Chapter 39

39.  Pretending to Love

Within a week of leaving Tiflis, the group entered the capital.

The gates opened easily, despite their fears that Elkius might have tried some trick.

It was a short walk from the gates to the townhouse. The mansion that the Emperor had handed down to Callion was located at the tip of the capital.

The townhouse’s remote location made it safe from outside raids, and the mansion was enormous.

“Wow, look over there, my lady. It’s charming and so beautiful!”

Zatia, who had never traveled outside of the Caucasian boroughs in her life, pointed to the mansion with wide eyes. The ivy-covered walls of the mansion were as quaint as she said.

“It seems more elegant than before.”

“I wonder how the interior looks.”

Callion muttered worriedly at Adelaide’s words.

Jensen had offered to come and fix it up first, but it was doubtful that a mansion that had been vacant for three years could be fixed up in such a short time.

The carriage passed through the main gate and stopped in front of the entrance. As they got off the carriage, the servants who had been waiting greeted them warmly.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

“You must have worked hard, preparing ahead of time.”

He patted Jensen’s shoulder and glanced carefully at the servants lined up in the hallway. Most of them were familiar faces.

He exchanged greetings with each of the servants who had guarded the townhouse even after his departure. It was an emotional moment, as they were people who had raised him since childhood.

Adelaide took a step back and watched the scene.

Although she expected the greetings to be long since they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, Jensen didn’t keep the returning master waiting for long.

“I have a room ready for you; please come this way.”

Adelaide followed Jensen, glancing around the mansion thoughtfully. It was a mansion she had passed dozens of times while living in the capital, but this was the first time she had ever been inside.

Contrary to the elegant exterior, the interior was rather shabby.

“I apologize for the state of the mansion.”

Jensen said, looking back at Callion with an apologetic expression.

“It’s okay.”

“We have rushed to prepare, but the mansion has been vacant for a long time, so there is much to do. Please forgive me if it’s not enough.”

“I just need a place to lie down; don’t worry.”

Callion shook his head, knowing the truth of the situation.

There was no time, and due to security concerns, they couldn’t casually let people in. Therefore, it was natural that preparations were incomplete, relying solely on the strength of the servants to refurbish the mansion.

Though he did wonder if Adelaide would be uncomfortable,.

“This is the room.”

The room Jensen led them to was the largest in the mansion. The door opened into a parlor and study, with a bedroom and tea room off to the side.

As Adelaide entered the bedroom, she sat down on the bed.

“Are you tired?”

Callion asked, placing a hand on Adelaide’s forehead. Adelaide blinked through heavy eyelids and answered.

“A little.”

“You should get some rest.”

She had every right to be tired after rocking in the carriage for days. Adelaide shook her head at Callion’s worried glance.

“No, there’s still work to be done…”

“I’ll take care of it. You just rest.”

Callion gently pressed her shoulder. News of Duke Tiflis’s arrival in the capital had already spread far and wide, so there was no need to rush.

Adelaide nodded as if she couldn’t resist.

“I’ll see you at dinner, then.”

Callion kissed her lightly on the forehead and left the bedroom. She stared at the unfamiliar ceiling and fell asleep.

When she awoke, it was the middle of the night. Adelaide pulled back the covers and sat up. Someone had left a candle burning, so the room wasn’t dark.

‘How long had I slept? ’

As she left the bedroom to check the time, Margaret, who had been organizing her things, looked up.

“Are you awake, My Lady?”

“Yeah. What time is it now?”

“A little after nine.”

“Already?”

Considering they arrived past lunchtime, she must have slept almost half the day. Margaret added cheerfully.

“I’m going to tell His Grace that you’re up, because he’s been waiting for you.”

“Why would he…… ah.”

I told him I’d see him at dinner. He hasn’t eaten yet, has he……?

“What about dinner?”

“He said he’d wait until you woke up.”

Her worry was justified after all.

She told Margaret to hurry up and prepare the meal, then turned to Callion.

“Your Grace.”

Callion’s study was right next to the bedroom. He was reclining on the couch at an angle.

“Are you awake?”

“You didn’t have to wait without eating because of me. You should’ve woken me up.”

“You were sleeping too soundly.”

“…Did you see me?”

“I came in a couple of times, but you were still fast asleep, not even realizing I was there.”

Her face turned red at his teasing reply.

She must have looked terrible while sleeping. Not knowing what to do with her embarrassment, Callion joked again.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I’ve already seen you sleeping soundly in the carriage.”

“Your Grace!”

