Chapter 75

75. Negotiation

The Duchess of Howard sat in the waiting room and rolled a rosary bead. At the beginning of the rosary were the initials of her dead son. She touched the rosary bead eight times, the ninth time she had rolled it.

A knock at the door made her lift her eyelids. A young servant bowed formally, then lifted his head and said.

“His Majesty will see you now.”

There were no apologies for the long wait. Lady Howard silently followed the servant to the audience chamber.

Elkius, dressed in a nightgown, greeted her in a chair.

“What brings you here?”

The first words, spoken without greeting, left her speechless. Elkius Isulandt tilted his head sharply at her delayed reply.

The water dripping from his hair suggested he had left her in the waiting room and taken a bath.

“I’ve come to see you because I’m worried about the mess in the capital.”

“If it’s about state affairs, Duke Howard would know more than I do. Why bother coming all the way here?”

Elkius replied with a twisted smile. The Duke of Howard’s siding with Callion was evident in his twisted expression.

“The Duke never speaks to me about outside affairs.”

“Oh, really?”

“Lately, he’s been leaving early in the morning and returning late at night, and it’s been days since I’ve seen him.”

At the Duchess’s words, Elkius still wore a wry smile.

“Your Majesty knows that since Roland’s death, he and I have been on less than friendly terms.”

At the mention of the name ‘Roland’, Elkius’ eyes darkened. Roland’s death was a sour memory for Elkius, who had been out with him the day of the accident.

“So, what is it you wish to speak to me about?”

The Duchess of Howard cut to the chase.

“I want you to rescind the imperial decree you have given the Guard.”

Elkius’s expression twisted upon hearing that. With the constant stream of petitions coming in daily, and now his own sister coming to talk about the same issue, he felt irritated.

Elkius stood up.

“If that’s what you’re here to say, I don’t want to hear it. Leave.”

“Your Majesty.”

“You’re asking me to spare the bastard’s life after all, aren’t you? I have no intention of revoking the imperial decree. Unless my sister wants to join him, go away on good terms.”

“Your Majesty.”

The Duchess of Howard called out to Elkius’ back as he turned to leave the audience chamber.

“You and Callion are the only family I have left.”

“…….”

“You do realize, Your Majesty, that the two of you are the only reason I survived Roland’s departure without dying.”

Elkius stopped walking and turned around.

“It must be Callion, not me. Haven’t you always prioritized Callion over me?”

“I did it because I felt sorry for the child without parents. Because my father always cared only for you. That child was in the same situation as me.”

“…….”

Elkius scrutinized his older sister’s face. There was no affection between them. What affection could there be for a sister who had been married off when she was young, with no memories of being affectionately treated? Nevertheless, if rumors spread that he had driven his sister out of the palace, various speculations would arise. Elkius sighed and sat back down.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding, but it is not Duke Tiflis I have ordered to be killed, but the traitors. As for Duke Tiflis, he can return to his mansion at once.”

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have come here. The Duke of Tiflis has risked too much to retreat now.”

“Then what about me? Are you suggesting that I should risk being made a laughing stock for the sake of Duke Tiflis’ dignity?”

“Your Majesty.”

The Duchess of Howard took a deep breath and answered.

“If you harm them, all the blame will fall on Your Majesty, for the disloyal have spread rumours to make them good and you evil.”

“Then I will catch them soon too.”

“They are insignificant, unworthy of your attention. But what about the blame you will receive for killing them?”

“If you’re afraid of blame, I shouldn’t have given the order in the first place.”

“Don’t give them a reason to attack you, Your Majesty.”

The Duchess of Howard emphasized her words.

“Those disloyal ones are just waiting for the slightest excuse from you. Killing them would be a favor to them. They wouldn’t be harmed at all, but you would be criticized.”

“…….”

“If anything goes wrong with Duke Tiflis, his knights will rise up, and Imperial Council will resume their investigations.”

‘Was this for me or for Callion?’

Elkius glared at the Duchess of Howard, his eyes uncomfortable.

“Do you think letting them go will stop them from trying to bite me?”

“If you kill them, this will be talked about forever. But if you just let it go, it will make a little noise and then be forgotten. That’s what public opinion is.”

