Chapter 43

43. Lies and lies

The audience with Elkius was held early in the morning. Adelaide hadn’t slept a wink all night.

She wondered if she could look at him and still smile.

She tried to rekindle the feelings of that foolish day when she had once loved him, but all she could think of was a lump of hatred.

She tried to convince herself that she couldn’t let her emotions get the better of her in the heat of the moment, but it didn’t work.

Taking a deep breath, Callion quietly took her hand.

“It’s okay. Everything will be fine.”

He soothed her silently.

“Welcome, my lady, His Majesty is expecting you.”

The imperial chamberlain rushed out and led them into the imperial hall.

“Your Majesty, the Duke and Duchess of Tiflis have been served.”

“Let them in.”

The chamberlain announced their arrival. The guards opened the door wide, and the man on the throne rose to his feet.

It was Elkius Isulandt, the man she had not forgotten from her dreams.

Callion dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

“Callion Tiflis, Greet Your Majesty.”

“Welcome, Callion. You have traveled a long way.”

Elkius greeted Callion, his voice filled with pleasure.

“Rise, there is no need for formality between us.”

Elkius descended from his throne and gently helped the kneeling Callion to his feet. It was a friendly gesture that a stranger might have mistaken for good manners.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw you.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty, but circumstances on the frontier prevented me from being away.”

“I know your heart is with the Empire.”

With a friendly smile, he patted Callion on the shoulder, looking like a benevolent Emperor and host.

“But not attending the funeral of the late Emperor was a bit too much. His Majesty cherished you dearly. How disappointed he must have been not to have you bid him farewell on his final journey.”

“It is my own fault.”

“I’ve had a hard time ignoring how much the formal nobles have criticized you.”

“……I apologize.”

“I don’t mind that you prioritize public affairs over interpersonal matters, but others do, so you’d better watch your demeanor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Elkius’s soft tone struck a nerve with Callion, but the familiarity of his tone didn’t faze him.

“Sister – the Duchess Howard also waited eagerly for you. Have you contacted her?”

“I haven’t had the chance to see her yet.”

“Well, there are probably more important people than her waiting for you.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the capital, and there are so many things I don’t know, so I’m learning as I go.”

“I see.”

When Callion didn’t fall for the inducement, Elkius changed the subject.

“By the way, did the tribute exchange go well?”

“Yes. Thanks to your inspection, everything went well.”

“I suppose you brought the tributes sent from the kingdom?”

“I told them to bring the tributes later, as we were trying to meet the date of the memorial service. They should arrive sometime next month.”

“When it arrives, send it directly to the imperial palace. The tribute confirms the friendship between our two countries, so don’t leave anything out.”

“I will.”

‘Greedy man.’ As they did every year, the kingdom collected the tribute, making no mention of the money that went into preparing it.

Last year, the year before that, all the tributes sent probably ended up in Elkius’s pockets.

“Now that you’re back, we should have a welcome party after the memorial service.”

“We don’t need a big ceremony.”

“No, it’s my decision. After all the hard work you’ve done guarding the borders, not having a welcome ceremony would be unacceptable.”

“I’m just doing what is expected of me as a vassal of the Emperor.”

“It is my decision. Do not refuse.”

“……I will honor your will.”

Callion reluctantly agreed. Refusing would give them something to latch onto, so it was wise to play along with the dignified act.

Elkius smiled with satisfaction at his obedience.

“Since there’s a council meeting, make sure to stop by to say hello before you leave.”

“I will.”

When Elkius finished speaking with Callion, he turned his gaze to Adelaide.

“It’s been a while, Duchess. How are you?”

“Ah…….”

She had rehearsed to behave casually, but she foolishly found herself at a loss for words. Her facial expression kept contorting, which surprisingly proved to be an effective response.

“The Duchess does not look well, Callion.”

“It’s because my travel fatigue hasn’t eased.”

“Perhaps you should see a doctor. I’ll call for the palace physician.”

“I’ll be fine if I go back and rest, and the doctor can be summoned to the mansion.”

“The palace physicians are more skilled. We have an important event coming up, and it would be a shame if the Duchess were to fall ill. Chamberlain, take the Duchess to the guest room.”

Despite Callion’s objections, Elkius was adamant. It wasn’t because she really looked sick, but rather because he wanted to create an opportunity for them to be alone.

“You should go to the meeting.”

Callion stiffened at Elkius’s command and left the Imperial Hall.

“I’ll escort you to the meeting, My Lord.”

