Chapter 98

98. The Significance of the Ring

Clang! The teacup fell over onto the saucer. It was an unusual mistake for the usually composed Duchess of Howard, but she didn’t even think to set the fallen cup upright.

The unexpected proposal hit her like a blow to the head. She drew a deep breath as she looked at the ring case on the table.

“Why are you saying nothing?”

Elkius pressed for a response. The Duchess of Howard collected her thoughts calmly, but she couldn’t read Elkius’s intentions at all.

“You mean to marry Shayla?”

“Yes. As you know, I haven’t had the time to take an empress while stabilizing the empire after ascending the throne.”

“…”

“Well, I was going to take my time, since I’m still young, but the Imperial Council is in an uproar, so I can’t delay any longer. I need to take an empress.”

“But why Shayla…?”

“There’s no one more suitable for the role of empress than Lady Lephisto.”

Elkius spoke nonchalantly.

Knowing that he wouldn’t change his mind no matter what she said, the Duchess of Howard couldn’t easily give in, especially considering Shayla.

With difficulty, she spoke.

“Shayla is… too old. Wouldn’t it be better to choose a younger and more beautiful girl…?”

“What does age matter? It’s better to have someone who knows how to conduct herself than someone too young to understand the world.”

“That’s a valid point, but still, that child…”

“Is it because of Callion?”

Elkius asked plainly, as if he didn’t care about the disgrace of taking his nephew’s woman.

“What does it matter? Callion already has a wife, and he broke off his engagement with Lady Lephisto long ago.”

“For a future empress, it’s a significant flaw.”

“That’s a flaw I’m willing to accept.”

Elkius responded generously. The Duchess of Howard quietly observed her unnervingly beautiful brother.

Having grown up in the spotlight because of his striking appearance, her brother was selfish and cruel. He had to have whatever he desired, and if he couldn’t, he’d destroy it.

That included people.

“Does the Duke of Lephisto approve of this?”

“You’re the first I’m telling.”

“I’m not her parent. Telling me…”

“You’re her godmother. You cherish her like a daughter, so I’m telling you first.”

“I worry about how the Duke of Lephisto will take this.”

“That’s my concern. Don’t worry about it.”

Seeing her displeasure, Elkius’s tone became harsher. He forced the ring into her hand and stood up.

“You must deliver it to her.”

“When will you tell the Duke of Lephisto?”

“I’ve summoned him to the palace this afternoon.”

“I understand.”

The Duchess of Howard followed Elkius out of the reception room. Her steps wavered uneasily.

“Take care on your way back, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

Having barely managed to bid the Emperor farewell, the Duchess of Howard leaned against the wall. Her vision swam. A startled servant supported her.

“Are you alright, My Lady?”

“I’m fine. Where is Shayla?”

“She’s in the study.”

“Ask her to come here.”

“Yes.”

The Duchess of Howard sat on the living room sofa to catch her breath. The ring Elkius had forced into her hand clinked inside its case.

How should she tell her?

She sighed in despair. If she was this shocked, how much more so for Shayla? Especially since Shayla had always only looked at Callion.

‘Surely the Duke of Lephisto won’t agree to this marriage.’

Even though it was the Emperor’s command, forcing an unwanted marriage wasn’t easy. Especially when the other party was the Duke of Lephisto; things wouldn’t go as Elkius planned.

‘Callion wouldn’t stand by and let Shayla marry Elkius.’

If this made Callion realize Shayla’s importance, it wouldn’t be all bad. As she tried to think positively, Shayla came into the living room.

“My Lady, has His Majesty already left?”

“Shayla.”

The Duchess of Howard tightly grasped Shayla’s hand. Shayla looked confused but smiled. The Duchess, gazing at Shayla with affection, spoke with difficulty.

“Shayla, go home for a while.”

“What? Suddenly… did something bad happen?”

“No. You’ll understand when you get there. Just do as I say.”

Shayla nodded, still looking puzzled. She seemed to guess it had something to do with the Emperor’s visit.

