The Monster Duke Was Fooled. I’m Terminally Ill

Chapter 27

The procession of Prince Cain’s private soldiers stretched to the front of the imperial palace. At the very end of this procession was a carriage adorned with the crest of the Zan family.

We must go back a few hours to understand how this bizarre procession came to be.

My carriage, heading towards the imperial palace, encountered Prince Cain’s private soldiers, who were heading towards the Zan territory right in the middle of the road. Prince Cain’s soldiers were bewildered but still shouted confidently due to the imperial command they had received.

“Laila Zan, heed the imperial command!”

In response, Anna shouted back at them.

“The Grand Duchess Zan is already following the imperial command!”

Since we were already complying with the imperial command, what could they do? They had no choice but to turn around and head back to the imperial palace. Given the narrow road, our carriage had no option but to follow them, almost as if we were being escorted by them.

Thus, this foolish situation unfolded.

Although the soldiers were perplexed, they had followed their orders, so they had nothing to be concerned about.

The problem arose upon reaching the imperial palace. The soldiers had clearly been ordered to arrest “Laila Zan for assaulting the second prince.” However, I confidently alighted from the carriage and approached the palace guards. When the soldiers tried to apprehend me, the Zan guards blocked them.

“She is complying with the imperial command. Do not obstruct her.”

The soldiers were plunged deeper into confusion by the confident stance of the Zan guards.

To add to their bewilderment, when I opened a small box and showed something to the palace guards, they hurriedly ran inside the palace. In the distance, I saw the guards relay something to their commander, who rushed to inform the chamberlain. Despite the commotion, I remained unyielding.

The soldiers, unable to grasp the situation and not knowing what to do, surrounded me without daring to come closer.

At that moment, the chamberlain greeted me with utmost respect.

“Grand Duchess Zan, His Majesty requests your presence. Please come inside.”

Smiling at the soldiers, I turned to the chamberlain to clarify the situation and demonstrate that this was an imperial command.

“May I walk in on my own?”

The chamberlain nodded vigorously at my bold question.

“Of course, His Majesty is waiting. Please, come quickly.”

With my back straight, I stepped into the palace. However, none of the second prince’s soldiers were allowed to enter, as they were blocked by the guards.

Their bewildered expressions were amusing, but I had more pressing matters.

Following the chamberlain, I walked deep into the palace. There were countless guards stationed before the audience chamber. Anna seemed slightly intimidated, but I felt thrilled knowing I was one step closer to my goal.

The doors of the audience chamber opened, and I bowed deeply to the ruler of this land standing inside.

“I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

As I raised my head, the grandeur of the audience chamber unfolded before me. The room was lavishly adorned with gold, and the people present exuded nobility.

As expected, Cain was there, dressed more splendidly than ever. Unlike his usual slovenly appearance, his upright posture contributed to his dignified look.

The Emperor, however, was not as flamboyantly dressed as Cain. His silk garments were elegant and radiant, and even without a crown, his neatly combed gray hair showcased his authority.

The Emperor smiled warmly and addressed me.

“I am delighted that the beautiful and noble Grand Duchess of Zan has personally come to the palace.”

His words were so kind that I couldn’t help but feel bewildered. It was as if he was welcoming a new family member. Julian had told me the Emperor would naturally dislike me, so I hadn’t anticipated such a reception.

I tightened my grip on the rare gemstone I held. While I knew its value, I hadn’t expected it to soften the Emperor so much. I had only intended it to calm his anger.

After all, I was a woman who might bear Julian’s child.

“Isn’t that right, Empress?”

The Emperor shifted his gaze to a noble-looking woman. She appeared pale, indicating illness, but she exuded elegance even with a simple shawl draped over her. Her posture, the way she observed others, and her nod were all impeccably graceful.

She was the epitome of an empress. I found myself staring at her in awe. Perhaps seeing my gaze endearing, the Empress smiled gently.

“What an adorable lady you are.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty…”

I hurriedly offered my respects. The Empress’s beautiful smile caused my face to flush slightly. She looked at me with a pleased expression.

The atmosphere was exceedingly amicable.

Except for Prince Cain.

Prince Cain glared at me as if he couldn’t believe the scene unfolding. Though he seemed to want to grab me by the hair, he held his tongue, unable to interrupt the Emperor and Empress’s conversation.

The tender atmosphere was short-lived. Once the Emperor and Empress fell silent, the second prince finally spoke.

“Father, as I mentioned, I am here to accuse the Grand Duchess Zan of a crime.”

Prince Cain spoke in a refined manner that didn’t suit him. Ordinarily, he might have said something like:

“How dare you hit me? I’ll tell Father and have you quartered.”

But despite his usual nonchalance, he was still a royal, well-versed in formal etiquette since childhood.

“What crime has the Grand Duchess Zan committed?”

The Emperor thoughtfully stroked his long beard, starting from his chin. Looking somewhat frustrated, Prince Cain shook his head and spoke clearly with effort.

“It’s a crime to injure a royal family member.“

His words made my actions seem like a severe offense. However, the Emperor continued to stroke his beard absentmindedly, as if it might grow longer if he kept pulling it all day.

