~Chapter 78~
After an awkward and tense breakfast, Johann got ready to head to the imperial palace and stopped by to see Isabella.
“I heard what happened last night. Are you feeling okay?”
Isabella stood from the couch and carefully checked her son’s condition.
“Yes, Mother. The poison has been neutralized, and I’m fine now.”
“That’s a relief, at least.”
She let out a sigh of relief and sat back down.
“You’re going to see His Majesty now?”
“Yes, but I wanted to speak with you first.”
“I see. Did you write the annulment papers?”
“Yes.”
“…It was dangerous, but I guess the princess ended up helping us in her own way.”
Isabella picked up a steaming teacup.
“Indeed.”
“Johann, are you serious about being with Leah?”
She clasped her hands together as she asked.
“If she’ll accept me, yes.”
“Do you have any ideas on how to win her heart?”
“…Not yet.”
“The founding festival is coming up.”
“Yes.”
“Make good use of it.”
Isabella, who knew politics and swordplay well but not much about love, gave advice to her son.
“Festivals are for young couples to blossom, after all.”
She smiled softly.
Johann left his mother’s sitting room and walked downstairs.
“Your Grace!”
A mage standing in the entrance hall called out when he saw Johann.
He was the healing mage Johann had asked to research Leah’s incurable illness.
“I have something to report about the illness you asked me to investigate.”
“Go ahead,” Johann nodded.
“Well… I tried every method I could, but found nothing.”
“…I see.”
Johann stopped walking and let out a soft groan.
No one with a similar illness existed, not even in foreign lands or remote villages.
“I’m sorry.”
The mage bowed deeply.
“Your Grace, would it be possible to examine the patient directly?”
“That’s not possible.”
Since the symptoms hadn’t started yet, he wouldn’t be able to examine her until next year.
“Thank you for your efforts.”
Johann patted the mage on the shoulder and left the mansion.
Did he really have to wait until next year when Leah fell ill to find any clues?
…Damn it.
Until then, he’d have nothing to work with.
It made him anxious.
He wished Leah would never get sick or die.
Even if they couldn’t live together, he wanted them to at least breathe under the same sky.
He’d be fine with just seeing her face from time to time.
‘…No, that’s a lie. I want to see her every day and live with her.’
He clenched his fists tightly.
On the way to the palace, all he could think about was Leah.
He couldn’t focus on anything else.
Finally, the carriage arrived in front of the Emperor’s palace.
Despite the unexpected visit, the Emperor’s attendants welcomed Johann warmly and led him to the audience chamber.
‘He must already know why I’m here.’
The Emperor, having heard everything from the Empress, welcomed Johann with exaggerated warmth.
“Duke Blumhardt, welcome!”
He even stepped down from the throne to greet him.
It was overly dramatic, considering they’d just seen each other yesterday.
“I apologize for coming on such terms, Your Majesty.”
Johann bowed and got straight to the point.
“No need to apologize—it’s all my daughter’s fault for lacking virtue.”
The Emperor let out a long sigh.
“What a shame… I truly wanted to become family with you.”
“Even if we’re not family, I’ll always be your loyal subject, Your Majesty.”
“…Yes, of course.”
The Emperor lightly patted Johann on the back.
“…Duke Blumhardt.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I’ve been thinking about how I can make it up to you for what Patrizia did.”
He spoke gently.
He deliberately called her crime a “mistake” to downplay the situation.
“It was more than just a mistake. The drug was extremely dangerous, Your Majesty.”
Johann wasn’t about to let him downplay it.
The Emperor had something to gain from minimizing the incident, and Johann had something he wanted in return.
“Ahem, is that so?”
“It was a drug used in back alleys, and your daughter used it without consent.”
Johann took out a crystal vial from his coat.
The Emperor’s eyes widened when he realized it was the drug Patrizia used.
He didn’t expect Johann to not only neutralize it but also bring proof.
“…You must’ve been very upset.”
The Emperor could no longer call it a “mistake.”
“I’m afraid I can’t say I wasn’t, Your Majesty.”
Johann spoke firmly, each word deliberate.
“…I understand how you feel. Tell me what I can do to make it up to you.”
The Emperor spoke humbly—likely because of the vial.
“Yes. What I ask from Your Majesty is…”
Johann started to speak at his request.
“…Hmm.”
The Emperor fell silent after hearing it.
It wasn’t a big financial request, but it wasn’t easy to agree to either.
Granting this favor would make the Empress furious.
‘She’ll say I agreed to something like this without even consulting her.’
Still, it wasn’t a bad trade-off—he wasn’t giving up royal treasures, just covering up a serious crime.
Aside from upsetting the Empress, there wasn’t much to lose.
He decided to keep it simple.
“…Alright, I’ll grant your request. Will that ease your heart?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Johann bowed slightly.
“Ahem. Now that things are settled, may I ask a favor in return?”
Johann had a good guess what it would be.
“It’s about Patrigia’s… mistake, no, wrongdoing.”
“Yes.”
“If word gets out, she might be banned from society altogether. No marriage prospects, nothing.”
The Emperor looked genuinely concerned.
“That would be a bit too harsh for a young woman of marriageable age, especially a princess.”
“…”
You’re really trying to talk around it, huh.
“Since Your Majesty granted my request, I will not speak of this incident.”
Johann didn’t care what happened to the princess.
But he got what he wanted out of the deal, so he gave the answer the Emperor wanted to hear.
“Thank you. As expected of Duke Blumhardt!”
The Emperor laughed and shook his hand.
“But from now on, I hope the princess won’t show such disrespect to me or my family again.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure she’s thoroughly taught a lesson—don’t worry.”
The Emperor patted his shoulder and escorted him all the way to the chamber doors.
—
Johann got back in the carriage to return home.
Having secured what he wanted, he leaned back with a peaceful expression.
“Did things go well with His Majesty?”
Samuel, sitting across from him, asked.
“Yes. Very well.”
Johann smirked.
Now, the only problems left were Leah and her illness.
He decided not to dwell too much on it.
He would do anything to save her.
‘Even if I have to find some ancient relic of the goddess that grants any wish—I’ll do it.’
To him, she was worth it.
Winning Leah’s heart might be harder than finding a sacred relic.
‘But at least now, she’s not anyone’s fiancée, so there’s nothing holding me back.’
He hadn’t been able to spend time with her recently—it had been a busy week.
And yesterday, he wasn’t even in his right mind.
Starting today, he was going to do his best to win her heart.
As soon as they arrived at the estate, he went straight to find Leah.
He was told she was in the east annex, so he quickly headed to her lab.
He took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
Knock knock knock.
“Come in.”
Her clear voice answered.
Inside, Leah was focused on something.
“What are you working on so hard?”
He walked over to her naturally.
“Oh? It’s you, Duke?”
She got up to greet him, but he stopped her.
“No need for formalities. Am I interrupting?”
“No, I was just testing a few things. It’s fine.”
She scratched her cheek shyly with her index finger.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh no, but I don’t really have a proper sofa here.”
She looked around, slightly embarrassed.
“That’s okay.”
His voice came out gently.
“Leah.”
Even he was surprised by how soft his voice sounded.
“…Yes?”
She looked up at him with wide, rabbit-like eyes.
“Would you go to the founding festival with me?”
Please don’t say no, Leah.
“…With me? Hiccup!”
Instead of answering, she started hiccuping.
