Chapter 13 – Betrayal of Betrayal (Part 1)

While Reubellina was lost in thought, the Duke suddenly stood up from his seat.

“This is not the time to be sitting around.”

Saying that the family could be ruined if things went wrong, the Duke ran outside. As he left, Reubellina, now alone with Tartenon, watched him carefully.

“Uh, well…”

“Reubellina.”

Tartenon’s low voice reached Reubellina’s ears. Seeing Tartenon looking at her with worried eyes, Reubellina couldn’t bring herself to speak. She could understand why he had come to the capital. Claiming that the Duke was ill without further explanation was a poor excuse to anyone.

‘But I couldn’t write the details in the letter.’

So she had made up an excuse, but she hadn’t expected that excuse to draw Tartenon to the capital. Reubellina knew it was her fault.

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t come here to hear an apology.”

“Then?”

“Because I was worried.”

Reubellina’s cheeks turned red at Tartenon’s sincere whisper.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t explain properly.”

“It might have been better that way. It allowed me to lead my knights to the capital.”

“What if the Emperor finds fault with it?”

“We have to create a situation where he can’t.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“If things don’t go as planned, we’ll need a backup.”

From the sharp glint in Tartenon’s eyes, Reubellina realized that the backup plan could be soaked in the smell of blood.

“…Are you planning to overthrow the Emperor?”

“And the Crown Prince, if possible.”

“How?”

“Now that I know the Imperial family is involved in my father’s death, I can’t just let it go.”

Reubellina stared at him as the truth suddenly came out, but Tartenon was indifferent. His words, devoid of emotion, sounded even more desperate. Even Reubellina, who knew many things Tartenon had gone through due to the late Grand Duke’s death, couldn’t even begin to fathom his feelings.

An aunt who killed his father, and the Imperial family who seduced that aunt and cooperated in killing the late Grand Duke.

Knowing the truth, she knew he couldn’t just stay still, but it was too dangerous right now. Above all, it bothered her that Inferno would sit on the throne after overthrowing the Emperor and Crown Prince.

‘There’s nothing worse than an incapable person holding power.’

Reubellina thought deeply. Realizing that the plan she had briefly considered earlier wasn’t so bad, she leaned towards Tartenon. As her lips moved towards him, he hesitated.

“How about doing this?”

***

“Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

The news brought by the soldiers guarding the capital’s walls was enough to shock the Emperor.

“The northern knights have entered the capital?”

“Yes!”

“How many have entered?”

“It seems to be just under a hundred!”

“Even if it’s less than a hundred, if they are the elite of the north, they could easily defeat all the knights of the capital!”

“…”

The captain of the guards in charge of the capital’s security closed his mouth at the Emperor’s point. It was his fault for letting the knights into the capital recklessly. Even if the Emperor held him accountable and executed him, he had no words to say.

“Where did they head?”

“They headed to the Duke of Asillious’ residence.”

“Then the Duke must have requested help!”

“That doesn’t seem to be the case. It appears that the Grand Duchess, concerned about the Duke’s health, visited the Duke’s residence first, and the Grand Duke, patrolling the northern borders, followed her to the Duke’s residence.”

The captain repeatedly explained, mentioning Tartenon’s apparent concern for the Grand Duchess.

“They didn’t seem to be guarding the Duke’s residence, they were just resting.”

At the captain’s urgent words, the Emperor asked Monterno, who was sitting next to him, for his opinion.

“What should we do?”

“Surely they don’t intend to start a war here, not in the north. That seems unlikely.”

Adding that if Tartenon were that foolish, they wouldn’t be struggling now, Monterno reassured. The Emperor, somewhat reassured by his words, nodded.

“Right. That must be it.”

“So, it’s important to understand the exact situation first.”

“Understand the situation?”

“Yes.”

“But who would they allow in the Duke’s residence?”

“It’s not easy, but there is someone who can naturally do that difficult task.”

“Who?”

“Selena.”

At the mention of the Princess’ name, the Emperor’s face brightened.

“That’s right, we have her.”

“Since she currently dominates the social scene, she can use the excuse of wanting to meet the Grand Duchess.”

