“So… the rumours were true.”
Ariel leaned back against the seat of the carriage, muttering softly to herself.
When she had first heard those words, she had been so shocked that she hadn’t been able to react.
But that initial shock had soon passed, and as her reason returned, she began to wonder why he had said such a thing.
Had he lost his mind on hearing the news of her supposed engagement to the Master of the Tower?
If anyone knew better than anyone else that Kylance still loved her, it was Ariel herself.
The way he looked at her was always filled with deep, unspoken emotion.
Obsession.
Yes, there was obsession in those eyes. But he had always watched her from a distance, never allowing his feelings to surface. And now, out of the blue, he’d gone mad?
Ariel shook her head.
If he was going to lose his mind over suspicions about her relationship with the Master of the Tower, he should have done so long ago.
Then why…? Why say such a thing, especially so openly, as if he wanted the courtiers to overhear?
Could it have been deliberate?
Was Duke Seyerd deliberately spreading rumours that he was deeply disturbed by her alleged relationship with the Master of the Tower?
It was the only logical conclusion she could draw. And with it, her suspicion became certainty.
The rumours of her engagement to Aster-Kylance had undoubtedly had something to do with it.
The day he asked her to step aside, he must have come to some sort of agreement with Aster.
Ariel wanted to ask Aster again what exactly they had agreed, but she felt it would be better to confront Kylance directly.
The Eastern Kingdom had already refused to cooperate, and now there was this untimely scandal. She wanted to ask him directly why such a scandal was necessary in the current situation.
Why did this growing unease in her heart refuse to subside?
And so Ariel made her way to the ducal estate of Seyerd to meet him in person.
Ariel sighed deeply. Her head felt overheated from a day of overthinking.
She opened the carriage window. As the night breeze cooled her head, Aster’s question popped into her mind.
“Now that your memories have returned, are you really all right?”
At the time she hadn’t been able to answer, overwhelmed by confusion. But as the days passed, the scales of her heart tipped decisively to one side.
Towards not being all right.
She couldn’t bring herself to equate Kylance with someone as monstrous as Melish Viasteus.
Ariel exhaled softly as the carriage began to slow.
She pushed her thoughts aside as the carriage came to a halt and the door opened.
“My lady, we have arrived at the ducal estate.”
Ariel handed her pass to the coachman.
“Inform His Grace that Ariel Blante requests an audience.”
“Yes, my lady.”
A short time later, the coachman returned, his expression uncomfortable as he looked at Ariel.
“Um, my lady…”
“What is it? Do they require my presence to confirm my identity?”
“No, it’s not that… but I have been told that you cannot meet His Grace at this time.”
It was true that the hour was late, but to refuse her outright? She, of all people, to be turned away?
Ariel’s brow furrowed as she questioned him further.
“Have you properly informed them of who I am? Never mind – I will speak to them myself.”
She stepped out of the carriage and approached the guards. Just then, a figure stepped through the open gates.
Lowell approached Ariel and greeted her politely.
“Lady Blante.”
“It’s been a while, Lowell. I’ve come to see His Grace. I have something urgent to ask.”
“My apologies, my lady. His Grace is not at the ducal residence at the moment.”
“Not at the ducal residence?”
Ariel paused, taken aback by the unexpected answer. It hadn’t been long since Kylance had returned – could he have already left for another country?
No, at this point it wouldn’t make sense for him to leave.
The rumours about her and Kylance were causing a stir throughout the capital. He was the one who started the rumours, so would he really spread them and then leave?
Something felt wrong. Was he avoiding her and lying about it?
As Ariel trailed off in suspicion, Lowell spoke up.
“It is true. His Grace is not at the residence. He has temporarily left the capital on the orders of His Majesty.”
Lowell’s serious and unwavering gaze suggested that he was telling the truth. It didn’t seem like a lie.
“Orders from His Majesty…”
“Yes. It’s a matter that cannot be made public… My apologies, my lady.”
Lowell bowed his head with a troubled expression. Ariel shook her head.
“No, it’s all right. It was I who came unannounced. I can’t complain about a wasted journey.”
“If it’s really urgent, I could take the matter to His Grace on your behalf…”
“No. That’s not something I can discuss with you.”
Ariel refused firmly, her gaze sweeping past the gate to the ducal residence. When she had left this place a year ago, she had thought she would never return.
Yet here she was again.
The familiar estate.
There was nothing about the Ducal Residence that Ariel didn’t know. She had once learned everything about it in preparation for becoming its mistress.
Her eyes finally settled on the estate’s extravagant rose garden.
The roses had been enchanted with a preserving spell so that they would never wither, even in winter.
On the day Ariel entered the ducal residence for the first time after her engagement to Kylance, these roses were a gift he had prepared for her.
Her favourite flower and a symbol of Kylance’s love for her.
“Sometimes, when I look at you, I feel that the goddess of roses has taken human form. Especially with your red hair – it’s like the petals of a fully bloomed rose.”
