Chapter 22
I didn’t sleep a wink, spending the entire night organizing papers and my thoughts.
The time for sunrise was approaching, but my room was still lit by a single candle. Thinking I might have been mistaken, I opened the window to check outside.
The sky was dark, as if it were a moonlit night.
But the sound of the bustling servants’ footsteps confirmed that morning had arrived.
“Will a storm break out?”
The sky outside the window was crowded with dark clouds.
As if a storm was about to erupt, a day without light, shrouded in darkness.
‘A perfect day for someone to die.’
After yesterday’s events, security had become stricter. As soon as I suggested changing the guards for Cain’s room, they were replaced with skilled and reliable men. The responsibility was entrusted to Ril.
‘At least, there’s no need to worry about assassins now.’
So, while I left the guarding to Ril, I was thinking about something else.
The time for the guests’ arrival was nearing. Only three days remained until the regular meeting.
‘The first to arrive will be the head of the Regulus family and his heir.’
They must have received word from my father about the change in the meeting’s schedule. Otherwise, how could they arrive at the right time?
Even the vassals from Ginever’s lands could barely make it in three days, so how could the Regulus family, coming from farther away, manage it?
‘Everything is going according to Father’s plan.’
[Sigh], I’m still moving according to his will. I took a deep breath and was about to close the window.
“Damn it, they’ve already arrived.”
Had I not seen the Regulus family’s carriage, I would have closed the window. I leaned out and carefully examined the carriage.
It looked as though the carriage had just arrived, as two people stepped out one after the other.
Black hair and blue eyes. Yes, even from a distance, it was Beyran, the head of the Regulus family, and Kendrick, his heir.
My room was far away, so I couldn’t make out their facial expressions. But I knew all too well what kind of expression Beyran would have.
‘…A disgusting man.’
No doubt he thinks he’ll get what he wants, no matter the cost. How high is the corner of his mouth raised right now?
I slammed the window shut. Just thinking about his face sent shivers down my spine. If I could avoid it, I wouldn’t face Beyran, but this time, I had no choice.
At the very least, I found solace in the fact that canceling this political marriage would spare me from seeing him again.
By the way.
“It’s time for me to go down.”
If Beyran had arrived, Father would know. I had to take my place before he and Beyran started talking.
That way, I could hear the details of their conversation.
If they entered the office alone, I wouldn’t be able to do anything.
‘Alright, I’ll leave the office to Kob.’
If Kob hid skillfully in the shadows, Father wouldn’t be able to detect him. I wasn’t about to let this talent go to waste, hiding under my bed.
“Kob, it’s time to work.”
[Caw?]
Kob emerged reluctantly from under my bed, blinking at me with his dark eyes.
“Shrink to your small size and get into Father’s office. Now’s the time, or the opportunity will slip away.”
[Alright, my lady! Hide in the shadows, right?]
“Don’t let anyone spot you. And don’t get distracted by anything shiny.”
[Caw! My lady’s orders come first!]
“Good, Kob. Listen carefully to what Father says and report everything back to me, understood?”
[Caw, caw!]
Kob nodded enthusiastically, then shrank to a very small size.
This was one of his abilities. Besides hiding in the shadows, he could shrink or grow in size.
Growing larger consumed enormous energy, leaving him an exhausted crow afterward. Shrinking, however, had no side effects. In this state, he was nearly impossible to detect in the dark.
“When you’re done, I’ll get you the meal you want.”
[My lady! You’re the best! The best!]
I extended my hand, and Kob hopped onto it. He was smaller than my thumb. I carefully tucked him into my sleeve.
Preparations were complete.
I glanced out the window one last time. I could no longer see Beyran and Kendrick, meaning they had entered the palace. The carriage was still outside, but the driver had begun to move it.
‘I need to go down quickly.’
I took a deep breath and opened the door to my room.
* * *
“Haha, how wonderful to meet again.”
A strange yet familiar voice.
“Thank you for coming despite this bad weather.”
A very familiar voice, one that sent shivers down my spine.
“Ha, has he gone senile?”
I muttered to myself, but my voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Those three voices were enough to drive me mad.
I had intended to take my place first, but I was a little late. Father had already begun exchanging greetings with Beyran and Kendrick.
The three hadn’t noticed my presence yet. I moved my arm back, feeling Kob slip out of my sleeve.
Father’s office was very close, so if no one spotted Kob, he would get there quickly.
‘Everyone’s distracted by the head of the Regulus family and his heir, so getting into the office will be easier.’
I listened silently, waiting for Kob’s signal. After a moment, the magic stone in my pocket vibrated quietly. It was supposed to communicate with light, but anything that might raise suspicion now was forbidden.
‘Kob hid well. Now it’s my turn.’
I descended the stairs, deliberately making my footsteps audible.
Two pairs of blue eyes turned toward me. One scanned me quickly with a disgusting gaze, while the other brimmed with resentment and disdain.
Their reactions were different. The one with the disgusting gaze plastered a thick smile on his lips, while the other’s face contorted sharply.
‘I don’t want to marry you either, Kendrick.’
The one with the resentful gaze was Kendrick. I had heard that Beyran was enthusiastic about this political marriage, but now I knew Kendrick hated it too.
How could I not know? Kendrick was acting as if he’d been dragged here by force. His black hair was neatly arranged, but his clothes were not. The buttons of his shirt, meant to reach his neck, were undone down to his chest, and his jacket was missing, leaving him standing carelessly in just a single coat.
Even with Beyran’s warning glances, Kendrick’s attitude didn’t change.
I observed the two for a moment, then shifted my gaze to Father, making it seem like I had come down of my own accord, attempting to show some obedience.
“So, Erika, you’ve come down.”
“Yes, Father.”
Father looked at me with an indifferent expression, then turned to Beyran, who opened his mouth as if waiting for his turn.
“I’ve been eagerly anticipating this meeting. How I’ve missed our new bride.”
“…Hello, Lord Beyran.”
“My bride’s welcome honors me. It makes me feel this long journey was worthwhile.”
Beyran was still scanning me with sticky gazes. I made an effort not to frown, while Beyran shot a quick glance at Kendrick.
“Kendrick, come on, offer your greeting.”
At that moment, both Father’s eyes and mine turned to Kendrick. Kendrick took a deep breath with a sullen face and opened his mouth.
[Sigh]… “What a farce. Who could welcome this wretched marriage that no one was consulted about?”
His voice was filled with irritation.
I saw Father’s neck redden with anger as he restrained himself in the face of Kendrick’s rebellious attitude. And Beyran, who was looking at his son with a gaze that could kill, wasn’t faring much better.
But I, unlike them, felt a strange sense of relief.
‘Maybe I’ll take back calling him a fool.’
I never expected Kendrick’s brazen behavior to be useful.
I had heard that Kendrick was under Beyran’s control. Even if he was reckless by nature, this was deliberate.
Definitely deliberate.
It seems he’s not as foolish as I thought. He may be reckless, but he’s capable of thinking and expressing his opinion. In a reckless way, but effective.
“Kendrick! What is this behavior?”
And an angry voice echoed through the entire palace.
