CHAPTER 132………………………………
A Bitter End (11)
How bold… and wicked!
But of all things, she was the only blood relative he had left—
and someone who, more than ever before, had become unbearably impossible to ignore.
Even the mighty Marquis Crow could do nothing about it.
The moment he received word that Anje had been kidnapped, the marquis ordered that she be brought back immediately.
But it was already too late.
Hildegard’s palace was under surveillance and protection in more ways than one.
The knights who guarded the Emperor were watching Hildegard closely, in case she tried to flee.
At the same time, the Empress’s knights were busy protecting their mistress.
No matter how powerful Crow was, it was impossible to face all of them and rescue Anje.
Which meant…
The only person who could save Anje from Hildegard now was Duke Side.
“Please… spare Anje!”
The marquis begged, smashing his forehead against the floor.
With a deep bruise blooming purple across his brow, he no longer looked dignified or fierce.
He was nothing more than a helpless old man—so pitiful it almost stirred sympathy.
The duke helped him up, even as he wondered if this, too, might be a calculated act meant to manipulate him.
“Are you certain?”
“No matter what kind of man I am, I would never lie about my granddaughter. Hildegard, that unstable madwoman… she took Anje…”
The duke’s heavy gaze shifted toward the window.
Beyond the dense forest surrounding the estate, the tall spires of the Empress’s palace rose into view.
“…We’re going to the Empress’s palace.”
* * *
Because of the gloomy weather, the elegant marble palace looked completely gray.
Dry branches and fallen leaves littered the stairs, making the place resemble a ruin.
This place was always kept immaculate, even when no one lived here…
Duke Side scanned the dreary garden with his eyes as he stepped onto the staircase leading to the entrance.
That was when—
“No one is to be allowed inside.”
A group of knights blocked his way, led by the second son of House Hildern.
The duke tilted his head slightly.
His gaze was sharp enough to make anyone who knew his reputation from the last war hesitate.
“Do I look like ‘just anyone’?”
“N-No, it’s not that… Her Majesty the Empress said she wished to be alone.”
Dawson Hildern’s eyes flickered over the sword at the duke’s waist, then the bow slung over his shoulder.
He bit his lip uncertainly.
It was not a knightly display, but he had no choice.
It was obvious where the balance of power lay.
Yet if he stepped aside, he would betray the oath he had sworn to the Empress.
Honor would not allow him to retreat.
Scratching beneath his eye in discomfort, Dawson glanced back.
“…But if you promise not to disturb Her Majesty…”
“Of course. I have no intention of disturbing the Empress. We are only searching for someone.”
“Can you swear it?”
“I swear.”
Dawson’s gaze again fell to the duke’s sword.
It was far too long to be ceremonial.
The bow, too, was undeniably real.
Weapons were forbidden in the palace except for official guards.
But instead of reciting the rules, Dawson stepped back.
Because he knew—
It was impossible for him to disarm Duke Side.
A talented young man who had risen to deputy commander at barely twenty, Dawson understood his own limits well.
“Her Majesty has not left her bedroom since morning. I only ask that you do not disturb her.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep it in mind.”
The duke patted Dawson’s shoulder and moved forward.
The knights parted, opening the way.
“They sure changed their stance quickly…”
Gray muttered sarcastically, but his words were cut off by the duke clicking his tongue.
That’s not what matters right now.
Gray scanned the surroundings cautiously.
Even if the knights were accounted for, there might still be remnants of the marquis’s men.
Crow claimed he had called them all back, but it couldn’t be fully trusted.
The Empress’s palace, emptied of servants, was silent as a grave.
Furniture that had been beautiful just days ago was now coated in dust.
Once-elegant curtains hung limp, casting a gloomy chill.
Everything was too quiet.
No trace of human presence could be felt.
Unease rising, the duke quickened his pace and threw open the Empress’s door without even knocking.
“…”
“There’s no one here.”
Gray, who had searched first, shook his head.
“Did the knights lie?”
“Hildegard lied to them. That woman has never trusted anyone.”
“Your Grace… but in that room, there’s blood. And signs someone was imprisoned. I think it was Anje.”
The duke’s face hardened as he checked the room Gray indicated.
Beneath the thick curtains, a large bloodstain marked the wall.
“How badly was she hurt…?”
“The blood isn’t dry yet. They can’t have left long ago. They couldn’t have gone far.”
Gray strode to the window and yanked the curtain aside.
That was when—
A sudden arrow flew in.
“…!”
Crash!
Gray barely twisted away in time.
Had he moved a second later, the arrow would have pierced straight through his chest.
Duke Side’s shocked gaze lifted toward the opposite tower.
The one who fired…
Was Hildegard herself.
Seeing the shattered window, she curled one corner of her lips upward, smugly nocking another arrow.
“Surely she doesn’t think she can kill us from there… so what is she doing?”
“…She wants attention.”
Murmuring, Duke Side stepped toward the window, positioning himself where she could see him clearly.
“Are you insane?! Do you want to die?! Get back!”
Gray shouted, but the duke ignored him completely.
Standing by the window, the duke slowly removed his bow.
As he did—
Hildegard’s arrows grazed his side and shoulder.
Some tore through fabric, leaving shallow cuts.
But none struck deep.
It was as if she was deliberately missing.
In a way, it was impressive skill.
Gray frowned at the blood soaking into the duke’s shirt.
“The arrows could be poisoned.”
“No.”
The duke’s voice was certain.
“That woman… cannot kill me.”
Watching the arrows pass him by, he knew it.
He raised his bow and aimed directly at Hildegard.
Across the tower, Hildegard did the same.
A suffocating moment of silence stretched between them.
Just as the duke was about to release—
Hildegard bit her lip, then suddenly threw down her bow.
Instead, she reached out and yanked someone beside her forward—
Using her as a shield.
“Duke… do you recognize who this is?”
It was Anje.
Her condition was terrible, but she was alive.
Even then, she shook her head desperately at the duke.
“I don’t ask for much. Just some money… and protection of my status.”
“Protection of status? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Gray growled through clenched teeth.
The duke thought the same—
But Anje stood between them.
The arrow’s tip wavered.
“There’s no time, Duke!”
Hildegard pressed a sharp dagger to Anje’s throat.
Grabbing the back of her head, she pulled it back so the blade was clearly visible, then burst into shrill laughter.
“I can see your pale face perfectly even from here. You should have protected what mattered sooner. So what will you do? Dying here together with this woman wouldn’t be such a bad ending for me. Seeing your face like this… I don’t feel like I’m losing much.”
But despite her words—
Hildegard was anxious.
Anje, who should have been sobbing and begging, was far too calm.
And Duke Side still hadn’t lowered his arrow.
Hildegard pushed the dagger closer, whispering sharply.
“Beg him to save you! Struggle, at least! Don’t you understand? That’s your only way to live!”
