~Chapter 84~
The moment their chins lifted and their lips met,
Camilla opened her eyes.
The voice of Yunmira, nagging in her mind—“Who would ever love someone like you?”—vanished instantly.
Only the soft, intense sensation remained, flooding her mind until it went blank.
‘Ah.’
The kiss continued for a long while.
When their lips finally parted, Camilla stared dazedly at the man before her.
The nagging voice returned, like static.
But when his lips touched her forehead, the noise disappeared.
“Beautiful.”
On her cheek.
“I want to keep touching you.”
Then on her neck.
The static and silence flickered back and forth.
“I’m glad you’re alive…”
The moment she flung herself into his broad embrace.
“I’m glad you’re alive. I really wanted to see you, Camilla.”
The noise stopped completely.
Drip.
A tear fell.
Camilla clung to the man she had longed for, crying uncontrollably.
“I… I wanted to see you too, Dane…”
Asking if he hated her was pointless—the warmth of his embrace told her otherwise.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Please don’t cry.”
“No… it’s not… I’m not late…”
She wasn’t late. Not then, not now.
Even when the fire broke out, even when she wanted to give up herself, Dane always arrived like a miracle to hold her.
His desperate warmth, his gentle gaze—always saving her, filling her heart, making her resolve to live.
“Wait, Dane. Why are your hands like that?”
“Ah, this is…”
It was then that a deep, threatening voice interrupted.
“Hu… funny… ma…”
Clunk.
Camilla sensed something was wrong. Dane’s gaze turned sharp.
Before her, Ares stood upright, soaked, like a half-dead figure.
‘…How?’
Ares had collapsed before from a paralyzing effect.
Camilla realized at last—what her mother injected…
‘Could it be hemlock?’
If it was the paralyzing poison she had once used on Ares, he would have some resistance.
“Funny… mraaah!”
He seized a sword stiffly and charged at them.
‘No.’
“Camilla!”
Whoosh!
Dane turned, shielding Camilla with his back against Ares.
‘No!!’
“Stay back, please!”
Camilla struggled in Dane’s protective hold. It was too solid.
“No!!!”
Slash!
Blood splattered. Camilla’s eyes widened.
At the same time, a voice rang sharply through the underground hall.
“No! You leave the family’s shield aside and use yourself as the shield, Your Highness!”
“Eugenia!”
Ares fell immediately, cut by Eugenia’s sword.
“Kuh… kuh-ack!”
Clang!
His iron sword fell into a puddle, spraying water.
“Are you two okay?”
Romulus rushed over to check on Dane and Camilla.
“You’re okay, Camilla?”
“Of course!”
The danger had almost hit Dane, not her. He had taken the blow for her.
“Good.”
Dane’s cold gaze turned to Romulus as Camilla’s heart pounded.
“Why were you so late?”
“Uh… no, it’s just…”
Romulus hesitated, looking guilty.
“We… we thought you two were having a private reunion…”
Camilla’s face flamed red.
‘Oh… they saw Dane and me kissing!’
The realization struck her with shame.
“Haah… the good fortune of the Grand Duke and Duchess’ bond must be all Escalus’ blessing.”
Seeing Ares’ state, Eugenia approached politely.
“Perhaps you should be more restrained in dangerous situations.”
“Well, do we have to?”
Camilla paused—Eugenia had called her Grand Duchess.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Grand Duchess.”
Her eyes were clear, neither contemptuous nor pitying. Like the little girl who once served tea and dessert.
“…Thanks. Thank you for saving me, Eugenia.”
Camilla finally smiled, relief washing over her.
Then she remembered something urgent.
“Ah, but this isn’t the time. I heard His Majesty the Emperor is in danger. The Empress Dowager…!”
“Camilla.”
“And Kabul was taken elsewhere…!”
“It’s fine. His Majesty is safe, thanks to the antidote you made.”
Camilla’s eyes went wide.
‘Ah… Lux delivered it properly.’
Dane explained how he had lured the Empress out, performed a ruse, and captured her for treason.
“And you needn’t worry about my father. He can survive even among a lion’s den with bare hands.”
Romulus muttered with a hint of admiration for his father.
“Dylan and Howin are currently tracking Kabul.”
“…I see.”
Knowing they were safe eased her mind slightly.
Dane asked Romulus to recover the bodies of Meisa and Ares, then he and Camilla returned to the surface.
“I’ve never heard about your mother…”
Camilla smiled wryly.
“I’ll tell you next time.”
They walked toward the fountain. Camilla had been trapped in the underground garden designed by the Empress Dowager.
Next to the fountain, a young man lay still. Lux had died quietly beside it, holding a dagger in his hand, seemingly by his own hand.
‘…Originally, he was meant to die after Amelia, but…’
Later, Camilla would learn Amelia had been captured but survived. Still, the outcome mirrored the original story. She quietly prayed for his peace, feeling both gratitude and bitterness.
The palace had been thrown into chaos overnight.
The Empress Dowager’s rebellion and those who stopped it.
The kidnapped new Grand Duchess.
The Grand Duke who came to rescue her.
The Emperor, roused from madness by the antidote sent secretly by the new Grand Duchess, had furious wrath.
He ordered the guards to find Kabul.
The guards scoured the palace and found Camilla’s people and Kabul near the Empress’ villa.
“Camilla!”
“Milady!”
Kabul, exhausted and battered, was supported by Howin. Their eyes shone with relief at the success.
“Howin, Sir Dylan! Kabul, are you okay?”
“Hah! I’m fine… a-atch!”
‘Thank goodness.’
Camilla could finally feel at ease.
As the kidnapped Grand Duchess, she stayed at the palace as a guest—apologetically.
‘Actually, as a witness to the Empress’ rebellion.’
Dane wanted to leave immediately, but Camilla insisted.
‘I want to stay until we find Kabul.’
She sent letters to Renelia, Carrie, and Sonya and received their concerned replies at the palace.
“I’m so glad you’re safe, Camilla. But what happened at the palace?!”
Rumors swirled that the witches of the Mowin house had defeated the traitorous Empress.
A new heroic legend rivaling Romulus, the Beast-Slayer…
‘What is this letter?’
Carrie’s words were scattered, like a child describing a dream.
Camilla unfolded her letter from the Grand Duchess.
Reading the warm words, she smiled involuntarily.
“Grand Duchess, it’s time to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Camilla stood, ready to leave and meet the Emperor.
