• Chapter 33 – “Young Master…”

The news of the Duchess of Dilan collapsing spread through the Empire like wildfire.

It happened just two days after Viscount Kranos had paid them a visit.

The rumors spread so rapidly that it wasn’t just the royal family, but nobles from all over who flooded the ducal estate with letters like an avalanche.

Since then, Kaelan devoted every waking moment to responding to the endless letters and managing the growing pile of paperwork.

Even his sleep was cut short, and the butler grew increasingly anxious watching Kaelan’s condition deteriorate before his eyes.

“Young Master, I really think you should rest. If you keep pushing yourself like this—”

“Butler, instead of lecturing me, bring me another cup of coffee.”

“That will be your fifth today, sir. Might I suggest the herbal tea the Viscount mentioned instead—”

“Forget the tea. I said coffee.”

At the mention of tea, Kaelan’s expression clearly soured.

He’d expected things to escalate after Viscount Kranos’s visit, but not this fast. The speed of it showed just how eagerly the Viscount had been eyeing the ducal household.

The Duchess still hadn’t regained consciousness. Letters full of inquiries about her condition were piling up in his study—including one from the Imperial Family.

Kaelan responded to the Imperial letter with a lie: that the Duchess’s condition was slowly improving, and thus declined their offer to send a physician.

If word spread among the nobility that she was recovering, it would help stem the tide of rumors.

“Your coffee, sir…”

The butler placed the cup reluctantly at the edge of the desk. Kaelan, sharp-eyed, immediately reached for it. The butler turned his head and sighed quietly, helpless.

“Is Kaelan okay?”

“He’s barely slept in days. Anna, shouldn’t we be doing something to help?”

“It’s already been over a week since she collapsed. At this point, maybe she’s—”

“Reina!”

Anna snapped quickly to stop Reina before she said anything inappropriate.

While she’d saved Reina from speaking out of turn, the younger girl still pouted, upset at being scolded. Haldeir noticed right away and tried to comfort her, while Anna awkwardly apologized.

Then, as if struck by a great idea, Reina suddenly beamed and began bouncing with excitement.

“I’ve got it! Halde, Anna! Remember how Uncle Kranos came by a few days ago?”

“Yes, but—?”

“Before he left, he told us to reach out if we were ever struggling, right? So what if we wrote him a letter?”

“…I don’t remember that. Reina, are you sure he said that?”

“Of course! He told me and Halde when he hugged us. Kaelan’s working all by himself right now, but Father’s will said he and Uncle should run the family together. It’s not fair for him to carry the burden alone!”

“Oh wow. That’s… actually a good point.”

Anna was surprised by Reina’s insight. She’d thought of her as just a child, but this showed real thoughtfulness.

She gently patted Reina’s head and said with newfound resolve:

“I’ll go talk to Kaelan.”

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

Creak—

“Kaelan, it’s me.”

Anna walked in hesitantly, offering a sheepish smile. Kaelan, seeing her, set his pen down and rose from his seat.

He rubbed his tired eyes, clearly exhausted, and followed her to the sofa, where Anna had already taken a seat.

“Sorry to bother you when you’re so busy.”

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing big… It’s just that Reina and Haldeir are really worried about you. You’re overworking yourself.”

“No one else can handle these tasks right now. It’s on me.”

“Hearing that just makes me feel guiltier.”

“Don’t.”

Kaelan’s cold demeanor could make him seem distant, but he was dependable—especially in times like this. Even with the Duchess unconscious, Anna didn’t feel worried, because Kaelan was handling everything.

“Reina said something today… She brought up Father’s will, and how it’s strange that Uncle Kranos is doing nothing while you’re handling everything alone.”

“And?”

“What if… we asked Uncle to return and help manage things? The will did say the two of you should lead together in case something happened to the Duchess.”

“No. He’s not coming here.”

“Why not? If he helps, you could finally get some rest!”

Kaelan let out a dry, bitter laugh.

They were just kids. Of course they didn’t understand. They had no idea what they were feeding into—the trap Kranos had carefully laid to devour the ducal house.

“It’s not the right time. Ever since she was given the Ducal title, all eyes have been on us. Now she’s collapsed, and if Uncle and I suddenly take over? With Father still missing? That’s fuel for dangerous rumors. Besides… Uncle Kranos— No, never mind. Just trust me. Not now.”

He had nearly mentioned the food Uncle had drugged with infertility powder—but held back.

