Chapter 100
“I greet you, Duke.”
Caligo quietly observed Helena as she gave a formal greeting. Nothing had changed in Frantor or in the capital. The Helena who had returned to her everyday life showed him proper etiquettes and the decorum of a Duchess. She sensed his dislike of unnecessary small talk, and thus refrained from speaking recklessly.
“Let’s go.”
Breaking the silence, Caligo spoke again. “Yes, Duke,” she quietly responded.
As they began walking toward the Imperial Palace, silence descended once more. It was the tranquility he had longed for, but for some reason, it felt uncomfortable.
In the past, Helena had been busy stealing glances at him. It was as though she had forgotten she was from the Eskel family. She often looked at him with quiet, longing gazes and sometimes even spoke to him, laughing awkwardly when he responded coldly. But now, those glances and hesitant questions were completely gone.
When she realized this, a strange feeling of discomfort washed over her.
Caligo, out of habit, looked back. He noticed that Helena wasn’t walking alongside him. She always kept a slight distance behind him, walking quietly without making any sound.
He found himself checking whether she was still there. Today was no different, but occasionally, the glances they used to share were no longer present. Helena, who once had been so eager to look at him, now had her head lowered completely. Her expression was unreadable, and all that was visible was her pale complexion.
“There’s nothing special you need to do at the Imperial Palace. His Majesty didn’t call for you for any particular reason either.”
“…Yes.”
What Caligo needed as a Duke was peace. He had sworn to live that way, and he believed he had upheld it so far. He had thoroughly dealt with any threats to his path, removing obstacles, or simply ignoring those who were not worth his attention. This life was enough for him, and he was content with it.
Then Helena had appeared, an unwelcome intruder who disturbed the peace. He decided he would ignore her once more and deal with it swiftly. He also disposed of Aiden, who had been a thorn in his side. At the time, he had been briefly upset, but the irritation would fade, and once the scab healed, so too would the emotions and memories of that day.
But why?
He felt no relief at all. He should feel better now that the annoyance was gone, now that the thorn had been removed from his flesh. Instead, it felt like a weight pressing down on his chest.
Especially when he looked at her face.
The Helena he remembered was always full of life. When near her, there was the scent of fresh grass, the cool breeze carrying the scent of rain. She was that kind of woman. Now, however, she had lost that freshness and had grown cold.
He couldn’t accept it.
To see this woman, who once stood beside him so full of vitality, now with no spark in her eyes—wilted.
Was it because I made her like this? Or was it the doctor’s fault? One thing was certain: he found neither possibility to his liking.
“Don’t make eye contact or ask any foolish questions. Just stand there like a dead person.”
“Yes, I will.”
“If you’re going to give me the same answer, don’t even open your mouth. I don’t want to hear it.”
“…”
He would rather she yelled at him. But Helena only nodded and offered no further response.
When he saw her pale, drained face, and when her eyes, once directed at him, now averted in silence, a sharp pain stabbed at his chest like a thorn.
At the same time, his chest filled with emotion. Frustration, and yet, he still desperately wanted her—more than ever.
Finally, they were almost at the Imperial Palace. Was she planning to just follow behind like this, even in front of His Majesty?
“Have you not learned proper manners? Stand next to me.”
Caligo, his tone laced with irritation, pulled on Helena’s left arm.
“Ah…”
Helena let out a faint groan. Seeing her face contort in pain, Caligo stopped moving.
Helena, who had let out the groan, seemed surprised. However, she quickly composed herself and spoke calmly.
“I apologize, I was startled.”
“Stop with your apologies… It would be better to talk to a corpse than to you.”
“….”
“What would I even say to someone who looks half-dead like you?”
Caligo spoke coldly.
At that moment, Caligo grasped her wound, which had been cut by a shard of glass. She had never felt pain like this before, but upon instinctively holding the wound, a groan escaped from her lips. The only thing that could be considered fortunate was that the wound hadn’t torn open.
