Chapter 239
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Mikhail cared for Emilia deeply now—so much so that if he found out she was even targeted to have their child killed, he wouldn’t stand by quietly.
It was certainly him who spirited her away from Delphora Street.
The two who once couldn’t bear each other had come to value one another deeply.
He thought even family wouldn’t be much different—that a relationship forged in resentment and anger couldn’t so easily turn to affection. That had been his mistake.
“You should have left her to this mother. He’s someone who hid away in a foreign land just to survive since childhood. It’s surprising you thought you could beat him.”
Lady Luther freely mocked her son, yet didn’t intervene.
“Don’t forget, this is all because of you. Their closeness is by your orders, isn’t it?”
She should have torn them apart. If she’d made them hate each other even more before clearing the misunderstandings, Emilia might have sided with her.
If she’d covered up the truth, blinded them, and made them believe only what they wanted.
“My son, haven’t you come too far to blame me? If you had only listened to me, things wouldn’t have gotten so complicated.”
Lady Luther remained composed, acting as if it was someone else’s problem.
“Do you have a better plan, then?”
“You’re the king—you know better than anyone. What power do I have, just being called Lady Luther, with no influence or strength?”
She elegantly lifted her teacup, savoring the aroma.
“She’s either not leaving the estate or has already been taken away. Probably the latter.”
“Why do you think that?”
“If not, there’d be no reason to make such a fuss. If someone disguised to look like them was sent out, it was to divert attention, wasn’t it?”
“Do you have any idea where they went?”
“Duke Heinrich is far-sighted beyond us. We must act swiftly.”
Adrian ordered the shadows to search the Duke’s townhouse and the people around it.
“There will be riots. Prepare. We can’t just lose what we’ve gained so easily.”
“Are you certain there will be riots?”
Such talk was even heard in the assembly.
Lady Luther chuckled, though her thoughts seemed troubled.
“Many want the monarchy to fall and the republic to rise. If you don’t step down, they’ll storm this place soon enough.”
Calming the angry ones wasn’t enough. Neighboring countries had gone through similar processes. Duke Heinrich would surely side with the opposition.
So the shrewd would flock to him.
“Do you think capturing Duchess Heinrich and Dahlia will change anything?”
“You seem unaware of something, Mother.”
Adrian leaned back in his chair and looked at Lady Luther.
“Duchess Heinrich is pregnant.”
“…Ha! She never conceived when she wanted to, but now suddenly she’s with child.”
Was it fate’s cruel joke? They would only grow closer. He had tried to use her as a leash to restrain the duke, but the duke had already turned away.
They had never really been on their side.
“So you intended to kill the child?”
“That would inflict a blow. We need that woman to shake the Duke.”
“She’s become his weakness. But since she’s already gone, we must find another way.”
Lady Luther put down her teacup. Without her, nothing would be possible.
She wouldn’t help unless someone clung to her and intended only to watch.
“Let’s see how well you do.”
Lady Luther left the room, followed by court officials.
❖ ❖ ❖
Emilia received a small letter from a knight.
‘He must be worried.’
She was nervous herself and couldn’t sleep peacefully.
Had it been about a week since she’d been in prison?
Finally, news came.
[It seemed Adrian had realized you were not at the estate and was searching nearby.
The knights would try to protect you, but if anything uncontrollable happened, you should escape through this passage.
Do not intervene.
Please, this time think of yourself first.]
Along with the letter came a small map.
Emilia understood the intention behind Mikhail’s message.
But she had no intention of running away—escape wasn’t even an option for her.
The passage was likely known only to the royal family.
“Miss, do you know the secret passages of the castle?”
“Hmm. I remember hearing about it as a child. They said to follow the waterway that shimmers like gold. It’s probably a path only known to Bayerns.”
“I’ve been given this map.”
Emilia handed the letter to Dahlia.
“I’ll memorize it. But you won’t run away, will you?”
“No. I can’t do that.”
They were practicing swordplay together, but short-term success was unlikely.
“So this time, I won’t run either. I’ll stand and fight.”
“If a riot breaks out, it will spiral into uncontrollable chaos. Perhaps even nobles won’t be able to avoid it.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.