A Background Character’s Path to Power

As we left the guest room, I stepped away a few meters from the entrance and then turned toward the woman following after me.

"I didn't think I would see you here and with that lady of all people." I smiled faintly. "Don't tell me that you work for her?"

Captain Rose flinched slightly at my words and shook her head. "No, I only accompanied her so that she wouldn't cause any more trouble."

"Are you really sure about that?" I chuckled. Although what she said was true, our meanings were entirely different. "It looked like she was about to do something... um... rather imprudent."

Captain's posture stiffened slightly. "Don't insult the Young Lady like that," she said sharply, her voice carrying a protective edge. "And yes, I'm absolutely certain about my reasons for being here. Someone needs to ensure she doesn't make any rash decisions."

"Woah," I feigned surprise. "You sound like her older sister or something."

She flinched again at my words, her hand unconsciously moving toward her sword hilt before she caught herself.

I pretended not to notice the reaction while smirking inwardly.

Urgh, can't you make it less obvious?

Well, I had already used the Character Insight on her back in the city, so I pretty much knew all the useful information about her, including her true background and connection to Carmine.

The way she defended the spoiled noble lady only confirmed what I already suspected about their relationship.

"...I'm simply doing my duty as captain of the Derier City guards, and protector of the peace between the Shield Families." She said after a moment of thinking.

"Of course," I nodded. "You saved us and other innocent people the previous day after all. There's no way you approve of the young lady's actions as well."

"..." Captain stayed silent, offering no comment.

"By the way," I continued, ignoring her silence. "Did you have something to ask me? You've been glancing at me a lot since you arrived. I am afraid my wife might have misunderstood you."

I knew I was handsome now, but surely she couldn't have fallen for me, right?

"No," She shook her head in denial. "I was just... surprised to see you here."

I raised an eyebrow. "What, did you think we were lying and escaped somewhere?"

She nodded reluctantly, then bowed her head slightly. "I apologize. I admit it was my mistake to doubt you."

"No, you don't have to apologize. You were just-!"

Just then, a shout echoed from the room, making me stop mid-sentence.

"Get out!"

The shout was filled with fury and disbelief. It was Lady Selva!

I immediately turned toward the door, my expression turning cold as I glanced at Captain Rosemary, who looked equally surprised by the voice.

She quickly averted her gaze, unable to meet my eyes. Because we both knew that stupid girl did something to get yelled at for.

"..."

Without saying another word, I quickly ran inside, pushing open the door.

The scene that greeted me made my blood boil.

Lady Selva was clutching her chest, her breath coming out shallow and ragged. Her hand trembled as she tried to steady herself on the armrest, but Cassandra was already moving, catching her before she could fall.

Both of them were staring in Carmine's direction with expressions colder than the winter frost.

Carmine herself looked frightened by their gaze but also irritated, as if she couldn't believe they dared to yell at her.

{...Your mother, friend.}

I calmed myself down with Seren's help and rushed to their side. I immediately used Mender's Paradox while checking Lady Selva's pulse. Thankfully, she was alright.

Then I reached out to Cassandra through our telepathic link, the heartlink effect of the achievement.

{What happened?}

Cassandra's hand stilled, then she turned toward me, her harsh expression softening slightly when she saw my expression. Then she spoke, her mental voice filled with barely contained rage.

{That girl went too far.}

{...I see.}

I replied, I anticipated such a scenario, but not at this level. Whatever that girl had said or done, it had clearly struck a nerve deep enough to cause this kind of reaction.

"What happened?" I heard Captain's voice from behind me, confusion evident in her tone.

Carmine replied with an almost casual indifference that made my skin crawl, "I don't know what the fuss is about. I just said it's good that he's not alive anymore, and that I was finally free now."

I squinted my eyes, fists clenching involuntarily. I really wanted to punch her right away.

Is she really that much of an idiot, or did she say it on purpose?

Whatever the case, she really crossed the line. Again.

Captain, not knowing the full story, pressed further. "What do you mean? Explain a bit more clearly."

Carmine's maids tried to subtly signal her to stop talking, their faces pale with worry, but she completely ignored them as usual.

With an annoyed tone, as if she were being inconvenienced by having to explain herself, she replied. "Urgh, of course I'm talking about that guy, Amaniel. They said he died."

The moment those words left her lips, I felt Lady Selva's entire body tense under my hands. Her pulse, which had been steadying, spiked again.

Cassandra's mental voice reached me, filled with pure fury.

{She just celebrated your death in front of your mother. That b*tch!}

My own anger flared, but I forced myself to remain calm for Lady, no, for Mother's sake. It was because of my mistake that this happened.

And I now truly understood just how rotten that b*tch's heart truly was.

"What did you just say?"

But my patience had its limits.

"Can you just stop-!"

I stopped mid-sentence as I realized the voice sounded different - colder, more dangerous, carrying an authority that made the air itself seem to freeze.

I quickly sensed another presence in the room, one that hadn't been there moments before. My head snapped in that direction, and I saw her.

A veiled black haired woman stood at the entrance, her figure having appeared as silently as a shadow. I couldn't even sense her before she revealed herself.

{W-Who is she?}

I heard Cassandra's wary voice while watching the woman staring down at the now bewildered Carmine with cold, enchanting violet eyes that seemed to pierce straight through to one's soul.

{...I don't know.}

I really didn't.