5: An Unexpected Confession

When the man who drove the Duke of Hormons to his death left these words as his dying statement, the empire was thrown into chaos.

“The one who hired me to k*ll the Duke of Hormons was Count Blueanz. He promised that if I killed the Duke and surrendered quietly, he would ensure my starving family in the slums would live in comfort for the rest of their lives. That’s why I kept quiet. But that damned Count killed my family before I could even k*ll the Duke. Even in death, I will curse him. I will curse the Blueanz family!”

With those final words, he coughed up blood and died in prison.

Of course, Count Blueanz claimed his innocence and presented a perfect alibi along with witnesses to dispel the distrust directed at him. However, rumors spread behind his back.

“They say Count Blueanz, pretending to be a lifelong friend, was envious of the Duke of Hormons.”

“The Duke of Hormons was known for trusting people, and Count Blueanz was practically like a brother to him.”

“Why else would the saying ‘the axe you trust cuts your foot’ exist?”

“They say the man who died, spitting blood, had eyes full of hatred. Even the men who buried his body said they felt chills.”

“My goodness, how deep must his grudge have been? How pitiful.”

The capital was abuzz with stories about the Duke of Hormons and Count Blueanz. The rumors even reached the palace, and eventually, the Emperor summoned Count Blueanz.

“Do you know why I’ve called you?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am truly wronged. As Your Majesty knows, the Duke of Hormons and I… Furthermore! My beloved daughter, Aella, has been betrothed to the Duke’s son, the young lord of Hormons, since childhood! How could I commit such a heinous act?”

The Count collapsed to the floor and drew his longsword, laying it before him.

“What are you doing?”

“If it will prove my innocence, I will offer my head to Your Majesty.”

“Count.”

“All I ask is that my one and only daughter, Aella, not be dragged into this. Please, Your Majesty.”

“Put away your sword and stand up.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Are you defying my command?”

At the Emperor’s reprimand, the Count trembled and hurriedly stood.

“I understand your sincerity. I will ensure that the rumors about you are dispelled as soon as possible.”

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”

“Is your daughter doing well?”

“She is a deeply filial child who cherishes her unworthy father. Even when she is worried, she does not easily share her concerns.”

“Then go back and take good care of her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After the Count left the office, the chancellor, who had been silently standing by, spoke to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, no matter how I look at it, I don’t think the words of the deceased young man were false.”

“Hm…”

“I’ve heard that the family living in the slums was massacred by unknown assailants. If we find those responsible…”

“Sir Rand.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Young Lord Hormons came to see me yesterday.”

“!”

The startled chancellor blinked as Emperor Albazar continued.

“He said he would handle it himself. Regarding his father’s death.”

“Did he?”

“Yes. For now, I will simply observe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor stared at the door through which Count Blueanz had exited, his eyes narrowing.

“Count Blueanz… I need to keep an eye on him.”

***

“Isn’t Princess Roden so pitiful?”

“Indeed. She became the Crown Prince’s consort, but he doesn’t even look at her.”

“How could she not be? Everyone in the empire knows that the Crown Prince has had feelings for Lady Blueanz since his princehood.”

“And that Lady Blueanz is about to become the wife of the young lord of Hormons—or rather, the Duke.”

As the noblewomen gossiped, the maids, indignant, were about to speak up when Elena stopped them and moved away.

“Princess! Are you just going to stay silent like this?”

“That’s right! If you remain quiet, they’ll keep gossiping like that!”

“The Crown Prince is truly too much! No matter what, how could he treat you like this?”

“Would you all be quiet? You’re giving me a headache.”

“We apologize.”

Elena patted the shoulders of the three maids, who bowed their heads, and walked down the corridor toward her room.

“Y-Your Highness! Didn’t His Majesty the Emperor tell you to stop concerning yourself with Lady Blueanz?”

“If you continue to block my way, I won’t let it slide, no matter who you are.”

“If you go like this, I will report to His Majesty!”

“I’ll handle it. Step aside.”

“Your Highness!”

“…”

In the middle of the corridor stood Julius Albazar, the sole heir of the Albazar Empire and the Crown Prince. Elena recalled the words he had said to her when she first arrived in the empire.

[Princess, let me make this clear. You will be my consort in name only. Don’t expect anything from me.]

After those words, the Crown Prince truly never spoke to her again. He merely passed by her, just as he was doing now.

[Elena, you will soon be engaged to the Crown Prince of the Albazar Empire.]

[Mother, is this… the Crown Prince?]

[That’s right.]

Initially shocked by the unexpected engagement, Elena had fallen in love at first sight with the cold, icy face of the Crown Prince in his portrait.

Even though it was an engagement without love, she had hoped he would welcome her. But the Crown Prince was unbearably cold.

“Princess.”

“It’s fine.”

“Hic, sniff.”

“I’m really fine. Don’t cry, all of you. If you cry, it breaks my heart.”

The maids, who looked at the smiling princess, could only stifle their sobs.

***

“Cough, cough—”

Perhaps because of the rain, Aella had caught a severe cold and had been bedridden for three days. Though her fever had gone down, she was still coughing, and her mouth remained dry.

