Episode 24: The Duke’s Weakness
When the Emperor finished his meal and rose first, the Empress and the Second Prince followed him out of the dining hall without even offering farewells. Only the Princess and the Duke remained. As the Duke was about to leave after bowing, the Princess stopped him.
“Duke Glois, I have something to discuss with you.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please speak.”
“I heard the public hospital was Ella’s idea. Is that true?”
As the Princess—who would soon stand at the center of the imperial succession conflict—continued to show interest in Ella, the Duke’s eyes cooled sharply, and the atmosphere froze.
“You seem quite interested in Ella, Your Highness.”
“Haha, Duke, the moment Ella’s name leaves my lips you react so sensitively. I worry the Empress might notice that Ella is your weakness.”
“Ella is not my weakness.”
“And who would believe that? Your eyes turn murderous at the mention of her name. The Empress is no fool.”
“What is it you want to say?”
“You praised me so highly in front of His Majesty today. The Empress will surely start watching your family from now on. And if she finds out the public hospital was Ella’s idea, she will either try to win her over—or eliminate her. So I plan to keep Ella as a maid in the Princess’ palace. I will protect her from the Empress.”
Under the guise of protecting Ella from the Empress, the Princess intended to keep Ella close and secure the Duke’s loyalty. Seeing through the shallow scheme, the Duke gave a crooked smile.
“Do not worry. I have already prepared a way so that the Empress will not be hostile toward my house.”
“Surely you don’t intend to side with her?”
“The Glois family sides with no one.”
Coldly refusing her attempt to use Ella as leverage, the Duke turned and left the dining hall. The Princess watched his retreating figure and began to plot another way to win him over.
—
Following Ella’s advice, the Duke had planned to visit the Empress immediately and accept the position of swordsmanship tutor for the Second Prince. But exhausted in body and mind, he returned directly to the manor instead.
Despite the late hour, Ella awaited him while the other servants had retired. Seeing his hardened expression, she wordlessly handed him a warm towel. The Duke placed it over his eyes and leaned back in the chair.
“Ella, you don’t need to attend me. Go rest.”
“You look tired.”
Ignoring his dismissal, Ella placed a bowl of clear soup—kept warm over the fireplace—carefully before him. Her thoughtful gesture soothed the Duke’s fatigue.
“You didn’t eat properly, did you? Please have some. It’s clam soup—your favorite.”
Lowering the towel, the Duke stared quietly at the soup prepared for him. At some point, he had realized it—Ella had become someone natural and essential to him, like breathing. She was no longer someone he could do without. Just as the Princess said, he now possessed a weakness.
Silently, he raised a spoonful of soup to his mouth, already deep in thought on how to protect the only weakness he had—Ella.
—
Two weeks after the Duke returned from the central region, an invitation arrived from the Simon Merchant Guild for a banquet celebrating the completion of the public hospital.
“Ella, an invitation from the Simon Guild? I didn’t know the Duke had connections with them.”
The steward, unfamiliar with the guild’s crest, handed the invitation to Ella.
“Oh, I’ve met the guild master before in the central region.”
“I see. Well, thank heavens the epidemic was contained there. Had it reached the capital…”
The steward shuddered and drew out a small pouch he had kept carefully in his robe.
“What’s that?”
“This? There’s a famous gypsy in the capital—they say this charm prevents disease. I paid a fortune for it! But now it seems useless.”
He shoved the once-precious charm carelessly back into the pouch.
“Ah, Head Maid carries one just like that. Did you go together?”
Remembering the embroidered pattern she had seen on the Head Maid’s apron pouch, Ella asked curiously.
“Huh? Sh-she must have visited too! Quite popular, you know. Oh my, it’s hot, I’ll be going!”
Flustered and face flushed despite the cold weather, the steward hurried away. Ella found it odd but brushed it off as coincidence and carried the invitation to the Duke’s study.
“My Lord, the Simon Guild has sent an invitation.”
The Duke unfolded it. Both he and Ella were invited.
“Viscount Simon invited you as well.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“May I attend?”
Ella wanted to see with her own eyes whether the hospital she conceived had been built properly, but she was cautious not to burden the Duke.
“You may.”
He had originally planned to decline the banquet, but hearing Ella wished to attend, he changed his mind and sent an acceptance immediately.
—
Unlike the Princess’ grand birthday ball, this banquet was simple. After the public opening ceremony with commoners, only officials and invited guests gathered privately. Ella wore a modest dress and departed with the Duke.
With the hospital established, Tellum Village bustled like a festival. Having suffered heavily from the epidemic, the people whose families had died wept with joy at a place that would treat them for free. And since the Emperor himself came to celebrate the completion, loyalty to the throne soared sky-high.
As the Emperor’s carriage entered, crowds showered dried petals and cheered.
“Long live His Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“O sun of the Empire, reign forever!”
Hearing the people’s gratitude, the Emperor smiled so widely it seemed impossible for his lips to drop.
“Princess, witness how the Empire reveres its sovereign! Hahaha!”
“They know the epidemic faded thanks to Father’s grace. And with a free hospital built, how can they not praise you? All of this is due to Father’s virtue.”
“Hahaha, indeed! I have ruled well!”
Across from them, the Empress’ face wrinkled like crumpled paper.
The Princess, flattering like a tongue inside the Emperor’s mouth, basked in favor. Meanwhile, the Prince—despite being the only male heir—remained neglected. Even now, he dozed peacefully until the Empress pinched his thigh sharply.
“Ack!”
He jerked awake in pain.
“Prince! Why are you yelling!”
The Emperor’s pleasant mood soured at once.
“M-my apologies, Father.”
“I told you to compose yourself! Look at the Princess—how brilliant she is! You, at your age, have accomplished nothing. How will you inherit this empire?”
Though scolding him, the Emperor implied the throne would nevertheless go to the Prince. Catching the meaning, the Empress brightened and massaged his shoulders.
“Your Majesty, the Prince simply has yet to bloom. In time, he will shine just as the Princess does. He is your only son—surely a lion’s cub cannot be a fox.”
“You coddle him too much, Sophia. A future Emperor must excel!”
The Princess clenched her fist. No matter how much she achieved, the Emperor intended to pass the crown to the Prince simply because he was male. She grit her teeth, vowing to become the first Empress in history.
—
After the Emperor’s speech, nobles, members of the Simon Guild, and physicians gathered and mingled merrily.
“Oh, Viscount Simon, I hear you greatly aided the Princess. Well done.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Continue supporting the Prince as well.”
The Viscount glanced toward the Princess standing stiffly behind and replied:
“Yes, of course.”
“In a month, the Hanfen delegation will arrive. I will entrust the welcoming to the Prince. Assist him well.”
Normally, it would be the Princess’ duty, but the Emperor intended to help the Prince build rapport with Hanfen. Hanfen, though small, ruled the seas with unmatched navigation. Maintaining trade required their favor—this task was critical.
The Emperor, hoping the Prince wouldn’t fail this time, approached the Duke.
“That you attend a banquet of your own will—how you’ve changed.”
Though the comment carried barbs, the Duke remained unfazed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmph. You should soften that stern nature. How else will you marry?”
Most nobles married young, but the Duke missed his chance due to war.
“Your Majesty, shall I arrange a match with a suitable noble lady?”
The Empress Sophia—still harboring resentment because the Duke once raised the Princess’ standing—offered to arrange it herself. Her plan was to match him with a disgraced daughter of a fallen noble family.
