Chapter 4
When two wars break out in a single nation, they are usually not both fought at once—one side is often abandoned.
The war with the Kingdom of Mervenia, where Damian had been dispatched, was not a large one to begin with. Mervenia was a kingdom, but compared to the Crophas Empire, it was a small and minor state.
From the outset, it was essentially a war where victory had been all but certain, and they had simply crushed it.
Most of the ministers had invested their knights in the war against Mervenia, where Damian had been sent.
Because of that.
The war against the Viatein Empire, led by Crown Prince Calisten Ethan Crophas, had been treated as a disposable conflict.
Since the Viatein Empire shared a border with them, there had always been frequent small and large skirmishes. This time, too, they had expected only a few token battles as a show of force.
So it had not received proper support.
And yet—
How did he manage to bring down the Viatein Empire with only those few knights?
Moreover, this was something not even mentioned in the original story.
“Calisten?”
“Yes! He’s currently at the gates of the capital!”
The emperor glared at the aide who had interrupted his speech. Under that gaze, the aide instinctively lowered his head. The banquet hall, naturally, fell deathly silent.
Everyone knew the emperor did not favor his own son, Crown Prince Calisten.
Since the death of the late empress—his mother—Calisten had completely fallen out of favor. There had even been rumors that the emperor hoped he would lose the war and be stripped of his position as crown prince.
“We are still celebrating the Grand Duke Maze. Tell him the triumphal procession will be held next month.”
“Pardon? But right now…”
He was saying the knights stationed near the capital would not be allowed into the city but would instead camp outside—for a month. Even those who had returned with a great victory.
“…Ah. I expected this, but as always, Your Majesty.”
At the sound of a familiar voice, heads turned.
There, standing was Calisten. He had black hair and blood-red eyes.
His entire body was covered in blood.
Each time he moved, the heavy clanking of armor echoed. As his footsteps crossed the banquet hall’s carpet like a marching rhythm, everyone’s gaze followed him.
“Father.”
“…Calisten.”
“My men and I have brought the head of the Viatein Emperor for Your Majesty alone.”
“…Is it true? Truly the head of the Viatein Emperor…?”
“Yes.”
It seemed he had not come alone. A knight standing behind Calisten bowed his head. The knight was holding a small box.
At Calisten’s gesture, the knight promptly left, moving swiftly to the second-floor interior balcony behind the emperor.
Then he handed over what he carried.
“Hah!”
The Crophas Emperor, upon receiving the head of his long-standing enemy, the Viatein Emperor who had tormented him for years, exclaimed in triumph.
“That damned monster…!”
With a feverish expression, he opened the box and reconfirmed its contents. Then, smiling in ecstasy, he declared:
“We shall hold the triumphal ceremony tomorrow.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
“Also, make sure you settle your long-awaited matters today!”
Seeing the head of his long-time enemy, the emperor seemed to forget that the man before him had once been his own hated son, speaking with unexpected generosity.
The current emperor despised Crown Prince Calisten.
Because Calisten was anything but ordinary compared to a typical emperor.
“I would prefer to receive what was promised instead.”
“We… we’ll discuss that at your victory banquet! Right now, this is Grand Duke Damian’s victory banquet!”
“…Very well.”
Calisten looked displeased, but then turned his gaze toward me and smiled.
“Please make sure you keep your promise, Your Majesty.”
Calisten had been my childhood friend.
But I didn’t particularly like him either.
He was, quite frankly, a madman.
The reason I hastily married was partly because of this madman. If Damian went off to war and I remained unmarried, there was no telling what he might do.
❖ ❖ ❖
The banquet dragged on endlessly.
Damian, Delilah, Baron, and I had to remain together the entire time.
“Grand Duke Maze! Come here!”
The emperor, perhaps drunk from excessive celebration, had already consumed a great deal of alcohol in a short time and was speaking recklessly.
“My Grand Duke Maze! I knew you would accomplish it—bringing the Kingdom of Mervenia under the Crophas Empire!”
“You flatter me. I will consider it an honor for generations simply to have been of service to this empire.”
“Ah, always so humble.”
The emperor, unlike his usual dignified self, seemed too intoxicated to maintain proper decorum.
