A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 102: The Day the Film Cut Out

“Haa...”

Several days after my visit to the back alley to confront the Emperor.

Back in the office of the mansion, while reviewing paperwork, I leaned into my chair with a heavy sigh.

“What the hell happened...”

It wasn’t that the work itself was particularly intense.

By now, I’d gotten used to the duties of managing the household, and to be honest, most of it was now being handled by Parsha anyway.

For reference, what would take me an hour to complete, Parsha could finish in ten minutes.

Truly insane efficiency. If this were the modern world, she’d probably be on a rocket path to executive promotion. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

‘Just what happened that day...’

Anyway, the reason I was sighing like this wasn’t because of paperwork—but because of what happened during the conversation with the Emperor a few days ago.

‘...Why is it all so blurry?’

I clearly remember being displayed like an object under the brazen gazes of noblewomen, then being purchased and dragged off by the Emperor.

After that, I remember talking with her and getting cornered when her puppetmaster ally appeared—so I decided to use my “last resort.”

The problem is, everything after that is foggy and unclear.

I’ve never really drunk alcohol since my body was weak, but I’ve fainted often enough to know what it feels like when “the film cuts out.”

This isn’t a complete blackout, but more like fragmented, hazy bits of memory—like static between clear images.

‘I was talking with the Emperor... then suddenly Lady Meredia appeared... and after that... a dog leash?’

The problem is, even those broken shards of memory aren’t helping me piece anything together.

—Shff...

The only lead I have is a single photograph stored in the video orb that somehow ended up in my pocket when I came to.

“......”

Just looking at that picture sends a chill down my spine.

‘What the hell is this...’

In that crystal orb was an image of me in the Emperor’s room—foot pressing down on some woman I didn’t even recognize, a leash looped around her neck.

‘What the hell did I do to end up with a photo like this...’

She’s dressed in a humiliating cosplay outfit—with dog ears and a tail—and I have no idea who she is or why I was stepping on her.

If this is the magical-world equivalent of a drunken blackout, I’m in serious trouble.

If Lady Meredia saw me like this—leading this kind of depraved lifestyle—I’d be slapped on the spot and dragged into a divorce proceeding. (Even though we’re not married yet.)

“Remember, remember, remember...”

Sweating coldly, I tried to shock myself back into clarity by banging my head on the desk. No luck.

—W-What do we do?

—Shouldn’t we go in?

—No, we didn’t hear anything... nothing at all...

Instead, I could only hear the nervous chatter of the new maids and Sasha outside the office.

Are they treating me like some kind of urban legend now?

“Master, what’s wrong?”

“...Ah, hmm.”

While awkwardly scratching my head, Parsha—still with her head down at her desk—suddenly asked me a question.

“It’s nothing. Ha ha...”

“Is that so?”

Honestly, if I showed Parsha this photo, she’d probably figure it out right away.

But there was no way I was going to show something like this to someone practically a younger sister. I shook my head with tearful resolve.

“Then I’ll get back to—”

“...Wait, Parsha. You’re bleeding from your nose.”

“Oh, that’s normal.”

Now that I looked closer, blood was pouring from Parsha’s nose.

“I still think you should take a break. No, I order you to go rest.”

I was trying to coax her gently—until I saw the mountain of blood-soaked tissues piled beside her desk and shook my head in disbelief.

“What am I supposed to do during a break?”

“...Um, maybe pick up a hobby?”

“I don’t have any hobbies!”

Listening to her was making me feel more and more like I’d been running a child into the ground like some evil boss.

“Parsha, let’s talk for a—”

“Oh! But I guess I do have something I could call a hobby!”

Wiping her nose with a tissue, Parsha’s eyes sparkled as she suddenly brightened.

“What is it?”

“Reading the newspaper!”

“...The newspaper?”

Not exactly a typical hobby for a kid her age, but at least she had something, and I was glad for that.

“Ha ha, I enjoy newspapers too. You get news from all over—”

“Murder cases, missing persons, and unsolved crimes are the best!”

“...Excuse me?”

Apparently, her reasons for enjoying newspapers were... unique.

“Sometimes I even solve some of the crimes myself! It’s good mental exercise during breaks. Hehe.”

“...I see?”

“Did you know I’ve solved thirteen serial murders and cold cases in my head? Not that I plan to report them—evil shouldn’t do good things, after all...”

