Chapter 30

30. Finally, It Was Love.

Tsk, tok, tok. She woke up to the sound of dripping water. Her whole body ached as if she had suffered from a severe illness.

Adelaide, after tossing and turning on the hard bed, sat up. The thin comforter slid away. The dawn air brushed against her bare skin without a slip.

She pulled the hem of the covers over her and leaned against the wall.

The events of the day before were dark and murky.

Since hearing about Callion’s disappearance, it has felt like she had traversed hell and heaven in just half a day.

Callion was asleep, oblivious to the world. Despite being so close that she could hear his breathing, she wasn’t still convinced that he was truly unharmed.

Like her, he was covered in bruises all over his shirtless body. Adelaide reached out to touch the wounds, but stopped herself and clenched her fist.

‘……Thank God.’

Tears welled up in her eyes from relief. Adelaide wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Adele?”

Callion called to her in a deep, sleepy voice. He sat up and asked with concern.

“Why weren’t you sleeping? Were you crying again?”

“No, it’s nothing. Did I wake you up?”

He shook his head and gently stroked her tear-stained cheeks.

“I didn’t know you were such a crybaby.”

His affectionate tone was mixed with a hint of laughter. He felt bad that she kept crying, but he was also glad that it was because of her concern for him.

Callion pulled her into his arms, just as he had last night. Their hearts pounded against each other.

“I will never leave you behind.”

“…….”

“So stop crying now.”

A smile broke out on her tear-stained face. He tightened his embrace, as if trying to reassure her.

Finally, it was love.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“Are you alright, Your Grace?”

Jensen came running out, tears streaming down his face, as they returned to the castle after a night at the inn.

He was greeted by a crowd of servants who fussed as if he had returned from the dead, but Callion shrugged them off.

“Nothing happened, so don’t make a fuss.”

Callion shot a glare at the agitated Lucid, who had caused the commotion, and retreated to his study.

“What happened to His Grace?”

“It must have gotten a little out of hand, but he’s unharmed, so don’t worry.”

Adelaide, who mumbled the reply, entered the room. The sight of the desk filled with notes and ink bottles brought her back to reality.

There were ten days left until the tribute exchange. Adelaide sat back down at her desk.

Tiflis Castle was bustling with last-minute preparations for the envoys’ visit.

The newly refurbished parlor and hallways were sparkling, and the guest rooms where the envoys would be staying were all new, from the beds to the carpets to the teacups.

“That should be enough.”

Adelaide muttered as she checked the tribute list one last time.

From gemstones to artworks to the finest carpets, she didn’t know if it would please the envoys, but for her, it was the best result she could achieve.

‘It’ll be fine.’ Adelaide shook off her anxiety and closed the tribute list.

“Excuse me, Your Grace.”

Jensen knocked on the door.

“His Grace would like to see you in the conference room.”

“Now?”

“Yes, you should go right away.”

At Jensen’s words, Adelaide made her way to the conference room. The sound of voices inside indicated that the meeting was already underway.

“According to the messenger, around noon tomorrow…”

Julian stopped talking as Adelaide opened the door. The gazes of about ten knights gathered in the conference room turned to her.

She hesitated, feeling like she was intruding, and Callion pulled out a chair.

“Please, have a seat.”

Only after Adelaide sat down did he resume the meeting.

“Continue.”

“The …… envoy will be crossing the border tomorrow at noon. There are eighty people in the main party and about one hundred and sixty if you count the attendants and the knights.”

“The attendants will be accommodated outside the castle.”

“Do so. And keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”

“Understood.”

Callion made his decision carefully and quickly. Looking at the nervous knights, he realized that the tribute exchange was just around the corner.

“Have you selected the men who will be escorting us?”

“Yes. They’re waiting in the knight’s hall.”

“We’ll need to leave early tomorrow morning, so make sure they’re ready.”

“Are you planning to go to the border to meet them?”

Julian frowned. Since the empire was stronger than the kingdom, it was enough to receive them at the castle gate.

“Didn’t they greet us at the castle, too? If Your Grace goes to the border, they will mock us.”

“Yes. Your Grace was a crown prince, and they were just princes. It’s not appropriate.”

Callion frowned at the knights’ objections.

Julian has a point, but considering their position, showing as much respect as possible was better.

But there were too many tangled stories to explain.

As she pondered how to convince these proud men, Adelaide spoke up.

“I also think it’s better to greet them at the border.”

“I don’t understand what’s good about it.”

Julian’s voice pierced her ears. Even Lucid, sitting opposite her, gave her a blatant sneer, but Adelaide didn’t flinch.

“You said the total number of people in the delegation was 160. How can you be sure they won’t do anything while they’re crossing the border and coming to the castle?”

“You mean there might be spies?”

She nodded at Vice Commander Ahio’s question.

“They notified us of 160, but the actual number could be more than that. To prevent any unfortunate incidents, it’s right to monitor them from the moment they cross the border.”

