Chapter 118
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
“Ten years?”
That meant it had been running since the late King Conrad’s reign. If that’s the case, not only the late King Conrad but also Prince Johannes must have been aware of it.
Mikhail thought of Emilia, who had supported the first prince. A smile naturally crept onto his lips, which he didn’t bother to hide.
“Even if you return now, the royal family will kill you. If you don’t confess, I’ll kill you myself.”
He smiled, his eyes narrowing.
“Confess, and I will let you live. I will even give you money to leave the kingdom.”
He looked down at Gargen, lying on the floor, as if granting him a favor. He then pointed his sword dangerously close to Gargen’s neck.
“Now, confess.”
At Mikhail’s command, Byne brought over a sheet of paper. He placed it in front of the fallen Gargen and forced a pen into his hand.
* * *
Lady Luther felt a sharp headache coming on. She had just exhausted herself trying to calm down Princess Verne.
“Why on earth did you leave the castle!”
“I thought Princess Verne’s hair was naturally reddish-brown. You didn’t inform me otherwise.”
“Is that an excuse!”
Lady Luther’s anger flared at Adrian’s nonchalant attitude.
“You intended to disgrace the princess and send her back to her homeland. Do you think I don’t know that?”
“That wasn’t my intention, but that’s how it turned out. Besides, didn’t you say you didn’t want this from the start?”
Adrian paid no attention to his mother’s words.
What mattered to him now was the fate of those involved in the dog fighting ring. If the ring’s owner confessed, Adrian would be at Mikhail’s mercy.
“What were you thinking, going out of the castle with the princess? Do you realize that if the Kingdom of Eponsen uses this as an excuse to declare war, it won’t just be me at risk, but also your position?”
The thought of reinforcing Mikhail’s already high standing only added to her frustration.
“Adrian! Adrian von Conrad!”
“….Mother, I’m listening. Please don’t shout; it’s hurting my ears.”
“Hah!”
“Have you forgotten the dignity of the nobility? Raising your voice like this reminds me of the past.”
“If you talk like that one more time, I’ll make sure you never get your hands on anything you care about.”
“Go ahead. If Mother can kill the Duchess with your own hands, then do it. I’ll start listening to you if you can take her away from him.”
Adrian laughed mockingly. What did the princess or this marriage matter?
As long as Duke Heinrich was in Bartsch, Adrian’s power was limited. The person everyone feared was not King Adrian but Duke Heinrich. Since it was Heinrich who placed him on the throne, they believed he could also remove him from it.
“That’s not what’s important right now. The Duke has discovered my weakness.”
“Weakness?”
“It seems the Duke has found out about the dog fighting ring in Delphora’s backstreets.”
“That’s impossible. That place has been running since your father’s time, under strict supervision. How could he… Adrian, be honest.”
Lady Luther’s eyes glinted dangerously. Her eyes flickering like a candle flame in the wind.
“….Tell me exactly what you did!”
Lady Luther’s neck veins bulged, and her eyes filled with rage, directed at her own son.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Emilia saw Mikhail returning to the mansion.
‘The interrogation ended faster than I expected.’
Given his temperament, he could have killed the man, but he must have learned something useful. She watched him closely while sipping tea, noticing something strange. The men who had accompanied Mikhail were returning, but the man they had brought back was nowhere to be seen.
‘Where did the prisoner go?’
As she pondered this, a royal carriage bearing the royal insignia entered through the front gate. Her eyes were drawn to the sight.
Men in white uniforms, carrying documents, led a group of soldiers. Recognizing the King’s guard, Emilia set her teacup down and left her room, heading downstairs.
“Madam, is there anything you need?”
“I saw someone arrive and thought I’d check.”
“It’s likely due to tomorrow’s wedding. If there’s anything you need to know, I’ll relay it through Dell.”
Kartho blocked her attempt to engage with the visitors. Realizing he wouldn’t permit her to eavesdrop, she decided to let it go.
“Very well, then.”
Emilia bid farewell to Kartho and stepped outside to stroll in the garden with Dell.
Despite the chaos, tomorrow’s wedding would proceed as planned. Feeling unsettled, she wanted some fresh air.
However, as she headed towards the back garden, the guards stopped her.
“What is this?”
“Sorry, madam, but you cannot walk here today.”
“…Cannot walk here?”
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