If We Had Known Each Other a Little Earlier (5)
About to scream, Adelaide covered her mouth with her hands.
Her face had turned so pale that she looked like she might collapse, so Callion held her tightly.
“The Grand Duke seems quite fond of that girl, so he probably won’t k*ll her.”
“She’s like a pet. Don’t you know what kind of person the Grand Duke is?”
“Hmm, I heard they were promised to marry.”
“He’ll play with her for a while and then discard her.”
“I wonder if that merchant will continue to be fooled. If we’re going to act, it would be better to handle it as soon as possible.”
“That’s right. I should tell him to settle things before they get complicated.”
“…”
A ringing sound echoed in her ears. Adelaide closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Many words were omitted, so she understood only half of what was said. However, it was certain that Duke Roxus and Elkius were planning to use her and her father and then discard them.
‘Stay calm, Adelaide.’
She couldn’t just sit and wait to die. But she couldn’t decide what to do or how to do it.
‘Would my father believe me?’
If she rashly conveyed the message and Duke Roxus found out, wouldn’t it just complicate matters?
While organizing her thoughts, which were tangled like a skein of thread, the voices from beyond the door ceased. After confirming that the men had disappeared, Callion calmly asked:
“Where is Earl Cornwall now?”
“Ah. Probably in his office…”
“Take me there immediately.”
—
Bang! The firmly closed door was violently opened. Earl Cornwall, who had been organizing his ledgers, looked up.
Adelaide, who had said she was going to the temple, was entering the office with a strange man.
“Adele?”
The earl raised his eyebrows and stood up from his chair.
“What brings you here?”
Sensing something was wrong from his daughter’s pale appearance, the earl turned his eyes to the man accompanying her. The face was somehow familiar.
“Who is this gentleman?”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Callion Isulandt.”
“…C-Crown Prince!”
Earl Cornwall bowed hurriedly with a surprised face.
‘Why is the Crown Prince here… How does he know Adele?’
Before he could solve these questions, Callion asked directly:
“What proposal did Duke Roxus make to you?”
“What? W-what do you mean by that so suddenly?”
“The fate of your family is at stake. Time is short, so it would be better to speak quickly.”
The earl’s heart chilled at the intimidating tone. Though young, the Crown Prince’s dignity was not to be ignored.
‘Has something happened to Duke Roxus?’
Given that he was specifically asking about the Duke, it was clear that something serious had occurred. However, if he told the truth, there was a high possibility that both he and Adelaide would become involved.
‘Which side should I take to survive safely?’
Just as he was carefully weighing Duke Roxus against Callion:
“Please tell the truth, Father.”
Adelaide pleaded with a face that looked like she might cry.
The scales tipped. If the tide had turned to one side, there was no room for hesitation. Earl Cornwall made his decision and opened his mouth:
“Well…”
—
“Julian, are the preparations complete?”
“Yes. The mansion is completely surrounded.”
“Not one of them must escape. What about Duke Tulonel?”
“The Duke’s safety is secured, and Ahio is on his way to Marquis Werner’s mansion.”
“Good, let’s go in.”
Julian, who had been hiding in the darkness, raised a lit torch high. The soldiers, receiving the signal to charge, all rushed toward Duke Roxus’s mansion.
“Aaargh!”
“A-an attack!”
Surprised by the unexpected raid, the guards scattered in all directions.
Callion entered the Duke’s mansion without hesitation, sword in hand.
“Capture Duke Roxus and Grand Duke Elkius and bring them here!”
“Yes!”
The once-quiet mansion instantly turned into a scene of chaos. Servants who had been awakened by the sound of soldiers’ boots screamed.
Callion leaned against the entrance, waiting for Duke Roxus to appear.
“What is the meaning of this, Callion!”
Duke Roxus, who had been dragged out of bed, shouted angrily with a face red with fury. Callion replied impassively:
“We received a report that the Duke was plotting to usurp the throne.”
“What? W-who said such a thing!”
“You will find out during the investigation process. Please cooperate.”
‘What on earth did this fellow hear to be acting like this?’
Duke Roxus swallowed dryly and asked again:
“Does His Majesty know about this?”
“As it was an urgent matter, I dealt with it first using my authority as Crown Prince, and I will report to His Majesty later.”
“Callion, you…!”
Duke Roxus shouted fiercely. He looked like he might pounce at any moment, but Callion didn’t even blink.
“Take the Duke outside.”
“Let go! You fools! Do you know who I am!”
‘Because the real target was elsewhere.’
“Father!”
“Elkius!”
Callion looked with piercing eyes at Elkius, who was being dragged out by Julian. Judging by the torn collar of his silk pajamas, he must have resisted fiercely.
‘Considering the abusive words he reportedly said to Adelaide, I’d like to strangle him right here, but…’
Callion raised the corner of his mouth as he observed his miserable state.
“I told them to treat you with respect, but it seems the soldiers were a bit rough.”
“Callion! How dare you!”
Elkius’s eyes blazed with fire.
“Father! Didn’t I tell you we should k*ll that bastard first!”
