Late in the afternoon, Michael and Louis Dunst exchanged a puzzled look, each holding a different letter in his hand.
One was from a spy planted in the Hedestad Palace, and the other was an official letter from the royal family. Both letters announced an unexpected visit by the Emperor's delegation.
“They should be past the Scarborough checkpoint by now.”
“I didn’t know you brought a car in.”
Michael muttered to himself. If he had come by carriage, the spy's telegram would have arrived at least a day earlier. Louis looked at his new master with a surprised expression.
“There was talk that the execution of Master Kyle would be announced around the next week. Since he is already as good as dead, are they going to start digging for something now?”
“It was said that it was customary to hold a three-day banquet when the Emperor visited.”
“That’s right. The Emperor’s representative is granted the same powers as the Emperor, except for enacting Imperial Law.”
“Then how about doing it on the second night of the three-day banquet... no, tonight?”
Louis' face became tense at Michael's suggestion. It was so sudden. However, since she was always prepared, it wasn't impossible if she pushed herself a little.
“Then I will prepare and get ready from now on.”
Louis quickly left the chamber and called the helpers together. The plan, which was supposed to be carried out as early as next year, just before the end of the former Emperor’s mourning period, was brought forward by two months. But it was inevitable. The helpers accepted this as God’s will for the greater good.
Michael unlocked the bedroom door one by one, seven in total, and went inside. The room, which was as spacious as a hall, was as splendid and magnificent as the Empress's room. However, because of the silence and heavy air that filled the room, it felt more like a grand funeral parlor than a room where someone lived.
He put the tray of food down on the table and headed to the bed. Angie was asleep, her face as pale as a sick person. Her bandaged arms were hanging limply under the bed like a doll's. Her face was so worn out that it was almost pitiful, like an elaborate wax doll.
Michael sat at the bedside and looked down at the patient. He was at a loss as to where to hide Angie in the face of the Grand Duke's sudden visit. Should he move her to the basement of the annex?
After much deliberation, he decided to leave it as is. Based on the external structure of the building, this part, which looked like a spire attached to a chapel, seemed the safest.
“Angie...”
There was still no word from the spy sent to the Citadel. An answer would come within a few days at the latest, but his suspicions were already set in stone. Noah was definitely the child between Angie and Kyle.
He stopped and withdrew his hand from brushing the messy hair off Angie's forehead. It would be better to sleep like this. When she woke up, she would be glaring at him like a monster. The pain of those beautiful green eyes, like jewels, cutting into his heart was truly unbearable.
He was getting goosebumps. He was afraid that one day he would stab her in the eye. If he blinded her and then damaged her limbs so that she couldn't use them... ... Then, would she come to rely on him and open his heart to him?
If that doesn't work out... I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing, Angie.
If he were to sacrifice her baby to gain immortality, he would at least feel more secure if he lived a little longer than Angie. If he had to live even just one day longer than her, he would be able to care for her until the end of her life.
Angie, I'm sorry, but forget about the child's existence. You'll never know anything about it... You'll have a vague hope that he's doing well in Vintergar, but since you'll have to say goodbye to him forever anyway, it's better to just erase him from your memories.
She must be trapped here forever. She cannot go anywhere, not to Vintergar, not to the Citadel, not to the Armitage family where she lived, not to the village of Revan where her grandmother lived. She will never see any of them again.
"Monster. You are just like your grandfather, John Fitzroy Blackwell. You are a monster."
Angie's accusations played in his ears. He couldn't understand. Why was everyone blaming him? If it was the previous Duke's sin, it was that he willingly offered himself as a test subject for the holy ritual and eventually turned into an undead. And as his own blood relative in the shadows, he freed him from his suffering and protected him until the end.
John Fitzroy was simply being true to his natural human desires. Anyone who had absolute power and absolute wealth would dream of immortality. That’s why he couldn’t understand those who opposed him. The Helpers, Glenn Adams, Jerome Hamilton, and even Kyle and his dead father.
Remedy. Newborn. Pure blood of innocent life. He knew that the whole process was a bizarre act and an unethical sin. But then, what if it was? Isn't it true that humans themselves are ultimately beings close to evil, and that the ultimate goal of their continuous development and evolution is to go beyond the realm of the Gods?
