Chapter 49

49. Memorial Service (2)

The memorial service, which should have been solemn and dignified, simmered with a strange tension.

As His Holiness recited a prayer, the attendees looked back and forth between Callion and Elkius, trying to gauge how this memorial would affect the balance of power in the Empire.

It was an annual ritual, but everyone sensed that something was amiss this time, though no one knew exactly what.

“Your Majesty, please give a eulogy.”

After reciting a prayer, His Holiness called on the Emperor.

Elkius Isulandt made his way to the dais, and a servant followed, holding an umbrella. The emperor’s immaculate attire, untouched by a drop of rain, was a jarring sight when even the Pope was drenched.

Elkius scanned the crowd and spoke.

“Thank you for attending the memorial service despite the inclement weather. His Majesty will surely remember your sincerity. This year, with the first-time attendance of the Duke of Tiflis, who His Majesty held dear, the service seems to carry even more significance.”

Elkius pointed directly at Callion. He meant to gauge his reaction, but he remained unmoved. Elkius smiled oddly and began to read the eulogy he had prepared.

‘What would it feel like to eulogize someone you’ve killed?’

Adelaide mocked as she listened to the eulogy, which lacked even a hint of sincerity.

The next part of the long, boring eulogy was the offering of flowers. Priests pushed a cart full of flowers. Elkius was the first to pick up the flowers and lay them down in the cemetery.

The Pope then directed Callion to lay the wreath. Callion laid it down and bowed his head. His eyes were red as he turned away for a moment of silence.

As Lady Howard stepped forward for her offering, the Pope gestured towards Adelaide.

“Duchess, please lay your wreath.”

The call to Adelaide before the Emperor’s sister caused a ripple in the pews. Hesitantly, Adelaide stepped forward and offered the flowers.

After the Duchess of Howard put the flowers down in displeasure, the nobles present at the memorial followed suit.

The Pope, His Holiness called out the names one by one, so it was clear which members of which families were present.

All of them were at least a count or heir, and most of them had close ties to the emperor. These were the people who could be expected to feel the full impact of Callion’s bomb.

After the wreaths were laid, the memorial service was coming to an end. The final part of the memorial service was Callion’s tribute.

“Duke of Tiflis, please present your tribute.”

Callion stepped forward and gestured to Julian Uclaire. Julian handed him the box he was carrying. His eyes fell upon the old, antique box.

However, only one person recognized the identity of the object inside. The Pope spoke in a trembling voice.

“Duke of Tiflis, please present your tribute.”

Callion opened the box and took out the sword. He cradled the sword in both hands and raised it to the sky for all to see.

At that moment, the sun emerged from the dark clouds. The dazzling sunlight reflected off the sword and enveloped Callion. It was a coincidence, but the timing couldn’t have been better.

“Is… Is that the Regalia?”

The voice of a dumbfounded nobleman broke the silence. Everyone, both those who knew and those who didn’t, stirred. Callion calmly spoke up.

“It was given to me by the Emperor, and I intend to return it to him.”

It was a cunning and effective declaration.

He didn’t say Regalia directly, but the phrase “given to me by the Emperor” was enough.

Callion returned the sword to its box and handed it to the priest who was attending to it. With trembling hands, the priest took the consecrated box to the Pope.

Normally, the tribute should be buried during the service, but when the tribute was delayed like this, it was a principle to keep it permanently stored in the temple. Even the Emperor couldn’t casually handle it, which would put Elcius in a difficult position.

“A precious offering indeed.”

After inspecting the sword, the Pope blessed the offering with great admiration. In effect, he was confirming that the offering was Regalia.

Adelaide looked at Elkius through the veil. It was easy to tell what he was thinking, even if his expression didn’t show it.

The Emperor’s absence of one of the Regalia was now known to the world, and it was going to be quite the mess to clean up.

“…That concludes the memorial service.”

As soon as the Pope announced the end of the memorial, Elkius turned his head, his sharp eyes glaring at Callion with murderous intent.

‘What is he going to do?’

Adelaide took a step back and studied Elkius.

If he were to get angry with Callion here or ask about the sword, it would be tantamount to admitting that he had no Regalia in his possession, which would make things easier.

