Ⅰ
Count Bernaken had already guessed what the Marquis of Einhaas intended to do.
Reverse his aging!
Or rather...
Regain his youth!
After all, they knew each other far too well-over the past several decades, they had not merely been enemies; they also shared a distant blood relationship.
If anyone in the world understood the Marquis better than his wife did, the Old Count Bernaken would undoubtedly top the list.
That was why he had arrived a step ahead.
And he had prepared an argument suited to Viscount Windsor.
But...
He had misjudged Viscount Windsor's strength.
What a terrifying woman Windsor is.
She's far stronger than I expected.
Could it be...
The power of love?
The Old Count thought with a mischievous air.
Even at a disadvantage, the Old Count showed no impatience. Decades of experience had long since taught him that until the outcome was truly settled, moving a little slower was not necessarily a bad thing.
Lynn, however, stood beside him, consumed by shame.
The apprentice who doubled as a steward believed his mistake had caused this embarrassing situation.
So...
He had to make up for it!
Almost instinctively, Lynn looked deeper into the Manor.
Besides Viscount Windsor, her lover, Ross, was there.
Lynn's plan was simple: abduct Ross and bring Viscount Windsor back into line.
Given Viscount Windsor's feelings for Ross, Lynn believed this plan was certain to succeed.
But just as Lynn was considering when to act, a weight settled on his shoulder.
The Witcher apprentice and part-time steward looked up to find the Old Count wearing a solemn expression-
"There are things we may do, because our honor is at stake.
"There are things we must not do, because they cross my bottom line.
"When honor and our bottom line collide, we must hold fast