Chapter 4.4

“Who would have thought that man, no matter how devoted to his wife, would choose to die with her, leaving his children behind? I only intended to leave him grieving, but…”  

“You…”  

“That’s why I ensured his underage son could inherit the title unusually early. I couldn’t let the empire lose a family of such merit over a small mistake.”  

“Issac…”  

“Marguerite.”  

The Emperor and Empress, now stripped of their titles, glared at each other.  

“I warned you not to act recklessly. How could you involve a ducal family just because you had no one else to turn to? Did you not consider what might happen if that family gained influence over the imperial court?”  

“You… You’re the reason I…”  

“Enough. The Crown Prince is nearby, isn’t he? Do you intend to collapse in front of him?”  

“You…”  

“It’s already late. Shall we go, Empress? And do smile brightly—it’s a rare occasion for you to attend an event.”  

The Empress’s trembling shoulders soon drooped. As if her earlier rage had been a lie, her expression turned hollow. It was the familiar, lifeless demeanor of the mother figure Servante knew all too well. 

And the Emperor naturally escorted her, as if this were nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed like this had happened countless times before. 

Thus, the imperial couple disappeared beneath the shadowed ivy vines. 

Even as their footsteps faded into the distance, and no trace of their presence could be felt anymore, Servante remained frozen in place. He could not believe the words he had just heard with his own ears.

• The accident eight years ago.”

Eight years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Raymore were involved in a horrific carriage accident. A speeding carriage had crashed into the one carrying the Duchess, and the Duke, who had swiftly ridden his horse into the fray, lost his life alongside her. 

It was a rainy day during the monsoon season. People dismissed it as one of those unfortunate accidents that inevitably happen on days with heavy rain. Until just moments ago, Servante had thought the same.

• Did you not consider what might happen if that family gained influence over the imperial court?

‘Just…’

Just for that reason.

A sudden clap of thunder echoed from the clear night sky. Along with it, fragmented voices from the past buzzed faintly in his ears.

• Next time, would you honor us by visiting the Ducal estate? 

• I only targeted the Duchess who was in the carriage.

The first person who had ever seen him as more than a mere child. And the person who sought to kill such a figure.

• Still, I’ll keep it safe. I do that with everything you give me, Your Highness.

The child betrothed to the family of the one who killed her parents. …And now.

“…What… What does all this mean?”

The one who had just now learned the truth about the person who murdered their parents.

Servante slowly turned his head. The only escort accompanying him was there.

The young Duke of Raymore was staring at him with a ghostly white expression.

Servante could say nothing. There was nothing he could say.

* * *

Beneath the table, the feet that had been swaying slightly came to a stop.

“…What? You won’t be able to come to my birthday party? Why not…?”

The excitement Carnier had felt about spending time with her fiancé after so long quickly faded. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Servante took a sip of his now-cold tea to moisten his dry mouth.

“I’ll be attending Durendal Academy soon. I won’t be able to visit for a while.”

“…How long?”

“Three years.”

The unexpected answer made the child’s eyes tremble. Servante maintained a calm expression as best he could.

“That’s the duration of the basic education program. I’ll be staying in the dormitory during that time.”

“Does that mean I won’t see you for three years?”

“…Yes.”

At least, for now, he had bought himself some time.

Servante closed his dry, strained eyes and then opened them again. He had spent sleepless nights arguing with the imperial couple to gain permission to attend the academy.

‘At the very least, this ensures that she won’t have to enter the palace right away.’

With the entrance date nearing, not even the Emperor could rush through the national marriage ceremony so hastily. Once he left, the child could continue living as the young lady of the duchy without any changes.

This was the top priority for both the Duke of Raymore and himself.

• Did you truly….not know, Your Highness?

• …Yes.

The Duke of Raymore did not blame Servante. Perhaps it was because, on that night, when he had turned back, his face had been as shocked and despairing as the Duke’s.

But Servante felt tormented by the fact that the Duke couldn’t even bring himself to blame him. The marriage alliance with the imperial family was crucial for the current Raymore household. Even though he had learned the truth about his parents’ killer, the Duke, who needed to protect his family and younger sister, seemed unable to direct his anger at him.

After a long night of silence, the Duke made only one request.

• Please, don’t tell Carnier.

How could he even begin to explain it? She was only eleven years old. She was still a child who wandered in front of her parents’ portraits, longing for their memory.

Servante clutched his throbbing head and spoke incoherently, saying whatever came to mind.

