Chapter 83

83. The Fruits of Hard Work (2)

To offer a seal bearing the family crest is to offer House Changeling, and by extension, the South. When Callion refused to accept the seal, Hayward Changeling said,

“From the moment the late emperor entrusted Your Grace to me, the South has been yours. This should have happened sooner, but due to the complex political situation in the capital, the opportunity was missed. If you felt that the South was testing you, please forgive us.”

“No, I’m not, and I don’t feel comfortable that you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Your Grace has saved thousands of lives, and you say it’s no big deal. The South will gladly follow you. Please do not refuse.”

Hayward Changeling himself pressed the seal into Callion’s hand. Callion gripped the hard metal and opened his mouth cautiously.

“Doesn’t your wife disapprove of you getting entangled in imperial affairs?”

Changeling smiled warmly.

“I’ve spent my whole life on the battlefield, often returning injured. Each time, my wife suffered greatly. She worries that I might be harmed again in my old age.”

“…….”

“Though born and raised in the desert, my wife is also an imperial citizen. She would not turn a blind eye to the empire’s perilous future.”

“Then… I will accept it gratefully.”

Callion bowed deeply.

With the conversation over, Callion headed straight for his room, eager to share the news with her.

He opened the door and was greeted by a wonderful scent. Adelaide, damp with moisture, dried her hair with a towel and turned her head.

“Did the conversation go well?”

Instead of answering, Callion handed her the seal given by Lord Changeling. Realizing what it meant, she smiled broadly.

“Congratulations. You’ve finally gained the South.”

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Callion pulled Adelaide into a strong hug. The rich scent of her perfume made his chest heave, and he didn’t hesitate to shower her with kisses.

“Hah, hah!”

She moaned at the feel of his lips licking the roof of her mouth. Erotic sensations crawled through her body with each entwining of their tongues. The affection was too much to bear, and Adelaide pushed him away with difficulty.

Callion chuckled ruefully as Adalaiede pushed him away, then brushed the corner of her mouth. A small blister had formed around her pretty lips.

“When did it get like this?”

“I don’t know, I was taking a bath and it looked like this.”

“That’s why I told you not to strain yourself.”

“We wouldn’t have found the water if we hadn’t tried.”

Callion wiped the smile off his face.

In truth, he knew it was she, not he, to whom the Southerners owed their loyalty.

He would never have gotten this far without her.

Without her, he would still be languishing in Tiflis, forgotten by the people or killed by Elkius.

But things are different now.

Callion was no longer the cowardly prince isolated in Tiflis. He had people sworn to his side, people to protect.

People follow cause over power. It is not difficult to cultivate strength when you have a cause. And when strength and cause go together, people naturally come together.

Once word got out that the South and Haywards Changeling had joined forces with Callion, those who had been weighing in against him and the Emperor would side with Callion. So gaining the South was more than just gaining a powerful army.

“I really…… do not know what I would have done without you.”

Callion whispered softly, pulling Adelaide into his arms. The warmth of his embrace was comforting and warm, and her eyes burned unnecessarily.

‘… … If it weren’t for me, you would have already become emperor.’

Adelaide closed her eyes slowly in his arms.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The next day, a banquet was held to celebrate the restoration of the Slani River. All the nobles of the south under the Changelings were in attendance, organized by Lord Hayward.

The countess lavishly laid out the wine and food she had saved. Everyone’s faces were beaming with joy at the relief of their long-standing worries.

Most of the guests at the dinner were southerners. In their youth, they had fought alongside the Changeling, and in their old age, they had focused on defending the South. As such, their loyalties were not to the Empire or the Emperor, but to the South and Hayward Changeling.

Adelaide realized that the purpose of tonight’s feast was not purely to celebrate the end of the drought in the South.

Hayward stood up through the commotion.

“Thank you all for attending. As you all know, tonight’s banquet is not only to celebrate the end of the drought that has plagued us for so long, but also to thank His Grace the Duke Tiflis for saving the South.”

After a brief welcome, Hayward Changeling approached Callion, who was sitting at the head table, and bowed his head.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Your Grace. Your efforts have saved the lives of thousands of Southerners.”

“I’m glad I could help the South.”

“Even in death, I will never be able to repay you for the favor you have done for us, so I would like to pledge my allegiance to you here today, so please accept.”

