passages.

He hadn’t touched the Parman magic stones since discovering they were worthless.

He’d initially suspected they held some secret, but after testing them, he’d declared them low-grade, their only value being their origin and their inferior quality.

It had simplified things at the border. They simply destroyed the magic stones before they could be processed.

“He said his goal is to return to the capital before my sibling is born. And that he’ll be fine, as long as I’m safe. He asked me to tell you not to worry.”

Carl Lindbergh seemed different.

Or perhaps, with the original Carl Lindbergh gone, his true self had finally emerged.

Adrian’s cheeks flushed at his father’s knowing smile.

– It seems you’ve met your match. Prepare to be thoroughly whipped.

“I wouldn’t mind… being whipped by him. For the rest of my life.”

Even if he occasionally slipped free, they’d find their way back to each other, their hands clasped together.

– How sweet.

Glenn, who’d spent most of his life bound to his mate, nodded in agreement.

– Ah, Macallan will be leading the investigative team.

Adrian paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully at the familiar name.

“Has she returned?”

– She left the Eberlein Duchy yesterday, so she should arrive today. I’ll send her to Lindbergh as soon as she’s ready. She was thrilled by the news, apparently. She loves the stench of blood. That woman never changes. I just hope she doesn’t corrupt Leia.

The prodigal knight, banished for her excessively aggressive tendencies, despite her exceptional skills, had returned.

Glenn frowned. “Her boisterous laughter is giving me a headache.”

Adrian, however, was rather fond of Marquis Macallan, who, after Empress Theresa, was one of the few people who could make the Emperor uncomfortable.

“What about her partner?”

He vaguely remembered her name… Marchioness Ginger Ale ^[1] This word, 진저에일, is Ginger Ale, right? Or is there another translation for it? Does anyone know??? ?

He’d heard she was always by Macallan’s side. Her presence in Lindbergh would be… complicated.

Glenn waved his hand dismissively at Adrian’s concerned tone.

– She’s expecting. I convinced her to stay in Heineken.

“That’s wonderful news. In more ways than one.”

– Theresa had to talk some sense into her. Macallan was adamant about bringing her along. But you know how she is with Theresa.

“Relatively speaking, yes.”

– It’s absurd to bring a pregnant woman, especially in her first trimester, to a war zone. If it weren’t for Macallan’s skills, they’d both be dead by now.

“She’s not exactly known for her common sense. Even Grand Duke Balvenie seems ordinary next to her.”

Adrian chuckled softly.

Despite her eccentricities, Marquis Macallan’s magic and instincts were exceptional, almost inhuman.

It was as remarkable as her unique disposition, so when she decided to marry a beta woman, it had surprised no one.

The ironic truth was that she defied everyone’s expectations—most had thought she might end up marrying the sword she carried with her every day.

“This is a relief, Your Majesty. With Marquis Macallan leading the investigation, I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of this quickly.”

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door of Adrian’s makeshift office.

“Enter.”

Marco stood there, fidgeting nervously.

“Um, the prince is asking for you, Your Highness.”

Adrian’s face lit up.

Carl had never sought him out before, always claiming he didn’t want to interrupt his work.

“Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Marco closed the door, Glenn clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

– You brat, such a disappointment. Wipe that lovesick grin off your face.

His own face, however, mirrored Adrian’s expression.

“Grandmother always said the same thing.”

Glenn chuckled at Adrian’s pointed remark.

– It seems to run in the family. Now go. Before you start fidgeting.

Glenn ended the communication.

Adrian jumped up, his heart racing.

Carl Lindbergh had asked for him. At this late hour.

He couldn’t wait to see him.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

“Confess everything?”

Lulu stared at her brother, his face pale but determined, questioning him repeatedly.

“Yes.”

Carl Lindbergh had decided to tell Adrian Heineken everything – about his true identity, about Lulu’s existence.

He couldn’t get any closer to Adrian while keeping this secret.

“What if he thinks you’re crazy?”

“He won’t. Probably.”

He wasn’t entirely sure, but he had a feeling…

Even if Carl Lindbergh was truly insane, Adrian wouldn’t abandon him. This premonition was stronger than his fear.

“If he calls me crazy, then I’ll admit to being crazy. But what else can I do? This is my reality.”

Lulu fell silent, pondering his words.

A transmigrator revealing his true identity…

It usually happened at the beginning of the story, forced by circumstances, or at the very end, after all the conflicts had been resolved, the relationship secured. A safe bet, a guaranteed happy ending.

But they weren’t imprinted yet, their relationship still fragile. Adrian Heineken’s reaction could make or break them.

And if Adrian rejected Carl, she’d have no choice but to follow her brother.

“Can’t you wait until after you’re imprinted?”

Carl shook his head at her cautious suggestion.

“It’ll be too late then. I want Adrian to have a choice.”

“A choice? What choice?”

Lulu tilted her head, confused.

“A choice to believe, or not believe. A choice to continue loving me, even after knowing the truth.”

“Is that… really necessary?”

Transmigrating into a fictional world, into a character in a novel… it sounded absurd.

The current Adrian Heineken might pretend to believe him, even if he didn’t.

But what would happen later, when that fragile facade crumbled? She didn’t want their relationship to be built on a lie.

“Does it have to be now?”

But her brother, usually so accommodating, was surprisingly stubborn.

“Adrian gives me everything. Everything I have, everything I’ve accomplished… it’s all thanks to him.”

“Don’t tell me… Are you feeling indebted to him?”

Carl nodded.

“Then I definitely advise against it. Even if you tried to repay the debt by saying something like, ‘Actually, I’m a transmigrator,’ Adrian won’t appreciate that.”

“It’s not about repaying a debt. I can finally say, with absolute certainty, that I love Adrian. And I want him to know that while the novel might have facilitated our relationship, it’s not the only reason. This isn’t about reciprocation, it’s about my own feelings. I want to be honest with him, completely honest. I want him to know how much I love him.”

Lulu was speechless.

“How he chooses to react… that’s up to him. I already rely on him for so much. I don’t want to hide my feelings from him. It’s the only thing I can truly offer him.”

“So… you’re going to confess your love. And revealing the fact that you’re a transmigrator is just a bonus?”

Carl nodded, and Lulu sighed.

“Well, it’s your choice, Oppa. Do as you please.”

As Carl thanked her and left the room, Lulu thought, ‘I suppose I could always leave with him, start a new life somewhere.’

She’d miss this world, but being reunited with her brother… that was more than enough.

• 1. This word, 진저에일, is Ginger Ale, right? Or is there another translation for it? Does anyone know???