It was the first time she had entered the Imperial Palace. When she was younger, her siblings had visited the Imperial Palace for debutante balls or political introductions. However, she had never visited the palace even after her coming-of-age ceremony.
Now, she had to be on her guard to meet the Emperor. It was a crucial moment.
But…
For some reason, she felt as though she might burst into tears.
She hated the sight of herself feeling so small next to Caligo. What she hated more was the look in his eyes when he looked at her. She felt as though he was displeased just by being in the same space with her.
Perhaps that was why he hadn’t come to the mansion. Perhaps he confined her to her room because he couldn’t stand the sight of her.
Maybe he even wished for her death. Maybe he wanted her to disappear without a trace from this world.
“Stop.”
The Imperial Palace had tight security.
It was like a fortress inside the castle. The windows were small, and the doors were enormous. To get to the inner palace where the Emperor resided, one had to pass through numerous doors, with the guards appearing at each checkpoint.
“You must undergo a body search before entering the Emperor’s chambers.”
They thoroughly checked for hidden weapons. Even though the person was a Duke’s wife, no exceptions were made. Caligo willingly handed over his personal blade to the guards.
The Emperor seemed unusually obsessed with security.
Helena thought they would be meeting with the Emperor in a formal meeting hall, but they were required to go to his chambers instead.
Upon arriving at the Emperor’s quarters, however, the many guards were nowhere to be seen. The Emperor was sitting on the massive bed.
The Emperor was lying in a bed that resembled a cradle. Helena’s first impression of the Emperor was that he seemed unexpectedly weak. Instead of a dignified, imposing Emperor, she saw an old man, white-haired, drunk and frail.
“You’ve come, Frantor.”
And it was immediately clear. The Emperor disliked Caligo. In fact, it was more than just a simple wariness. It was unmistakable animosity.
“Your Majesty, I greet you.”
Caligo must have noticed the Emperor’s hostility toward him. Yet, he stood firm and swore his loyalty, maintaining his manners. Even though it was clear the Emperor’s hostility made him uncomfortable, Caligo didn’t show any sign of displeasure. On the contrary, it seemed as if the Emperor was disturbed by his steadfastness.
The Emperor seemed to fear Caligo. Was this frail, old Emperor merely cautious of him for the sake of his son?
“Oh, so you’re the Eskel.”
“Your Majesty, I greet you…”
“You’re as thin as a rake.”
It was a great disrespect to openly comment on someone’s face or body in front of them. Yet, the Emperor did so as if it were perfectly natural. No matter how much he criticized or even spat in contempt, it seemed as though there was no one who could dare stop him. After all, he had invited Caligo and her there to pass judgment, perhaps even to evaluate her.
But why, then, did the Emperor seem like a frail and cowardly old man in her eyes?
“Another Eskel? The Count of Eskel must be as fertile as a rabbit. I think I saw another Eskel recently, and now another one? He seems solely focused on spreading his descendants.”
Was this all the Emperor had to say? He waved his hand dismissively, signaling an end to his comments. Caligo, as though waiting for his turn, began to report, even on trivial matters that seemed unnecessary to present. He mentioned details like how the rainy season would make trade routes difficult and that alternative supplies would need to be arranged. The Emperor, seemingly uninterested, didn’t seem to be listening at all, but Caligo reported anyway.
When all the reports were finally over, Helena was preparing to leave the chambers.
“Frantor Duke.”
However, before she could exit, the Emperor stopped Caligo.
“Go ahead first.”
Caligo spoke without even glancing at her. His words felt like she no longer had a place to stand. It sounded as if he was telling her she was no longer needed.
Helena bitterly smiled.
“Then, I will excuse myself.”
She didn’t even remember how she left the chambers. After bowing, she stumbled, barely managing to walk away.
Her mind was empty. Or perhaps it was too full. The words kept swirling in her head like an illusion, leaving no space to think of anything else.
“Let’s leave. Together.”
The words. Jane’s words continued to echo in her mind.
Leave. This place. His side.
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