To The Traitor in My Bed - Chapter 39 - The Pure Blood of Leonhart

Chapter 20. The Pure Blood of Leonhart

It hadn’t been long since Lysander Cottenham returned from Count Fairchild’s banquet when he received a summons from the Swinton Military Headquarters.

He had previously reported that he would be staying in Rochepolie for a while to track down Ian Darnell and had already received permission from his superiors. So, this sudden summons puzzled him.

‘Well, there’s nothing to do. If they call, I have to go.’

He quickly gathered his things and rode off to Swinton. The main road through Merilbon was well-maintained, so despite the heavy snow, it didn’t cause much delay, and he arrived in the capital several hours earlier than expected.

Throughout his journey, Lysander repeatedly came across the Fairchild family’s daffodil emblem.

He saw it on the sleighs of the northern noblewomen, on the carts carrying goods across the roads, and even at the construction sites for bridges across the Merilbon and Monterey Rivers. The daffodil mark was the first thing he saw, and it frustrated him.

‘I thought Fairchild was just an idiot.’

An idiot couldn’t run a business, so he wasn’t literally an idiot. Still, from what Lysander had heard, Frederick Fairchild was cowardly and lacked a brain, which made him seem like a fool.

People who had met the Count would always trail off when describing him, saying things like, “Lord Rochepolie is a good person, but…”.

Lysander recalled the Count’s languid face. Fairchild had been quite friendly with him, and seemed unconcerned even when his wife had been insulted… But still…

‘There’s something more going on.’

What exactly that was, Lysander couldn’t say. If he had the ability to figure it out, he would have opened a fortune-telling shop instead of joining the military. Lysander preferred things to be clear, and he looked down on those who relied on their gut feelings.

That didn’t mean he was without intuition. He simply didn’t overestimate himself.

Furthermore, even if Count Fairchild had something going on, it didn’t necessarily have to be tied to crime. It could be something like being a perverted man who trains his pretty wife every night, or being a cowardly s*domite, or a disgusting p*dophile… well, that would be a crime.

Still, Lysander had to admit that his feelings about Fairchild were based on very little. Honestly, it also irritated him to see a woman like Deirdre Havisham putting up with such a dimwit.

‘Or maybe, surprisingly, that bastard is the type who gets dominant at night.’

He thought of the man, who had a delicate appearance but was just as tall as Lysander and didn’t lack in physique, and his irritation surged again.

However, when he finally learned the identity of the one who had called him to headquarters, all that irritation disappeared in an instant.

“It’s a summons from the King. Captain, tell me you didn’t get into any trouble in Rochepolie, did you?”

His superior asked.

“That’s not possible.”

Lysander quickly changed into his new uniform and headed toward the palace. He wondered if the king was personally calling him to reprimand him for not finding Ian Darnell yet.

County Cottenham family of Knox was a typical military family, with their ancestors earning the title of count for their achievements.

Going back through the generations, some had risen to the highest and most honorable positions, such as captain of the royal guard or commander of the royal knights.

Even after the knights were replaced by the military, that tradition continued. Counts and Viscounts of Cottenham had always served as military officers. They had pledged absolute loyalty to the Leonhart family but had no political ambitions.

Lysander had always been dissatisfied with that.

Knox itself was a land of little distinction. The Highland sheep grazed on the rough hills, in unnecessarily vast fields, and in the farming cottages’ sheepfolds. Sometimes, especially annoyingly, wool scraps and foul smells filled the warehouses, backyards, and even the main hall of Cottenham’s estate.

Unlike Rochepolie, which had valuable resources like mines, fine timber forests, and vast oil deposits that would one day become a new gold rush.

‘Cottenham has served the royal family so faithfully, we deserve more than this.’

That’s why Lysander Cottenham had become a military police rather than joining the army or navy. As a noble-born military police, he could set up connections in Swinton. If he was lucky, he might gain the opportunity to make a name for himself and catch the king’s attention.

Just like now.

“Captain Lysander Cottenham of the Swinton Military Headquarters, reporting to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Oh, Captain Cottenham.”

Christian gestured for him to sit.

Lysander was led not to the audience room, but to the king’s private reception room. He figured there must be something urgent since they had deliberately summoned someone from Rochepolie.

But he was curious as to why Queen Caroline was present. Of course, he didn’t ask.

The queen was weak and rarely attended official occasions. The crown adorned with diamonds and pearls seemed heavy on her frail head and the queen was so thin.

A man who would take interest in such a thin woman was probably some kind of p*rvert. In contrast, Christian appeared healthy and vigorous. With his black hair and golden eyes of Leonhart. The thirty-two-year-old king was undoubtedly at his prime.

“Your Majesty summoned me.”

“I heard you were in Rochepolie. Did you hear about Major Klein’s demotion?”

Major Klein was a high-ranking officer in the northern Antwerp military police. As of when Lysander had left, Klein had still been in his position.

Lysander responded cautiously.

“….I haven’t heard that news, Your Majesty.”