Your Greatest Mistake Was Me のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Vaeldric POVIn twelve years of military service, I had led wars at the border, faced rebellions, and even witnessed a neighboring kingdom collapse because of internal conflict.But this morning, for the first time, I saw panic inside my own family's headquarters.The atmosphere felt different the moment I entered Ashbourne Holdings' main office. Too many people were waiting. They all looked the same, their faces tense and filled with confusion.For the past few days, there had been so many emergency meetings that some had already started before I even arrived."General Ashbourne."Several directors immediately stood when I entered the main conference room. I gave a brief nod before taking my seat."Begin."No one dared waste time. The large screen at the end of the room immediately displayed the latest reports. The finance director stood first."Vermont Royal Bank has suspended the renewal of seven major credit facilities currently used by A

"The first time, an entire noble house disappeared."I stared at Lucien. Several questions immediately came to mind. But instead of asking them, I brushed the thoughts aside and said,"You're joking.""Father never jokes about business."The smile was still there, but this time it didn't reach his eyes. Lucien looked serious. There was no sign that he was teasing me like he usually did.And somehow, that was far more worrying than all his mockery.I tried to remember which part I had missed that made me forget how ruthless Father could be. Was I simply too young to be involved back then? Or had I just forgotten?"Twenty years ago, there was a house that thought they were smarter than Father." He explained without being asked."And?"I was genuinely curious about the rest. Even though part of me still wondered whether this was a real story or just another one of Lucien's inventions."And they lost." His gaze drifted toward the sky, which had be

Sebastian had just finished speaking. Yet no one in the room responded immediately. For a moment, I thought I had misheard him.What was that again? An investigation into Aurion? Those two words shouldn’t belong in the same sentence. It didn’t make sense. It felt fabricated—forced.Because Aurion was already dead. I was one of the people who buried him. I had even cried until there were no tears left. So what was there left to investigate?“What do you mean?” I asked quietly.Sebastian opened another tablet. “A request was submitted three days ago by House Ashbourne.”I immediately knew who was behind it. Not Vaeldric—Magnus Ashbourne. No wonder Vaeldric had warned me yesterday.“I was just thinking,” Lucien broke the silence, idly swirling his teacup. “Magnus made a very calculated move.”I frowned. “Calculated?”“Because if he attacks the Vermont business, it becomes a war between families. If he attacks you directly, it becomes personal.”“And

Knock. Knock.For the first time since I moved out of our bedroom, I knocked on Vaeldric's door.He stared at me blankly, as though he couldn't believe I was standing in front of the room we had shared for the past six years.For a moment, his face brightened when he saw me. Then his expression fell when he realized I wasn't carrying anything.The smile that had briefly appeared disappeared just as quickly. The arm he had almost opened to pull me into a hug was immediately hidden behind his back."What is it, Sera? I thought you were coming back to your throne." He avoided my gaze.A small part of me still missed him. No matter how Vaeldric behaved outside these walls, he had always been a dependable husband at home.That was why I had trusted him completely, no doubt, nor suspicion."You destroyed that throne when you built another one with Lysara, Vaeldric." I kept my voice as flat as possible and even managed a smile."I only came to deliver a

CYRAN POVPeople think wars begin with bloodshed. They don't. Wars begin long before the first sword is drawn, though few ever realize it.To me, war has always been far more strategic than that. It begins the moment your opponent unknowingly takes the exact step you've already planned for them.And today, Magnus Ashbourne had done exactly that. I stood on the palace balcony, looking toward the Royal Valerion Cathedral rising above the capital.Soon, everything would begin. I only hoped every piece moved exactly where I had predicted."Your Highness."Nathan, my personal aide, bowed before handing me a thin folder."The hearing is about to begin.""I know." I accepted it without haste.Opening the report, I scanned each page. Nothing surprised me. Every line merely confirmed what I'd expected several days ago.House Ashbourne had first requested an investigation into Seraphina herself. The Church rejected it.Then they submitted another request. This time, under the name of Aurion's d