“….Yes.”

At Chamberlain’s urging, Callion glanced back at Adelaide and forced himself to walk. Another chamberlain led her to the guest chamber.

The guest room was small and simple. The only furniture was a couch and a bed, and it was easy to see what the room was for. Adelaide stiffened and glared at the door.

Before long, an uninvited guest arrived. It wasn’t through the door she entered but from behind a mirror-hidden door where Elkius revealed himself.

“Adele.”

“…….”

She instinctively stiffened.

For days, she hadn’t been able to sleep, worrying about what she would do if this situation arose. But now that it had, she realized how futile all that worry had been.

“Come here.”

Elkius opened his arms. Adelaide walked slowly toward him. When they were close, Elkius pulled her into a strong embrace.

“I’ve missed you, Adele.”

“……Elki.”

Her voice trembled, as if she were choking, just like a person with a sore throat meeting their lover after a long time.

“Why are you so thin? It’s upsetting.”

A comforting hand stroked down her back. Dirty lips touched hers lightly, then pulled away.

His touch, the faint scent of roses, the softly whispered voice.

It was disgusting as hell.

Adelaide fought back the rising nausea and lifted her head. She wondered why she hadn’t recognized the hypocrisy in his gaze before.

“Have you been well?”

“…Not really.”

‘Because of you. I haven’t slept a night in peace.’

“Did that asshole Callion do anything to you?”

“No. Not because of him, but because-.”

Adelaide casually pushed Elkius away. His hands dropped, and he tilted his head sullenly.

“I drank poison and collapsed, so I was sick for a while.”

“Poison? What, who gave you poison? Was it Callion?”

“A maid named Elaine. She mixed poison in my food.”

She lowered her gaze, and Adelaide blinked back another tear.

Elkius arched an eyebrow at the unfamiliar name. If this was Elaine, then she wasn’t the girl he had sent to spy on her.

“Why would she target you?”

“I don’t know who she was targeting, but I was having dinner with Callion, and he’s immune to the poison, so he might have been the target.”

“Stupid girl.”

Elkius cursed.

“So that’s why you’ve been out of touch.”

“Yes. Except for Callion’s closest men, everyone else was dismissed, so there was no way to contact anyone. I couldn’t even prevent what happened in the meantime.”

“It’s okay, there are several spies in the capital, so it’s fine.”

Elkius hugged her back again. Adelaide bit her lip hard at his breath against her ear.

“Hang in there, Adele. We just need to get rid of Callion. Then you’ll be the mistress of this vast palace. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I know.”

Adelaide turned and looked straight at Elkius.

“So, Elki.”

‘Please, you’re going to have to fool him.’ She opened her mouth as if gambling.

“Callion’s too guarded to let me pry anything important out of him, so I’m…… pretending to be in love with him.”

“……You’re pretending to love Callion?”

“Yes. That’s the only way I can get to him.”

Elkius looked down at her with a questioning expression. Adelaide met his gaze without averting it, a wry smile playing across her picturesque features.

“Did he believe you?”

“He was wary at first, but I gave him a good reason, and he fell for it.”

“And what was that convincing reason?”

“That you were trying to kill me.”

“……!”

A brief flicker of embarrassment flashed through Elkius’ eyes. Adelaide pretended not to see the look and continued.

“He must have gotten sympathetic because I was poisoned and collapsed, and it helps that the maid happened to be the one you recommended.”

Elkius twisted one corner of his mouth.

It was true that he’d planned to kill Adelaide, and it was true that he’d drugged her through the maid, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Even if Adelaide were suspicious, he would not dare touch her without knowing what Callion would do.

Elkius, who was piercing her with his gaze, finally spoke.

“You haven’t really fallen in love with Callion, have you?”

“Elki!”

Adelaide shrieked, deliberately, like someone who had just suffered a great insult.

“How can you say such a thing, after what I’ve endured for the past year…….”

“I was joking, Adele. Don’t be angry.”

“It’s not something you joke about. If that’s the case, then why don’t you just take me away with you?”

“I’m sorry, it was wrong of me.”

Elkius rubbed the moisture from her eyes and kissed her forehead. The doubt that had crept up on her seemed to subside.

She sobbed and buried her face in the hem of his robe.

“You’re the only one for me.”

“I know.”

“You won’t abandon me, will you?”

“You don’t need to worry about anything. I’m keeping my place by your side for you.”

“Don’t betray me.”

It was a conversation that didn’t have the slightest hint of sincerity.