Chapter 67
“The Man Who Swore Loyalty”
“The Emperor’s trust in Duke Russell isn’t just because of an unbreakable oath.”
“There’s something else?”
As the guard at the front kept walking, I glanced at Francis beside me, then turned my attention to Ander Bills.
“As Your Highness knows, the Empress has fallen ill.”
“Yes.”
“Until that happened, the Bastian Empire was entirely under the control of the noble faction. The imperial faction only gained power after the victory over Enchelos—and before that, the decisive triumph against the Kingdom of Deirid.”
“I learned that from the scholars. That part, at least.”
I recalled the long-bearded scholar who had taught me that lesson rather obsessively. Now that I thought about it, even those who taught me were all people under the Emperor’s command.
“Who do you think helped His Majesty reclaim power from Her Majesty the Empress the most?”
“…No way.”
“Yes. At that time, it was Duke Adrian Russell—then vice leader of the noble faction—who acted as a double agent for the Emperor. It’s a fairly well-known story now.”
“Why would he do that…?”
So, he played a decisive role in helping the Emperor seize power.
“Your Highness…”
“Hm?”
“It was Your Highness who changed his heart.”
“Huh… ha.”
A strange feeling welled up—half regret for hearing it, half relief that I did.
As I stopped walking, the guard looked back.
“Stay ahead. We’re talking.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Francis stood beside me; Ander Bills a little behind. Inside the cell were cold stone walls, a narrow bed chained to the floor, and the faint smell of damp air.
“Lilfey.”
When I called her name, she sluggishly turned toward me. Her brown hair had turned pitch-black. I had guessed that the hygiene in the underground cells wouldn’t be great.
Still, I was sure the reports said prisoners were bathed once a week.
“Do you know why I’m here?”
“…Your Highness.”
“You’re going to die today.”
“Ah…”
At the mention of death, her empty eyes flickered to life. She hurried over, clutching the bars.
“E–execution?!”
“I’m not killing you. But my sister might.”
“Ah…!”
At that, Lilfey collapsed to the ground, staring up at me. If she was scheduled to die tonight, that meant my sister had likely sent an assassin. Should I assign guards to protect her, then?
“Why were you afraid of my sister? Everyone else seems more afraid of me.”
“Ah… that…”
“And why did you tell Clayton that nonsense? Do you think I’d burn your thigh and show it off to him?”
“Ah… Your Highness…”
Tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her soot-streaked cheeks, leaving pale tracks behind. She hadn’t washed in days, clearly.
“Please spare me, Your Highness…!”
“I’ll consider it—if you’re worth sparing.”
“H–how can I prove that?”
“I’ll decide after I hear how you answer me.”
She clasped her hands together as if praying and knelt before me.
“You’re an orphan. You have no family. So what does my sister have on you that makes you so loyal?”
“Ugh… sob… sniff…”
She didn’t answer. More tears. I was about to turn away in frustration when a realization struck me.
What if she can’t talk, instead of won’t?
My sister knew a sorcerer powerful enough to control my body and make me drown myself.
Then maybe—
“Ander Bills.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Is there a spell that kills someone if they reveal a secret?”
“Yes, there is.”
“How can it be undone?”
“By interrogating—or breaking—the Archmage who cast it.”
I recalled the Archmage—gray hair, gray beard, soft body, like a squishy old Santa Claus made of jelly.
“Lilfey.”
“Y–yes, Your Highness…”
“You can’t speak, can you?”
She nodded.
“Where is the spell usually placed?”
“On the carotid artery. If the victim tries to speak, it ruptures—and the blood sprays like a fountain.”
“Since when, Lilfey? Since you were first assigned to my palace?”
She shook her head.
“Then before I expelled you?”
This time, she nodded.
“So, one or two weeks before that?”
A strong nod again. So, she couldn’t speak—but her body wasn’t restricted.