Well, he had just received the head of his eternal enemy—it was understandable.
He must also have brought documents regarding the Viatein Empire.
If so, their territory would now double in size. The emperor’s joy likely stemmed from such hidden ambitions.
I forced a smile and pretended to listen attentively. If not for Calisten standing by the terrace door, still in armor without changing clothes, glaring in my direction, I wouldn’t have needed to pretend at all.
In truth, I had considered returning to the manor while he went to change. However, as if aware of my intentions, he remained there, ignoring anyone who spoke to him, simply watching me continuously.
“Lady Delilah.”
“You remember my name! It is truly an honor, Your Majesty!”
Delilah bowed deeply as if overwhelmed. The emperor laughed in delight.
“I have heard of your achievements. The strategy at the Luden Bridge as well—that was your idea, correct?”
“Ah… that was entirely thanks to the Grand Duke’s excellent command…”
“Hahaha. I’ve already heard from Grand Duke Maze that you are modest like a proper lady. A wise woman indeed.”
“You flatter me. I feel I could die without regret!”
“You mustn’t die! You’re so young and beautiful!”
At the emperor’s words, Delilah appeared deeply moved, her eyes glistening as she smiled.
In the original story, the reason the sub-male lead Calisten and Delilah never ended up together was because they were actually half-siblings.
This was only revealed near the ending, but until then, Calisten had persistently pursued Delilah like a madman.
“I once had a daughter like you.”
The emperor drifted into reminiscence, recalling his lost daughter—who was, in truth, Delilah herself.
“If you ever face hardship, do not hesitate to ask me. I will help you at any time.”
“Ah…! It is an honor, Your Majesty!”
Delilah bowed repeatedly, nearly prostrating herself.
I continued smiling, pretending to be the wife of the protagonist in this uncomfortable banquet.
We had not even consummated our marriage yet. Under imperial law, that made annulment easier. If I returned to the House of Marquis Philea, I might be sold off again in another political marriage.
I wanted to avoid that above all else.
Divorce from Damian was certain—but securing another match afterward would be wise.
“Then, Grand Duke, tell me stories from the battlefield.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
And so the tedious talk of war continued.
Perhaps, if I had not been disappointed in Damian, the hardships he endured on the battlefield might have held meaning for me.
Even so, I found myself pathetic—I thought his words were meaningless, yet I could not ignore them.
If resolving feelings were that easy, I might have left the house the day I saw him kiss Delilah.
“So at that time, I… did… and then…”
Every time Damian smiled, he checked Delilah’s expression instead of mine, and that made my chest ache again.
Perhaps, even now, a part of me hoped he would apologize, send Delilah away, and return to me.
“My love will not change.”
“Promises one cannot keep should not be made.”
“There is nothing I cannot keep. For you, Bri.”
His words before leaving resurfaced in my mind, making me feel even more miserable.
Suddenly, I realized Calisten was no longer standing by the terrace door.
Perhaps he had grown tired of waiting and returned. If tomorrow was the triumphal ceremony, he would need to inform his men and rest after a long time at war.
So he must have left.
“Bri.”
“Sorry. I feel a bit dizzy.”
“Oh dear. I heard the Grand Duchess Maze hasn’t been well lately. Could it be pregnancy?”
The emperor, drunk and disoriented, asked an inappropriate question while pretending to be concerned.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
“Not at all. You look unwell. I shall arrange accommodations for you in the imperial palace.”
“No, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful for your kindness, but I believe it would be best for me to return to the Grand Duke’s manor first.”
I quickly added the next words, sensing a bad feeling that he might send Damian along with me.
“Even if my body departs, my heart remains here. I humbly ask that you look after my husband with your generous and noble wisdom.”
“Hahaha. The Duchess is as eloquent as ever. Very well.”
After receiving the emperor’s permission, I headed straight to the carriage.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Haah.”
Arriving at the carriage, I spoke to the coachman.
“Take me to the ducal manor.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Just as the carriage was about to move—
Bang.
“Long time no see, Bri.”
The person who burst into the carriage was Calisten.
His eyes—still glowing with madness—fixed on me.
“Did you miss me?”