“Meow~”

“Charlotte, I’m sorry, but I can’t hold you right now. I’m sorry.”

“Meow~”

Even pushing Charlotte away as she tried to climb onto the bed was tiring for Aella. She called for Kina.

“Can you take care of Charlotte?”

“Yes, my lady. Please wait a little longer. Doctor Wilson will be here soon.”

Smiling faintly, Aella lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

‘I’m truly shameless… Hoping that Kael would come. Maybe I’m this shameless because I have his blood in me.’

The more she thought about it, the more Aella despised the blood of the man she didn’t even want to call her father running through her veins. If she could, she would drain it all out.

Knock, knock.

“My lady.”

“Come in.”

When Laura entered, Aella greeted her with a smile and accepted the soup she brought.

“Shall I feed you?”

“No, I have enough strength to eat soup.”

“…My lady.”

“?”

Aella looked at Laura, who had placed a hand on her shoulder, and asked what was wrong.

“It’s not too late. You can still go to your uncle, Sir Frederick.”

“Laura, I won’t run away.”

“My lady…”

“Running away won’t change anything. Instead… I’ll accept it. If this is my destiny, I’ll embrace it.”

Laura, whose heart broke just looking at Aella’s smile, excused herself briefly, placed the bowl on the shelf, and hugged her tightly.

“If it ever gets too hard, please tell me. I’ll find a way to save you.”

“Thank you, Laura. I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Anything, my lady.”

Aella met Laura’s gaze as she wiped away her tears.

“Continue to help him.”

“…”

“And secretly gather evidence against him.”

“My lady.”

“One day, I will expose his vile nature to the world. Including the truth behind Grandfather’s death.”

“But, my lady…”

“Please, Laura. I have no one else to trust but you. I’ll make sure you’re not harmed. Help me, Laura.”

Moved by Aella’s earnest plea, Laura’s eyes filled with tears. Aella, who had never spoken harshly to anyone in her life, was now enduring a cruel situation. Knowing that she was willingly walking into a living hell because of her father made Laura’s heart ache even more.

And yet, she couldn’t stop her. That was what pained her the most.

“Laura, will you help me?”

“Of course.”

“When I enter the Duke’s mansion, keep me informed of my father’s every move. Letters are out of the question.”

“In that case…”

“Kina is here.”

“Me?!”

Holding Charlotte in her arms, Kina looked flustered as Aella called her over.

“Kina, I’ll give you one last chance. You can either join Laura and me or choose a safe and stable life. I want you to choose the latter. Laura and I are risking our lives. I’ll entrust Charlotte to you. Please raise her beautifully in my place.”

“My lady! I already told you! No matter where you go, even if it’s hell or a desert without a drop of water, I’ll follow you. Don’t you trust me?”

Moved by Kina’s teary determination, Aella opened her arms. Kina handed Charlotte to Laura and embraced her lady.

“My lady, don’t worry. I’ll protect you and follow you in whatever you do.”

“Thank you… Truly, thank you, Kina. Laura, Kina, because of you, I feel like I can endure this. Thank you so much.”

Knock, knock.

Startled, Aella asked who it was.

“My lady, the Crown Prince has come to see you.”

“The Crown Prince?!”

Surprised by the unexpected visit, Aella got up but swayed unsteadily.

“My lady!”

“You shouldn’t move!”

“I’m fine.”

Pushing away the two who were supporting her, Aella placed her hands over her chest.

‘It seems I’ve regained some strength.’

Using her healing ability to lower her body temperature, Aella stepped outside and instructed the butler, who was standing with his head bowed, to lead her to the Crown Prince.

Upon reaching the drawing room, Aella adjusted her appearance and stood tall.

Knock, knock.

“Your Highness…”

“Come in.”

Creak.

“Aella Blueanz greets the small sun of the empire, His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Sit.”

After completing her greeting, Aella sat across from the Crown Prince.

“Lady Blueanz.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I will help you.”

“With what?”

“They say that the young lord of Hormons plans to take you as his duchess once he becomes Duke to avenge his father.”

“…”

“Is it true? That your father…”

Aella nodded and spoke.

“Unfortunately, there is no evidence. There’s no clear proof that he was behind it. He’s probably already eliminated the assassins he hired.”

“Sigh.”

“And I intend to enter the Duke’s mansion as his duchess.”

“Do you understand what you’re saying?!”

The Crown Prince looked at her in disbelief, but Aella merely smiled and nodded.

“Lady… No, Aella.”

“…”

“If it’s for you, I’ll even elope.”

“Your Highness, please return to the palace.”

“Aella!”

The two fell silent for a moment.

“Aella, I love you.”

“This is inappropriate, Your Highness.”

“I can make you happy!”

“No, you cannot. I will pretend I didn’t hear what you just said, so please, I beg you, return.”

“Aella, if you ever change your mind, come find me. I’ll be waiting.”

Aella did not respond.

After the Crown Prince left, Laura and Kina entered and asked what had happened. Aella simply smiled and said it was nothing.

Standing by the window, Aella watched the Crown Prince walk away from the mansion.

‘Your Highness, please forget about someone like me and treat Princess Roden well.’