Chapter 96
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
“It’s clear that the royal family will protest. No matter what anyone says, that maid was under royal employ.”
“Once sent to the Duke’s estate, strictly speaking, she was no longer under royal employ. Once she stepped into the Duke’s estate, her allegiance shifted.”
Mikhail pulled a contract from a drawer. Emilia’s gaze followed the contract laid out on the desk.
All those sent from the royal family to the Duke’s estate are no longer considered property of the Jalliar royal family; they belong to Duke Heinrich’s estate thereafter.
It was an unequivocal clause.
“I don’t understand. That girl hasn’t served me for a while. And now you’re saying she snuck out and tried to kill me upon returning? Who would believe that?”
“Emilia. Whether you believe it or not isn’t the point.”
He stood up from his chair and approached her.
“What can we do if that’s the truth?”
Mikhail took her hand and unwound the bandage.
“The wound is quite deep.”
“Nobody told me anything. They just told me to stay away from the door because it was dangerous. I only found out what happened after seeing it myself.”
“There’s no need for you to know. What could you do even if you knew?”
His eyes flared red. Emilia bit her lip.
…What can I do? Is there anything I can do here?
“That’s right. There’s nothing I can do. But I have the right to know who tried to kill me.”
“The right… What makes you think you have any rights? Did being called Duchess Heinrich make you feel powerful? You never wanted any of that in the first place, did you?”
“…Human rights. I’m speaking as a person, not as the Duchess.”
Emilia pulled her hand away from him.
As the bandage came off, the wound, which had only been hastily treated, began to throb painfully.
“Of course, to you it doesn’t matter if I die. It doesn’t matter who the assassin was, why they wanted me dead, or even that their attempt failed.”
Emilia turned away. Any further dialogue with him seemed pointless.
Emilia followed Kartho out of the office, her steps heavy.
“Madam, if we leave your hand untreated, you could get tetanus or the wound might fester. Please let a doctor treat it.”
“It’s just as well. Whether I die or they have to amputate my arm, it must be my fate.”
“Please get treatment.”
“Why should I bother trying so hard to live when everyone wishes me dead? I don’t even want to live anymore; dying now might be easier. I wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of slashing my own throat.”
“Please, madam, no one wishes for your death.”
“…..”
Emilia stopped walking.
The butler’s words were surely a lie.
This was not her place. She had forgotten that fact, and it was she who had let her guard down.
How had she come to feel safe in a place surrounded by enemies, in relationships strained to kill each other?
Angry with herself, Emilia instructed Dell to call for a doctor.
She needed to calm down. It was better to assess the situation logically and move carefully.
No one here was on her side. She couldn’t trust anyone.
* * *
“The main house is restless.”
Dahlia struggled out of bed. She had wanted to sleep more, but her body ached uncomfortably, so she couldn’t rest.
“Is there something going on?”
Dahlia asked Serina as another maid brought in a basin of water.
She washed her face as if nothing was amiss, then pressed the towel against her skin to dry it.
“My skin feels rough; must be because I didn’t sleep well.”
Was it because of the strange dream she had?
What was that dream about again?
She tried to remember, but only fragmented sensations came back; the actual content left her.
“….It seems an assassin entered Madam’s chambers last night,” Serina mentioned cautiously.
“An assassin?”
Dahlia immediately recalled the shadow lurking outside the duke’s estate.
‘I thought my brother was ignoring it on purpose, but did he really not know?’
It made no sense to her. And why was her arm so painfully sore?
“It might be because of the strange dream I had last night, but my body hurts.”
“You might be coming down with something. Let me give you a massage.”
At Serina’s suggestion, Dahlia naturally extended her arm.
Serina gently massaged Dahlia’s pale arm.
“Ow!”
A sharp pain shot through her wrist as it was touched.
“I’m so sorry!”
Serina quickly bowed her head in apology. Dahlia furrowed her brow and examined her own wrist.
“Did I wrestle a dragon in my dreams? Why does my arm hurt so much?”
On closer inspection, there appeared to be a bruise on her wrist.
“It must be my sleeping habits. Serina, do I toss and turn at night?”
“Not at all! You sleep very still and straight.”
“I must have bumped into something without realizing it. By the way, how is my sister-in-law doing?”
“…Yes, fortunately, she hasn’t been hurt.”
Serina’s expression was uneasy. It seemed the situation had been quite serious.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.