“Good. I’ll spare you. But if you prove worthless, you’ll wish you were dead when you remember today. Still willing to cooperate?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
She wasn’t trustworthy, but she’d make a decent bait—bait my sister couldn’t resist.
“I’ll handle the rest,” Ander Bills said.
“You’re competent. I see why my father assigned you to me.”
“You flatter me.”
If Verdine worked overtime out of duty, this man did it for fun. I vaguely remembered hearing that his wife was terrifying.
“If you need anything, use my name.”
“I already do, Your Highness.”
“Good man.”
I left him there and returned to my chambers.
Tomorrow was the victory commemoration. I couldn’t afford to tire myself out.
But my fiancé… was clearly planning to kill me.
“What is even happening right now?”
“Ah, Master!”
Quest: The Canary Who Cannot Cry I!
Joshua Deirid has come to visit Princess Gracie.
Choose one of the rewards below! ▼① Spend the night together.
② Ask Adrian about it.
③ All three together (content deleted). (Auto-run)
④ Send him away.
If it were anyone else, I’d have chosen ④ without hesitation—but the look in Joshua’s eyes was too sincere.
②.
“You brought Joshua here?”
“I told you—I only wanted one concubine.”
“I remember you saying ten. Don’t take it back now.”
“Ah, Master, are you really keeping ten?”
That surprised Joshua, and my cheeks flamed.
“It’s just a saying!”
“I knew it.”
Great. Joshua set me up again—but I couldn’t even be angry. That innocent smile of his somehow melted all the tension I’d been carrying.
“I’m tired today. Adrian, go. I’ll sleep with Joshua.”
“That seems backward.”
“Go.”
“No.”
“Go…!”
“No.”
“Go!”
“No.”
Why is this man made of stone? After what he put me through last night, he owes me rest!
“I said I’m tired!”
“I’m not going to do anything. What are you so afraid of?”
“…Fine. But you’re only sleeping.”
“Of course. That’s all I intended.”
When I glared at him suspiciously, he reached over and stroked my head.
Right. This was the man who helped the imperial faction rise. I could trust him.
Even if he had wrecked my waist, kept me up five times last night, begged me to bear his child, and left marks all over my body so most of my dresses no longer fit… it wasn’t enough reason to throw him out.
“You love me?”
“I love you.”
No hesitation. My head throbbed. I suddenly remembered—I could check affection scores.
I opened his profile.
Adrian Russell
DukeChecking affection will consume your quest reward (Truth or Lie I). ▼
I’d never actually checked his before. I’d checked others’, but not his.
Maybe I should check my sister’s instead?
No, if I’m to take Adrian to the end, he’s the one who matters. I’ve already seen my sister’s.
And from experience, everyone’s affection score—except hers—was accurate.
I took a breath and tapped the arrow.
▼ Quest reward consumed (Remaining: 0)
Adrian Russell
DukeAffection toward Gracie Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 99%
Affection toward Kiera Fletcher Gabriella Bastian: 0%
Affection toward Duke Clayton de Levoix: –99%
Affection toward Francis Patella: –99%
Affection toward Joshua Deirid: 0%
Affection toward Leonil Graham: 0%
Loyalty to the Bastian Imperial Family: 0% ▼
What the—? He looked calm on the outside, but inside he was extremely opinionated.
And zero interest in anyone else.
Zero loyalty to the imperial family…
If the Emperor ever found out, he’d blow a vein.
▼ “When anxious, seeks physical intimacy.”
“Damn it. That explains everything.”
“What does?”
“You’re a bed addict.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I should have gone to bathe after coming back, but after using Francis’s bath earlier, I couldn’t be bothered.
Then Joshua reached out and gently grabbed my arm.
“Joshua.”
“Yes, Master.”
“If he does anything weird, scream for Francis.”
“Yes, Master.”
Then he lifted my hand and placed it on his head, as if asking to be petted.
So I did.
And the soft warmth of his hair under my fingers…
was unexpectedly comforting.
