Chapter 65

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Joseph, who had stayed by her side and been with her for a long time, would be disappointed to learn that she was thinking this way. He had been willing to give up his comfortable life as a priest to protect her.

Still, just one last time, she wanted to believe that he [Alexis] really cared about her.

“Since the North is big and they might miss each other on the road, it would be better to send people to standby in a nearby area. We’ll ask Joseph if he can come to Meyer.”

“Meyer?”

“Yes. Joseph is probably thinking that Kathleen has been held captive by my brother and is being tormented. If Kathleen says she wants to trust brother, then you have to tell him. He will only listen to what Kathleen says.”

The music, which was flowing at a fast tempo, almost reached the end. Peter greeted her like a perfect gentleman and then gently grabbed Kathleen’s hand.

“I’ll take you to my brother.”

Peter had never forced Kathleen to make a choice. Except for the days when she thought of ending everything, she always respected her decisions. It was like that this time too. Her eyes felt hot, Kathleen forced herself to smile.

“Thank you, Peter.”

But before they could even take a few steps, Alexis approached and grabbed her hand. Peter smiled awkwardly and exchanged glances with Kathleen.

Alexis pulled Kathleen towards him and said firmly.

“It’s His Highness’ birthday so I allowed it once, but no more.”

“You came in dressed in matching couple’s robes. What are you worried about?”

Peter shook her head and winked at Kathleen.

“Then I’ll get going. Don’t worry.”

Like splitting the sea, a path appeared as he walked towards the podium. Peter’s eyebrows furrowed as Count Schenberg, who had been waiting silently, followed and whispered something.

“I’m sure he’s suggesting that he dance with one of the other ladies.” [Kathleen]

Alexis turned to her and said.

“That’s what I told him to do.” [Alexis]

“I didn’t know you were so meticulous that you would even care about His Highness’ partner.”

“Otherwise, Peter might grab my partner and not let go.”

Alexis claimed with a brazen face then changed the subject.

“But what did he mean not to worry?”

“It’s nothing.”

“I saw another man other than your husband trying to reassure you, and you want me to pretend I don’t know?” 

“It is really nothing. And he is not another man. He is the Duke’s younger brother.”

Alexis sighed and naturally grabbed Kathleen’s arm to link arms with him.

“Fine. Let’s stop talking about Peter.”

It was a gesture that was not allowed before. At the parties they used to attend, he had always kept a certain distance from Kathleen, but now, that behavior couldn’t be found.

Expectation began to pound and grow.

“Shall we go now? Peter will stay but we don’t have to.”

“I want to get some air.”

Kathleen asked cautiously.

“Why don’t we stop by the garden?”

The empress has already left so she won’t be near the banquet hall. Kathleen wanted to confirm it before she got in touch with Joseph.

Alexis moved without saying a word. As they left the banquet hall, a cool breeze blew past her hair. She had become exhausted after dancing non-stop in a crowded space, but now she had recovered her senses a little.

“Sit down.”

Alexis sat Kathleen on the chair in front of the fountain and lowered one knee. Without knowing what to say, she followed his gaze, and saw him raising the hem of her pearl-colored dress. Her high-heeled shoes that had been cramping her feet came off.

There was relief at her feet that had been freed but the throbbing pain still lingered. Alexis began to gently massage her overworked feet.

“W-What are you doing now?”

“I thought I saw you staggering earlier.”

“It has always been like that when I go to a party. It’s not a big deal, so you don’t have to pay attention…”

She rushed to push him away because the hand rubbing the soles of her feet felt ticklish. In that strange mood, Kathleen bit her lip.

“It has always been like that, but now I know.” He said softly.

“I’ve never thought about whether your feet hurt, until now.”

“…………..”

“I don’t want you to get hurt anymore.”

The words that were thrown pierced her chest and rumbled. When Kathleen did not resist, he stroked Kathleen’s feet to the end. Warmth permeated through her thin silk stockings.

“Duke.”

Kathleen looked down at him and asked.

“I want to ask you something. I hope you can answer me without lying.”

“Anything.”

I want to believe in you.

Because you were the first person I wanted to approach since I was born.

Kathleen lowered her skirt and put her shoes back on. Golden eyes filled with questions looked up at her. His eyes were not as cold as before so she gathered courage.

“If I say I will stay by your side, can you promise that you will inflict no harm to Joseph?”

As soon as he heard Joseph’s name, his lips hardened. But it was something he had to endure. Kathleen continued.

