SOWD Chapter 111

Chapter 111

She staggered as she ran to the office. Without even a moment to compose herself, she urgently knocked on the door. The sound was weaker than usual due to her lack of strength.

“Ba, Count! Count!”

Her voice barely came out, as if something were strangling her.

She feared that Laszlo might not have heard her, but before long, the door swung open.

“Idel…?”

Laszlo was shocked to see Idel collapse onto the floor, but he immediately lifted her up and placed her on the most comfortable sofa in his office.

“What’s going on? Are you unwell? Wait a moment, I’ll get you some water—”

“Count!”

Idel grabbed his collar desperately as he tried to rise to fetch water. Then, as if she had lost her mind, she began to plead.

“M-My father, he’s trying to take me back! I don’t want to go! I never want to return there again! Never!”

“I understand, I understand, so calm do—”

“Then take me as your mistress! That way, he’ll give up out of shame! If that’s not possible, then even as a slave…!”

Tears burst from her eyes.

Thinking rationally was impossible.

Buried childhood memories crawled out and ensnared her, filling her mind with only the worst possible scenarios.

“I’d rather die! They’ll use me to extract information about you! So, so please, just tell them you can’t send me back. Please…!”

Idel clung to his collar as if it were her lifeline.

The tremors in her hands conveyed a desperation akin to someone facing death.

Laszlo finally saw Idel’s wounds in their raw, unfiltered form. The scars she had accumulated since childhood were still bleeding, bright red.

New wounds had formed before the old ones could even scab over, and she had always hidden them, never allowing anyone to see. Some had festered and worsened over time, a wretched sight.

He felt a tightening pain in his chest as he pulled Idel into a firm embrace.

“Idel. You don’t understand yet, but I don’t let go of what’s mine. I’ve lived my whole life holding on, never letting anything slip away.”

The sound of her sobs in his arms didn’t cease. Her trembling shoulders shook so violently it seemed they might break at any moment.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on the Canyon family. It’s not like I didn’t expect them to try something like this.”

His calm voice made Idel slowly pull away and look into his eyes. Her gaze was filled with desperate hope.

Laszlo smiled faintly.

“You really think I’d easily hand over someone who knows so much about my household? Even if you wanted to leave, I wouldn’t let you.”

“B-But… public opinion… Everyone will pressure His Majesty…”

“I have a plan too. If I were the type to be easily taken advantage of, I would’ve been buried underground long ago.”

He gently stroked the top of Idel’s head as she wiped away her tears, regaining her breath.

Her head was burning, as if she had a fever from crying too much.

Laszlo soothed her like a child, rubbing her back over and over.

When her shoulders finally stopped trembling, he took out a handkerchief and wiped her tear-streaked, snot-covered face.

“I-I…”

Realizing what had just happened, Idel tried to take the handkerchief from him, but her frail, exhausted hands were still trembling.

“Stay still. I’m quite skilled at wiping a crying person’s face.”

Laszlo chuckled and even wiped her nose, causing Idel’s face to turn red. Yet, strangely, the situation didn’t feel awkward or embarrassing. It was as if she truly had become a child again.

Once her face was cleaned up, Laszlo knelt down on one knee to meet her at eye level.

“As I said earlier, I have a plan. I can’t tell you yet, but will you trust me and follow whatever I propose?”

Idel didn’t even ask what the plan was. She simply nodded.

“I’ll do whatever you ask, Count. As long as I don’t have to return to the Canyon family.”

“Then until that time comes, don’t entertain any foolish thoughts. Just go about your days as usual.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and you’ll need both mental and physical strength to endure, so eat properly.”

At that, Idel smiled faintly.

“Yes. I’ll eat like a wild boar.”

“I don’t expect that much. Just aim to keep the bones in your hands from showing.”

His thumb slowly traced over the protruding bones of her hand, but neither of them said anything.

---

Laszlo had never intended to let the Canyon family stir things up for long, but seeing Idel break down made him realize something.

‘I knew this could happen, yet I was too complacent… Idel’s fear is entirely my fault.’

But his moment of regret was brief. He wasn’t the type to waste time lamenting the past.

He immediately pushed forward with his plan, starting with a visit to Count Talon.

“Welcome, Sir Chrisers. What brings you here?”

Count Talon, who had been enjoying an afternoon tea break, greeted Laszlo warmly.

“I had something to ask you. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest.”

“A distinguished guest like you is always welcome. Please, have a seat.”

With a generous attitude, Count Talon gestured for him to sit and poured him some tea.

Even as the conversation began, Laszlo seemed hesitant, as if he were carefully considering his words.

Just as curiosity was about to get the better of Count Talon, Laszlo finally spoke.

“Do you happen to know the process for pardoning a prisoner?”

At the mention of “prisoner,” only one person came to mind.

“You mean Idel Lancaster?”

“…Yes.”

Rumors had already been circulating in high society that the Canyon family was bringing up Idel’s name to turn public sentiment against the emperor. Count Talon had heard as much.

He had expected some sort of directive from Dimarcus regarding the situation, but he hadn’t anticipated Laszlo taking personal action.

However, rather than prying, Count Talon answered the question first.

“As with most pardons, in the case of the Lancaster prisoners, His Majesty’s decision is paramount. Moreover, Idel Lancaster was personally granted to you by His Majesty.”

Laszlo let out a quiet sigh instead of responding.

Emperor Dimarcus might seem easygoing and playful on the surface, but he was ruthlessly pragmatic when it came to strengthening imperial power.

He had annihilated the Lancaster Duchy with a surprise attack, eradicating them entirely.

Even Count Talon had opposed the military operation, but Dimarcus had ordered their “extermination” without the slightest smile.

It wasn’t arrogance, nor was it blind reliance on luck.

Even while laughing nonchalantly, his mind was constantly calculating everything.

‘Someone like him wouldn’t have spared Idel out of mere pity. No, that man isn’t capable of pity.’

Of course, distributing Lancaster’s women as prisoners had also served as a severe warning to the old noble factions.

But was that the end of their usefulness?

Laszlo couldn’t be certain.

“When does the emperor typically grant pardons?”

“Sometimes when a criminal performs a meritorious deed, but most commonly during celebrations—founding anniversaries, the emperor’s birthday, the birth of a royal heir, victory celebrations, and other national events. That’s when model prisoners or those with pitiful circumstances are pardoned.”

At that moment, Laszlo understood what Count Talon was implying.

“The emperor’s birthday banquet is coming up…”

“Haha, indeed. Last year, it was canceled due to the Lancaster affair, but this year, it will be grand.”

It could be good news, yet Laszlo let out a deep sigh.

 

“So, in the end, I’ll have to petition His Majesty.”