A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night-Chapter 71: Past revelations

Gabriel poured himself another drink, acting as if he had all the time in the world. "But, unfortunately, fate had other plans, didn’t it?" he mused. "The Poison of Death—mixed into a simple pastry. But the one who ate it... wasn’t you, but your sister."

Silence.

Kael’s hands clenched.

Gabriel’s tone remained light, but his words cut deep. "She was fated to die that night. But your mother—Lady Moonstone, ever so desperate—used a forbidden technique. She transferred your mana core into her, saving her life. And in doing so, she turned you into a cripple. And then your mother tried to undo her actions by using the forbidden ritual and gave you a new mana core. Alas, it was incompatible with your body and once your bright future turned into abyss."

Seraphina’s eyes widened. "Kael...?" She turned to him, searching for any sign of denial.

But Kael’s expression didn’t change.

He simply stared at Gabriel, his gaze cold.

In truth, he was laughing in his mind. "This fool thinks he knows everything. What he knows is half truth and half fabricated. Let’s test and see what kind of fabricated stories he knew so that I can narrow down to his source."

As Kael thought in his head, Gabriel indeed only knew half of the truth. He didn’t know that Kael had been born with two mana cores. One of them was transferred to his sister. His parents were worried that he would get too much attention if people knew that he had manifested twin mana cores during birth. So, they made up a fabricated story among close friends that they gave away his mana core to his sister and then used forbidden ritual to give him another one. As for staying as Tier-1, that was his ploy to fool the world.

Kael leaned forward, voice calm yet cutting. "And what else do you know about my family? My sister?"

Falling into Kael’s trap, Gabriel chuckled again, taking his time before answering. "When you were three years old," he began, "a man came to your house—carrying your father’s bloodied, half-dead body."

Kael felt Seraphina tense beside him.

"That man was Michael—an Archangel from the Silver City. A warrior who had lost his powers due to betr… unfortunate circumstances. Your parents took him in, let him stay as a guest." Gabriel paused, tilting his head slightly. "Your father became busier—working for the Queen’s flood relief efforts. And while he was away... your mother became close to Michael."

Kael’s fingers tapped rapidly against the armrest of his chair, knowing where this guy was going with the conversation.

Gabriel’s lips curled into something almost smug. "They had an extramarital affair," he said. "Even after your father returned, Michael remained in the household. No, your mother made sure of it. She is the head of the household. Naturally, your father couldn’t question her decision. They kept their secret behind closed doors—until one day, she became pregnant with your sister—No, your half sister."

Seraphina sucked in a sharp breath.

Gabriel sat back, eyes gleaming. "Then, Michael disappeared. Never to be seen again. There was a rumor that your father killed Michael after learning the truth. Another rumor states that your mother was too guilty to keep him around. I don’t know the truth. If you want to shed light on the matter, I’m all ears, but I won’t judge either way. You humans, especially the so-called nobles, are a bunch of sinners. Even your royal mother-in-law is no saintess."

He crossed his leg on the knee, waiting for the latter’s response. He was prepared to see some incredible rage, too. But to his surprise, Kael smiled.

It was not a pleasant smile, though.

Seraphina noticed it instantly—the way the air shifted around him. It was too familiar to her.

It only lasted a moment, but she remembered when she experienced the same feeling. It was ten days ago when Kael confronted the manager and threatened him with words.

Gabriel, however, was too pleased with himself to notice.

Kael let the silence linger a moment longer before speaking. "You’re good," he admitted. "But you’re also wrong, and since, I can now accurately guess where you find this secret. I know what else you know anyways."

Gabriel blinked. "Oh?"

Kael leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the table. His tone was calm but deadly. "The story you just told me?" he said. "It’s the fabricated one."

Gabriel’s smirk wavered slightly.

Kael continued, his voice growing softer—but sharper. "That was the lie my parents created. And do you know why?"

Gabriel didn’t answer.

Kael’s smile didn’t waver. "It was for the House stewardess. And for my mother’s closest friend—who just so happened to lead an information guild."

Seraphina’s fingers curled against her lap.

Gabriel still looked composed, but Kael could see it now—the slight tension in his jaw.

So, Kael delivered the truth.

