Chapter 240
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
But maybe it would be okay. They would be on their side.
One week.
Only about a week remained.
Emilia’s heart began pounding.
Tension filled every corner of Bartsch.
Three days before the railway inauguration.
❖ ❖ ❖
Support for the dissolution of the royal family was growing stronger and stronger.
The royal knights were busily hunting down those suspected of harboring rebellious intentions.
Meanwhile, those unaware were preparing for the festival.
“I’ve heard there are more people watching the estate. Are you sure you don’t want to go check?”
“Byne, if I go to where Emilia is now, her location will be discovered.”
He too felt the urge to see her several times a day.
Even though people had been recruited inside the royal prison, anxiety remained.
Only seeing her with his own eyes could soothe his heart—but soon, flames would rise across Bartsch.
“If no news comes in, it’s safer to avoid exchanging messages.”
“It seems they don’t know the whereabouts of the two. They’ve searched from the townhouse to everything owned by the duke.”
“It’s better that the King’s shadow is here.”
If they stayed in the castle, they might sense something strange. So they had to keep unsettling them.
Boestin and Dell occasionally disguised themselves as the two, deceiving the shadows.
Every time danger lurked, Boestin would return to the estate and shout at Mikhail.
“If Emilia gets hurt after all this, I’ll pluck every hair from your head!”
Boestin often returned in a wrecked state but never said she would quit.
“Are the knights and others ready?”
“Yes, we’ve confirmed again. The event on the day the railway arrives will proceed.”
Mikhail nodded. A revolution starting alongside the festival…
There was actually an easier way to end all this.
If Adrian stepped down willingly, the revolution wouldn’t happen. But judging by Adrian’s attitude in the assembly, he didn’t seem to intend to step down.
His recent behavior confirmed that.
“Your Grace! Someone from the royal family has arrived.”
Hearing Kartho’s urgent voice, Mikhail got up.
Looking out, he saw a carriage bearing the royal seal.
He slowly left the office and headed to the first floor. Frowning at the sight of the knight, he heard:
“The King awaits, Your Grace. We must accompany you.”
Without refusal, he followed the knight. Soon, Lady Luther was visible inside the carriage.
“Follow on horseback.”
Mikhail’s order was acknowledged by Byne, who headed to the stables.
The carriage door opened, and Mikhail lightly stepped inside. The carriage smoothly departed the estate.
“Bringing knights along too—so it’s no use trying to announce it to everyone?”
Mikhail chuckled lightly at Lady Luther’s remark.
“Why wait outside in the carriage instead of coming in?”
“You wouldn’t let me in anyway.”
“I hate unnecessary fuss, so I just rode in quietly.”
Lady Luther’s purpose in seeking him was obvious. The knight had informed him that the King was in the carriage. But it was Lady Luther who was inside.
If it became publicly known that they met at this time, it would be disadvantageous to him.
But he hadn’t boarded without a plan.
“It doesn’t matter. So, what is the reason you wish to meet me?”
“If the royal family falls, the Duke won’t be pleased either. They will demand more.”
“Then you want a royal family that is not dissolved, but rather one that remains?”
“If that were possible, I wouldn’t have grabbed your hand! Now to back out—do you have no conscience? We pulled down the king together and put my son on the throne by the Duke’s hand. What will you do about that mistake?”
“That’s why I’m trying to correct that mistake.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking. Unless you want Bartsch to end like this.”
If they had allied with a foreign country, suppression would be easy. But ties with the Eponsen kingdom had already broken, and neighboring countries had accepted the change.
Only the nobles of Bartsch could extend a hand to the royal family.
Mikhail looked at Lady Luther sitting before him.
“A wise person knows when to stop. If you step down on your own, you might save your life.”
“Duke! Do you think I’ll die alone? It’s not too late to stand with the royal family.”
“Impossible. What I gave to you is mine to take back.”
Mikhail tapped the wall.
“I will find what the Duke holds dear and tear it to shreds.”
“Try it if you dare.”
Lady Luther seemed unaware of Emilia’s location.
If she had found her already, she would be holding her life as leverage to threaten Mikhail. So it was wise he didn’t respond to provocations.
Mikhail held the door of the stopped carriage. Just as he was about to step down, Lady Luther’s voice came from behind.
“She’s carrying the Duke’s child.”
Mikhail’s eyes hardened sharply. His grip on the door tightened.
‘How does she know that she’s pregnant?’
He suppressed his emotions to avoid losing control. Holding his expression steady, he turned his head to meet her gaze.
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