DYBAR - Chapter 57 < People Who Ignore Anxiety >
Do Your Best And Regret It
"Aren't you asking why that thing fell!"
Bang.
At the same time as the sound of hitting the desk, the Emperor burst out in anger. The Chamberlain bowed his head in anger that sent shivers down his spine. The Emperor pointed towards the badge with his finger while glaring at the chamberlain who did not respond. The curtain that had always been draped as if covering something was wide open.
"Do you think it makes sense that a portrait with a preservation spell would be dropped when no one approached it? Chamberlain!"
The Emperor's eyes flashed brightly as he looked at the empty wall. The chamberlain solemnly raised his head at the Emperor's sharp voice, as if he were going to kill someone.
"Your Majesty, don't you know? I am the only one who checks Your Majesty's bedroom last."
The chamberlain said in a trembling voice. It was literally like that. The chamberlain simply inspected the Emperor's bedroom as usual. Everything was the same as yesterday until he discovered that something had fallen in the deepest part of the bedroom, beneath the insignia symbolizing Franz's Empire. The Emperor knew that fact better than anyone else.
The person who had pulled back the curtain and looked at the portrait just a moment ago was no one else but the Emperor himself. The Emperor's heavy breathing that filled the bedroom gradually subsided. It was a positive sign. When the bedroom soon became quiet, the experienced chamberlain spoke carefully.
"... I will call the court wizard to cast the preservation spell again, Your Majesty."
The Chamberlain bowed his head deeply. Soon there was a sound of him sitting down on a chair.
"... Thank you. I didn't look very good today."
"No, Your Majesty."
The chamberlain served the Emperor throughout his life. He watched from the sidelines how obsessed the Emperor was with the woman in the portrait, and what he did because of it. It was the only portrait depicting such a woman. No matter how much he served the Emperor, he could not have predicted what would have happened if the Emperor had not looked at the portrait a moment ago.
The chamberlain unconsciously stroked his neck. It felt cool as if a wind had blown across his neck.
"Raise your head, Chamberlain."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The chamberlain raised his head. The Emperor said, looking away from the portrait that was placed upright on the desk.
"Is the Princess conducting the investigation I ordered in Vikander?"
"I received news that she is staying in the Viscounty of Katanta."
"Are they already coming back from the investigation? She's coming back faster than I thought."
The Emperor exhaled lightly and tried to cheer himself up. Fortunately, the chief chamberlain's answer was satisfactory. She was a Princess who always brought clear results to whatever she was asked to do. He said she had a late start, and it seemed like she was definitely following her father's orders to quickly investigate.
"That is...."
The Emperor raised one eyebrow. The Chamberlain looked at his embarrassment for a moment and chose his words.
".... She's not on her way back, she's on her way to Vikander."
"What?"
The Emperor frowned, clearly showing his anger. The Chamberlain, who had been cut off from his words, kept his mouth shut.
"Is that really true? The Princess has only gone as far as Katanta? Isn't it only four hours from here?"
"Yes. I apologize, Your Majesty. It is said that the journey was delayed for a while due to Her Highness's motion sickness,"
"Haha!"
The Emperor burst into laughter. What a motion sickness. She's still in Katanta just because of motion sickness!
The Emperor was unable to extinguish his anger by easily erasing the memory of the Princess saying she was sick last time.
After seeing the portrait fall, the Emperor became more convinced that he needed to check the White Crystal Mine mine again. The Emperor suppressed his impatience and ordered softly.
"Send someone to Katanta immediately. Tell the Princess that I will give him five days to finish without any need for excuses."
It took three days just to go from the islands to Vikander Territory. It took six days just to go round and round without an investigation, but instead of pointing this out, the chamberlain politely replied that he would do it.
The Emperor raised his hand and washed his face. A stuffy sigh filled his palm. There were already countless things to do. Among them, the one who had been causing the most trouble these days was Madeleine's eldest Princess, who had gone to the Vikander territory.
"... I don't know if the Duke of Madeleine is doing his job properly."
"I will send him word for an audience tomorrow."
Hearing the words of the experienced chamberlain, the Emperor swallowed deeply and nodded.
"Bring me a cup of tea."
The Chamberlain bowed his head and answered that he would. And then the chamberlain left the bedroom. With the sound of the door closing, the Emperor removed his palm from his face. No matter how hard he tried to look away, he couldn't.
The Emperor slowly looked at the portrait on the desk as if he were fascinated. Against a dark background, a beautiful blonde woman wearing a rich white dress was looking at him expressionlessly. Her overwhelmingly beautiful face looked exactly like the Emperor's faithful dog, her son, Archduke Vikander. The only thing else was bright, sparkling green eyes.
The Emperor quietly lifted his finger stroked the expressionless face and muttered.
"I must have looked wrong. Well, how can something like a painting make you laugh?"
The Emperor's mutterings filled the bedroom and then disappeared. Naturally, the picture was silent. Like this beautiful woman who was brought to the imperial palace to protect Vikander's reign. The Emperor looked down at her portrait with eyes filled with scorn.
