YED Chapter 128

Today was a particularly busy day for the nobility. There was an engagement ceremony in the morning, and a reception in the evening.

The noble ladies were enthusiastic about showcasing different jewelry and dresses at the engagement ceremony and wedding. The gentlemen were even more extravagant.

They sought out boots or shoes that made them look taller, and frantically searched for clothes that would make their shoulders appear broader. There were quite a few fashionistas who suddenly summoned tailors to modify their pre-arranged formal attire.

This was especially because the Grand Duke and Duchess of Lusenford, who sat in the sparse royal family section at the engagement ceremony, were so conspicuous.

The sparkling diamond tiara worn by the Grand Duchess was shaped like a headband, stacked so high that journalists had already arbitrarily dubbed it the “Angel’s Halo”.

Everyone was abuzz about how many carats the central diamond was, where it was made, who gave it to her, and that it was the largest piece of jewelry at the engagement ceremony.

The most prevalent speculation was that the Grand Duchess received it from the Grand Duke while they were out enjoying themselves by the Ener River.

Perhaps because of their newlywed status, or because he was utterly infatuated with his wife, the Grand Duke chose blue—a color suited to a knight’s cloak—instead of his usual black, making him look much more dashing.

“I heard the Grand Duchess had it custom-made. She has quite a sense of fashion, after all.”

“The Grand Duke used to look dark and fierce. Today, he looked really handsome.”

While everyone was opening their family treasure vaults and competing to find the largest tiaras, badges, cufflinks, and rings, Beatrice had no time to change her clothes. She was once again summoned to the Soleil Palace.

“I now have hardly anyone left to trust.”

The Emperor muttered while gazing at the bed where the Empress lay. He had proceeded from the engagement ceremony to a meeting and was now completely bedridden.

Consequently, he was set to miss both the eve’s festivities and the reception. He would undoubtedly be viewed with extreme displeasure in Keruzhan.

“Beatrice.”

Once, being called by that name would have made her happy, but now, somehow, it no longer brought her joy.

Strangely, ever since meeting that man from [Insenidraken], whether a mad dragon or a dragon gone mad, she had been increasingly feeling an ominous, instinctive signal.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’re the only one who knows about the new dragon…How can a person possibly face a dragon bare-handed?”

At first glance, the Emperor sounded desperate, but Beatrice knew he was not that type of person. The Emperor never compromised when it came to the Empress’s matter.

“Only a dragon can face a dragon. It’s fortunate that the Light Dragon is interested in this issue.”

While Beatrice wasn’t particularly interested in politics, even she could see that the Emperor had made a mistake this time, causing such a situation with the Crown Prince and the entire Kingdom of Keruzhan. This was not something that should have been done.

A strong imperial power becomes even more stable when there’s a grown heir. Beatrice began to worry about the future of this country while looking at the Emperor, now completely buried in the bed. A bitter laugh escaped her.

‘I shouldn’t be concerned about the country’s future.’

That would be the beginning of its downfall.

“Tell him I can give him my entire fortune if he wants anything.”

“Yes.”

“If the Empress wakes up and stays by my side, the entire royal family will be stable.”

Ultimately, this is what the Emperor desires. Facing the Emperor’s true feelings, spoken by a weakened monarch, Beatrice once again felt an ominous signal.

“You’ve worked hard. Are you very tired lately? Show me your injured hand.”

Beatrice held out her hand, covered with a glove due to burns, with a strange feeling. The Emperor patted her hand sympathetically. The hand that was always strong was now completely drained of strength.

She had always dreamed of a better future, stepping without hesitation into the world of sorcery, derided as a dirty and pathetic superstition. But truly, does this powerless hand hold any future?

“You’ve suffered. You are far better than my son. You always find a way. I will grant you a great reward.”

A reward? What reward? Isn’t it something she couldn’t accept with dignity? With the Monde Duchy’s debt already in the grip of that dragon, Beatrice was being increasingly pushed into the shadows.

She wanted to move to the sunny side. She wanted to go out and shine brilliantly, reflecting light. She had to.

“Are you having trouble managing the household?”

As soon as she heard those words, Beatrice immediately understood what reward the Emperor was about to give. Ah, it would be another box full of gold coins. Those common, abundant funds from the Emperor’s private treasury that would never run dry.

