SOWD Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Thinking it over, Barbara was right.

Idel had no intention of dedicating herself to Laszlo or the Chrysus family until the day she disappeared from the world. She wouldn’t worry about the people left behind. She would simply leave behind a quiet apology and close her eyes.

After all, she had only ever taken on her responsibilities with that level of detachment.

‘But what if Barbara, burdened by her disability, gave up on the world? How would I feel?’

The very thought sent a wrenching pain through her chest, making her let out a low groan.

‘And what if Count Chrysus, wounded and returning from battle, simply decided to give up on life?’

Imagining Laszlo saying, “I’m sorry for this,” before closing his eyes made her mind go blank.

The thought of their deaths—just the mere idea—made her eyes burn.

“…I… I’m sorry, Barbara. I was… truly mistaken.”

Idel lowered her head.

“I didn’t realize how selfish I was. I was so consumed by my own misfortune… that I turned away from those who cared about me. I’m truly sorry.”

Hearing the tremor in Idel’s voice, Barbara’s expression slowly softened.

And before she knew it, her own eyes were damp as well.

“Do you think I don’t know how much you’ve suffered? Every time I heard news about you, it felt like my heart was being torn apart… I can’t tell you how much I resented myself for being powerless to help you.”

“Barbara…”

“That’s why I’m begging you now. Please, please allow yourself to desire happiness. I will give everything I have to help you, so you just have to take that first step.”

Barbara’s earnest plea struck deep, and Idel couldn’t stop the tears from dripping onto the table. She nodded frantically, unable to form words.

She hadn’t been left with nothing.

The peace she had finally grasped—it wouldn’t have existed without the people around her.

She had failed to see that, just as Barbara had pointed out, because she had been drowning in self-pity.

“I’ll be happy. I promise I will. One day, I’ll look back on this moment with you and laugh about it. I… I’ll try my best.”

Idel stood up and gently embraced Barbara.

Even with her tear-streaked face, Barbara smiled brightly. For the first time, the unease that had always lingered in her heart when she thought of Idel seemed to subside.

After a long embrace, they wiped their tears and sipped their tea, sharing an awkward but relieved smile.

Then, as Barbara’s gaze flickered to the diamond earrings still resting on the table, she spoke as if in passing.

“As long as you keep your heart open, opportunities will always find you. Who knows? Maybe Count Chrysus will develop feelings for you.”

“B-Barbara! Please don’t say such things! If someone overhears this, I might get kicked out of here!”

“Hmph! Want to bet on it? Laszlo Chrysus couldn’t throw you out no matter what you did. If you leave, who’s going to keep this household running?”

Barbara smirked mischievously, her teasing tone unmistakable.

Idel laughed along, but for some reason, Barbara’s words lodged themselves in her heart and refused to leave.

“Who knows? Maybe Count Chrysus will develop feelings for you.”

After leaving Idel, Barbara headed straight for the imperial palace. Without any prior notice, she arrived at the guardhouse and asked the stationed guards to summon Laszlo.

“I wasn’t informed of any expected visitors. Do you have an appointment with Sir Chrysus?”

“No, but could you at least pass on a message?”

The guards, seeing Barbara’s dignified yet firm stance—even as she leaned slightly on her cane—couldn’t refuse her request.

And the moment Laszlo heard she had come, he immediately came outside to greet her himself.

“Lady Celestine! What brings you here unannounced?”

“I won’t keep a busy man for long. I just need a moment of your time.”

“It’s a sweat-drenched place full of men, but please, come inside.”

Laszlo led her to his office, intending to offer her some tea, but Barbara waved it off, getting straight to the point.

“You previously promised me that once Idel’s name stopped circulating in high society, you would release her to me.”

The sudden mention of Idel’s future made Laszlo stiffen. It was a topic he had no desire to revisit.

But a promise was a promise.

“Yes, I did.”

“Could you move that timeline up?”

“…Pardon?”

Laszlo had never known Barbara to be an impatient person.

“Has something happened?”

As expected, Barbara—who usually revealed nothing—let out a long sigh.

“I want to restore Idel before I become too old and powerless to do so.”

“Did she ask you for this?”

“If she were the type to ask, would I be this worried?”

Laszlo had to agree with that.

“Idel is still young and beautiful. She has a whole life ahead of her. And yet, she has no attachment to it.”

Barbara sighed again.

“I scolded her today, and I think I made her reconsider things a little… but with her current status and circumstances, it’s difficult for her to even imagine a bright future.”

Laszlo listened in silence, nodding slightly.

Barbara was never one to initiate negotiations from a position of weakness. But in this case, it was clear that Laszlo was the one with the power.

She leaned forward slightly.

“In the time I’ve known you, I’ve come to realize that you are a man of compassion and understanding. That’s why, despite knowing this is an unreasonable request, I’ve come to ask anyway.”

“And how do you intend to restore her status?”

“I plan to adopt her. That way, she can take the Celestine name and become a noble again.”

Laszlo had suspected as much.

But he also knew how many obstacles lay ahead.

“Have the Marquess and Marchioness of Celestine agreed? What about the close relatives of the house? Everyone knows you built the Celestine family into what it is today, but adding another heir isn’t something you can decide alone. You know that.”

“I’ve already set aside a portion of my personal estate for her.”

“That’s not the only issue. Without the emperor’s approval, the adoption won’t even be legally possible. And let’s not forget—everyone knows Idel is the daughter of Count Canyon. This won’t be an easy battle.”

“I’ll petition His Majesty personally. As for the family, I can handle the opposition.”

“Even if that’s possible, can you guarantee that Idel won’t be harmed in the process?”

Barbara fell silent.

“When you first wrote to me, I asked Idel if she knew you. She hesitated before saying that you were simply someone she occasionally had tea with. Do you know why? Because she was afraid she might bring trouble upon you.”

Laszlo had seen firsthand just how much Idel cherished Barbara.

She would never sit idly by while Barbara fought alone against the entire Celestine household.

“And she is a gift from His Majesty. It has only been a little over a year since she was granted to me. If I transfer her to someone else now, it would raise too many questions. Those who dislike me would seize this opportunity to cause trouble.”

“Hah… So you’re saying we just have to wait?”

For the first time, Barbara showed a flicker of frustration.

And in that moment, Laszlo realized—the firm barrier that had once stood between them had weakened.

So, for the first time, he allowed himself to be honest.

“I, too, have been considering how to restore her status. I am searching for a way, so for now, please act as if nothing has changed in front of Idel.”

Barbara’s expression shifted to one of surprise, then faint hope.

“You were already thinking about it? That’s unexpected. Did something happen?”

Barbara momentarily recalled the diamond earrings Idel had received from him.

But Laszlo’s response was far more grim.

“Count Canyon visited recently. He met with Idel.”

“W-What? That shameless man had the audacity to seek her out? Don’t tell me—you let him see her?”

“I wanted to understand his motives.”

Laszlo clenched his jaw, remembering the way Idel had barely contained her screams as she was beaten.

“And in doing so, I learned far more than I ever wanted to.”

 

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