Chapter 6 – Part 24

The next morning, Tyrus returned from his trip to the palace. He had set out without knowing anything and had headed towards the forest when he saw the burnt trees, wondering what was going on.

He was puzzled by the sudden change of residence, but when he saw that the Marquis of Grit had bandages all over his arms, he remembered the blackened forest and understood why.

He handed Eli the Emperor’s reply.

“This is from His Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

Eli ripped the letter open and nodded his head in anticipation.

“And His Majesty had a message for the Marquis.”

Eli raised an eyebrow as if to say, “Go ahead.”

“His Majesty is marrying Lady Miles, and you must attend the wedding.”

So it has come to this.

“You have done well. Go and rest.”

Without answering whether he would attend the wedding, Tyrus swiftly paid his respects and left.

When Eli was alone, he read the letter again.

The letter was short.

The civil war in the Kingdom of Cains is over. It’s said that during negotiations, Prince Zethan, the first prince, attacked Prince Nescan, the second prince.

“The civil war is over…….”

Eli’s expression turned grim as he read the words.

* * *

“Are you hurt?”

Ruby asked, applying burn ointment to Eli’s arm.

“I’m fine.”

Despite Elis’ assurance, Ruby couldn’t help but worry, gently blowing on the area where the ointment had been applied.

“What news did you come to tell me?”

“Oh, His Majesty the Emperor is getting married to Lady Miles.”

Eli delivered the news as if it were no big deal, but Ruby looked surprised.

“His Majesty and Lady Mile?”

“Yes.”

“But… Lady Miles likes you, doesn’t she?”

As if to add to her surprise, Eli realized that Ruby was unaware of the scandal between the two, and his brow furrowed as he understood her question.

“Ruby, Arlen never liked me.”

“But…… Lady Miles attended almost every one of the Marquis of Grit’s parties, and I remember how much she tried to please your mother.”

“Arlen likes to go around to various places. She likes attention and taking care of her people. If she kept coming to Shuban, it wasn’t because of me, it was because of my mother. They got along well.”

But Ruby still had a puzzled expression.

“The two have been seeing each other since before His Majesty’s marriage.”

“…….”

“And that continued until recently.”

“……That’s an affair.”

Ruby said, not understanding.

“Yes. It was revealed some time ago. It was in the newspapers. That’s why they’re getting married.”

“You knew about it?”

Eli nodded.

“I spread that rumor.”

“You did?”

For some reason, Ruby looked more surprised in Eli’s eyes than she had earlier.

“You were partners at the capital’s parties. Wasn’t it because of you?”

“It was a deal with His Majesty. After we got married, I couldn’t ask you to come to the capital, so I went with her a few times, but after some time, I refused and participated alone.”

“So if it was a deal, you knew about it from the beginning?”

“That’s right.”

After Eli’s answer, Ruby looked serious and thoughtful.

“He’s such an asshole.”

Eli flinched at Ruby’s next words.

Ruby didn’t notice Eli’s movements and was lost in thought. She was thinking about what Lady Miles had said when she came to see me.

“Ah, Eli always accompanied me as a partner whenever there was a party in the capital”.

“He asked me every time, and I always obliged, but I think that’s why people misunderstand our relationship, because it’s supposed to be a couple going to such things”.

It was a misleading statement, as if Eli had asked Arlen to attend the party on Ruby’s behalf.

She probably said it because she knew Ruby wouldn’t ask Eli for details. That was both amusing and frustrating. What did she gain by doing that?

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand.”

Eli apologized quickly, not knowing what was going on in Ruby’s head.

“What?”

Ruby, lost in thought, was taken aback by Eli’s sudden apology.

“I was apologizing for not telling you earlier.”

“Oh…….”

“Wasn’t that the reason you look so troubled?”

“No, it’s just that Lady Miles once told me that you were the one who asked her to partner with you, and I was thinking about it because that doesn’t sound like what you’re saying now.”

“Arlen told you that?”

Ruby nodded.

“And what did you say?”

“I asked her if she wanted me to thank her, because whether it was true or not, it seemed too presumptuous for her to come and talk about it.”

“Good job.”

Eli suddenly laughed when Ruby said that.

“Next time, pour wine instead. No, tell me. I’ll do it. I have no honor to lose anymore.”

“Yes, I’ll come to you the next time I get a chance.”

Ruby laughed lightly.

“I’m thinking of going to the capital, not because of His Majesty’s wedding.”

“To where?”

“The temple in the capital. It’s the safest place. Coming back here might take some time. Are you okay with that?”

“……Of course.”

Although he would miss this place, after what happened to the mansion and the supposedly safe forest, anywhere seemed uneasy.

“I had a lot of things I wanted to tell you when you got back, but they ended up being useless.”

“Like what?”

“I had an idea of what I wanted to do if we were to build a new mansion.”

“Tell me. We can always build a mansion.”

As the ointment dried, Elias hugged Ruby and said.

“I want a painted portrait of us.”

Ruby said, leaning into Eli.

“A portrait?”

“I didn’t understand when you mentioned it last time, but now I think I do.”

“……Did you miss me too?”

Eli asked, and Ruby nodded.

“So while you were gone, I snuck a peek at the picture in the box you hid it in.”

“You could have taken them.”

Ruby was adorable, so Eli kissed her lightly on the forehead.

“Just make sure you bring it with you next time you go.”

“I will. And what else?”

“I’m going to hang the portrait in the entrance where it’s most visible.”

“We will have several and put them in the parlor, too.”

“Should we?”

The two laughed as they faced each other, hoping there would be no more harm or danger in the future.

“Oh, I have something else to put in the box.”

Eli opened the drawer, and in his hand was the handkerchief Ruby had once embroidered for him.

“Where did you get this?”

It was something she’d been meaning to ask since they’d come down from the forest.

“I found it at the marquisate, and I brought it because it’s prettier than you described.”

Eli stuffed them all into the box, except for the handkerchief.

“Just put them all in. You have your own handkerchief.”

“That’s not the one you embroidered.”

Eli reached back, avoiding Ruby’s attempt to snatch his handkerchief.

“I love it. It’s the prettiest handkerchief I’ve ever seen.”

Then he kissed Ruby on the lips as she tried to snatch it away.

“I don’t care what anyone says.”

Ruby couldn’t resist and had to give up.

“Don’t worry.”

“Oh, I have to write a letter to Dominic before we leave. If I say goodbye to her in person, she might worry and follow me. Will the knights deliver the letter properly?”

“They will.”

It was a pity to say her last goodbye without even seeing his face, but Ruby thought it would be better for Dominic to settle down and live here with Aaron.

“Eli, I want to get Dominic a dress when she gets married.”

“And maybe some jewelry.”

“Is that okay?”

“Sure. We can put Bella and Cash in touch with you. They can have it made and sent whenever Dominic sends a letter saying she’s getting married.”

“Okay.”

An excited Ruby started to write down the letter.

Eli stood beside her and played with her hair. It was a relief to clear her head after the chatter of assassins and other things that had been going on until dawn.

Eli couldn’t help but smile at the peaceful afternoon that had finally arrived.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories