☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
‘It seems things have been delayed more than expected.’
After completing his duties, Reinhardt’s aide hurried back to the mansion.
Knock, knock.
“Master, I have a report.”
“Go ahead.”
Upon hearing the somber voice, the aide flinched as he entered the office.
Just two hours earlier, his master’s flawless face had been unscathed, but now it bore a nasty bruise.
“Master, is your injury..?”
Before the aide could finish speaking, Reinhardt threw the glass he had been drinking from.
Crash!
Though it missed him, the aide turned pale.
“Shut up and just tell me how the task I gave you went!”
At Reinhardt’s fierce outburst, the aide swallowed nervously and began to speak.
“When we conveyed to the noble faction that we would withdraw support for Crown Prince Fritz, the emperor permitted Marquis Arzen’s attendance at the upcoming state council meeting.”
At those words, Reinhardt downed the entire bottle of liquor and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Before long a smirk appeared on his lips.
“And Medelin Arzen?”
“She said she’ll do everything we ask, just to be released from prison.”
“And Grand Madam Blant?”
“Measures have been taken as you instructed.”
Reinhardt set the bottle down on the table, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.
‘Good. The supporting actors will be ready soon… It’s time to start the play.’
Reinhardt opened his eyes again and smiled.
‘A farce that will make both the throne and Cornelia mine.’
13: Who Will Be the Next Emperor?
While riding in the carriage, I tried my best to clear my thoughts.
But it wasn’t easy.
After all, I’m only human, and I felt uneasy about leaving Erich behind.
‘Should we have taken the carriage together? But…’
Legally, we were still husband and wife, despite my current denial.
‘I plan to file for divorce soon, but still…’
Until the divorce is finalized, I don’t want to leave room for any misunderstandings.
That’s why I chose not to travel with him on the way to the Duke of Blant’s mansion.
‘Yes, it was the right decision. And he’ll make it there on his own, just fine.’
Even as I thought this, I found myself continuing to stare out the window.
Not seeing any sign of Erich left me feeling unsettled for no reason.
“We’ve arrived.”
Soon, the carriage door opened.
I could now get a better view of the Blant estate’s scenery.
‘This place hasn’t changed at all.’
I expected to feel indifferent.
However, seeing the unchanged appearance of the Blant estate stirred strange feelings within me.
‘And no one has come out to greet me.’
Well, it hadn’t even been an hour since we departed by carriage.
It was an unexpected visit, so they likely weren’t prepared.
And the sight was so familiar, just like the view I had always seen, that it brought a bitter smile to my face.
‘I’m still an outsider. Then and now.’
“Madam, please come down.”
As if reading my mood, Sardin extended his hand to me.
His bare hand, rough with scars and calluses, uncovered by anything, made me smile softly.
‘Yes, one Sardin is worth more than a hundred disloyal people.’
I was that confident.
I knew Sardin would never betray me.
Taking his hand, I said, “You know I always trust you, right?”
I expected him to be pleased by my words, but instead, his face stiffened.
“Madam, I…”
Seeing him at a loss for words, nervously biting his lip, I let out a small laugh.
‘He’s so flustered—probably because I don’t compliment him often.’
I resolved to be more generous with praise from now on.
At that moment, I saw someone rushing toward the carriage.
“Landon?”
“Huff, huff! It’s been a long time, Du- Madam!”
“How did you know to come and greet me…?”
“Ah, His Grace informed me. He said that you, Madam, would be visiting the estate as a guest.”
It was only then that I realized why Landon had come out to greet me so quickly, and I let out a hollow laugh.
‘So, he arrived at the mansion ahead of me? Yet I haven’t seen a trace of him…’
Without realizing it, my expression grew displeased.
“How have you been? You look quite pale.”
I felt a strange sensation at Landon’s warm greeting.
‘Why is he welcoming me so… happily?’
After all, I had deceived Landon, faking my death.
He could have easily felt betrayed upon learning I was still alive, yet here he was, tearing up at the sight of me.
I couldn’t understand it at all.
‘Why…?’
Just then, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Mom, who is this man?”
Demian peeked out and asked, and Landon quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
“Oh my, this little one…!”
Demian tilted his head and asked again, “Mister, why are you crying?”
Landon pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his endless stream of tears.
Finally, with red-rimmed eyes, he looked at Demian and spoke.
