The House of Rabian
Aven Rabian, who had been bedridden, regained consciousness after nearly a week. Her usually aloof expression was now marred with deep concern.
She picked up a letter from the desk with her veined hand.
Such horrifying news.
After Vivi’s younger brother, Kyrie Rabian, completed his first coming-of-age ceremony, Aven urged him to learn the family’s duties as quickly as possible and sent him out.
She had no doubt that the bright child would catch the eye of the head of the Rabian family.
However, ten days ago, she received unbearable news.
The ship of the House of Rabian, which had set sail for another territory, had capsized in a storm. Not a single body, including that of Kyrie Rabian, who was aboard the ship, and one of his half-siblings, was recovered.
With a sharp crack, the letter in her hand crumpled as she squeezed it.
Born as the daughter of a lower noble family with only a title left, she had been coerced by her family into marrying the head of the Rabian family.
But he already had two wives.
And it didn’t take long before two more wives appeared after Aven.
Yes, the head of the Rabian family prided himself on his noble lineage, spreading his seed wherever he pleased. The more he spread his seed, the less pure the lineage would remain.
Yet, with his foolish ambition, he declared that he would pass the position of family head to the most outstanding of his children.
In a loveless relationship, she had borne two children. One was a half-wit who could never dream of taking on human form, and the other had left this world without even the chance to spread his wings.
With this, Aven was destined to fade into the shadow of the family.
She was well aware that the members of the House of Rabian, who came to offer their condolences, harbored hideous sneers behind their words, mocking her fall from grace.
“……”
Blindly.
Focusing only on the throne.
For twenty years, no, even longer.
Aven covered her eyes with her arm, swallowing her twisted despair and rage. Yet, the sobs she couldn’t fully suppress filled the bedroom.
The maid, observing her labored breathing, quietly stepped back. Aven was in no condition to hear any reports at the moment.
“What is it?”
A cracked voice echoed from behind, causing the maid to flinch and stop in her tracks.
“…A letter from the House of Danteon.”
“Bring it here.”
Danteon, a lower noble family in the black panther territory with ties to her. Aven frowned as she took the letter.
According to the news from the head of the House of Danteon, it seemed that the rumor about the next successor carrying around a rabbit was not baseless. A baby rabbit, with white fur.
No matter how she thought about it, it was strange. Ahin Grace, who was surrounded by nothing but ominous rumors, keeping a pet rabbit?
“Any other news?”
“The birth banquet of the Amon clan leader will be held soon.”
Amon, the leader of the rabbit territory. Aven, puzzled by the report that didn’t seem relevant to the situation, asked with curiosity.
“Isn’t a banquet not that important?”
“According to rumors… the one who attended last year’s banquet as the representative of the House of Grace was Ahin Grace.”
For a moment, a glimmer of interest flickered in Aven’s previously lifeless eyes.
The birth banquet of a territory’s leader and the next successor is a significant event, and invitations are sent to all the leading families across the continent.
For the black panther territory, which borders theirs, it would be inappropriate to substitute the attendance with mere tribute money, so there was a high chance they would attend again this year.
“…The head of the Rabian family will also attend, I assume. He enjoys such banquets.”
“I heard that he has already sent a letter to the clan leader’s family, expressing his desire to attend.”
What are the odds that Ahin Grace’s rabbit is Vivi Rabian?
With a tinge of fear creeping in, Aven rubbed her chest.
She should have dealt with it herself. Her foolish conscience had led her to abandon the matter in the black panther territory, and now it was coming back to haunt her.
“Do you think Ahin Grace will bring the rabbit to this banquet as well?”
“That… I wouldn’t know.”
It was impossible for the maid, who had a sound mind, to understand the thoughts of the unpredictable Ahin Grace. Aven, turning her back on the maid who was about to speak, waved her hand dismissively.
“…I want to rest a bit, so leave me for now.”
The maid bowed her head and quietly exited the bedroom.
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