Chapter 89

Kallaudin was forcing his temper under control.

“So… I wish I could develop a mine in Podilin.”

No matter how euphemistically he turned it down, the Emperor was tenacious. Kallaudin had to develop mines because the Empire’s iron ore supply was dwindling. However, it seemed unlikely that an iron ore mine would come out of Podilin.

“Your Majesty, as I said before, Podilin is surrounded by the Arollad Mountains, it is geologically different.”

He didn’t want to disturb Matilda’s sanctuary because of something that wasn’t even possible.

“Even if it’s a little farther away, Estia’s estate is more likely…”

“Then, I can tell you to develop it too. If you do both at the same time, won’t it come out somewhere?”

Kallaudin muttered to himself.

In fact, if it were not for his ambition to dominate the political world, he would have lived a life ignoring the greedy and petty Emperor. Even without much ties to the imperial family, Duchy Icard was wealthy enough.

‘But, if I refuse any further, I’m sure he’ll be offended and try to get revenge…’

The reason that he had to lower himself now in order to use black magic, and the instinct that he could never disturb Matilda’s tomb were fiercely battling.

“Duke, I don’t know why you’re being so tight. Can’t you even do that for the sake of the Empire?”

It was at that time that Kallaudin was finally going to shoot a gruesome retort according to his personality.

“Your Majesty… I am sorry, though Princess Elanie has sent an urgent message.”

With the sound of a knock, the handmaid brought unexpected news.

“Lady Icard suddenly fell ill, and she says it is a disease that needs to be seen by you.”

“What…? Is she ill? Now?”

Kallaudin jumped up without realizing it. His heart pounded, and his eyes went black.

‘Obviously, the doctor said she still had some time left…’

In fact, the words didn’t have much of a sense of reality. It was because Laria in front of him looked so healthy. The gap between what the doctor said and reality was so great that he didn’t actually feel her illness on the surface.

‘Besides, from a few years ago, it didn’t seem like she was even coughing at all, but right now…?’

Was it possible that Princess Elanie, who has a fiery personality, gave her stress, the source of all kinds of ailments?

Thinking that, Kallaudin whole body trembled, and his breathing began to become heavy.

“Yes. The Lady said that the Duke should take her quickly to the Duke’s residence.”

Rumors that the wife of Young Duke Icard was weak had been circulating for several years. So, they said that she was recuperating in the southern provinces without even stepping into the social circle of the capital.

The Emperor could not afford to tell Kallaudin not to go. This was because he already looked hesitant.

“Just go.”

The Emperor said, thinking, ‘Maybe, the wives are dying one after another because there is a curse in that house.’

“You have to take care of your daughter-in-law. We can discuss this matter again soon.”

Still, he added that he would never let it go.

“Thank you. I will take my leave.”

At that, Kallaudin gave his greetings and quickly walked, almost leaping after the handmaid.

‘If it had been a little late, I would have gone against the Emperor…’

Nonetheless, that wasn’t important. The carriage was too slow. If her condition was serious, he would have to hold her and run with the horse.

“Laria!”

When he opened the door of the Duchy’s carriage in a hurry, unexpectedly, Laria sat quietly.

“Fa…father.”

With a face the same as when she had come before, she smiled awkwardly.

“You didn’t have a lot of quarrels with His Majesty, did you?”

“…You—”

Even after seeing Laria, who was still in good shape, Kallaudin couldn’t believe it, so he stood there blankly for a long time.

Looking at him like that, she spoke cautiously.

“I am worried about you.”

Kallaudin suddenly realized that he was the one whom she was really worried about.

‘Why…? She was dying soon.’

The doctor said so, too. He knew it, and that was why he brought her…

A situation like this in which he ran, knowing that she was in critical condition, would surely come one day. It had been a long time since that time was so far away, so even if he said he loved her, now he knew that her death was just around the corner.

“How about taking some time for now? I don’t know what will happen in between…”

“…Well done.”

Kallaudin muttered unknowingly. It was almost a reflex response.

“If it was a mistake that occurred at a drinking party, there is room to cover it up… He is the one who will never get over the nuisance of a fingernail in such a normal place…”

At that, Laria smiled slightly.

“Even though you knew that, did father continue to say harsh words?”

Suddenly, he had a strange feeling.

The daughter-in-law before his eyes is in fact small and weak, and she had never played a role in the social world either. She was a child under the protection of Duchy Icard, and she was barely keeping herself alive.

…But, despite that nonsense, it made him think that she was protecting him somehow. It wasn’t just a simple wit of a day, it was a long time ago.

“There have been times when crises that could have gotten bigger just passed smoothly, and there are times when things can get a little more difficult, but there are also some tendencies that are easily resolved.”

When Evan said that, Kallaudin replied, ‘I guess it’s just because things are going well.’ He didn’t know why he suddenly remembered those words when he saw Laria.

“I hope I’m not too late. It’s really okay, right? I am worried that the relationship may have been irreversibly broken.”

“Haa, that’s a good thing…”

Kallaudin sighed and sat across in the carriage, clutching his forehead.

Not knowing she was going to die soon, Laria was worried about him now. Serena had been saying the same thing since the beginning…

“It looks like she’s getting better, but in fact, none of it has been cured. I don’t think she’ll be able to go past her early 20s.”

On the surface, she was really fine. That alone forced him to admit Serena’s name. Still, it was difficult for him to believe her words completely.

Whenever he saw the lively Laria, he thought, ‘No way… she’ll live longer when she looks so fine?’ So he had been putting off thinking more and more deeply.

However, as soon as he heard that she was seriously ill, all his emotions that had been blocked surged. His insides were starting to burn black enough to make his fingertips numb. He couldn’t even tell Laria that she was ‘going to die soon,’ and it was as if he was at a dead end.

Kallaudin thought he was afraid of the passing of time. He thought it was too easy to bring one person. He took it too lightly what it means to be affectionate and kind.

He couldn’t do this or that, so he just stood there blankly.

* * *

“Is she okay? I’m so worried…”

Elanie, who had sent Laria, was biting her nails and letting a sigh out.

“Is she okay? Oh, I just wanted to get to know her—huh…? Wait a moment. Don’t clean it up.”

The maid’s hand stopped quietly as she was about to clear the chessboard Elanie and Laria were playing. Staring at the chessboard, she pondered for a moment. Earlier, she didn’t focus on chess because she wanted to say something to Laria…

“…Amazing.”

After staring at the chessboard for a long time, she even gave a round of applause.

“She must be crazy. How do you play chess like this?”

She, too, had never been defeated by her chess. She wasn’t just making a bet with curiosity. By the way…

“If I kept moving this, would Laria win?”

She snorted as she stroked her chess piece.

“The fact that her brain is as pretty as her face has a twist! I like it so much. It’s thrilling, I loved it. The best… Oh, dear.”