~Chapter 51~
“What nonsense is this? Killian disappeared?”
Bill’s face turned pale as he stood before Roselia.
“You mean to say you didn’t even find any evidence in the mansion? Bill! Do you think I gathered a search squad just to hear such a report?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
He truly had nothing to say. Bill himself had been so certain. This time, surely, he would send Killian Winters straight to hell.
…But nothing had gone the way he expected.
First, Killian Winters had gone out with Aisha Ashton, and no one knew where they went.
If at least some useful clue had been found at the Winters estate, it might have helped.
But the mansion was spotless.
It meant there was not a single flaw, not a trace.
Of course, Bill hadn’t intended to return to Roselia empty-handed. He had tried desperately, overturning even Killian’s office in search of something. But the result was the same.
“Something… is strange.”
Bill, deep in thought, looked seriously at Roselia.
“There’s no way there could be absolutely nothing. Not even the smallest trace. It’s too clean.”
“Meaning?”
“And the timing of their ‘trip’ is too perfect. Could it be… that our plan was leaked?”
Roselia’s face stiffened.
“Who. Who would dare—inside this palace?”
Her guards and knights were all loyal. None of them would ever dare spread such information. Which made this even more absurd.
Of course, Roselia had no idea—Rune, that cursed guild… their leader had even broken into her own chambers.
Her lips ground together, making a chilling sound as her teeth clenched.
Her crimson eyes burned with rage so sharp it felt like she could kill someone on the spot.
‘This is a disaster…’
What could be done now? Searching other nobles was meaningless—the real target was Killian Winters.
Bill lowered his head awkwardly, lost in thought, when—
“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
A maid’s voice came through the closed doors.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
“….”
“What should we do?”
Roselia sighed heavily, pressing her temples.
“Let him in.”
The door opened at once, and Belmore appeared. He bowed politely to Roselia—so much that an outsider might mistake her for the true emperor.
Bill also bowed, then Belmore nodded slightly and slowly approached Roselia.
“…Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
“What is it, Your Majesty?”
“I heard nobles are being searched.”
“And?”
“…Is the purpose of this search perhaps Duke Killian Winters?”
Roselia gave him no answer, only a chilling look far too cold for a mother to give her own son.
“Please, Your Majesty, tell me.”
“What difference does it make if I say yes?”
“…What?”
“The search has already begun. The dice have been cast. Do you think Killian Winters doesn’t realize it? That’s why he vanished—mocking us as if to say he’s one step ahead!”
“….”
“There is no turning back. Killian Winters must be captured—before he makes his move first!”
Belmore looked at his mother with sorrowful eyes, his blue gaze clouded with despair.
“But… Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager…”
After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice trembling slightly.
“If Duke Killian Winters already knows, then the other nobles must also have noticed. They’ll realize this search is just an excuse to arrest him.”
His voice cracked.
“This may cause the nobles to lose trust in the Imperial family. They may fear they will be the next scapegoats. This search could instead unite them against us.”
“Belmore Ellington.”
Roselia’s voice was icy as she spoke his name. Bill bit his lip, then silently left the chamber.
Now only mother and son remained. Roselia glared at him.
“Do you know why I go through such trouble?”
“….”
“It’s for you.”
Her red eyes shone fiercely, fixed on Belmore.
“For your safety, because you’re a hollow shell of an emperor who can do nothing alone! For your honor! For your future!”
“…Mother.”
“Killian Winters may deny it, but his power grows day by day. Can you fight him fairly and win? Do you have that ability?”
Belmore’s head sank. Roselia fumed at his silence.
“Leave, Belmore. Return to the Imperial Palace. Pretend you know nothing—that’s what you do best.”
Belmore turned quietly, still keeping his head bowed.
And so Roselia failed to notice…
That her son’s face had grown as cold as winter frost—so much like her own.
That the fear once shining in his blue eyes had already vanished, as if it had never been there.
“…Ha.”
Out in the corridor, Belmore let out a faint, bitter laugh. He stared at the closed door for a moment, then slowly walked away.
Aisha woke up late at night.
‘I slept too long.’
At first, she hadn’t even dared sit down, but in the end, she had slept soundly.
‘At this point, I can’t complain if he teases me.’
But still—it was better to get rest. Who knew what would happen next?
Yes. She hadn’t even heard Killian’s plan yet, so they needed to talk.
Just as she began to rise, fully awake at last—
Something slid and fell onto the floor.
“…Huh?”
And Aisha froze, her face twisting into a strange expression.