Though Elkius told her to deliver the message, Shayla’s guardian was the Duke of Lephisto. She didn’t know what decision he would make, but telling Shayla prematurely could complicate matters and hurt many people.

The Duchess of Howard spoke sparingly as she took out the ring.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“It’s the ring the former empress gave to me. Now, it’s yours.”

“Why are you giving me something so precious?”

Shayla shook her head with a serious expression.

“I’ve always planned to give it to you eventually. Don’t refuse, just take it.”

The Duchess of Howard placed the ring in Shayla’s hand despite her hesitation. Then she hugged her tightly.

“No matter what happens, stay strong and endure, Shayla.”

“Godmother…?”

The late autumn wind blew fiercely.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“How about this ring?”

Adelaide looked uneasily at the enthusiastic jeweler. Callion, who had been contemplating among the rings displayed, picked up the ring the jeweler recommended. The meticulously crafted diamond ring was clearly of high quality at a glance.

“Adele, give me your hand.”

“Your Grace, is this the time for…?”

“Hurry.”

At Callion’s insistence, Adelaide reluctantly extended her hand. The ring fit her slender finger as if it had found its rightful owner. Callion, looking satisfied, spoke.

“It looks beautiful to me, but what do you think?”

“Your Grace—”

“Not to my wife’s liking, then. Is there anything else?”

“Of course there is.”

The jeweler, sensing an opportunity, quickly presented another ring. Adelaide tugged on Callion’s arm and whispered.

“Why are you doing this?”

“We can’t have the marriage ceremony without a ring, can we?”

“But you said the ceremony would be in Tiflis.”

“If we don’t go back to Tiflis, we’ll never have it.”

“Your Grace.”

“Go ahead and pick out a ring, it’s okay to have more than one.”

Ignoring her protests, Callion gestured at the array of rings. Adelaide sighed, troubled.

The rings the jeweler recommended were all expensive and beautiful, but the ring itself didn’t matter to her. In a different situation, even a simple silver band would have been fine.

But now, having cornered Elkius, discussing a marriage ceremony wasn’t what anyone wanted, except Callion.

Moreover, Callion’s behavior was puzzling. Right after Duke Lephisto’s visit, Callion rushed the marriage preparations.

From commissioning Madame Daisy for the marriage attire to arranging a jeweler and selecting guests for the ceremony, everything proceeded swiftly.

Contrary to his earlier words about keeping it quiet, it was a very public affair.

‘What did Duke Lephisto say to make him act like this? ’

Judging by the slap mark on Lucid’s face after the Duke’s visit, something significant must have happened, but neither of them were talking.

“If none of these rings appeal to you, I can show you more, Your Grace.”

“No, this one will do.”

Adelaide decided it was best to choose quickly if she couldn’t dissuade Callion. She pointed to the ring he had slipped on her finger.

“You said earlier you didn’t like that one. Don’t rush, let’s see more…”

“No, this one is fine.”

Adelaide signaled the jeweler, who quickly agreed.

“I think this one suits you best as well.”

“Then this one it is.”

“Understood.”

The jeweler, pleased to sell a 1200-cel ring, presented the bill with a broad smile.

Seeing the bill, Adelaide looked at the jeweler in surprise. Callion swiftly took the bill.

“The payment will be made when it arrives at the residence.”

“Very well.”

“Let’s go.”

Callion, worried she might change her mind, took Adelaide’s hand and left the shop.

“Your Grace, wait. This is too much—”

“I’m making up for not giving you anything when we married. Compared to the dowry you brought, this is far too little, so don’t make me feel worse.”

His firm response left her speechless. She hadn’t realized he felt guilty for not exchanging gifts during their unwanted marriage.

‘But this is too extravagant.’

Being the most famous jeweler in the capital, rumors would spread by tomorrow that Callion had bought a ring. Perhaps that was why he had visited the jeweler personally, but it was too late now.

“Come on.”

Already in the carriage, Callion extended his hand to her. Just as she was about to board, another carriage sped dangerously across the street. Adelaide blinked at the dust and saw a familiar crest.

“…Duke Lephisto?”