“Hello there. I used to serve your mother when she was carrying you in her belly.”
“Really? What’s your name?”
“My name is Landon. Seeing you so healthy, I have no regrets left.”
There wasn’t a hint of insincerity in his voice.
‘Well, Landon was always a sentimental person, even though he looked like that.’
Perhaps that’s why I felt a faint sense of affection toward him.
He was the only one who had sincerely helped me before I left the mansion.
I spoke to Landon.
“My child’s name is Demian.”
Landon’s face lit up with joy, and he smiled brightly.
“Yes, it’s a very good name.”
Then it happened.
“Madam(Mistress)! Please come in!”
As the servants appeared, my heart rapidly froze.
The word madam(mistress) brought back vivid memories of everything that had transpired between them and me.
Sensing my discomfort, Landon sternly addressed them.
“This Madam is no longer associated with us. Didn’t I make that clear?”
He then turned to me and bowed his head.
“My apologies. It’s become a habit for them. I hope you can find it in your generous heart to forgive them.”
Watching him defend the staff, I once again felt the distance between Landon and me.
‘He’s still just a servant of the Blant estate. Not mine.’
With a cold tone, I replied, “I’m tired. Please take me to my room.”
He quickly lowered his head.
“My apologies. I got too excited and made a mistake. I’ll take you to your room right away.”
We hadn’t walked long before Demian spoke up.
“Landon, where’s my dad?”
Landon flinched before answering.
“Ah, His Grace is currently busy with important matters.”
Important matters. His words twisted my lips into a grimace.
‘Of course, everything must be more important than me. And…’
“Shall I inform His Grace that the young master is looking for him?” Landon asked, without the slightest doubt that Demian was his son.
It was natural. Except for his eyes, my child looked almost exactly like Erich.
When Erich appeared in Herde County, there were even those who whispered that the father of the child was actually him.
‘A fool who can’t even recognize his own child standing right in front of him—I can’t accept that man as my child’s father.’
I then coldly spoke to Landon.
“No, it’s fine. There’s no need for that. Just take me to my room.”
Landon nodded with a bitter expression.
“Yes, understood. It’s just a little further.”
Soon, we arrived at the room Landon led me to, and my face hardened.
‘Why here…?’
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
‘The smell of blood should be gone by now, right?’
Erich, wiping himself dry, caught the scent of the fragrant oil on his body and glanced at the mirror.
The man staring back at him looked exactly like his brother. But those sharp, beast-like eyes were completely different from his brother’s.
‘No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I struggle, I’ll never measure up to him.’
With a bitter look, Erich glanced down at his hands.
‘Even if it was unintentional, how could I dare grab hold of her…?’
His hands appeared to have minor scars and calluses, but to Erich, they still seemed drenched in blood.
<You butcher!>
<Bring my dad back to life!>
The accusing glares of those who cursed him, the stench of blood that still seemed to linger.
To Erich, it was a stain he desperately wanted to hide.
But then…
<Your clothes are covered in blood. Moreover, the smell of blood is strong.>
He was caught by someone he didn’t want to be seen by more than anyone else.
Erich was scared.
He was afraid she would look at him as if he were a monster.
Afraid that she might decide to never look at him again.
‘But her actual reaction… was different from what I expected.’
<I’m relieved. As long as it’s not your blood.>
Instead of treating him like a monster, her tone was calm, almost concerned.
Remembering her reaction as if she were worried about him, tears welled up in Erich’s blue eyes.
‘Even though I no longer have the right, I still dare to…’
At that moment.
Knock, knock.
Landon’s voice followed the sound of knocking.
“Your Grace, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
When Landon entered, Erich composed himself and asked, as usual, “How is she?”
“Yes, she arrived a short while ago, and I escorted her to her room.”
“Did she like the room?”
“Yes, she seemed quite satisfied.”
Erich slowly nodded at his response.
“Good. Make sure she has everything she needs.”
Landon sighed then.
“Your Grace, to be honest, I don’t understand. Why did you assign her to the late Duke’s room, the one farthest from yours?”
Instead of answering, Erich simply said, “You may leave now.”
After Landon sighed and left, Erich, now alone, gave a bitter smile and muttered to himself,
“If I didn’t maintain that distance, I’d lose all control… and end up selfishly wanting her for myself.”
