The more the Emperor read the report in his hands, the more he was shocked. And at the same time, he was angry.
“You wouldn’t have said to attack the Grand Duke. There must have been something bothering Rhodnes.”
The Emperor quickly glanced over the report and clicked his tongue. But that was only for a moment, as he immediately stood up from his seat after reading Baroness Kuroseda’s report.
“Have you found her?!”
“She’s probably dead.”
“Roan!!”
The Emperor was astonished.
“Isn’t it in the report? We found a place similar to a base, and an underground prison was discovered on the land owned by Count Acacia, a vassal of Grand Duke Noevian. The guards there have already all escaped, and the testimony of Baroness Lotus, who was kidnapped, is consistent.”
The Emperor's legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
“The body... Did you find the body?”
“We are searching the area. This case will be closed once we find the woman’s body.”
“Is it really the Grand Duke who did that? Why?”
“As someone loyal to the royal family, wouldn’t it have been better to eliminate her from the moment my father’s infidelity was revealed, considering the royal family’s prestige?”
“Roan!”
As the Emperor's shocked eyes turned to Rhodnes, the Crown Prince, who had been silent, shouted to stop him. The Emperor remained frozen, his mouth wide open, enduring the continuous shock.
“That’s why I handled it quietly. If I just tarnished the honor of the Grand Duke, wouldn’t my father be cleansed? If I hold a trial and waste time, the rumors about my father’s government will only spread more.”
“Roan, Roan, stop it.”
The Crown Prince began to dissuade Rhodnes, because the Emperor's expression was too pale.
“...What do you want by driving a nail into your father’s heart like this? Is it to get the person you want? Yes, I will allow it. I will not interfere with who you want to be with.”
“I don’t want anything. If we find the body, we’ll close the case.”
With those words, Rhodnes left the audience room, leaving the Emperor on the verge of collapse. Bardenaldo, who had been hesitating, hurriedly followed Rhodnes out.
“Roan...!”
Rhodnes stood tall in the middle of the dark hallway.
"...Thanks."
It was a greeting that had many meanings. Rhodnes did not respond. In the report he submitted, he had lumped together the reason for detaining Grand Duke Noevian as being because of suspicions about the Baroness Kuroseda case. He knew that if the fact that he had sent rebels to the West was recorded in the report, the West would not remain silent.
“You take all the blame for me, and I...”
“Don't say anything.”
Looking at the sobbing Crown Prince, Rhodnes spoke coldly.
“Not for you, brother. For my mother.”
Empress Letina's only blemish. The mutation of the imperial family. The person who would erase all the blame and make Empress Letina shine as the mother of the emperor was in front of Rhodnes.
“...Roan.”
He couldn't undo what he had done. He couldn't tell Bardenaldo that Adrienne was alive. So while he was alive, he had no choice but to live asking for Adrienne's forgiveness. When asked what he wanted, he couldn't dare ask for Adrienne. He just hoped that Adrienne still wanted him.
‘...What if the Crown Prince killed me?’
Unlike Noevian, I felt more betrayed than bewildered by the Crown Prince. Before resentment toward the Crown Prince, Rhodnes’ face came to mind first. I wanted to tell him. The words I couldn’t say properly last time because the timing was off, “I missed you.”
What is the truth that Blie wanted me to confirm? Did Noevian marry me, despite not wanting to, at the behest of the Crown Prince? Or was the Crown Prince involved in my death? If she's going to tell me, keep writing in the diary.
“Actually, I came here in a hurry after hearing the news, but I also came to do your hair.”
Jonah scratched her cheek as if embarrassed, then started mixing up the things that had always taken care of me, as if she had prepared them.
“You can always get my hair done.”
I just smiled and let her do what she did. The familiar touch of her hands made me fall asleep.
“But look, the color has already come up this much. You said that after one day from the appointed date, the roots will show their color, and after two days, as soon as they touch water, they will magically return to their original color. Today is already the second day.”
Until I heard something strange from Jonah.
