Chapter 59

Michael’s unsettling words left Dietrich frozen in place. 

What could the King have meant? No, how long had he known that the late Professor Hughes had no chronic illness?

As Dietrich stood there, his expression hardened into a cold mask. Michael took a step back, his unreadable gaze lingering for just a moment.

“Well then, carry on.”

Leaving behind his cryptic remark, Michael departed.

Still stunned, Dietrich remained rooted in place. It was Giselle who approached him next, accompanied by her brother. She was dressed in an elegant black gown adorned with intricate embellishments. In her delicate hands, she held a single white lily.

“We are grateful that the royal court could participate in such a meaningful event with the Katarina Foundation.”

“…….”

“Sir?”

Giselle’s curious voice brought Dietrich back to reality. Only then did he realize that his gaze had been following Michael’s retreating figure. His confused eyes finally met hers.

Noticing his startled expression, Giselle looked at him with concern. Since this was their first meeting, Dietrich quickly composed himself and bowed to her.

“You don’t look well. Are you alright?”

“I apologize for showing such discourtesy at our first meeting.”

“…….”

“May peace dwell before you, Princess.”

He offered a formal greeting to his secret lover.

There was suspicion, but no evidence.

Michael had received news of Oliver Hughes’s death and reports from Walter about the two candidates for Speaker of the House almost simultaneously.

Despite being a commoner, Oliver Hughes had earned widespread respect under the reign of the previous Emperor due to his extraordinary intellect. After graduating, he worked as both a lawyer and a teacher, earning admiration from people of all statuses. He was also a righteous man who chose not to start a family to dedicate himself to standing with the weakest members of society.

Thus, when the House of Representatives was established, he was the first to be named a representative. He built his foundation as a moderate reformist leader.

During his lifetime, Hughes proposed numerous bills, including some long-term plans. If he had suffered from a chronic illness that could have easily claimed his life, he wouldn’t have been able to put forth such comprehensive proposals.

“…Grant mercy.”

Michael’s gaze shifted to Dietrich, who stood before the altar, leading the prayers.

Dietrich Schleicher.

The man who had lost everything to Rufus but refused to crumble. The man who rebuilt his company and established a foundation to engage in charitable work. A reformist from Singred University who, upon becoming a representative, received overwhelming support from radical factions and ultimately secured the position of Speaker of the House.

“…May he overcome death and enjoy eternal life….”

In Rohadin, the most neutral figure should not distrust someone without evidence.

Yet, was it the suddenness of a loyal subject’s death? Or was it the inability to accept such an abrupt loss? The fact that Oliver Hughes, who had always taken good care of his health, had died with “chronic illness” cited as the cause was the seed of doubt.

The thought that there might be a secret behind Hughes’s death lingered. And at the end of that suspicion stood Dietrich, the first Speaker of the House.

In the silence, Dietrich’s sorrowful prayers continued.

“…Look upon the devotion with which he lived, trusting and serving You.”

Michael’s gaze locked with Dietrich’s in the air. But only for a moment. Dietrich blinked and looked away.

“…Grant him the joy he could not experience in life….”

The King harbored doubts about Oliver Hughes’s death. However, the Bureau of Public Safety had already concluded its investigation, and the funeral was proceeding with the prayers Dietrich was leading. Even as King, it would be difficult to order a reinvestigation without evidence.

Though momentarily startled by Michael’s knowledge of Hughes’s lack of chronic illness, Dietrich dismissed the thought.

“Im Namen des Vaters….”

Contrary to his inner thoughts, Dietrich’s solemn voice resonated through the cathedral.

As he raised his hand to trace the sign of the cross on his forehead, the congregation followed suit. Even those without religious beliefs joined in as a gesture of respect for the deceased.

“Und des Sohnes….”

Whether it was the Duke of Rosenheim or the King of this country, it didn’t matter if they found out about him.

“Und des Heiligen Geistes.”

Sooner or later, they would inevitably face each other as part of the new era that Kopenbach would bring about.

Dietrich clasped his hands together as he finished the sign of the cross.

