Chapter 94

94. Midday Leisure

Callion, who had turned a serious joke into reality, headed back to the courtyard. He pushed aside the wooden sword he had set down and drew the sword from his waist. The well-maintained sword slid smoothly out of its sheath.

Callion pointed his sword at the knight, who had been waiting nearby.

“Julian Uclaire.”

“……”

“How about a duel?”

Julian, who had been standing like a shadow, let out a low sigh and borrowed a sword from a knight next to him.

It had been a long time since Julian held a sword, and he swung it through the air as if to revive his senses. His movements were a bit awkward at first since it wasn’t his own sword, but they soon became natural.

Having quickly warmed up, he stood face to face with Callion. Callion spoke in a low voice.

“I won’t go easy on you just because it’s been a while, so you better give it your all.”

Julian answered by raising and lowering his sword, assuming his stance. Even though it was just a spar, the courtyard was filled with suffocating tension.

A tedious battle of probing each other’s skills continued for a while. Knowing each other’s abilities well, neither made a hasty move.

Callion was the first to act. The tip of his sword aimed at Julian’s chest narrowly missed him. Julian, deflecting the attack, aimed for Callion’s side. Callion swiftly twisted his body to avoid it, as if he had anticipated the move.

Both men adjusted their stances and took a moment to catch their breath, their gazes sharp.

The second move started with Julian’s initiative. Callion blocked the sword from flying toward his head head-on. The sharp metallic clash made Adelaide frown.

No sooner had he deflected the sword than the tip of Julian’s sword was aimed at Callion’s abdomen. Callion slightly stepped back and lightly counterattacked.

Several more exchanges followed, but the duel did not end easily. After more than twenty rounds of attacks and defenses, Julian’s balance faltered, creating an opening.

Callion did not miss the chance. In an instant, his sword flew towards Julian’s neck. The sharp blade stopped just beside Julian’s neck.

“……I’ve lost.”

Julian acknowledged his defeat, lowering his sword. Despite his loss, considering he hadn’t held a sword in a long time due to Callion not allowing it, his skills were impressive.

“You’ve rusted quite a bit.”

Callion said blandly as he sheathed his sword.

“Julian Uclaire, I permit you to wield a sword again. Rejoin the knights from today.”

“Yes.”

Julian bowed deeply.

A faint smile appeared on Adelaide’s lips as she watched the duel to the end. Reinstating Julian to the knights before the confrontation with Elkius intensifies was a wise decision.

Lucid and Ahio were working hard, but the two alone were not enough to lead the knights, and it would be a waste to let Julian’s skills go unused.

‘Even if I dislike him, there’s no one as loyal to Callion as Julian.’

Adelaide smiled bitterly as she took off the coat Callion had draped over her. Callion, having finished the duel, came up to the terrace.

“Did you see that?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Is that all?”

Callion asked with a disappointed look. She ignored him and handed over the coat.

“Put your coat on. You’ll catch a cold if your body cools down.”

“Don’t you have anything to say to me? Like a compliment or something.”

“How can I give a compliment when I know nothing about swordsmanship?”

“But you can say I was cool or impressive.”

Callion pestered her like a child. Adelaide laughed, finding him incorrigible.

“Yes, you were impressive.”

“It feels like you’re just saying it.”

Callion gave a bitter smile and took Adelaide’s hand to help her up. He clicked his tongue as he looked at her frozen cheeks.

“Let’s go inside.”

Despite the hot tea, blankets, and brazier, her body was still cold. Worried she might get sick, he hurriedly led her into the mansion.

Inside, Callion seated Adelaide in front of the fireplace and started a fire. Crackle, the logs began to burn, sending sparks dancing. Adelaide watched the rising sparks and yawned.

“If you’re tired, sleep.”

“If I sleep now, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”

“I can put you to sleep.”

At his suggestive words, she opened her mouth in disbelief. His face bore a shameless smile, without a blink. Shaking her head, she patted the spot next to her.

“Stop saying things like that and come sit here.”

“I’m fine; I moved around a lot.”

“Your hands were cold, though. Come sit here.”

After repeated urging, Callion reluctantly sat down next to her. Adelaide spread the blanket she was wrapped in to share with him. Although he felt hot from the duel, Callion let her do as she wished.

His cheeks, cold and then thawed, were flushed. Callion suddenly touched her cheek.

“……Your Grace?”

“Ah, I thought you might have a fever since your face is red.”

Unintentionally caressing her face, Callion quickly withdrew his hand. Not realizing his excuse was nonsense, Adelaide placed her hand on her forehead.

“It must be because the fireplace is hot. But Your Grace, give me your hand.”

“My hand?”

Callion obediently extended his palm. The center of his palm was scratched and crusted with dried blood.

Adelaide frowned, as if she’d seen this coming, and retrieved the ointment and handkerchief. She wiped her palm carefully with the damp handkerchief, revealing the wound that had been covered by the crust.

“You spoke as if you won easily.”

“A small injury like this is nothing during a duel.”

“Sir Julian didn’t seem to be hurt.”

“…Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean he wasn’t bruised.”

Holding back the comment, “Of course,” Adelaide spread the ointment. She knew his injuries weren’t limited to just his palm. His hands were full of scars from past wounds.

Callion watched her as she tended to his wounds, her brows knitted in concentration. The sight of her gently blowing on the freshly treated wound made his heart race.

“Adele, look up for a moment.”

He whispered, nuzzling the nape of her neck. Startled by his approaching face, Adelaide jumped up.

“Right! I forgot that Jensen brought a letter earlier.”

…Haa.

Callion, who had been rejected right in front of him, let out a helpless smile. Adelaide, who had dashed to the desk, rummaged through the pile of papers and brought back a letter.

“It’s addressed to Your Grace. Please check it.”

It didn’t seem to be an urgent letter.

Callion glanced at the name on the envelope with a dissatisfied expression.

“It’s from the temple.”

Inside the envelope were a letter and an invitation. The letter stated that the funeral of the former Pope would be held quietly among the temple priests, and the inauguration of the new Pope would be a small event with only a few important figures invited.

“Cardinal Dorfman must be disappointed. He won’t get the celebration he deserves for a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

“He’ll probably be satisfied just becoming the Pope.”

“Indeed, without you, he wouldn’t have even dreamed of becoming the Pope.”

“It was his own ability to seize the opportunity given to him.”

Adelaide answered indifferently, then cautiously asked while examining the invitation.

“Do you think Elkius will attend the inauguration?”

“Who knows? The Emperor has never missed a Pope’s inauguration, but considering he hasn’t responded to Duke Howard’s petition yet… it’s uncertain.”

Since the trial, petitions have been pouring in from all over, but the Emperor has given no response. Callion, who had anticipated a major upheaval, found the quietness unsettling.

“Cardinal Orland’s revelation was quite shocking.”

The fact that Elkius, who had tried to use Cardinal Orland as a pawn, now felt betrayed was almost laughable.

With Duke Howard’s petition and the Council pressing to disclose the use of the bribes from the temple, it was no wonder his mind was troubled.

‘At this rate, we’ll soon be able to bring him down.’

While the current revelations were not enough to depose the Emperor, the accumulation of his misdeeds would eventually lead to an explosion of public anger.

All that’s needed is the right trigger to ignite it, and the goal will be accomplished. And once the first goal is accomplished, the second goal will come naturally.

‘…How much time is left?’

Adelaide quietly calculated the remaining time. If she were to leave before Callion ascended to the throne, she would need to start preparing soon.

‘Leave Callion.’

Even without her promise to the Duchess of Howard, people would not tolerate an Empress like her once the tyrant was dethroned and a new Emperor ascended.

“Adele, are you listening to me?”

“…What? Oh, what did you say?”

“You weren’t listening at all. I’ll say it again, so listen carefully.”

Callion took her hand and spoke.

“A few days ago, I applied for a marriage ceremony.”

“…What?”

“Cardinal Dorfman promised to officiate the marriage ceremony after his inauguration.”

Adelaide’s lips trembled at the unexpected news.

“How could you… make such a decision without consulting me?”

“If I told you, you would just ask to postpone it again.”

His dark, deep eyes fixed on her, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. Seeing her reflection in his eyes made her feel incredibly inadequate, so she lowered her gaze.

“Your Grace, I—”

A polite knock interrupted her words.

“Excuse me, Your Grace. The Duke of Lephisto is here to see you.”