“Grand Duchess Zan.“

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I responded as politely as possible, bowing my head sincerely. There would be a way out if I could at least earn the Emperor’s favor. Besides, I held the most crucial card in my hand.

“Did you truly strike my son?”

His straightforward question caught me off guard, and I briefly wondered if I should grovel at his feet. Of course, I didn’t actually do so. This wasn’t Julian who accepted me as I was. I maintained my composure, playing the role of the elegant Grand Duchess.

“While it’s true that an unfortunate incident occurred between the second prince and me, an injury to a royal member is simply not true.”

“Is that so?“

“Father! Do not believe the deceitful words of that woman!”

Prince Cain shouted in frustration.

I met Cain’s gaze steadily and spoke.

“Show me proof that I was disrespectful to His Highness the Prince. In any form you wish.“

“What?”

Prince Cain was visibly taken aback. After all, even in front of his father, he couldn’t pull down his pants. His father was not just his father but also the Emperor. No matter how unjust it was, he couldn’t expose himself here. Moreover, the Empress and I were also present.

“I was born into a count’s family near the border and received appropriate training. If I had truly struck him, a mere bruise would not be the result. It would have been very, very painful.”

I vividly remembered Cain’s screams. I was honestly curious—could the prince’s “function“ still be intact? If not, it would be a blessing.

“If there are still marks or if not, surely you would have shown it to the royal physician, and there should be a report. …Did you show it to the physician?“

“Of course!”

If he had shown it to the royal physician, he needed to state it here, in front of the Emperor and Empress, and explain where he had been struck.

“It wasn’t that painful, so I didn’t… show him.“

“How could that be? Forgive me, but do you know of my duel with Marquis Amber, my former fiancé?“

The Emperor laughed heartily.

“I know.“

“Then you also know the outcome. I cut off Marquis’s fingers. When I harm someone, I do so fully prepared for the consequences. Some might call it foolish, but that is my sense of justice. Yet, you claim I harmed His Highness the Prince without causing significant pain?“

“That’s because you lack skill!“

“Cain, be silent.”

For a moment, the Emperor’s voice turned icy. Cain fell silent. The audience chamber was engulfed in silence. Though I acted bravely, I was not without fear. The Emperor could prioritize his son’s honor over a rare gemstone.

However, he did not.

“Grand Duchess Zan.”

He still smiled warmly at me.

“What was the unfortunate incident you spoke of? Something that could be mistaken for an injury?”

The Emperor was already on my side.

I bowed my head and offered another respectful salute. My throat felt parched. Despite having rehearsed my words countless times, speaking them now made my lips tremble. After swallowing hard to compose myself, I steeled my resolve.

Appearing as desperate as possible, I knelt almost to the floor and bowed my head sincerely.

“Oh, Grand Duchess.”

Seeing my near-tearful demeanor, the Emperor called me even more gently, sounding flustered. I bowed so profoundly that my forehead nearly touched the ground before I spoke.

“I, too, wish to accuse the second prince of a crime. Please forgive me.“

“First, rise.“

“Father!“

“Be silent.”

At the Emperor’s cold voice, Prince Cain shrunk back. I continued to speak without rising.

“At the Marchioness of Eriant’s party, I stepped out into the garden to catch my breath. There, the second prince… pulled me towards a secluded area. It’s shameful to say, but there was a scantily clad woman there. The prince suggested… that we play together with her.”

Though I didn’t raise my head, I could clearly hear the Emperor’s sharp intake of breath. I steadied myself and continued.

“I screamed and fled the scene. The prince may have sustained some injury in the process, but I never laid a hand on him. The Marquis of Eriant’s son can testify to this.“

“The Marquis of Eriant’s son?“

“Yes, he heard my scream and helped me escape.”

The Emperor gestured to his aide, who then left the room. It seemed he was going to fetch Shuan. Being a clever person, Shuan would indeed corroborate my story. He needed to find his sister.

“Grand Duchess.“

“Yes, Your Majesty.“

“You accuse the second prince of harassment, then?”

“Regrettably, no.“

“Then what?”

I finally lifted my body a bit, though still kneeling. I straightened my back and pulled a miniature portrait from my sleeve. Seeing it, Prince Cain grew visibly flustered. The Emperor’s eyes narrowed with anger as if he had already figured it out.

“That day, one of my maids went missing. While I did flee, I realized I had left my maid behind and asked the Marchioness of Eriant to help find her. However, she was nowhere to be found in the mansion, and…“

“Speak plainly.“

“Many witnessed the second prince taking her, claiming he would keep her by his side.”

The Emperor sharply turned his head, glaring at Prince Cain.

“Cain.“

“Father, it’s not true. It’s absolutely not true.“

“Then why is your face so pale?“

“That’s because… I’m falsely accused…”

I interjected, bowing my head again.

“Your Majesty! Marian is a maid I care deeply for. Please, find her. Please verify if the second prince indeed took her.”

Tears welled up as I spoke, a genuine display of my affection for Marian. When I raised my head, my face was the epitome of wretchedness.

“We shall confirm it.”

The first to make a decision was the Empress.