What had Kaela been like around this time? Despairingly, no matter how much Peon tried to recall, he could not remember.
By then, he had already been prohibited from having any interest in her. Was that when his heart turned from her? Yet had he concealed it courteously, without letting on?
Was there really not even a sliver of possibility for him to remain on good terms with Kaela in this lifetime?
The more he thought about it, the more painful assumptions arose.
It seemed this long, dark night would never end, filled with the shame, fever, and anger behind the words the princess had lashed out with, and the secrets hidden beneath.
****
The banquet the Princess of Ostein had painstakingly prepared was a success, long spoken of among the nobles. The Keruzhan diplomatic envoy was greatly satisfied with the grand start.
In the morning, the emperor briefly met with Prince Elkanan, then in the afternoon, he quietly summoned the Grand Duke of Lusenford who had attended the military conference.
Entering Soleil Palace, Peon was inwardly somewhat surprised to see the Duke of Ostein, who should have been with the foreign envoys, and the princess, who should have been resting, had arrived first. What was it this time?
Just a night’s rest was no way for Kaela to have recovered, as she was especially frail. But the emperor, looking even worse than Kaela, waved dismissively at Peon’s attempt to be courteous.
“That’s enough. Come here. I have no intention of wasting the time of busy people I’ve summoned.”
“Why speak in such an unpleasant way, Your Majesty?”
Though he had nearly died at the emperor’s hands just days ago, Duke Adeo of Ostein had no choice but to accommodate the emperor’s mood. Here, he was much older than Peon and Kaela, so he bore more responsibility.
“It is our joy to come when summoned.”
“Insincere words.”
“Your Majesty.”
The emperor grumbled irritably today, like a disgruntled old man.
It seemed something had happened with Beatrice Ravalley overnight, as he looked like he had barely slept. The area under his creased eyes was pitch black, and he appeared utterly exhausted, as if worries had gnawed at him.
“Well, Hyperion, you said you’re twenty-eight this year, right?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How old is Kaela?”
Clueless, Kaela answered first.
“Twenty-one.”
The emperor wiped his sullen face.
“As you know, the empress has ended up like that. There’s no sign at all of her waking. The doctors are useless, and medicine has no effect.”
Seeing the emperor fallen into despair, Kaela remained silent. Should she say it was fortunate even the emperor could feel despair? Or that it was refreshing?
This man who agonized so over his own affairs had poured out despair and misery on others, making the emperor the most selfish person she had ever known.
“It’s only now that I’m looking back and reflecting deeply.”
That the word “reflecting” could come from his mouth was itself a miracle.
“I’ve neglected too many matters I should have tended to long ago. That I’m only paying attention now is shameful, Hyperion.”
“Your Majesty has always taken care of me.”
Kaela tried not to look at Peon in astonishment, fixing her eyes on the red carpet to hide her expression.
Was this brusque tone and demeanor while flattering the emperor with insincere words really the Grand Duke of Lusenford?
This man was someone who did not fabricate words he did not mean. His integrity and unwillingness to embellish his speech had sometimes left Kaela feeling frustrated and regretful.
Yet now, without batting an eye, he was fawning on the kidnapper of his own mother more than the Duke of Ostein. Even the emperor blinked, seemingly unaware Peon could speak such words.
“Do you really think so?”
“Is it not glory enough for my humble self to be able to attend Your Majesty after receiving the excessive Grand Duchy by your gracious bestowal?”
He muttered as if reciting a dry fact. These were all words the emperor had drilled into Peon since he was very young, repeatedly indoctrinating him. And for the emperor who had done so to be surprised by Peon’s words was laughable.
Kaela realized once again just how distrustful the emperor was. He would never trust anyone to the end.
“No, the Grand Duchy is not excessive for you. Are you not the empress’s son?”
“I am grateful you say so.”
What was the Grand Duke of Lusenford trying to do while dealing with the persistently distrustful emperor?
Kaela suddenly wondered if she hadn’t traveled to the past, but had fallen into an entirely new world she had never experienced before.
The Peon she knew would kneel before the emperor and endure humiliation, but was not one to flatter him by wagging his tongue.
Yet he did not appear obsequious. The Grand Duke was very composed. Every word from his mouth sounded like an unbreakable fact of steel, which only pleased the emperor more.
“The son of the empress is of noble status.”
The emperor emphasized. Not batting an eye at the sudden reversal from calling him lowborn and base-blooded for 28 years, Peon did not even smile at the changing status.
“So, I must resolve the royal marriage I have postponed.”
The Princess of Ostein looked at the Grand Duke with uneasy eyes. Without a single hair out of place, he silently listened to the emperor’s words.
“Adeo, my brother.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Only calling him “brother” affectionately when needed, the emperor gestured for Adeo to come closer.
“You succeeded in arranging this royal marriage according to my wishes. But your daughter still does not have a marriage settled.”
The royal marriage was successful? What was this about? Kaela’s head spun at this unfamiliar statement. Something must have happened this morning.
Though unaware his daughter’s fingertips were growing cold, Adeo concealed his discomfort well. As a father, he had to protect his daughter, and as the Duke of Ostein, safeguard the Duchy.
“All things follow an order, and among the yet unmarried children of this palace, is not Kaela the eldest? Should not the princess who will inherit Ostein be joined with a steadfast husband?”
Saying so, the emperor extended his other hand towards Peon.
“This is not a spur-of-the-moment proposal, but something I have long considered, especially these past few days since the empress collapsed. I did not fail to consider Prince Elkanan. However, the Ostein Duchy is a pillar supporting Crania.”
Peon stepped closer to the emperor’s side.
“Lusenford too is a shield guarding Crania’s frontlines, so if these two unite and strengthen the palace, what more could I ask for?”
“Your Majesty.”
Adeo could not help being flustered.
Did the whole Crania Empire not know who the Grand Duke had his heart set on? Yet who was he being matched with?
Adeo had expected the grand duke to protest, but he remained wide-eyed without uttering a word. Or perhaps the situation did not permit him to speak.
“I believe Kaela and Hyperion will be the most suitable spouses for each other.”
Before those words could finish, the princess collapsed onto the red carpet of the audience hall.
Another great chapter!!!!