“My daughter.”
Fleur finally turned her vacant eyes to her father. The duke, realizing that his daughter’s eyes had lost their focus, let out a despairing sigh.
“…”
Fleur, who had been staring blankly at Duke Wibur, soon shook off his hand weakly and turned to look at Elliot.
At that moment, a hint of resolve flickered in Duke Wibur’s eyes. He spoke heavily. “Your Highness First Princess Consort.”
“…”
“Fleur!”
Duke Wibur grabbed Fleur’s shoulders and made her face him again. Only then did Fleur’s eyes widen as if she recognized the duke’s presence.
“…Father?”
“Sigh…”
Fleur’s voice, like her appearance, was dry and cracked. She seemed as fragile as a dry rose petal that could crumble at the slightest touch.
Duke Wibur’s face twisted with pain as he spoke. “Come back.”
“What do you mean…”
“I’ve heard from the palace doctor that we need to prepare ourselves. Before the first prince passes away, you must leave the palace and return to the estate.”
“…What did you say?”
Fleur’s mouth slightly opened. She slapped Duke Wibur’s hand away, hoping what she had just heard was a lie. But the duke’s face was devoid of any smile. It was hard to believe that those cold green eyes were the same ones she inherited from him.
“I will withdraw from all palace affairs as well. Until now, I was involved in the succession war because you and the first prince requested it, but this place is dangerous.”
“Father! What are you saying!”
“Do you expect me to lose my last remaining daughter after losing my son-in-law as well?!”
Fleur eventually screamed, but Duke Wibur’s shout overpowered her voice. While Fleur flinched reflexively, the duke lowered his head. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on her shoulders.
“…Fleur. My daughter.”
“…”
“I cannot lose you. But that doesn’t mean I can leave you here to die alone.”
If the First Prince Elliot were to die, Fleur, as his consort, would have to remain in the palace for the rest of her life until she died herself, like a single shoe that could never leave the shoe rack without its pair.
Duke Wibur could not bear to imagine his daughter spending her remaining days trapped in the palace, neither fully alive nor dead. Moreover, the first princess is unlikely to leave any loose ends. To completely secure the factions that supported the first prince, it would be clear Fleur needed to get rid of too.
Given the circumstances, it might be better to find an excuse to get Fleur out of the palace while Elliot was still alive. If Elliot died while Fleur was outside the palace, they could use the excuse of the duchess’s poor health to keep Fleur in the duchy for her protection.
Having read Duke Wibur’s intentions in his eyes, Fleur let out a hollow laugh. She twisted her shoulder away from his hand and spoke in a voice that sounded like air being let out of a balloon. “How could you say such a thing?”
“…”
“Do you know how much, how deeply this person… cares about you?”
“I know.”
“…”
“I know it all…” Duke Wibur closed his eyes in agony.
“It might sound a bit embarrassing, but to me, Father-in-law feels like my own father.”
How could he want to accept Elliot’s death? How could he want to say such cruel words?
At first, he had only permitted the marriage because his daughter was so adamant about it. But no matter how sternly he treated Elliot, that man always responded with a smile. Seeing his daughter so happy beside him, the duke’s heart eventually softened.
“Kayden Seirik Bluebell.”
At first, it seemed foolish that Elliot, with his frail health, supported the Third Prince Kayden in his stead. No matter how kind a person is, there is a difference between being kind and being naive. But the more he saw of the third prince through Elliot, the more Kayden began to represent his ideal image of an emperor. Polite, kind, yet serious. He never mistreated those below him and looked at everyone equally.
That was the Kayden that Duke Wibur saw. A man impossible not to admire. No matter how hard a rock is, it cannot maintain its shape when enveloped by water for years. To the duke, Elliot and Kayden were such people.
But still… His one and only daughter, Fleur, was more precious than they were. No matter how much affection he held, a child he had raised since birth could never be the same as those two. Especially when Elliot’s death was practically confirmed.
“But the living must go on living.”
“…”
“Are you planning to abandon your father, Fleur?”
Duke Wibur forced a bitter smile. Fleur’s eyes wavered lightly at that. After looking at her father’s tormented face for a moment, she pressed her lips together tightly. Then, she reached out and pushed the duke away.
“…Go.”
“Fleur.”
“Just go. I need time to… think as well.” Fleur spat out each word as if chewing on them.
Duke Wibur sighed. He stepped back, his expression helpless. “…Alright.”
“…”
“At least make sure to drink some water. And… take care of your health.” Even as he left, Duke Wibur couldn’t stop worrying as he took heavy steps out of the room.
Kayden and Diana, hiding in the opposite hallway, silently watched him disappear around the corner.
“…”
Shortly after Duke Wibur left, the sound of stifled sobs leaked from the room. Confirming no one else was around, Diana cautiously closed the door without making a sound. She sighed quietly.
If we think rationally, the duke’s decision is correct. Since there was no way to save Elliot, he must want to at least save Fleur.
By the way… I wonder if Kayden is okay. Diana glanced at Kayden with concerned eyes.
Kayden, who had come to visit Elliot with Diana and overheard Duke Wibur’s conversation by chance, maintained a calm expression. But inside, he was devastated. How loathsome I am, worrying about how this will affect the nobles aligned with my brother even in this situation.
Kayden let out a bitter smile and rubbed his face. Trying his best to maintain a normal expression, he whispered to Diana. “It doesn’t seem like a good time to visit my brother. I’ll go see Pat and then head back. You should return to the Third Prince’s palace first.”
“…Come back soon.” Worried that Kayden might torment himself over Elliot’s situation, Diana added softly.
Kayden’s eyes widened momentarily at her words. Then he let out a sigh-like laugh, reached out, and gently patted Diana’s head. “Thank you. Lady Rezeta and Sir Antar should be waiting outside, so be sure to go with them.”
“Yes, I will.” Diana nodded, finally managing to show something resembling a real smile.
Afterward, Diana returned to the Third Prince’s palace with Bella and Antar. Antar escorted Diana and Bella back to the palace before returning to the Fourth Order.
“Bella.”
“Yes.”
As soon as they returned to the room, Diana’s face became expressionless. Bella immediately lowered her head and locked the door. Then, from behind the curtains in the corner, Mizel, disguised as a maid, poked her head out.
“You’re back.”
“What about the investigation I asked you to do about Duke Findlay?” Diana asked as soon as she sat down on the sofa. She hadn’t forgotten the suspicious interaction between Rebecca and Duke Findlay during the recent hunting competition, so she had ordered Mizel to investigate.
Mizel responded with a serious expression. “I had someone follow him, and there were indeed some suspicious movements in his routine. He disappears to an unknown location from time to time.”
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