Chapter 48

48. Memorial Service (1)

“You still haven’t met the Duke?”

A teacup clattered against the saucer.

Duke Lephisto frowned as the tea dripped off the table. The maidservant cleaned up the disastrous spill.

The Duchess ignored the spilled tea and pressed her daughter for an answer.

“What about the letter? Didn’t he even ask to see you?”

“No …….”

She lowered her gaze and Shayla shook her head. The Duchess of Lephisto leaned closer, her face impatient.

“You sent him a letter and he didn’t reply?”

“I didn’t send…….”

As if she knew it, the Duchess scolded Shayla.

“This is unacceptable. You’ve been here for some time, and you didn’t even try to contact him? Who should contact whom first when the Duke is involved? You should have requested a meeting!”

“How could I, for a man with a wife.”

“A wife? Do you think the Dduke of Tiflis would recognize a wench like that as his wife?”

“Mother, someone’s listening.”

“Who cares if they do? Grab someone and ask if I’m wrong. How dare a merchant’s daughter pretend to be a Duchess!”

Shayla looked embarrassed at the harsh words.

Her mother seemed oblivious to Shaila’s feelings of having her fiancé taken away by someone of lower status.

“If you’re planning on coming home from the very beginning, you should have come sooner rather than later. You’ve been off for hours and I haven’t seen your face.”

“…….”

On the day she returned home with the Duchess of Howard’s permission, Shayla was devastated to learn that Callion had just dropped by the mansion. She hoped she’d get another chance soon, but time just passed by.

This time, the Duchess’s arrows of frustration were directed at Duke Lephisto.

“You’re no better. If the Duke had come, you should have invited him to dine at least. You should have detained him if he wanted to leave. Why didn’t you?”

“Is it my fault again?”

Duke Lephisto frowned and turned his gaze to Shayla. It was beyond him that his daughter, who was supposed to be Empress, would not find a suitable mate until she was over twenty.

If only Callion hadn’t been stripped of the throne.

Who would have thought that the seemingly nice Duke Roxus would be plotting to usurp the throne?

People accused him of being an opportunist for breaking the engagement of Callion and his daughter as soon as he was stripped of the throne.

But it was clear who the traitor’s next target would be, and the only way to avoid being purged along with him was to cut ties with Callion.

“This is all because of your inadequacy, Shayla.”

Shayla opened her mouth to protest but met his icy gaze and shut it. She knew from long experience that no matter what she said, it would be useless.

“If you had the Duke’s heart, he would have sought you out as soon as he arrived, and the fact that he doesn’t even ask how you are after meeting me tells me he doesn’t care about you.”

“…….”

“If you’re in such a state, what man would take you as his wife?”

Shayla didn’t respond to her father’s pathetic criticism. The duchess sighed and took her hand as she bit her lip in silence.

“It’s enough. Even now, just meeting him will do. If the Duke can’t find you due to his dignity, then suggest meeting him yourself.”

“…Yes.”

“Lucid is quite something too. Knowing his only sister is in such turmoil, he should have at least arranged a meeting, but he hasn’t said a word.”

“If that rascal had any sense, he would have headed over the family a long time ago.”

Tsk! Duke Lephisto clicked his tongue.

None child of his, whether son or daughter, moved according to his expectations.

When Lucid wants to go to Tiflis with Callion, Duke Lephisto tries to dissuade him, but Lucid leaves with Callion, leaving behind only a letter saying he wouldn’t bring disgrace to the family.

It’s a good thing Lucid was there to stand by Callion’s side, who is determined to reclaim the throne.

Duke Lephisto raised his voice to his lifeless daughter.

“Approach the Duke during the memorial service day. You may not be able to have a long conversation, but at least make an appointment to meet him.”

“…Yes.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

It rained from dawn on the day of the memorial service. The rain, accompanied by thunder, poured down as if it would shatter the windows. Delaying their departure while waiting for the rain to stop, Callion checked the time and got up from his seat.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to let up, so we should probably get going.”

“Yes.”

“Bring me another robe.”

Margaret brought a thick coat at Callion’s command. Callion draped the coat over Adelaide’s shoulders.

“We’ll be in the carriage in a moment.”

“Put it on, it’s still cold.”

Adelaide put the coat on, seing she couldn’t resist. Only then did he leave the mansion.