“Haha.”

Clear laughter filled the room. Callion brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face, accepting the disgruntled gaze with a smile.

“I sent someone to the palace during the day. We’ll pay a visit once when you’re feeling better, so we have a few days to spare.”

“…Okay.”

“You might want to see Earl Cornwall before then.”

“I don’t mind seeing him later.”

“You haven’t seen him in a long time.”

“If I meet my father first, he’ll be suspicious.”

Elkius was jealous and possessive; he always insisted that he must be Adelaide’s first priority.

Even if the other person was her father, greeting the Earl of Cornwall would have to wait.

“Your Grace, please have your meal.”

Margaret came in with a trolley of food. Adelaide thought she had no appetite, but when she smelled the food, she felt hungry.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

Callion eagerly began to eat. He cleared his plate quickly and neatly, as if he’d been hungry for a long time. Adelaide watched him, then pushed her plate towards him.

“Have some more of this, too.”

“Doesn’t the food suit your taste?”

“It’s delicious, but maybe because I just woke up, it’s not going down well.”

She put down her cutlery and wiped her mouth with a napkin, and Callion frowned.

“Is there anything you want to eat? We’re in the capital; you can ask for anything you want.”

“I’m always eating delicious food.”

“How do you live on so little?”

“I’ve always been like this.”

Sometimes Adelaide’s portions were small, but other times Callion ate so much that it was a comparison.

It took him five plates to finish his meal, including her leftovers.

Only when he was full did he take in the view of the room. The only things that had changed were the head of the family, the system, and the location, but the piles of papers on the desk were the same.

Catching Adelaide’s eye, Callion spoke first.

“These are letters from nobles. I haven’t read them all yet.”

“They’re fast.”

Letters as soon as they arrived in the capital. Now that he’s here, they’re probably trying to get to know him.

“Mostly greeting cards, no requests for visits.”

“They’re probably watching Elkius.”

Their connection with Callion had to be maintained, but they didn’t want to draw Elkius’s attention.

Adelaide tore her eyes away from the letter and looked at Callion. He smiled at her with his usual warmth.

Adelaide clasped her hands together. Now was the time to say what she didn’t want to say.

“Your Grace, when we enter the palace…… I’m going to pretend to be in love with Elkius, just like I used to be.”

“……Do you have to?”

“Yes. That way, I’ll be safe, and so will you.”

Callion’s brow creased. Adelaide knew she was walking a dangerous tightrope. But there was nothing she could do about the suspicion.

Elkius believed she loved him. As long as he believes that, he won’t touch Callion and Adelaide.

So she would have to trick him somehow to buy time until she could gather enough people to help her.

Callion bit his lip as he drew in a hot breath.

Adelaide stroked the back of his clenched fist, knowing what he was thinking.

“Nothing will happen. Trust me, Callion.”

“……It’s not because I don’t trust you; it’s because I’m pathetic.”

With a self-help smile, Callion covered her cheek with his hand. Their lips touched lightly before parting.

“Be careful.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The appointment was set for three days later. Callion, who received the Emperor’s messenger early in the morning, went out with Lucid as soon as they finished their meal.

It was disappointing that he didn’t say where they were going, but for Adelaide, who had been waiting for a chance to go out, it wasn’t a bad thing.

Adelaide left the mansion with Margaret.

A guard stopped their carriage as they entered the temple with a bunch of chrysanthemums.

“There’s no worship service today.”

Unlike the local shrines, the central temple was not open unless there was a service.

There were exceptions, of course.

“I’ve come to see His Holiness.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“I haven’t made an appointment, but I’d like to ask a favor.”

Adelaide asked the guard with a hint of a bribe. The guard eyed her suspiciously.

The carriage she rode in bore no coat of arms, but she knew from dealing with nobles that she was not to be trifled with.

“What is your name?”

“Adelaide Cornwall Tiflis.”

“Wait here.”

As the guard ran into the temple, Adelaide leisurely surveyed it. The temple, which was supposed to be the second largest and grandest temple around the world, visible from anywhere in the capital, had fallen into disrepair.

“Come in.”

The guard, who had just finished his report, opened the temple’s doors with a more casual demeanor. Adelaide stepped inside.

The temple was dark inside. The torches and relics adorning the walls were old and worn, and the stained glass was broken in places.

“This place has changed a lot.”

“As time goes by, everything changes.”

“……?”

From a distance, a man in a priest’s robe approached, chuckling.

“Welcome, Lady Cornwall. It’s been a long time.”