SOWD Chapter 114

Chapter 114 

Before anyone realized it, only one name remained. The families of the yet-to-be-called criminals anxiously shuffled their feet, but Dimarcus glanced sideways at Laszlo and shouted out:

“Idel Lancaster! Ah, but the Lancaster name is no more. Once the pardon is finalized, she’ll become Idel Canyon.”

The ones most shocked by those words were none other than the Canyon family.

“Y-Your Majesty…?”

“It is an… undeserved honor!”

Dustin instinctively glanced toward Isaac. They had hoped to stir up more public resentment toward the Emperor and Laszlo through the Idel issue, but Dimarcus had beaten them to the punch by suddenly announcing a pardon.

That fox of a man…! A pardon out of nowhere?

Though he offered words of gratitude to those congratulating him, Dustin was boiling with frustration inside.

Still, it wasn’t all bad.

Right. If the Emperor has eyes and ears, he couldn’t have ignored the growing public disapproval. In the end, this is practically his declaration of defeat.

Though things didn’t go exactly as planned, Dustin chose to view it as an 80% victory.

But Isaac thought differently.

Dimarcus suddenly pardoning Idel Lancaster? Just because of some public outcry?

Isaac didn’t believe for a second that Dimarcus would bat an eye over such a thing. There were already plenty of attacks and criticisms hurled at him on a daily basis.

To Isaac, the matter of Idel’s reinstatement was merely a spark to fuel a larger battle of public opinion. That made it even more important.

Is that bastard just sharp… or is he plotting something else…?

Even Laszlo’s indifferent expression made it hard to gauge Dimarcus’s true intentions.

A few days ago, Edmund had rushed to request a private audience with Dimarcus—probably about this matter. So had Laszlo suggested Idel’s pardon on the Emperor’s behalf?

According to my investigation, there’s something unusual about Laszlo and Idel’s relationship. When Count Canyon first visited, Laszlo was reportedly cold toward her, and now suddenly he’s willingly letting her go?

He might’ve brushed it off as loyalty, but something about it deeply bothered him.

Then suddenly, one condition of the pardon came to mind.

No way… is he planning to do something during the probation period?

For one month, Idel wouldn’t be fully pardoned. Only after that time would she become “Idel Canyon,” and only then would Dustin regain his rights as her father.

But what could Laszlo possibly do in just a month?

There’s no way he could still have a hold over Idel Lancaster… Wait! What if they’re planning to have her commit another crime or pin a false charge on her?

It sounded all too plausible.

If Idel were burdened with a dishonorable charge, the pardon would be voided, and the Canyon family’s appeal to reclaim her would only bring public scorn.

Isaac hurried to find Dustin and whispered urgently.

“I suspect they intend to frame Lady Idel for a crime. That way, her pardon can be nullified during the probation period.”

“What? That—that kind of vile method…!”

“Which is why we must act quickly. We need to entrust Lady Idel to someone trustworthy…”

As they were discussing this, Dimarcus suddenly looked down at another document and spoke.

“I’ll now announce a special clause regarding the pardoned individuals. First, they may reside wherever they wish. In special cases, a temporary guardian may be assigned. So far, only Idel Lancaster has made such a request. Her guardian is listed as Barbara Celestine.”

It felt like another blow to the back of the head for both Dustin and Isaac. Barbara Celestine was someone aligned with Laszlo.

Dustin stepped forward to protest.

“Your Majesty! I’ve received no information regarding my daughter’s pardon or this guardian application. Shouldn’t I, as her father, at least have a say in the appointment of her guardian?”

But Dimarcus frowned as if confused by the question.

“Count Canyon. You seem to be misunderstanding something. Where does Idel Lancaster currently belong?”

“Pardon…?”

“She only becomes Idel Canyon after her pardon is finalized. Until then, she remains a prisoner under Sir Chrysos’s custody, as per my decree. So who do you think has the authority to appoint a guardian?”

Dustin was rendered speechless.

Dimarcus continued pressing.

“It was Count Chrysos who requested the pardon for Idel Lancaster in the first place. You, who said nothing until now, suddenly stepping in and speaking of rights is rather bewildering.”