After the war, the Industrial Revolution and new scientific technologies centered around Vintergar arrived on the continent, and the creation of electricity, automobiles, large-scale factories, and steamships were all endless challenges that went beyond human limitations. Attempting to make a leap toward a more convenient civilization, enjoying that civilization for a longer time, and becoming a pioneer in taking the first step toward eternal life. What is the difference between the two?
Michael hesitated before getting up from his chair and going outside. He considered tying Angie's hands and feet but decided against it. Instead, he checked the latches on each window, lowered the curtains, and secured the hooks with chains.
Michael turned around once more and left the room. The door slammed shut, and the locks latched one by one, making a cold sound.
The room darkened in an instant. However, thanks to a ray of sunset faintly streaming in through a gap in the curtains, they were able to avoid complete darkness.
Angie opened her eyes. She got out of bed and put her ear to the door to make sure Michael had moved away. Then she opened the closet door and pushed aside the white lacquered chest. There was a recess in the wall that had been hidden. She knocked twice, then three times as she had promised, and the wall moved back, revealing the maid.
“Annette.”
“Angie, are you okay? There’s chaos at the mansion right now. His Majesty the Emperor is supposed to be here in an hour. I think he’s making an unexpected visit. That’s why everyone’s busy with the welcome dinner and all, so we have to go quickly.”
“His Majesty the Emperor...? Grand Duke Winston, you mean? What brought him here all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know about that. More than ten boats are waiting to take the delegation to the opposite dock. I think all the village boatmen have gathered.”
At Annette's words, Angie's eyes sparkled. It was a moment when her half-face brightened. Without saying a word, the two women whispered at the same time.
“Maybe this is an opportunity?”
“This is a golden opportunity.”
Angie spoke first. She kept her voice low as she looked behind Annette.
“When the Grand Duke comes, there will be a banquet, right? He will stay for at least a few days, so the ships anchored here will remain as they are... No matter how tight the security is, if ships come and go frequently, wouldn’t there be an opportunity to cross over to the other side?”
“I think so too. I’ll come back when I get a chance, so just knock when you signal and I’ll open the door.”
“Yew. Be careful, Annette.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry. No one knows about this secret passage.”
Annette went back the way she had come, her head bowed. Angie watched her carefully as she descended the cold, spiraling stone steps, and only after the sound of her footsteps had finally died down did she close the closet door.
As she lifted the tray cover on the table, Angie saw a basket full of freshly made food. It was a sumptuous feast: steaming soup, milk rolls, scones, lemon dill butter, various fruit jams, grilled fish and shrimp with their bones carefully removed, veal, fresh eggs, fruit salad, custard rusks, and lavender tea.
There were spoons, but no knives or forks. Food was wrapped in paper and placed in wooden baskets instead of plates, and soup was placed in bread bowls like panne. Teacups were also made of unbreakable silver. This was probably to eliminate the possibility of self-harm or of hiding them and using them as weapons for attacks.
Angie sat at the table and slowly drank her tea. Then she tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in soup, and eagerly put the meat and fish that had been cut into her mouth one by one. It was like chewing paper, and she couldn't taste anything. Her throat was choked and she couldn't breathe, and she felt like she was going to throw up at any moment, but she held it in and swallowed as much as she could.
I need to conserve my energy. Tonight is my chance.
She had to escape during the hustle and bustle of the banquet. If not today, she might never have another chance. Her hands tightened as she thought about Noah.
Come to think of it, Kyle... He’s probably still safe. If his brother had been executed, Michael wouldn’t have stayed still. He would have gladly revealed his death and headed to the capital just to make her surrender for sure.
It'll be okay for now. Definitely...
Angie turned over the basket that had contained the bread and tore off the tightly woven wooden sections. She clenched her teeth and endured the pain, though her fingernails were crushed and scratched, drawing blood. She managed to tear off a piece. The edges were sharp, and if she really wanted to, she could probably inflict a small wound.
She tried to hide it under the sole of her shoe, but she couldn't, because Michael didn't leave a single pair of shoes in the room to prevent her from running away.
After much thought, she hid the piece in the hairnet that held her hair up and put it in her pajama pocket. She just hoped that she would never have to use it. If she had to use it, she prayed that it would be put to good use at the right time.
