Unexpectedly, I Became the Emperor’s Fiancé

Chapter 8. Pandora’s Box

If she’s talking about Lilia’s older brother… Could it be the eldest son of the Harvest family, who was killed by Duke Dright?

I recalled the Harvest Duke’s family tree that I had seen before, and immediately realized who Lilia was referring to as ‘older brother’.

As I sighed softly and showed that I was following what she was saying, Lilia’s eyes slightly narrowed. It seemed like a smile tinged with unease under the guise of tranquility.

“My brother was a kind, very kind person. He shone so brightly that it made you wonder how someone could not be evil. That’s why I liked him. Even when everyone else insulted him by calling him a bastard, I still liked him.”

“…”

“Ah. Is this story making you uncomfortable? If so, I’m sorry. For some reason, I find myself telling these stories in front of you, but I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“No, it’s fine. I actually like hearing stories like this. Please, continue, Lilia.”

“You’re very kind. This is the first time I’ve talked about this with anyone outside, so I was very nervous, but thank you for understanding.”

I quickly waved my hand to comfort her, which seemed to be a bit dispirited. Then, appreciating the gesture with a slight nod, Lilia ran her hand through her hair and continued speaking.

“I learned how to do accounting from my parents and how to grow flowers from my older brother. I also learned how to serve tea from a manners teacher, and how to brew tea to suit one’s taste from my older brother.”

“You had a good brother.”

“Yes. He was someone impossible not to love. Even when others threw stones, he wouldn’t say a word. I don’t know why he seemed so radiant despite being such a fool.”

She continued in a self-deprecating yet light tone, clearly reflecting on her not so distant past. The myriad colors captured in Lilia’s silver irises became vividly visible.

Right then, I realized. Lilia was swimming in happy memories. And those memories were likely associated with the eldest son of the Harvest family.

“So, even when I heard the rumors about my brother falling into gambling, I wouldn’t believe it. It was naive of me. I always wonder if things could have been a bit different had I gone to talk to him then.”

“Lilia.”

“I remember it was probably on a day when a heavy downpour was happening when I received the news of my brother’s demise. It just had to be on a day when heavy rain could trigger a landslide. I remember clearly.”

Because I remember dispatching knights to help Count Seran’s territory, which was affected by the landslide that happened that day. Lilia’s lips twisted slightly as she added, her smile tainted with regret, casting a chill.

I bit my lower lip as I noticed that her eyes no longer shine. Having an unforgettable bad memory myself, I felt I understood too well what Lilia might be feeling right now.

Should I stop her from speaking now?

As I hesitated, gazing at Lilia moving her rose-colored lips, she slowly spoke.

“Anyway, I heard while working that day that my brother had died. They said it was suicide. He threw his life away, unable to cope with the debts incurred from gambling, or so it was said.”

“…”

“But no matter how much I think about it, it just feels strange to me. My brother wasn’t the type of person to do that. He might have found the worst ways to make money to pay off his debts, but he is not someone who would throw away his life, which he valued so much, just over debts. I can say this for certain.”

After making her assertion, Lilia clenched the hand she had placed on her knee. Then, looking directly into my turbulent blue eyes, she asked cautiously.

“Do you think I’m mistaken, my lady?”

“No… No.”

“Really, you’re so kind.”

While I was attentively listening to her story, I was quickly brought back to reality by an unexpected question and I briskly responded. This time, it was an answer not merely crafted for Lilia, but one imbued with my own thoughts.

Lilia repeated the phrase she had used with me earlier and immediately smiled. Her laugh, freed from the gloomy shadows, was more radiant than any flower.

Seeing her genuinely praising me, I fidgeted with my fingers and eventually bowed my head deeply as I murmured.

“Actually… Lilia, I am not kind. The reason why I don’t think you are mistaken is because there is clear evidence.”

“What?”

“Lilia’s brother, I mean, the eldest son of the Harvest family, was found to have been murdered by Duke Dright. This will lead His Majesty to arrest Duke Dright.”

“What are you talking about…”

“I should have told Lilia as soon as it was discovered, but I am sorry for informing you late. It was delayed because I was discussing future strategies with His Majesty.”

