Episode 114. Springtime for Julius (2)

Back at home, Bernardé clutched his hair in frustration. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t accept the situation.

If the emperor simply got married, the responsibilities of the inner court would no longer fall on Bernardé. Marriage! That was all it would take!

‘But arranging a royal marriage isn’t something that can be done quickly or easily.’

Even after selecting a bride, there was a mountain of tasks to handle. While it wouldn’t solve the issue immediately, Bernardé’s urgency in pushing for the emperor’s marriage was so he could rid himself of these duties as soon as possible.

Even if the bride were chosen today, Bernardé estimated he’d be stuck with the workload for at least six more months. If Julius continued to drag his feet, it could stretch even longer!

“This is absurd! Why am I the one stuck with this?” Bernardé groaned, trembling in despair as he envisioned his bleak future. Then, burying his face in his hands, he let out a frustrated cry.
“Percy Stewart, you devil! I should’ve known when you provoked me—you dumped all this troublesome work on me!”

At first, Bernardé had thought Percy genuinely entrusted him with these tasks out of respect. He’d even felt a sense of pride, believing he’d finally earned recognition as a proper duke.

But as time went on, it became glaringly obvious.
Percy had dumped it all on him.

As Bernardé ruffled his hair in anguish, an idea suddenly struck him. Snapping his head up, he muttered, “Wait a second… This is all because Princess Sienna isn’t in the capital, isn’t it?”

When Sienna had been in the capital, she had handled all matters of the inner court. If he could get her to return, Percy would undoubtedly follow her. Percy would never let his cherished wife return alone.

Once back, Percy would naturally resume his duties. After all, he wouldn’t just sit idly at home while his wife worked.

‘Perfect! If I can bring Princess Sienna back to the capital, everything will be resolved.’

With newfound determination, Bernardé grabbed a pen and began drafting a letter.

[To Duchess Stewart,
His Majesty Emperor Julius has fallen gravely ill. Please return to the capital as soon as possible.]

Though Julius wasn’t actually ill, Bernardé added the lie, believing it would hasten Sienna’s return. Surely, once she was back, Julius wouldn’t bother questioning the truth behind the letter.

“Ha! Once the duke and duchess are back in the capital, I’ll finally be free of this!”

Bernardé grinned to himself, folding the letter and sealing it in an envelope.

Unable to wait, he personally stepped outside to ensure the letter was promptly delivered. As he opened the door, he spotted a girl with flowing golden curls standing by with a lantern in hand. She blinked up at him in surprise—it was his younger sister, Marianne.

“Brother?”

“Marianne, you’re still awake?”

“Yes, I was reading. Why are you still up, Brother?”

Marianne, only a year younger than Bernardé, was a voracious reader who practically lived in the library. Bernardé sighed deeply and answered, “I have too much work to rest.”

“I’m worried you’ll ruin your health. Staying up so late and working so hard,” Marianne said with concern.

Her worried gaze warmed Bernardé’s heart. Smiling, he ruffled her hair and chuckled.

“Don’t worry. My workload will decrease soon—once I send this letter!”

“That’s a relief,” Marianne said with a smile.

“When my workload lightens, let’s visit the temple library together,” Bernardé offered.

“Alright!”

Marianne’s cheerful agreement brightened Bernardé’s mood, and he went on his way, brimming with confidence.

However, Bernardé’s cunning plan backfired spectacularly, dampening Julius’s spirits instead.

The letter he received in return wasn’t from Sienna herself, but from Percy. It read:

[Your Majesty,
My wife is expecting a child, so we’ll need to remain in the Stewart Duchy a bit longer.]

It was wonderful news for Percy and Sienna, but Julius, upon reading the letter, tore it in half and roared,

“Percy Stewart! What have you done to my little sister?!”

Considering the time that had passed since their marriage, it was hardly surprising news to anyone else. But to Julius, who adored his sister beyond reason, she would always remain a precious little girl.

Furiously shoving his arms into his coat, Julius shouted, “I’m going to the Stewart Duchy myself! Percy must be lying to keep her there. I’ll bring Sienna back!”

“Your Majesty! You cannot leave the capital!”

“But my sister is in danger!”

