If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

When Aaron heard that Daryl had requested to see him, he was seized by an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

 

There were only two reasons why he would seek him out. One was the exposé by the Daily Post, and the other was the issue with the emperor and Eleanor Townsend.

 

The former seemed unlikely given the timing. While Aaron had hesitated in his response, Daryl had issued a statement acknowledging the truth. It didn’t seem like there was anything left for him to ask for help with.

 

So, could it be the latter?

 

Coincidentally, the emperor had not yet returned from meeting one of his lovers, Lady Beilis, the night before.

 

“What brings you here all of a sudden, Daryl?”

 

“Hand over a person.”

 

It was the same thing he had said when he asked him to prevent the emperor from approaching Eleanor. Despite feeling a tremor in his heart, Aaron instructed the guards to leave.

 

“So what’s going on? Stop beating around the bush and tell me.”

 

Aaron said with a seemingly playful smile.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor has passed away.”

 

At Daryl’s emotionless words, Aaron couldn’t believe his ears.

 

“…What? What did you just say?”

 

“His Majesty the Emperor has passed away.”

 

Daryl repeated the same words again with a blank expression.

 

“The body is at the Westbell villa. It seems he shot himself.”

 

“…”

 

Aaron’s face slowly hardened.

 

“I don’t understand what you’re saying at all. Why on earth would His Majesty take his own life? And how did you find out?”

 

“Early this morning, His Majesty had one of his men kidnap Miss Townsend. I received a report of this fact through the escort I had attached to Miss Townsend. I immediately rushed over and rescued Miss Townsend, and as I was leaving His Majesty’s bedroom with her, I heard a gunshot. When I went back in, His Majesty had fallen with a gun in his hand. It must have been out of shame for trying to force himself on an innocent woman.”

 

“…”

 

Now it seemed like he was beginning to get a sense of what had happened.

 

But how could this be? No matter what.

 

Aaron gripped the armrest of his chair with trembling hands.

 

“…Daryl, did you… dare to assassinate His Majesty?”

 

“What are you talking about? Didn’t I just tell you that His Majesty committed suicide?”

 

“Speak sense! Do you take me for a fool? There’s no way His Majesty would commit suicide over such a thing!”

 

Despite Aaron’s shouting, there was no tremor in Daryl’s expression.

 

“But what can we do if that’s the truth?”

 

Aaron gritted his teeth.

 

“…You seem to take me, the crown prince of this empire, lightly, Daryl Lloyd. What you have done is a rebellion against the royal family, a heinous crime that will incur the wrath of the people. You’d better not think it will end with your life. Watch out!”

 

Aaron abruptly stood up and called for the guards.

 

Then Daryl took out a document from the bag he brought and threw it on the table.

 

“Before you make a hasty decision, read that first.”

 

“…..”

 

While Aaron hesitated for a moment, two guards opened the door and came in.

 

“Did you call us, Your Highness?”

 

“…”

 

Aaron, glaring at Daryl and the document alternately, quietly raised one hand.

 

“…It’s nothing. Go back out.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

The door closed.

 

Aaron sat down in his seat, glaring at Daryl, and picked up the document.

 

It was a detailed report on the emperor’s extramarital affairs.

 

“I’ve had someone look into it for two years. It turns out that the woman who died because of His Majesty was not only the granddaughter of the Earl Baker. The incident where the wife of Earl Welsh committed suicide by poison 13 years ago actually happened after His Majesty forced himself on her, and 7 years ago, Lady Emilia Kirk lost her life at the hands of His Majesty while resisting fiercely.”

 

These were two incidents that even Aaron had not been fully aware of. Aaron’s hand shook as he crumpled the document.

 

“It’s nonsense. It’s all lies. There’s no evidence!”

 

“There are witnesses to both incidents. They seem to have been unable to speak at the time due to threats, but they are now ready to reveal the truth. If anything happens to me, letters will immediately fly to all the newspapers in the capital. You won’t be able to silence all of them.”

