Chapter 149
Killian listened silently to Ben’s confession.
He was suspicious that even Ben’s confession might be a trap set by the Empress. It was possible that Ben was pretending to be honest only to inform the Empress of everything later.
Killian’s intense mistrust often flared up even more with people who had been around him for a long time.
Yet, paradoxically, he wanted to believe.
With Garfield gone, he hoped there was someone else like Garfield somewhere.
He wondered if perhaps he had been too cold and distrustful, too blind to see.
“You can cast me out. In my heart, I want to devote everything to help you, Master, but… the Empress has many eyes. Even if I lie, she would see through it.”
Killian couldn’t deny Ben’s words.
Even with his title of Grand Duke, he was bound by the Empress, so for powerless servants, a single word from the Empress would seal their fate.
Thus, he couldn’t demand anything from them.
Additionally, asking Ben to testify against the Empress was too much.
He couldn’t force Ben to risk his life, his family, and friends to testify, nor could Killian fully trust him.
If Ben changed his story while testifying, it would be Killian who would suffer.
Moreover, people wouldn’t believe a mere servant over the Empress.
“Do you know why the Empress gave such orders, Ben?”
Killian asked Ben.
Ben shook his head, looking clueless.
Unlike Garfield, who knew everything about Killian, Ben was used without knowing the reasons.
“All I know is that the Empress has been wary and fearful of you for a long time, Master.”
Ben bowed his head again.
Fearful of me? Do I really appear so to others? Can someone as powerless as me truly frighten the Empress?
Killian looked at his hands.
They still bore scars from the torture, evidence of his helplessness to protect anyone.
He clenched his rough hands.
“Ben.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Continue to work at the mansion as you have been.”
“W-What?”
“Keep working and inform the Empress of my activities.”
“But, Master. I cannot disobey the Empress. Please punish me instead!”
Ben cried out, pressing his forehead to the floor.
He feared that if he received the same orders from the Empress as Garfield did, he wouldn’t be able to refuse.
He preferred Killian to punish and expel him so he wouldn’t have to follow the Empress’s orders anymore.
“You don’t have to disobey.”
“What?”
“Just tell me if there’s poison in my cup on the day you’re ordered to poison me.”
He couldn’t ask Ben not to poison him. But at least, he hoped Ben would warn him when handing over a poisoned cup.
Ben’s lips quivered. Tears gathered in his eyes and fell to the floor.
“I will… definitely do that.”
Ben felt pathetic and angry at himself for this answer.
Killian had always been kind to him, advancing his pay when he needed money, giving extra at year’s end, and not dismissing him for mistakes.
Ben took pride in working at the Rivelon mansion and boasted about it.
Yet, this was all he could offer in return to the head of the household and his only master.
“Ben, if anyone else in the mansion has similar concerns, tell them they can speak to me anytime. I won’t turn them away.” (T/L: Killian is really such a sweetheart.)
Killian spoke, looking at the tearful Ben.
This was the only weapon Killian had against the Empress. Not using the weak ones’ vulnerabilities against them.
Believing in them, despite knowing it was foolish.
He had nothing else.
* * *
A few days after Garfield’s funeral, Mikhail visited Killian.
“You’re getting married?”
Mikhail asked, surprised by the unexpected news. Killian nodded.
“Yes. I’ve decided.”
Mikhail smiled as if it were his own celebration.
“I thought you’d never find a suitable partner if it wasn’t Lady Sophia.”
Mikhail tried to lighten the sombre atmosphere of the mansion with a bit of humour.
Killian agreed. Who else had turned his life upside down as much as she had?
“Congratulations, really.”
Mikhail thought this was good news for Killian, who had been through a lot recently.
Killian needed a break.
From the Black Moon incident, losing Liam, being defeated by Ian, stepping down as chief of the military police, being tortured and falsely accused, to losing Garfield.
Mikhail had been worried that Killian might fall into deep sorrow, depression, and despair.
Marrying Sophia would bring happiness, stability, and energy to Killian.
Just having Sophia by Killian’s side was a relief for Mikhail.
“Have you informed His Majesty?”
“Not yet…”
“His Majesty will be delighted. And the Empress wanted to arrange something for you.”
Mikhail’s words made Killian frown.
“The Empress?”
“Yes. She seemed troubled by your hardships.”
Mikhail recalled his mother’s sombre confession to him.
‘I feel like my harshness has made things difficult for Killian, so I’m ashamed to face him.’
Empress Beatrice felt remorseful about the decisions she had made in the name of a fair investigation.
Empress Beatrice regretted that her decisions for a fair investigation had deeply hurt Killian.
‘I should have given wiser counsel to His Majesty. Killian might resent me, but it can’t be helped.’
‘Your Majesty…’
‘If possible, I’d like to create an opportunity to convey my sincerity to Killian. Even if he doesn’t forgive me, I want him to know that I didn’t do it out of hatred.’
Mikhail understood his mother’s feelings. He, too, felt a deep sense of guilt towards Killian.
“If you’re okay with it, we could arrange a meeting.”
“Ah…”
Killian lowered his gaze.
‘What is she thinking?’
Killian couldn’t fathom Beatrice’s intentions.
She was always like a deep, dark water, ready to drown any creature that came to drink from it.
Did she finally believe that he wasn’t the Black Moon?
But Garfield’s death must be connected to Beatrice. She wouldn’t let things slide so easily.
“Do you feel uncomfortable meeting His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress?”
Mikhail observed Killian’s darkened expression.
He had witnessed the suffering Killian endured and understood if Killian harboured resentment and anger towards the royal family.
Honestly, if it weren’t for Sophia, he wouldn’t have dared to visit Killian.
Could he even offer comfort? Did he have the right?
He came prepared to accept any anger or insults Killian might hurl at him.
“No, not at all.”
Killian softened his expression in response to Mikhail’s concern.
“It was His Majesty and Her Majesty who arranged my engagement to Sophia. I need an opportunity to inform them.”
Mikhail relaxed at Killian’s answer.
Seeing Mikhail’s reaction, Killian felt a sharp pain in his heart.
* * *
A month later, as soon as Killian’s health improved, the royal family held a modest party.
The event was to celebrate Killian’s recovery and to provide a respite for those who had suffered due to the Black Moon incident.
Although the party was in the Emperor’s name, Beatrice was in charge of such social events.
Killian and Sophia willingly attended the party, knowing it was arranged by Beatrice.
It was a good opportunity to officially announce their marriage, and Estelle was also invited.
When Killian and Sophia entered the party hall together, a hush fell over the room.
Normally, Killian’s arrival would have been met with friendly interest, but not this time.
There was an oddly chilly tension.
Although the Black Moon incident had been resolved, the rumours had tarnished his reputation, and it had yet to be fully restored.
Furthermore, having lost his position as chief of the military police and been defeated by Ian, Killian’s public standing had declined.
The attendees seemed to view Killian’s prospects pessimistically.
However, Killian didn’t mind. In fact, he found it comfortable.
Apart from a few military police officers and acquaintances who greeted him warmly, no one bothered him.
He didn’t have to strain his mind guessing people’s hidden agendas or be on guard.
“His Majesty is waiting for you.”
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TRANSLATOR:
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