If after more than 10 years of dedication she’s worth nothing more than money, what happens when she loses her utility value and he doesn’t even want to pay her?

“If you resolve the Evil Dragon, I’ll give you something even greater. Feel free to anticipate it.”

The Emperor rarely spoke like this. He usually avoided mentioning the future, so this time must be truly urgent.

“No, Your Majesty. I’m grateful just for your trust.”

For now, it’s fortunate. But now he’s the Emperor who has even arranged the Crown Prince’s engagement. He must prepare for the next move.

“I will contact the Light Dragon again.”

Beatrice bowed her head, still trembling with a bad premonition. Should she abandon the Emperor? This wasn’t a conclusion from rational calculation, but just an ominous instinctual signal.

‘No. He’s still the Emperor. An Emperor that the Crown Prince could never follow.’

The Emperor, who selected and used people at his whim, actually had no one to replace him. Even the Crown Prince could be set aside. Beatrice, who had always been captivated by the Emperor’s powerful authority, found it difficult to immediately follow her instinctual signal.

‘But for some reason, it doesn’t feel right…’

Beatrice looked back at the firmly closed bedroom door of the Empress. The Emperor seemed ready to discard her without mercy. No, he had already discarded her once, it seemed.

The problem was, no matter how much she thought about it, there were no traces or memories of such signs. Yet she was certain it had happened. Her mind was in chaos.

“Lady Ravalley.”

As Beatrice was about to naturally return to her townhouse after leaving the Soleil Palace, she stopped at the call.

“I’ve been looking for you for quite a while.”

Who was it? Oh, one of the maids accompanying the Marchioness of Schroz.

“The Small Sun is looking for you.”

The Small Sun would be the Crown Prince. The Grand Duke of Lusenford was gradually being called the moon that protects the empire.

The Emperor was not displeased by this nickname. Instead, he felt that the moon, who only shows his face at night, was perfectly suited to the Grand Duke who truly performed his role.

Thus, those supporting the Crown Prince eagerly called him the Small Sun.

From Beatrice’s perspective, the Big Sun was absolute, but the Small Sun…well, it didn’t sound quite as impressive.

However, she was just a young noblewoman from a duke’s family. She followed the person sent by the Crown Prince.

The Emperor’s surveillance network was somewhat weakened now, and even if the Emperor questioned her later, she could simply say she had no power to refuse the Crown Prince’s summons.

It was extremely rare to meet both the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Beatrice met the Crown Prince, who despite having just had his engagement ceremony, looked completely unhappy.

“You told me an interesting story yesterday.”

The Crown Prince’s anxious gaze wavered. How could he ask such a question to a woman whose reputation had plummeted after recently hosting a scandalous reception? His pride was wounded.

“I was curious why you said those things specifically.”

But he was the Crown Prince. Instead of immediately stating his purpose, he spoke circuitously.

Meanwhile, he looked down at Beatrice with an authoritative expression. However, in her eyes, he was nothing more than a young man the same age as Kaela.

It wasn’t bad. If the Emperor made her uneasy, securing a foothold with the next generation—the Crown Prince—was a safe choice.

“Isn’t it clearly visible?”

Beatrice had a very clear reason to wish for the dissolution of the Lusenford grand ducal couple.

“What’s visible isn’t everything.”

But Beatrice had her own desires, and the Crown Prince had already partially discerned this. Beatrice was now preparing to move extremely carefully.

****

Today was the engagement ceremony and reception, and while every noble, minister, and foreign guest was hurriedly preparing, Kaela was alone and peaceful.

The event preparations were already complete. The staff would handle everything now, and her presence wouldn’t make much difference. She was planning to just change her dress for the evening event.

‘I’m tired.’

For Kaela, removing the hairpins from her intricately braided and twisted hair and taking down the fixed tiara was not difficult.

Other noble ladies might struggle, but in Lusenford, where the maids assisting her were gradually disappearing, she was increasingly having to do things herself.

She wondered what Cecile, who had done her hair, might say. But Kaela didn’t care about her hairstyle.

She sat in the armchair as if lying down. Her completely loose hair felt much more comfortable. Like any other noble lady, she let her head wander without moving a finger.

‘I’ll go to the reception, and tomorrow I’ll read the Lusenford reports more carefully. Father will want me to pay attention to the Ostein side, so I’ll ask about that.

