CHAPTER 18
As I let out a deep sigh, Piace stopped talking and looked at me nervously.
“Uh… should I… stop talking now?”
No, keep going.
Hearing your voice makes me feel a bit better.
“Piace.”
“Yes?”
“As your sponsor, I have the right to be involved in all aspects of your life. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Um… no, not really…”
“It means you need to report to me about everything that happens at the academy from now on.”
“R-report…?”
“Keep talking.”
“Oh, yes!”
Piace chattered happily for a while, but eventually ran out of things to say and fell silent.
The inside of the carriage grew quiet again. The gloom I had momentarily forgotten returned.
I swallowed another sigh and turned to look out the window.
Just then, we were passing by the grand plaza. I saw a crowd of men gathered there.
‘That’s unusual.’
They were all unusually built—burly and muscular, their skin tanned and shiny with sweat.
Each wore a white cloth tied around their forehead and similarly styled clothes like uniforms.
‘They don’t look like protestors…’
Luna, noticing my gaze, looked outside and explained even though I hadn’t asked.
“From their work clothes, they must be laborers dispatched from the construction guild.”
“The construction guild…”
“They said the grand plaza would be renovated. Seeing this in person makes it feel real.”
Renovation? Only then did I notice the surroundings.
Construction materials were stacked all around the plaza, and white tents, like makeshift offices, were scattered about.
I raised my eyebrows, signaling her to go on.
“You know the grand plaza is being renovated to celebrate His Majesty’s 56th anniversary, right?”
How could I not?
I’d risked my life trying to stop that insane plan to build a gold statue of me in the center of the plaza.
“I heard they’re starting the project now. They’re not waiting for the jewels to arrive and are working on other parts first.”
“Jewels?”
“They bought up all the top-grade jewels on the market for the project, but it still wasn’t enough. Even dressmakers are complaining about the jewel shortage.”
Why would they need so many jewels for a plaza renovation?
Suddenly, a chill ran down the back of my neck.
As if reading my thoughts, Luna continued.
“Oh, the jewels are supposed to be used for the statue of the Hero, Adela Helsingten. Apparently, the decision passed unanimously at the noble council.”
“……!”
My expression twisted instantly.
A statue was approved?
I looked up at the clear blue sky outside the window.
‘That’s strange. I was at the noble council and voted against it…’
Why are the results different from what I know? Where did my vote go?
Maybe thinking I was interested in the construction, Luna kept explaining gently.
“But the bigger issue than the jewels is melting the gold. They say there aren’t enough blacksmiths, so they’re recruiting fire-type mages.”
“……”
“How much gold are they melting that they need to bring in mages? Everyone’s looking forward to it. They say the statue will be a spectacle.”
A spectacle? More like a disgrace.
A ten-meter-tall gold statue has no artistic value beyond its gold worth.
With all that glare from the reflective surface, it’d be hard to even look at it.
And they want to put that in the plaza? Are the nobles of this country that brainless?
‘Wait. The timing doesn’t add up.’
The noble council meeting was just a few days ago.
And yet they’re already gathering and melting gold?
Impossible. They must’ve been preparing this in advance.
‘The council was just for show. The statue was going to happen regardless of the vote.’
“It’s not officially started, but we’re seeing workers around more often and materials arriving—it really feels like they’re starting now.”
Exactly.
If it was already set in stone, why did I bother casting my lonely vote of opposition? Why did I have to get choked by Leonhart for it?
At that moment, a group of men spilled out from one of the tents in the plaza.
Their flamboyant clothing made it obvious they were nobles.
[Huh? Lian, is that Leonhart among them? What’s he doing there?]
I was already glaring at Leonhart even before Undine’s telepathy came through.
He stood a head taller than everyone else—it was impossible not to notice him.
I really didn’t want to run into Leonhart. I was doing everything I could to stay off his radar.
Because I understood the murderous intent he had toward Adrian.
Honestly, I didn’t want to get killed.
‘But if you show up like this, how am I supposed to avoid you?! Unanimous vote, my foot! You think the noble council is some kind of joke?!’
I slapped the wall of the carriage. Luna looked at me in surprise.
“Are you getting out here?”
“Yes.”
The carriage came to an abrupt stop.
“My Lady, shall I accompany you—?”
