The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

Over ten times the distance from the Empire to Felosite lay the northern Helsing province.

The Donovan Barony estate was situated at the furthest northern reaches of this region.

Known since antiquity for its harsh, bitterly frigid climate, the estate’s fortifications were reputed to be extraordinarily robust.

However, this explosive incident had reportedly obliterated those defenses entirely.

“Baron Donovan and the Baroness were both discovered deceased amidst the devastation. The imperial palace has dispatched an investigative team, urgently requesting Felosite’s support personnel as well.”

And so my birthday festivities transitioned into coordinating this investigative deployment.

“For our contingent – myself, Sylonne, Gebino along with knights from his order should suff-“

“I’ll go too.”

When I volunteered, everyone shook their heads as if in unspoken consensus.

“I know Beatrice best here. I must confront her motives directly.”

Though furrowing his brow, Lucian seemed unable to formulate a viable counterargument.

“Very well then. And you too will-“

“Me as well! I’m going too!”

This time, Jonathan raised his hand insistently.

The Count and Countess attempted dissuading him, but to no avail.

“And just why must you…”

Once more, Lucian clutched his head in exasperation.

“Is there another healer of my caliber in this entire Empire?”

A hush fell over the grand hall – for none could dispute Jonathan’s unparalleled prowess.

“Child, you are still too young for such affairs. Let the adults handle this…”

The Countess gingerly tried reasoning with him, but Jonathan’s next words overruled us all:

“Then who will tend to any wounded people there?”

“…”

Ultimately joining the Helsing expedition: Lucian, Sylonne, Gebino with two additional knights, myself, Jonathan, and the unexpectedly eager Archmage Tenziyon.

“Huh! Brother?”

The following day, upon the imperial investigative team’s arrival, their leader turned out to be Gabriel himself.

Surprisingly, the imperial contingent numbered a mere three. 

Gabriel, the palace mage Tulrak whom I had previously collaborated with on magical devices, and a young knightly recruit named Gerdin whom Gabriel had personally brought along for his swordsmanship prowess.

“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Princess, the glory of Castien.”

“Ah, I’m not actually the Crown Princess yet…”

“His Highness the First Prince expressly stated his refusal to ever assume the Crown Prince mantle! He insisted you be acknowledged as the definitive Crown Princess!”

The overly energetic Gerdin seemed practically indoctrinated by Gabriel.

Catching my sidelong glance, Gabriel merely shrugged nonchalantly.

And so our combined task force of eleven set forth towards Helsing.

As regular imperial carriages would prove too slow for that lengthy journey, we divided into three of Felosite’s self-propelled transports.

I rode alongside Gabriel, Tulrak, and Gerdin in one carriage.

The latter two spent the entire time gawking wide-eyed, marveling at every aspect of this innovative vehicle.

“How is such a feat even possible? Felosite’s technological marvels truly surpass all expectations, Your Highness.”

“I was just as dumbfounded my first time too. I kept wondering if the horses would suddenly vanish… oh?”

Through the window, we spotted another carriage stopped alongside the road, seemingly broken down.

A nobleman appeared to be attempting repairs through magic or divine power, but without success.

The coachman and an older woman – likely his maidservant – paced about anxiously.

“Let’s stop for a moment.”

10. The Family Head of the Donovan Barony

“What a dreadful situation this is, young master! Whatever shall we do?”

“Lairah, please try to remain calm.”

The young man attempting to placate the middle-aged woman’s fretting spoke in the distinct dialect of the Helsing region, punctuating his words with a deep sigh.

His vibrant pink hair, unusually prominent nose bridge, towering stature and rugged olive complexion projected an uncultured, laborer-like demeanor directly at odds with his refined silk and velvet noble attire – undeniable proof of his aristocratic breeding.

‘Of all the inopportune times for this deficiency to manifest…’

Though his family line possessed an innate divine power affinity, his years abroad studying in the southern nations had allowed that ability to atrophy from disuse.