I glanced at the confused Lilia and awkwardly grimaced.

After freeing people from a status of slavery at the opera house, and while we were returning in a carriage, I had been struggling with Ruth on how to convey this truth to Lilia.

Lilia is directly involved in this incident, unlike me who thinks we should inform her right away, Ruth says we should act more cautiously because of the nature of the situation. That’s why we haven’t been able to reveal the real reason why the eldest son of the Harvest family passed away to Lilia until now.

However, now that we’ve finished preparing to capture Duke Dright, it was right to tell Lilia before it’s too late. Lilia has the right to know the truth, and there are things she needs to do after she knows it.

When I showed no sign of changing my story, Lilia, realizing this was no lie, dropped her chin in shock.

“So, you mean my brother’s death wasn’t a suicide…?”

“Yes. He was murdered. Probably over debts. From what we’ve found, it seems Duke Dright deliberately saddled the Harvest family’s eldest son with debt and then dealt with him by pointing to a physical surrender document that had been exchanged between them.”

“Why would my brother be targeted for such a thing…?”

“Because he was a bastard. An outcast not cared for or protected by anyone, truly vulnerable and neglected by society.”

“But Duke Dright is known for his integrity. Couldn’t there have been some mistake? The Duke Dright I met couldn’t possibly have harmed anyone.”

“Well, sometimes our certainties turn out to be wrong.”

“……”

In a word, Lilia’s lips finally closed at the sight of me rebutting every point without fail. Then, after a while, a faint, cracked voice leaked out.

“So, you’re saying His Majesty is also aware of this matter.”

“Yes.”

“Ha… ha.”

Having confirmed the fact I had conveyed earlier, Lilia finally seemed to accept this truth, burying her face in her hands and letting out a hollow laugh.

I gently stroked her trembling shoulders, speaking softly.

“I know it must be very confusing for you. That’s why I tried to speak as carefully as possible, but it seems I’ve failed.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Lilia.”

She didn’t look okay at all, but I had no intention of nitpicking.

When I called Lilia in a calm tone, her hands slowly moved down to her lap.

She met my eyes, repeatedly lowering and raising her eyelids as if to ask what I wanted.

Seeing Lilia looking quite overwhelmed, I hesitated for a moment whether to now make a request of her.

However, realizing that it would be much too late if not now, I broached the subject, praying that it wouldn’t further hurt Lilia.

“Listening to Lilia’s story, it seems like Lilia was very close to the eldest son of the Harvest family. If it’s not too much to ask, could I make a request? I understand that you must be feeling conflicted, but please hear me out.”

“A request… What is it?”

“Please become a part of House Harvest during Dright’s trial.”

“Excuse me?”

Lilia’s eyebrows crossed, perplexed by my words. The skepticism in her silver gaze seemed to urge me for a further explanation.

“As I mentioned before, society does not welcome bastards. Therefore, the gravity of Dright’s crime of murdering them might not be highlighted as much. At most, he could be heavily charged with deceiving the emperor or others.”

“I think so too.”

“That’s why we need the help of House Harvest. Specifically, the name of House Harvest.”

What Ruth and I desired was to draw the audience’s focus towards the ‘murder’.

If the murder of the eldest son of the Harvest family doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, there’s a high chance things won’t go as we hoped. Therefore, we desperately needed the Harvest family’s support.

It’s only if the Harvest family steps in that people will focus their attention on the murder committed by the Count Dright.

“If the Harvest family were to take the place of their eldest son in court, it would be as good as showing that they stand behind him. And then, people will think that the Count Dright murdered the Harvest family’s eldest son, even if he was a bastard, under the protection of the family.”

“So, what you’re saying, Lady, is that to prevent my brother’s death from being forgotten quietly, we need the name of our family.”

“Yes, that’s right. The bastard son of the Harvest family might be forgotten, but the eldest son under the family’s protection will be remembered.”

As I firmly nodded, Lilia’s face suddenly twisted in pain, and soon after, she muttered sadly,

“Indeed…”

“…”

“A quiet death is bound to be forgotten.”

She mumbled to herself and then smiled, looking as hollow as an empty stone, making me scrunch up the bridge of my nose.