Chapter 27: The Resolve of the Crimson Count

Michaelis’s first love was something he would never forget.
Without a doubt, it was at that moment.

His father had fallen ill.
His mother desperately nursed him.
He himself could only watch.
His younger sister trembled, sensing the tense atmosphere.
And taking advantage of that situation, his uncle and aunt ransacked the count’s household.

It was during that nightmare that he met her.

A girl who carried royal blood.
A daughter of the Lattiche ducal house, the greatest among nobles—
and the most powerful even among the four great ducal families.

Her glossy black hair flowed in gentle waves.
Her long lashes of the same color framed deep green eyes.
Her skin was flawless like snow, her cheeks faintly tinted with color.
Her soft lips held a pale pink hue, and her voice was lovely when it spilled forth.

She wore the latest dress, lavishly made with the finest silk, embroidery, and lace.
Even Michaelis, who knew nothing of fashion, could tell she was different from other ladies.

Her beauty rivaled that of her father, Duke Greil of Lattiche.
But while his beauty inspired awe and an incomprehensible fear befitting a ruler,
his daughter Albertina was delicate and graceful.

Her slender body looked fragile, as if she might disappear like snow if touched.

It was obvious that the duke adored her.
And Michaelis immediately understood that if he displeased her, his life would be in danger.

The duke had even told him directly:

“You are Albert’s toy.
A toy should be useful as a toy.”

In the unstable Domitorias count’s house, there was no defying such a powerful patron.

Michaelis clenched his teeth at his own immaturity and helplessness.

He swallowed his shame and humiliation,
and resolved to become her servant when he met her.

Jibril, who knew nothing, gazed at the beautiful girl with shining eyes.

Albertina was slightly wary of Michaelis,
but she was very kind toward Jibril.

Jibril, captivated by her beauty, responded with affection,
and Albertina doted on her, even giving her many of her own dresses to wear and praising her.

Jibril had previously been bullied by cousins who stole her dresses and accessories,
but receiving even more beautiful clothes made her incredibly happy.

And yet Albertina still tried to have new dresses made for her,
so Michaelis had to stop her.
Receiving used dresses was one thing,
but he could not accept multiple brand-new, top-quality dresses.

Albertina looked puzzled and dissatisfied,
but she ultimately accepted his reasoning.

Such was the wealth of the Lattiche house that even jewelry beyond what his mother could afford was abundant.
Albertina would casually put such pieces on Jibril, saying they suited her,
and might even give them away if she liked them.
Michaelis had to firmly stop her.

She was unhappy, but the Domitorias house had nothing to repay such gifts.

During their stay at the ducal house,
Michaelis was rigorously trained in the knowledge and refinement required of a future count.
As the Domitorias family also had a knightly tradition,
he received education in swordsmanship and magic as well.

With Kishtarial, who was close in age, they pushed each other to improve.

Fortunately, the ducal house provided warm rooms and delicious meals.
There were many opportunities to learn,
and he spent an astonishingly fulfilling time.

His sister studied to become a proper lady alongside Albertina.
Spending time together, Jibril grew fond of her and even began calling her “sister.”
Albertina gladly accepted that affectionate name.

Their appearance improved rapidly.
Jibril’s once dry, messy red hair became glossy and beautiful.
Her rough skin became soft and smooth.
Her downcast gaze lifted,
and her red eyes gained a lively, youthful sparkle.

Above all, she began to smile often.
Her innocent laughter, which he had not heard in so long,
brought Michaelis immense relief and joy.

Their relatives occasionally tried to curry favor again,
but that was a trivial matter.

From that time,
even though he knew it was wrong,
he began to be drawn to a girl who had become too close to him.

“Michaelis.”

At first, the girl had looked at him awkwardly.
But once she began smiling at him freely,
his feelings accelerated rapidly.

Love truly was something one fell into.
He tumbled into it, slipping easily through any attempt to stop himself.

It was no longer about needing to get along.
He wanted to get closer—
to form a deeper bond.

Those feelings did not take long to grow.
Nor did the urge to suppress them.

Albertina, who rarely left the estate,
was pure for her age and lacked the clinging greed typical of nobles.
At times, she even seemed more childish than his sister.

She was innocent—
a girl raised in isolation.
He felt both pity and a desire to protect her.

Yet her mind was not dull.
Though she seemed absent-minded at times,
her thinking was flexible, unconstrained by convention.

