SWWYV CHAPTER 162

Chapter 162

As expected, something felt off.

When Estelle was mentioned as the illegitimate child, a few things didn’t sit right with her.

However, she thought it best to handle it properly, just in case it was indeed her.

“Yes, if she had pink hair, I would have definitely remembered.”

The woman the emperor loved.

She didn’t want to look at her face, nor did she pay attention to it when trying to burn it, but precious pink hair would have stuck in her memory.

Moreover, though the Niore family is on the northern borders, they didn’t have much interaction with the Grand Duke Rivelon.

They were always distant from society, tough and stubborn people.

However, in many ways, things align perfectly if it’s Sophia.

“I was troubling myself over the wrong person.”

Beatrice murmured as she stared at the birthdate written in Sophia’s records.

“Sir Ian has done a splendid job.”

If it weren’t for Ian, she would have overlooked this fact.

“Did Killian know about this…?”

Come to think of it, during the chandelier incident, he saved Sophia before Estelle.

His anger at Sophia almost getting hurt seemed excessive.

Moreover, a man who had no interest in women was meeting Sophia more often and even decided to marry her enthusiastically.

“Did Sophia tell Killian?”

No, according to Ian, Sophia had only recently discovered her origins.

If it was after the recent party, her reactions at the party could not be explained.

“I need to investigate further…”

Whether Killian knew or not, she had dug her own grave.

By arranging the engagement, she had practically attached an illegitimate child to Killian.

“Mikhail is also eager to catch the Black Moon…”

She was concerned about Mikhail’s recent fervent investigation into the Black Moon.

Moreover, something had gone wrong with the rosary seed she tried to bring in through ‘Logan.’

Whether it was true that Sophia was an adopted daughter needed to be verified once more, but if confirmed, her next steps were clear.

“Their marriage must not happen.”

Once Sophia and Killian married, it would be more challenging to deal with both of them.

They would always be together, and Killian would watch over Sophia more closely.

It would be best if she could kill them both at once, as she had with the previous Grand Duke and Duchess, but doing such a thing in the capital wouldn’t go unnoticed.

Beatrice bit her lip and called for a maid.

“Quietly bring Sir Nicholas here. Also, prepare a carriage by tomorrow. A common rental one.”

* * *

“…Beautiful.”

“Of course! Four of the best jewelers in the empire worked on it!”

The craftsman smiled proudly, looking at the ring he had poured his soul into.

The ring, with emeralds carved in a teardrop shape around a diamond, sparkled elegantly, like a white flower blooming.

Killian gazed at the emeralds resembling Sophia’s eyes with satisfaction.

He had prepared a modest proposal ring, planning to get a larger one for the wedding.

Though, even this ring was worth as much as a decent mansion.

“I hope Sophia likes it.”

He realized that he hadn’t even given her a ring during their engagement. Back then, he had considered Sophia as just a minor addition to his life.

He had thought they would never get close even after marriage.

Now, he felt sorry and foolish for those times…

So, he was putting more effort into this proposal to make up for what he hadn’t done then.

“Thank you.”

Killian tucked the ring into his pocket and stood up.

Sophia didn’t know he had ordered this ring.

He hadn’t told her about the proposal he was planning to surprise her with…

“The weather is quite gloomy. Please be careful, Your Grace!”

With a lighter step, Killian left the jewelry shop.

As he was about to mount his horse, he saw Ian Fraus.

The Ruchtainer knights had left the capital for a monster hunt, so it seemed Ian had been excluded and stayed behind.

“He must be in a foul mood.”

Having been excluded from the hunt, Ian’s mood couldn’t be good.

Killian considered ignoring him, but unfortunately, their eyes met.

The two men stood still, looking at each other.

‘Since he’s Sophia’s brother, I can’t just ignore him.’

As Killian pondered, Ian approached him.

Killian adjusted his posture to greet Ian.