With no other family member to take over the throne temporarily, it was utterly unreasonable for the emperor to leave the capital for any reason. But Julius was dead set on his plan, throwing the entire palace into chaos.

After spending an entire day trying to dissuade the emperor, Bernardé was utterly drained, unable to touch a single task on his agenda. Running his hands through his disheveled hair, he sighed deeply.

‘I should’ve never sent that letter.’

He hadn’t anticipated this outcome—nor that Sienna would already be expecting.
‘That sly fox Percy is the only one thriving.’

Swallowing his bitter tears, Bernardé slumped over his desk and sent word home.
“Tell them I won’t be returning tonight. I have too much work to finish.”

And thus, in his attempt to outsmart Percy, Bernardé ended up pulling an all-nighter.

* * *

While Bernardé lamented falling victim to his own cunning schemes, Julius wandered aimlessly through the palace, burdened by complex emotions.

The moon shone brightly in the night sky as Julius trudged along, his gaze lifting to the heavens with a sigh.
‘To think Sienna is already going to be a mother.’

His feelings toward Sienna were complicated. She was his precious younger sister, but she also felt like a comrade-in-arms who had endured hardships alongside him.

He had wanted to share in the joy of their newfound freedom, but Sienna wasn’t in the capital.

‘I wanted to give her everything she’s missed out on.’

He knew better than anyone how much she had suffered, and he had wanted to make up for it.

‘And now she’s pregnant. She won’t return to the capital for a while, and she’ll be busy with the baby.’

A pang of disappointment welled up in his chest, accompanied by guilt. He knew it was something to celebrate, yet he felt sad nonetheless. Shaking his head, Julius tried to chase away the bitterness.

‘…Right. If Sienna is happy with that fox, I should support her.’

He resolved to send a congratulatory gift tomorrow.

Just as he was beginning to sort through his emotions, he heard a commotion ahead.

“You can’t enter. It’s after curfew.”

“I just need to deliver this. Please…”

“Rules are rules. You cannot enter.”

Curiosity piqued, Julius approached with his guard in tow. At the gate, a young girl in a simple dress with flowing golden hair was pleading with the palace guards.

“My brother doesn’t have any fresh clothes! He’s very particular about his appearance,” she said, her voice tinged with desperation.

“I’m sorry, miss, but—”

“What’s going on here?” Julius interrupted.

The startled guards straightened their backs and bowed respectfully. The girl, not recognizing Julius, blinked up at him, her long lashes fluttering like a butterfly’s wings.

Her gentle, unassuming face put Julius at ease. He spoke softly, “What’s the matter? If it’s something I can help with, I’d be happy to assist.”

“I am Marianne Bernardé, the younger sister of Duke Bernardé. I heard my brother would be staying at the palace tonight, so I brought him some fresh clothes,” she explained.

“You’re Bernardé’s sister?”

Julius raised an eyebrow in disbelief. He wasn’t aware the duke had a sibling. Narrowing his eyes, he instinctively searched her face for any resemblance to Bernardé but found none.

Perhaps sensing his skepticism, one of the guards stiffened and spoke firmly.

“Her identity has been verified, Your Majesty. We checked her identification.”

“Is that so?”

Julius replied, though he hadn’t been doubting her claim. Having spent his life surrounded by deceitful flatterers, Julius had developed a keen sense for lies, and the girl seemed truthful.

“I know where Bernardé is staying better than anyone. Allow me to escort you,” Julius offered.

“Pardon? Oh, I…”

Marianne hesitated, taking a cautious step back. The idea of accompanying a strange man clearly made her uncomfortable, and her wariness only endeared her to Julius.

‘Wise girl. The palace is no place to wander with strangers.’

Instead, he extended a hand toward her.

“If you have a letter or something to deliver, give it to me. I’ll see that it reaches him.”

Marianne hesitated, her wide eyes darting nervously like a baby squirrel’s. After a moment, she clutched the bundle of clothes she had brought and bowed her head. Seeing the guard’s respectful demeanor toward Julius, she decided he was trustworthy enough.

“Please take care of this,” she said, handing over the neatly folded clothes.

As Julius accepted the bundle, he couldn’t help but notice how small her hands were. Something about the gesture warmed his heart as he assured her.

“I’ll deliver it safely.”

 

 

 

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