SWWYV CHAPTER 150

Chapter 150

Soon, a servant came to escort the couple, and they were led to the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor sat on a large chair framed in gold, and beside him, on a smaller chair, sat the Empress.

As Killian and Sophia arrived, the Emperor and Empress stood up.

“…Killian.”

The hesitation in the Emperor’s voice was evident.

“I truly appreciate you being here.”

Given the circumstances, the Emperor could not simply welcome them or express his joy, so he chose those words instead.

Beatrice, standing beside him, nodded.

Sophia barely managed to suppress a frown.

Beatrice wore an expression that suggested this was all just an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Sophia clenched her lips tightly, as Killian’s pain and Garfield’s death surfaced in her mind.

‘I feel like a knife is lodged in my chest. How must Killian feel…’

She tightly held Killian’s hand and looked at him.

But astonishingly, his expression was unreadable.

No anger, no hatred, no sorrow.

‘…He’s holding it in.’

Sophia now understood.

When he wore the cold, unfeeling mask of the ‘cold Northern Duke’ from the novels, he was suppressing his boiling emotions.

It wasn’t charisma, arrogance, coldness, or indifference.

It wasn’t a lack of emotion, but too many emotions mixed.

It was the best expression he could muster, unable to smile.

Underneath that mask lay a heart torn into a thousand pieces and unshed, rotting tears.

So Sophia maintained her composure and stood by Killian’s side.

“Thank you for inviting us, Your Majesty,” Killian said, bowing politely.

Beatrice inwardly shuddered at the sight of Killian.

‘…Terrifying.’

To face the royal family without a change in expression after all he had been through.

Any ordinary person would rage at those who had ordered their torture, even if it were unjust.

Most would protest their injustice, cry out, and demand compensation.

But Killian bowed.

Some might see him as spineless or mock him as the royal family’s dog.

Ignorant people might think Killian was foolish for not standing up to the royal family.

But Beatrice found Killian even more terrifying for that reason.

She had watched Killian since childhood and knew he was far from foolish.

Of course, Killian felt anger and a desire for revenge.

Yet, he controlled and concealed those raging emotions.

No one could know what he was thinking or feeling.

‘If he’s not the Black Moon, then who is?’

This only reinforced Beatrice’s conviction.

“I hope that today you can let go of any grievances,” the Emperor said.

“I understand that your decision was unavoidable for the Empire and its people. I hold no grudge,” Killian replied, bowing again.

The Emperor closed his eyes for a moment, deep in thought.

It seemed he had more to say but couldn’t.

“But, Your Majesty, I have something I wish to say,” Killian continued, gripping Sophia’s hand tighter and raising his head.

“I would like to marry my fiancée, Sophia Fraus.”

All eyes turned to Killian.

Though they pretended not to be interested, everyone had been eavesdropping, curious about the future of Killian and the royal family.

“We plan to marry as soon as preparations are complete.”

“That’s wonderful news, Killian,” Beatrice said, the first to offer congratulations.

“I’m delighted that the engagement I arranged has been so successful.”

Sophia felt Beatrice’s gaze on her.

Though the smile was gentle and kind, Sophia felt it like a sharp needle.

“Sophia, do you feel the same as Killian?” Beatrice asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sophia answered, bowing her head.

The Emperor also declared his blessing for their marriage and announced he would act as Killian’s surrogate parent since Killian had none.

This declaration was significant, as it would help restore Killian’s tarnished reputation and reaffirm the strong bond between the Rivelon Duchy and the royal family.

“Have you informed Count Fraus?”

“No, I thought it proper to inform Your Majesty first,” Killian replied.

He intended to visit the Fraus family personally to discuss the marriage.

However, the Emperor suggested it might be better to inform them now.

“It’s not proper for us to be the only ones aware of this in a matter concerning both families.”

After this party, news of their planned marriage would spread quickly.

The Fraus family should not hear it secondhand.

The Emperor called for Count Fraus and his wife.

Soon, a servant brought the Count and his family, including Ian, to the room.

Count Fraus, clearly nervous, greeted the Emperor with utmost courtesy.

“Your Majesty.”

“Count Fraus, you must have been worried lately, but I’m glad to see you in good health,” the Emperor said warmly, then looked at Killian and Sophia, signalling them to speak.

Killian and Sophia exchanged glances.

As the Emperor said, the news would spread at the party, so informing the family afterward would be odd.

“Count and Madam, we have something to tell you,” Sophia began, and Killian nodded and spoke.

“I intend to marry Lady Sophia Fraus.”

It wasn’t a request for permission. Even if Count Fraus opposed, the two planned to proceed with the marriage. However, marriage involved the families, so they had to inform them.

“A wedding?” Count Fraus looked to the Emperor and Empress.

Seeing no objections from them, he smiled and nodded.

“Indeed. It’s been several months since the engagement, so it’s time to discuss the wedding.”

“Given your close ties with the royal family and your significant contributions, the royal family will actively support your wedding,” said the Emperor.

Count Fraus’s face lit up.

‘I thought we might get rid of her, but now this. That girl is incredibly lucky.’

He realised how precarious the family’s standing was, all because of Sophia. He saw this as an opportunity to firmly tie Sophia to Killian and keep her out of his way.

However…

“A wedding?” Ian, standing behind Count Fraus and his wife, had a hardened expression.

When Sophia nodded, Ian clenched his teeth.

“Isn’t this marriage a mistake?” Ian questioned the gathering, and everyone stared at him in shock.

“Ian.”

Countess Rubisella quickly warned Ian to be cautious. She also wasn’t thrilled about Sophia’s marriage, but they were in front of the Emperor and Empress.

However, Ian turned to Killian.

“If you have any conscience, you wouldn’t talk about marriage when your reputation is in tatters.”

“Ian, this is not your place to speak,” Count Fraus interrupted, frowning.

“But—”

“Ian.”

“…”

With a minimal bow to the Emperor and Empress, Ian turned and left the room.

Though the Countess was embarrassed, Sophia, Killian, and Beatrice were not surprised by Ian’s outburst.

‘He always acts like a jerk…’

Sophia dismissed his behaviour as typical foolishness.

Only Killian’s narrowed eyes followed Ian’s retreating figure.

* * *

The Empress observed the guests with the air of a queen reigning over the social world.

Compared to the Founding Festival Ball, this was a modest party.

This allowed her to take in everything within her sight.

‘The atmosphere around Killian has completely changed.’

Beatrice sipped her wine, watching Killian.

Earlier, he seemed somewhat distant from people, but now he was surrounded, discussing recent events.

The Emperor’s promise to support Killian’s marriage had transformed the mood of the party.

Although Killian’s name wasn’t as highly regarded as before, the disdainful looks had largely disappeared.

‘Reconciliation with the royal family after what happened? Ridiculous.’

Beatrice chuckled at the facade of cordiality.

The current relationship between the royal family and Killian was like wrapping rotting meat in polished leather.

It hid the discomfort and filth, masking their mutual deceit.

Beatrice wanted to burn away that rotten meat. She assumed Killian felt the same.

‘I won’t tolerate it any longer.’

 

 

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TRANSLATOR:

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