CH 274

"Let us go upstairs."

Milton raised one corner of his mouth and guided Marquis Charne.

Immediately, the small lamps on the wall of the staircase lit up in response to their steps, and then went off.

Marquis Charne kept wetting his dry lips at the unknown anxiousness.

Soon, their feet stopped in front of the door at the end of the hallway.

Knock, knock, knock.

The cheerful knock echoed in the long hallway.

When Milton turned the golden doorknob with a ‘click', the dark interior entered Marquis Charne's vision.

Duke Daniel, who was standing by the window and tilting his glass, turned around at the sound of the door.

The Duke stared sharply at Marquis Charne.

"It's been a while."

"Du… Duke, Sir, please save me."

With the majestic voice of Duke Daniel, Marquis Charne lay with his face down on the floor and spoke with a worried tone.

"I heard that Ariel Clermant was expelled? She was acting arrogant, so it was expected."

Duke Daniel approached the trembling Marquis Charne with a fishy smile.

"If Duke Daniel can help me… Can we turn this into something that doesn't need a trial?"

"Hm. Why should I do that? Why should I take the risk to do that?"

"A… Ayla has secured the details for your dealings with Libro. If you leave it like this, the Duke will be in danger."

"Are you threatening me now? You, Arthur?"

"Ayla Serdian and Theon Ermedi are in close cooperation. It is only a matter of time before they know what the Duke has done!"

"A matter of time…"

"If you don't help me now… I'll reveal everything."

At Marquis Charne's challenging voice, Duke Daniel squinted his eyes and continued.

"I have no idea what I did for you to be acting like this. It's late, so go home. Marquis Charne."

"You… You ordered me to kill Young Lady Delia!"

"…"

"And t-that's not all. You made His Majesty like that!"

The Duke stared silently at Marquis Charne with threatening eyes.

As if aware of the seriousness, Marquis Charne stopped what he was saying and looked at Duke Daniel.

His appearance, saying what he had to say while trembling, was amusing.

With a fishy smile, Duke Daniel brought the glass he was holding to his mouth.

"This is why you can't be nice to people."

"!"

"Are you naive or stupid… Did you think I'd be scared if you said that?"

Marquis Charne's gaze began to sway anxiously as he felt a chilly sensation in the back of his neck.

"Please… save me."

"I should have cut the buds before they became a problem. I put you next to me because you were helpful, but now you're interfering without knowing your place. Do you know why that happened to Princess Ariel? Because she was greedy and didn't know her place."

"I… I said something inappropriate. Please, my life… I made a mistake."

"It's been a pleasure. Marquis Charne."

Duke Daniel said, smiling kindly.

The sharp blade that Milton was holding split the air in the blink of an eye.

Thud!

With red drops of blood, Marquis Charne's body fell powerlessly.

Without even a scream.

"Come out."

Tilting his drink, the Duke's gaze turned to the open door.

A maid who had been hiding behind the door appeared at Duke Daniel's low voice.

"I… I didn't see anything."

Duke Daniel nodded and smiled at the maid's words.

Lily trembled with her eyes tightly closed, as if she didn't want to see the horrible image in front of her.

***

"It seems Your Highness is very busy, aren't you? You're even making the guests who stop by wait…"

Estelle, who entered the office with a grumpy voice, looked around and blurred her words.

She could intuitively feel a burning atmosphere, unlike usual.

And that she had made a very big mistake.

"You're here?"

Seeing Estelle, Theon spoke with a businesslike smile.

Although he was talking calmly, he couldn't hide the crumpled shirt and crooked tie.

"Yes. I need to talk to you for a moment."

Estelle gave a short answer along with a head nod, then turned her gaze naturally.

It was cute to see Ayla secretly fanning herself to cool down her flushed cheeks.

‘I can see why he fell in love. I get it.'

Estelle muttered to herself, and then burst into laughter.

Feeling Theon's sharp gaze at the same time, Estelle cleared her throat and continued.

"Ahem, it seems like I came at a bad time?"

"It's fine. Please speak comfortably."

‘It already went wrong anyway.'

Seeing Theon speaking while clenching his teeth tightly, Estelle shrugged and sat down.

Ayla, who was quietly watching the situation, hesitated, in embarrassment, and then spoke.

"Should I bring you some tea?"

"It's fine. Miss Ayla. You'll become the queen soon, so call me for some tea."

"…"

At Estelle's mischievous words, Ayla's cheeks, which were already flushed, seemed like they were about to burst.

Theon glared at Estelle silently as he saw that, and then spoke to Ayla in a friendly voice.

"Bring us a cup of tea with a good scent. I think the Queen has something important to say."

"No, no. It's really fine. I'm fine, so sit here too, Miss Ayla."

Estelle smiled beautifully, waving her hand.

Ayla tilted her head at Estelle's adamant attitude and sat down across from her.

"I came here because I thought I should say goodbye before I go."

"Sorry? Say goodbye?"

Ayla asked with her eyes wide open at Estelle's unexpected words.

"I'm thinking of returning to the Raff Kingdom now. Since all my work is done."

Estelle's gaze turned gloomy after she finished speaking.

"Count Serdian said he wanted to thank the Queen. He'll be coming to the city center soon, so leave after enjoying the banquet."

"I appreciate your offer, but… I've been away for too long, hehe. I may look like this, but state affairs won't work without me."

"That's unfortunate."

"We can meet again at your wedding. I can't afford to miss a beautiful scene. Be sure to invite me. Ayla."

Estelle said, holding both of Ayla's hands tightly.

Ayla bit her lips at the warmth she felt over her hands, and then continued.

"How could I refuse? Thank you… very much. I wonder how I can repay this favor…"

"I just did what I had to do."

"If Queen Estella hadn't come forward for me… My parents would have never been able to step on Stellen's land. It's not enough to say thank you."

"It's all thanks to your beautiful heart. It was an honor to meet a good friend like Miss Ayla."

"Estelle…"

"May God be with you in the future…"

The eyes of the two people facing each other were wet.

***