“...What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
As Jonah said, the wet hair was turning blonde from the roots to the tips. It was like magic. I was so scared that my hair stood on end. I jumped out of the bath and ran to the mirror. Everything was the same, but Blie's hair was suddenly shining blonde, just like my original hair.
“Jonah, Jonah... Jonah?”
My mind was spinning, and I reached behind me, feeling for air. I needed something to hold onto.
“Why are you doing this, ma’am?”
Jonah quickly approached me and grabbed my hand tightly. I slowly turned my head toward Jonah, feeling the stiffness in my neck.
“Madam, you were originally blonde.”
There was Jonah, smiling brightly.
“Roan, you tell me.”
Unlike the Crown Prince who could not raise his head, the Emperor raised his head stiffly and called out to Rhodnes who was absent-minded.
“Father, I... I will tell you.”
Unlike the Crown Prince who could not raise his head, the Emperor raised his head stiffly and called out to Rhodnes who was absent-minded.
“Father, I... I will tell you.”
“You wouldn’t have said to attack the Grand Duke. There must have been something bothering Rhodnes.”
The Emperor quickly glanced over the report and clicked his tongue. But that was only for a moment, as he immediately stood up from his seat after reading Baroness Kuroseda’s report.
“Have you found her?!”
“She’s probably dead.”
“Roan!!”
The Emperor was astonished.
“Isn’t it in the report? We found a place similar to a base, and an underground prison was discovered on the land owned by Count Acacia, a vassal of Grand Duke Noevian. The guards there have already all escaped, and the testimony of Baroness Lotus, who was kidnapped, is consistent.”
The Emperor's legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
“The body... Did you find the body?”
“We are searching the area. This case will be closed once we find the woman’s body.”
“Is it really the Grand Duke who did that? Why?”
“As someone loyal to the royal family, wouldn’t it have been better to eliminate her from the moment my father’s infidelity was revealed, considering the royal family’s prestige?”
“Roan!”
As the Emperor's shocked eyes turned to Rhodnes, the Crown Prince, who had been silent, shouted to stop him. The Emperor remained frozen, his mouth wide open, enduring the continuous shock.
“That’s why I handled it quietly. If I just tarnished the honor of the Grand Duke, wouldn’t my father be cleansed? If I hold a trial and waste time, the rumors about my father’s government will only spread more.”
“Roan, Roan, stop it.”
The Crown Prince began to dissuade Rhodnes, because the Emperor's expression was too pale.
“...What do you want by driving a nail into your father’s heart like this? Is it to get the person you want? Yes, I will allow it. I will not interfere with who you want to be with.”
“I don’t want anything. If we find the body, we’ll close the case.”
With those words, Rhodnes left the audience room, leaving the Emperor on the verge of collapse. Bardenaldo, who had been hesitating, hurriedly followed Rhodnes out.
“Roan...!”
Rhodnes stood tall in the middle of the dark hallway.
"...Thanks."
It was a greeting that had many meanings. Rhodnes did not respond. In the report he submitted, he had lumped together the reason for detaining Grand Duke Noevian as being because of suspicions about the Baroness Kuroseda case. He knew that if the fact that he had sent rebels to the West was recorded in the report, the West would not remain silent.
“You take all the blame for me, and I...”
“Don't say anything.”
Looking at the sobbing Crown Prince, Rhodnes spoke coldly.
“Not for you, brother. For my mother.”
Empress Letina's only blemish. The mutation of the imperial family. The person who would erase all the blame and make Empress Letina shine as the mother of the emperor was in front of Rhodnes.
“...Roan.”
He couldn't undo what he had done. He couldn't tell Bardenaldo that Adrienne was alive. So while he was alive, he had no choice but to live asking for Adrienne's forgiveness. When asked what he wanted, he couldn't dare ask for Adrienne. He just hoped that Adrienne still wanted him.
Rhodnes turned his back on Bardenaldo and left the hallway.
***
Steam rose like a mist over the hot water in the bathtub. I was supported by the maids and soaked in the bathtub. Even though they pushed me back to go back to the Count’s residence first, Marge and Jonah wanted to stay in the Grand Duke’s residence and take care of me. Most of the Grand Duke’s servants were sent to the capital guard for investigation.