Should I be encouraging her since she’s so enthusiastic...?

Still, who exactly is this “evil” she’s talking about?

“But this one—I just don’t get it!”

While I was still puzzling over her words, Parsha suddenly handed me today’s paper, her eyes still glittering with excitement.

“...Hmm?”

Curious what kind of case even Parsha couldn’t make sense of, I turned to the article—then tilted my head at what I found.

“Suspicious Posters Targeting the First Prince Spreading Across the Empire”

“I know the First Prince’s deepest secret.”

These strange posters, first seen in the back alleys, have begun appearing across the Empire simultaneously.

Strangely, the only content is the sentence above—no additional details.

Some believe it’s just a cruel prank, but others say the scale is too large for mere mischief.

A few individuals scoff, saying the First Prince always gets involved in scandals, so what’s the fuss?—earning them sharp rebukes from the Imperial Palace...

As I read through the article, I couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle.

The author tried to downplay the reaction as coming from “a few individuals,” but I’d bet 90% of the Empire thinks exactly like that.

‘Still... this is a bit concerning.’

If I were a clueless civilian, I’d have thought the same. But I do know the First Prince’s—no, the First Princess’s—secret.

Could she have slipped up again and exposed her disguise?

‘Maybe I should check in on her soon...’

Now that I think about it, for someone who called me her friend, she sure hasn’t contacted me at all.

Not that I want her to. Handling her chaotic energy is... a full-time job.

—Uh, should we go in!?

—W-We have to deliver the message...

As I tapped my desk, lost in thought, I sighed and spoke up at the sound of the maids whispering outside the door.

“...Come in.”

—Eek!

—H-He heard us!

Even with the door closed, if you're standing right outside and muttering, of course I’ll hear you.

“A-Ah, hello... M-Master...”

“W-We bring urgent news...!”

“Yes, yes.”

Still resting my chin in my palm with a kind smile, I watched them come in trembling and let out a soft sigh.

‘Feels like Sasha multiplied somehow.’

Well, that’s not wrong—Sasha’s now the head maid, and apparently her trembling followers are multiplying.

She still flinches at everything, but maybe with a few more years under her belt, she’ll develop some composure.

“T-The Prince...”

“Excuse me!?”

Lost in thought, I was suddenly snapped back by what they said.

I didn’t physically jolt—but internally, I definitely did.

“T-The First Prince has arrived!”

“...Ah.”

Of course. My ominous premonition was spot on.

“No way...”

Even before they finished, I rushed to the window and flung it open.

“Whitney Ringaarden~!!!”

And there it was—a thunderous shout from far away, calling my name.

“Lend me your help~!!!”

“......”

“Aren’t we friends~!!!!!”

For a second, I was this close to slamming the window shut and telling them to turn the guest away.

But I clenched my jaw and forced a smile.

“He’s my friend. Please bring him in.”

“Eek! Y-Yes, sir!”

“...And inform the staff to prepare to receive His Highness.”

Ugh. I can already feel another Katarina-related disaster coming on.

Still, having her on our side could be... useful?

After all, I did win my last confrontation with the Emperor.

So is there really a need to invest more energy into Katarina?

‘Damn it, I’m thinking dark thoughts again.’

She’s a pain in the ass, sure—but honestly, she’s also a little pitiful.

If she made headlines, then as the First Prince, she should have a dozen aides helping her—but instead, she runs here with no allies.

Watching her run toward me soaked in rain... she almost looks like a wet puppy. My heart hurts just a little.

Fine, whatever. If I help her this time, maybe I can ask for something in return ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ lat—

“Um, Master.”

Just as I composed myself and stepped out of the office, Sasha popped her pale face in and spoke with a teary voice.

“...His Highness, um... tried to force his way into the mansion.”

“......”

“A-And he started fighting with the Ringaarden knights.”

“...Oh, come on.”

Never mind everything I just thought.

***

“Hmmm...”

Meanwhile, deep in the forest just in front of the Ringaarden estate—

“An unexpected guest has arrived.”

Perched atop a black wolf, a woman with dark energy stroking its mane whispered with a chilling smile.

“Still, the plan must go on.”

She was none other than the second-in-command of the Shadow Alliance who had approached Whitney through Lumen Ordo.

“The time for the Shadow Gathering has come, Sir Whitney.”

A master of black magic and a cunning strategist.

The Shadow Witch.