Chapter 67
“What on earth is going on here? We were told by the young Lord Godwin that Duke Godwin had been poisoned with Tetrad. Yet I also heard that he had been given the antidote and was on the road to recovery. How could such chaos have arisen…?”
Having come up to his office, Kilian unfolded the sealed letter that had arrived from the imperial palace.
Inside, Gorten’s words were transcribed word for word.
“It is said that when Duke Godwin passed away, Young Lord Esta was present. The two quarreled for quite some time. When it suddenly grew quiet and they went in to check, the duke was already…”
Though Gorten’s voice trailed off, his face twisted as if in pain. It wasn’t pity for the Esta family that made him falter, but concern for how deeply this would shock Litricia.
“Do they have any definitive proof that Young Lord Esta harmed Duke Godwin?”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I couldn’t learn that much.”
Kilian set the papers aside and placed a cigar between his lips.
“Then it seems they don’t. If there were real evidence, they’d have no reason to hold it back.”
“I agree with Your Highness… or rather, isn’t that obvious?”
“Of course it is. Isis Esta may be hot-tempered, but he’s not someone with the resolve to commit such an act.”
“Then that’s a relief. If he’s innocent, he’ll be released soon enough.”
Kilian twirled the lighter in his hand.
“If only it were that simple. This will not be resolved so easily.”
Even if one is suspected of assassinating a duke, they wouldn’t imprison a count’s heir based on circumstantial evidence alone, not without proof.
But already, under the pretext of Isis’s arrest, an investigation had begun into not only the Esta family’s finances but the entire house itself.
The speed of it all was unnatural.
And above all, the fact that the emperor himself had delivered this news was as good as proof that the empress dowager was behind it.
“Surely not the empress dowager again? Why, why can she never leave Your Highness in peace? Hasn’t she tormented you enough? What have you done wrong, that now even Lady Litricia must be dragged into this…!”
Gorten cried out in despair, clearly understanding the scheme at play.
“If this truly is the empress dowager’s doing, she won’t stop at investigating the Esta family. She will certainly entangle Your Highness as well, under the pretense of family ties by marriage.”
“Of course. I did think it was too quiet for too long.”
It was exactly the sort of move the empress dowager would make. She would never sit idly by while Astara rose in prominence day by day in the north.
But even so, I never imagined she would go so far as to sacrifice Duke Godwin, her loyal hound, to pull this off.
“How is Peter Godwin faring?”
“Well… I hear the young duke is also being interrogated in the palace.”
“And why is that?”
“Because they claim traces of Tetrad antidote were found in Duke Godwin’s body. Since the Tetrad came from the Esta family’s holdings, they’re calling its ingredients suspicious…”
Ah. So that was where they intended to press their attack.
Kilian took the cigar from his lips, struck the lighter, and set it aflame.
Ssshh.
The crackle of the burning tobacco leaves was chilling.
“I was careless. While the empress dowager spreads her net without proof, I should have at least revealed that the Tetrad had come from her hand in the first place.”
By acting too reserved, unlike his usual self, he had given her an excuse to run rampant.
“Where is the duke’s body now?”
“In the palace, I was told. They plan to cremate him as soon as the investigation is finished.”
“That can’t be allowed.”
“What do you intend, Your Highness?”
“She summons me herself? Then of course I’ll answer her invitation.”
Instead of drawing another puff, Kilian ground the burning cigar into the ashtray with force, snuffing it out.
“Perfect. My head was tangled with irritation anyway. Now I have the perfect place to vent my anger.”
He meant to carry out the vow he once made to the empress dowager—that if ever he set foot in the palace again, he would not leave it quietly.
“The wedding is so close… why must this happen now?”
“Do not worry, Gorten. I’ll return before the ceremony begins. The emperor sending this letter is his way of telling me to come to the capital without delay.”
Kilian slipped a paper knife beneath the parchment backing the imperial letter. With a firm press, a folded teleportation scroll slid free.
“Do not tell Litricia about this.”
“But she will find out eventually, won’t she? And once she realizes you’ve left for the capital, she’ll worry terribly.”
“That is precisely why I don’t want you to tell her. I don’t want to cause her needless anxiety.”
“…Understood.”
“I’ll trust you to look after Litricia in my absence, Gorten.”
Kilian had just stripped off his jacket to change when he felt a presence outside the door. His jaw clenched hard.
“Damn it.”
The door was slightly ajar—something he never would have overlooked. And a wisp of blue smoke curling lazily around the doorknob confirmed it was the work of that damned magical residue.
“How much did you hear?”
Only after Kilian spoke did Gorten startle and limp hurriedly to the door.
When he pulled it fully open, Litricia stood there.
“…From the part about my brother.”
“So, everything.”
Kilian raked his hand roughly through his hair, frustration boiling over, then doused the ashtray with water. The last ember hissed and went out.
“What are you doing here, Litricia?”
“That creature led me.”
Kilian’s temple throbbed at the sight of the blue smoke flicking its tongue as if smug at his glare.
“You do make the strangest friends.”
He strode over, crushed the smoke in his fist, and stood firmly in the doorway, barring her from entering.
“You’ve heard, then. I’ll be away for a while. Don’t neglect your treatment just because I’m gone—take care of your health.”
“I’ll go with you…!”
“Hah. Do you think this is a casual outing? Do you even know what you’re asking?”
“Whether it’s the antidote or the ledgers, I’m confident I can help. I won’t be a burden.”
“Staying here safely is how you help. Do you realize how dangerous it will be?”
His anger flared.
In the past, he might have worried she’d run away if left alone and dragged her along even into danger. But now, all he wanted was for her to stay safe, here where nothing could harm her.
“Damn it.”
If worrying about hurting the other person, or fearing they might be hurt, isn’t love—then what is?
Why did Justin’s words echo in his mind now, of all times?
Turning back into the office, Kilian threw back a glass of rum to quench the unrelenting thirst burning in his throat, then pulled on his traveling coat.
“I beg you, Litricia. Please, just stay here quietly.”
Clink.
The sound of gilded tableware striking echoed through the banquet hall.
Antonio gripped his utensils tightly, his palms slick with sweat, forcing himself to keep cutting meat with feigned composure.
By now, Kilian must have received the letter. Hopefully, not too late.
Because the empress dowager had grown suspicious and placed every palace messenger pigeon under surveillance, there had been no way to send word by their usual means.
By sheer luck, Antonio had smuggled the letter north through a departing envoy’s procession—but whether it had reached Kilian safely was another matter entirely.
“Your Majesty, why do you eat so little tonight? Is the food not to your liking?”
Astara, the empress dowager, spoke in her silken, saccharine tone.
Antonio forced himself to spear a piece of smoked chicken and chew. It felt like sand grinding between his teeth.
“Of course not. Tonight’s banquet was prepared especially by you, Mother. The food is excellent.”
“Is it? Then why so little appetite, on such a fine evening?”
Her crimson-painted nails brushed her cheek as she turned to the man seated opposite for agreement.
“Wouldn’t you say so, Duke Godwin?”
The man, savoring his wine, set down his glass with a sheepish smile. Blond hair gleamed in the reflection of the crimson liquid.
“Haha. I haven’t even formally succeeded the title yet, and you already call me duke, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. I hardly know where to put myself.”
As he spoke, the chain of his monocle swayed beside his jaw.
