DDW 1

Part 1 – 0. Prologue

Count Raster, the Minister of Finance, was the Emperor’s most trusted confidant.

The reason for Count Raster’s existence was to serve the Emperor, and people remarked that he would do anything for the Emperor’s sake.

Even among the people of the capital, rumors circulated that:

“If it’s Count Raster, he might even give up his only son for the Emperor.”

Since such talk was common, it would be a waste of breath to say more.

No, the “only son” of those rumors, Mirane Raster, added a cold reflection to that bitter assessment.

‘In the first place, am I even in a position to be weighed against anything by my father?’

Mirane could say it quite lightly: Count Raster did not cherish him.

He was someone who knew better than anyone that Count Raster treated him as less than a pebble.

Though he could not inherit the Earldom because he was a bastard, he was nonetheless the only son. Yet, Count Raster treated the child he should have loved beyond measure with extreme coldness, and even contempt.

It was an inevitably bitter situation for Mirane.

It wasn’t as if he had chosen to resemble his mother.

It was a matter related to a secret history from long ago.

Count Raster, who was cold by nature, fell in love with a fairy one day and became a man of surprising passion. However, the fairy disappeared one day. At the height of their burning love, she left Count Raster behind, leaving Mirane in his wake.

After that, the Count became even more cold-blooded and sinister. He began to hate the legacy she left behind—the very thing that reminded him of her.

And so, twenty-eight years passed.

When overwhelmed by excessive sorrow, Mirane would sometimes indulge in the hopeful hypothesis: What if she hadn’t run away? People remarked that if Mirane’s mother had been there, their home Read on Read BL Novelswould surely [stolen content]have been harmonious, and whenever Mirane felt too exhausted, he couldn’t escape that thought.

‘It’s just a hypothesis anyway.’

However, he could not sustain his resentment for long. Since it was merely his own wish, he would end his reverie with a bitter smile.

Spending time blaming someone was a waste. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to his life to enjoy wholesome hobbies and cultural activities instead?

He simply focused his efforts on refining himself more thoroughly.

More perfectly, more rigorously.

To gain the recognition of others, and the recognition of his father.

By whipping himself so harshly, Mirane became a perfect man whom no one could find fault with. He did not neglect his swordsmanship training, learned various languages, and read scholarly books. He never showed his weaknesses in front of others, hiding his vulnerabilities behind a soft smile.

And thus, the “Perfect Knight Mirane Raster” was accepted by people as a wonderful young nobleman, unlike a typical bastard.

Mirane Raster, a model of nobility whom anyone would admire!

The kind and gentle young man who was mistreated by his cold-blooded father soon gained fame among the nobility.

There were many who pitied Mirane’s circumstances and those who were fascinated by his kindness.

Before long, he also became promising as a knight.

This was, in truth, due to his innate talent. Despite his appearance as a gentle scholar, the path of a knight unexpectedly suited him.

Swordsmanship, which involves repeating basic movements, was in his nature, and exercising concentration was his talent.

Aside from the beautiful appearance he inherited from his mother, Mirane inherited a healthy body from both parents. Combined with this innate talent, his diligence made him one of the top figures in the royal guard, and the backing of “Count Raster,” along with the Emperor’s favor, made the young man the Commander of the Imperial 3rd Royal Guard.

Of course, the process was not without obstacles.

Because he rose to power at such a young age, Mirane suffered from malicious rumors in the early days of his tenure. The connection between Count Raster and the Emperor had left him quite perplexed for a while.

However, those rumors soon subsided, [Read on Read BL Novels]as his fellow knights—the ones who would typically be most outraged by “shady” stolen contentappointments—came to his defense.

“Mirane Raster is an irreproachable and outstanding knight in every aspect.”

Mirane did not deny his colleagues’ praise and simply smiled.

‘If I had thought the position I was given was too much for me in the first place, I wouldn’t have accepted it. If I am lacking, I will eventually have no choice but to step down from this position.’

That was his mindset.

As he expected, the rumors soon died down, and he gained the recognition of the people.

“That man is Count Raster’s child? He doesn’t look like him at all.”

“Huh? Why are you comparing a human to a beast?”

“He may be a bastard, but since he received a knighthood, his origin is no longer an issue… Does he have any marriage prospects?”

“Damn, I don’t want to deal with the Count, though.”

A continuation of a mundane yet honorable life.

People spoke not of slander, but of his virtuous character, and talked of the talent that had blossomed at a young age.

His future as a leading figure of the Empire was promised.

Socializing with friends, demonstrating achievements, and receiving the respect of others.

Having overcome the wounds of his childhood, he had seized a happy life.

He thought that living like this would be enough.

Mirane believed so.

However, his wish was not granted…

“Mirane Raster. You are to marry Grand Duke Wallenstein.”

It was because of the bolt from the blue that arrived one day.