Kaiser D. Paragon's POV
'This is really tiring. Even in my original world, these ceremonies bored me to death, and now I have to play the role of the grieving brother...' I thought, finishing a conversation with the son of a viscount.
In situations like this, I told myself I was lucky that the Paragon family wasn't one of the seven great families of the continent. Otherwise, the number of people I would have had to receive would have been as long as the Great Wall of China.
Thinking about it, the Empire of Alexandria, which held a central place on the human continent, vaguely reminded me of certain aspects of the feudal era in my original world.
It was a vast land, shaped by centuries of strict organization, deep-rooted beliefs, and conquests that had strengthened its prestige. Everyone knew its reputation for religious and military power. Order reigned everywhere, from agricultural villages to the great cities surrounded by white ramparts.
At the heart of this structure was the Emperor, an almost sacred figure, considered the protector of the faith and the executor of the precepts of His Holiness from the Holy Cathedral.
The seven ruling lineages imposed their influence over the entire territory. The Imperial Dantalion Family occupied the top, a symbol of continuity and authority. Around it orbited the six Legendary Families: Draken, Stavenger, Ashborn, Silvernight, Kaelen, and Pendragon. They formed the armed arm of the empire, each recognized for a specific heritage, between martial traditions, mystical arts, and political responsibilities. Their members were educated from childhood to maintain this envied and feared rank.
The Holy Cathedral, for its part, exercised equally imposing power. The priests and paladins represented the voice of the Seraphs and considered themselves the guardians of the continent's purity. Their authority could overturn any local decision. The inhabitants respected them as much as they feared them. It was often said that the Cathedral saw everything and judged everything. It never hesitated to strike down heretics or any demonic influence.
Its paladins, covered in impeccable armor, were known for their unwavering devotion to the orders of the Holy One, capable of crossing an entire kingdom to purify a single anomaly.
The nobility completed this imposing structure. The five great duchies dominated the most important regions: Hornraven, Donoghan, Valerius, Greycastle, and Frostvine. Each had its own customs, distinctive landscapes, and internal conflicts.
Put like that, I still didn't represent much. No matter how rich the Paragon family was, the gap separating it from real power was immense. That's why I was forced to expand my network.
The viscounties and baronies formed a mosaic of smaller but equally essential territories for the proper functioning of the kingdom. And at the very bottom of the hierarchy, the commoners made up the majority of the population. They worked in the fields, served in the garrisons, or joined religious orders, hoping to escape misery. The system was strict, but its stability was appreciated by many, and besides, the academy offered a chance to everyone.
End of POV
*In the funeral garden*
Kaiser watched the people moving away. He had kept his usual expression, a light smile when addressing people, but a calm, almost expressionless face when he was alone.
Suddenly, his gaze fell on this woman.
Katrina had moved a little away, taking advantage of a moment of solitude. She had greeted the last guests while maintaining a composed attitude.
'Tss... She's really good at acting, she almost deserves an Oscar.' Kaiser murmured as he approached.
He arrived near her.
She was wearing a beautiful black dress that enhanced her petite appearance, with her white hair ending in black tips.
"Lady Katrina, I see you've set yourself apart." Kaiser began. "It must have been hard, but you still insisted on attending the entire ceremony. Thank you for taking care of my big brother all these years."
She slowly raised her emerald eyes, displaying a faint smile.
"Lord Kaiser, it may have been hard, but I still had to fulfill my role, and besides... no need to thank me. After all, Isaak was my fiancé."
Katrina replied in a soft voice.
Being away from the guests, the facade that Katrina had maintained for so long slowly crumbled, giving way to a face as cold as frost. She looked at Kaiser once more, but this time, it wasn't with the same sweetness; her gaze could not hide her hatred toward the man standing before her.
"Kaiser... it's useless to continue this masquerade. I already know the truth." Her voice lost its softness, becoming much firmer and sharper.
For his part, Kaiser didn't seem disturbed in the slightest. On the contrary, it was as if he had expected it and had come precisely for that. Still with his smirk, he slowly approached.
"What masquerade, lady? Are you talking about your exceptional performance as the grieving fiancée, or have I completely misunderstood?"
Katrina looked at him for a moment, her expression unchanged.
"... And I'd like to know what truth you're alluding to?" Kaiser continued.
"You're still playing the comedy in front of me, with that little smirk, but... Lord Kaiser, tell me, how long will you keep that smile?"
It would have been a lie to say that Kaiser wasn't surprised by Katrina's words. What did she mean? He already knew the hatred she felt toward him, but what card did she have against him to be so confident? Did she know about his illegal activities? Despite everything, he remained imperturbable, or at least on the outside, waiting for her to finish.
"... I'd really like to know if you'll still be smiling when everyone here finds out that you're the one responsible for your own brother's death?"
'Ah... This crazy woman is really serious?' Kaiser wondered, not because he was afraid, but because if she was investigating Isaak's death, it would put him in a rather delicate situation, especially since Isaak was linked to the slave trade.
Kaiser didn't move. His smile widened slightly, like someone receiving amusing news.
"Let's assume that everything you just said to me is true. Answer me: what do you plan to do?"
His question was asked with a calm that destabilized Katrina for a moment. But she didn't look away.
"I'll kill you, Kaiser, nothing more, nothing less."
She answered without hesitation.
But to Katrina's surprise, Kaiser didn't seem worried. On the contrary, his smile grew more pronounced. He had that particular way of showing that he never felt threatened.
"Well, well... I'm scared..."
"If you do something stupid... I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back..." He slowly approached her.
She hadn't expected this interpretation; she instinctively stepped back but immediately regained her composure.
Had she underestimated Kaiser?
'No use thinking about it; he's just a madman who killed his own brother.' She thought, but in reality...
Kaiser just wanted to save her. If she knew that the culprits were the Donoghans, she would die like in the original work.
'She's talented and will certainly be useful in the future. And if she were an ally, it would make things easier for me, especially to get in contact with the elves.'
"Let me tell you another truth, Katrina. In fact, the one responsible for Isaak's death is ultimately you... I did it only because I wanted you."
Katrina couldn't hide her surprise this time. What kind of nonsense was this kid spouting now? All those threats just to end up saying that the cause was his love for her?
Katrina couldn't believe it, but Kaiser's possessive gaze fixed on her sowed doubt in her heart. (There was no possessive gaze at all...)
"Kaiser, have you finally gone mad?" she asked, letting out a small laugh.
"Mad?" Kaiser sighed. "Maybe so, but I couldn't let you and that pig Isaak get married. It's you that I want!"
Just as she was about to speak, Kaiser suddenly approached, grabbed her neck, eliciting a small moan in the process, and placed a kiss on her mouth. Caught off guard, she pushed him away, but as he pulled back, Kaiser bit her lower lip.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked furiously. The air around them had begun to change. Fortunately, no one was there to see what had just happened.
"Katrina, let me tell you one thing. I don't know what kind of relationship you had with my brother... Anyway, he's dead, but I'm the type to get the toys I desire... and it so happens that I want you!"
Kaiser spoke, his voice filled with possessiveness, like a predator defending its territory. Without waiting for the woman's response, who seemed disconcerted, he adjusted his suit and slowly left the garden, as if none of this had happened.
Those words made Katrina shiver. She no longer understood if she should feel threatened, seduced, or humiliated. The assurance she had tried to maintain wavered.