Despite holding an umbrella, Callion got soaked from the front porch to the carriage. Adelaide, who had boarded the carriage first, handed him a towel when she saw him drenched.

“It’ll be tough for everyone since the cemetery is outside.”

“My grandfather must be angry that I haven’t visited in so long.”

The carriage started off as Callion looked up at the sky and made a sour joke. Fortunately, the rain tapered off as they neared the temple.

Dozens of carriages stood in front of the temple. Only invited nobles were allowed to attend, but the crowds were large.

Most of the people had heard of Callion’s presence and had come in droves to meet him.

Adelaide composed herself and stepped out of the carriage.

“Duke Tiflis!”

A young man approached, umbrella-less and boisterous: the Marquis of Flanders, rumored to be the new chairman of the Imperial Council and rumored to be a pompous prick.

“I wonder if the late Emperor knew that the Grand Duke was coming and if the weather was too wet for him to come?”

“You seem to be having too much fun for such a solemn occasion, Marquis.”

“Huh? Ah… I’m just glad to see you…”

“We’ve already met during the imperial council meeting, so there’s no need for formalities now. If you have something to say, let’s leave it for another day.”

Cutting the Marquis of Flanders off, Callion took Adelaide’s hand and moved away. Despite being one of Elkius’s closest aides, his gaze scanning Adelaide was rather unpleasant.

The priest greeting them in front of the imperial cemetery saw them and raised his voice.

“The Duke and Duchess of Tiflis are here.”

The attention of those waiting for the memorial service snapped to attention. Adelaide lowered her eyes silently, ignoring the gathering stares.

No one was outright gossiping about the high nobility gathered in the cemetery, but it was hard enough to endure the judgmental glances.

Fortunately, the attention didn’t last long. The emperor entered the tomb.

Elkius, dressed in black robes, walked straight up to Callion.

“You’re here, Callion.”

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s good to have you at the memorial this year.”

“I apologize for coming so late.”

“Now that you are here, His Majesty can rest peacefully.”

Elkius patted Callion on the shoulder, his voice sad. It was a sight that almost seemed piteous.

Elkius exchanged a glance with Adelaide, nodding lightly, before heading back to his place.

In the front row reserved for royalty was the Duchess of Howard, who had arrived earlier. Elkius spoke softly to her.

“It’s been a long time, my sister.”

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

“Didn’t the rain make it difficult for you to come?”

“Even if it was, I had to come. Today is not only His Majesty’s memorial service but also my father’s anniversary.”

“……Yes.”

The Duchess of Howard did not notice the ominous flicker in Elkius’s eyes.

“It’s been a long time, Duke Tiflis, and I’ve heard of your arrival in the capital, but I’m finally seeing you face to face.”

“I apologize for not coming to see you first. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the capital.”

“What’s so urgent about meeting an old, feeble woman? Seeing your face like this is enough.”

The bony reply gave Callion an embarrassed smile. The Duchess of Howard’s eyes snapped to Adelaide.

As she bowed her head in greeting, her gaze returned. Despite the blatant disrespect, Adelaide lifted her waist nonchalantly.

Callion frowned but did not open his mouth in response. The conversation would have been drowned out by the rain anyway, so it might as well have never happened.

“The Holy Father is coming out.”

At the sound of the priest’s voice, all eyes naturally turned toward him.

Adelaide’s eyebrows rose slightly as she watched His Holiness being escorted into the cemetery.

A holy relic was in his hand, which meant that His Holiness would be conducting the memorial service himself.

But surely Cardinal Roland had mentioned he would preside over the service himself. Did His Holiness overturn the decision?

Adelaide quickly scanned the priests following His Holiness. Cardinal Orland was standing a good distance away from him. It was an odd arrangement for a man of Cardinal Orland’s stature, who had always served His Holiness at close quarters.

If this was His Holiness’s calculation, Samuel Dorfman would soon arrive on the island, and if that happened, Cardinal Roland’s position, who had eyed the position of His Holiness, would weaken.

Adelaide stared at the highest priest in the empire, her lips twitching upward. His Holiness stood stiffly in the rain, defying rumors that he was too ill to move.

He looked around the room, his eyes fixed, and solemnly announced the start of the ceremony.

“We will commence the memorial service.”