Chapter 241
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Even knowing she was pregnant, there was nothing the royal family could do.
“Pregnant, you say? I’m not sure about that. But even so, isn’t it a joyous thing?”
Mikhail responded calmly, then opened the carriage door.
He stepped down naturally and gave Lady Luther a slight nod.
“Duke, if you take what’s mine, don’t forget that I too will bring despair. I will find it, even if I must devote everything to do so.”
Lady Luther’s eyes widened. Though her body trembled, Mikhail blinked slowly and remained composed.
“Then I wish you a safe return.”
He closed the carriage door, tapped it lightly, and the stopped carriage began moving again.
Byne dismounted from his horse and approached Mikhail.
“Your Grace.”
“She has probably noticed Emilia is not at the estate. Quietly inform everyone not to approach her first.”
“Understood.”
Mikhail found Lady Luther’s appearance unpleasant.
“Byne, report to the newspaper that there was an attempt to persuade the king regarding the dissolution of the royal family.”
He had to act first. Watching the royal carriage fade away, he quickly mounted his horse.
❖ ❖ ❖
Emilia stared blankly beyond the bars.
Outside, darkness had fallen quietly.
“Not much time left.”
The note she received today only said not to trust anyone.
The knight who delivered it also warned her to be wary and suspicious of anyone approaching the prison.
So Emilia and Dahlia cloaked themselves and remained on edge. Only when the darkness subsided and the torches brightened did they feel relief.
“It seems it’s about to begin. The royal family is anxiously searching for us.”
Emilia gently touched her belly.
“Don’t worry. Those who came today were all people we’ve seen before.”
Dahlia appeared to be carefully watching those around them.
“I never thought I’d see a changed Bartsch.”
“Me too. I’m both hopeful and fearful. Change isn’t always good for the country.”
Her words were true. Perhaps with the royal family’s fall, decline would follow.
Emilia gazed silently at the torches passing in the darkness.
Were people waiting for the festival? Or dreaming of a changed Bartsch?
The nobles couldn’t fully escape responsibility either. They would likely blame the current royal family for everything.
In truth, it wouldn’t truly be a revolution but a continuation of noble politics—different from what the citizens desired.
That could be negotiated: distributing government posts not only to nobles but also to commoners.
If power was shared, class distinctions would soften. A perfect overhaul from the start was impossible.
Through this process, much in Bartsch would change.
‘Does Mikhail understand that too?’
He was a noble at heart, descended from royal blood.
Dahlia naturally accepted commanding others. In truth, Emilia was no different.
Even if the system changed to end the Jalliar dynasty and stop repeating mistakes, there was no certainty the nobles would willingly give up their benefits.
Even if they sided with Mikhail now to follow the trend, if the royal family fell and power landed in their hands, their hearts might change.
What would he choose then?
“Miss, can you give up the power in your hands?”
Emilia turned to Dahlia and asked her.
“Honestly, it wouldn’t be easy. I still desire what’s mine. But I’ve never truly had it. So I guess I’m better off than those who have tasted power.”
Dahlia shrugged, clutching and then releasing her hand with a bitter smile.
“What if you could sit on the king’s throne?”
“Getting there isn’t the hard part. Though it’s not easy… I don’t have the strength to hold that position.”
She added that even if she had it, it would be useless.
“Adrian himself is failing to hold his position because it’s not truly his.”
Dahlia smiled with satisfaction. She was right. If the position had been hard-won, he should have fought to protect it.
Had he gained people’s hearts and built a solid base, none of this would have happened.
“Soon everything will return to its place. The hateful Jalliar dynasty will disappear, and I’ll finally be free from the past.”
She stretched.
“When that time comes, I think I’ll be able to speak.”
“What about?”
Dahlia smiled enigmatically without answering.
❖ ❖ ❖
Adrian jumped after reading the newspaper.
“I must lock Mother away so she can’t wander around.”
She was told to handle it but made a mess again.
A secret meeting between the King and Duke Heinrich?
It was reported that the two politically opposed figures had a private conversation inside a carriage, avoiding public eyes.
The Duke was understood to be trying to persuade many nobles and citizens regarding the matter.
The newspaper had finally lost its mind. If the Duke were sane, he wouldn’t allow such rumors in a public paper.
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