Chapter 27

27. The problem was me

Contrary to Callion’s concerns, Zeke turned out to be a diligent advisor. Initially, Adelaide sought to verify Zeke’s words by comparing them to the kingdom’s etiquette books, but soon realized it wasn’t necessary.

[People in the kingdom prefer spicy and savory dishes?]

[Yes. And we don’t eat anything undercooked. It’s barbaric.]

[What about dessert]

[We prefer something refreshing, like sorbet or pudding, not cake.]

[Are you talking about what you like?]

[No, I’m not!]

Adelaide gulped and wrote down Zeke’s words. Her notes were long and detailed, based on Zeke’s words. Taking it back into the kitchen, Adelaide unfolded a fresh sheet of paper.

[Any particular etiquette I should know?]

[Well, servants are not supposed to speak to nobles.]

[What if I have something to say?]

[They should tell the steward or write a note to deliver.]

[Isn’t that too inefficient?]

[That’s just the way it is.]

Zeke shrugged.

Somehow, the maids who bring him meals complain that he never talks back to them, no matter how many times they try, but it’s not out of malice.

She moved her quill again, guessing that the meal must have come from a prominent family.

[The sword must be wielded on the right side, for to wield it on the left means to duel.]

[Then what about left-handed people?]

[Don’t ask me that!]

Zeke’s face turned bright red as she tried to poke holes. It was fun to tease him because of the reaction she got back.

[And? Is there anything else you want to tell me?]

[I don’t know; my wrist hurts, so I can’t remember.]

Zeke grumbled, holding out his roped wrists. She’d loosened the ropes without Callion’s knowledge, but the skin was still raw and blistered.

When Adelaide reached out to apply some ointment, Lucid, who had been sitting casually, suddenly stood up.

“No.”

Lucid, who had been sitting in a room-sized pose, stood up.

It’s like a ghost. Adelaide shyly withdrew her hand.

“I thought you were asleep.”

“It sounds like you mean you’ll release him if I’m asleep.”

“You’re here; would it be okay if I released him?”

“You’re forgetting that I’m wounded.”

“Still, can’t you handle this little guy?”

Adelaide smiled mischievously.

It would have weakened His Grace if he saw it.

Lucid smirked after her.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m frail.”

“I see.”

He’s inflexible. Despite his usually yielding manner, there’s a strange firmness about him.

Adelaide quickly gave up trying to persuade him, realizing that no amount of talking would work.

[I’ll put some ointment on it later. Just bear with it for now.]

[Forget it. Men shouldn’t make such a fuss.]

Zeke shook his head resolutely.

Who was the one making a fuss just now?

Suppressing the urge to ask such a malicious question, Adelaide patted Zeke’s back as if encouraging him.

[By the way, you said the color purple is only for kings. What about the crown prince?]

[The crown prince is fine. He’ll be king anyway. But he can’t do that because he has to consider the king’s feelings… By any chance, is the crown prince coming as an envoy?]

[No, the second prince.]

“Who?”

Zeke repeated, surprised.

[The second prince. You’ve never heard of Klaus von Ribentrop?]

[Oh, no. I don’t. How would I know a prince?]

[You really don’t? I hear he’s quite influential.]

[…….]

As the new information surfaced, Zeke’s eyes widened in disbelief.

It’s absurd to think that a nobleman like Zeke, in the midst of the fierce struggle for the Helenian throne, wouldn’t know a prince who’s close to the throne.

She spoke firmly, interrogating Zeke.

[If you lie to me, I’ll have you tied to the front door again.]

[I got it, I got it! What do you want to know?]

[Everything. Anything about the Second Prince.]

[…… Are you a pervert?]

Phew. Adelaide burst out laughing again.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The laughter coming through the window was refreshing. Callion, who was listening intently, turned around.

On the desk lay neatly written notes, almost resembling a report rather than a memo.

Callion skimmed through the notes indifferently. Though his mind was scattered and he couldn’t read it well, he noticed some useful information even with just a quick glance. It bothered him why that was the case.

“Why did you leave the two of them alone?”

The spark bounced off the wrong person.

Lucid, who had been asked to deliver a note to Callion, smiled bitterly.

“There are two maids in the room. The little one’s hands are tied properly.”

“It’s not that hard to subdue three women.”

“Perhaps you would think so, Your Grace.”

Callion rolled his eyes at the sarcastic response. Lucid met his gaze squarely.