Once her shyness was overcome,
she was a gentle and truly lovable young lady.

Even the terrifying duke became completely indulgent toward his daughter,
a man who would grant anything she desired.

If Albertina wanted to create something or try something,
it would naturally be done.

Fortunately, her interests were in delicious food, beautiful clothing and accessories,
useful tools, and things related to beauty and health.

Rather than simply buying and consuming expensive items like jewels and garments,
she wanted to create new things.

And she did—
producing innovative creations based on her own ideas.

These brought immense wealth to the Lattiche house,
yet she remained unaware,
smiling as she happily ate the chef’s dishes.

The duke’s reluctance to let her go outside was not only due to past kidnapping,
but also to protect her from those who would exploit her rare talent.

Her ability to generate wealth had already been proven.

Albertina believed everything was thanks to Julius, Sebas, and the ducal house.
But in truth, it all originated from her ideas.

Even the neighboring Domitorias territory benefited greatly from her influence.

She improved the roads connecting Lattiche territory to the capital,
turning the Domitorias resort into a popular destination for nobles.

The Rose Company, owned by the Lattiche house,
became synonymous with trends and innovation.

Its products attracted countless wealthy women who spent lavishly on fashion and beauty.

The once under-visited but fertile Domitorias land flourished rapidly.

The Rose Company also prioritized buying plant materials from Domitorias,
further boosting its prosperity.

Even if she did not realize it,
Albertina was Michaelis’s savior—
his goddess, his angel.

But the decisive moment was yet to come.

When he returned home after completing his education,
many opportunists flocked to the recovering count’s house.

None had cared when they were struggling.

One such family was Count Tengalon’s.

Though of count rank,
his wife and daughter were wasteful,
and their finances were poor despite their status.

Their daughter, Seira, arrived confidently,
relying on an old promise,
and acted as though she owned the estate.

Even if she was somewhat attractive,
Michaelis, who had grown accustomed to the beauty of Jibril and Albertina,
only saw her as an ill-tempered, unpleasant woman clinging to him.

Her behavior reminded him of his hated relatives.

He endured her, as she was still from a count’s house.

He even endured being forced to eat dishes overloaded with spices,
passed off as high-class cuisine.

He knew the duke would soon deal with her.

And as expected,
Seira picked a fight with Albertina.

Albertina looked at her with pity.
But Kishtarial, Julius, and Jibril marked her as an enemy.

Seira, inferior in every way, still became obsessed with Albertina
and clung even more to Michaelis.

Despite repeated warnings,
her behavior only worsened.

The duke showed no reaction,
but later the Tengalon house would fall spectacularly.

Seira’s harassment escalated.

Even Jibril was targeted.

Michaelis endured for her sake.

But his body reached its limit.

And then—

He vomited.

On Albertina’s dress.

It was unforgivable.

Worse than vomiting on the duke himself.

Yet Albertina did not get angry.

She gently cared for him.

She wiped his face.
Stroked his head.
Spoke kindly.

She accepted everything.

Like a saint.

Michaelis would never forget her touch or her voice.

After that,
he was given gentle meals suited to his condition.

For an entire week.

Later, the duke said:

“Albert insists you not be disposed of.
What does she see in you?”

Harsh words.

But Michaelis felt relief.

He had been spared.

Because of her.

And so,

he asked:

“Your Grace…
Does Lady Albertina have a fiancé?”

“No. She has no interest.”

Even princes had been options.

Yet—

“I wish to be considered as her candidate.”

“I will prove myself worthy.”

“I will protect her. Love only her.”

“Childish nonsense.
You have no value.”

Rejected.

But not killed.

“Then what must I do?”

“Make Albert acknowledge you as a man.”

“And defeat me once.”

“Prepare at least mithril… or adamantite.”

He accepted.

He would become stronger.

He had to.

The red paper ornament she gave him—
a kusudama—
hung from his sword.

It symbolized devotion.

A bond.

A promise.

He knew its meaning.

Yet Albertina did not.

And that was fine.

For now.

She knew nothing of his feelings or the duke’s conditions.

She was still innocent.

As she grew,
her beauty deepened,
her body matured.

Her presence, her scent—
shook his composure.

She only allowed certain people close.

That made it special.

Precious.

Their meeting had been fate.

He touched the amulet and smiled.

Made by her hands.

For him alone.

He had loved her since that day.

And always would.