“Did you see the butler’s expression, madam? He looks ten years older.”
“It’s fortunate that he doesn’t pester Madam.”
“My goodness, how dare that sly fellow approach you?”
“I don’t know, I just have a feeling.”
I listened to them chewing on Butler Gaspard. Fortunately or unfortunately, Butler Gaspard was the first servant to return from the investigation. He was taken aback by my chilling momentum and sent Annie, who was crying, north with several of the Grand Duke's belongings. It was like sending a beggar, being kicked out of the Grand Duke's mansion.
“Did you see the butler’s expression, madam? He looks ten years older.”
“It’s fortunate that he doesn’t pester Madam.”
“My goodness, how dare that sly fellow approach you?”
“I don’t know, I just have a feeling.”
I listened to them chewing on Butler Gaspard. Fortunately or unfortunately, Butler Gaspard was the first servant to return from the investigation. He was taken aback by my chilling momentum and sent Annie, who was crying, north with several of the Grand Duke's belongings. It was like sending a beggar, being kicked out of the Grand Duke's mansion.
I don’t know if he knew that Annie was the Duke of Castagna, but he must have known that there was someone behind her. As Annie was dragged away helplessly, Gaspard turned pale and kept his mouth shut. Seeing him hiding his body, leaving me, who was like the master of this mansion, behind, I thought he was scared.
'Butler Gaspard must be the Crown Prince's man.'
Even though he had just come out of the investigation, and his eyes were shaking with anxiety, he was trying to look calm, so it seemed like he had to have the Crown Prince behind him. And he had been following the Crown Prince around and taking care of him so obviously.
'Butler Gaspard must be the Crown Prince's man.'
Even though he had just come out of the investigation, and his eyes were shaking with anxiety, he was trying to look calm, so it seemed like he had to have the Crown Prince behind him. And he had been following the Crown Prince around and taking care of him so obviously.
Ah. When the name that I had barely put aside because there were so many things to do came to mind, a headache came over me.
'If I had killed you in this palace without you, then surely... Crown Prince Bardenaldo.'
'Only Crown Prince Bardenaldo.'
Choaaaak-!
"Lady!"
"...Sorry."
As I slapped Noevian’s whispering face that was floating above the water, water splashed everywhere. Marge grumbled and got up, saying she would change her clothes. Then she went out the bathroom door, saying she would get some medicine to put on Jonah’s face that Bianca had hit earlier.
'Only Crown Prince Bardenaldo.'
Choaaaak-!
"Lady!"
"...Sorry."
As I slapped Noevian’s whispering face that was floating above the water, water splashed everywhere. Marge grumbled and got up, saying she would change her clothes. Then she went out the bathroom door, saying she would get some medicine to put on Jonah’s face that Bianca had hit earlier.
As Marge left, Jonah began to massage my scalp carefully. I sighed softly and chewed my lips. Noevian Trovica had deceived and tricked me countless times. How much of what he said should I accept?
I couldn’t help it. I love Adrienne. Blie is just a substitute. The Crown Prince urged me to marry you, but in the end, I loved you.
The uncomfortable truths that came out of his mouth filled my heart and made me shiver. I didn’t want to accept any of them. Suddenly, I remembered the Crown Prince’s words that he would do anything for this empire. If, as Noevian said, the culprit is the Crown Prince and he is just a victim, then am I a sacrifice for the greater good?
Since I had no choice, I should accept Noevian’s words, and since the Crown Prince has a greater good, should I understand his decisions?
[I have an older brother. The family I love the most in the world and the person I must protect with my life.]
His affectionate and respectful older brother always appeared in Rhodnes’ letters when I was young. What if I ask Rhodnes?
