Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 81

81.

Draven stared intently at Unknown. He didn't seem to be lying—after all, there was already a seer before him working miracles, so another wasn't impossible. He calmly acknowledged it and voiced his curiosity.

"Do you know the other seer's identity?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me?"

"Would I have brought it up if not?"

"Wouldn't it be more advantageous to secure them for your side?"

"Sometimes, there are things worth achieving even at the cost of that advantage."

"Such as making the first prince, Richt, Emperor?"

At the lack of honorific, Pavltin's brow twitched—but he kept his composure and smiled again.

"Exactly. We plan to entrust the new seer to you, Duke Draven. You'll use them to rise to the highest position—and in return, you'll assist our Lord Richt."

Pavltin spoke smoothly, but his words revealed their true intent—they claimed to act for Draven's benefit, but he knew better. They just found him convenient to use.

Draven wasn't foolish enough to miss that. But he couldn't refuse—the offer was too tempting. He'd swallow it for now; any backlash could be handled once he sat on the throne.

"Fine—what's the seer's name?"

Unknown curled his lips—a mask-like smile.

"Ibelin—Ibelin El Frillie. The Empire's finest sword, Kite's fiancée."

At that, Draven understood. He'd always doubted Kite's engagement to a provincial baron's daughter—calling it love? As if!

No matter how reckless, Kite was currently the first successor to the throne. If Leonhardt died, Kite would become Emperor. He claimed to care for Leonhardt as his nephew, and Leonhardt believed it.

Does that make sense?

With the highest seat before him, would he give it up for blood ties? Draven couldn't understand. But now he saw—Kite must have known about the seer long ago, hiding her until the right moment.

And this is the right moment!

He'd revealed the seer as his fiancée to use her! His preparations to seize the throne must be complete.

"Hah!"

He'd warned Leonhardt to keep Kite away—but the fool didn't listen. Instead, he'd distanced himself from Draven.

Why? The danger was the same—Draven was just more honest.

"So that's it."

He bared his teeth, eyes rolling.

"Yes—now it all makes sense."

Kite's success in the North must have been thanks to the seer. That ordinary woman was a seer! Once his anger subsided, greed took over.

Ibelin, who'd seemed unremarkable, now appeared differently. Such a being should be by his side.

"Thank you."

He expressed genuine gratitude.

"Not at all—our alliance is now stronger."

"Of course—do you have a request?"

"Yes—but first, we must secure the seer, no?"

"Right."

With the seer by Kite's side, Draven was at a disadvantage. Whatever he tried, she'd foresee and block—just like at the Emperor's birthday.

"What do you suggest?"

He couldn't think of a way to take her. Her position as Kite's fiancée, recognized by the Emperor, with Kite's constant protection—even framing her would be hard.

"We may be able to help. You have a seer, but so do we. Unknown says she can't see the future at will—but Unknown can."

Pavltin spoke, and Unknown confirmed.

"Yes—so we can determine the right timing."

"The right timing?"

"Yes."

"Is there such a time?"

"There is. Archduke Gracias will publicly announce his formal engagement to Lady Ibelin upon returning—they'll need a ceremony. As a duke of imperial blood, he can't just register the papers; even a small celebration and temple ceremony are required."

"That's when we strike."

The temple procedure isn't complex—the couple separately receives blessings in different rooms, with no attendants or knights allowed. Only a priest can enter, sprinkling holy water and offering prayers, then leaving time for private prayer.

Though Pabeln's imperial authority outweighed religious power, they didn't disregard the temple—they cooperated. Even Kite couldn't skip the procedure.

"There'll be guards outside."

"Better than someone inside."

True.

"I know people suited for this."

Pavltin showed him a token bearing a black scorpion with raised tail—the mark of a new assassin guild. Similar guilds had fallen to Kite's wrath, but survivors had regrouped, quietly growing their influence.

He'd heard their reputation had grown; Pavltin seemed well-connected.

"Assassins move quietly—we'll also send our own people."

"But the opponent is Kite."

"Exactly why we need numbers. The assassins can be disposable—they only need to slow Kite. Our people will take the seer. Despite the Black Scorpion's reputation—"

Pavltin looked confident.

"—our systematically trained operatives won't be beaten."

"No—I have my own people. If you want to help, have them slow Kite."

How far could he trust Teyrin? At Draven's sharp tone, Pavltin shrugged.

"No ill intent—we'll follow your lead."

His easy retreat was suspicious—but pressing further seemed petty. Draven decided not to add more.

"I'll make the detailed plan."

"Understood—inform us, and we'll prepare the Black Scorpion."

He nodded, then thought of something.

"Wait—there's a flaw. If the seer foresees her own kidnapping?"

It was a valid concern—Pavltin had a ready answer.

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