Episode 52

Marquis Rohan’s preparations were perfect, but the imperial pursuit of Yvonne was formidable.

“Her Highness has disappeared.”

Ebony stood in Yvonne’s empty room, at a loss. Like a ship that had lost its rudder, she didn’t have a clear direction but was doing her utmost to find Yvonne.

“What about the pursuit?”

“The pursuit is ongoing. There were traces of gate usage, and upon investigation, it turned out to be Duke Leonhardt.”

Ebony was originally a marchioness. Her husband had died young, and her daughter had passed away. That was why she had been assigned to Yvonne.

The emperor had said so.

“What about His Majesty?”

“He hasn’t been informed yet.”

The emperor must not find out. If he did, everyone in Yvonne’s palace would be killed.

No.

Everyone remaining in the imperial palace could be killed.

Ebony didn’t know the emperor well. If she had known Hildebrandt as well as Marquis Rohan did, she might have confessed everything to the emperor by now.

The emperor was capricious yet strict.

“The vice-captain of the knights is also investigating Duke Leonhardt’s territory.”

Ebony started to worry about Yvonne.

“Who last saw her?”

“The gatekeepers have been imprisoned in the underground dungeon.”

The servant from the princess’s palace was sweating nervously, watching Ebony’s reaction.

Even if it was discovered that the princess had disappeared, Ebony would not be severely punished. She was more loyal to the princess than anyone and had the emperor’s trust.

However, Ebony wasn’t worried about her own situation but was losing sleep over Yvonne. From the beginning, Yvonne had somehow reminded her of her daughter, making her heart ache.

So she took care of Yvonne and cherished her as if she were her own heart.

She knew it wasn’t right to regard her mistress that way as a mere maid. Still, worrying and doing everything in her power to find Yvonne was close to her nature.

“Marchioness Le Meredin.”

“Yes.”

Someone called Ebony by her title, Marchioness Le Meredin. There was no one left in the palace who would call her that now.

“My master asked me to deliver this to Marchioness Le Meredin.”

Yvonne Le Meredin.

That was Yvonne’s full name.

Ebony Le Meredin. She shared the same surname.

Ebony, unable to calm her trembling heart, opened the letter brought by the man.

[Not searching for the princess is what’s best for your daughter.]

Ebony checked the seal below. It was the seal Marquis Rohan used when undoing his abilities.

Seeing it, she recalled something she had momentarily forgotten.

“I’m going to marry Hilde.”

“But Yvonne, His Majesty the Emperor is not Hildebrandt. Why do you mistake His Majesty for Hildebrandt?”

“You don’t know anything, Mother.”

Yvonne looked at her with a look of incomprehension. Her hair, now silver, had been platinum blonde, and her eyes shone violet.

It was a younger-looking Yvonne.

“You know how much I love Hilde, Mother.”

“Ah…”

Ebony remembered that Yvonne was her daughter. Yet, the higher-level ability left by Hildebrandt continued to torment her.

“Protect Yvonne. Don’t let me kill her.”

That was the command Hildebrandt, now the emperor, had given her.

Ebony’s heart pounded so hard it became difficult to breathe.

Protecting Yvonne.

To ensure the emperor wouldn’t kill her.

She needed to delay informing the emperor that Yvonne had disappeared as long as possible.

Despite the remaining hypnosis and the memories she had recovered, this thought remained clear in Ebony’s mind.

Protect Yvonne.

Her daughter.

Her everything, Yvonne.

“Tell the vice-captain of the knights.”

“…Yes.”

“The investigation is to be halted. Her Highness is in her room.”

“What? But…”

“Say she is not to be disturbed for her recovery.”

“But, maid…”

“Quickly.”

The servant, despite having confirmed with his own eyes that Princess Yvonne had disappeared, swallowed his words, sensing that Ebony had a plan.

“Erkin, the aide.”

“Yes.”

“Handle it.”

“Yes.”

Marquis Rohan’s aide, Erkin, led the hesitant servant away.

