CH 101

*******

Estella closed her eyes. Even the hard prison floor with chills could not break her upright posture. However, the cold that had penetrated her skin and deep into her bones was slowly seeping into her heart.

What was draped over Estella’s body was the thin white uniform worn by the prisoner. Before Deltinus imprisoned her in prison, he had stripped her off her dress and all her jewelry, saying that she was too flashy for a person who had committed treason.

Even in the worst disgrace she could have suffered as an empress, Estella never rebelled against Deltinus. It was because she knew that Deltinus was a human being who would not lift an eyebrow even if she rebelled. She was more worried that if she offended him, it would have a bad effect on Lucian and the Duke of Theodore.

“Go in!”

But Estella’s efforts were imaginary, everything was in vain. She murmured bitterly as she saw the incarcerated man thrown into the prison opposite her.

“Father…”

“What a slow old man. ㅤTsk.”

The soldier who had imprisoned Duke Theodore spit on the floor and went away. Estella grabbed the bars and called to her father.

“Father, are you okay?”

“You’re already here. I wish it wasn’t… His Majesty seems to have made up his mind.”

The duke’s face was not visible because the prison had only enough light for people to walk. Still, the strong voice Estella heard from the darkness put her mind at ease. She let out a sigh of relief.

“Are you okay? I was told that he treated you harshly. Are there any injuries?”

“I’m okay. It always happens.”

Duke Theodore was heartbroken. He knew she was trying to reassure him. But his one and only daughter must have gone through a terrible time before she replied that she always had.

The cruel sight of Deltinus’ feet trampling on Estella’s hand flashed over the darkness. Before Estella became the empress, she was a daughter who wouldn’t be hurt even in his eyes. He wanted to kill the emperor on the spot if he could.

“Even my father was imprisoned… Now what? I’d rather carry everything myself. Shall I tell His Majesty? If I ask for my father and Lucian to be spared, will His Majesty hear me?”

“Daughter.”

“I can’t. Then, Lucian will become the son of the empress who was deposed for treason. Well then, what should I do…”

“Calm down and wait. The time will come soon.”

The wise empress, who was always calm and equanimous, was still a weak daughter in front of her father.

The duke kindly comforted Estella. There were so many ears and eyes in the prison that he could not divulge their plans, so he had no choice but to just make useless noises. He was frustrated, but he couldn’t help it.

Just before the powerful imperial guards had rushed into the ducal residence, he was contacted by Duke Rubius. By now, an army united by the forces of the duke’s faction would be secretly gathering.

Duke Theodore, who decided to open a road inside the Imperial Palace, had already planted people in various areas of the palace long ago, which was what Duke Rubius had instructed him. He was able to move quickly because he had foreseen that Duke Theodore and Estella would be imprisoned.

All preparations were over. As soon as Duke Rubius arrived at the Imperial Palace, a wind of blood would begin to blow. Estella would no longer have to suffer in the new world that would open after the blood and wind ceases. Still…

‘I feel sorry for Duke Rubius. It must be the karma that a person who wants to kill his own flesh and blood must bear.’

A look of loneliness crossed Duke Theodore’s face for a moment. The duke, who quickly cleaned up his expression, reassured Estella once again.

“The time will come soon. So don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Everything will be fine.”

*******

“Your stamina is almost restored. As you may know, magical power…”

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Yes… Be very careful when using magic. The best is to not use any magic.”

After the treatment, the wizard bowed politely and left the room. Seeing Derek coming in quickly as if taking turns with the wizard, Yulif frowned.

“Leave.”

“Well! Are you sitting at your desk again? When you receive treatment, please lie down in bed and receive it. I prayed and prayed to the point my hands would become my feet. Why don’t you grant my wish?”

“It’s not necessary.”

“…Shall I pray with my feet? Would you like to lie down?”

“My head hurts more because of you. Quiet.”

Unsurprisingly, Derek continued nagged. Yulif put his left hand on his forehead, and with his right hand, he constantly signed papers. This was not the time to be chatting with Derek over useless things.

Yesterday morning, news came from Duke Theodore. He was told that the empress had been convicted of treason and imprisoned in the imperial dungeon, and that he would soon be imprisoned himself.

Yulif immediately summoned his army. If a large number of troops moved at once, they would draw attention, so the movement magic circles were spread out in three places. Those magic circles connected to the magic circle that Duke Theodore had installed in the Imperial Palace according to Yulif’s plan. Reports arrived one after another that their people were waiting near the magic circle.