A bit of the truth behind Dustin’s seemingly heartfelt pleas for his daughter was finally exposed.

Those quick to catch on immediately realized the Canyon family had been putting on a show.

“And guardian appointments are ultimately decided by the Imperial Household. From what I see, Marchioness Barbara Celestine is more than qualified. I don’t think you need to worry.”

It was a clear warning: the Emperor had approved the guardian, so no one had any right to question it.

In the end, Dustin had no choice but to bow his head and admit he had spoken out of turn.

---

The day after the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

As usual, Idel woke at six in the morning. She groomed her face and hair, dressed herself as was her routine.

But even after checking her appearance, she found herself chewing her lips and pacing restlessly about her room. The reality she now faced still hadn’t sunk in.

I’m really pardoned…?

Laszlo had given her a heads-up that it would happen, but she hadn’t truly believed it. Treason was a grave crime, and no matter how innocent she was, guilt by association was inevitable.

Wife of a traitor. Prisoner of war. Spoils of war. Criminal. Noble-born maid…

Those labels that had clung to her like a curse might disappear in a month. She still couldn’t believe it.

But being pardoned didn’t mean everything would be a happy ending. In fact, bigger problems were just around the corner.

At this rate, I’ll be dragged back to the Canyon family in a month. There’s no way Count Chrysos hasn’t thought of something to prevent that…

But she hadn’t yet heard what that plan was.

He said we’d talk about it when Barbara visited today.

Idel restrained her impatience, trying not to force the clock hands forward. She did her usual chores and waited for Barbara to arrive.

And just past 1 p.m., Laszlo, who had left early that morning, returned home from the palace.

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

Idel greeted him, but Laszlo looked at her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. He didn’t respond with his usual “I’m back,” and instead just stared at her silently. She couldn’t tell if it was a good or a troubled look.

“Count…?”

“Let’s go inside.”

“Ah, yes.”

Feeling strangely tense, Idel took a deep breath and followed him.

“Marchioness Celestine will be here soon. Should I receive her in the drawing room or the office?”

Trying to break the awkward air, Idel asked. It wasn’t a difficult question, but Laszlo paused for quite a while before answering.

“We’ll receive her in the drawing room. But before that… come with me to the office. We need to talk.”

Even as he said it, he couldn’t meet Idel’s eyes.

What’s going on? Did something bad happen?

Idel’s heart pounded with unease.

But truthfully, Laszlo was far more nervous than she was. Because of what he was about to say.

Should I have told her earlier? She said she’d go along with anything… but this could be unpleasant for her…

After instructing the head maid to escort Barbara to the drawing room, Laszlo entered the office, trailed by Idel, who shut the door behind them.

The soft sound of the closing door made Laszlo’s palms sweat. It was more nerve-wracking than standing at the frontlines of a battlefield.

But whether it was war or this—he couldn’t back down now.

He turned to face Idel.

“Idel. What I’m about to say… don’t be too shocked. Please listen calmly and think it over.”

As Laszlo spoke, Idel swallowed hard.

“This is about my pardon, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

After blinking a few times, Idel composed herself and said firmly:

“I’m ready. Please, speak freely.”

Laszlo was the one who wasn’t ready, but in front of Idel—who looked as if she was prepared to die—he couldn’t afford to stammer weakly.

He spoke as confidently as he could, like making a declaration:

“Before the probation period ends, you’ll marry me.”

Idel’s eyes slowly widened.

“Marry…?”

“Yes.”

“You mean… me? And you, Count…?”

“Correct. You heard me right.”

But understanding the words and fully grasping their meaning were two different things entirely.

Idel stood there in silence for so long that Laszlo found himself frozen in place like a man under a spell.

And only then did he realize how utterly unromantic his proposal had been.

This was supposed to be a proposal. Should’ve gone down on one knee!

No, he should’ve used more poetic words. At least brought a bouquet of flowers.

Why do these things always come to mind too late?

All that tension and I ended up botching the whole thing…

 

As Laszlo stood there, driven to the brink of frustration, Idel—who looked like she might faint on her feet—finally opened her mouth.