37: A Grim Warning

Kael sat in his office, staring into space while tapping his finger rhythmically on the desk.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

He stopped his meaningless tapping and let out a short sigh.

No matter how much he thought about it, something felt off. Count Blueanz, who had always doted on his daughter Aella, suddenly rushed over when rumors of a second wife spread and spewed such nonsense—especially in front of so many eyes.

‘It’s not just him that’s strange.’

Kael couldn’t understand Aella’s calm demeanor in front of the Count’s harsh words. Her behavior seemed as though she had expected it.

Since childhood, Kael had seen the close relationship between Count Blueanz and his daughter. The father had raised his only daughter with utmost care, and the daughter, who had grown up receiving nothing but affection, adored her father deeply.

But the father-daughter interaction he witnessed today felt completely different from what he knew.

‘And to think he dared suggest sending her as a next wife to that old Marquis. That damned bastard.’

Grinding his teeth, Kael ran his hand through his hair as he responded to a knock at the door.

“Princess Roden has sent word that she plans to visit Madam on the day of her discharge…”

“I understand.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Matteo.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

At Kael’s gesture, Matteo cautiously approached the desk and bowed.

“Aella Blueanz will be discharged soon and return home.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Keep her in the room she’s using now and assign maids to monitor her constantly. Even when she goes outside.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“That’s all. Leave… Oh, bring Ian to me.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

After Matteo left, Ian entered, and Kael quickly rose and strode toward him.

“Ian.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Don’t forget that I’m watching you closely.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“You wouldn’t want your parents to suffer because of Kina, would you?”

“Your Grace.”

“What is it?”

Kael frowned at Ian, whose expression was far from the submissive one he usually wore.

“Your Grace, this isn’t the man I once knew.”

“…”

“You used to distinguish clearly between public and private matters, punishing only those who were guilty. But now, you seem like a completely different person from the Duke I knew.”

Kael listened silently, his brow furrowing as he grabbed Ian by the collar. He tightened his grip, choking him, while glaring fiercely at the unmoving Ian.

“So you’re saying I look like a scoundrel who torments innocent women?”

“…”

“Ian! You’ve gone mad over a woman!”

“Your Grace… Please stop before you do something you’ll regret…”

“You insolent fool!”

Kael slapped Ian hard across the face, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Blood splattered onto the carpet.

“Get out of here! Don’t ever show yourself to me again!”

As Ian struggled to stand, Kael issued a grim warning.

“Ian, as of today, you’re dismissed as commander of the knights.”

“I understand. However, please leave my parents alone. I will accept any other punishment Your Grace sees fit.”

“Even if I demand your life?”

Kael smirked coldly as Ian slowly raised his head to meet his gaze. Without a hint of hesitation, Ian replied.

“Yes, if that is Your Grace’s will, I will accept it humbly. My only request before I die is that my parents not be held accountable for my sins.”

“You damned fool! Until I issue further orders, stay confined!”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Thud.

Kael, burning with anger, opened every window in the room, but he couldn’t cool down.

“Not a single one of them pleases me! D*mn it!”

Unable to contain his fury, Kael threw everything within reach to the floor, turning his office into chaos.

—

Elena smiled as she completed her embroidery, but Azet let out a sigh heavy enough to sink the earth.

“Azet, do you think the ground will cave in if you sigh like that?”

“Princess, this isn’t the time for jokes… Ugh, why do you care so much about the Duchess?”

“She’s my precious first friend.”

“Ugh… A friend? Aren’t you even a little resentful toward her?”

“Why should I resent her?”

Lowering his head under Elena’s sharp gaze, Azet muttered softly.

“Well, it’s because… the Crown Prince loves her…”

“Azet, just because His Highness holds her in his heart doesn’t mean I should resent her. You need to abandon such thoughts.”

“I’m sorry… Princess.”

Elena gently stroked Azet’s cheek and sat him beside her.

“I simply envied her.”

“…”

“She’s the woman loved by the first person I ever held in my heart. Shamefully, I once wished I could be her for just a single day.”

“…”

“And now, I feel a sense of kinship with her because she’s so much like me.”

“But still! The Duke respects the Duchess! Unlike His Highness the Crown Prince, who openly disregards her! Even when rumors spread about the Duchess’s infertility and the possibility of a second wife at the Hormons estate, the Duke silenced them with a single statement! It’s clear the Duchess is better off than you, Princess!”

Elena nodded slightly in agreement.

At least Duke Hormons didn’t openly treat the Duchess coldly.

“Princess, it’s not too late. Yesterday, His Majesty said that if you send a letter expressing your desire to return, he’ll find a way…”

“Azet.”