“Stay here with Piace.”
“…Understood.”
I left Piace and Luna behind in the carriage and got off alone.
All eyes turned toward me.
A woman stepping out of a flashy carriage was bound to cause a stir.
I could hear people murmuring all around.
I quickened my pace. Fortunately, the plaza was right there, and I reached the noble group quickly.
“Wait, isn’t that the Duke of Ivrante?”
“First the First Prince, now the Duke? The interruptions never end.”
“Quiet. One careless word and His Highness will have to apologize again like last time.”
As expected, they weren’t pleased to see me. They were Leonhart’s supporters.
I walked through their hostile stares and approached Leonhart.
Only then did he turn his head to look at me. His brows immediately furrowed.
“Duke of Ivrante, I believe I made myself clear last time. You didn’t hear me properly, did you?”
You mean when you told me to stay away? Trust me, I heard.
But if you hadn’t gone ahead with the statue, we wouldn’t be meeting like this now.
[Stage 2: (Raise chin haughtily) I heard you perfectly, Your Highness. I just chose not to follow.]
“I heard you perfectly, Your Highness. I simply had something to say that I couldn’t leave unsaid. I ask for just a moment of your time.”
I wondered if I’d altered the prompt too much, but thankfully, there was no penalty.
After the penalty from Ruspel’s lab earlier, my body was in terrible condition. I was hanging on with sheer willpower.
So I had to be careful. I couldn’t afford to faint in the middle of the street.
Despite my effort, Leonhart was cold as ever.
“I don’t have time.”
“Don’t you have things you want to say to me as well?”
“I don’t.”
“Your Highness.”
“That’s the third time I’ve said I don’t have time.”
I was trying to be soft and respectful despite my anger, but Leonhart wasn’t having any of it.
The distrust in his eyes told me everything.
‘I’m not here to trick you! I just want to talk!’
I know you don’t want to talk to a woman who declared you her fiancé and stalked you for 12 years, but that wasn’t my fault, okay?
I forced my trembling lips into a smile.
“Very well, Your Highness. If you prefer, I’ll say it right here.”
“Go ahead.”
“I heard the statue’s construction has been approved. I clearly voted against it, so how did this happen?”
“Did you come to threaten me?”
“I have no intention of interfering with your plans. I’m only asking you to withdraw the statue.”
“Stop wasting your time and go back.”
[Stage 2: (Sneer) Then would it be alright if I file a formal complaint? That a royal ignored an official vote cast by a duke at the noble council.]
A confrontational prompt.
But I was already annoyed, so I followed it to the letter.
“Then would it be alright if I file a formal complaint? That a royal ignored an official vote cast by a duke at the noble council?”
“Go ahead. Just don’t take it out on me.”
“Your Highness!”
Then it happened.
[Stage 3: (Shake head in pity) Do you really think easing your guilt over not protecting Adela Helsingten this way is acceptable? This isn’t the academy. You should know to separate public and private matters.]
“……!”
The heat that had been bubbling in my chest suddenly vanished.
‘So that’s what this is?’
I’d wondered why Leonhart insisted on doing something he knew I’d hate…
‘You feel guilty about my death too… like Ruspel?’
So I was the reason Leonhart changed too.
I couldn’t say a word. That prompt would stab directly at Leonhart’s deepest wound.
[Stage 3: (Shake head in pity) Do you really think easing your guilt over not protecting Adela Helsingten this way is acceptable? This isn’t the academy. You should know to separate public and private matters.]
The prompt appeared again.
I shook my head and stepped back.
“Why are you stopping? Go on.”
“W-wait… D-don’t come any closer!”
“Anyone watching might think I’m threatening the Duke right now.”
Leonhart smirked as he approached.
The nobles watching us chuckled in disbelief.
But I couldn’t hear a thing.
‘My heart… I… I can’t breathe.’
Gasping, I stretched out my arm to keep him away.
“T-that… L-let’s talk l-later…”
Before I could finish, I coughed up blood.
“……Kh!”
I quickly covered my mouth, but it was too late.
Blood gushed from between my fingers.
“What… is this? Blood?!”
Leonhart’s voice grew distant.
I felt my body tipping forward.
“Duke!”
My consciousness was sucked into darkness.