Anna was listening with a serious expression, but Kaelan caught a faint glimmer of curiosity and anticipation in her eyes.

“…Alright.”

“I’m busy with all this work, so I need you to make sure Reina and Haldeir don’t do anything reckless. Don’t let them lead you around.”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

As Anna smiled reassuringly, Kaelan remembered something.

“Ah. One more thing. You’ve heard that the news of her collapse has spread throughout the Empire, right?”

“Yes. It’s even been in the papers.”

“I told the Imperial Family that she’s improving. Word will get out soon enough, so keep the children quiet.”

“Why lie like that? We don’t even know when she’ll wake up.”

“Like I said—it does us no good if people know she collapsed right after being appointed Duchess. That’s all for now. Remember what I told you.”

“Kaelan…”

Anna called out softly, but Kaelan had already turned his back to her and sat back down at his desk. She sighed and left the study.

A few days later—

“What? A family council was called without my permission?!”

Kaelan was furious.

At first, he’d assumed the letters piling in were the usual inquiries about the Duchess.

But no—they were notices about an upcoming Dilan family council. And Kaelan hadn’t called for one.

He’d already told the Imperial Family she was recovering. The rumors were beginning to reverse.

But if this council happened, everyone would learn the truth about her condition. And if Kranos took part, it would only add to the suspicion.

“Damn it…”

Kaelan ran a hand through his hair and exhaled slowly, trying to control his anger.

Only he and Kranos had the authority to convene such a council, per his father’s will. It had to be Uncle Kranos.

But with what justification?

Publicly, the Duchess was recovering. Kaelan was managing the work without issue.

Then it hit him.

[“Reina said Father’s will instructed that you and Uncle run the family together if anything happened to her.”]

[“Wouldn’t it be good to bring Uncle back now?”]

[“He could help you and give you some rest.”]

He recalled Anna’s visit just a few days prior.

“No… Don’t tell me…”

Heart pounding, Kaelan stormed toward Anna’s room.

As he reached the door, he heard Reina’s cheerful laughter from inside.

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

As he stepped inside, he found not just Anna, but Reina and Haldeir as well, seated together.

Reina was munching on cookies. Anna, who had been laughing moments earlier, was visibly startled by Kaelan’s sudden entrance.

“Kaelan? What’s wrong?”

“Anna. Tell me you didn’t send a letter to Uncle Kranos.”

“Huh? A letter?”

“A family council has been called. That could only have been done by Uncle. If it wasn’t you, then what on earth—”

“I sent it.”

A bright, innocent voice interrupted them.

“What?”

“I wrote to Uncle.”

“…Reina?”

Still holding a half-eaten cookie, Reina stepped forward with a smile.

Anna glanced nervously at Kaelan—his expression was cold as ice.

“You were overworking, Kaelan. Father’s will said you and Uncle should lead if something happened to her. So I asked him to help.”

“Reina! I told you Kaelan didn’t need help! Why didn’t you listen?”

“But if she doesn’t wake up, they’ll have to work together anyway. Why not start now? That way Kaelan won’t be so tired.”

“Why would you…”

Anna sighed, gripping Reina’s arms, trying to rein her in. But Reina simply looked up at her, puzzled.

Didn’t she realize how furious Kaelan was?

Or was she pretending not to notice?

Kaelan, who had stayed silent until now, finally spoke.

“Anna.”

“…Yes?”

“I told you the children were your responsibility. Did you think I said that lightly?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Seeing Anna shrink under Kaelan’s stern gaze, Reina finally fell quiet.

She couldn’t understand why Kaelan was so angry.

Didn’t she help him?

Still, she bit her tongue. She remembered what had happened the last time she crossed him.

Kaelan will be grateful later. He just doesn’t see it yet.

“You’ve given wings to a rat.”

Reina flinched at the harsh words. Her eyes widened as she turned toward him.

Kaelan’s cold stare now rested on her.

It was even more chilling than the time she’d wrecked his study.

That night, Kaelan tried everything to mitigate the consequences of Reina’s letter—but there was no way to stop the council now.

He spent so much time responding to letters that he couldn’t even finish the usual mountain of paperwork.

“…I’ll deal with the rest tomorrow.”

Resolving to sleep even less, Kaelan tried to clean up his desk—but exhaustion took over, and he simply stared blankly at the piles of documents.

With heavy steps, he left the study.

Click—

Sometime later…

Creak—

Someone silently slipped into the now-empty room.