He trusts the Crown Prince, so he will tell me not to believe Noevian, but the marriage that was the beginning of my misfortune, if not my death, was definitely caused by the Crown Prince. If only Noevian gets punished. If only he could despair as much as I do. I thought that if I ruined the honor he had built up his whole life, it would be no different from killing him. No matter how many times I stabbed his heart with a sword, Noevian, who died carrying all that honor, would not despair. He
I knew that losing his honor, living in shame, not being worthy of royalty, and living at the bottom was the most miserable and cruel way to die. So I did it. He made everyone he trusted betray him. Why does it feel so uncomfortable? Why can't I see the way out? It's just like Noevian said...
‘...What if the Crown Prince killed me?’
Unlike Noevian, I felt more betrayed than bewildered by the Crown Prince. Before resentment toward the Crown Prince, Rhodnes’ face came to mind first. I wanted to tell him. The words I couldn’t say properly last time because the timing was off, “I missed you.”
I imagined the time I had lost to Noevian, living it up for myself. What if we had met properly?
If I had doubted Noevian even once. If I had met Rhodnes’ eyes, staring intently at me as we danced our first dance. Just thinking about what Rhodnes would look like when I imagined such things made my face turn red.
I quietly buried my face in my hands. I didn’t want to think about anything. What should I say first when I meet Rhodnes?
Noevian said that the person who could kill me is your brother. So I want to investigate your brother. Will you help me?
Even if Rhodnes helps me, or doesn't, I can't help feeling uncomfortable. It would seem like I'm forcing Rhodnes to choose between his brother and me. I don't have the right to put that burden on him.
'How much did Blie know?'
'How much did Blie know?'
What is the truth that Blie wanted me to confirm? Did Noevian marry me, despite not wanting to, at the behest of the Crown Prince? Or was the Crown Prince involved in my death? If she's going to tell me, keep writing in the diary.
I sighed deeply and tilted my head back. Let’s rest today. Let’s rest just for today. I’ve been running too hard. I really wanted to rest.
“Madam, are you tired?”
“...Yeah. I’m sorry to you, Jonah. Your pretty face is being ruined because of me... I would have called you when the time came, so why did you come?”
“Madam, are you tired?”
“...Yeah. I’m sorry to you, Jonah. Your pretty face is being ruined because of me... I would have called you when the time came, so why did you come?”
“Actually, I came here in a hurry after hearing the news, but I also came to do your hair.”
Jonah scratched her cheek as if embarrassed, then started mixing up the things that had always taken care of me, as if she had prepared them.
“You can always get my hair done.”
I just smiled and let her do what she did. The familiar touch of her hands made me fall asleep.
“But look, the color has already come up this much. You said that after one day from the appointed date, the roots will show their color, and after two days, as soon as they touch water, they will magically return to their original color. Today is already the second day.”
Until I heard something strange from Jonah.
“...What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“It wasn’t that the madam sent me there, but I was thinking that I should go to the Count’s residence sometime since there were no ingredients at the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“Jonah?”
The innocent face of Jonah suddenly felt unfamiliar. I turned my eyes to the mirror on the wall, a strange chill running down my spine.
“...!”
Leaning back slightly while leaning against the bathtub, I... no, Blie’s appearance. If there was anything different from usual.
“Jonah, what the heck... is this?”
“Jonah?”
The innocent face of Jonah suddenly felt unfamiliar. I turned my eyes to the mirror on the wall, a strange chill running down my spine.
“...!”
Leaning back slightly while leaning against the bathtub, I... no, Blie’s appearance. If there was anything different from usual.
“Jonah, what the heck... is this?”
As Jonah said, the wet hair was turning blonde from the roots to the tips. It was like magic. I was so scared that my hair stood on end. I jumped out of the bath and ran to the mirror. Everything was the same, but Blie's hair was suddenly shining blonde, just like my original hair.
“Jonah, Jonah... Jonah?”
My mind was spinning, and I reached behind me, feeling for air. I needed something to hold onto.
“Why are you doing this, ma’am?”
Jonah quickly approached me and grabbed my hand tightly. I slowly turned my head toward Jonah, feeling the stiffness in my neck.
“Madam, you were originally blonde.”
There was Jonah, smiling brightly.
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