In his castle, Yulif began to tackle his work. He sat at his desk every sleepless night due to the feverish love for Canaren and the pain of holding and releasing his heart, but there was still a mountain of papers to process.

Yulif set his priorities. He dealt with what happened to Canaren after he died. Even if he hired Derek as his agent, he must deal with it himself.

As he held the pen so hard that his fingers hurt, it didn’t feel like his death was right behind him and opening its mouth. He seemed to be living the same daily life as always.

However, the end had come.

“Lord, Count Enderk has arrived from the Imperial Palace. It’s said that he went on a rampage, and he’s accompanied by the Imperial Guard. The atmosphere is very strange, what should I do?”

One of the knights hastily reported. Derek looked at Yulif with a hardened face. Yulif replied dryly, not taking his eyes off his papers.

“Let only Count Enderk enter. Escorts are allowed, only up to three.”

Not long after, Count Enderk came into the office with three knights from the Imperial Guard. When Yulif saw the count, he sent out Derek, who was about to shout at the count for not disarming.

Silence like a lump of lead fell in the office. Yulif’s tightly shut mouth seemed like it would never open first. Count Enderk parted his parched lips.

“The Duke of Rubius has been charged with treason. There are three grounds for the allegation, first…”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to repeat the familiar story. His Majesty must have commanded you to bring me to the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes. His Majesty wants Duke Rubius to be acquitted through a thorough investigation.”

It was ridiculous, nonsensical bullshit. But Yulif and Count Enderk did not laugh. Yulif had no intention of laughing, and Count Enderk was crushed by Yulif’s tremendous aura and could not even breathe properly.

Staring at the count with dry eyes, Yulif slowly stood up.

“Wait here. There is still work to be done.”

“I don’t mean to run away.”

Count Enderk couldn’t stand the tension and grabbed Yulif’s arm. However, as soon as Yulif’s cold eyes touched him, he quickly released his hand. One corner of Yulif’s lips twisted into a smirk. 

“If that’s the case, the Count would not have even met me. I won’t take long.”

When the door opened, Derek, who had his ear pressed to the door, stumbled. Yulif held Derek to keep him from falling and shook his head as if it was pathetic.

“What?”

“Uh, where are you going? I will go too.”

“Fine.”

Derek, trying to catch up with Yulif, suddenly stopped. The direction in which Yulif quickly disappeared from was where Canaren’s room was.

*******

From the day Canaren met the emperor and learned that the castle had been barricaded, she suffered from severe aches and pains. Thanks to the healing wizard, her fever went down quickly, but her whole body throbbed as if she had been beaten. She was in pain, unable to move.

Seriously, it was only natural for it to hurt like this, since she was cut and cut by Yulif’s sharp words. She thought so. Her invisible wounds filled her body and mind.

Having been very startled by Yulif, Roana completely lost her energy. Canaren asked her not to speak about Yulif. Recalling Yulif, pouring out black blood, Roana decided she had better do so. She missed the smooth days so much to the point of tears.

Today too, an unwelcome guest came to Canaren, who greeted the morning in her bed. Rena, who did not give in to Roana’s harsh scolding as to what kind of face she came to see, looked at Canaren and widened her eyes. It was because her face, which had turned white without blood, seemed like it would turn against the world at any moment.

Rena ran to the bedside and took Canaren’s hand. Her little hands were cold as if they were wet with cold water.

“Where are you sick? Did you receive any treatment?”

“Do you not know that it happened because of you? Or are you here to give me some medicine? Can you even give that?”

“Forgive me. I didn’t know you were really sick…”

“It’s okay. What has happened…”

“Ah… I came here to tell you something about the emperor and the duke, but I’ll come back and tell you when you feel better. You should rest comfortably.”

“No. Tell me now.”

Canaren grabbed the hem of Rena’s dress as she was about to go back. She then asked the Roana to step away. Roana’s expression crumpled, but she left the room, albeit while pouring out dissatisfaction.

Rena went down on her knees and held Canaren’s hand as if supporting it.

“I want the Duchess to trust me.”

“I don’t know… I don’t know. How can I trust you?”

The golden eyes were gloomy. It was her fault that Canaren, who was always bright and loving, and who was innocent and trusting, became this way. Rena felt the painful responsibility and closed her eyes.

She didn’t want to see the two who loved each other, Canaren and Yulif, fall apart because of her anymore. Now was the time to reveal the truth.

“It wasn’t the duke who assaulted me on the stairs that day, it was the emperor.”