✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Translated by: Sienna
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
- It Doesn’t Matter
“Your Excellency, there are rumors circulating about suspicious movements from the barbarians near the northern territories.”
Erich furrowed his brow at the words of the informant, Hight.
He knew that if there was such a thing, the soldiers on the border would have reported it long ago.
“Where did the rumors originate?”
“Though not confirmed, it is said that herbalists collecting near the border witnessed the barbarians.”
“Have you verified the authenticity?”
“Yes. I had the rangers search the area, and they said there were indeed traces of barbarians.”
Erich stroked his chin.
Even after the Northern War victory, Erich had stationed rangers along the border to prevent any further mistakes.
Therefore, if mere herbalists had ventured so far as to encounter the barbarians, there would have been reports long before now.
‘But how did it take so long for this to reach my ears?’
Although perplexed by the sporadic nature of the information spreading among the public, the issue regarding the neighboring border of the Blant territory cannot be overlooked.
“Hight, go ahead and investigate the situation first. I’ll depart for the north as soon as I’m ready.”
Hight bowed his head in response.
“Yes, understood.”
As Hight left, Erich let out a small sigh.
‘I must prepare for any contingency and depart as soon as the troops are ready…’
Just as he was considering his departure to the north, someone popped into his head.
‘But it would be appropriate to see her face before leaving.’
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
[Princess, I have granted all your wishes; now it’s time for you to fulfill what your father desires.]
Cornelia smiled as she glanced at the Emperor’s responses and documents.
“It seems the preparations are almost complete.”
As she muttered to herself, Cornelia glanced at the open window.
“He’s here.”
Shortly after, a masked figure agilely entered through the window.
The masked figure approached Cornelia slowly and knelt on one knee.
“The headmaid has instructed the servants to hurry. It seems like she is in a rush.”
“Well, it appears that my request to spread rumors about the barbarians to His Majesty paid off. Thank you for handling it so quickly.”
Cornelia then addressed the masked man.
“Sardin.”
“Yes, madam.”
“How is Duke’s movement?”
“He’s gathering soldiers, but there’s no sign of his departure yet. He appears to be waiting for confirmation of the rumors before moving.”
As Sardin spoke, he wore a worried expression.
Understandably so, as these rumors were meant to send Duke Blant to the north. If he doesn’t move soon, it will undoubtedly disrupt the plan.
“What if we send someone to fabricate false evidence now?”
Upon hearing this suggestion, Cornelia slowly shook her head.
“There’s no need for that. The Duke will leave soon enough to find out the truth.”
As Sardin puzzled over her response, Cornelia murmured with a hint of irony.
“When the Duke leaves the mansion, will my mother-in-law give me a gift?”
Cornelia glanced softly at Sardin.
“You have done well. Sardin. Thanks to you, the plan is going smoothly.”
Normally, Sardin would have been ecstatic to hear his master’s praise. However, even with her praise, Sardin couldn’t smile as usual.
“Is…… everything all right, Master?”
“What about me?”
Cornelia’s expression as she asked was incredibly inscrutable.
As if she hadn’t suffered any wounds at all.
Sardin’s gaze became even more sympathetic.
‘Master, why… Why do you not show any signs of struggle, even in difficult situations?’
Cornelia had always been like that.
She never let anyone see her tears, and she never once complained to others about her suffering.
Like a small animal afraid of revealing its vulnerability for fear, it might become a weakness.
‘I always feel sorry for you and want to protect you.’
But it was audacious for a mere slave to harbor such feelings for their master.
So Sadin concealed those feelings and silently bowed his head.
Then, Cornelia spoke.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Janet lately.”
“That’s… she’s still resting in her quarters, it seems.”
Cornelia’s gaze flickered slightly, then settled.
Though she said nothing, seeing her attitude, Sardin felt that his master cherished that knight quite a bit and perhaps felt a hint of guilt.
“Still, she seemed to visit the Duke frequently, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
“Tell her she can stop escorting me now.”
Suddenly, the subdued tone made Sardin sigh as he lowered his head.
“Understood.”
Sardin swiftly left after hiding his mask and cloak in an inconspicuous place outside the window.
‘There’s not much time left.’
After a moment of concern and excitement, Sardin recalled Cornelia’s orders from earlier.
‘I need to deliver my master’s message to Dame Janet right now.’
Sardin started walking towards the quarters.
Then—
“What are you doing here?”
Though he hadn’t sensed his approach, Sardin suddenly found himself under the scrutinizing gaze of Erich, his blue eyes piercing.
Sardin stared back at the Duke with a rigid expression.
‘I didn’t even sense his presence… When did he arrive?’
Sardin was highly skilled.
He was hailed as a champion in the arena, and during his time at the palace, he had fought and defeated several imperial guards, receiving scouts from various nobles.
But even then, Erich’s skills were as obscure as a black sea of unknown depth.
‘And to conceal his presence to this extent… Even Janet, rumored to be an assassin, wasn’t capable of this…’
Seeing Sardin remain silent, Erich spoke again.
“Why don’t you answer me? Is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Only then did Sardin snap out of his thoughts, remembering what he had just done.
“’Did he see the hidden mask?’
Sardin wondered if he had been caught, but the Duke seemed oblivious to everything.
Sardin quickly came up with an excuse.
“My master said he wanted to see the flowers, so I was just about to pick some.”
Erich’s eyes shifted to the flowerbed beside Sardin.
Soon, his blue eyes turned cold as ice.
“Lavender isn’t particularly good for pregnant women.”
Although it was an excuse, Sardin felt embarrassed for making a mistake regarding Cornelia.
‘It’s my fault. I should have checked if there were any flowers harmful to pregnant women.’
While reflecting on his mistake, Erich spoke again.
“And there’s no need to bring her flowers.”
Sardin almost glared at the duke.
‘I clearly told him I came here to bring flowers to my master, but he’s saying this…’
His fists clenched involuntarily. However, with the plan about to unfold, he couldn’t afford to act recklessly.
Suppressing his emotions as usual, Sardin politely responded.
“Your Grace, my master will be very disappointed if I don’t bring her some flowers, so please be generous and allow me to use the greenhouse.”
At that, Erich’s eyes turned murderous.
But Sardin was prepared to face the consequences; he had no intention of backing down.
Then, Erich spoke again.
“I’m sure I told you, you don’t have to bring her flowers.”
‘You…!’
No wonder Cornelia wanted to leave; he’s always behaving like this.
‘I thought the Duke had changed for the better compared to before; I was foolish.’
As Sardin gritted his teeth in simmering anger, the Duke spoke.
“I’ll be the one to bring flowers to my wife. I was just about to head to the bedroom anyway.”
Unexpectedly, Sardin released the tension in his fists and stared blankly at the Duke.
The Duke’s gaze, which was still fixed on him, was as chillingly stern as ever.
Normally, Sardin would interpret it as contempt for the lowly slave he’d been forced to keep for his wife.
But now he could sense a different meaning behind it.
‘Perhaps the Duke regards my master as…’
However, one couldn’t hastily assume someone else’s emotions.
Especially when it came to the Duke, who had been nothing more than a hollow husband, ignoring and neglecting his wife despite being loved by her.
He had been so cold and uncaring that she had grown tired of his indifference and wanted to escape, even if it meant lying to him.
‘And…….’
<From now on, you will be the father of my child.>
Those dreamlike words he had briefly heard reignited the suppressed feelings Sardin had long abandoned.
