The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 51
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“I heard that the number of confirmed casualties over the past three days alone is over 1,500. There are many more injured. Unfortunately, it seems that our commander is not that talented.”
“If you knew that, shouldn’t you change the commander?”
Herietta asked with an absurd expression on her face. Because of the incompetent commander, only the pitiful soldiers under him are dying. She couldn’t understand Shawn, who came to Philioche like this, rather than try to fix it even though he knew about it.
“Well, it’s because the commander came from a fairly powerful and prestigious family. On the other hand, his lieutenant commander is from a family of knights. So I’ll probably leave it alone until the commander gets mixed up a bit more.”
“But people are dying because of that incompetent commander!”
Herietta, who was so angry at Shawn’s casual expression, raised her voice.
“A person’s life is at stake, but what is the importance of going to a prestigious school and status?”
“A person. Yes, it is only the lives of commoners and slaves.”
Shawn said with a smirk.
“Oh, right, I forgot. That includes the children of the penniless and powerless aristocrats. Yes, it’s…”
Shawn’s snake-like eyes turned to Herietta.
“… just like your brother.”
Between his gaping lips, he flapped his tongue as if to lick his lips. Herietta suddenly felt short of breath. She jumped up from her seat.
“I thought so, but coming here was a big mistake.”
She said, glaring fiercely at Shawn.
“I’ll get going. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be able to pray for your safety on the way back.”
“Your brother, don’t you want to save him?”
Shawn asked as he watched Herietta angrily head out.
Don’t you want to save him? It was as if his tone was suggesting that Hugo would die if she didn’t make the right decision now. When she said nothing, he spoke again.
“If it goes like this, you better stop thinking about meeting your younger brother again. He will die on the battlefield soon.”
“Hugo will not die.”
Herietta declared. She tried to resist her desire to run right away and strangle Shawn.
“He will come home safely no matter what you say.”
Because someone who held a higher rank than him had promised to do so.
But there was no reason to explain it to Shawn. Herietta, not wanting to interact with him any longer, quickly walked towards the door. She then placed her hand on it to turn the doorknob he had locked.
“Well, if I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure.”
Behind her back, Shawn said monotonously.
“Especially if this was the corner you believe in.”
‘This?’
It was a meaningful word. Herietta unknowingly turned her body to look at Shawn. In his hand was a sheet of paper she had never seen before. He was waving it towards her as if he wanted her to see it.
“What is that?”
Herietta asked. Then Shawn grinned as if he caught his prey in a net.
“Read it for yourself.”
He said in a whisper.
Herietta looked at him warily, but she couldn’t resist her natural curiosity. She approached him and snatched the document he had taken out. She then began to look down as she read its contents
‘This is…?’
Herietta’s body stiffened as she held the document. She thoroughly read every single letter written on the paperwork.
“This… Why is this?”
Herietta asked in a trembling voice.
“Why is this in your hand…?”
“You didn’t think it was foolish to think that the Crown Prince would personally step in to get things done, did you?”
Shawn asked with a low smile.
“I didn’t see it that way, but you used a really cute trick. I almost made a mistake, well. Fortunately, His Highness had entrusted the work to someone on our side, so there were no problems.”
The document Shawn handed over was written by Duon, the Crown Prince of Brimdel. The written content was concise and the meaning of the message was clear.
Investigate the reasons for the conscription of Viscount Mackenzie’s son, Hugo McKenzie, and, if he falls out of the conscription restrictions, immediately release him from conscription.
It was what Herietta had been waiting so long for. It was embarrassing that it landed in the hands of someone she didn’t expect at all.
“Now you know the gravity of it. That all of this was a mistake.”
Herietta said, stroking her surprised chest.
“Hugo is only twelve years old. He is much younger than the age limit, sixteen. There is no reason for such a child to accept this conscription duty.”
“Yes. As you say. It all comes from a mistake.”
“Then…!”
Shawn readily agreed, and Herrietta raised her head with eyes full of anticipation. But soon she realized that something was wrong. Because he was smiling with a sense of accomplishment as if he was very happy with the situation.
“But do you really think that was a mistake?”
He asked.
“Among many, your brother Hugo McKenzie, who is ridiculously young, was drafted, and then sent to Bangola… Do you really think it was a mistake?”
Herietta looked at Shawn with a blank expression on her face.
‘No way…’
“Don’t tell me you…?”
Herietta’s chin trembled. Her breath sped up and her eyes fluttered at the insecurity, which came rushing in like waves.
“You… Hugo…?”
“Did you like my gift?”
Shawn asked with a smile. There was no sign of guilt or regret on his face.
Snap. The moment she heard his answer, something broke in Herietta’s head. Her eyes were burning white. At the same time, anger soared out of control.
“You… How dare you!”
Herrietta, whose eyes were overturned in her anger, rushed to Shawn with the goal that she would break his neck. Unfortunately, he was one step ahead as he grabbed her hand with ease as if he had anticipated her next move.
“Let go! Let go of me!”
Herietta, caught by Shawn, put a strain around her neck and cursed him. But Shawn didn’t blink.
“Shut up. Unless you really want to see your brother die.”
He growled softly.
“I don’t make verbal threats. I have the personality to do it. If you still don’t believe it, you can try it.”
“…”
Herietta glared at Shawn, breathing heavily at him. She wanted to immediately dig his eyes out with her fingers. She wanted to kick him relentlessly with the legs hidden under her skirt.
But what if what he said was true? What if Hugo was endangered because of her crazy, thoughtless behavior?
The strength slowly drained from her hand, which was trembling and shivering against his grip. Her anger was still at the top of her head, but her reason slowly returned. Shawn gave a satisfied look upon seeing it. He let go of her hand.
“I will spare your brother. I will go to Bangola, as His Highness commanded me, to represent that all this was a mistake and that your brother will never have to do military service. That is, on the condition that you have to accept my deal.”
“… deal?”
“Yes. I need you to help with the national marriage to Velicia this time.”
Velicia? National marriage?
These were unfamiliar words that had nothing to do with her. Herietta looked at Shawn with suspicious eyes. Then he raised the corners of his lips crookedly.
“You are going to become the daughter of an illegitimate child hidden by His Majesty King Brimdel and marry the prince of Velicia instead of Princess Laysha.”
“!”
Herietta opened her eyes.
What is this man saying now?
“I am the King’s illegitimate child… ?”
“The illegitimate daughter. More specifically, take on the role of an illegitimate daughter who is not yet known to the public because His Majesty has hidden your existence until now.”
Unlike Herietta, who was stiff, Shawn spoke fluently.
Herietta was speechless. The words that came out of Shawn’s mouth were something she could never have imagined. Embraced in a crucible of the shock, she could not easily come to her senses.
“I don’t think that’s a bad offer for you? On the contrary, it’s a proposition that should be overwhelmingly good.”
Shawn said with a smirk.
“Usually, low-ranking aristocrats like you wouldn’t even be given a chance to meet the royal family of Velicia. I’m telling you now that I’m going to give you a chance to transform into a member of the royal family of Brimdel and marry the prince of Velicia. Born as the daughter of the Viscount, I will give you a chance to become the princess of a country.”
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