 

“…”

 

Looking at Aaron, who had closed his mouth tightly, Daryl spoke in a low voice.

 

“This is the same as before. If you try to imprison me as the culprit who killed His Majesty, the whole nation will know the truth. That His Majesty brutally assaulted another innocent woman after the three women who lost their lives before, and that I was just trying to save her.”

 

“…Daryl Lloyd, you…!”

 

“Since His Majesty has passed away, Your Highness is now the emperor of this country. I hope you will judge this matter wisely as an emperor, without being swayed by emotions. If the atrocities committed by the previous emperor over the decades and the fact that the royal family has been hiding it are revealed to the world, it will surely have a big impact on your future reign.”

 

“…”

 

“His Majesty passed away due to illness. All you need to do is control the mouths of the guards who were guarding Westbell and a few people who will conduct the state funeral. Then you can preserve the honor of the royal family, and Your Highness can ascend to the throne without any noise.”

 

“…Do you see me as your puppet in your eyes? Do you think everything will go your way from one to ten?”

 

At Aaron’s growling words, Daryl narrowed his eyes.

 

“Of course not. As I’ve always said, I’ve firmly supported Your Highness at all times. I just told you what the right choice is for you.”

 

“…..”

 

Daryl stood up from his seat.

 

“I’ll go check on Eleanor’s condition. I hope you make the right choice after careful consideration.”

 

“…..”

 

Aaron glared at Daryl’s back with his teeth clenched.

 

****

 

Eleanor slowly opened her eyes.

 

The first thing she felt was the stinging pain from the wound. Eleanor frowned and unconsciously brought her hand to her cheek.

 

“Madam!”

 

Emily, who was sitting next to her, jumped up.

 

“Madam, are you okay? Madam!”

 

“…Emily.”

 

Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes.

 

“What should I do, Madam. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I…”

 

“…It’s not Emily’s fault. More than that, is Emily okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine. But your face…”

 

Emily bowed her head and shed tears. Eleanor quietly held her hand and looked around with cloudy eyes.

 

‘…Where is this…’

 

She could see the self-portrait she had given as a gift hanging on the wall opposite the bed.

 

Although she hardly visited when she lived in the Duke’s house, if her memory was correct, it was definitely the bedroom of the Lilac Room.

 

‘…It wasn’t a dream.’

 

She had a vague memory of Daryl saving her.

 

How did he know she was kidnapped there? Then what about the emperor…

 

“Excuse me, Madam. I’ll call the doctor.”

 

Emily wiped her tears with the back of her hand and left the room.

 

A while later, Emily returned with Dr. Hardy, the Duke’s family physician.

 

“Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Is your sensation different from usual, or do you feel any other discomfort?”

 

“…No, I’m fine. My body aches a bit here and there…”

 

After briefly examining Eleanor’s wound, Hardy took off his glasses.

 

“The wound on your face is not serious, so you can rest assured. It will heal cleanly without a trace in a week.”

 

“Really, doctor? Really no scars?”

 

Emily asked urgently, then bowed her head.

 

“I’m sorry…”

 

“No. As I said, it’s not a wound that would leave a scar, so don’t worry. Then I’ll come back in three hours.”

 

Hardy bowed his head to Eleanor and stood up.

 

“Mr. Hardy. Wait a moment.”

 

“Yes. Please speak.”

 

“Where is the Duke…now?”

 

“He’s out for a while.”

 

“…..”

 

She couldn’t help but worry that Daryl might have been arrested for saving her. Moreover, she seemed to remember hearing something like a gunshot. If Daryl was hurt…

 

“Then I’ll go.”

 

With those words, Hardy left the room.

 

“Madam, are you hungry? Shall I bring you something to eat?”

 

Eleanor shook her head silently at Emily, who was holding her hand tightly and asking. The anxiety and turmoil in her heart were greater than the pain of the wound.

 

Daryl returned about an hour later.