IGRA Chapter 105

Daryl arrived at the Townsend Manor exactly on time, neither late nor early, as Eleanor had specified.

 

He had visited this mansion only twice before: once nine years ago and once three years ago. Perhaps because he thought he would never see these people again, Eleanor felt a strong sense of discomfort seeing Daryl sitting in her living room.

 

Daryl appeared calm, but there was a strangely unsettled look in his eyes. It might have been her imagination, but her posture seemed slightly hunched. The last time he was here, he sat arrogantly as if he owned not just the mansion, but the entire world.

 

“You know why I asked to see you today.”

 

“…No, I’m not quite sure.”

 

“Please stop sending soldiers from coming here anymore, Duke.”

 

“What soldiers are you talking about?”

 

Daryl asked quietly. Eleanor furrowed her brow, creating a thin line.

 

“The soldiers the Duke sent to guard this mansion. You must have seen them on your way here today. Don’t say you didn’t. They’re patrolling around here 24/7, so it’s impossible not to see them.”

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t sent anyone.”

 

“……”

 

Eleanor looked at him as if she was at a loss for words, but Daryl just stared back expressionlessly. It seemed he was determined to feign ignorance until the end.

 

“Why are you doing this?”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

“I clearly told you not to interfere with my affairs anymore. How many times do I have to tell you? I asked you to make sure we never have to see each other again. Was that such a difficult request?”

 

The cold and annoyed tone made the servants, including Peggy, widen their eyes. It was a side of Eleanor they had never seen before.

 

Daryl closed his mouth with a shadowed face and then slowly continued.

 

“…I remember what Miss Townsend said very well. But this matter truly has nothing to do with me.”

 

“You’re still lying without changing your expression.”

 

“…..”

 

Daryl’s face lost a bit of color.

 

“You did the same thing on the anniversary of my mother’s death two years ago. You said you were unavoidably detained by His Highness the Crown Prince and came late. Not just overnight, but the next day after the sun had set, and you returned reeking of women’s perfume. That was your excuse. You haven’t changed at all since then.”

 

“…….”

 

Daryl bit his lip in agony.

 

“…That’s a misunderstanding. There was nothing like what you’re thinking. At that time, I really couldn’t help it…”

 

“Look. It’s the same as before. Even now, when the situation is so clear, you just deny it. Your lies are self-serving. You don’t even try to properly deceive the other person.”

 

“…”

 

After a series of harsh words, Daryl closed his mouth again. Eleanor looked at Daryl with contempt and then turned her head away.

 

“Fine. If you’re going to keep feigning ignorance, then do so. After all, I won’t be staying in this house much longer.”

 

At Eleanor’s words, Daryl’s eyes widened slightly.

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

“I’m moving out,” Eleanor said expressionlessly.

 

“Then the Duke will no longer need to trouble the soldiers or worry unnecessarily. I’m moving far away from the capital, so from then on, there really won’t be any chance of us running into each other like this.”

 

“Where…are you going?”

 

“Do I have any reason to tell the Duke that?”

 

“…Depending on the location and situation, it could be even more dangerous than now. You should decide after considering all the various conditions…”

 

“I can take care of myself well enough. And even if I couldn’t, it’s not for the Duke to worry about.”

 

“…..”

 

“Please leave now. You’ve had a hard time coming here, taking time out of your busy schedule. It was a meaningless time, but there was no need for it.”

 

“…..”

 

Eleanor rose from her seat without waiting for Daryl.

 

“When the Duke stands up, see him out.”

 

“…Yes, Madam.”

 

At Eleanor’s words, Harold momentarily showed an awkward expression but soon bowed his head. Eleanor left the reception room, leaving Daryl behind.

 

****

 

“Did you call for me, Father?”

 

Aaron entered Emperor Hector III’s room and greeted him. The Emperor looked at his son with his chin propped up at an angle. His mouth was twisted to one side, clearly indicating that he was displeased with something.

 

“Is this your doing?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Aaron asked calmly in response to the Emperor’s abrupt question.

 

“It’s about Eleanor. I’ve issued the imperial command several times to summon her to paint my portrait, but there’s been no response, which must surely be because you’ve been blocking it.”

 

“……”

 

The Emperor ground his teeth as he looked at Aaron.

 

“Tell me. Who is the Emperor of this country? You or me?”

 

“…Of course, it’s you, Father.”

 

“Why then do you prevent me from doing even such a trivial thing as I wish? Do you feel like you’re already the Emperor because I’m old?”

 

“That’s completely unreasonable. I’m just concerned about the repercussions it might have on the public.”

 

“What repercussions? Why should we care about the public’s opinion when it comes to commissioning a portrait?”

 

“If it’s really just a portrait that you want, then I suppose it’s fine.”

 

The Emperor clicked his tongue with a look that seemed to say, ‘Don’t you know that already?’

 

“Why all this fuss over just one woman?”

 

“Didn’t I tell you before that it might be necessary for you to exercise restraint for a while? You agreed to that.”

 

“Yes, you said for a while! But it’s already been two years since then. How much longer must I wait?”

 

The Emperor burst out angrily. To him, two years was ‘already,’ even though the woman he had meddled with couldn’t bear the humiliation and had committed suicide.

 

“It’s not just a matter of time. Miss Townsend is a problem.”

 

“What’s the problem? Does that woman have a husband, or some significant background? What reason could there possibly be that I can’t have her?”

 

“…..”

 

It didn’t seem wise to mention Daryl at this timing. It was obvious that the response would be that he was afraid of the former husband, the Duke, and that he should restrain himself.

 

“Didn’t I tell you before? Miss Townsend is a famous painter. She had been working under a pseudonym until she revealed her identity recently. Especially since there have been rumors related to the Duke Griffith’s family, she’s been the talk of the town, and the public’s attention on her is immense right now.”

 

“So what? If she’s that famous, isn’t it natural for me to take an interest in her? What’s so strange about summoning a painter who’s currently the center of attention to paint my portrait?”

 

“As I said, it won’t just end with painting a portrait.”

 

“Whatever it is, the others don’t know, do they!”

 

“They don’t know, so that’s why it becomes a rumor. The moment you summon Miss Townsend to the palace, people will start talking.”

 

“Let them talk, what’s the problem? I am the Emperor of this country! I have never once cared about what others think in decades!”

 

‘…Yes, that’s why this trouble has arisen.’

 

Aaron muttered to himself.

 

“Anyway, Miss Townsend is not possible. Above all, she is not the type to accept such an offer. It could lead to even bigger problems than two years ago. There are plenty of other women. Please give up on this idea.”

 

At Aaron’s words, a deep anger flashed in the Emperor’s eyes.

 

“Give up? Did you just tell me to give up?”

 

“…..”

 

“Everything in this country is mine. Who dares to discuss what I can and cannot have when I decide to take what is rightfully mine?”

 

The armrest gripped by the Emperor made a grating sound as his fingernails scratched it. Aaron clenched his teeth where it couldn’t be seen.

 

Recently, the Emperor had been showing an unprecedented obsession with his authority. Was it a backlash against his repressed sexual desires, or was it because of his lingering attachment to his reign, which was clearly coming to an end? Or was it simply senility?

 

In recent years, there had been an increase in nonsensical nitpicking against Aaron. Bluntly put, it was as if he wouldn’t pass on the throne unless his whims were catered to.