Chapter 24

“Thank you.”

Her bright smile sparkled. The brief crack she had shown was gone, and she was once again the sunny figure described in the book. Rohana wondered if she had projected her own twisted self onto Aurelia and let out a small sigh.

“You’re welcome.”

“I’ve known Duke Kaiden for a long time, and he’s truly a good person.”

It was a calm voice Rohana hadn’t heard before.

“He would do anything for the empire. While everyone praises him, I know him better…”

A sorrowful light flickered in Aurelia’s eyes.

“Even with Kark blood flowing through him, he did what had to be done, fairly and justly. He didn’t hesitate for a moment when dealing with Axebone.”

Rohana blinked slowly. It seemed Aurelia, just like in the original story, had unwavering faith in Kaiden Delcliff.

Just as the emperor and Aurelia had a delayed meeting, perhaps Kaiden Delcliff might indeed be loyal, as everyone believed.

The innocent thought made Rohana laugh at herself. But she had to agree with Aurelia for now. She wasn’t ready to reveal his betrayal, as she lacked solid information and a secure exit strategy.

“I know.”

“Pardon?”

“I know Duke Delcliff is like that.”

Aurelia’s face stiffened in surprise at Rohana’s composed agreement.

“If you’re worried I might misunderstand the duke, there’s no need.”

Rohana’s voice was calm. She was used to saying what others wanted to hear, both in her past life and this one.

“If you’re concerned about me or the duke and are trying to mediate, there’s no need.”

Aurelia stared at Rohana’s serene smile before her own sunny expression returned.

“That’s a relief.”

“How are things with His Majesty?”

The clinking of the teacup interrupted the long silence that followed Rohana’s question. A strange light flickered in Aurelia’s golden eyes.

“…Of course.”

The palace was in turmoil.

Even as the story’s protagonist, Aurelia’s life was only idyllic in the book. With all the political maneuvering and her insignificant noble title, it couldn’t have been easy.

There might still be many backdoor dealings involving the Hanover Duke and his allies.

“Even though it’s a political marriage, I still wanted to apologize.”

Rohana’s purple eyes wavered slightly at Aurelia’s words, but she forced a smile.

“Did His Majesty say it was a political marriage?”

Aurelia was about to respond when a short knock interrupted.

“My lady, I’m sorry to interrupt…”

A young maid cautiously opened the door and spoke anxiously.

“Duke Delcliff is here. Shall I ask him to wait?”

Aurelia’s lips twitched as she was about to answer. Behind the maid’s small figure, Kaiden’s tall frame was visible.

He stood still, once again in his pitch-black uniform, his usually calm face now hardened with displeasure.

His dark eyes shifted from Aurelia to Rohana. Rohana, without much thought, turned her gaze to Aurelia and spoke.

“Well… I’m sorry, but as you can see, I have a prior appointment…”

“Oh, I… haven’t answered yet.”

Aurelia’s startled gesture as she stood up made her look even more childlike compared to her earlier composure.

“That’s okay, it wasn’t an important question.”

It didn’t matter what Bardi Rentworth had said. As Rohana shook her head, Kaiden walked in with broad strides.

“Duke, congratulations.”

At that moment, Aurelia lightly grasped Kaiden’s arm. On tiptoe, she whispered something into his ear.

A whisper?

Rohana instinctively turned her gaze to the window. Soon, the sound of small heels tapping on the floor and the closing door followed.

“My apologies.”

At Kaiden’s voice, Rohana turned her gaze back from the window.

“No, it’s nothing new.”

Her nonchalant words made Kaiden narrow his eyes before returning to his usual composed expression. He pulled out a scroll, neatly tied with a ribbon.

As Rohana received and untied the scroll, Kaiden’s deep voice explained.

“It’s a contract. Please review it.”

Kaiden’s sharp, intense gaze seemed to pull her in as she deftly unfolded the paper and quickly scanned its contents.

