CH 13

“Your Grace?”

Adeline looked at Kael in surprise.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, either.”

“Are you following me by any chance?”

“Didn’t you just come here? It looked like a familiar silhouette was coming into the bookstore. I came much earlier, by the way. You must be following me.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Exactly. I’m not following you either.”

Adeline couldn’t argue much and looked at Kael with a displeased expression.

Kael smiled at Adeline and handed over the book he held.

“It’s been a long time since this book came out. I guess you like it.”

“Did Your Grace read it, too?”

“Is there anyone in the Empire who doesn’t know the story of Dame Colin’s adventure?”

It was exactly what Amy had explained to her before.

It was also confusing that the main character of the possessed book read a book with the same name, and it was even more chaotic because the “Beyond Orange” in this world seemed to be only an adventure story, not a love story.

‘What on earth happened? How could this be?’

She wanted to wrap her arms around her head and sit down.

It didn’t change even if she wanted to, so she followed the contents of the original faithfully, expecting that the scene where Kael and Vanessa met would flow smoothly after that.

Something was going astonishingly wrong.

“You don’t look good. Did you get hurt from falling into the water?”

“No. I’m fine.”

Adeline resolutely blocked Kael’s worries.

She didn’t want to hear what happened at the picnic, even if it came from his mouth.

“But your face…”

“Forgive me, Your Grace. Lady Tien.”

At some point, Zion urgently interfered with Kael and Adeline’s conversation.

He bowed in silence, asking for her understanding, and whispered something to Kael with a grim face.

“And the identity?”

“I haven’t figured it out yet.”

Adeline pretended not to, but she carefully focused on the conversation between the two.

“The book. Are you going to buy them all?”

“What? Ah, yes. I’m going to read it all.”

After talking with Zion, Kael took out all four books from the bookshelf.

“I’ll pay for them. Ask the servant to take them. I have an urgent matter, so I have to go first.”

“Ah, I’ll pay!”

Adeline hurriedly tried to go after Kael and stop him, but she couldn’t catch up with him as he walked with a big stride.

Kael paid for the books in a hurry and left them behind, quickly leaving the bookstore.

***

“Young Lady! Young Lady Adeline!”

When she returned to the mansion with her energy completely drained, Noma, the butler, came to Adeline with a pale face.

“What’s going on, Noma? Did something happen? Why are you so serious?”

“Yes. Something happened.”

“What? What’s going on?”

When she saw Noma’s somber face, her heart sank.

The atmosphere was unusual.

“It is said that Young Master Leo was captured by the Corrupted of the north while fulfilling His Highness the Crown Prince’s orders.”

“What? What’s his current status? Is he alright? What about the imperial reinforcements? Did they move?”

“That’s the problem, Young Lady.”

“What’s the problem?”

“The imperial family says they can’t send a rescue unit. They said it’s too dangerous and it will only cause more harm.”

“What kind of nonsense…”

If he was caught by those species while following an imperial order, it was an unwritten rule for the imperial family to send a rescue unit and troops.

(T/N: It is not clear at this time what kind of species they are, or if they’re human, but it’s clear they’re an evil/malicious faction so I’ll be calling them the “Corrupted” to make it easier. ^^)

In particular, if the person who became a hostage was from a noble family with high titles like Leo, unconditional support was provided.

However, the Crown Prince broke his promise.

“… Because he and I will have something to talk about soon.”

When she was wondering for a moment what kind of nonsense this was and getting angry, the Crown Prince’s words at the funeral flashed through Adeline’s mind.

“What do you mean…”

“Prepare the carriage right away.”

“Young Lady, if you move in this situation, His Excellency…”

“It’s for Leo. I have a guess. So, Enoch will fully understand.”

“Please, tell me where you want to go.”

“The imperial palace. I’m going to the imperial palace.”

Adeline clenched her fists tightly and said her destination with a determined expression.

***

“You’re definitely a smart woman. You understood exactly what I said. I really like that.”

Adeline went straight to the imperial palace and came to the Crown Prince.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a while.”

He didn’t have to mention that.

The Crown Prince had made a statement in advance, so the doors to his office opened easily even to a young lady who was not scheduled to meet him.

It was one of the things that proved Adeline’s expectation was right.

“I heard that my brother was captured by the Corrupted of the north.”

“Alright. Unfortunately, he did. Commander Tien was doing something reckless, unlike him. It’s a pity.”