Kylance had kissed her crimson hair with a tender gaze as he spoke these words.
The memory suddenly surfaced and Ariel quickly looked away from the garden.
She turned to Lowell and asked,
“Answer me one thing. Has His Grace found the Black Eagles?”
Lowell hesitated for a moment before taking a step towards her.
“The Black Eagles have been wiped out… but we’ve identified who was behind them. The individual is currently on the run, but will soon be captured and turned over to the Empire. Soon… it will all be over, my lady.”
‘It will all be over.’
Something about the words felt wrong. Not ‘the truth will come out,’ but ‘over.’
Ariel felt a cold shiver run down her spine, a sense of foreboding creeping up on her again. But she couldn’t bring herself to push any further.
She simply repeated her request.
“Tell His Grace that I have something to tell him… that I wish to meet him before this matter is concluded. Please make sure he hears it.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Lowell replied, bowing with a bittersweet smile.
In the distance, the darkened window of the Duke’s study came into view.
With a sombre look, Ariel finally turned away.
She could only hope that the ending Kylance had chosen wouldn’t end in tragedy.
—
As Ariel returned to the Marquisate of Blante after her fruitless visit to the Ducal residence, the Duke’s estate on the outskirts of the capital was still brightly lit despite the late hour.
Two days ago, the owner of the villa had paid a visit for the first time in a long time.
But the staff’s initial joy was short-lived. On Kylance’s orders, all the servants were dismissed and every door in the villa was locked. The atmosphere had quickly become tense and foreboding.
Guards from the ducal estate of Seyerd stood guard at the entrance, and every window in the villa was tightly curtained to ensure that no one could see inside.
Only Kylance and the Ducal Knights were allowed to enter.
Once everything was secured, Kylance had stripped the drawing room of its luxurious furnishings, leaving only two sofas and a table.
That night, after the room had been transformed into an interrogation room, Kylance’s invited guest arrived.
The Marquise of Viasteus.
Escorted into the villa by Deryl, the Marquise of Viasteus quickly sensed the tense atmosphere and tried to resist, but Kylance was one step ahead.
“Aunt, I would rather not bind you with ropes. That sort of punishment is fit for lowly slaves, is it not?”
“You insolent…!”
“Don’t make a scene. The ropes are always within reach.”
With Kylance’s warning, the Marchioness found herself locked in the improvised interrogation room.
Although the commotion died down, the Marchioness continued to deny everything.
“My handwriting? I’ve never written a letter like this before.”
“I only went to the blacksmith to place an order for arrows.”
“Duke Piedu? I’ve never even heard his name, let alone made an assassination deal with him!”
Even with handwriting analysis and witnesses, Melish Viasteus’ thick veneer of denial refused to crack.
But Kylance was just as steadfast.
While Deryl interrogated the Marquise, Kylance simply watched in silence, not even taking a sip of water.
A whole day passed in this way, and now it was the third day.
At exactly one o’clock, Kylance, who had not said a word, finally spoke.
“Deryl, you may leave now.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Deryl quietly left the drawing room, leaving only Kylance and the Marchioness of Viasteus in the interrogation room.
The heavy silence in the room remained, and it was Kylance who moved first. Rising from his seat, he approached and took up a position directly opposite Melish.
Their dark eyes locked, and this time it was Melish who broke the silence.
“Do you think my answer will change just because it’s you? I know nothing of this. Someone set me up.”
“…….”
Kylance remained silent, just staring at the duchess.
Melish found his inscrutable gaze irritating, but she continued speaking calmly.
“Handwriting analysis can be faked. You of all people should know that – you’ve done it yourself.”
“…….”
“And as for your so-called witness, she’s nothing more than a spy planted by Duke Piedu a long time ago, isn’t she? Do you really think the testimony of such a person has any credibility?”
With a sneer, Melish delivered her final blow.
“If you want to put me on trial so badly, then bring me a solid witness. Someone like Duke Piedu himself!”
Though their connection had been severed, it was ironic that Piedu remained her trump card.
The cunning Duke had already fled Breta, making him almost impossible to locate for the foreseeable future.
And if he were to disappear forever… not only would this incident be buried, but so would all her past deeds…
But at that moment, a soft, deep voice shattered her hopes.
“Indeed. As it happens, Duke Piedu is being taken to the Empire right now.”
For the first time, Melish’s unwavering expression faltered.
Duke Piedu is being taken to the Empire? That can’t be…
“…What?”
She asked slowly, her voice thick with disbelief.
“Duke Piedu left the Kingdom of Breta for the Desert Kingdom shortly after his advisor disappeared. He probably thought he was lucky, especially since crossing the border was surprisingly easy for him.”
“…….”
“If he had thought carefully, he would have noticed that something was wrong – that everything seemed perfectly orchestrated. But Duke Piedu must have been in too much of a hurry.”
Kylance, staring intently into Melish’s trembling eyes, spoke in a low voice.
“He had no idea it was all a trap and walked right into it.”
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