Chapter 15.1 – Reclaimed Peace

The long chaos finally ended, and as Liat and Alvin recovered and returned to daily life, autumn was ending and the mansion’s servants were busy sweeping fallen leaves.

Each sweep made the colorful autumn leaves rustle. Usually, this time of year, the Marquisate would be busy preparing for a picnic, but for some reason, all the servants were idle, endlessly sweeping leaves on the floor.

As the chaos settled and time passed, the Marquisate regained its vitality. The staff wanted to celebrate Liat’s return, to shower the streets with flower petals. They could have thrown a festival, but only an odd silence lingered.

The reason was simple. After a big fight, Liat and Alvin hadn’t met for two days, and time was passing meaninglessly.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the reason for their quarrel was just fatigue and differences in opinion over the engagement preparations? Delin and all the maids sat at the garden table, sighing.

“This time, Lady Liat went too far.”

“We mustn’t forget we’re servants of the Marquisate, Lisa.”

“But, but it really was too much.”

Lisa rubbed her dry eyes as if she were about to cry.

“To postpone the engagement… Everyone knows how much Sir Alvin was looking forward to it.”

Delin gently took Lisa’s hand and wiped her eyes, pursing her lips. She herself thought she’d be too busy changing bed sheets once Lady Liat and the Young Master recovered their health.

“Uh, um… Delin, you’re too close.”

“Lisa, you’re still so shy.”

Delin pulled back as Lisa said, but Lisa pouted, though Delin failed to notice.

“Ahem! By the way, why did Lady Liat postpone the engagement?”

“Things seemed strange after she returned from the Imperial Capital…”

As they said, the quarrel began after Liat’s visit to the Imperial Capital.

A lot changed after Liat returned from her abduction.

First, rumors spread in the capital that Himbrid was running the Sl*ve Syndicate, and that the Emperor, who supported him, had knowingly allowed it, turning the Imperial Capital into chaos.

Amidst the confusion, the Emperor summoned Liat and Alvin to the capital. It was clear he wanted to silence them and quell the controversy, but this failed quickly.

Accusations arose that dirty money from the illegal sl*ve market had been used for policy funds, and criticism of the incompetent Emperor followed. As a result, the Emperor hurriedly took to his sickbed—though it was only an act.

Thus, Prince Ronas was quickly appointed Crown Prince and began to handle state affairs. Ronas was so full of inferiority that people wondered about his character, but he wasn’t so evil as to be unmoved by the frail appearance of the woman he admired.

Her wounds and thinness, which even a long dress couldn’t hide, created a mournful atmosphere, and Ronas, seeing this, became deeply interested in the Empire’s public safety. Those trapped in the sl*ve market would receive Imperial support until they could stand on their own.

A faction arose supporting the Crown Prince, who pushed policies for the socially weak. The throne would soon welcome a new ruler.

What happened to Liat and Alvin was widely known throughout the Empire due to the rage of Duke Deiars, who rose from his sickbed.

Ronas, who had fallen for Liat at a banquet, sympathized with her after her ordeal and, as the representative of the incompetent Imperial Family, personally apologized and secretly promised to grant her any wish.

He’d hoped she might ask for the position of Crown Princess, but Liat’s wish was unique.

Instead of wealth or fame, which any ordinary person might seek—

‘Please stop neglecting magic…’

Liat asked to be allowed to attend the academy in the neighboring kingdom to study magic. The Empire was closed off to magic and lacked any specialized institution for its study. For the esteemed daughter of a Marquisate to cross the border and attend a foreign academy required extensive paperwork, so royal help was needed for swift approval.

Even after everything was settled, Liat still had nights she couldn’t sleep. Alvin would pat her back, but what burned inside her was anger. Without power, she couldn’t protect what she held.

She needed strength to protect those within her fence, and luckily, she had talent.

As autumn ended and winter deepened, Liat decided to leave.

Alvin was awarded a title. As the second son of the Ducal family, he was originally to receive a Viscountcy, but in recognition of his achievements, he was promoted to Count.

From Sir Deiars to Sir Hirden. Liat was delighted, saying the name Hirden was beautiful.

Those Liat worried might be used as hostages were safe. Tom and the escorts had been left in a corner of Karden’s cabin. They were rescued just before Liat was found and had long since returned to the mansion to recover.

Finally, Karden Himbrid’s execution date was set.

While Liat was held captive, Roigi thoroughly investigated the Himbrid family, documenting all their crimes, making it impossible for Karden to avoid the guillotine.

He was branded as the Empire’s most notorious murderer, illegal sl*ve market operator, human trafficking ring leader, kidnapper of foreign natives—crimes too numerous to list.

On the day of the execution, Liat and Alvin would sit in first class to witness the remnants of the past vanish from the world.

Returning to the issue: the reason their engagement was postponed.

They agreed to promise eternity only when both were fully healed, in a ceremony to welcome their one and only partner.

‘Did she realize Sir Hirden isn’t as practical as she thought?’

That remark from Ronas made Alvin nervous, so before Liat left for the academy, he suggested they hold the engagement as planned.

Not wanting to rush the first step toward eternity, Liat stopped him, but this caused a misunderstanding, and after a quarrel, they each returned to their own mansions.

“Where’s Delin?”

“She’s in the garden. Should I call her?”

“…I’ll go myself.”

Liat had a history of knocking Delin out and leaving on her own. Afraid of Delin’s cold stare, she decided to go herself.

“My Lady? You didn’t call for me…”

“I just wanted to see you while taking a walk.”

Liat smiled awkwardly, watching Delin. The usually cheerful maid who cared only for her now sipped her tea with a cold expression. Delin raised one eyebrow and asked,

“Are you not taking me with you this time?”

“O-of course not. If you want, let’s go together.”

“Naturally. What’s the point of a personal maid if I don’t stay by your side?”

She still seemed angry, but when Liat woke up in bed, Delin had cried as much as the Marquis.

The loyal maid walked quietly behind Liat.

“When you disappeared, My Lady, Delin fainted from crying.”

The maids who drank tea with Delin recounted the events.

Just recalling the time Liat was kidnapped was enough to make one dizzy. Especially the despair on Delin’s face, who served Liat closest, was different. No one blamed Delin, but she blamed herself and broke down.

The guilty say nothing. Liat quietly endured their reproaches.

“…Only two days left.”

“Yes. I’m really sorry, Delin.”

They had made a promise: for a week, Liat would tolerate and forgive Delin’s grumbling.

“Never, never do that again, My Lady.”

“…I understand.”

The pain of those left behind was great. The roots of nightmares had been pulled out, but the scars would linger, tormenting Delin.

They decided to travel together holding the magic stone. Liat, who used to enjoy the scenery outside the carriage window, now feared carriages and wouldn’t go near one.

If Karden saw, he’d be delighted, thinking he’d left a mark. Liat resolved to forget all traces of him.

That was her best revenge.

She closed her eyes. When she opened them, Delin was whining like a puppy, looking at her. Liat gently stroked her hair.

Karden’s existence would be buried by time. Liat had enough just holding onto the things she needed to protect.