Chapter 14

With the sunset at his back, Kersian looked as though he was bathed in a halo of light.

His flawless, beautiful face was fixed entirely on Heila.

Under his gentle gaze, the heart that once trembled helplessly now felt frozen and still.

“There’s no way the ducal knights lack capable people to the point that you need to even pull in my personal guards, especially when you don’t even know how long the subjugation will take.”

It was a firm refusal that left no room for negotiation.

At the unexpected answer, Kersian’s expression stiffened, but he soon spoke again with a softened face.

“Heila, sometimes I feel like you’re not yet ready to accept our family and this estate with your heart.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The East may seem dull, and barren compared to the capital, so it might not suit your tastes. But since you’ve married me, you are now part of us, and you have a duty to take responsibility for the people here.”

“I’m aware of that. The knights I brought are only a small number, so they won’t be of much help anyway. That’s why I was thinking this estate might need more soldiers.”

At those words, a sharp glint flashed in Kersian’s eyes.

Because the previous emperor had been wary of his grandfather, the former duke, and had tried to restrain and suppress the family, they had been pushed out of central politics and forced to endure many hardships.

But with Heila, many things would become easier.

“I love this place just as I love you, and I care about the people here. I didn’t realize that’s how you saw me.”

“Heila, that’s not what I meant.”

“I’ll think more about what you said. For now, let’s return home. Knowing how you’ve been viewing me… it’s quite a shock. I think I need some rest.”

Kersian was bothered by Heila’s attitude, but this time, he followed her wishes without protest.

During the ride back, neither of them spoke.

After returning home and escorting her to the front of her bedroom, she looked up at him and said.

“Let’s spend some time apart until the banquet. You’re busy anyway, and you might not even want to see me after being disappointed in me.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then that’s a relief. Good night.”

Leaving Kersian standing in front of the bedroom, Heila simply closed the door.

***

“Your Highness, as you commanded, they’ve all been locked in the underground prison.”

The man who spoke knelt on one knee before a young man who looked about ten years younger than himself.

“Good work.”

At those words, the man rose and faced him.

The young man had dark red hair, and his sharp features were strikingly handsome.

His long, deep-set eyes held a dark golden hue, his nose was sharp as if it could cut, and his thin lips were pressed into a straight line.

Though he wore a uniform similar to the man’s, his tall stature—at least a head taller than others—and his solid build made him stand out as if he were wearing something entirely different.

However, today, perhaps because of his cold expression and ominous gaze, a chilling sensation ran through one’s entire body.

“Vice-Captain, did you find and lock up all of them?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not what I heard. Isn’t it just you and the gardener left now?”

The Vice Captain’s gaze wavered sharply.

But soon, as if resigned, he lowered his head.

It was a calm demeanour, as though he had expected this day to come.

“Since when… no, how did you find out?”

“Rather, I should be asking you. When exactly did you betray me?”

The Vice Captain could not answer.

Seeing his reddened eyes, Halis continued.

“Ever since your father saved my grandfather on the battlefield, our two families have trusted each other deeply. I trusted you as well. That’s why this is even more shocking.”

A somber expression appeared on the Vice Captain’s face.

His expression darkened greatly, yet Halis’s gaze remained cold as he looked at him.

“I’ll interrogate you, but you don’t have to answer. I already know.”

At Halis’s command to take him away, the knights hesitated but still grabbed the Vice Captain by the arms.

He did not resist and was led away quietly.

“Once the investigation is over, execute the Vice Captain and a few others in the square, according to the severity of their crimes.”

At those words, everyone present looked shocked.

Halis, the Knight Commander, had been the closest to the Vice Captain.

Yet the moment his betrayal was revealed, he ordered his execution without a shred of mercy—his ruthlessness left everyone astonished.

“Of all people, why would the Vice Captain do something like this?”

Shane, the adjutant, spoke with a dazed expression.

Having uncovered the Vice Captain’s betrayal under Halis’s orders, he had been deeply shocked and enraged upon learning the truth.

Even so, he couldn’t help but be stunned by Halis’s decision.

Moreover, Halis remained calm throughout.

The only difference from usual was the colder, more hardened expression and atmosphere.

“It’s because of his son’s gambling debts in the capital.”

“If only he had told the truth and asked Your Highness for help instead.”

“His pride made him gamble on something even bigger, but what can you do? It was his own choice. What happened to the son who was captured?”