After concluding his prayer, Dietrich descended from the altar and took his seat as the chief mourner. The rest of the ceremony continued under the guidance of the priests.

*   *   *

Charlotte fully regained her senses that morning.

The past few days she had spent lying down felt unreal. As the headache that had plagued her finally disappeared, her mind cleared, and she opened her eyes. Lida, who had been nursing her, immediately reacted with excitement.

“Viscountess! Are you alright?”

“Mm….”

Lida adjusted the pillows to support Charlotte’s back and rushed out of the room, saying she would prepare some porridge.

The room’s interior looked almost the same as it had before Charlotte fell ill. Only the damp towels and pile of medicine on the table served as evidence of her recent sickness.

As she lazily scanned the room, there was a knock at the door, followed by someone entering. It wasn’t Lida. It was her eldest brother Richard’s wife, Countess Therese Essen.

Calling out “Charlotte!” with delight, Therese approached the bed.

“Are you feeling better? The whole family was so worried about you.”

“…Therese.”

“Yes, it’s me. Mother and Father had prior engagements, so they’re away for a bit.”

Therese explained how their parents had been losing sleep every night worrying about their youngest daughter. She gently dabbed Charlotte’s forehead with a cool towel.

Before marrying into the Rothschild family, Therese had been the only daughter of the Essen family. She had pursued Richard relentlessly out of love and succeeded in marrying him. Unlike Charlotte and Erhen’s arranged engagement, theirs was a love match, which set them apart.

Therese even gave up her inheritance to Richard, insisting that he was better suited to managing the family’s affairs. Having lost her mother at a young age, Therese had been running the household for years and believed Richard was more capable of succeeding as Earl.

Once Charlotte’s face, previously drenched in cold sweat, was tidied up, Therese stood. Charlotte spoke up.

“How did you manage to come here? I’m sorry for troubling you.”

“Don’t worry about the kids. They’re doing just fine. They were so worried when they heard their aunt was sick.”

Therese laughed softly, telling Charlotte to focus on her own recovery.

Soon, Lida returned with water and porridge. Therese offered to stay, allowing Lida to leave the room again. She poured warm water into a cup and handed it to Charlotte.

The warmth spread from Charlotte’s fingertips, and she let out a small sigh.

“Charlotte, you were really sick. Do you know how long you’ve been lying here?”

It felt like a long time. The lingering haze in her mind suggested as much.

…A long time? How long?

Suddenly, a dreadful thought struck her, sending a shiver down her spine.

How long have I been lying here?

As she reluctantly faced the reality she didn’t want to acknowledge, Charlotte barely managed to speak.

“…Sister, what… what day is it today?”

Her trembling voice sounded pitiful. Therese, startled by Charlotte’s sudden unease, widened her eyes.

“Why are you acting like this, Charlotte?”

“No, I mean, how… how long have I been lying here?”

“How long? About… a week.”

Ha.

The strength drained from her hand, and the cup she was holding fell, spilling water onto the white bedspread.

Alarmed, Therese quickly grabbed Charlotte’s shoulders. Despair filled Charlotte’s eyes as she looked back at her.

“Oh my, are you feeling worse? Why are your hands shaking like this?”

“What do I do? What do I do, Sister?”

Her trembling hands clutched Therese’s sleeve. A tear, unnoticed, slid down Charlotte’s cheek.

Seeing Charlotte suddenly break down in tears, Therese panicked and called out urgently.

“What are you talking about, Charlotte? What’s wrong? Someone, anyone, come here!”

“I must be crazy. I must be crazy. I shouldn’t have been lying here.”

“Speak clearly. What’s going on? Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Sister, what do I do… what do I do….”

Charlotte clung to Therese, sobbing uncontrollably. Startled by Therese’s cries, Lida and other servants rushed in, followed by the doctor.

But Charlotte could only sob in Therese’s arms for a long time. She had done nothing, had no time to prepare, and now the day had arrived.

…Today was the day.

The day to end her one-month-long relationship.

The day she had to say goodbye to Erhen.