Chapter 44

44. The Most Curious Thing

Elkius patted the woman who buried her face in his chest. He had already discarded her, but it seemed wasteful to pass her onto Callion.

If she wasn’t such a nuisance, he might have kept her around a bit longer before discarding her.

Elkius brushed his thumb across the woman’s lips as she looked up at him. There was a slight smudge of pale pink rouge.

“Elki……?”

Her eyes were as innocent as rabbits, and his heart sank. He was about to kiss her.

“My Lady, may I come in?”

The imperial physician who had been summoned knocked on the door. Elkius lifted his face, wincing.

“I’m afraid it will have to wait. I’ll see you at the memorial, Adele.”

With that, Elkius quickly disappeared back the way he came. At the same time, the imperial physician entered the room.

The examination was perfunctory, as there was no sign of illness. A diagnosis of slight weakness due to fatigue was given.

“Get some rest and you’ll feel better soon.”

“I see.”

Adelaide, who had stuck a ten-cels in his hand for his trouble, asked casually.

“How is His Majesty’s health?”

“No major problems, but…….”

The imperial physician realized that Adelaide’s fee was not just any fee. Knowing that the Duchess had a close relationship with the Emperor, he glanced over and whispered quietly.

“He’s been feeling very weak lately, so I’ve been sending him some medicines to help him recover.”

“His strength has declined? Is it due to overwork?”

“It’s not because of overwork…….”

The imperial physician trailed off as if he didn’t know what to say. Adelaide understood what he meant.

“I see. Please take good care of him.”

“Yes.”

When the doctor had finished, Adelaide left the room. There was no sign of Callion. She stopped a passing servant and asked.

“Is the Duke still in the conference room?”

“Yes, it seems the discussion is taking a while.”

“I’ll be in the carriage, so if he asks for me, tell him.”

“I will.”

There was no point in staying here any longer. It was better to wait in the carriage for Elkius’s latest conquest or whatever else he was doing. She wanted to tear off the skin that had touched that bastard, but it wasn’t as bad as she had imagined.

It was regrettable that she couldn’t find out more about what Elkius was up to, but it was wise to withdraw if one asked for too much from the beginning.

As her tension eased, fatigue overwhelmed her. She hurried to return and rest.

“Hello, Duchess.”

A new voice from behind her stopped her in her tracks. Turning, she saw a head of fiery red hair.

“Long time no see.”

Clack, clack. The sound of high heels echoed loudly in the corridor. As the footsteps approached, a strong scent of roses vibrated in the air.

Rosaline Harper. It was her.

“Who are you?”

Rosaline’s face contorted as she asked as if she’d never seen her before.

“You don’t know me?”

“Am I supposed to know you?”

“I’ve met you several times at Duke Roxus’s.”

“Duke Roxus’s?”

Adelaide tilted her head in confusion.

Rosaline’s lips quivered at her dismissive attitude. It seemed like she didn’t want to say the word ‘maid’ with her own mouth.

“I have served His Majesty since his time at the Duke Roxus…….”

“Ah, the maid of Duke Roxus.”

Adelaide said, smiling innocently. Rosaline pursed her lips in insult.

Adelaide openly scrutinized Rosaline Harper. She was dressed differently from the other palace maids she’d encountered on her travels. Even the necklace around her neck was far too extravagant for a maid to wear.

Was that necklace real or fake?

Adelaide scoffed, remembering the earrings she had pawned.

“What business do you have with me?”

“I thought I’d say hello since we’ll be seeing each other a lot.”

“If you’re going to say hello, do it properly. On your knees.”

“……What?”

“I said if you’re going to greet me, kneel and show respect.”

“I’m no mere maid, I’m the Duke of Roxus’s- Ack!”

Adelaide slapped Rosaline’s cheek without hesitation. Rosaline, her hands clutching her reddened face, stared at her in horror.

The sudden commotion brought the workers to a halt.

“Chamberlain!”

“Yes, yes. The Duchess.”

The chamberlain, dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events, rushed over. Adelaide raised her voice.

“What kind of management allows a maid to disturb the order of the palace?”

“I, I apologize. It’s all my fault.”

“Don’t you realize that your misbehavior is a blot on His Majesty’s face? I will report this to His Majesty and hold you formally responsible.”

“Please forgive me! I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

The chamberlain fell to his knees and begged.

He was desperate, knowing that Elkius’s temper would most likely throw all the blame on him and get away with it.

Adelaide glared at Rosaline, who was shaking with anger.

“Today, I’ll let it slide for the sake of your dignity.”