After saying that, Lord Changeling got down on one knee. The room shook violently. A flustered Callion started to rise, but Changeling quickly winked.

This was all part of the show that Lord Changeling had put on to remind the South of Callion’s existence.

“I, Earl Hayward Gordon Changeling, faithful servant of God and good man of the Empire, pledge allegiance to His Grace, the Grand Duke of Tiflis, Prince of the great Anatolian Empire.”

Finished with his oath, Lord Changeling kissed the back of Callion’s hand, the same procedure as the oath of allegiance to the Emperor, albeit abbreviated.

Callion, regaining his composure, spoke calmly.

“My glory shall be your glory, Lord Changeling.”

“I am honored, Your Highness.”

Bowing deeply once more, Changeling rose to his feet and looked to his left.

“Who will go next?”

One by one, the nobles of the South pledged their allegiance to Callion.

Everyone knew that Callion had saved the South by finding the source of the Slani River, and they had seen the Earl himself take the oath of allegiance first, so there was no refusal.

In truth, both Callion and Hayward knew that the oath of allegiance was nothing more than a show.

But there’s a big difference between having someone else designate your loyalties and swearing them yourself. The Southerners, for whom loyalty is a matter of life and death, would never turn their backs on Callion.

When the lengthy oath of allegiance was over, Callion shared a drink with the men and talked intimately.

Meanwhile, Adelaide was being greeted by the ladies, introduced by the Countess of Changeling.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Duchess.”

“Thank you for helping the South.”

The ladies of the South were far more polite than the ladies of the capital. Adelaide, though a Duchess, had never received such hospitality before, and she was somewhat taken aback.

“I did nothing, so you should thank the Duke instead.”

“What do you mean? I know the Duchess has worked her hands to the bone.”

The Countess of Changeling interrupted coldly. The ladies’ eyes fell on Adelaide’s scarred hand.

“My goodness, how did you manage such difficult tasks with these delicate hands?”

“It’s incredible. Even men find it hard to do such work.”

“Indeed. Despite everyone saying it was impossible, you encouraged them, didn’t you?”

“The rumors are exaggerated, it’s just that….”

“That’s right, and if it weren’t for you, the South would still be suffering from famine. Thank you again, Duchess, the South will never forget this favor.”

The Countess of Changeling cut off Adelaide’s words and bowed her head in disapproval. She wanted to make sure nothing was said about her.

Feeling embarrassed, Adelaide had no choice but to accept the greetings.

She didn’t want to be the center of attention.

Even if this was her initiative, it was Callion who should be the center of attention. Her being in the spotlight would not help him.

If the southerners equated her with Callion, it would make it difficult for him to take a new empress. That must not happen. For the promise to Duchess Howard, she had to remain invisible.

Surrounded by the ladies who chatted her up, Adelaide glanced over at Callion, who was accepting every drink they offered.

Southern alcohol was notoriously strong, but having achieved what he wanted, he could afford to get thoroughly drunk today. Both he and she could.

Adelaide drained the nearby glass in one swift gulp.

“I’ll be right back.”

She pushed past the ladies, her stomach churning, and quietly left the ballroom.

“Where are you going?”

Callion, realizing she was leaving, quickly called after her. Adelaide replied nonchalantly.

“I’m feeling a little tipsy and need some fresh air.”

“Then let’s go out together.”

“I think you should stay behind.”

“No one will notice I’m gone.”

He strode forward and took her hand.

“Adele.”

His low call made her shiver. Backing away, she bumped into a pillar. Callion lowered his head toward her.

“What were you thinking, from earlier?”

“I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“Don’t lie.”

“…….”

He was insensitive to romantic feelings but alarmingly perceptive when it came to her. His probing gaze suggested he had sensed her turmoil throughout the banquet.

Adelaide tried to change the subject.

“You’re drunk, Your Grace.”

“I’m sober.”

“You don’t look sober at all.”

“If you doubt it, you should see for yourself.”

Callion took her hand and placed it on his cheek. A shiver ran through her body as the soft flesh touched her palm.

As he gazed intently at her, he slightly lowered his head. If she stood on tiptoe, their lips would meet. Hesitating, Adelaide finally averted her eyes.

As if on cue, Callion’s lips brushed against hers, stealing her breath away. The sweet smell of alcohol drenched her.

‘……It’s okay, we still have some time.’

he foolishly wasn’t ready to let him go.