"My father was nearly killed in a beast horde, orchestrated by the former Duchess of Aquareld because she was obsessed with him, and he refused to marry her. She thought if she didn’t get him, then she could not let him stay with others, too. And Michael was the one who saved him." He tapped a finger against the table. "But the injuries my father suffered were... severe."

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Gabriel stayed silent.

Kael’s voice remained smooth, unshaken. "His mana core was shattered. And he became impotent."

Seraphina’s eyes widened further.

Kael’s gaze stayed locked onto Gabriel, reading every flicker of reaction.

"The Moonstone family was left without an heir, and my mother did what she had to do—to preserve a 1,200-year-old legacy."

The air felt thicker now.

Seraphina swallowed.

Gabriel, for the first time, had no response.

Kael’s voice turned deadly quiet.

"It wasn’t an affair. She slept with him with my father’s consent, giving him one of the precious treasures of our house as compensation. After she found out that it was a baby girl, Michael no longer held any place in our house. He had to leave without being seen in the imperial city ever again. Because that’s the deal they made. As you see, there wasn’t any question of how my father could sacrifice his mana core to give me his mana core. And what happened that day to me, I would leave it at suspense."

The words hit like a blade to the throat for both Gabriel and Seraphina.

Kael then leaned back in his chair, watching Gabriel with cold amusement. "My mother felt guilty about it. That much is true," he said. "But not because of some romantic betrayal." His eyes darkened. "Because she loved my father more than anyone in this world. And she hated that she had to make that choice for the sake of her duties to the House, even though we no longer hold any titles or territories. On the other hand, she doesn’t want my sister to feel like she was born out of necessity either. So, she decided to make herself an infidel woman. At the very least, in the eyes of her closest friends, Mia would be seen born out of love."

Gabriel exhaled slowly, setting his drink down. For the first time since this conversation started, he looked unsettled.

Kael simply smiled. "Now," he said, folding his hands together as he leaned forward. "Shall we talk about why you really called me here? You want the Sword of Zurin, and I want my sister’s whereabouts. You said that I was lucky, and even if I consider myself lucky, I lack sufficient strength to claim the sword. So, in case I return empty-handed or something less worth than that treasure, I need something to re-negotiate with you. What does it take for you to give me the information, Gabriel?"

Gabriel took the wine glass again and took a sip in embarrassment. "Well, you can convince your mother-in-law, aka Remia Flamehart, to give up her celestial treasure of Elyria—Brisingamen, the golden necklace of Freyja."

"What!" Seraphina instantly reacted, almost standing up. "That’s impossible. Brisingamen is the treasure of Elyria. Only the Queen of Elyria is authorized to possess it. The moment it falls into others’ hands, the entire Elyria will be cursed. That’s why no matter what dynasty sits on the throne, the Queen will always possess it. There is absolutely no way it will be given to you."

Like Seraphina, Kael also knew the story about how the goddess of love, fertility, wealth, and gold was impressed with Mage Elyria and granted her the most beautiful and precious necklace in existence, shining with an otherworldly glow.

By wearing the necklace, one could attract any person of the opposite gender in an instant. When a woman wears the necklace, a man, unless he is transcendent or blind, regardless of his strength or his hatred for her, could never lift a weapon against her as soon as his eyes fell upon her. The weak-willed people would even become her slaves. So, basically, the Queen can get any man she wants as long as she wears that necklace.

Secondly, by merely possessing the necklace, one would never become poor. Money always somehow comes to their doorsteps in mysterious ways. That is why it is believed that the Flamehart Dynasty was incredibly rich for a Queedom, their wealth comparable to Empires.

Thirdly and most importantly, Brisigamen possessed the magical properties of divination. It allows its users to see prophecies that are linked to the fate of their loved ones, although it needs a Diviner to see it.

Even when there is absolutely no chance that the Queen will give up the necklace, Seraphina still argued with Gabriel as if he was being preposterous for even aiming at the necklace.

Kael, however, grabbed her hand and spoke softly. "Calm down. We’ll talk."

Gabriel, however, chuckled as if he retained his coolness again. "Unfortunately, Princess, all those things you believe are nothing more than myths. The necklace isn’t a goddess’ blessing to your people. Freyja just wants to make fun of you people."

"You..."