Chapter 104

“I knew you wouldn’t. Your Highness, thank you.”

 

“No, I should be the one thanking you. It must have been because someone like you was there that Mother let her guard down.”

 

“Not at all. Rather, I am grateful to you for giving me the chance to take revenge with my own hands—an opportunity I have only been waiting for.”

 

“Mother, please go in peace. The Ducal House will disappear. Just as you wished.”

 

As Rishana collapsed, the maid and Bastien sprang into action.

 

“Aaaaakh! Her Majesty the Empress! Your Majesty!!”

 

At the maid’s scream, people came rushing in. The faces of those who saw Rishana lying limp in Bastien’s arms turned deathly pale.

 

“Th-this is…!”

 

“Call the physician immediately! And you, investigate that teacup! It’s poison!”

 

“Th-that… I heard a certain maid received it from the Duke…”

 

The maid naturally leaked the information. Those who snatched up the intel began to whisper.

 

‘Did you hear? They say it’s the Duke! Duke Weiss?’

 

“Arrest Duke Weiss immediately!”

 

“Y-yes, sir!!”

 

Even before the truth of the incident could be fully grasped, the servants began moving hurriedly to find the Duke under Bastien’s command. Meanwhile, Rishana hovered between life and death, coughing up mouthfuls of blood.

 

 

***

 

 

Evan let out a deep breath as he watched Lepina’s carriage vanish into the distance.

 

Really. He found himself utterly helpless against the words Lepina threw out so unexpectedly. It was a good thing they were in a crowded place; otherwise, he never would have let her go. Not today, of all days.

 

The nail marks engraved in his palms from his tight grip were vivid.

 

Evan hurried his steps. He had to share this joyful news with everyone. That way, no one would dare covet her.

 

“I wonder what kind of ring I should gift her for it to be rumored as the best ring in existence…”

 

Evan’s footsteps seemed light, as if he were pondering the most significant dilemma of his life. Liman met Evan as he arrived at the Duke’s residence.

 

Passing his jacket to him, Evan issued an order.

 

“Prepare the most beautiful bouquet for tomorrow, and draw up a list of the most famous jewelers for me.”

 

“…Did something good happen, My Lord?”

 

Liman had worried for a moment that the meeting had fallen through since Evan arrived back rather early, but Evan’s mood seemed exceptionally bright.

 

“Ah, of course. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

 

It was clear that something good had happened, but since Evan didn’t elaborate, Liman had no way of knowing. He only knew that the reason for his master’s good mood was related to Lepina.

 

“Inform my father and mother. They will be getting a daughter-in-law. Lep asked me to marry her.”

 

“The Young Lady finally…! Congratulations! You have fulfilled your long-cherished wish!”

 

Calling all the servants together for a toast wouldn’t be enough. Evan, who was usually stingy with his smiles toward the staff, was now beaming. He made no effort to hide his joy.

 

“Yes, it’s been a long time coming. I hope you will all celebrate with everything you’ve got on the wedding day.”

 

“I will make sure to convey the news to the Duke and Duchess.”

 

Liman’s mind raced. If that was the case, the bouquet and the jeweler list Evan mentioned were…!

 

He spoke in a voice quite different from before.

 

“I shall prepare everything perfectly.”

 

Evan gave a short laugh at the determined voice.

 

And so, the next morning dawned.

 

Evan was busy from early morning. He had somewhere he needed to be immediately.

 

Before Evan could even ask, Liman handed him a luscious bouquet. The fragrant scent of the flowers tickled Evan’s nose. A soft smile played on his lips.

 

He hadn’t been able to sleep since the moment he returned to the mansion until now. He was confused, wondering if it was all a dream. Given Lepina’s firm stance, he thought marriage was still a distant prospect. But for her to be the first to propose…

 

Evan buried his face in the bouquet.

 

“I hope Lep likes it…”

 

Once he finished his preparations, Evan hurried toward the Count Clies estate.

 

Thinking of Lep’s face as she joyfully received the flowers, Evan entered the estate with a fluttering heart.

 

However, the atmosphere was strange. As soon as Evan’s carriage arrived, the servants began to whisper.

 

Evan’s smile slowly faded. An ominous feeling that something had gone wrong enveloped his entire body.

 

Just then, Piote came running through the whispering servants from a distance.

 

“Where is Lep?”

 

Piote asked exactly what Evan wanted to ask.

 

“…What do you mean by that?”

 

Piote’s face hardened coldly.

 

“Wasn’t she with you?”

 

“I am asking you exactly what you mean by that.”

 

“…She didn’t come home. Yesterday.”

 

Piote’s brow furrowed intensely. Seeing Evan’s reaction, it was certain that Lepina was not with him.

 

‘Then where on earth is she…!’

 

Piote raised his head at the sudden chill. He felt a killing intent so piercing it made his body tremble.

 

“Piote! Young Lord Evan is—!!”

 

Alex and Charlotte, who were running toward them, also came to a dead stop in shock. The luscious bouquet Evan had brought with such care was crushed in his hand.

