Episode 133
The heat that had pooled in the corners of my eyes dripped down.
“I love you, Rue. You don’t know how many moments I wanted to say it.”
Forgetting to wipe my wet cheeks, I parted my lips and laughed.
“Me too.”
And before our lips met again, I managed to add,
“So let’s get married now.”
Our breaths, as if they were originally one, mingled naturally, and soft laughter escaped between them.
It had taken such a long time to come full circle and confess our mutual feelings.
He didn’t need to know all about the long time I had wandered.
But even if I were to wander aimlessly for an even longer time, if I could meet and love you again at the end of it, I would choose that path every time.
I would throw myself into the unknown, where the end cannot be seen.
If I could meet you again and love you once more, even at the very last moment, I would do so gladly, every time.
“Louise.”
When I went to the banquet hall, Rurik greeted me without any particular comment.
“Brother.”
I stayed in the embrace of my real brother, whom I had mistaken for the male lead for so long, a little longer than usual.
Of course, Rurik probably just thought I was still shaken from the incident with Frilis’s.
He raised his voice so those around could hear and asked,
“So, how is the former Tower Master?”
That had been my official excuse for leaving the Imperial Palace.
I answered proudly.
“Lord Moghold has regained consciousness. It’s truly a relief.”
“Is that really true?”
Rurik asked again, as if he hadn’t expected that answer. Just then, Helena appeared and greeted us.
“Your Highness.”
She hugged me tightly and whispered softly,
“How shocked you must have been! I was so worried…….”
I gave Helena a gentle smile and then answered Rurik.
“Yes. He opened his eyes, and we could even converse. I promised to visit him again after the wedding ceremony.”
“That is truly a relief.”
Rurik looked immensely pleased.
Knowing that Moghold had come to harm while protecting him, Rurik must have been very worried too.
Moghold had always said all that misfortune was his fault, but that wasn’t true.
All he did was provide information.
How to use that information was solely up to the former Emperor and Empress, and they chose the most despicable path.
Then Ernst appeared with Genais and greeted us.
“Welcome back, Your Highness.”
“Hello, Louise.”
I completely ignored Genais and, as if it were the most natural thing, offered only Ernst my left hand.
He naturally went down on one knee, kissed the back of my hand, and rose.
“Thank you, Erni.”
“Always, it is only Flavi’s honor.”
By never greeting Zenais in the end, I signaled a revenge as long and cold as a Babenberg winter.
Although my eldest sister, who still underestimated me, probably didn’t grasp my intention at all.
I then walked past them and approached the nobles who had waited for me for nearly a week.
“My apologies for my sudden absence. As your sister has been lacking in her duties, I’ve heard His Majesty is extending the banquet. Will you all continue to join me?”
Callisteon quickly came to my side and offered his hand.
As if finding my rightful place, I placed my hand atop his white glove.
Among the nobles staring blankly at us, the first to regain his composure was Viscount Pereira.
“You have found a truly well-matched pair, Your Highness. I am merely grateful for the honor of being able to personally celebrate the new beginning of you both.”
He bowed his head once more towards Callisteon.
“Congratulations, Your Grace of Babenberg.”
Callisteon’s reply was as concise as ever.
“Thank you, Viscount.”
That started a flood of congratulations from all around.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. You look so beautiful today as well.”
“Congratulations, Your Grace.”
It felt like it would take half a day just to walk down the corridor, but standing beside Callisteon, I met everyone’s eyes one by one and smiled confidently.
“Thank you for coming.”
I wasn’t tired for a single moment, nor was I shy or embarrassed.
Now that I had overcome even the fate of death to hold his hand, why should I care about the opinions of the Imperial nobles?
The banquets that continued during the remaining six days of my promised stay at the Imperial Palace were immensely enjoyable.
If I had died without knowing that Imperial banquets could be this fun, I would have felt so wronged.
When I won the card game for the third time, Rurik frowned.
“Grand Duke, I thought my sister only studied at the academy.”
Callisteon waved his hand exaggeratedly.
“I only remember being consistently rejected for date requests, so I cannot even guess where she honed these skills, Your Majesty.”
Ernst interjected.
“I was certainly the one who first taught this game to Your Highness. But now you proceed so boldly, like a different person—surely you learned it from His Grace?”
I laughed brightly and replied,
“It seems financial luck sticks to me when I’m next to Carl.”
As I swept up the pot, the gold coins clinked together.
Sitting here and winning money from my brother, Ernst, and Genais was nothing to feel sorry about.
‘They’re all rich anyway.’
Not to mention, I had spent a long time convalescing in South Korea, enough to master various online card games.
Even though he had lost a considerable amount of money, Rurik spoke with a very satisfied expression.
“Let’s stop here for today. Even if the Goddess of the Crown only smiles upon you, you should retire early if you’re departing tomorrow.”
“Yes, Brother.”
I replied courteously and rose from my seat. Callisteon hurriedly followed to escort me to my room.
We walked slowly through the corridor, still buzzing with the banquet’s energy.
Callisteon held my hand very gently and said,
“The time for even this bittersweet parting is almost over.”
Puzzled, I looked back at him, and he burst out laughing upon seeing my face.
“Oh dear, did I not tell you? In Babenberg, married couples share a bedchamber. It’s the tradition.”
“Whaaat? Really?”
“Absolutely.”
‘Absolutely’ my foot—it was a blatant lie.
Even during my last visit to Babenberg, I stayed in a perfectly good Grand Duchess’s chamber.
But if that was Callisteon’s wish, then not a single one of Babenberg’s servants would tell me the truth.
Seeing my astonished face, he pretended to be disappointed and asked,
“Do you dislike sharing a room with me that much? Had I known, I would have prepared a separate room for you…….”
Though I knew full well the answer he wanted, I deliberately played dumb and stalled.
“Hmmm, even between spouses, a certain degree of propriety is necessary…….”
Then, just as Callisteon’s expression was beginning to genuinely darken, I added coquettishly,
“But if that is my Duke’s wish, then I suppose I have no choice. Since the nights might become very short starting next week, I should get plenty of sleep while I still can, right?”
Callisteon momentarily avoided my gaze; seeing the tips of his ears turn red as he cleared his throat made my playful side emerge spontaneously.
We had just reached my door.
I fiddled with the lapel of his jacket and whispered quietly,
“You know what, Carl?”
“……What is it?”
His voice had already dropped considerably.
After a moment’s hesitation, I met his gaze as he finally looked down at me and answered,
“I actually remember that night. I remember everything. How you… to me…….”
Just as I said that, a large palm covered my mouth.
“Please, Rue.”
Callisteon backed me against the door and growled.
“We are not yet married. I just barely obtained forgiveness from your brother, the Emperor. Could you help me avoid committing another shameless act of impropriety?”
I stared up at him, my mouth covered, my eyes smiling.
Callisteon slowly pressed his lips against the back of his own hand covering my mouth, then pulled away.
“……But you’re right, of course.”
Then he said coolly to me, my eyes drawing question marks.
“The nights will be short in Babenberg, so it’s best to get plenty of sleep here.”
Click. The doorknob turned behind my back.
I barely suppressed the urge to pull him into the room.
As Callisteon said, I had only just obtained my brother’s forgiveness. Even if it felt like meeting the man I loved enough to risk my life for after a year—no, after 24 years—I had to endure.
“Goodnight, Carl.”
He replied with a grimace.
“……I wonder who I have to thank for my impending insomnia.”