Does he realize how childish he looks?

“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen. Besides, I thought it would be better if we untied the ropes.”

“Why?”

“Since he can’t use his hands, Her Grace is the one feeding him snacks.”

With a snap, the pen in her hand shattered. The nib pricked his hand, and Callion gritted his teeth.

‘Ignore it.’

‘I’ve got a lot of work to do, and that is the last thing I need to worry about……’.

“Hahahahah” 

Once again, laughter rang out. It was difficult to distinguish whose laughter it was among the overlapping voices, but it was definitely coming from her room.

Callion rubbed his face roughly.

‘Why does this bother me so much? Is it because I haven’t been sleeping well? Yeah, that must be it. Otherwise, there’s no reason to be so sensitive.’

He was thinking about putting off work and taking a nap on the sofa when Lucid spoke up.

“I’m going to live long enough to see you struggle with a woman.”

Callion’s expression hardened at the mocking tone. It was a method that didn’t work on Lucid, whom he had known for over twenty years.

“If you’re done with your business, you can leave.”

There was a hint of annoyance in Callion’s tone, but Lucid didn’t care.

“I don’t quite understand why you’re troubled, Your Grace. After all, you’re a married couple, aren’t you?”

“Lucid.”

“Don’t just stew like that; hit it directly.”

Lucid was the kind of man who would say everything he wanted to say and then die, even with a knife to his throat. Callion appreciated that about him, but sometimes his bluntness baffled him.

“It’s not as simple as you make it sound.”

“You’re sure you don’t think it’s difficult?”

“…….”

“Your Grace, there’s no need to be entangled with your past.”

Something clicked in his mind.

“……Did I look like that in your eyes?”

“You’re someone whose thoughts are written all over your face, Your Grace.”

“…….”

He always thought the distance he felt from Adelaide was because of her caution towards him due to his past. But maybe it was his attitude that was the problem.

Callion’s expression grew serious. It was easy to see what he was thinking.

Lucid realized it was time for him to leave.

“I’d better get out of here.”

The office was deserted when Lucid left.

The occasional laughter from outside the window had long since ceased.

A breeze from the open window scattered the notes on the floor. He closed the window and returned to pick them up.

The neatly written handwriting resembled hers. The careful scribbling showed just how desperate Adelaide had been.

Looking back, it had always been like this. She had always been desperate.

When she begged him to abdicate and become emperor, or when she drank poison herself to get rid of Elkius’ spies, or when she searched for a sapphire mine to secure funds for the tribute.

And even now.

It was always clear who all of this was for.

Callion ran his hand slowly across her writing.

He thought the distance between them was because Adelaide was cautious of him because of his past. So he did not rush and patiently waited for her.

After hearing Lucid’s words, he realized that his lukewarm attitude hadn’t given Adelaide confidence.

Callion sighed and touched his lips. The brief feeling of that day, that moment, was still vivid..

There were many signs that it was okay. He was the one who hadn’t noticed. Callion smiled weakly.

“Your Grace, I’ve got your order from the jeweler.”

“…… Come in.”

The jeweler pulled a large trolley into the office. Instead of food, the trolley was filled with jewelry and gemstones made of sapphire.

The jewels, crafted from high-quality sapphires, sparkled dazzlingly, as if they were ready to be sent as a tribute.

“These are the jewels you ordered, Your Grace.”

“You must have been in a lot of trouble.”

Callion briefly complimented the jeweler. He’d hired him with difficulty since no one else was willing to enter the Cursed Forest.

The jeweler, who handled everything from mining to crafting and trading, also received generous compensation.

“My workmanship is imperfect, but I did my best. Do you like it?”

“Since it’s going to be someone else’s anyway, what does it matter if I like it?”

The jeweler, sensing that Callion’s mood was not good, closed his mouth. Callion’s gaze, which was casually examining the jewels, stopped at a particularly sparkling necklace.

The drop-shaped sapphire necklace seemed to go well with the dress Adelaide had reserved a few days ago.

Callion set the necklace aside.

“Take the rest to Jensen.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The jeweler wheeled the trolley out. The jewelry sparkled as it lay in a heap on the messy desk.

He wonders if it sounds plausible to say it was in return for the gloves.

“Don’t just stew like that; hit it directly.”

Lucid’s voice echoed in his ears.

Callion, still unable to muster the courage, mocked himself for a while before picking up the necklace and standing up.

He didn’t want to be cowardly anymore.