“We meet in an unusual place, Sir Ian.”

“It seems you’ve been to a jewelry shop, Your Grace.”

Ian glanced between the jewelry shop and Killian.

“It’s a necessary time for such things.”

When Killian responded, Ian narrowed his eyes.

“It may not be necessary, though.”

Ian’s words made Killian frown.

He knew about Killian’s upcoming marriage to Sophia. To say such a thing was clearly provocative.

“Your words are somewhat bothersome.”

Killian was not as gentle as Mikhail, and he pointed out Ian’s tone.

Ian stared at him for a moment before speaking.

“Do you love Sophia?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Even if she has a flaw?”

“Sophia has no flaws.”

Killian spoke firmly.

There might be flaws others spoke of, but to Killian, Sophia was perfect.

Ian, with a look of disillusionment but a voice filled with tolerance, spoke.

“As someone involved, you should know.”

“Know what?”

“That Sophia is not a Fraus.”

Ian’s voice flowed out in a low tone.

Initially, he hadn’t intended to tell Killian.

However, it didn’t seem right for Killian, Sophia’s betrothed, to remain in the dark about something that both Sophia and the Empress knew.

This was the least courtesy he could extend to ensure he wasn’t undermining Killian behind his back.

“What do you mean, Sophia isn’t a Fraus?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. She doesn’t carry the Fraus blood.”

Killian couldn’t comprehend Ian’s words.

Sophia not being a Fraus? That seemed too far-fetched.

Moreover, he knew Sophia had been raised in the Fraus household since birth.

That was why Beatrice had arranged his engagement to Sophia…

Seeing Killian’s puzzled expression, Ian turned to leave, having said what he needed to.

But Killian couldn’t let Ian go just like that.

“Sir Ian! Explain properly. What are you talking about?”

Killian stopped him and demanded more details.

It was hard to believe, but he knew Ian wasn’t someone to spread baseless rumors.

There had to be some basis for his words.

Ian glanced around to ensure no one was listening before speaking again.

“Sophia is a child secretly adopted by the former countess, with no known origins.”

Ian briefly explained Sophia’s background.

Killian’s eyes trembled as a conversation he had with Sophia recently flashed in his mind.

‘..You have a scar on your back?’

‘Oh, yes. It’s not very pleasant to look at.’

‘How did you get the scar?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve had it since I was a child.’

That day, Sophia laughed it off, saying it was foolish to think she could be an illegitimate child.

But now…

“Is this true…?”

“I have no reason to lie.”

“Why did you keep this a secret until now…!”

Ian sneered at Killian’s bewildered expression.

Is he feeling betrayed because of Sophia’s unknown origins?

Is this the same man who declared he would marry Sophia, now shaken by such a revelation?

“I didn’t keep it a secret; I just didn’t know.”

He wasn’t pleased about revealing this long-held family secret, but it was time for the world to know, for Sophia’s sake.

“Why are you saying I can’t marry Sophia?”

Killian grabbed Ian’s shoulders, pressing for answers.

Ian’s brows furrowed deeply at Killian’s somewhat aggressive stance.

“Surely… you haven’t told others about this, have you?”

“Don’t worry. Her Majesty the Empress promised to keep it a secret…”

“You told the Empress?!”

Killian shouted at Ian louder than he ever had before.

His red eyes, mixed with anger and confusion, glared at Ian as if he could kill him.

Ian thought Killian’s reaction was strange. It wasn’t just betrayal about Sophia’s origins; there was another emotion mixed in.

“When did you tell Her Majesty?”

“Two days ago…”

“Damn it!”

Killian let go of Ian’s collar, climbed onto his horse, and spurred it forward.

People quickly moved aside in shock as Killian rode swiftly through the central streets of the capital.

Ian sensed something was wrong.

He didn’t know why Killian was in such a hurry, but a sense of foreboding gripped him.

Ian quickly untied his horse and chased after Killian.