77. There’s Only One Thing I Want

“So, what is it that you must say?”

Her violet eyes gazed steadily at me.

I swallowed hard and began to speak slowly.

“I understand that my presence here is an imposition, Lady Isella. It must be awkward for you. This could easily become the subject of gossip.”

I began to share the words I had carefully prepared. I glanced at her to gauge her reaction, but her face remained expressionless.

“Strictly speaking, this isn’t my concern… but it’s been bothering me too much to ignore.”

In truth, it wasn’t just a little. My mind was completely consumed with thoughts of him.

I cautiously broached the subject.

“His Highness is imprisoned in the imperial palace.”

“I know.”

Her response was excessively calm, almost dismissive.

“Why aren’t you helping him?”

It had been two days since he was imprisoned. For all their vigilance and power, the Snowa family had made no move. Despite possessing the most formidable forces in the capital, they had done nothing.

People in the prince’s domain were anxious. Rumors circulated that she had abandoned Deon.

She set her teacup down and looked at me steadily before speaking.

“You’re a noble as well, Lady Sien. You should understand my position. Even if the charges are false, associating with a traitor can lead to a family’s destruction. The Sien barony may be in a small provincial town, but if you’re deemed a hindrance, you could be swept away too. It’s too dangerous to get involved with him right now.”

Her words only made me more desperate. I needed to change her mind. If her family, with its considerable forces, took action, there might be hope.

“Perhaps that’s true. But you’re not just his friend, Lady Isella. You’re his fiancée. Isn’t it the role of a noble marriage to support each other and use the family’s power in times of danger?”

She tilted her head slightly.

“That’s true, but this is a personal issue for me. I don’t understand why you’re so invested in this matter, Lady Sien.”

“I… I owe His Highness a great debt. When I was in the duchy, he employed me as a secretary. He invited me to the capital and to attend court events… and…”

I tried to explain without offending her. Mentioning the gifts or implying a romantic relationship could upset her. She listened to my rambling explanation with a slight smile.

“Did he tell you to say that? Well, that’s the story widely known, isn’t it?”

Widely known? I quickly replayed her words in my mind, struggling to grasp her meaning.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s surprising. Wouldn’t it be better for you if he dies? There would be no man threatening your life anymore. So I was taken aback when you came to the mansion. I thought you wanted to escape from him. I guess I was mistaken.”

“What… do you mean?”

“You are the source of His Highness’s power, aren’t you? What do they call it again? The secretary referred to you as… a blood bag.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.

“…He revealed the blood secret?”

I couldn’t believe it.

“To what extent? How much does he know…?”

I stammered, my heart pounding uncontrollably.

I couldn’t control it. My temples, wrists, and chest throbbed wildly.

“From start to finish, everything. I know that you are staying at the mansion to provide him with blood and that you were brought here at great expense from the north. So… I know you’re kept by his side for that reason.”

Now, I couldn’t even make an excuse that I was trying to save him out of gratitude or because I was his cherished lover.

My neck burned with humiliation.

Was it such an easy secret to divulge? Or, did they think it was okay to tell her because she’s already Deon’s person…

I couldn’t say anything. I had a vague idea, but having it confirmed felt different.

I understood. It was much easier to reveal the blood information to a fiancée than to cause a misunderstanding with a mere lover.

Having received my information from Deon, she must have easily accepted it. Who would stop her if she believed I was a prisoner rather than a beloved companion? A woman kept by his side as an object, not as a loved one.

My hand, holding the teacup, shook embarrassingly.

I carefully steadied my mind. If I let these emotions control me, I would ruin everything. I had come to the lady Snowa for a specific purpose. To save him. That was all.

“Since you know everything, there’s no need to beat around the bush. When I visited His Highness’s mansion, neither the secretary nor the guards were by his side. You are the only one who can help him.”

“His Highness’s affairs will be resolved well. You don’t need to worry.”

She spoke in an incomprehensible manner. She seemed like a naive idealist.

“How can you be so sure? Do you know that Deon’s trial date has been set?”

“Yes. I know. It will be resolved.”

“And if we waste time until the date approaches?”

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”

“What if the trial goes against him and Prince Azanti has him executed?”

“That would be a pitiful fate.”

Isella answered indifferently, remaining consistently irresponsible. I couldn’t fathom where her nonchalance stemmed from.

Life and death were at stake, yet she seemed as uninterested as if she were asking whether this tea was grown in the west or the south. To her, our conversation was nothing more than a trivial courtesy.

Even if the origin of the tea changed, she had no intention of spitting out what she’d just swallowed. She would simply pretend not to know. To her, Deon was just such an existence.

“How can you be so… indifferent? He was once your fiancé. And Snowa was a vassal family, wasn’t it? Shouldn’t you be doing everything you can for him? Even if your love has faded, for the honor of your family… Are you saying that when the political situation changes, you’ll just break off the engagement and find another man?”

Isella’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s my personal business. It’s not something you need to concern yourself with.”

Coward. My body trembled with anger. I couldn’t sit still and listen to her anymore.

I sprang to my feet.

I wanted to throw cold water on her perpetually indifferent face or grab her by the collar. I wanted to see her eyes tremble beneath my grip, questioning if this was the best outcome after pushing me aside and claiming him.

But instead of picking up the teacup, I moved to the sofa where she sat and knelt before the table.

“Lady! Please get up.”

She was startled and dropped her teacup. The cup rolled away with a clear sound. For the first time, a hint of surprise appeared on her indifferent face.

“Why are you kneeling?”

Before I knelt, I might have chosen to end my life out of noble pride, but I could cast aside my pride a thousand times if it meant saving him.

The cool marble felt sharp against my knees, clearing my mind.

“Please save him. There’s no one else… I can rely on but you. I understand you’re in a difficult position. You want to draw a line. But just this once, please reconsider.”

I clung to her skirt, something I never imagined I would do.

But I didn’t feel miserable or ashamed. As long as I could help him.

She bit her lip, clearly troubled.

My breath came in gasps, driven by desperation. I took a deep breath and forced out the words I’d been holding back.

“Everyone has turned their backs on him. There’s no powerful family to support him. If the Count’s family lends its strength, he can be cleared of the false charges.”

“…Unfortunately, I can only repeat what I’ve already said.”

Her words, spoken so coldly, filled me with despair. My strength drained away.

I hung my head. Exhaustion so deep I couldn’t even hold up my neck washed over me.

“Why did you get engaged to him? Was it because you thought he would become emperor? And now that the line is broken, you plan to call off the engagement?”

“Excuse me?”

Startled by my unexpected question, she responded.

“Or was it simply because you came from a vassal family? I thought… you loved him.”

“Love?”

She laughed at my words.

“Well, one thing is certain. It seems you love him more than I do.”

She stood up, the hem of her blue dress swirling before me.

She opened the window and spoke her final words in an emotionless tone.

“Save your knees, my lady. He wouldn’t like it.”

I recalled Viter’s words. He had wanted to marry someone who could help him ascend the throne.

Powerless. As Viter had said, my status was of no help to him.

But even his chosen fiancée was of no use to him. His criteria didn’t include justice or loyalty.

If it were me, things would be different. I wouldn’t make such a choice. I would find a way to save him.

He probably never imagined that a mere mistress, a blood bag, would go to such lengths for Deon.

Convincing Isella had failed.

There was only one person left I could turn to for help.

I whispered his name softly.

“Philip.”