“He was the one who said that he would give up everything for me. He was the one who stood by me even when the Duke doubted me and didn’t look back. So please promise me. You will not threaten his life, nor will you stop him from meeting me.”

He got up slowly. The hand, which had just been gently stroking her foot a while ago, was clenched so hard that the bones on the back protruded.

“If you trust me completely and do that, I think I will be able to forgive you, Duke.”

Waiting for Kathleen to finish speaking, he answered slowly.

“I promise.”

It wasn’t spoken quickly, but the answer was filled with sincerity.

“I trust you now, I will not try to harm him, nor will I stop him from meeting you.”

The fear from being rejected melted away in an instant. As joy replaced her anxiety, Kathleen took out her handkerchief, soaked it in the water from the fountain, and then wiped his hands. But before she could wipe them, Alexis pulled her arm and hugged her. 

And just when she was about to embrace him with trembling hands…

The music from the banquet hall stopped, the gate leading to the terrace opened, and Peter hurried out with Count Schenberg following behind. Several armed escort knights from afar joined them and were heading somewhere.

Instead of music, a bell rang announcing the end of the party in the banquet hall. The party was originally planned to go on until dawn, but something must have happened.

“What happened?”

There was no attendant at the outside garden as only the royal family was allowed to enter. It seemed that they would have to go back to the banquet hall to understand what was going on.

“Well.”

Alexis took her hand and said.

“Let’s go back to the duke’s residence for now. Peter seems to be heading to the Empress’ Palace so I don’t think it’s a trivial matter.”

Kathleen nodded her head. However, as soon as they were about to leave the garden, they were forced to stop because of the attendants who ran out panting.

“You were here, sir. We’ve been looking for you for a while.”

“What’s going on?”

“His Highness has told us to bring Your Grace.”

“I have no intention of going unless you tell me why.”

Alexis replied sternly, took Kathleen and passed by. The other nobles were already waiting to board their carriages.

It was a sight reminiscent of a battlefield where an order to retreat was issued.

The carriage of the Walten family, which was already on standby, was also waiting for the duke and duchess. As Alexis had just opened the carriage door and let Kathleen in, one of the restless attendants following them exclaimed in a hurried, low voice.

“His Majesty the Emperor is in critical condition.”

The people of the Empire knew that the emperor, who had been bedridden for nearly ten years, would never rise again, and it would not be surprising if he died without recovering from that state. However, it was unexpected that that time was right after the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony.

“He says he will leave a will.”

But Alexis answered without being shaken.

“The imperial law states that only the heir may protect His Majesty the Emperor on his deathbed.”

“But, His Majesty said that he will not leave a will without Your Grace’s presence.”

Alexis let out an annoyed sigh at the incessant persuasion of the attendant. No wonder, the Empress would not have tolerated him attending the Emperor’s deathbed otherwise. She needed a will to hand over the throne to the Crown Prince, even if it’s just for official purposes.

From the moment he abandoned him and his mother, the emperor was no longer a father to him, but since he decided to hand over Joseph as soon as he saw him, he thought that he should give the last mercy for Peter’s sake as well.

“Don’t worry about me and go.”

Kathleen noticed his concern and said.

“I’ll wait.”

“No, you must go back to the duke’s residence first.”

There will be no battle for the throne, but if the emperor dies, there will be chaos for a while. She had to be evacuated to a safe place, as an earthquake might hit in the next few days.

“I’ll follow you soon.”

He lowered his head, kissed Kathleen’s forehead, and closed the door.

“Take the duchess safely.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The carriage soon departed. Kathleen looked back at Alexis who was wearing the duke’s robes. Seeing him disappear into the darkness gave her a strangely disturbing feeling.

‘Why are you doing this…’

She hadn’t met the emperor very often so she didn’t know Alexis and Peter’s father very well. 

The long line of carriages heading towards the gate of the Imperial Palace decreased one by one. The Walten family’s carriage, who joined the return procession a little late, was finally able to leave the palace after a long time.

The carriage was just about to enter the secluded road to the Duke of Walten’s residence in the quiet night.

It wasn’t even a gravel road, but the carriage suddenly rattled loudly, then the coachman’s screams were heard.

“Aack!”

“What’s going on?”

She asked the coachman, but there was no answer. She was about to open the door connected to the coachman’s seat from the inside when…

The horse ran wild at the sound of something breaking. At the same time, the carriage shook violently causing Kathleen to fall to the floor.

‘…Someone’s out there.’

She had a terrifying hunch. And before she could stand up, the carriage door swung open.

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