Elena clasped Azet’s hands tightly, her smile tinged with sadness, and spoke.

“I’m fine. I just want to stay by His Highness’s side in whatever way I can. He promised me, didn’t he? If I become his Empress, he’ll hold me once, make my child a prince, and not take a mistress.”

“But… What does that leave you with? He told you to stay silent and obedient for the rest of your life! How could he say something so heartless to your face?”

“You’re very upset. Go outside and get some fresh air. I want to be alone for now.”

“Understood.”

Elena patted Azet’s back as he left. Once the door closed, she carefully picked up the embroidered handkerchief with a four-leaf clover design.

“They say four-leaf clovers bring luck. I hope this brings luck to the Duchess. If only she could find happiness…”

Elena held the handkerchief tightly and prayed earnestly.

Watching her through a magical mirror, Alenoa sighed deeply, clutching her chest.

“…I’m sorry. Truly sorry. I regret that I can do nothing for you.”

Once again, Empress Albazar shed tears in secret.

—

Returning to the Duke’s estate, Aella was accustomed to the lack of welcome. As she headed to her usual room, Matteo blocked her path.

“Matteo?”

“The Duke has ordered you to stay in the room you use.”

“Oh. Hoho, I see. Understood.”

“I’ll carry your belongings for you.”

“That won’t be necessary. How is Charlotte?”

“She’s been wandering the estate looking for you, crying so much her voice is hoarse.”

“Oh dear…”

Aella headed straight to Charlotte’s room.

Click.

“Charlotte.”

Meow!

Charlotte, who staggered toward her, was as thin and frail as Aella herself. Tears welled up in Aella’s eyes as she held Charlotte close.

“I’m sorry, Charlotte. I won’t leave you again.”

Meow~ Meow~

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry.”

As she stroked Charlotte’s back, Aella watched her drink water and eat food. Once Charlotte was full, she climbed onto Aella’s lap and fell asleep. Holding Charlotte, Aella headed back to her room.

‘How strange. Why haven’t I seen Ian?’

Even at the hospital and upon returning to the estate, Ian, who was always within sight, was nowhere to be found.

“Matteo.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“I haven’t seen Ian. Did something happen?”

Stopping in his tracks at the mention of his son, Matteo bowed his head before Aella.

‘Something must have happened…’

Seeing Matteo’s trembling posture, Aella felt her lips dry out.

“He defied the Duke and is under orders to remain confined.”

“…”

“Additionally, the Duke dismissed him as commander of the knights.”

“!”

Aella wasn’t the only one shocked by the news.

“Matteo… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. To your son and to Natasha as well.”

“Haha. Your Grace, why would you apologize to us? Come now, let us proceed.”

Following Matteo’s heavy footsteps, Aella sighed deeply.

‘I’ve caused trouble for so many people. If I had known this would happen, I would have stayed with my baby…’

Aella entered her room and sat on the bed, looking at the anxious Kina.

“Kina.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

“You’re worried, aren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

Knowing that Kina, who had once been cold toward Ian, had opened her heart to him, Aella smiled faintly.

‘If only I could bring Kina and Ian together…’

Closing her eyes, Aella clasped her hands tightly.

‘Dear gods, please let Kina and Ian be united. I pray for this earnestly.’

—

The next morning, Aella prepared to welcome Princess Roden, who was scheduled to visit.

The tea time was set in the garden. Aella had prepared the Princess’s favorite snacks and tea and was sitting, gazing at the sky.

Clear skies with clouds drifting slowly.

‘My baby…’

As memories of singing lullabies to the baby in her womb while staring at the sky flooded her mind, tears began to well up in Aella’s eyes.

Step. Step.

Hearing footsteps, Aella wiped her tears with her sleeve and stood up. She faced her husband for the first time in four days since Count Blueanz had left.

“Your Grace…”

“In two days, Princess Roden will become this empire’s Crown Princess.”

“Yes.”

“The ceremony will be held in the royal palace. Will you attend?”

“I should.”

Kael, standing behind Aella, spoke again.

“We won’t stay long.”

“Yes.”

Step.

As Kael began to walk away, Aella reached out to stop him. He turned his head slightly, his icy gaze piercing her. Aella pressed her chest and spoke.

“Your Grace, please… about Ian…”

“Aella Blueanz.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t overstep. Know your place.”

“I understand…”

Kael sighed irritably and left. Unable to stand on her trembling legs, Aella collapsed into a chair.

‘Come to think of it, this place…’

It was where she had once played hide-and-seek with Kael as a child.

Lost in memories for a moment, Aella swallowed her tears.