“As you instructed, we rescued him and sent him to the South. He won’t be able to return for the rest of his life. We also asked a baron to keep watch so he won’t gamble again.”

“Good.”

After returning to his room, Halis removed his outer coat and sat down.

On the table was a single invitation.

It seemed a servant had left it there.

Halis’s gaze narrowed as he picked up the invitation.

As he read it, he remained silent for quite some time.

“Your Highness, what is it?”

“The Marquis is holding a birthday banquet.”

“Will you attend?”

Halis stared down at the invitation in his hand with a subdued gaze.

Before his eyes, the image of a young woman—frail and unimpressive like a dry branch—flickered.

She was neither glamorous nor beautiful, yet she remained in his memory more vividly than any beauty.

Partly because of the situation she had been in, and partly because the sight of her he had witnessed had been particularly pitiful and miserable.

Fixing his gaze on the last line of the letter, he spoke.

“Tell them I will attend.”

***

Heila sat on the bed, drenched in sweat.

Just then, Marlene entered the room, and upon seeing her, her brows knit together.

“My lady, you couldn’t sleep again?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, what about the doctor?”

Lately, Heila had been going to sleep late every night, and even then, she couldn’t sleep properly.

It was as if she were suffering from insomnia, and sometimes she would wake up screaming in the middle of the night.

Marlene had wanted to call the physician out of concern, but Heila had refused.

However, starting today, that would no longer be necessary.

“I found a woman. For now, she’s staying at a village inn—I brought her in under the pretense that she’s a distant relative of mine. She’s a bit young, but she seems quite capable.”

“That’s good. I needed to select a maid anyway. Bring her to me—I’ll see her today.”

“Yes. But my lady, since we’ve brought a trustworthy doctor, wouldn’t it be good for you to be examined as well? You haven’t been sleeping at all lately.”

“Alright, I will. But what about the thing I asked you to look into before?”

“Ah, that…”

Marlene frowned as if disgusted and spoke.

“They say His Highness the Grand Duke Halis executed the vice captain of the ducal knights, along with several knights and servants, in the square. For a whole week, their heads were displayed for passersby to see… it was so horrifying.”

“For what crime?”

“They say it was for betraying the grand ducal house and leaking its information to the outside.”

After having Marlene look into Halis, Heila realized that she knew far less about him than she had thought.

Though her memory had grown hazy, recalling how he had been wary of her and even disliked her when they first met made her feel slightly tense.

But she had to meet him.

To escape Kersian’s grasp, it would be impossible without outside help.

For now, he was the most suitable option.

In the afternoon, Heila met the doctor Marlene had brought for the first time.

She was a young woman with a simple yet neat appearance, her face ordinary but kind-looking.

She introduced herself politely.

“It is an honor to meet Your Imperial Highness. My name is Penny.”

Heila entrusted her with the examination, and after it was finished, the woman spoke.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly wrong, but your vitality is weakened. You mentioned you haven’t been sleeping well—have you had something troubling you recently?”

“It’s probably because I’m having difficulty adjusting to a new place. If there’s nothing wrong, then that’s fine.”

“I’ll prepare some medicine to help restore your energy, so please take it morning and evening. You are still young and healthy, my lady, but you must not overexert yourself.”

“I’ll try. Thank you for your work.”

At that moment, there was a knock, and a maid entered carrying tea.

“My lady, I’ve brought the tea. Shall I pour it now?”

“No. I’ll drink it later, just leave it.”

Glancing briefly at the pretty flower-patterned teapot, Heila added indifferently.

“There’s no need to bring it anymore from now on.”

At those words, the maid’s eyes widened.

Her gaze trembled slightly.

“Pardon? Why?”

The maid who had brought the tea asked, forcing a smile.

“No particular reason.”

“These are rare tea leaves that only come from the ducal territory. His Grace prepared them for you—are you sure you won’t drink it?”

Heila seemed to hesitate for a moment, then sat down on the sofa.

“Is that so? Then bring it.”

As she sat, Marlene poured the tea for her.

She lightly moistened her lips with the steaming tea before setting the cup back down.

Turning her gaze to the side, her eyes met the maid, who was cautiously observing her.

At the sight of the maid flinching slightly, she dismissed her.

After the maid left, Heila handed the teacup to Marlene.

As if accustomed to it, Marlene walked over to the window and poured the tea into a large flowerpot on the floor.