Her rapid reading slowed at something peculiar. Her eyes lingered on a word, then fixed on the contract’s expiration date.

The date, written in black ink, sent chills down her spine no matter how many times she read it.

Midsummer.

Without any prior mention, the expiration date was the longest day of the year. The day she was supposed to die in the original story was written as the contract’s end date.

The relentless noise of the carriage wheels echoed in her ears, reminiscent of the feeling she had when Aurelia appeared.

“Is there a problem?”

Kaiden, leaning forward from his usual relaxed position, asked her. Rohana, unsure of what expression to make, alternated between looking at Kaiden and the document.

“No.”

Her voice was dry, barely audible. As Kaiden tried to read her deeper, Rohana hurriedly relaxed her stiff face.

If her face darkened, he wouldn’t understand. The rest of the conditions were overly generous.

Cash, bonds, and even land in the South—all in exchange for just one year of living together.

While the reason behind it was questionable, Rohana couldn’t think beyond the expiration date that fixated her gaze.

Kaiden’s low voice resonated in the reception room, noticing Rohana silently staring at the contract.

“I left the parts about the dress, jewelry, and wedding blank because I’m not knowledgeable about them. If you wish, I can send a specialist from Nopthal.”

Rohana raised an eyebrow, smiling at his unexpected words. Her expression probably revealed her thoughts about how unnecessary his efforts were.

“There’s no need for that regarding the wedding.”

She spoke while smiling. Regaining her composure, her voice hesitated a bit before she asked a question.

“The conditions are too generous.”

“Which part?”

Kaiden gave a slight smile as if he understood her unspoken thoughts.

“It’s not a difficult thing for me, so don’t feel burdened. Of course, I might ask for some cooperation.”

Kaiden continued in a businesslike manner.

“Cooperation?”

“If you don’t intend to stay with Duke Gregory Hanover, I’ll lend you my support. If Hanover poses a threat to the empire, you might not have a home to return to.”

His cold and extreme words, spoken with the same calm expression, made Rohana realize how misguided her memories of Kaiden’s seeming kindness were.

“So, you’re willing to pay this much to get the daughter’s help in destroying her family?”

Rohana sighed softly, putting the contract down on the table. Kaiden’s gaze followed her hand before returning to her face.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Seeing his polite, faint smile, Rohana felt more at ease and nodded. This straightforwardness was easier for her to understand.

Recalling their emotional encounter in the garden was uncomfortable.

“We’ll set the date for the next auspicious day after the royal wedding. Fortunately, it’s not too far off.”

Although marriages were avoided before the royal wedding, there were no restrictions afterward.

Even though the next auspicious day seemed a bit soon, Rohana saw Kaiden had already made up his mind. He stood up as he finished speaking.

As Rohana rose as well, Kaiden spoke again.

“My signature is already on it. If you need time, three days from now at this time will be fine?”

Rohana looked at the “Midsummer” date once more and shook her head.

“No, I’ll sign it now.”

“It’s a complex document. Take your time to review…”

“Not at all.”

There was nothing complex about it. Rohana quickly signed, the ink marking the end of her name darker as she paused in thought.

The morning sunlight streamed brightly through the tall windows. Each of them held a copy of the contract.

“Then.”

As Kaiden stood, his heavy chair scraped loudly against the floor.

Rohana gave a simple nod as she watched Kaiden Delcliff’s swift exit.

She exhaled deeply, taking a moment to collect herself.

‘What should I do?’

Which side would ensure her safety?

If she cooperated with Kaiden Delcliff and managed to break away from him early, he might not have the time or reason to use her as a hostage to threaten Bardi or Gregory Hanover, as in the original story.

But if she exposed Kaiden’s plot to Bardi in advance? Dealing with Kaiden before he had the chance to kill her might be a safer option.

‘Is that possible?’

Feeling exhausted by her relentless dilemma, Rohana leaned on the table, covering her eyes with her hands.