“We’ve instructed the border guards to check thoroughly.”

“You mean the same border guards who risked His Grace’s life because they didn’t spot a single intruder?”

Julian bit his lip. Observing the situation, Callion had no doubt that Adelaide was the winner of this fierce battle of nerves.

“If Your Grace, along with the second prince, were present, wouldn’t it make surveillance of the envoy much easier? What do you think, Sir Lucid?”

“I completely agree with Her Grace’s opinion.”

The final toss was perfect.

A hush fell over the room as Julian fell silent, running out of things to say in rebuttal. Callion deftly summarized the situation.

“It seems we’ve reached a conclusion. Let’s end the meeting here.”

“Yes.”

The knights filed out of the room in a huff. Adelaide stood up to catch her breath. Callion, who had remained in the room, spoke to her.

“Adele, you should come with us.”

“I’ll wait at the castle.”

Adelaide politely declined his invitation.

Though she accepted Callion’s feelings, stepping into the official role as his wife still made her hesitant.

“Is there still work to be done?”

“Uh, I think I need to check on the food in the kitchen.”

“Can’t you leave that to Jensen?”

“But I’d like to check it myself…….”

“You are my wife and the Duchess of Tiflis. It’s your duty to receive guests.”

Adelaide’s mouth fell open at the irresistible logic. When no cool response was forthcoming, Callion whispered in her ear.

“Am I to face the second prince alone?”

“……I’ll be ready.”

She couldn’t possibly argue against that.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The envoy reached the border a little past noon. Even from a distance, they looked like an impressive procession. Neither the envoy nor the horses and carriages they rode in lacked anything grandeur.

A man on a white horse led the delegation from the front.

“That’s him.”

At Callion’s words, Adelaide looked at the man. He looked stern and imposing. They hadn’t exchanged greetings, but he seemed sensitive and cantankerous, fitting the evaluations.

While observing the man, Adelaide felt a strange sense of déjà vu. He looked familiar, even though he shouldn’t.

‘Had I met him before? ’

As she searched her memory for a past life, the man approached and dismounted. Callion took a few steps forward to greet the man.

“Thank you for traveling so far. I am Duke Callion Tiflis.”

The man looked down at his outstretched hand, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a sneer.

“It’s been a long time, my lord. I’m Klaus von Ribentrop. The hands are dirty, so we can shake hands later.”

Who’s hands are dirty?

It seemed like a story about his own hands being dirty after a long journey, but it also sounded like mocking Callion’s hand, riddled with wounds.

Either way, it’s not polite. Callion casually withdrew his hand, but Adelaide was having none of it.

The man, who had finished greeting Callion, looked at her.

“And this lady?”

“I’ve never met you before. I’m Adelaide Tiflis.”

“Ah, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

The words were too vague to point out the rudeness, but unpleasant to overhear.

The man took her fingers lightly. Just before his lips touched the back of her hand, Adelaide pulled her hand back.

“My hands are dirty, so I’ll save the greeting for another time.”

“……You may do so.”

The man lifted his waist with a subtle expression.

Since they had exchanged greetings once, it wouldn’t be appropriate to point out rudeness.

“Why don’t we leave the greetings and discuss the details at the castle?”

“As you wish.”

“Shall we go together in my carriage?”

Callion appropriately changed the subject.

He helped Adelaide into the carriage and climbed in himself. Finally, a carriage carrying Prince Klaus set off for the castle.

To break the awkward ice, Callion spoke first.

“How is His Majesty the King of Helenia doing?”

“He is well. His Majesty asked me to take special care with this tribute exchange, so I put a lot of effort into it.”

“That is gracious of you.”

It wasn’t just empty words. The number of carriages following theirs was significantly higher compared to previous years.

Whether it was out of respect for the guests, a display of the kingdom’s power, or some other reason, it was uncertain.

Whatever his intentions, this tribute exchange wouldn’t go as smoothly as the kingdom intended.

“I was surprised to be invited to Tiflis by the Duke.”

“You’ve been hosting tribute exchanges in the kingdom for years, so I thought I’d invite you for once.”

“Is that all?”

It was a response that violated etiquette. Callion, who had maintained peace, replied with a completely hardened expression.

Callion’s calm demeanor changes to a stony face.

“What is it you wish to say?”

“Seeing how warmly the Duchess welcomed me, I thought you wanted to show off.”

Prince Klaus laughed out loud at the unfunny joke in his fluent Imperial language.

“During last year’s tribute exchange, the Fifth Prince was curious about the Duchess, so I promised to invite her. This year I finally got the chance and sent an invitation, but alas, the Fifth Prince didn’t come.”

Callion did not give up and responded by asking why the wrong person came instead of the one who was invited.

“The Fifth Prince’s knowledge of the imperial language is poor, and he lacks experience to discuss important matters, so I asked my father to go.”

“Important matters?”

Prince Klaus said, leaning stiffly with his elbows on the doorframe.

“The kidnapping of our subjects and putting them up for slave auction.”