Chapter 78.2

Eli, who saw Canillia for the first time in a while, was so excited that he didn’t know what to do but circled around. So Canillia petted him, kissed his nose and rubbed his cheeks.

Claude couldn’t help but laugh at Eli’s change, as he was so elegant and proud before.

“His personality changed with his owner.”

“That’s a good thing right?” asked Canillia.

“Who knows.”

Claude helped Canillia up on the horse. Canillia got on easily, held on to the reign and looked at Kieran, who was standing on the other side. Kieran, who was chatting with Rosina, felt her stare and looked up.

Canillia looked calm and bright for someone who was accused by the Marchioness. On the other hand, Kieran felt regrets about his life and belief up until now.

“It was…. Mother who took me to the lake.”

He spat out something he held down for so long for his mother’s honor and for the Vale family’s name. But his father’s reaction was completely unexpected.

“I know. I don’t know how you know, but I think it’ll be best if we don’t talk about it.”

The fact that he knew already made Kieran blank out in shock.

“It’s in the past. It’s too late to change it… So I was trying to find Laura later to help her with her life, but it’s not easy.”

“How… How could you do that? If you’re going to bury the truth, then should that kid at least be happy…? Look at Canillia now! She couldn’t get out of the past and is being torn apart by mother! It’s treason, father. Mother… Was trying to make her into a treasonous person!”

“Kieran! That we just have to persuade your mother. I’m sure your mother will calm down once we give Lia freedom and send her off far away.”

“Father…”

“It’s too late. Your mother is part of the Vale family. If your mother’s honor declines, then so does our family’s. So… Let’s forget about the past.”

It was a shameful night.

But what bothered him more was Canillia, who was laughing like nothing happened.

The horses started moving on the prince’s signal.

Eli, who had Canillia on the back, and Claude’s black horse were so contrasting that it caught people’s attention.

Kieran looked up at the blue sky. His father’s teaching of being someone who wouldn’t do something shameful was gone.

“Canillian.”

Kieran went to her.

Claude looked at him alertly. But he stepped back at Lia’s signal and he started riding by Prince’s side.

A woman that the Grand Duke loves is controlling him, Kieran thought. Does she know that controlling the Grand Duke is the same thing as controlling the Empire?

“Kieran, you’re thin. Have you not been sleeping well?”

Her hands that were holding the reign was pale as she greeted him.

“Yes… I couldn’t sleep.”

“Oh no, you have to take care of yourself,” Lia said, her voice laced with sincere concern.

“Lia, are you okay? How are you… okay?”

She smiled and frowned a little while shaking her head.

“I’m not really fine. It’s such a shame.”

“Why aren’t you angry? I’ll persuade mother. So–”

“Kieran.” Canillia looked down and her lips curved up a little. It looked like she was scoffing. “To be angry… I long to be happy. I think it’s mother… That has anger.”

“Canillia,” Kieran began.

“You should be on mother’s side. I’m going to be on the other side. And I won’t be able to ask you for help. I know how much you were suffering when you were little. I know you can’t forgive what my mother did to you. So you can hate me.”

His vision blacked out as he heard that.

Lovely Canillia. A kid who always smiled like an angel even in a place full of lies. She always tried her best. There was no luck in her life. Everything was achieved with her effort.

How was he on the other hand? He was able to have everything just because he was born and he lived life thinking that was his right.

It was shameful. Even the wind felt like it was making fun of his foolishness and shame.

Kieran grabbed Canillia’s hand as he was so ashamed.

“No, Lia. You’re wrong. Your mother… Never hurt me.”

***

The horses stopped at the hill of the palace. It showed Etaire’s downtown as well as Louvre.

Wade stopped the horse, took out a binocular and put his Empire in his eyes.

Some were poor and hungry and some were living luxuriously. The difference in wealth was naturally made, but the Empire right now showed no result for individual’s effort.

“It’s a shame about Sir Canillian, young Marquis. Seems like the Marchioness had some tough time.”

“Sorry for concerning you, Your Highness,” apologized Kieran.

“That’s Louvre. Isn’t it… Like a black hole?” asked Wade.

“Yes…”

“Even there…. My people are living there. Why did father abandon that place….”

Everyone stared at Louvre as he mumbled. A place where even the sun wouldn’t shine down. A shadow that was closest to the light.

But that was something people made up.

Louvre wasn’t a place of crime. It was just that those who committed crime hid into Louvre. Just like all the people in Louvre aren’t criminal, Louvre itself wasn’t the root of evil.

Lia felt something weird watching Louvre from afar. She was a little sad.

“Please take care of the people in Louvre, those people who will become your citizens,” Canillia said as she bowed to show respect to the Prince.

He softly put his hand on her shoulder. “Pray that my reign will come as soon as possible, Sir Canillian.”

Wade stared deeply into her. He laughed vicariously as he walked on.

Claude stood behind Canillia, who was frozen on the spot. Then he put his hands on her shoulders and lowered himself like he was going to whisper into her ears. But, he kissed her cheek instead. Her honey coloured hair smelled good.

Her eyes and cheek both became red. And as he kissed her lips, she bit her trembling lips.

“Louvre was that dark….”

“Light and shadow are always together.”

Her eyes had the dark world in her eyes.

Lovely and beautiful Canillia, he thought. Even if someone gave him the entire Empire, he wouldn’t exchange it for her.

He took Lia’s slumped hand, kissed it and whispered.