The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 16

It was the first time I had ever defied my parents. For Eivard, family was something he constantly yearned for, yet they also felt like distant strangers.

Perhaps in his childhood, there had been a desire to be loved. Though his memories were vague, he remembered feeling envious when he saw other children his age being embraced by their parents.

But within the Trulin Marquisate, Eivard was incompetent—someone they could never love. Those who fell short of expectations, even if they were young children, weren’t permitted to innocently seek affection.

If he wanted to be loved, he had to become someone worthy of the Trulin Marquisate, someone beneficial.

Back then, comparing himself to others was painful and bitter. No matter how hard he tried, if the results didn’t follow, he wouldn’t be acknowledged. The only gazes directed at him were cold ones that called him a disgrace to the Trulin Marquisate.

He had once wished to be recognized someday, to become a true member of the Trulin Marquisate.

In the end, that wish went unfulfilled, but Eivard felt incredibly refreshed. It was as if he had been freed from some inexplicable burden.

Returning to the knight barracks with a light heart, Eivard found Isaac waiting for him.

It was probably about Clara. Isaac’s attitude the previous night hadn’t seemed like the panic or anger of a noble meddling with his sister. It looked more like he was afraid of something else. Whatever it was would likely become clear soon.

Eivard and Isaac headed to the training grounds at dusk. It was a place without people, unlikely to be disturbed.

“I want to meet Duke Winslet. How can I arrange that?”

“Duke Winslet, you mean the Chancellor?”

Why him of all people? Eivard blinked in surprise at the unexpected name.

The Winslet ducal house had existed since the founding of the Cartiver Kingdom, and its head, Sebastian, had served as Chancellor from a young age; the closest confidant to the king.

Given their long history and rank, Eivard’s own Trulin Marquisate was no match for them. In fact, the Trulin Marquisate had long schemed to replace the Winslet ducal house.

He never would have imagined such a great noble’s name coming up.

“Explain what this is about.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t…? He’s a Duke. Without knowing the reason, it’ll be difficult to arrange a meeting.”

“Even for someone from a Marquis house, it’s impossible?”

His purple eyes were filled with desperation. Eivard swallowed hard, wondering what could be going on.

“Not impossible, exactly… but the Trulin Marquisate and the Winslet ducal house aren’t on good terms.”

“Is that so? Lord Ortol said he was retiring and secluding himself in his territory. Even without an appointment, do you think I could see him if I went?”

From his tone, it seemed Isaac had some personal acquaintance with the former Duke Ortol. What kind of connection could it be? The thought made Eivard tense.

The former Duke Winslet, Ortol, had retired early after passing the title to his son Sebastian. He had also stepped down as Chancellor and served by the side of the previous Crown Prince Rhodias until his sudden death due to illness. The current Crown Prince Dian, whom they encountered last night, is Rhodias’s only child.

As Isaac said, Ortol left the capital three or four years ago, citing old age. Ortol was also a former Chancellor, a heavyweight. Did Isaac really know him?

“Is he your father?”

Asking with disbelief but seeking confirmation, Isaac shook his head. “No, he’s not.”

How could that be? It was already abnormal for a commoner to have any connection with the former Duke Winslet. It was common knowledge that Isaac was the child of a mistress, but no one knew who his father was.

“Then why do you know the former Duke?”

“That’s… he told me to rely on his son Duke Winslet if I was ever in trouble. But I never intended to ask for help, so I don’t know how to contact him.”

Even though his status was secured as a knight, the barrier between commoners and nobles was high. Even if he rose to the rank of squad captain, he was nowhere near being able to approach such a person directly and privately.

Not only was the story jumping around, but Isaac avoided eye contact. It seemed he didn’t want to say more, yet he was saying it anyway. Eivard decided not to press further and let out a sigh.

“Is this about Clara?”

“Something like that.”

It couldn’t be anything else.

Faced with Isaac’s troubled expression, Eivard sighed, wondering what to do.

He had just defiantly demanded to be disowned, so he was reluctant to approach anyone as a member of the Trulin Marquisate. Still, he did have some personal connections with people from the Winslet ducal house. Specifically, with Rhys, the second son of Duke Winslet.

They had been classmates at the Royal Academy, and Rhys had consistently taken the top rank from enrollment to graduation. Though they had no personal contact since then, he wasn’t someone Eivard would be rude to if he spoke to him.

Rhys served as a civil official by the king’s side, following in his father’s footsteps. Eivard’s two older brothers were also working there, aiming to become the next Chancellor, so there was a risk of running into them.

Since the Trulin Marquisate wasn’t on good terms with the Winslet ducal house, contacting Rhys without his brothers noticing would be troublesome.

But here was a man in trouble right in front of him. Moreover, Eivard felt a sense of guilt for having taken out his jealousy and scorn on him. And above all, if it concerned Clara, he didn’t mind bowing his head to someone he had never beaten.

“Alright. I’ll try to use my connections.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Isaac took Eivard’s hand and shook it vigorously. His grip was painfully strong.

Still, was this man the son of former Duke Winslet Ortol?

Ortol should be nearly seventy. Though a generation younger than Eivard’s grandfather, he had taken a much younger woman as his mistress.

It wasn’t unheard of. But the Winslet ducal house was known not only for its tradition and prestige but also for its integrity. If this became public, it would create a bad impression. It was exactly the kind of scandal the Trulin Marquisate would eagerly pounce on.

If Isaac and Clara didn’t want this known to the world, Eivard would respect that. Approaching as a Trulin would only raise suspicion.

First, he had to bow his head to someone he had never once defeated. After parting with Isaac, Eivard headed straight off to gather information.