Married into the enemy family - chapter 2

Above all, the timing was terrible. The current Empress had married the Emperor ten years ago, but she had failed to produce a proper heir. She had given birth several times, but all had been stillborn or passed away at a young age.
Naturally, the Imperial family—specifically the Emperor—grew displeased. Rumors had been swirling beneath the surface that there was a flaw in the Emperor’s own seed. For an Alpha and a leader, there could be no greater insult.
There was only one way to soothe the Emperor’s ill humor: to offer Ronin, who had manifested as an Omega, as a concubine.
In truth, this wasn’t a bad prospect for the Alistairs either. If Ronin were to bear the Emperor’s child, he could potentially become the Empress.
They had barely managed to appease the Emperor that way, and now, at such a critical moment, Ronin had manifested as a Beta.
Yet, they could not lie about his secondary sex. The rigid Temple would never cooperate, and it was a lie that would be discovered immediately. It was the greatest crisis in the history of the ever-triumphant Alistair family.
Around the time the rising sun began to set, someone finally spoke up.

“…Let us offer up Serenity Harbor. Isn’t calming the Emperor’s wrath the priority?”
“But to give up Serenity Harbor…”
“Then do you have another way? If you do, speak up!”

He was right. As it stood, there was no other choice but to offer the highly profitable harbor as tribute and prostrate themselves before the Emperor.
They sought an audience with the Emperor as secretly as possible and delivered the news. Naturally, the Emperor was furious.
However, fortunately, he was a man who calculated quickly. He agreed that receiving the harbor was more profitable than immediately striking down the Alistairs.
That did not mean he left the Alistairs alone. Several Alistair members holding key government posts were dismissed. The amount of tribute to be paid annually doubled, but the Alistairs could not utter a single word of protest. Ronin’s manifestation as a Beta was that much of a misfortune for the family.
Yet, the gods did not completely abandon the Alistairs. An opportunity finally arrived after two full years had passed.
Richard, Ronin’s father, opened the door to a solitary cell that had been locked for a long time.
The narrow room contained nothing but a bed. Ronin sat upon it like a doll. He did not look surprised by the sudden visit, merely dropping his head.
Seeing that sight made anger boil up inside Richard once again, but he could not waste this hard-won opportunity. To avoid the total ruin of his house, the Alistairs had to show their loyalty to the Emperor in any way possible. Even if that meant a political marriage with their rivals, the Leofric family.

“It took two years to find a use for you. You have enjoyed the grace of being fed and sheltered for twenty years. I believe you know what you must do.”
“…Yes.”

Ronin nodded submissively. The education that had continued since birth—for over twenty years—had clearly been effective.
His attire, thin as a dragonfly’s wing, his lowered eyes, his quiet tone… to anyone who looked, Ronin appeared sufficiently Omega-like.

‘As long as they don’t examine him too closely.’

It was infuriating that Ronin was, in fact, beautiful. He just wasn’t as frail as an Omega.
The biggest problem was his pheromones. No matter how much one sniffed, only the scent of perfume came from him. The pheromones that could drive Alphas to madness or calm them down were absent in him, a Beta.
Richard twisted his lips in dissatisfaction. Seeing him up close, Ronin felt even more like a defective product.

‘Because he manifested as a Beta, I had to live like a mouse for two years… especially when the Alistair family’s prestige isn’t what it used to be, all because of the current Empress.’

Thinking of Ronin, who had poured filth onto his perfect plan, he wanted to slap his cheek right then and there.
In fact, he had shown no mercy to him over the last two years. In Richard’s mind, it was only right that a Beta Alistair be used in such a way.
If they hadn’t found a new use for him, he probably would have been used like that for the rest of his life.
Richard commanded in a cold voice.

“Seduce Leofric by any means necessary. Make him hold you, make him love you, and bring back his weakness.”

Richard’s gaze moved slowly to touch Ronin’s toes.

“If you do not bring back proper information… this time, it won’t just end with your fingernails.”

A strange glint began to shine in his eyes as he looked at the neatly groomed toes. It was as if he had discovered a new toy, causing Ronin to swallow hard before he even realized it. It was obvious what kind of punishment would follow if this mission failed.
The pain he had felt when his nails were ripped out raw was still vivid. Ronin’s eyelashes fluttered. Even so, he dutifully uttered the words to satisfy the Alpha before him.

“…I will not disappoint you, Father.”

Most of the estate’s residents were starting their day full of energy. A young courier darted among them, scattering flyers held in his hands.

“Extra! Extra!”

Unlike the boisterous outskirts, the capital was always quiet. Of course, beneath the surface, the capital was just as noisy as the outskirts, but the ordinary residents did not know this. They didn’t need to, either.
Thus, the surprise extra edition successfully piqued the curiosity of the people.
Most passersby picked up the newspapers scattered on the ground to read them. It was a very kind extra edition, illustrated with pictures so that even those who couldn’t read could understand.

[Ronin Alistair, child of Richard Fitzroy and Sasha Alistair, is to be wed. The groom is Callion Leofric, who is… (omitted) …the Imperial family will release relief supplies to celebrate the union of the two vassals…]

The marriage of Alistair and Leofric. Those who were well-acquainted with the two families sensed just how big of an event this would be. It wasn’t for nothing that even His Majesty the Emperor had stepped in personally.

“Oh my, what a joyous occasion… If these two families marry, the ceremony will be huge and beautiful, right? I’m so looking forward to it!”
“You’re right! I should get an outfit made at the dress shop. Who knows? I might end up with some handsome gentleman I meet at the wedding!”

Someone watching them blankly muttered.

“But, Leofr…ic? Which noble is that? To me, all noble names sound the same.”
“Goodness! You man! Don’t you know the Leofric family? Way up in the North! They’re the grateful people who use a massive wall to block the invasion of Grembrook and the monsters! How valiant is the ‘Black Wolf Knights’ he leads!”
“Oh, is that so? Then why doesn’t the name sound familiar? Even if I say so myself, I grew up being told I was sharp as a tack. If I had heard it often, I wouldn’t have forgotten it.”
“That’s just because you aren’t sharp anymore!”
“No, but since earlier, this guy… what did he say! Say it again!”

The one who had been embarrassed and the one who had embarrassed him became entangled in an argument. Someone else watching the scene spoke up.

“It’s because the Leofrics never come down from the North. They are so arrogant that even when His Majesty calls for them, they stay holed up in the North and don’t come out! Is that all you get for being a Duke of the Empire? Honestly.”
“Oh, is that so? I heard something else, though… that the current head of the Leofric family is a massive cheapskate…?”
“That rumor is famous, too! Even though they’re a Ducal family, they say they don’t provide for their residents at all. And that’s not all! They treat the people working at the Ducal residence very harshly. My wife’s friend from her hometown works there, and they said she caught consumption! That’s how much they skimp on firewood!”
“No, to be a Duke and still be so stingy over such trivial things… what on earth are they saving up for?”