Too preoccupied with rigorous physical conditioning and historical studies, he now regretted neglecting its cultivation.

“Dammit!”

Losing his temper, the man violently kicked aside what he had mistaken for a mere pebble.

“Young master! Your foot, it’s bleeding!”

The object was actually a jagged rock fragment embedded in the ground, resulting in a deep gash across his foot.

Misfortune compounded misfortune, it seemed.

‘What to do now…’

Hurrying homeward to address his parents’ dire situation, his journey had reached an impasse.

At that very moment, three peculiarly shaped larger carriages pulled up beside them.

One of the doors opened, and a petite woman with mint-green tresses descended gracefully.

“Do you perhaps need some help?”

Her refined enunciation and enigmatic aura unmistakably marked her noble upbringing at a single glance.

Before he could interject, the maidservant Lairah scurried over eagerly, words tumbling forth:

“Oh heavens above, a holy messenger come to our aid! You see, young master just returned from abroad and hired this carriage when…”

The woman listened patiently with a gentle smile as Lairah prattled on.

Shockingly, the mint-haired youth who emerged next proved an immediately recognizable face:

“His Highness the Crown Prince Gabriel…?”

The young man seemed to reciprocate his recognition as well.

“You must be Christian Donovan, are you not?”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince! I am graced by Castien’s resplendent glory!”

Christian promptly knelt, offering the traditional Castien salute of respect towards Gabriel.

Indeed the Crown Prince himself, just as Christian had suspected.

Then the woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Gabriel could only be…

“Oh my, Baron Donovan himself? You’ve become entirely unrecognizable!”

Princess Karena, Christian’s childhood infatuation before abandoning those feelings upon her betrothal to his sister.

‘So the Princess has blossomed into such magnificent beauty and grace.’

Not just outwardly stunning, her demeanor towards the maidservant Lairah exemplified a warmth seldom seen among nobility.

Awestruck admiration tinged with lingering tender affections caused Christian’s gaze to glimmer rapturously.

Witnessing this, Lucian could no longer contain himself, abruptly disembarking from the carriage.

“Are you the new Lord of Donovan Barony?”

Before Christian could finish his question, Lucian swiftly interjected while possessively embracing Karena:

“I am the Archduke of Felosite and Karena Leblanc Felosite’s husband.”

Though visibly taken aback, Christian maintained an unexpectedly gracious demeanor as he extended his hand cordially.

“Ah, the renowned Archduke of Felosite himself. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”

“What’s gotten into you, Brother?”

Sylonne came marching over, puncturing the tense atmosphere with her brusque candor:

“We’re in a rush here! Either help these people quickly or let’s just go!”

Thankfully, Sylonne’s intervention defused the situation then and there.

“I take it you were heading to Helsing as well?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Though as you can see, our carriage has broken down…”

“Then why not accompany our party? Your thoughts, Your Highness?”

Though displeased, Lucian had no choice but to acquiesce to Gabriel’s proposal.

“Very well, but I will determine the seating arrangements myself.”

And so Christian joined their expedition to Helsing.

Cutting through the palpable awkwardness, Christian addressed Lucian directly:

“My apologies, but might I ask about something?”

Christian now rode alongside Lucian, Sylonne, and Gebino.

“Ask someone else. I’m too weary for this nonsense.”

Lucian rudely turned away, gesturing towards his sister seated opposite.

“You are Lady Sylonne, correct?”

Bearing an uncanny, almost intimidating resemblance to her regal brother despite her femininity and elaborate braided coiffure.

And like her appearance, Sylonne’s demeanor proved equally daunting, openly hostile even.

“What is it?”

“I have been away from the Empire for quite some time… so my knowledge remains incomplete. Why is my sister not accompanying us?”

At those words, Sylonne’s jaw dropped incredulously, her prior hostility evaporating.

Regarding Christian with apparent bewilderment, she stammered a disbelieving question:

“You… you really don’t know, do you?”