Elkius stroked his smooth jaw. She had a point. Rumours had spread too far to keep people quiet. If public opinion deteriorated, even those who stood by his side would turn against him.

“At this rate, Callion will be a hero. Will you make a hero out of Duke Tiflis?”

“Is that not what my sister wishes?”

“I don’t want the Empire to go through another uproar.”

The Duchess of Howard replied firmly. Elkius eyed her suspiciously, then asked.

“Is there a guarantee that leaving them alive will prevent such incidents from happening again?”

“Send them somewhere far away from the capital, but cover up what happened to the Marquis of Flanders and Velido.”

“Far away?”

“Isn’t the territory of Marquis Alberden vacant? Send them there and instruct them to cultivate the land.”

Marquis Alberden’s estate.

Elkius’s eyes narrowed.

After the Marquis of Alberden was slain, the estate was annexed by the Empire and was in ruins. He didn’t like the idea of rebuilding an estate that he had helped to destroy, so he left it alone, but the vastness of the land was too much to mock.

“It’s a bit hasty to make a decision right away. I’ll consider it.”

Elkius replied lukewarmly. Sensing his inclination, the Duchess of Howard held out a small box.

“What is this?”

“It’s a ring given to me by the Empress Dowager.”

Inside the box was a ring adorned with a large conch pearl, known as the “Tears of the Sea.”

“It is a treasure that has been handed down to the ladies of the imperial family from generation to generation, so please keep it safe and give it to your future empress.”

With that, the Duchess of Howard rose from her seat.

Looking down at the ring, Elkius summoned his servant.

“Have the aides brought in.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The weather was oppressively clear. Callion struggled to focus his vision, which seemed to scatter in two or three directions.

He hadn’t had a sip of water in days, and the lack of sleep had pushed his body to its limits. Even his fellow soldiers looked at him with concern.

“You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

Regan Melkis tried a pointless plea. Callion didn’t answer. In fact, he didn’t even hear what was being said.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Regan Melkis turned his head away from him. He sighed, saying that he would rather cross swords than watch a healthy man wither away, but then he heard the sound of hooves behind him.

It was the messenger who brought the emperor’s orders once a day. On the third day, he had some hope, but on the fourth day, the messenger was no longer welcome.

The messenger rolled off his horse and shouted,

“Captain Melkis, the Emperor, has rescinded his orders.”

Regan Melkis snatched the order from the messenger’s hand, his eyes widening at the news. He read the words, then hurried to Callion.

“Your Grace!”

“…….”

“His Majesty has cancelled the order!”

Regan Melkis’s booming voice roused the dull crowd. Callion raised his eyes.

“……Is that true?”

“See for yourself!”

Regan Melkis unfolded the order and held it out. He could barely read the words as they shook in front of his eyes. After a few tries, he could just barely make out the short command.

“And what happens to these people?”

“His Majesty says that while he will spare them the worst punishment, he cannot allow those who occupied and protested the capital to be anywhere near it, and since the Marquisate of Alberden is vacant, they are to take up residence there and live in peace.”

“I see.”

Callion nodded, relieved that this was not as cruel a measure as he had expected. It’s an empty estate with nothing, but the land is fertile, and with a little help, it should be able to support itself.

“Now that that is done, you may return to your manor, Your Grace.”

Regan Melkis said, her face brightening.

“I’ve caused you a lot of trouble. I’m sorry, Sir Melkis.”

“No, Your Grace, please take care of yourself.”

Callion smiled faintly and nodded.

“Your Grace!”

Lucid, who had heard the news beforehand, came running up with the Duke’s knights. Not wanting to appear exhausted, Callion stood up stiffly, stretching his back.

“I’ve got a carriage waiting for you; let’s get you back.”

“Lucid, give them water and food for them to recover, and have Julian follow them to the Marquisate of Alberden.”

“Understood. Please board the carriage without delay. I will handle everything smoothly.”

Callion nodded and grabbed the sword he had sheathed on the floor. After several futile attempts, he managed to get the sword into its scabbard.

As he slowly made his way to the front of the carriage, Ahio bowed deeply and opened the carriage door.

The woman in the carriage smiled brightly, tears streaming down her face.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

“Adele…….”

And just like that, the world went black.