The crystal rod, imbued with the blood of Walter and the Emperor, displayed a deep blue color.
Even when analyzing the blood of Helen and Nicholas Fortrion or attempting to prove the relationship between Walter and the Duke of Lexion, there has never been such a clear result like this.
This could only mean one thing: a parent-child relationship.
『 Walter’s father is the Emperor. That means that Walter is a… a prince…』
Since he was the Emperor’s only son, he was more likely to be called the Crown Prince rather than just a Prince.
As soon as her thoughts reached that point, the arms that were supporting her body also lost strength. Edith slipped and fell to the floor, blankly assessing the situation.
Why the Emperor didn’t think that Mrs. Leah’s son was his child was not important now.
The reason why her heart was pounding as if she’d been running a marathon alone was that memories of what she had done to Isaac flashed through her mind.
⋙“I think Fortrion also has beautiful natural scenery. I hope this place develops a little more.”⋘
When Isaac said that on the hill while they were riding horses together, she responded with something.
⋙“Isaac, sometimes you seem like a prince.”⋘
⋙“… What?”⋘
⋙“You always talk like someone who rules a country. Wouldn’t the son of a lord not talk like that? So, it’s like a prince complex.”⋘
At that time, Isaac clearly had a lot to say, but he had an expression on his face that said he would not open his mouth because it was annoying.
She felt triumphant when he didn’t answer back, thinking it was an admission that he had lost the argument.
『 Before he lost his memory, he probably knew that he was of Lexion’s bloodline and the Emperor’s son. Isaac knew who his father was.』
That wasn’t the only scene that came to mind.
Edith couldn’t count the number of times she spanked him on his buttocks as he refused to go with her to the market for a ride together.
She often got sulky and complained because she felt that he didn’t like her.
Besides that, her face flushed as she remembered the countless times from the past when she behaved like a tomboy.
Edith was very embarrassed when she found out that Walter was of the lineage of the Duke of Lexion, but now that she found out that he also has Imperial Bloodline, she was confused.
Creak—
While Edith was collecting her thoughts, Walter opened the door slightly and peeked into the room she was in.
Edith’s behavior after her walk with the Emperor was somewhat unnatural. She always looked for Adrian as soon as she returned home, so her sudden shift towards Theos was odd.
To be honest, he was a little jealous that Edith was spending time with the Emperor whom she thought was ‘handsome.’
That’s why he had followed her, and when Edith sat on the floor, he had to knock on the door a couple of times before entering.
“What’s the matter?”
Walter entered, locked the door, and immediately lifted Edith. Then, a familiar crystal rod, which he had already used a few times, caught his eye.
“This is my first time seeing such a vivid blue color. Whose blood did you use?”
“I had something to tell you, Walter.”
Edith took a deep breath before continuing.
“I used the blood sample of His Majesty that I stole from the Health Bureau and your blood sample that Theos had.”
“…”
“And this level of vivid blue color means… ”
Edith did not explain further. Seeing her silently gazing at the crystal rod, Walter seemed to have already understood what the results meant.
“My father is the Emperor.”
Walter murmured with a hint of sarcasm. In fact, he had always thought it didn’t really matter who his father was.
If there was someone capable of controlling his magic outburst, he was willing to pay them money in exchange for providing blood that would calm his magic outburst and then send them away.
Now that he can give Edith everything she wants, his biological father, who has not yet appeared, is just a tool to be used.
⋙“Walter. There is no other noble family higher than Lexion.”⋘
Franz had told Walter that during his heir training. He hadn’t lied, so Walter planned to focus on eliminating the danger with his grandfather.
Then he would live a happy married life with the woman who had preserved the childhood he’d forgotten.
But the Emperor…
“Things are getting interesting.”
Patricia’s card in her quest to bring Lexion down by any means necessary is that she has given birth to the heir to the Imperial Family which was on the verge of extinction.
Now that he knew he had a card strong enough to easily eliminate the enemy’s cause, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Walter. Actually, when I was taking a walk with His Majesty today, the story of Mrs. Leah came up. I don’t know what happened, but His Majesty thinks Mrs. Leah left with another man.”
“Well, then, perhaps it’s time to pay our respects and inform the truth, as loyal subjects should.”
Edith got nervous at the relaxed tone of his voice.