“…”
“I told you that bastard Callion would ruin our plans, but you kept telling me to wait…”
“Shut up, Elkius!”
Duke Roxus shouted.
‘It’s convenient that he’s confessing with his own mouth without separate interrogation.’
Callion chuckled and nodded to Julian. Julian bound the father and son with ropes.
“Callion! I will report this to His Majesty and not leave you be!”
Duke Roxus raised his voice, still apparently confident he would be safe. It was truly a laughable threat.
“If I have acted rashly, I will certainly pay the price.”
“…”
“But if what I know is the truth, then you two will have to pay that price.”
—
The empire was turned upside down as evidence was discovered that Duke Roxus and Elkius Isulandt had attempted to usurp the throne.
Dozens of people were implicated, and it was revealed that high-ranking nobles had also participated in the conspiracy.
More surprisingly, it was discovered that, separate from Duke Roxus’s plan, Elkius Isulandt had been plotting to assassinate both the Emperor and his father and ascend to the throne himself.
Duke Roxus, upon learning of his son’s betrayal, confessed all his crimes in court.
The main conspirators, Duke Roxus and Elkius, received poison, while those who participated in the plan, such as Duke Tulonel, Marquis Werner, and Marquis Flanders, were either exiled or beheaded on the scaffold.
However, Earl Cornwall’s name was nowhere to be found.
“…Thank you for turning a blind eye to my father, Your Highness.”
Adelaide, who had visited Callion’s villa, expressed her gratitude with a pale face. He looked with pitying eyes at her, who had become unrecognizably thin over the past few months.
Earl Cornwall’s crime of providing funds to Duke Roxus was not light, but Callion, as the investigation leader, had overlooked his crime.
The logic was that the Earl didn’t know how the funds given to Duke Roxus would be used, and since he had provided important clues in resolving the case, his merits outweighed his faults.
“How is Earl Cornwall doing?”
“Father has gone down to his territory. Mother’s health suddenly deteriorated…”
“…”
The decisive reason Callion had overlooked him was that he knew why Earl Cornwall had been so desperate to become a noble, even using Duke Roxus’s power.
“A few days ago, I ordered Marquis Lephisto to leave the territory.”
“…”
“Considering what he did, he should be publicly reprimanded, but if that happens, I thought you might find it difficult…”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”
Adelaide smiled faintly. Her precarious appearance, as if she might collapse at any moment, made Callion’s heart race with urgency.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“I’m planning to go to where my parents are soon.”
“You mean leave the territory?”
Callion frowned.
“Duke Roxus’s remnants might target you.”
“It’s the same here.”
Adelaide answered with a bitter face. Callion took a deep breath. There was no time for deep consideration. Words came out before thoughts:
“I will protect you.”
“…”
“So stay here.”
A faint smile spread across her face, which was tinged with resignation. Her eyes, somehow sad, answered for her.
Callion realized that nothing would be resolved with ambiguous words.
‘…I was planning to say this after everything was prepared.’
He took a deep breath and blurted out:
“Will you become my Empress?”
“…”
Her pale lips parted slightly. Adelaide, not understanding his meaning, stared at him blankly. Callion spoke more clearly:
“I’m proposing to you.”
Tears like pearls rolled down. Adelaide opened her mouth with difficulty:
“I don’t deserve…”
“The person I’ve chosen is more than qualified.”
‘Perhaps we were destined for this from the moment we first met.’
Callion embraced her, who couldn’t say anything, and whispered:
“Reject me now if you don’t want to. Otherwise, I’ll take it as acceptance.”
“I…”
“…Adele?”
Adelaide woke up from her sleep at the touch that shook her body. It was still dark. As she blinked to clear her blurry vision, droplets that had pooled flowed down the corners of her eyes. Her pillow was soaked, as if she had cried in her sleep.
“Did you have a bad dream?”
Callion looked down at her with concerned eyes.
‘I did have a dream… but what was it?’
“I don’t remember it well, but I think it was a good dream.”
“Then why were you crying?”
“…Because I was happy.”
Adelaide smiled brightly with her face wet with tears. Callion exhaled in relief and gently wiped her wet eyes.
“I’ll make you even happier, so don’t cry.”
Soft lips touched hers. Adelaide curved the corners of her eyes at his sweet scent.
The body heat that met through the thin slip drove away the cold air of dawn. The familiar sensation brought drowsiness. She buried her face in his chest and closed her eyes.
“Let’s sleep.”
A languid voice moistened her ear.
Adelaide fell asleep embracing happiness.
~~End of the Side Story~~
Translator
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Pitidri
Muitas mortes seriam evitadas, mas muitas outras rotas seguiriam, do leilão de escravos por exemplo… Calion poderia ter voltado no tempo quando e mudado exatamente assim o fluxo da história, seria incrível se ele se lembrasse de tudo e amarrasse as pontas antes de acontecer e ajudasse o príncipe e Zatia também… talvez isso tivesse acontecido quando ele abraçou Adele o momento em que ela se sacrificou para o feitiço do tempo se completar e como reação ele voltou no tempo…