“I also heard that Your Highness is the one who gave that order.”

“Are you here to blame me?”

“I’m here to ask if you’re not saving him on purpose. Of course, I wanted to hear why the one who should send a rescue unit was taking a step back.”

Adeline’s insolent question raised the Crown Prince’s eyebrows.

It was obvious that he didn’t quite like the attitude she had towards him.

Adeline, however, was not willing to be polite in this situation.

The brother who had always protected Adeline was being held by the people outside the border.

It was natural, however, since the person who could save him wasn’t doing anything but only smiling at her with a sneaky smile.

“I’m sure you heard something more? That I can’t send a rescue unit because I’ll also lose them if I do.”

“What if I tell you I can’t believe that?”

The Crown Prince grinned at Adeline’s words.

“It’s true that it’s so dangerous that I can’t easily send soldiers.”

“…”

“But when Leo Tien becomes my wife’s brother, things will be different.”

“…”

“How can I spare my forces in saving the empress’ brother?”

Her assumption became reality.

Adeline’s prediction was correct. It was only because of Adeline that the Crown Prince did not rescue Leo right away.

The Crown Prince had his eyes on Adeline since Kael showed interest in her, and tried to take advantage of the power he had.

Adeline clenched her fists tightly to control the raging anger.

Her hands turning white showed how much she despised the Crown Prince for making this situation.

“The day I went to Grand Duke Inver’s mansion. Let me tell you what I told him.”

“…”

“I told him the moment the Inver and Tien families are connected, I would consider the act as treason.”

Adeline barely held back the sudden laughter that was about to burst out.

It was ridiculous coercion.

“You’re a smart woman, so you must know how to solve this situation.”

“…”

“Didn’t your brothers struggle to revive your family? How disappointing it would be to choose the wrong man, lose your brother’s life, and even become a traitor.”

The Crown Prince looked at Adeline with a confident face.

He was convinced that Adeline would become his trophy, not Kael’s.

“I’ll give you some time to think about it. Tell me about your conclusion until the end of the day.”

“…”

“I gave you plenty of time, but it would be better if you hurried. The Lady’s brother doesn’t have that much time.”

“…”

“The Corrupted are famous for their haste and for not showing mercy to intruders who have invaded their territory.”

Adeline clenched her teeth tightly.

She felt like she would spit out all the swear words that were rising up to her neck if she didn’t do so.

‘Is he trying to shake me and the Tien family like this?’

Adeline’s eyes flared up.

She tried to avoid marrying Kael so that he and Vanessa would get together and she could achieve the ending, but she did not want to marry anyone else.

The choice of marriage itself had been erased. She was going to die anyway, so he didn’t want to be restrained.

Especially if it was the Crown Prince, trying to take control of Adeline by using a life so cowardly like this.

‘The only thing I don’t care about is my life. I can’t let Leo die like this.’

Being fearless and awaiting death was something that belonged solely to Adeline.

She didn’t want to see Leo die in vain like this.

In addition, Adeline saw the “Beyond Orange” in this world, which was completely different from what she knew, and many questions arose.

So, she had to save Leo for now.

There was nothing more important in this situation.

“If you’re done talking, I’ll go back, Your Highness.”

“Alright. You can go. Just remember that the longer you think about it, the more likely your brother is to die.”

Adeline immediately exited the imperial palace and got on the carriage.

“Should we go to the mansion right away…”

“No. Go to Grand Duke Inver’s mansion.”

“A-at this hour, Young Lady?”

“It’s not the time for rumors or etiquette. For now, the first thing to do is to save Brother Leo.”

There was only one way to blow a shot at the repulsive crown prince and save Leo.

Adeline hoped that the only way she found was the right one.

“Lady Tien, what brings you here at this hour…?”

“I know it’s a big discourtesy coming here late at night. But I came because it was too urgent. Can I see His Grace, the Grand Duke?”

“I’ll take you to where he is.”

The urgent carriage dropped her off where she wanted, and the polite butler led her to Kael.

“…”

“…”

When the door of the study opened, Kael, who had not yet changed out of his black uniform, looked at Adeline in silence.

Facing the blue-grey eyes, Adeline hesitated for a moment. She had to say something, but it didn’t come out easily.

But soon, she remembered Leo and took a deep breath.

Then, she opened her mouth.

“I’ve come to tell you something important, Your Grace.”