Chapter 98

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy in an instant. At the very least, she hadn’t wanted to experience a farewell like this. No, to be more precise, she hadn’t expected it to happen this way.

If she left like this, who knew when they would meet again—shouldn’t she give an answer to the confession…?

To be honest, her heart hadn’t clearly leaned toward either side.

However, she couldn’t help but consider the practical matters. If she came to Elvirtein, what would happen to her Marquisate? Of course, according to her grandmother’s will, she could inherit it, but that… was written on the premise that she would marry someone from Essen.

Naturally, the Imperial Family would want to stop her. Whether the Marchioness Estellon took her title and moved to another country, or whether she left and the title was reclaimed—

A venerable family’s legacy, and the void left behind, couldn’t be filled in an instant. So even if a new Marquis Estellon was appointed, her absence could not be compensated.

If she were leaving in search of love, such problems wouldn’t even cross her mind… Unfortunately, her feelings hadn’t reached that level yet. If Yurik hadn’t been there, perhaps it might not have been impossible.

And above all, was she truly drawn enough to abandon her familiar environment and settle in a new land? Especially in this country, which would likely face confusion for some time due to recent events.

She had been captivated by the unique atmosphere here, different from Essen, during the festival and while mingling with the people of high society. But even so, completely moving here was another matter.

Raihan couldn’t have noticed her thoughts, yet he gently stroked her forehead.

“Don’t worry too much. No matter how difficult the problem, there’s always… an answer somewhere.”

‘Is that so? Was there truly an answer, even to a problem like this?’

A perfect answer that matched her contradictory wish for no one to get hurt.

* * *

After the Triangle Scandal broke out, the number of ships traveling between Essen and Elvirtein for exchanges increased rapidly. It was an unexpected effect no one had predicted, bringing the two countries closer together. But with that came a new problem……

“They say Dione Estellon was attacked?”

Bad news also spread quickly. Normally, that shortened distance would have been a good thing, but unfortunately, in this case, it was a setback.

Of course, the news was still slow—maybe not just a step, but seven steps behind. Anyway, it was quite delayed. What reached Essen was, “Dione Estellon was stabbed by a mysterious assailant during the coronation of Elvirtein’s new Emperor, and her survival is uncertain.”

Her condition after surgery was still unknown.

Naturally, the first place to receive this news was the Imperial Palace.

It was like a bolt from the blue on a peaceful weekend afternoon.

“They say her survival is uncertain……?”

“Lily!”

Dione’s news arrived just as the Crown Prince was enjoying a sweet tea time with his lover. And that lover, Lydia, cherished Dione as a dear friend, so Durant couldn’t help but be quite flustered.

He had to comfort his lover, who was crying uncontrollably, check what had happened, and figure out the problems that might arise—all at once, it was enough to drive him crazy.

So the news first reached the palace, and then, as people who had arrived from Elvirtein on fast ships began to talk, the news spread uncontrollably.

Articles were written everywhere like mad, and the newspapers, already selling well thanks to the recent scandal, now flew off the shelves.

The gist of the articles was mostly as follows.

‘According to one informant, the person who attacked the Young Heiress Estellon was from Elvirtein.’

‘There is also news that Yurik Schwitz was attacked.’

‘Since the Essen delegation was attacked, isn’t this a direct attack on us?’

‘There needs to be a discussion about what happens to the Maillak Treaty.’

Durant kept sighing. He had checked all the articles himself. Since they were all factual, there was nothing he could do to sanction them. They were a bit sensational, but not entirely wrong.

Moreover, Essen highly valued freedom of the press, making it even harder to intervene.

But since no further news arrived, the newspapers gradually ran out of things to talk about, and he didn’t know how the situation would develop. He just wanted to know whether Dione was alive. If she was, he would be relieved and turn his mind to diplomatic issues. If not……

He honestly didn’t want to imagine that. In many ways.

Lately, whenever he met Lydia, the first thing she asked was for news about Dione. She couldn’t sleep from worrying about her friend, and when she teared up, it hurt his heart as if it was being torn apart.

Then, finally, the next news arrived.

Dione Estellon had undergone surgery by a doctor from the Moreira Kingdom and was alive without any issues, according to the official letter from the Elvirtein Imperial Family. It also included a clear explanation of how the incident had occurred.

At the end, it stated that they would devote all their efforts to her recovery so that she could return to Essen as soon as she was fully healed.

After confirming the letter, Durant finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was a huge relief. Had anything truly happened to her, the coup supporters might have gotten the war they wanted.

But even so… as the newspapers said, there was no way the debate about the treaty wouldn’t arise. After all, it was clearly Elvirtein’s fault.

And for the public, the fact that it was an Elvirtein person who attacked Dione, who had come as an envoy, was most important.

“Ha……”

The unpredictable situation was sweeping along in a rapid current.

* * *

After the doctor checked the surgical site and left, she spent time with Yurik, eating cheesecake.

All she could do was hole up in her room, eat, and listen for news from outside—a terribly boring routine. But she knew that if she went out, she would only make things more difficult for the people around her, who were already on edge.

When she had eaten about half the cheesecake, she suddenly remembered the knight who had come looking for Yurik at the coronation.

“Come to think of it… wasn’t there an urgent message from Essen?”

“Oh, that.”

Yurik, who had been reading the newspaper she’d just finished, looked up.

“…Don’t tell me that knight was also bribed by Javier’s side?”

“No, not that.”

Yurik put the newspaper down on the table and rubbed his brow, as if it was troubling news. What could it be? What could be so urgent from Essen…….

“It was an order to return immediately after the coronation. Things have been turned upside down over there lately.”

“Why?”

“Durant and Young Lady Fruyde got caught up in a scandal.”

Here it comes. That was her immediate reaction upon hearing the news.

“So… what happened?”

“I don’t know either. I just heard the news.”

How did it happen… Did they just confess? Or did the newspapers expose it? It wasn’t exactly a forbidden issue, but there were certainly risks.

Especially considering Lydia’s father, Earl Fruyde……

‘……It should be fine. Nina is there, too.’

And now that things were like this, those with power should do whatever it takes to protect the other party from harm. If Lydia got hurt… she might even start a rebellion.

“By the way, since we were attacked, things must be even more chaotic.”

“Definitely. Especially since they heard you had to undergo emergency surgery……”

“……”

The newspapers must have been thrilled. Just thinking about how public opinion was forming made her dizzy. It was reality she would have to face soon, but she doubted things would go as she expected.

Some would mention the treaty, and some would think Essen had been insulted.

From Elvirtein’s perspective, they probably didn’t even want to acknowledge Javier as one of their own anymore…… But it couldn’t be helped. How things would unfold would depend on how each Imperial Family responded.

As she rested her head in front of the snow globe at the center of the round table, Yurik’s gaze followed hers as naturally as the S pole is drawn to the N pole.