"... That's why you should have clung to me in the end, Princess. If that were the case, I would have been kind to the son you love so much."
The soft voice, as if chewing between teeth, was filled with lingering regrets that even the Emperor himself was not aware of. The Emperor's eyes were distorted with greed and jealousy as he looked at the woman in the picture who was looking at him solemnly.
Vikander's ancestral Grand Duchess and Princess of a fallen country. She is loved and respected by everyone. She is the only woman who did not allow a single piece of his heart to rest until the very end. She was a woman who didn't say a word to him even until she was dying.
"Because of the Princess, Vikander will disappear. Just as the people of the ruined city of Lowell became ashamed of themselves. Esmeralda, because you didn't choose me. Because of you!"
There was only pain left for Archduke Vikander, who had a face that looked like this. As the image of the Princess in the underworld shedding bloody tears came to mind, a happy smile appeared on the Emperor's lips.
The Emperor, who had been cursing in an angry voice, was momentarily startled and took a step back.
"What is this....?"
Inexplicably, for a moment, he felt like the green eyes of the Princess in the portrait were laughing at him. When the Emperor blinked and looked at the portrait again, the Princess was looking at him expressionlessly as always. That can't be possible.
The Emperor's neck felt tingly as he looked at the portrait. The Emperor turned the portrait upside down without realizing it. It's no big deal. The same goes for the portrait that fell, and the news about the Princess that he doesn't like. He just became a little more sensitive today.
Still, the Emperor gently clenched his fist. Until a little while ago, everything was at hand. As he clenched his fists, it felt like everything was slipping through his fingers. His dog, whom he had so much confidence in. Like the time he felt Archduke Vikander's leash had been let go. That can't be possible. The ever-smart Princess will once again faithfully follow his orders, and Duke Madeleine will bring his eldest Princess, who made Archduke Vikander laugh, back to the Prince's side. And the Crown Prince was going to instill despair in Archduke Vikander by making Princess Madeleine his wife.
Everything will return to its original place. The Emperor repeated the words to himself like a mantra. As if this anxiety was nothing...
At that time, the chamberlain sent news to the Viscounty of Katanta according to the Emperor's orders. As he watched the horses and knights moving away, the chamberlain swallowed an unknown sense of anxiety.
"... Even the Duke of Madeleine should bring good news."
The chamberlain's words scattered helplessly into the air. And when the Chamberlain turned around, the sun was rising in an unusually dark sky far away.
***
It was around dawn. Me and Edwin sat side by side in the carriage and rested our heads on each other's shoulders. It was a good time just hearing the heartbeat. Even though I stayed up all night, strangely I couldn't sleep. I felt like my body had more energy than usual. Was it because I was telling the story that seemed like a heavy burden, or was it because I was sitting close to Edwin?
I chuckled and watched the Great Siege getting closer and closer. And I wiggled my hands like a habit. I felt a small, hard feeling against my fingertips and then realized that I had not put the magic stone necklace back on.
As I gingerly lifted my head, Edwin followed the movement and looked at my fingertips.
"I'll put it for you."
The low, slightly subdued voice was wonderful. As Edwin took the necklace from my hand without hesitation, my cheeks flushed a little as my fingers brushed against his. Edwin, who quickly noticed my flushed cheeks, pretended not to notice and slowly put the necklace around my neck. And he whispered in my ear.
"As soon as we go in, we take a deep breath and eat a late breakfast. Don't go to Jeniv today, but hang out with me all afternoon. How is it?'
It was a nice suggestion, but I shook my head. As soon as I entered I had to be stamped. Because the property of the Grand Duke and his wife is joint property. I wanted to leave it to Edwin more clearly. Of course, Bethany has to be okay.
Unable to confirm Bethany's condition, I swallowed my words. Meanwhile, the gates of the strong Siege Castle opened and the carriage entered the castle. I went there. The words felt even more real, so I muttered them in my mouth.
"Are you here, Your Highness? Miss.'
"Bethany!"
I wanted to make sure she was okay, but she came all the way to the front door like this!
I widened my eyes and called out to Bethany. Last night, Bethany, who had been crying so much, stood at the front door with her calm face and greeted me and Edwin. Astonished as she was, I got out of my carriage and quickly walked up to Bethany and hugged her. Bethany, who widened her eyes as if she was a little surprised, immediately hugged me warmly.
"Oh, you too, Miss. Did you have a good trip?"
"Yes. Are you feeling okay?"
Bethany smiled and nodded at the whispered words. I was fortunate. There was no reason to hesitate now. I spoke cautiously but confidently to Bethany.
"Then, please transfer this White Crystal Mine to joint ownership right now."
Of course, I expected Bethany to smile brightly and say yes. She was so happy that the precious inheritance was returned to the point of crying that I expected that she would not be able to answer for a while because she was so overwhelmed with emotion. But the answer I heard far exceeded my expectations.
"Unfortunately, Miss. That is impossible."
I looked at Edwin without even realizing the answer that seemed like a bolt from the blue. Edwin smiled brightly and nodded as if he knew that would happen.
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