I wish I could have another meal with Father while staying a bit longer in Craine. Should I ask Peon? He’ll probably agree immediately……’

Wait a moment. Kaela de Chasser. Just stop for a moment. Kaela flinched.

What makes you so confident with Peon? Are you going crazy? Have you gone mad just because your husband is mad? Your husband is just a husband in name, as good as a stranger.

‘A stranger.’

Her clear eyes, filled with the sky, dropped powerlessly. She tried to recall the bleak sense of distance she had felt towards Peon before her regression. The very act of trying already meant she had failed.

He had approached her at will, getting close without her caring. He was too close to be called a stranger, yet not close enough to be expected.

This made her recall the inexplicable anger she had directed at Peon last night. Why did she do that?

‘This is a connection I should have cut off long ago, but it’s become too deeply intertwined.’

Like roots that can only be removed by cutting and burning, they had become entangled. Looking back, Peon was present at every turn of her life.

Completely removing his existence from her life was impossible. She had unilaterally become deeply entangled with him, and removing him would require her to be wounded as well.

Peon would probably be different.

‘No, is that really true?’

The prisoner long confined in the northern tower still asked. Though long imprisoned, she seemed less hungry now.

‘After pouring out emotions for so long, if it suddenly stops, wouldn’t even the recipient be hurt?’

Would it be very painful? Probably not as much as her, but she hoped he would be hurt ‘because of her’. Kaela was about to laugh but found she didn’t even have the strength to do so. She was increasingly aware of how terrible she had become.

‘Oh, but right now……’

What was she thinking? While wondering, her consciousness began to slip into sleep. Although not as weak as before her regression, Kaela had always been prone to illness and fragility.

She had fallen critically ill twice, and with many things to worry about in Craine, it was natural for her to tire easily. The negative thoughts that consumed her consciousness abruptly ceased.

She needed to prepare to go out in the afternoon, but the Grand Duchess had completely fallen asleep. She slept so silently that anyone entering the room would be startled.

A soft warmth touched her nose. The hand that checked her breath then touched her forehead. As her forehead was covered, shadows fell over her eyes, blocking the light. It felt more comfortable. A warm hand wrapped around her neck, checking her rapidly beating pulse.

It wasn’t annoying. Instead, someone removed her uncomfortable indoor shoes and adjusted her awkwardly bent neck to a comfortable position. Though it felt slightly cool despite the summer, something warm enveloped her body. Kaela completely collapsed into sleep.

“Kaela.”

A pleasant voice called softly. Kaela burrowed more towards that voice.

“……Kaela.”

The voice lowered further. It felt good.

“You need to wake up.”

Something soft touched her forehead and eyes. It felt nice but ticklish. She wanted to sleep a bit more. She burrowed deeper.

“Kaela.”

The voice sounded helpless and weakened. Oh, how exciting. If it weakens, she can sleep more.

“I’ll get scolded for not waking you properly.”

Now the voice was more of a groan. Can’t he just let it slide?

“……Fine, sleep more. Let’s play when you wake up.”

Play? What play? Kaela stirred, and finally opened her eyes at the body temperature touching her cheek.

“Sleep more, I said.”

A husky voice scolded. Huh? Kaela was bewildered by the voice coming from right near her forehead.

Why was Peon beneath her? He was lying on the bed in a soft shirt and pants, with her on top of him.

“Hmm?”

Her drowsy voice mumbled. Peon placed his hand on her forehead and sighed.

“……Don’t sleep in the chair.”

Kaela saw her chair was over there.

When did she move to the bed? She had roughly removed her pins and left the rest as they were, and her hair had fallen out. Whoever moved her to the bed had also removed her pins.

“And don’t sleep where others can see you.”

“Hmm?”

Peon looked down at Kaela, still caught in sleep, and then kissed her. He couldn’t refuse his wife, who despite hating the cold, clung to him even in this hot summer, but he also felt sorry.

The petite Kaela blinked, still drowsy from the kiss, and finally propped herself up on his body.

“Let’s go.”

The corner of his mouth rose. He liked when Kaela spoke informally while sleepy.

“I said we’d play.”

“Let’s go.”

“The reception will be boring.”

“We’re not going for fun.”

Kaela scolded him, but he either heard her or didn’t, gazing into empty space for a moment before letting out a small laugh. It was as if he was listening to a story from another place.

“Today will be interesting.”

And indeed, it was.