162. Herwen’s Plan

“Edward!!! Why are those the only charges? Add the charge that I sent assassins to kill you as well!!”

“No, that crime has a different perpetrator.”

Edward left the interrogation room without even looking at the Empress Dowager’s face. He could hear her screaming in rage behind him, but Edward paid no attention. He boarded the waiting carriage with Marquis Argen.

He had only vaguely suspected that someone who would target his life might also have killed his mother, but he never expected to hear those words from her lips. He felt cheated for all those years he had thought of her as his mother before meeting Larael. Unable to control his sudden surge of anger, he struck the seat with his fist.

Hearing the loud thud from inside, the coachman cautiously asked if they should depart. Marquis Argen instructed him to proceed and gazed steadily at Edward. He couldn’t possibly imagine the depth of Edward’s anger. Not knowing what words of comfort to offer, Marquis Argen carefully chose his words.

“If Larael weren’t by my side in this situation, I might have massacred people indiscriminately and become a notorious tyrant.”

“Your Majesty, you speak unnecessarily. You are not that kind of person.”

Edward gave a hollow laugh and turned his gaze toward the window. Marquis Argen stared at him for a moment before speaking again. The person Edward needed most for comfort was clearly Larael.

“Your Majesty, shall I take you to Her Highness the Empress Consort’s palace?”

“…Aren’t we already heading to Abella Palace?”

Marquis Argen hurriedly instructed the coachman to go directly to Abella Palace once they entered the imperial grounds.

Edward felt his mind becoming remarkably calm as he thought of Larael and their child. As if the recent events had never happened to him, they were instantly forgotten as his mind filled with thoughts of the two of them.

Seeing the faint smile that appeared on Edward’s face, Marquis Argen let out a sigh of relief. Edward planned to bury himself in Larael’s embrace once he reached Abella Palace and stay still all day. He already missed her scent.

***

Duke Nox was glaring at Herwen as if he wanted to kill him. Herwen sat across from him, legs crossed, tapping his foot, regarding Duke Nox with a languid gaze. He seemed to be enjoying the duke’s openly displayed malice.

“I knew the Duke would come to see me soon.”

“…Let me see Ariella.”

As the duke thought of Ariella, he was tormented almost to madness by the memory of her finger that this cruel man before him had sent. He wanted to lunge at Herwen and strangle him to death right then. He tried to calm himself, gripping his knees tightly with trembling hands. He firmly resolved to think only of Ariella.

“Ariella is doing well, so don’t worry. Don’t we have matters to discuss between ourselves?”

Duke Nox grew anxious as Herwen tried to gloss over the subject of Ariella.

“You said she’s doing well?”

When Duke Nox asked in a fierce tone, Herwen’s eyes sharpened. Duke Nox bit his lip hard upon seeing that look. In truth, he had considered abandoning everything and running to the Emperor to confess everything. But he simply couldn’t risk his daughter’s life. He let out a long sigh before continuing.

“…Your Grace’s proposal is unreasonable no matter how I think about it. The Emperor is a war hero. Defeating him on the battlefield is practically impossible. The probability of a successful rebellion is close to zero.”

Herwen’s eyebrows twitched in displeasure at Duke Nox’s cold assessment. But since the duke’s words weren’t wrong, he couldn’t refute them. He simply felt very displeased.

“So I was thinking… why not demand independence for the duchy instead? If there’s no turning back, wouldn’t it be better to incur the Emperor’s wrath as little as possible?”

“…”

Herwen’s fierce eyes lost their intensity at Duke Nox’s words. He was thinking hard. Without the Kingdom of Hashiya’s support, they had far too few troops to march on the capital. But they had come too far to turn back now. He didn’t want to retreat.

Today’s front-page news about the Empress Dowager’s dethronement and confirmed beheading sentence drove Herwen to more extreme thoughts. It was time to make a clear decision and take decisive action.

“If we declare independence, will Edward leave us alone?”

“He won’t leave us alone. But do we have any other options? From the moment I decided to join Your Grace, I lost all attachment to this world. All I want is my daughter’s safety and happiness.”

“I like that attitude.”

Duke Nox’s lips trembled at Herwen’s mocking words.

“Actually, I’ve already moved some of my duchy’s forces near the northern region. I’ll move them into the territory immediately.”

Herwen’s eyebrows twitched at his words. Moving troops near the north without informing Herwen first—if Duke Nox had other intentions, he could have attacked Kalia. When Herwen looked at him with distrustful eyes, the duke swallowed hard and placed his hands on the table. Then he took out a prepared dagger and, gritting his teeth, forcefully cut off his left pinky finger. With a rough groan, the duke’s finger was severed. Blood flowed freely from the cut finger, soaking the table. The duke wrapped his hand with a prepared bandage, his eyes filled with determination.

“Duke!! What are you doing?”

“I offer this as my oath of loyalty. Now please release our Ariella.”

“Are you insane? Before Ariella was taken hostage, you were planning to hide in your duchy?”

“Your Grace, I beg you. Why wouldn’t I have attacked you with this dagger I brought? Please, I’m begging you. I’m not asking to take her away. Just let her receive proper treatment and stay here as Your Grace’s fiancée, treated with respect.”

Herwen narrowed his eyes and listened carefully to what he was saying.

“Fine, I’ll do as you ask. But you can’t meet her.”

“…Please, just once.”

Tears quickly filled Duke Nox’s eyes.

Knock, knock.

With a knock, Herwen’s aide hurriedly entered and handed Herwen a letter. Herwen’s face visibly brightened as he received it. He hastily read the letter.

“The Kingdom of Hashiya has replied.”

Herwen told Duke Nox as he read the letter. A gleam of joy appeared in Herwen’s eyes as they moved rapidly from side to side.

“It’s done!! Duke! The Kingdom of Hashiya has agreed to help us. I proposed that we jointly own the magic stones between my country and the Kingdom of Hashiya as a condition? It’s a vulgar condition, but we can change that later. I really can make your daughter an Empress.”

Herwen began to laugh. His laughter gradually took on a maniacal quality and filled the room. Duke Nox could only tremble and shrink at the sound of his laughter.

***

“You’re saying the situation in the north doesn’t look good?”

“Yes. We recently received reports that Duke Nox’s forces are spread around the northern region.”

“Duke Nox, has he truly crossed a river of no return? And Herwen?”

Edward rested his chin on his hand and asked Marquis Argen about Herwen’s movements.

“Grand Duke Vellaus is currently staying secluded in his mansion in the capital. He shows no particular movement.”

“For now… send more people to the north and have them monitor Herwen’s every move and report back.”

“Yes, understood.”

After giving instructions to Marquis Argen, Edward rose from his chair.

“Are you going to see Her Highness”

“Yes.”

Edward left his office with light steps. He hurried to Abella Palace. He found himself humming a tune, then suddenly felt embarrassed and looked around. The attendants following him lowered their heads deeply.

Upon arriving at Abella Palace, Larael, who had been waiting eagerly for Edward, welcomed him warmly. She was grateful that Edward kept their promise to walk together in the garden in front of Abella Palace. She felt great happiness and joy seeing him make time for her amid his busy schedule.

“Is the interrogation of Duke Anderman going well?”

“It’s almost like a formality now.”

Larael smiled shyly. Once the final interrogation was over, they would submit the collected evidence to the trial, and that would be the end. She had wanted to dig deeper into Duke Anderman’s crimes or compile more thorough evidence, but due to his uncooperative attitude, she couldn’t make further progress.

“By the way, Your Majesty, there’s something I need to tell you.”