~Chapter 65~
The first to stiffen at Belmore’s sudden appearance was Roselia.
Belmore?
Why would he appear now, in a situation like this? His presence brought no benefit at all—Roselia knew that better than anyone.
Belmore might be Emperor, but he was a man who never fulfilled his role.
What on earth does he think he’s doing?!
As Roselia stared at him in disbelief, the gathered nobles stood at Valtrich’s command and bowed in greeting to Belmore.
If Belmore speaks wrongly here, the situation will only worsen. At worst, he could even lose the throne itself!
Though she was cornered, if Belmore could at least keep his throne, then perhaps—someday—there might be another chance. That was the hope Roselia clung to.
But if Belmore were to fall in this crisis? If Killian Winters seized that opening?
That would truly be irreversible.
Still, she couldn’t rebuke Belmore in front of so many people, not with her crimes laid bare. Instead, Roselia clenched her fists so tightly that her long nails dug into her palms.
Why… why is the Emperor here?
Killian felt the same unease. This was not part of his plan. And yet—why did he feel such a chilling premonition from Belmore’s uncharacteristically stiff expression?
“Though I’ve come in haste, I ask for your understanding,” Belmore spoke slowly, drawing all eyes to him. His polite tone was so unlike an emperor that a stranger might not believe it was him at all.
“But the matter at hand is too important. As Emperor, I cannot stay silent. You all understand what this means.”
“…Your Majesty, do you have something to declare?” Valtrich asked, stepping in as mediator.
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is accused of colluding with Aldrosia and attempting to kill Duke Killian Winters, thereby committing treason—”
“I already know the situation. I heard it outside.” Belmore cut him off.
“I, Belmore Allington…”
He looked straight at the nobles and spoke.
“Here and now, I invoke the Emperor’s privilege.”
…What?
Killian’s expression stiffened. Theorn and his allies exchanged uneasy glances. Even Valtrich faltered.
“Let’s proceed step by step. I, Emperor Belmore Allington, issue a direct imperial order. First, to honor the war hero Killian Winters, I promise his home shall remain inviolable, and I order his return.”
Now?
It was absurd.
On the surface, it seemed like Belmore was supporting Killian, but in truth, it was nothing more than wordplay. Killian could have returned safely to his mansion without Belmore’s intervention.
“War heroes deserve proper respect.”
“What of the Empress Dowager then?!”
“Your Majesty, the Dowager has been falsely accused! This is unjust—!”
Voices clashed, Killian’s supporters against Duke Dilsen’s camp, until the chamber rang with chaos. Belmore glanced at Valtrich, who raised his hand to silence them. With a troubled face, Belmore continued.
“As for the Empress Dowager, I will personally order an inquiry and begin the investigation.”
An… inquiry? Against me?
Roselia’s red eyes shook violently as she glared at her son.
“The investigation will, of course, proceed together with Duke Killian Winters, who raised the suspicions and holds the evidence. So that not a shred of doubt remains.”
Killian’s lips curled faintly.
He understood Belmore’s scheme.
This was Belmore’s chance to strengthen his imperial authority, restrain Roselia, and at the same time plant a debt in Killian’s heart.
For a brief instant, Killian’s eyes met Valtrich’s across the chamber. They exchanged a silent understanding before Valtrich rose once more, speaking in a low voice.
Aisha confirmed the distribution of Sunday’s Exposé was finished and hurried back to the Winters mansion with the Harlem children.
Will Cien scold me for this?
She half expected nagging, but surprisingly, Cien said nothing. Normally, she would have complained about Aisha dragging strange children home.
The mystery was soon solved.
“I never thought I’d be able to come back here!”
In the mansion’s parlor, the children sat together, chatting happily.
“Of course, Duke Killian said we could return, but I didn’t think he meant it. I thought that maid earlier would throw us out.”
“Wait, what? Killian said that?”
This was news to Aisha. She had always thought Killian disliked children.
“Helen, what is this about?”
Aisha looked down at Helen, who was curled in her arms. Helen smiled shyly.
“At that time… I thought Duke Killian would scold us badly. But after we went back to Harlem, Sir Theorn came to see us.”
“Theorn? The Duke’s knight?”
“Yes.”
“And what did he say?”
“He gave us a house. And he said starting next month, we can go to school.”
“Really! And he promised all our school fees until graduation—Duke Killian himself paid for it!”
“…What?”
“We wanted to tell you first, Aisha, but then things turned strange. By the time we tried, you had already disappeared with the Duke.”
Aisha’s eyes trembled. Killian had been helping the children?
It was something she had never imagined.
“Why isn’t the Duke back yet? Do you think something happened at the palace?”
“No way. Don’t worry. We worked so hard distributing the magazine…”
“Right! Even if nobles are fools, they can’t be that stupid.”
Kids… you do know you’re saying this in front of a noble, right?
Aisha almost said it, but held her tongue.
Killian… he isn’t such a bad man after all.
She knew that now. He had cared about things she hadn’t even considered, and she felt both grateful and guilty.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.
I want him to come back soon…
The distribution had gone well. Surely the imperial family had seen it by now.
Then why hadn’t he returned yet?
Could Roselia be plotting something again…?
No, she couldn’t wait. She should go to the palace and wait there.
Just as Aisha rose with determination—
“Quite the crowd of guests today.”
At the door, with his usual calm face, stood the man she had been waiting for—Killian.