• For now… I’ll enter the academy. That will buy time for Carnier to avoid entering the palace, and for us to think. And as for the marriage… we’ll delay it as much as possible even after I return. It’s an old engagement, so it can’t be annulled immediately, but someday, that day will come.

• …You’ll annul it?

• We must avoid the situation where she’s bound by marriage to the son of your family’s enemy. It was a political arrangement anyway, and as she grows, Carnier will find someone she likes more. And……

Servante reached out to place a hand on the Duke’s shoulder but hesitated before withdrawing it. In the past, he would have done so casually, but now even such small gestures felt like a betrayal.

Clenching his hands tightly, he muttered in a low voice.

• I’ll repay the debt I owe to you and your parents. Somehow.

The Duke’s darkened eyes flickered faintly, as if questioning how such a thing could even be possible.

No matter how unjust the situation, the dead could not return. Nothing could heal the wounds engraved in their hearts. However…

• I’ll take responsibility and ensure it’s never forgotten, and I’ll make amends.

Recalling the conversation he had with the Duke of Raymore, Servante closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. Unlike her brother, the little girl, who knew nothing, mumbled with a downcast face.

“Why? It’s so sudden…”

“Well, things just… turned out that way. It’s an adult matter.”

“Ugh……”

It was the phrase children hated most. Carnier pouted, unable to hide her disappointment.

Still too young to debut in social circles and without peers her age to interact with, Carnier saw Servante as one of the few people she felt close to.

Seeing her gloomy expression, Servante instinctively reached out but stopped midway. Just as he had done with the Duke earlier, he withdrew his hand again. Instead, he handed her a bundle he had brought.

“Here. An early birthday present.”

“Oh…”

Carnier took it in surprise but hesitated to open it.

“You have to open it and tell me whether you like it or not. Once I leave, you won’t be able to exchange it even if you don’t like it.”

“…When have I ever asked you to exchange something I didn’t like?”

Grumbling, Carnier opened the gift. It was quite heavy, but thankfully, it didn’t seem to be a pair of winged shoes.

When she finally opened the last box, her eyes widened in surprise. Servante, who had been gazing absentmindedly at the starlight reflected in her deep blue eyes, added nonchalantly.

“It’s the work of a craftsman highly regarded by the Empress. It’s not sold anywhere, so you won’t find anything like it.”

“Wow…”

“Ahem, I was actually going to ask for a pig design, but even so, I couldn’t bring myself to ask an imperial craftsman to make something shaped like a pig…”

His playful words, intended to hide his embarrassment, were abruptly cut off. Suddenly, the child jumped down from her chair and threw herself into his arms.

Startled, he froze in place. The child, who had wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, looked up at him.

“It’s so, so beautiful!”

“Huh, huh?”

“Thank you! I love it so much!”

Her eyes sparkled even more brightly than the gift he had given her, and she beamed with joy.

“I’ll treasure it forever!”

“…”

• It’s okay for her to cry. Please cherish her so that she can overcome sadness and smile brightly again. 

The echoes of a voice he had once heard buzzed in his ears. Servante struggled to maintain his composure.

‘…You said it was okay to cry. That’s what you told me.’

He was uncertain. He didn’t have the confidence to see this child, smiling so brightly now, break down in tears. He didn’t have the courage to see her face twisted in resentment and hatred toward him.

“…Alright. I understand, so… could you step back a little?”

“Oh…!”

Carnier quickly realized her behavior had been unladylike and stepped back, embarrassed. Yet, her eyes kept darting toward the gift he had given her, clearly showing how much she liked it.

As he watched her cheerful profile, his gaze darkened.

‘Yes, you… you just need to be happy. I’ll always give you the best and the most precious things.’

Servante’s eyes met those of the Duke of Raymore, who had been silently watching from behind. He knew they were thinking the same thing.

Servante quickly suppressed his complicated emotions and stood up from his seat.

“I should get going now.”

“What? Already?”

“I need to prepare for my journey to the academy.”

“Oh…”

Though disappointed, the young girl forced a smile and bid him farewell.

“I’ll write to you. Please take care of yourself while you’re away. Promise me.”

“…Alright.”

As Servante looked at the angel-shaped music box she held tightly in her arms, he swallowed a bitter smile. Then, he raised the corners of his mouth into a crooked grin, more exaggerated than usual.

“Well, I suppose I don’t need to remind you to stay healthy, little piglet.”

“Your Highness!”

This level of interaction was enough for him. 

Yes, just this much…