• Chapter 35 – The Turning Point

At that moment, a retainer seated on the side of Viscount Kranos raised his hand and addressed Kaelan.

“But, Young Duke, why did you not inform anyone when the Duchess collapsed?”

“It is true that the Duchess collapsed. However, as she has been gradually recovering, I judged it unnecessary to announce it,” Kaelan replied calmly.

Viscount Kranos immediately interjected, claiming that Kaelan’s statement was false.

“The Young Duke is lying. Everyone, the Duchess has yet to regain consciousness since she collapsed.”

“How can you be so certain that the Duchess remains unconscious?” Kaelan asked.

“Because I heard it directly from the physicians who examined her.”

“Are you sure those physicians were truly the ones who attended the Duchess?”

“I am. They were indeed summoned by the Ducal House and were renowned doctors from the capital. All of them confirmed her condition,” Kranos replied with confidence.

As his words settled over the chamber, all eyes turned toward Kaelan.

Until now, Kaelan had only responded briefly to direct questions. But now, at last, he opened his mouth to speak in full.

“It is true that the Duchess is recovering.”

“But what the Viscount just said—”

“Young Duke, didn’t you say that the physicians were silenced the day I visited the duchy?” Kranos interrupted.

“I did say that.”

At Kaelan’s open admission, a murmur rippled through the hall. The mood began to sway toward Viscount Kranos.

Kranos found Kaelan’s honesty oddly disarming but quickly dismissed the thought as more and more retainers began to side with him.

“I merely instructed them not to spread unnecessary rumors about the Duchess. Matters of the ducal house should be kept within. Isn’t it standard to ensure outsiders keep quiet?”

“Then you’re saying the reason you silenced the doctors wasn’t to conceal the Duchess’s grave condition but simply to follow formal procedures?”

“Yes, exactly. And let me reiterate—she is not in critical condition.”

Kranos sneered inwardly at Kaelan’s adamant denial without offering proof.

Still a boy. No matter what title you’re given, you’re just a seventeen-year-old.

“Well, that’s strange. When I visited out of concern, I was told by those same doctors that the Duchess has not regained consciousness. Very strange indeed.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

“Then what do you say to summoning those doctors here? Wouldn’t that clarify everything?”

Kranos smiled broadly and looked around at the retainers for support. Many of them nodded in agreement.

“Well then, Young Duke?”

“Very well.”

Kaelan nodded without hesitation, and Kranos smirked to himself.

You poor fool. You must think you’ve secured their loyalty. But I’ve already gotten to them. You think they’ll keep your secrets?

Kaelan called for the butler and instructed him to summon the physicians who had attended to the Duchess. A heavy silence settled over the council chamber.

It was Count Fondel who finally broke the silence.

“If it is true that the Young Duke hid the Duchess’s condition and sent a false report to the royal family to avoid enacting the former Duke’s will… then it will be difficult to proceed as intended.”

“Count Fondel, surely you’re not suggesting we change the Duke’s will? That’s outrageous!”

“The Young Duke should have notified the retainers immediately and begun a joint regency with Viscount Kranos, as per the will. If he concealed the truth and sent a misleading letter to the royal family, that borders on royal deception.”

“That’s too harsh. The Young Duke has repeatedly stated the Duchess is fine.”

“If that’s truly the case, then we should be allowed to see her with our own eyes,” Fondel insisted.

Kaelan shook his head.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

“And why not?”

“The Duchess is still recovering, and her physicians advised against contact with outsiders.”

Count Fondel let out a heavy sigh.

“This is becoming impossible. If you continue to dodge everything, we’ll have no choice but to believe Viscount Kranos is telling the truth.”

“If the Viscount is right, shouldn’t we postpone the joint regency? The royal family may respond unfavorably, and even if it was the Duke’s will, a majority objection from the retainers would necessitate further discussion.”

Everything was going exactly as Kranos had hoped. He could barely contain the urge to break into a dance.

He glanced at Raina, who stood beside him with her hands clasped tightly. She had served her purpose, and he was ready to dismiss her.

“Raina, you’ve done well. You can leave now. What follows is a matter for the adults.”

“…”

But Raina just stood frozen. The possibility that Kaelan might not receive the joint regency had clearly shaken her.

Kranos gave her a gentle shove toward the door.

She stumbled forward and continued walking, led by his firm hand, until they reached the chamber’s exit.

He opened the door himself. As sunlight poured into the corridor, Raina turned her head to glance back at Kaelan inside the chamber.

“If the Young Duke’s claims are false, then it may be too soon for a joint regency with Viscount Kranos.”

