~Chapter 94~
The moment their chins lifted and their lips met,
Camilla’s eyes flew open.
The voice of Yunmira, constantly nagging in her head—Who would ever love someone like you?—vanished in an instant.
Only the soft, intense sensation filled her mind, white and empty.
‘Ah.’
The kiss lingered for a long while.
Finally, when their lips parted, Camilla stared blankly at the man before her.
Once again, Yunmira’s voice buzzed like static in her mind.
But when his lips touched her forehead, the static disappeared.
“Beautiful.”
On her cheek.
“I want to keep touching you.”
Finally, at the nape of her neck.
Static and silence clashed and faded repeatedly.
“I’m so glad… you’re alive.”
The moment she threw herself into his broad arms,
“I’m so glad you’re alive. I really missed you, Camilla.”
The static vanished completely.
Plop.
A tear fell.
Camilla clung to the back of the man she had longed for, crying uncontrollably.
“I… I missed you too, Dane…”
Asking whether he despised her had been the wrong question. His warmth as he held her answered that.
“I’m sorry I was late. Please don’t cry.”
“No… no… it’s… it’s not too late…”
It wasn’t.
Not during the fire, not now.
Every time she had wanted to give up on herself, Dane had come, like a miracle, holding her tight.
His desperate warmth, his kind gaze, always saved her. It filled her heart and strengthened her resolve to survive.
“Wait, Dane. Why are your hands like that?”
“Ah, this….”
Then, it happened.
A deep, unwelcome voice interrupted.
“U-You… are so… funny…”
Splash.
Camilla instantly sensed something was wrong. But Dane’s eyes hardened the moment he saw the intruder.
Ares stood there, soaked and half-collapsed like a corpse, yet upright and threatening.
‘…How?’
Ares had collapsed before from the paralytic effects.
Only now did Camilla realize what her mother had injected into the syringe…
‘Could it be hemlock?’
A paralytic poison that Camilla herself had used once on Ares, building resistance…?
“Funny… Mwaaaaah…!”
He lunged at them, gripping his sword stiffly.
‘No.’
“Camilla!”
Flash!
Dane spun, shielding her in his arms, placing his back between her and Ares.
‘No!!’
“Stay back, please!”
Camilla struggled in Dane’s arms, trying to act as a shield herself, but his grip was unyielding.
“No!!!”
Slash!
A spray of blood erupted.
Camilla’s eyes widened.
At the same time, a commanding voice rang sharply through the underground hall, chastising her lord:
“—No! How dare you leave your family’s shield behind and use yourself as a shield, Your Grace!”
“Yujinia!”
Ares fell immediately, cut by the sword Yujinia wielded.
“Ugh… guh!”
Clang!
His sword fell into the puddle, splashing water.
“Are you both alright?!”
Romulus ran over, checking on Dane and Camilla.
“Camilla, are you okay?”
“Of course I am!”
It was Dane who had nearly been stabbed, shielding her—not her who had been in danger.
“That’s a relief.”
Camilla’s anger simmered, while Dane’s cold gaze turned to Romulus.
“Why were you so late getting here?”
“……Ah, well, you see……”
Romulus fumbled, dabbing at his face as if embarrassed.
“I… I thought… you two might be having a… private reunion…”
Camilla’s face turned bright red as she realized.
Of course Dane hadn’t come alone into such a dangerous place.
He had entered with his knights—but the reason for the delay?
‘It was because he saw me kissing Dane!’
The sudden realization made her head spin in shame.
“Haah… the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess’s closeness must be the blessing of all Escalus.”
Seeing Ares’ state, Yujinia stepped forward, politely advising:
“Perhaps you should exercise caution in dangerous places.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary.”
“Dane!”
Camilla froze, realizing Yujinia had addressed her properly as Grand Duchess.
Yujinia whispered politely:
“I am truly relieved you are safe, Grand Duchess.”
Her eyes were transparent, free of contempt or pity.
Just like the young girl who once offered iced tea and desserts.
“……Thanks. Thank you for saving me, Yujinia.”
Finally, Camilla smiled, relief washing over her.
Then, she remembered something important.
“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 alright. His Majesty is fine, thanks to the antidote you prepared.”
Camilla’s eyes widened.
‘Ah… Lux delivered it properly.’
Dane explained that the Emperor had staged a confrontation with the Empress Dowager and imprisoned her for treason.
“And there’s no need to worry about my father. Even if he fell among a lion’s den, he’d survive.”
Romulus muttered, showing he believed in his father’s strength.
“Your men, Dylan and Howin, are currently tracking Kabul.”
“……I see.”
Knowing they were safe made her heart lighter.
After Dane asked Romulus to handle the bodies of Meisa and Ares, he and Camilla emerged to the surface.
“I haven’t heard about your mother, but…….”
Her bitter smile answered his concern.
“I’ll tell you next time.”
Holding Dane’s hand, she walked several steps, spotting the fountain.
The place where she had been imprisoned was in the underground garden of the Empress Dowager.
Next to the fountain lay a young man, peaceful as if asleep. Lux. He had apparently taken his own life, the dagger still in his hand.
‘…Originally, he would have done this after Amelia’s death.’
Later, Camilla learned Amelia hadn’t actually died.
Still, the ending mirrored the original, leaving her quietly thankful and bitter at the same time. She prayed for his rest.
The palace had been thrown into chaos overnight.
The Empress Dowager’s rebellion, those who stopped it, the kidnapped new Grand Duchess, the Grand Duke who came to save her.
The Emperor, enraged after regaining his senses thanks to the antidote secretly sent by the new Grand Duchess, lashed out at the palace guards.
The guards searched the entire palace, and not far from the Empress Dowager’s villa, they found Camilla’s people and Kabul.
“Lady Camilla!”
“Miss!”
Exhausted, Kabul was supported by Howin. Despite their worn faces, their eyes shone at the news of the plan’s success.
“Howin, Sir Dylan! Kabul, are you alright?”
“Ha! This… is nothing… achoo!”
‘Thank goodness.’
Only then could Camilla finally feel relieved.
As the kidnapped Grand Duchess, she stayed at the palace to show respect and apologize.
‘Actually, I’m here as a witness to the Empress Dowager’s rebellion.’
Dane wanted to leave immediately, but Camilla stopped him.
‘I want to stay until Kabul is found.’
She sent letters to Renelia, Carrie, and Sonya, and received their caring replies at the palace.
It’s so good you’re safe, Lady Camilla.
But Lady Camilla!
What on earth happened at the palace?
There are rumors that for several days, the Mowin witch defeated the traitorous Empress Dowager…
‘What is this?’
Carrie’s letter was disjointed, like a child describing a dream. Camilla frowned.
Opening the Grand Duchess’ letter, reading the warm words, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Grand Duchess, it is time to see His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Camilla rose to her feet.
It was time to leave the palace and meet the Emperor.