“T-Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Take responsibility and correct that maid’s behavior. Otherwise, it will be difficult to maintain your position.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

The chamberlain banged his forehead against the floor.

Adelaide looked down at him with an arrogant gaze, then turned to Rosaline.

“If you don’t want your tongue to be cut out, you’d better learn to behave like a maid.”

“……!”

Adelaide stormed past Rosaline Harper.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Contrary to the steward’s warning that this was going to be a long talk, Callion left the room early. Elkius’s maneuvering had changed the members of the Council so much that he didn’t recognize many of them.

Since there was no opportunity for deeper conversation, they exchanged greetings and left. Adelaide’s captivity by Elkius was too much on his mind to think of anything else.

Callion, who had been waiting impatiently for her, was pleased to see her leave the palace.

“What took you so long, …… Adele!”

Her legs, which had been shaking since she descended the stairs, gave way as soon as she stepped on the last step. Callion, who had barely caught her collapsing body, stood over her in surprise.

“Adele.”

“It’s okay, I’m just nervous…….”

A cold sweat broke out on her face as he hurriedly picked her up and climbed into the carriage. The woman, barely holding on, sagged as soon as the carriage door closed.

“Adele, did anything happen between you and my uncle?”

“Nothing happened…… nothing happened…….”

Adelaide pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. Callion laid her down on his lap.

Her body, which had been stiff, gradually relaxed, and soon, the steady sound of her breathing could be heard. It seemed like her tension had eased, and she had fallen asleep.

……It won’t be easy.

Even though his feelings had changed, Elkius Isulandt was Adelaide Conwall’s first love. It might have been because his face stirred her heart, or even if not, just facing him was undoubtedly tough.

“Don’t trust that woman.”

Nobles he had met recently spoke unanimously.

“Stay away from Adelaide Conwell; she’s Elkius’s mistress.”

He was even threatened by Duke Lephisto, who told him that he could not cooperate with him if he kept her around.

In just a few days, Callion had gotten a vivid picture of how people viewed Adelaide.

“Ugh…….”

Her fair brow furrowed repeatedly as if she were having a bad dream.

Callion watched her groan in agony, then pressed his lips to her smooth forehead.

It was the same spot where Elkius’s lips had touched a moment ago.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

As Adelaide vaguely woke up from her sleep, she felt a chill.

Unconsciously trying to adjust the blanket, Adelaide realized that what she was holding was not a soft blanket but a stiff fabric.

“……?”

“Are you awake?”

Callion’s face came into her blurred vision. Adelaide jerked to her feet.

Looking around the cramped carriage, she quickly realized that it was Callion’s jacket she was covering and what she had been lying on was his knees.

“Uh, what happened……?”

“I waited until you woke up from your deep sleep.”

“How long did I sleep?”

“About three hours.”

Oh god!

“Have you been sitting like this all the time?”

Callion shook his head up and down. Adelaide’s face flushed red.

“Let’s go inside.”

The hand holding her was icy cold.

He must have been chilly after sitting in the carriage for three hours with his coat taken from him. Embarrassed, she hurried into the manor.

“You’re back.”

“Margaret, go and get me some hot tea and a hot towel.”

“Yes.”

Adelaide grabbed Callion as she headed for her office and led him to her room. She kept the fireplace lit in the evenings for her cold sensitivity, and the room was toasty warm.

“I’ll come in, my lady.”

Margaret returned with towels and tea. Adelaide took the towel and wrapped it around Callion’s hand.

“Next time, don’t wait for me to wake up.”

“Do you plan to sleep on my lap again next time?”

“Your Grace!”

Callion laughed mischievously at the lighthearted joke. Margaret, who was pouring the tea, blushed and hurriedly left the room.

“Is your body okay?”

“Yes, nothing hurts.”

She smiled innocently, and Callion touched her forehead. His hand was cold, so he couldn’t gauge her temperature.

Adelaide pulled back slightly and said.

“You were right about that maid, she is Elkius’s woman.”

“Have you met her?”

“Yes. She came to see me of her own accord.”

Adelaide, remembering Rosaline’s fussiness, said.

“Seeing as how she hates me so much, I think she might be worth taking advantage of.”

“We’ll have to find out what kind of woman she is.”

“Elkius told me he’s got spies, so you’ll have to be careful where you go.”

“I will.”

Callion replied obediently and picked up his teacup. She expected him to wonder what she had discussed with Elkius, but he was silent.

After slowly draining his cup, Callion finally spoke.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you…….”

“Go ahead.”

“Did my uncle hold you in his arms?”