“Perhaps it would be better if, like the Duchess before, only the Viscount were granted authority—allowing the Young Duke to learn and observe for three years before officially taking over.”

“And if he did send a false letter to the royal family… well, that’s not something we can overlook. Even a Young Duke wouldn’t get away with mocking the crown.”

The retainers who once supported Kaelan remained silent. Meanwhile, those siding with Kranos pressed harder to corner him.

“Brother—”

Seeing Kaelan standing all alone in the center of the chamber, Raina tried to move toward him—but Kranos blocked her path.

Her brother’s figure disappeared behind her uncle’s back, and Raina looked up at him, her eyes trembling.

“Raina, I said this is a conversation for the adults. Be a good girl and listen to your uncle now.”

The smile on Kranos’ face made her shiver. Just days ago, he had seemed so kind and caring…

What is this…?

Raina’s body trembled as Kranos turned her around and pushed her out into the corridor.

Even as she was forced out, she tried to steal glances back into the chamber. Each time Kaelan flickered in and out of view behind her uncle, her anxiety grew.

Kranos finally shoved her all the way out and shut the door firmly behind her.

Left alone in the hallway, Raina stared blankly at the sunlit corridor.

The warmth and brightness pouring in through the windows felt surreal—like a cruel contrast to the nightmare unfolding behind that door.

She stood there for a long moment, then slowly turned and began walking down the hallway. But her steps felt like sinking deeper and deeper into dark, cold waters.

Though she moved forward, it felt as if she were being swallowed by endless mud.

What do I do…

Kaelan’s image—surrounded and accused, back turned, head bowed—wouldn’t leave her mind.

He had always been her shield, even when he was scared. And now, standing alone against everyone… the guilt hit her like a wave. Her heart ached as if it were tearing apart.

She couldn’t even hear Kaelan’s voice through the closed doors—only the loud, accusatory voices of the retainers.

She hated them. Hated them so much she wanted to scream. And she hated herself even more—for being the reason this was happening.

What do I do? What do I do now?

There was nothing she could do.

It felt like she had abandoned her brother in a den of wolves.

Clutching the hem of her dress, she clenched her fists so tightly it felt like the fabric might tear.

“What do I do… hic… What do I do… I—It’s all my fault…”

Tears spilled freely as Raina sank to the floor, arms wrapped around her small frame.

Her fingers dug into her forearms in helpless frustration.

“I ruined everything… hic… I messed up… Daddy…!”

This wasn’t like the time Kaelan scolded her or when Countess Cassandra insulted her.

This was different. Her beloved brother, bowed and surrounded by enemies because of her—this was a nightmare.

If Kaelan doesn’t get the title… will Uncle get it instead?

Her uncle’s eerily smiling face flashed before her eyes.

She should’ve listened to Kaelan. To Anna. To Halde. She should never have trusted her uncle.

Please… please, someone help…

If there’s a god, I’ll do anything. I’ll behave, I swear. Just this once… please… help him. Please…

As her tears blurred her vision, the soft rustle of carpet broke the silence.

Raina lifted her head, startled by the sound of approaching footsteps.

She blinked away the tears—and froze.

A figure walked steadily toward her.

At first, she thought her swollen, tear-filled eyes were playing tricks. But no… it was real.

The person knelt before her, eyes red and puffy, and gave her a silent glance before walking past.

Raina turned to watch them go, breath caught in her throat.

“Ha…”

Knock knock knock.

Three firm knocks echoed through the tense council chamber.

Already on edge, the retainers muttered in irritation.

“Who dares to interrupt at a time like this?”

Kaelan had been silently enduring their barrage of demands. They were close—so close—to pushing him into a corner.

But then, as if waiting for this moment, Kaelan finally spoke.

“If that’s what you all want, then so be it. I’ll grant your request.”

A faint smile flickered across his lips, gone as quickly as it came.

Kaelan rose from his seat.

Kranos grinned, thinking Kaelan had finally surrendered.

He’s finally giving up. Good.

Kaelan was still underage, and until the Duchess awakened, he had no claim to power.

If they could just confirm her unconscious state, everything would fall into place.

Kranos stood, ready to follow Kaelan, excitement bubbling at the thought of seizing the ducal title.

Creak—

But instead of walking out, Kaelan simply moved to the side after opening the door.

Sunlight spilled in. The retainers squinted against the sudden brightness.

And then, someone stepped through the doorway.

Footsteps echoed.

Everyone turned, stunned.

“No… This can’t be!”

“Viscount Kranos! Didn’t you say the Duchess was unconscious?”

“Unbelievable…”

Standing there, smiling serenely, was Duchess Bella.