One was from a spy planted in the Hedestad Palace, and the other was an official letter from the royal family. Both letters announced an unexpected visit by the Emperor's delegation.
“They should be past the Scarborough checkpoint by now.”
“I didn’t know you brought a car in.”
Michael muttered to himself. If he had come by carriage, the spy's telegram would have arrived at least a day earlier. Louis looked at his new master with a surprised expression.
“There was talk that the execution of Master Kyle would be announced around the next week. Since he is already as good as dead, are they going to start digging for something now?”
“It was said that it was customary to hold a three-day banquet when the Emperor visited.”
“That’s right. The Emperor’s representative is granted the same powers as the Emperor, except for enacting Imperial Law.”
“Then how about doing it on the second night of the three-day banquet... no, tonight?”
Louis' face became tense at Michael's suggestion. It was so sudden. However, since she was always prepared, it wasn't impossible if she pushed herself a little.
“Then I will prepare and get ready from now on.”
Louis quickly left the chamber and called the helpers together. The plan, which was supposed to be carried out as early as next year, just before the end of the former Emperor’s mourning period, was brought forward by two months. But it was inevitable. The helpers accepted this as God’s will for the greater good.
***
Michael unlocked the bedroom door one by one, seven in total, and went inside. The room, which was as spacious as a hall, was as splendid and magnificent as the Empress's room. However, because of the silence and heavy air that filled the room, it felt more like a grand funeral parlor than a room where someone lived.
He put the tray of food down on the table and headed to the bed. Angie was asleep, her face as pale as a sick person. Her bandaged arms were hanging limply under the bed like a doll's. Her face was so worn out that it was almost pitiful, like an elaborate wax doll.
Michael sat at the bedside and looked down at the patient. He was at a loss as to where to hide Angie in the face of the Grand Duke's sudden visit. Should he move her to the basement of the annex?
After much deliberation, he decided to leave it as is. Based on the external structure of the building, this part, which looked like a spire attached to a chapel, seemed the safest.
“Angie...”
There was still no word from the spy sent to the Citadel. An answer would come within a few days at the latest, but his suspicions were already set in stone. Noah was definitely the child between Angie and Kyle.
He stopped and withdrew his hand from brushing the messy hair off Angie's forehead. It would be better to sleep like this. When she woke up, she would be glaring at him like a monster. The pain of those beautiful green eyes, like jewels, cutting into his heart was truly unbearable.
He was getting goosebumps. He was afraid that one day he would stab her in the eye. If he blinded her and then damaged her limbs so that she couldn't use them... ... Then, would she come to rely on him and open his heart to him?
If that doesn't work out... I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing, Angie.
If he were to sacrifice her baby to gain immortality, he would at least feel more secure if he lived a little longer than Angie. If he had to live even just one day longer than her, he would be able to care for her until the end of her life.
Angie, I'm sorry, but forget about the child's existence. You'll never know anything about it... You'll have a vague hope that he's doing well in Vintergar, but since you'll have to say goodbye to him forever anyway, it's better to just erase him from your memories.
She must be trapped here forever. She cannot go anywhere, not to Vintergar, not to the Citadel, not to the Armitage family where she lived, not to the village of Revan where her grandmother lived. She will never see any of them again.
"Monster. You are just like your grandfather, John Fitzroy Blackwell. You are a monster."
Angie's accusations played in his ears. He couldn't understand. Why was everyone blaming him? If it was the previous Duke's sin, it was that he willingly offered himself as a test subject for the holy ritual and eventually turned into an undead. And as his own blood relative in the shadows, he freed him from his suffering and protected him until the end.
John Fitzroy was simply being true to his natural human desires. Anyone who had absolute power and absolute wealth would dream of immortality. That’s why he couldn’t understand those who opposed him. The Helpers, Glenn Adams, Jerome Hamilton, and even Kyle and his dead father.
Remedy. Newborn. Pure blood of innocent life. He knew that the whole process was a bizarre act and an unethical sin. But then, what if it was? Isn't it true that humans themselves are ultimately beings close to evil, and that the ultimate goal of their continuous development and evolution is to go beyond the realm of the Gods?