Of course, she hadn’t expected Walter to burst into tears and make a place for his father as soon as he found out who his father was.
Walter is a rational person, and it was not surprising that he did not deny the reality and seemed unfazed by it, considering there was evidence to support it.
But Walter was more audacious than Edith thought. There was no hint of hesitation on his face as he spoke, as if he wanted to take advantage of the Emperor and the fact that he’s of Imperial Blood.
In fact, he felt even more sly as he discovered his own lineage.
“Was M’lady so shocked that you have to sit down?”
“Walter. Don’t address me like that, even if it’s just a joke. What if someone hears it?”
Walter calling her ‘M’lady’ was enough to make Edith’s conscience prickle.
Walter realized something when he saw her reaction. Being someone from the Imperial Bloodline could be quite fun in some cases.
“Why? Now that you know about the Imperial bloodline, you can’t treat me as you used to?”
He smiled mischievously and lifted her.
When he sat her down on the laboratory table, Edith’s field of vision became much higher than his.
“You’re so pretty when you look down on me.”
“… Walter.”
His fingertips touched Edith’s ankles. The feeling of his hand caressing the hem of her dress, as if it were going to be lifted, was full of heat.
“Don’t bother with formalities, Edith. You like putting your legs on my shoulders, don’t you?”
“…!”
In an instant, Edith’s face turned bright red. Walter looked with satisfaction at that well-ripened strawberry face.
He originally planned on teasing her lightly and then seriously discussing what to do about his lineage issue, but seeing her reaction changed his mind.
“I need to teach you how rude I can be to M’lady.”
“Walter. This is a laboratory—.”
Edith couldn’t finish her sentence. He silenced her by pressing his lips onto hers, his hand still cupping her cheek.
──────────✿◦•
Around the same time. After leaving work for the day, Elizabeth was secretly heading somewhere.
It had been an exhausting day for her, trying to please Patricia, who was upset by Edith and Walter, but her steps were light.
『 We are finally meeting each other.』
After barely calming down her boiling anger, she wore a robe that covered her face. Then, as she headed towards the back door of the temple where Gilbert was confined, a priest, bribed by Lexion, opened the door.
“You must come out in ten minutes.”
“Yes, I will. We don’t have much to talk about now anyway.”
Gilbert was held in solitary confinement. She couldn’t help but think he was getting a punishment for selling his daughter.
The man who once made her heart beat with just his gaze was nowhere to be found. Elizabeth found it refreshing to accept that fact.
She made sure there were no others around and took off her robe.
“Gilbert.”
“… Elizabeth?”
His eyes widened as if he had seen a ray of light. He looked even happier now that Count Gerturk and his wife, whom he trusted, and Patricia had severed ties with him.
“How did you get here, Ellie?”
Gilbert whispered in a loving and affectionate tone.
Elizabeth was tired of hearing his voice express love only when he needed something, but there was no way Gilbert could tell.
『 How did I get here? I came because of Edith’s orders.』
After Baron Humphrey’s departure to the convent, the marriage plans that the Count and Countess had been pushing for Elise were canceled. As a result, Elizabeth started to trust Edith even more.
There was no reason to hesitate at the opportunity to get revenge on this disgusting man and his family.
╭══════
Go to Gilbert and find out what kind of work Patricia has been up to over the years, especially with the mages.
══════╯
『 I’m sure Gilbert knows more details than I do.』
Edith had no hesitation in giving orders, as if waiting for Gilbert to separate from his family.
Elizabeth pondered over the letter sent by Edith through her people before speaking.
“Gilbert. As you know, it seems that Lady Patricia and Count Gerturk have decided to abandon you.”
“…”
The person who knew that fact best was Gilbert himself. If those in power had protected him, he would not have been starved and beaten like ordinary prisoners.
Elizabeth gazed at him affectionately and pleaded. He had fooled her with hope and love, so now it was her turn to repay him.
“But I won’t abandon you, Gilbert. So, tell me everything. I have to get you out of here first, okay?”
Besides, Gilbert wasn’t a very loyal man.
『 It’s obvious he resents his family for blaming him for the concealment of the magicite mine, which everyone knows by now.』
And as Elizabeth expected, Gilbert did not hesitate to speak.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