But to her disappointment, Elkius does not.

“I have seen something precious thanks to you, Callion.”

“…….”

“I wish you had informed me in advance.”

Elkius’s eyes sparked.

His gaze was hateful as if he regretted not having killed him long ago.

“I must be going. I’ll see you later at the palace.”

“See you there. Your Majesty.”

Elkius turned on his heel and left the cemetery. As soon as the Emperor was gone, those who saw an opportunity rushed to Callion.

“Your Grace, isn’t that a Regalia?”

“How is it that you have that sword in your possession?”

“Does His Majesty not know?”

Callion, who had been quietly watching the excited chatter, raised his hand politely.

“I don’t think it’s advisable to cause a disturbance in His Majesty’s presence.”

“Your Grace, this is a grave matter.”

The Duke of Lephisto’s words were met with choruses of agreement from the crowd, but he stubbornly refused to speak.

Even if this reaction had been anticipated, it was not appropriate to hold a private meeting so soon after the memorial service.

“Your Grace, the Pope wishes to see you.”

The young priest’s timely summons allowed Callion to slip out of the room.

“His Holiness calls, I will see you later.”

With a glance toward Adelaide, Callion left the cemetery.

It seemed like it would take a while.

Whether due to being caught in the rain or the relief of tension, Adelaide felt exhausted.

Just as she was thinking of resting until Calion returned, the Duchess of Howard approached her.

“I need to speak with you,”

An unexpected invitation, but one she would have to meet at least once. Adelaide bowed her head.

“I will ask Cardinal Orland to open the prayer room.”

“Very well. It wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss such matters in a place of worship. Get into my carriage.”

Adelaide followed the Duchess of Howard to her carriage. Adelaide lifted the hem of her dress slightly, not wanting her rain-soaked dress to leave a damp spot on the clean carriage floor.

As soon as they were seated, the Duchess of Howard spoke up, her eyes narrowing.

“Why did you visit my son’s grave?”

“I merely stopped by the temple to see His Holiness, and remembered that it was his anniversary, so I laid flowers.”

“Do you think that makes me think well of you?”

“I couldn’t care less about impressing anyone with my actions.”

“Arrogant.”

The Duchess of Howard’s voice rang out in a squeak. Adelaide continued, unfazed.

“I only stopped by because I remembered what the Duke told me about the late Lord Roland, so please consider it a gesture of kindness on his part.”

“Do you mean to say that Callion told you the story of Roland?”

“Yes. I heard him lament that if Lord Roland were alive today, he would have been a good brother to him.”

At the mention of Callion’s name, Duchess Howard’s anger subsided a bit.

“I also understand that your husband’s unsettled mind is partly due to that incident.”

“Have you ever seen …… such a fine thing?”

Her voice was low, and there was a hint of displeasure in it again. It was a far cry from the deliberately raised tone.

After the death of his son, Roland Howard, the Duke of Howard spent most of his time at the estate.

During the late Emperor’s reign, he spent several months a year at the capital, but since Elkius ascended the throne, he had not even set foot in the capital. As a result, Duke Howard’s influence was dwindling.

“If the lady were to take a firm stance, the duke could spend his time more comfortably in the capital.”

“Are you trying to lecture me?”

“If my words sound like a lecture to you, then I have nothing more to say.”

Adelaide shook off the hem of her dress with a disappointed look and rose to her feet. Then.

“I haven’t finished talking to you, and you’re trying to get off at will!”

The Duchess caught her in a new voice. With an exaggerated sigh, Adelaide sat back down.

“Why did you summon me to the carriage?”

Since she wasn’t seen favorably by her companion, polite conversation seemed unnecessary. In response to the straightforward question, Lady Howard spoke with a sharp edge.

“Since you have eyes, you must have seen the sword that Callion consecrated.”

“I have seen it.”

“And you know what it is, I suppose?”

“I’ve been told it’s a regalia.”

“If you know, why are you so brazen?”

“…….”

“Callion is a child who should have been Emperor. How dare you, who has ruined such a child, think it right to pretend to be a Duchess?”

“In that case, what have you done to make Duke Callion the emperor?”

“What?”