You are at the End of the Downfall

Whenever Beatrice came to Lusenford, Kaela’s position always became more precarious. It was because Beatrice always wandered around the castle meddlesomely and suddenly appeared by Peon’s side.

It was truly remarkable. Kaela, who had heard before her death in the north tower that Beatrice despised Peon as stupid, knew this.

Yet, the dedication with which she persistently followed Peon was astonishing. Was it because the Emperor ordered her to? Or perhaps Beatrice loved the Emperor that much?

‘Ah, I see…’

Kaela understood because she had been the same. When you love someone, you can do anything. If you could just see them happy, you could work all night, and even a simple smile made you grateful. That’s how it had been.

Anyway, not wanting to see Beatrice putting on a desperate act for love or ambition, Kaela decided to just stay cooped up in the Grand Duke’s bedroom for a while.

Kaela even had her dinner sent up to the bedroom, using the excuse of feeling unwell. There was no point in dining at a table with Beatrice and the Grand Duke, she would only end up with indigestion and vomiting.

“Your Highness.”

Cecile, who had been the first to adapt to the new title, approached. She must be bringing the meal. Kaela nodded and was about to get up.

“His Highness has arrived.”

“Huh?”

Before she could confirm, Kaela found herself face to face with the enormous man who strode in, filling the spacious bedroom with his presence.

“What brings you here, Your Highness?”

“That’s what I should be asking. Are you ill? Are you in much pain?”

Unlike his usual taciturn self, he spoke quickly with an anxious expression. His purple eyes wavered, scrutinizing her even as he spoke.

“Did you fall ill from being out in the wind today?”

His hands seemed ready to reach out and examine her but ultimately grasped at empty air. His trembling eyes, slightly pale face, and demeanor raised doubts she had buried. Why? Why was he acting like this? As if he had done something terribly wrong, why?

“I’m just a bit under the weather. Please don’t worry about it.”

“How can I not worry? You’re unwell after I took you out. Please, sit down. Quickly.”

He made Kaela, who had stood up, sit back down and personally covered her knees with a blanket that had been set aside. Then he sat opposite her and checked the meal being set on the table. Surprisingly, it was a meal for two.

“I decided to eat here as well.”

“But Your Highness, with a guest here, shouldn’t you go to the dining room?”

“How can I go anywhere, leaving you behind?”

It wasn’t a question but a declaration that he had nowhere else to go, so he would stay here. The firmness in his voice was resolute. This meant Beatrice Ravalley would be eating alone in the dining room, which was a serious breach of etiquette.

“Your Highness. Wouldn’t it be better to dine together with the person His Majesty the Emperor sent?”

“She arrived unannounced and abruptly.”

He spoke slowly, handing Kaela a warm towel. As she took it reflexively, he picked up his own towel and wiped his hands.

“If the lady of the house is ill due to an unfortunate incident, the guest should be understanding to that extent.”

Peon had a strong, masculine face, but his black eyelashes were long and his eyes delicate. Under the fan-like eyelashes, his purple eyes glanced at her.

“…I’d rather be with you than with an unexpected, uninvited guest.”

His eyes looked anxious and uneasy, as if afraid she might tell him to go. Was this appearance due to Kaela’s remaining foolish hope, or was it real?

As situations opposite to their usual routine kept arising, she didn’t answer for a moment, assessing him. It was Peon who couldn’t bear even the brief silence that followed.

“I really don’t want to go to the dining room.”

“Then don’t.”

His face, which had looked like a whining child, instantly darkened with despair.

“No, I mean, do as you wish.”

His expression brightened again. Though the change seemed subtle, Kaela, who had known this man since they were very young, could tell. And it amazed her.

It was astonishing to see the great Grand Duke, the lord of Lusenford, so easily swayed by the words of the insignificant Kaela. It was so fascinating that she wanted to live just a bit longer to see more of it.

The fact that she even had such thoughts was surprising, but sharing a meal with him sitting across from her was even more incredible. Kaela, who was used to always eating alone quietly in Lusenford and was picky about food, found it awkward to have Peon sitting in front of her.

“Is that all you’re eating?”

Kaela paused with her spoon in the potato cream soup, looked up at him, then glanced at his soup bowl. His deep bowl was filled with at least two and a half ladles of soup, while Kaela’s wasn’t even half full.

Peon was very tall and robust, so he probably needed to eat a lot to maintain his physique, but Kaela didn’t. However, he asked with a very serious face.

“Did you ask for only that much, or…”

Or had the impertinent kitchen staff dared to limit the Grand Duchess’s meal portion? Peon, who couldn’t trust anything in Lusenford Castle, thought he should stick closer to Kaela. Things might have gone wrong even in the smallest, most trivial matters.

“This is the amount the doctor approved. I can’t eat more than this anyway.”

Soup, well-boiled vegetables, and meat simmered until tender – that was about the extent of the Grand Duchess’s meal.

“How has Your Highness’ meals been lately? I’ve had them prepare various dishes.”

“Ah. So that’s why the meals have changed so much recently. I enjoyed them.”

“Really?”

Seeing Kaela’s eyes widen, Peon unexpectedly burst into laughter.

“Why would I lie about meals? I enjoyed them. They reminded me of the food I ate in Crania.”

They were nostalgic foods he had eaten while living with his mother in a corner of the imperial palace, whom others pointed fingers at as dirty and impure.

Peon, who had originally thought of food as merely a substance to fill the stomach and gain strength to fight, realized that he had long forgotten the joy of eating in Lusenford.

“I’m glad. We’re looking for a chef who can handle various cuisines from this area or even further away. If you could let me know which days you particularly enjoyed the food, I’ll make sure to consider that in the final selection.”

The food tasted sweet on his tongue, and the conversation was not just comfortable but extremely enjoyable. It was just an ordinary conversation between a lord and his wife, but how could it be this fun?

No, it seems that Kaela’s very existence was what made it enjoyable. Even when she smiled just a little formally, Peon felt happy and delighted.

Could they just stay like this for a little while, just a little longer, until the suspicion that had captured him became reality?

He dared to hope for a postponement of his punishment. He recalled the question he had asked in the realm of the evil dragon as he gazed at his impossibly beautiful wife.

…Is there a possibility that someone else could also return to the past?

The question he had asked the sorcery master while trembling miserably was becoming clearer, but he yearned for a reprieve. Not yet, just a little longer. Please.