 

“Lep… disappeared? On a day like today? Who on earth…”

 

Everyone took a step back from him at the growling tone.

 

A dark shadow fell over his eyes. It was a rage directed at whoever had taken Lepina.

 

“A day like today? Now that I look at you, your outfit…”

 

Piote scanned Evan’s attire. Evan usually dressed well to look good for Lepina, but today was a bit much. Between the bouquet and the servants waiting behind him to deliver various gifts, he was fully prepared.

 

While a silence so heavy no one could breathe hung in the air, Liman came galloping in on a horse from the distance.

 

“Young Master!!”

 

“…Liman?”

 

“I-it’s a disaster! Her Majesty the Empress…!!”

 

In an instant, the news that the Empress had collapsed after consuming poison spread like wildfire.

 

The person designated as the culprit was none other than Duke Weiss.

 

 

***

 

 

“Ugh… where am I…?”

 

I woke up, clutching my throbbing head. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw wooden floorboards.

 

A sense of déjà vu washed over me. Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

 

‘No way, surely…’

 

Lepina rolled her eyes around. Fortunately, her hands and feet were free.

 

I stood up cautiously, scanning my surroundings, and brushed the dust off my clothes.

 

“Was I kidnapped again? Who is it this time? This is seriously getting annoying…”

 

The reason I wasn’t scared and remained composed was simple. To someone looking at me in this dress, it might seem like I was unarmed, but that wasn’t the case at all. The crucial self-defense tools that would protect me were perfectly intact.

 

I had used up the wind scrolls last time, but I still had the fire-starting scrolls left. It looks like I’ll be spending today with flames as well, following yesterday’s events.

 

‘And…’

 

I absentmindedly fingered my earring. It was the item Eldan told me to use when I was in danger.

 

I rubbed my chin, tracing back through yesterday’s memories.

 

“After I parted ways with Evan…”

 

I was in the carriage heading toward the Count Clies estate. I should have been. However, the path the carriage took was not toward my home.

 

Feeling something was off, I spoke to the coachman.

 

“Excuse me… this isn’t the way to the Clies estate.”

 

“No. This is the correct way. There is someone looking for you, Milady.”

 

“What? What do you—“

 

And then I lost consciousness. From a blow by an assailant who ambushed me from behind. I didn’t remember anything after that.

 

I scratched my head. As my swaying hair brushed against the back of my neck, it stung a little. I pushed my hair to one side to check the area.

 

“Just like Piote said, I’ve got some serious bad luck this year. Two kidnappings and one assassination attempt. I’m experiencing things in one year that I haven’t faced my whole life.”

 

There was a clear mark from where I was knocked out with a precise strike to the neck. I was horrified to see the dark bruise. Judging by the clean execution, it seemed to be the work of a professional.

 

“…It’s even scarier because I have a hunch who it is.”

 

Someone who would lock me up here instead of killing me. And someone I hadn’t met yet. It was obviously Fedeshar.

 

But he was nowhere to be seen. More accurately, there was no one else in the cabin. If he had kidnapped me, I expected at least one guard, but there was no one.

 

“Wow, so you don’t even care if I run away?”

 

I didn’t know where I was, but thinking it was wiser to go outside than to wait around, I tried to open the door.

 

“Uh, huh?”

 

Was there a reason I was left alone? No matter how much I struggled and strained, the door wouldn’t budge.

 

Exhausted, I flopped down onto the floor.

 

After some time, the door creaked open, and as expected, Fedeshar appeared before my eyes.

 

“Lady Lepina, are you awake? I was worried because you didn’t wake up for a long time.”

 

“I don’t want to hear that from the person who kidnapped me.”

 

I spoke with a scowl at Fedeshar’s attitude of checking on my well-being. He broke into a nonchalant laugh.

 

“Have I earned such resentment? But it couldn’t be helped. You certainly would have rejected my proposal, wouldn’t you, Milady?”

 

“Well, obviously…”

 

An inexplicable sense of anxiety began to crawl up at Fedeshar’s exceedingly relaxed demeanor. He, who had once asked me for help, was now acting with an air of total indifference and ease.

 

“You… you got it.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Eldan… I told him so many times to keep a close watch…”

 

I wiped my hand over my face. Was it because I told him to watch carefully?

 

Fedeshar had been after the Alosi poisonous herb for a long time. So he must have known that I possessed the previous tea leaf canister.

 

“I’ve been had.”

 

“It’s an easy thing to plant a spy in a large merchant guild.”

 

As it was a revenge he had desired for a long time, the plan was meticulous. This… isn’t the time to be chatting leisurely here, is it?

 

I scanned the surroundings. Fedeshar and one knight. There was only one person assisting him. If I can just do something about that knight…

 

“Milady, did you enjoy last night? I mean the beautiful fireworks.”

 

“Fireworks? Don’t tell me, that fire…”

 

I had wondered what that fire was, but thinking carefully about the direction, it was toward the greenhouse where Pat was. I could automatically imagine Pat staring blankly at the blazing greenhouse.