Left alone in Yvonne’s room, Ebony wept as she caressed the clothes Yvonne had left behind.

“Mother will protect you, my baby.”

Then, she left the room to meet an esper with the ability to replicate.

* * *

Thanks to the suddenly absent pursuit, boarding the ship was easy.

Yvonne found it admirable how Marquis Rohan stayed vigilant and cautious, but she was not someone who lacked awareness.

She felt relieved yet uneasy about the disappearance of the pursuit. She knew the emperor wouldn’t search for her, but realizing he truly wasn’t looking for her left her with mixed feelings.

“What time is the ship?”

“Processing begins in three hours.”

“Then shall we explore the town in the meantime?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne was dressed like an ordinary noblewoman. Her hair was changed from brown to black, which complemented her shining violet eyes well.

“Eve.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Ah…”

He stopped walking when she called him “dear,” his face turning bright red, which he covered with his hand out of embarrassment.

“Dear?”

“My heart is racing too much…”

Yvonne found him pitiful and somewhat pathetic for stammering every time he was called “dear,” wondering how they would keep up the pretense of being a couple if he continued reacting this way.

“Try calling me ‘wife.’”

Slowly removing his arm from his face, he moved his lips. His honey-blonde hair and lake-green eyes stood out, especially with his flushed face.

“W-w… Wife.”

“Yes, dear. I’m hungry. Shall we get something to eat?”

“Y-yes, wife…”

“Not ‘wife-dear,’ just ‘wife.’”

“Wife…”

Yvonne considered teasing him more but stopped as his eyes started to water, looking as if he might cry. She found it endearing how he reacted to her holding his arm, his brows furrowing and lips tightening each time he stuttered.

“There isn’t a part of you that isn’t lovable, dear.”

“Yes…”

“I’ll get some food. You handle yourself.”

“I can’t.”

“What you can’t handle seems to be your pants, dear.”

“I can control it.”

Marquis Rohan didn’t mind being treated as someone who couldn’t control himself. It was strange, as it wasn’t the usual time for side effects, yet his body reacted dangerously to her touch.

But he could endure. He had become adept at enduring such things.

The only thing that embarrassed him was how evident it was through his clothes. Unfortunately, Yvonne was the one person who disliked such things.

“It’s because I’m touching the one I love.”

Confessing to Yvonne, she felt no need to be cautious around him anymore. He was clearly suffering and trying his best to control himself.

“Then let’s not link arms.”

“I’ll wear thicker pants.”

“Release my arm.”

“When a couple walks together, they should walk like this.”

“Says who?”

“It’s generally like that.”

Marquis Rohan felt embarrassed by his nonsensical words, but he refused to give in. If he did, she might not even allow their arms to touch.

Even in this situation, he was thinking strategically. He knew he would always lose when arguing rationally with Yvonne because of her cuteness, but being irrational might make her more lenient.

He felt closer to Yvonne, though he feared his uncontrollable body might push her away just as they were getting closer.

“I hate my body.”

Marquis Rohan’s voice was so sincere that Yvonne began to feel a bit of sympathy for him.

“Let’s eat.”

“Yes, wife.”

“Not ‘wife-dear,’ just ‘wife.’”

“Yes, wife.”

He quickly corrected himself, looking into Yvonne’s eyes. Seeing him flustered and blushing, she felt her complex feelings ease a bit. Unlike his public image, he seemed genuinely awkward and sincere with her.

She knew the emperor wouldn’t pursue her, but the reality still made her a bit sad. All her efforts to win his favor now seemed pointless.

Still, Marquis Rohan, whom she had considered abandoning halfway through, turned out to be trustworthy. She had prepared a self-defense dagger, expecting him to make a move on her out of desire as soon as they left. But he was extremely cautious, afraid of touching her, and always watching her reaction.

He was definitely better than the rumors suggested.

“Kes.”

“Yes, wife.”

“What do you want to eat?”

After a moment of thought, Marquis Rohan decided not to be honest.

“You, my wife.”

However, he realized much later that he had unintentionally voiced his true feelings.