Tartenon might refuse, but Reubellina couldn’t. The one who dominated the social scene after Reubellina got married was Selena. After Reubellina left, there was no noble lady comparable to her, so Selena implicitly took on Stella’s role. The Crown Princess, too meek to take an active role, stayed out of the social limelight.

If Reubellina refused Selena’s invitation, it would harm her pride, subjecting her to social gossip.

“Since the main items of the Asillious trading company are jewels and ornaments, they can’t refuse Selena’s invitation.”

“Good idea. Then go and convey this to Selena.”

“Yes.”

‘Though I doubt my foolish sister will find out properly.’

Thinking of Selena, who was as hot-tempered and simple-minded as Inferno, Monterno shook his head secretly from the Emperor. Even if she wasn’t reliable, the only person who could enter the Duke’s residence now was Selena.

***

Selena Freynante wondered if there would ever be a happier time than these days. Dominating the social scene and not having to hear the pathetic talk about marriage and seducing the Grand Duke was like heaven.

She knew her father and brother were looking for new people, but she didn’t care. There wouldn’t be anyone who could satisfy their greedy eyes.

‘Who knows, if the heir of the Duke of Asillious is decided to be a man, they might push me there again to seize the Duke’s wealth.’

She has to live a life being manipulated by others. Selena thought her situation was pathetic, but she also thought there was no other choice. She had no power.

Pretending to be dumb was a mistake. No noble would approach a princess who seemed empty-headed. Moreover, there was no noble who would support a imperial who would leave the palace once married.

Selena smiled as she watched the noblewomen and young ladies chattering in front of her. No matter what, she had to hold onto them so that Monterno or the Emperor couldn’t treat her carelessly.

“I heard the Grand Duchess has entered the capital.”

“I heard that too. It was quite a commotion, wasn’t it?”

The noblewomen, fanning themselves, seemed to have already coordinated their words. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at Selena, curious about her reaction.

‘I don’t feel anything.’

It was natural. Tartenon had been obsessed about Reubellina from the beginning. Bellaruse was foolish for not seeing that. Selena had already noticed Tartenon’s hostility whenever Inferno was mentioned.

She had even gone to Reubellina to test her, but at that time, she knew nothing about Tartenon. It was an amusing situation, so Selena kept quiet. If it was meant to be, they would meet; if not, that was that.

‘I didn’t expect them to actually get married.’

Knowing Tartenon’s great obsession, Selena quietly decided to step back from the situation. Her wise choice brought satisfying results for both sides. Thanks to them, she could now live leisurely while reigning over the social scene.

“Shouldn’t we have a tea party, Princess?”

At Bellaruse’s words, who was sitting in a corner, trying hard to push out her chest, Selena turned her gaze.

Despite her disapproval, Selena smiled at Bellaruse, who seemed determined to witness a showdown between her and Reubellina. She knew Bellaruse was suffering from Inferno’s mistreatment. She had pitied her at first, but seeing her like this constantly was getting annoying.

“We should have a tea party. Or we could request a banquet in the palace from His Majesty.”

She needed to talk to Reubellina separately. Monterno had also visited her last night with a request. Now that the Imperial family was planning to attack the Duke of Asillious in earnest, she needed to find out the strength of the Duke and the Grand Duke. Only then could she plan her future.

The Emperor cherished her like a pet but didn’t genuinely love her. Since no one in the Imperial family took care of her, Selena had to find her own way to survive. It had been her goal since childhood.

Avoiding Monterno, who was obsessed with power, and Inferno, who mistreated her without knowing her value, she lived with the stigma of being a pretty flower.

‘After surviving all this, I can’t end like this.’

Selena’s eyes sparkled and then dimmed. She quietly sipped her tea while responding to another young lady showing off her ring.

***

Reubellina was astonished to hear that Selena had visited the Duke of Asillious’ residence without notice.

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s what I said.”

Tartenon, who was with her, frowned as well.

“To visit without any notice.”

“The Princess has always been like that.”

“Just because she’s always been that way doesn’t mean we should forgive her. You are the Grand Duchess now.”

“Well, she did the same thing even when I was the daughter of a wealthy Duke.”

“Really?”

“Yes. She’s never cared about things like that anyway.”

“I see.”

“There’s no need to worry. I don’t either. No matter how Princess Selena treats me or what position I hold, I am still me. That fact will never change.”