CHAPTER 121……………………………………
Rebellion
“Another reason?”
Davy, staring at Anje’s wide-open eyes, lifted one side of his mouth in a crooked smile.
“You’re not very honest, are you? People say the Duke’s pay is substantial, but with your abilities, Miss Anje, you could find a decent position elsewhere. I hear even Marquis Crow coveted you.”
“I’ve heard he’s harsh with his people.”
“But Duke Side isn’t exactly lenient either.”
Caught off guard, Anje was at a loss for words, and Davy clicked his tongue teasingly.
“I have some good news.”
Anje looked at him quizzically, and Davy gestured ahead.
Turning her gaze in that direction, Anje frowned. Duke Siad, his expression furious, was striding toward them.
“Um… surely you don’t mean that’s the good news?”
Davy’s laughter echoed through the crisp forest, and the Duke quickened his pace.
Anje realized Davy had deliberately laughed loudly so the Duke could hear. She scowled inwardly. Why were the men around her always so infuriating?
“Surely not. I have some manners, after all.”
“Mm… yes… I suppose so.”
As the Duke came within striking distance, Davy hurriedly continued.
“I checked the stars yesterday, and perhaps…”
“Get on with it.”
Seeing the Duke approaching with a deeply furrowed brow and tightly pressed lips, Anje urged him to speak.
“This time, it might actually work out. My advice: you must trust the Duke completely.”
“Huh?”
Anje looked at Davy in confusion, but he had already disappeared into the distance.
Winking at her, Davy bowed politely toward the Duke, though the attempt at decorum was clearly a ruse, and the Duke only snorted.
“What were you two talking about?”
“Just trivial chatter. Did your business go well?”
The Duke, glowering in the direction Davy had gone, sighed deeply at Anje’s words.
“If it had gone well, would I be wasting time like this?”
His exhausted eyes closed briefly and reopened. What could have happened inside the Parliament building in such a short time? Anje’s expression turned serious.
“I didn’t mean to irritate you, so my apologies. And we’ll have to postpone our meal. I came out briefly to tell you this. I can’t keep you waiting. We need to return.”
“What happened?”
“There’s been a rebellion in the East.”
“…A rebellion?”
Rumors of unrest in the East had circulated, but no one expected it would escalate into an actual rebellion. Anje was at a loss for words.
“At first, only a few tenant farmers revolted. The story’s long, so I’ll explain at home. Take a carriage and go back first. I shouldn’t trouble you by dragging you out.”
‘You?’
Anje’s eyes widened at the new form of address, but Duke Side seemed unaware of what he had just called her.
The Duke glared at the Parliament building.
“It seems the Eastern nobles offloaded all the taxes onto the tenant farmers. When some protested, they arrested them and punished them. But when a few couldn’t withstand the lashes and died, the remaining farmers—and even ordinary citizens—rose up. Reports say the rebellious farmers are marching toward the capital, gaining strength, and now it’s being called a revolt. The foolish Eastern lords are still inside, arguing over who’s responsible. I’d like to sweep them all away, honestly.”
“That’s unacceptable, Your Grace.”
Seeing the Duke’s fierce expression, Anje quickly shook her head.
“I understand your feelings, but what about His Majesty… and Miss Hildegarde?”
A sneer tugged at the Duke’s lips.
“Actually, the person you might need to stop is Lady Crow, not me. She ordered troops to crush them immediately. The Imperial family and Eastern nobles mismanaged finances, creating this mess, but they won’t take responsibility. Wouldn’t it be simpler if they all just… died?”
“……”
Anje understood his anger perfectly and shook her head, offering no moralizing advice.
“Don’t worry about it. Go home and rest.”
The Duke opened the carriage door and lifted Anje inside.
The new carriage was sturdy and safe, with multiple steps arranged like stairs for ease of use—a thoughtful gesture just for her.
But apparently, that still didn’t satisfy him. Every time she entered or exited, he didn’t hesitate to carry her himself.
At first, she would have protested, thinking others might misunderstand, but the Duke was not the type to listen. By now, everyone at the estate had grown accustomed to it.
And if her calculations were correct, this situation wouldn’t last long. Anje recalled the “separation” element that had appeared in both her and the Duke’s horoscopes the previous night.
“You must eat regularly.”
“Are you worried about me now?”
“Yes. Mariana and the Dowager Countess rely on you. At times like this, you must maintain your health.”
“You’re right to worry.”
Lately, conversations always followed this pattern. The more she spoke, the more Duke Side manipulated the mood. With a prim expression, Anje pulled the carriage door closed and faced forward.
“Let’s go.”
The Duke’s laughter floated in from behind the closed door, but Anje didn’t turn her head. From experience, she knew that if she spoke, he would only press her further for acknowledgment of his feelings.
What was even more shocking was that she couldn’t bring herself to cut off his jokes coldly.
Since her father’s death and her mother’s collapse, Anje had always relied on her own strength. Gathering intelligence had never been as romantic or easy as stories made it seem.
Even while disguised as a man, she had often navigated tricky situations with skill.
Never have I ever faced anything like this.
As the carriage moved and the Duke fell behind, Anje’s face betrayed her unmistakable embarrassment.
Stepping through the greenhouse door, the first thing that struck her was the sweet, sharp scent of wine. The sound of the musicians inside made Adele frown, forgetting even the Emperor’s presence.
At her age, Adele Sevilla enjoyed having fun, and she liked wine—but at this moment, neither the sweetness of wine nor the music felt pleasant.
A rebellion from the East was about to reach the capital, yet a “banquet” was underway.
Technically a banquet, the greenhouse hosted multiple concubines surrounding the Emperor in unspeakable games. Fortunately, most of the courtesans were noble-born, and none took seats—perhaps out of pride.
Even for the Emperor, this is madness.
Adele lowered her head, biting her lips. The stronger the wine scent grew inside, the more dizzying it became.
Straining to maintain her composure, Adele heard Hildegarde’s voice.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Your Majesty?”
Puzzled by the gentle tone, Adele peeked up to gauge the Emperor’s reaction.
Hildegarde’s sweet smile spread across her face. Courtesans wearing almost nothing subtly adjusted their behavior. But seeing that Hildegarde paid them no mind and had no intention of reprimanding them, they quickly resumed their games.
The sight of the Emperor holding a courtesan who resembled Hildegarde on his lap only made Adele frown further.
Laughing toward Hildegarde, the Emperor waved his hands like a child.
“What brings you here? Is there a problem? It seems the outside has been chaotic all day. I’m sure you’ve handled it, though.”
It’s a rebellion, Your Majesty.
Adele clenched her lips to hold back the words. Even if she didn’t speak, Hildegarde would surely report it.
Not wanting to embarrass herself unnecessarily, Adele lowered her head and listened intently.
“A problem? The ministers are always fussing, aren’t they? There’s nothing for you to worry about, Your Majesty.”
