130. The Attempt to Seize the Empty Seat (2)

Duke Nox sat with a stern expression, gripping his staff with both hands. When Marquis Argen entered the chamber, their eyes met briefly, but before he could even acknowledge him, the duke quickly looked away. Marquis Argen truly could not discern Nox’s intentions. This was the very same man who had once thrown himself wholeheartedly into Edward’s affairs, and yet now, Argen even doubted whether he felt the slightest regret over Edward’s current unconscious state. Argen pressed his lips into a thin line and took his seat.

Once the chamber filled with nobles, Duke Anderman stepped forward to the center.

“As you all know, this council has been convened urgently by the agreement of the four ducal houses of the Kazel Empire. And the agenda, as was briefly mentioned before, concerns the matter of filling the void left while His Majesty the Emperor is unable to govern.”

At his words, the chamber instantly fell silent. Marquis Argen raised his hand.

“Duke Anderman, you keep bringing up the subject of regency, calling this council as though you’ve been waiting for such an opportunity. Do you not fear drawing unnecessary suspicion by acting this way?”

At Argen’s cutting words, Duke Anderman’s gaze briefly sharpened.

“I understand the Kingdom of Hashiya is behind the assassination attempt. Shouldn’t such crucial matters have been shared with us?”

At that, Argen’s brow furrowed deeply. His eyes swept sharply over the aides seated beside him. Until now, only he and the other aides had known that fact. His gaze shifted toward Duke Nox, seated at an angle from him. Nox still maintained close ties with the aides. It was highly likely one of them had reported it to him, and that Nox had passed the information along to Anderman. Argen’s mouth felt parched.

The mention of the Kingdom of Hashiya stirred murmurs throughout the chamber. Anderman, wearing a satisfied expression, glanced around the room before continuing.

“Whether we lodge a formal protest with Hashiya or march to war in retaliation, we need someone to take command, do we not? The assassins have already been wiped out, and apart from a handful of aides, what intelligence have you even gathered?”

The remark was a sneer, implying they would never discover the mastermind behind it. Argen clenched his teeth.

“Precisely in times like this, the nobles must unite as one to fill His Majesty’s absence. We need someone to firmly hold the center. And I believe it is only natural that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager should assume that role.”

“It has not even been a week since His Majesty fell unconscious. To speak of a regency already is far too hasty.”

Argen’s voice shook with anger. His words brought a heavy silence over the chamber.

“Not in the least. I, too, firmly believe that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager must take over the reins of government. Who else could possibly be qualified, if not her?”

Breaking the weighty silence, Duke Nox rose from his seat with the aid of his staff. At once, everyone could guess the words he would not say aloud: a regency by the empress consort was something they would never allow to happen.

With Nox lending his weight to Anderman’s proposal, a fair number of nobles began nodding in agreement. Despite Argen’s desperate opposition, the matter was put to a vote, and the decision passed by an overwhelming majority: the Empress Dowager would act as regent.

When the meeting ended, Marquis Argen hurried after Duke Nox, who was leaving in haste.

“Do you intend never to face His Majesty again?”

“……”

“Think of the years you’ve shared together. You cannot turn your back on him like this while he lies unconscious…”

“It’s not as if my heart is at ease. I never knew I could be such a narrow-minded man. But no matter how loyal I may be to His Majesty, my one and only family comes first. I only came here because my daughter pleaded with me. As penance for failing His Majesty, I intend to return to my lands and never again set foot in the capital.”

“You are being truly cruel.”

“I am sorry. When His Majesty awakens, serve him well.”

The lines on Duke Nox’s face deepened. He moved his lips as if to say more, then let out a long sigh and turned away. Argen did not stop him. He wondered—if Beatrice or his own twins had chosen to side against Edward, would he have ended up like Duke Nox? With a violent shake of his head, he dismissed the meaningless thought. It was something he could not even bear to imagine.

Marquis Argen made his way to Edward’s bedchamber.

After knocking, he entered to find Larael seated at Edward’s bedside. On seeing him, she rose and took a seat on the sofa. Her face was once again the familiar mask of indifference. Oddly enough, that brought him comfort. He sat across from her.

“So it has been decided, then.”

Larael spoke after noting the dark expression on Argen’s face.

“……”

Her long lashes trembled faintly. Closing her eyes, she drew several long breaths, as though trying to steady herself. But of course, no matter how she tried, she could not completely calm her racing heart.

It didn’t fully calm her, but if she didn’t at least do that, Larael had no way to rein in her escalating emotions.

“I knew we wouldn’t be able to stop the regency. We need to start thinking of a way to bring down the Empress Dowager.”

“Do you really think that’s possible? The House of Anderman is powerful enough to bring down even a flying bird…”

“There will be a way.”

Larael shifted her gaze into the empty air. She had not expected the time to stand against the House of Anderman to come so soon.

“Duke Nox has completely turned his back on His Majesty.”

Marquis Argen spoke in a bitter tone, and Larael slowly nodded. Bound by blood to Ariella Nox, Duke Nox could never truly side with Edward in the end.

“For now, Marquis, regardless of whether the Empress Dowager serves as regent or does anything else, make sure there are no gaps in governance. Please devote yourself to keeping the state running.”

Larael’s head throbbed under the weight of tangled thoughts. She raised a hand and pressed it firmly against her temple.

“Still no word from the Tower Master?”

“No.”

Marquis Argen bowed his head. Despite the Tower Master’s continued interrogations, nothing more had been revealed.

“…And Duke Anderman officially declared in the noble council that the assassins came from the Kingdom of Hashiya.”

“Whoever the accomplice is, they’ll now push with all their might to frame Hashiya for everything.”

Muttering as if to herself, Larael rose from the sofa and walked back to Edward’s side.

“All of this is my fault. My fault…”

She whispered. Marquis Argen listened in silence. No words of comfort came to mind. He simply watched Larael as she stood, gazing down at Edward, before finally giving a bow and leaving the chamber.

“Edward.”

Larael sat down on the edge of his bed. Her slender hand reached out, brushing against his face.

“When you return, I wish I could clear away everything that stands in your way. I’ll try my best. For your sake… and for our child’s sake…”

Clenching her teeth, Larael rested her hand over her stomach.

***

The cries of newborn twins rang through Marquis Argen’s residence on the very day the Empress Dowager triumphantly began her regency with her first act in the noble council.

“…Therefore, I will dispatch a special envoy to the Kingdom of Hashiya.”

Her first order as regent was to send a delegation to Hashiya—bearing the severed heads of the assassins. At its head was her most trusted son, Herwen, Grand Duke of the Kazel Empire.

When the council concluded, the Empress Dowager received reports from the emperor’s aides. She listened with a composed, haughty grace, nodding her head with elegance. Marquis Argen, however, was forced to leave midway through his report upon receiving urgent word that Beatrice had gone into labor. He hurried back to his estate.

When Larael heard the news, she briefly considered visiting Beatrice but, glancing at Edward lying unconscious, she could not bring herself to leave his side. Instead, she smiled faintly, picturing Beatrice’s twins.

That afternoon, Berser and Handelson arrived with Joy.

After completing his knighting ceremony and a short training, he had been assigned directly to Abella Palace. Joy, now a bit more perceptive, did not simply beam with joy. Instead, he restrained his emotions and gave a formal salute to Larael as her newly appointed knight.

“From now on, I should call you Sir Joy. I look forward to working with you.”

Larael smiled warmly at him. Joy stared, captivated by her smile, and silently vowed to lay down his life for her.