Chapter 72

“I remember when I bandaged you before.”

“I remember that too.”

“You were surprised, weren’t you?”

I laughed and pulled myself away from him. It was already a small pendant to me, but because Valery was so big, it looked really tiny when it was hung on his neck. Maybe that’s why it looked a little cute.

“It looks good on you.”

Suddenly, his lips touched my forehead for a moment and fell. Before I knew it, his expression was completely relaxed.

* * *

I realized that I had been thinking of him unknowingly while I rested, fiddling with the pendant.

I wanted to see him because he always made me feel comfortable. Contrary to my intention to just pretend, I unknowingly held him in my heart. Calming down my confused mind, I got up from the bed, shook my head. Then, completely suppressing my emotions, I grabbed the doorknob.

“Ian.”

I went down the stairs and found Ian. Fortunately, because he was with one of his subordinates, I was able to meet him without having to wait..

“You haven’t sent a letter yet, have you?”

“I’m just about to send it.”

I approached him and held out my hand. “Just give it to me. And you, go tell my mother that I want to have dinner with her. I have something important to tell her.”

When I told the subordinate standing next to me, he bent down.

“Yes, I’ll be right back.”

“Yes, you have been working hard.”

The subordinate hurried out of the front door. Ian asked, following me as I turned back to the office.

“Are you thinking of going there yourself?”

“Yes. I’ve changed my mind. I have something to do and bring. And There’s something I need you to do.”

“Say anything.”

I grabbed the office door handle and turned it around. Then I went in and turned around as soon as Ian closed the door.

“While I spend time with my mother after dinner, you talk to Sir Shubart. Using the story about the prince would be good. You know what you had to do, right?”

“I understand. Is it okay to only bring a few strands of hair?”

“Yes, I heard it would work. Be careful not to make Sir Shubart suspicious.”

Ian bowed his head.

“Yes, don’t worry. Is there anything else you want me to do?”

“By evening. Ah, call Nina while you are on the way.”

Delaying didn’t solve the problem anyway. Knowing it later would make my head complicated, so I decided to check it with my own eyes, thinking that it would be better to strike first. Even thought my senses already know the outcome.

Not long after Ian left, Nina knocked on the door and came in.

“Lady, I put some honey in my lemon tea, would you like to try it?”

Then she walked quickly and put the cup down on my desk. A refreshing lemon scent wafted through the air.

“Thank you.”

As soon as I lifted the tea cup and put it in my mouth, I felt a much sweeter taste than the lemon scent.

“… Isn’t it honey tea, not lemon tea?”

Then Nina looked around and smiled.

“Because Lady is look so tired these days. Is it not to your taste? I heard honey is good for relieving fatigue.”

To exaggerate a bit, my tongue felt sore, so when I asked how much she put in, Nina shyly raised her hands and stretched out all her fingers. It was natural that my tongue was sore because she put half of it in a small teacup.

“N-No, it’s worth a drink. I want you to run an errand for me today.”

Then Nina twinkled her eyes. “What can I do? I’ve been so bored lately. Just let me do anything!”

Although her original role was different, Nina, who was brought in as my maid, said that the work of a maid really didn’t suit her. Even if she said that, if you listen to Lisa, she will say Nina was very meticulous about cleaning. Of course, I have to ask her to tone down the honey if she ever makes lemon tea again.

“I want you to send some gifts to Madame because she had a hard time fitting my dress. I will call you when it’s the time, so get ready to go out.”

“Yes, Lady! I will be ready to leave right away!”

Nina went out waving her body while humming, which made me wonder if she was really enjoying going out. Well, it was a job, but was it something to enjoy like that? To me, who was too lazy to go out, seeing Nina like that made me feel strange.

I wrote a small note with a present prepared to deliver the note.

* * *

It was past midnight. The carriage with no lights on quietly entered the back gate of the Rudbhi family. Soon the carriage, which had entered the back garden, came to a halt. The carriage door opened, revealing the face of a man with nearly gray hair and sharp, torn eyes.

He was Duke Ragham, one of the current emperor’s closest aides following the previous emperor, and also the father of Marchioness Segbay. Duke Ragham followed the butler who had met him and entered the Rudbihi family with his subordinate.

“Welcome. It’s been a while.”

Duke Rudbhi, who was waiting for him to come in advance, welcomed him inside.

“Long time no see.”

In fact, they said their greetings, but their expressions looked slightly uncomfortable. It was like seeing people who were entangled in unavoidable circumstances.

“We don’t have much time, so let’s talk quickly.”

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

The two moved to Duke Rudbihi’s parlor room. It wasn’t until the ea was put down and the door was closed that the tightly closed mouth opened again.

“I know your daughter has been poking around again these days.”

Instead of answering back, Duke Rudbihi drank tea quietly.

“Duke Rudbihi.”

“It’s because I haven’t made my move,” said Duke Rudbihi who finally opened his mouth and put down his cup.

There was a little anger in Duke Ragham’s eyes, but he reluctantly let out a sigh.  

The two have been entangled in a relationship for over 30 years. Even when Duke Rudbihi was much younger than he is now and Duke Ragham was reaching middle age.

It was Duke Ragham who reached out his hand first. When Duke Rudbihi just took over the title and wanted to increase his power, he joined hands with him, and was able to quickly occupy a place in central nobility. Although his condition now was unable to set foot in society.

“It’s not that His Majesty didn’t want to keep his promise. Isn’t there one thing in the public eye? So if you wait a little longer.”

“Yes, it’s already been more than five years, but wouldn’t you be so quiet knowing His Majesty’s deepest intentions?”

“Duke…! There are already more than 10 assassination attempts and raids. I can’t even count now. Even four of them resulted in success. It means we can’t leave alone your daughter any longer.”

Duke Rudbihi hardened his face. “You mean we should get rid of her?”

“I’m not saying it for sure, but if it becomes more dangerous than this, I can’t stop it.”

“Since His Majesty and the prince are healthy, so you’re going to throw her away now?”

“That’s not it. But we can’t keep being like this forever!”

Duke Rudbihi leaned over the sofa. “Duke Ragham, as you said, the price I got for saving them was only a few decades of glory. I have treated you to this day. But you want her gone now! I don’t even know who is responsible for the fact that the bloodline of the imperial family survived safely and enjoyed the wealth!”

At the angry shout, Duke Ragham took a deep breath. He knew very well that Duke Rudbihi wasn’t saying this because he sincerely cared for his daughter.

Duke Rudbihi had already used his own person twice, or to be exact, three times. Solely for his own success. He was the one who considered someone as an asset, even if it was his own bloodline. Knowing that, Duke Ragham knew well what he was complaining about now.

“So what does the Duke want?” In the end, the Duke of Ragham took out his true intentions.

“I can take my daughter’s life with my own hands. Of course I can do that. She’s the only remaining blood of the Rohana clan.”

“…I know.”

“In the future, the Emperor, Empress, and princes can prepare for the danger of their successors, just as they used to be. But If I do it, I will no longer be free from death. But will it be okay?”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it be a headache for me? She tied my legs together and turned me into a scarecrow. It’s all because I’m holding out with His Majesty’s loyalty.”

Duke Ragham sighed and touched his temple. He was also following the order of the ruler. It was a mistake for them to join hands just because he was afraid that the glory in his hands would be scattered.

“Then what does the Duke want?”

Duke Rudbihi straightened his upper body as if he could finally communicate. “I don’t want to be too greedy. I just wanted to re-enjoy the glory I deserve.”