After the war, the Industrial Revolution and new scientific technologies centered around Vintergar arrived on the continent, and the creation of electricity, automobiles, large-scale factories, and steamships were all endless challenges that went beyond human limitations. Attempting to make a leap toward a more convenient civilization, enjoying that civilization for a longer time, and becoming a pioneer in taking the first step toward eternal life. What is the difference between the two?
Michael hesitated before getting up from his chair and going outside. He considered tying Angie's hands and feet but decided against it. Instead, he checked the latches on each window, lowered the curtains, and secured the hooks with chains.
Michael turned around once more and left the room. The door slammed shut, and the locks latched one by one, making a cold sound.
The room darkened in an instant. However, thanks to a ray of sunset faintly streaming in through a gap in the curtains, they were able to avoid complete darkness.
Angie opened her eyes. She got out of bed and put her ear to the door to make sure Michael had moved away. Then she opened the closet door and pushed aside the white lacquered chest. There was a recess in the wall that had been hidden. She knocked twice, then three times as she had promised, and the wall moved back, revealing the maid.
“Annette.”
“Angie, are you okay? There’s chaos at the mansion right now. His Majesty the Emperor is supposed to be here in an hour. I think he’s making an unexpected visit. That’s why everyone’s busy with the welcome dinner and all, so we have to go quickly.”
“His Majesty the Emperor...? Grand Duke Winston, you mean? What brought him here all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know about that. More than ten boats are waiting to take the delegation to the opposite dock. I think all the village boatmen have gathered.”
At Annette's words, Angie's eyes sparkled. It was a moment when her half-face brightened. Without saying a word, the two women whispered at the same time.
“Maybe this is an opportunity?”
“This is a golden opportunity.”
Angie spoke first. She kept her voice low as she looked behind Annette.
“When the Grand Duke comes, there will be a banquet, right? He will stay for at least a few days, so the ships anchored here will remain as they are... No matter how tight the security is, if ships come and go frequently, wouldn’t there be an opportunity to cross over to the other side?”
“I think so too. I’ll come back when I get a chance, so just knock when you signal and I’ll open the door.”
“Yew. Be careful, Annette.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry. No one knows about this secret passage.”
Annette went back the way she had come, her head bowed. Angie watched her carefully as she descended the cold, spiraling stone steps, and only after the sound of her footsteps had finally died down did she close the closet door.
As she lifted the tray cover on the table, Angie saw a basket full of freshly made food. It was a sumptuous feast: steaming soup, milk rolls, scones, lemon dill butter, various fruit jams, grilled fish and shrimp with their bones carefully removed, veal, fresh eggs, fruit salad, custard rusks, and lavender tea.
There were spoons, but no knives or forks. Food was wrapped in paper and placed in wooden baskets instead of plates, and soup was placed in bread bowls like panne. Teacups were also made of unbreakable silver. This was probably to eliminate the possibility of self-harm or of hiding them and using them as weapons for attacks.
Angie sat at the table and slowly drank her tea. Then she tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in soup, and eagerly put the meat and fish that had been cut into her mouth one by one. It was like chewing paper, and she couldn't taste anything. Her throat was choked and she couldn't breathe, and she felt like she was going to throw up at any moment, but she held it in and swallowed as much as she could.
I need to conserve my energy. Tonight is my chance.
She had to escape during the hustle and bustle of the banquet. If not today, she might never have another chance. Her hands tightened as she thought about Noah.
Come to think of it, Kyle... He’s probably still safe. If his brother had been executed, Michael wouldn’t have stayed still. He would have gladly revealed his death and headed to the capital just to make her surrender for sure.
It'll be okay for now. Definitely...
Angie turned over the basket that had contained the bread and tore off the tightly woven wooden sections. She clenched her teeth and endured the pain, though her fingernails were crushed and scratched, drawing blood. She managed to tear off a piece. The edges were sharp, and if she really wanted to, she could probably inflict a small wound.
She tried to hide it under the sole of her shoe, but she couldn't, because Michael didn't leave a single pair of shoes in the room to prevent her from running away.
After much thought, she hid the piece in the hairnet that held her hair up and put it in her pajama pocket. She just hoped that she would never have to use it. If she had to use it, she prayed that it would be put to good use at the right time.
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