Episode 86

“What’s going on?”

We paused our conversation and focused on the voice outside the door.

“A urgent letter just arrived from the palace. You should check it immediately.”

The palace?

No way…

Only one thought flashed through my mind at the butler’s words.

Lloydin’s expression also briefly showed concern before returning to normal.

“It seems we should continue our conversation later.”

“Yes, let’s do that. We have plenty of time…”

I was extremely curious about what he wanted to say, but there was nothing I could do now.

To ease his mind, I answered and stood up.

“Madam.”

Just as I turned to leave, Lloydin called me.

“Yes?”

I turned my head to see Lloydin standing in front of me, having approached silently.

He briefly looked at me and then embraced me.

“Duke?”

Though his sudden action puzzled me, I tightly hugged his waist and nestled into his arms.

“I have many things to say to you, so…”

A low sigh echoed in my ear.

I stayed silent, waiting for him to speak again.

The strength of his embrace increased, and his voice softly resonated in my ear.

“When the time comes… you must listen to what I have to say.”

“…I will.”

I couldn’t quite grasp what he wanted to tell me.

However, I felt that whatever it was wouldn’t bring any harm to me, so I was willing to wait.

As soon as I left the office, the butler greeted me and went inside.

Thud.

The door closed behind me.

I considered returning to my bedroom but decided to step outside the mansion to clear my mind.

While walking in the garden, I stayed close to the mansion entrance.

It just felt right to do so.

I kept my eyes on the entrance, and my intuition was correct.

Lloydin, ready to leave for the palace, hurriedly came out.

Seeing him, I quickly moved towards him.

“Duke!”

Just as he was about to mount his horse, Lloydin turned towards the sound of my voice.

Seeing him on horseback instead of his usual carriage made me a bit anxious.

However, I suppressed my feelings, trying not to show my unease.

“Madam?”

“Where are you going?”

“His Majesty the Emperor summoned me, so I am heading to the palace. I was in a hurry and asked William to relay the message to you, but I’m glad I could see you before leaving.”

“The Emperor?”

“Yes. I’ll probably be back late today, so please have dinner with Ian first.”

“…Alright. Take care.”

“Okay, I’ll be off then.”

With a faint smile, Lloydin mounted Elbard.

As I stepped back, Lloydin nodded.

“Let’s go, Elbard!”

After Lloydin left, I watched until he disappeared from my sight.

Once he was out of view, instead of returning to the garden, I headed to the study.

Entering the quiet study, I retrieved a stack of papers hidden among the books and spread them out on the desk one by one.

The papers contained maps centered on the Black Forest, information I knew from the novel, and some data I had gathered so far.

The palace, the temple, and the monsters…

I was convinced that Lloydin was summoned for the monster subjugation.

I couldn’t let him live like this forever.

I didn’t want him to spend his life in constant danger, always on the front lines whenever monsters attacked.

This determination had not changed since the moment I decided to give Lloydin a different life through this marriage.

So, after our promise, I began to gather information bit by bit.

Unfortunately, due to my poor health, I was limited in the information I could collect from within.

The details from the novel were now a distant memory, and many things were unclear.

Moreover, the novel was quite unkind in its descriptions.

To be precise, most of the novel was told from Daliah’s perspective, so it contained little information about the Blighton family.

‘What on earth did the imperial family and the temple use to bind the Blighton family?’

This crucial question occupied my mind.

I had subtly asked Lloydin before, but he too had no idea.

Of course, if he had known, he would have resolved it long ago.

Lloydin was the strongest and wisest person in this world.

‘But how does the Emperor manage to keep such a person under his control, and why can’t Lloydin resist at all?’

It seemed I needed to act more proactively.

My instincts told me that my illness was almost cured.

Although it was still somewhat risky, I was much better than before.

So, I decided to venture out and gather useful information somehow.

While I was lost in these thoughts, Ian, who had taken Daliah, returned to the mansion.

I told Ian that Lloydin had gone to the palace, and we had dinner together.

During the meal, I checked on Daliah’s condition and our future plans with Ian.

“Then, I’ll leave Daliah’s matters in your hands.”

“Yes. I’ll do everything I can to cure Daliah.”

“Yes, you must. If you need to discuss anything, tell me immediately. Got it?”

“Yes.”

Ian answered with a resolute expression.

“Now I understand how my brother feels.”

“Hmm?”

“I think my brother feels the same way I do. But he…”

For some reason, Ian sighed deeply before continuing.

“I’m sure this palace visit is for the subjugation, right?”

“Yes, it probably is.”

I sighed along with Ian, feeling equally frustrated about Lloydin’s departure for the subjugation.

“If something similar happens while he’s gone, I’ll come, so don’t worry too much. I promised him.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Ian’s warm heart brought a natural smile to my lips.

“Alright, let’s finish our meal.”

“Yes.”

We finished our meal while having a brief conversation. Lloydin, who said he would be back late, didn’t return until I grew tired and fell asleep waiting for him.

* * *

“…Madam.”

The sound of someone calling me and the touch of a hand stroking my hair gradually woke me up.

“…Duke?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Still with my eyes closed, I responded in my sleep. I heard a small chuckle and Lloydin’s voice in my ear.

“Duke?”

Realizing what was happening, I opened my eyes wide.

There stood Lloydin, looking down at me in his armor.

“Duke, why are you in armor…?”

I quickly gathered my scattered thoughts and sat up.

Lloydin helped me, allowing me to lean comfortably against the headboard.

“I have to leave urgently for the north. I couldn’t bear to leave without seeing you first. I’m sorry to wake you from your sleep.”

“No, no!”

When Lloydin apologized with a regretful face, I shook my head vigorously.

“You did the right thing. You really did the right thing!”

I reassured him repeatedly, glad that he had woken me. The thought of him leaving without a word was too dreadful to bear.

“But so suddenly? It takes time to organize a subjugation force.”

It takes days to prepare the troops and gather the necessary supplies. I thought there was still some time before he would leave, but this sudden departure caught me off guard.

My heart pounded with anxiety and unease at the unexpected farewell.

“This time, I’m leaving first. Others will follow me soon.”

“What? You’re going alone?”

I was stunned and couldn’t believe his words.

How could he go to such a dangerous place alone?

“Yes, I have something to do by myself, so I have to go ahead.”

“How… why…”

I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak properly.

I felt like I would burst into tears at any moment, but I fought hard not to cry.

I didn’t want to show tears to someone heading to the battlefield.

“It was unavoidable for the mission.”

What kind of mission would send Lloydin alone to such a place?

My sorrow and frustration turned into rising anger towards the Emperor.

As I clenched my fists and stared into the void, unable to hide my feelings, Lloydin gently held my hand.