As soon as Elze and Astin returned to the mansion, they sat facing each other in the living room.
Marle immediately noticed something unusual. He didn't ask why she didn't come home with Shan or if she would bring tea, but just quietly closed the door. Then he made sure that no employees were walking around.
Astin, sitting across from Elze, let out a long sigh. Elze called Astin's name in a very nervous voice.
“Astin...”
This very moment was the moment Elze feared the most.
Elze had been telling Astin a big lie all this time. She kept telling herself that it was a lie for Astin who didn't inherit the swordsman's talent, but in fact, she knew.
It was scary. She was afraid of how Astin would react when she told him that she had inherited the talent for the sword. The thought of him swearing at her, getting angry, and feeling bad about himself always tormented Elze.
So she kept it a secret. On the surface, she said it was for Astin, but in reality, it was a lie for Elze's own sake. When the truth that she had been ignoring surfaced, Elze felt embarrassed. She couldn't even look Astin in the eye properly, but Astin spoke first.
“I’m sorry, Sis.”
"Uh..."
"I'm really sorry."
Elze was taken aback by Astin's words. This was not the Astin she had expected.
“When I think about how hard it must have been for my older sister, I...”
Astin was seen biting his lower lip as hard as he could. But he wasn't crying. If it were normal, his eyes would have been red already, but now there were no tears, not even a hint of moisture. Instead, he was restraining his emotions like an adult.
Before Elze knew it, her younger brother, whom she had always thought was infinitely young, had grown an inch taller. Elze was so surprised by the change that she stared blankly at Astin. Astin chewed his lips for a long time before speaking.
“I’m so angry that my sister couldn’t even give me a single place to lean on. I’m so, so angry that while I was comfortably studying at school, my sister risked her life fighting on the battlefield...”
Astin clenched his hands on his knees with all his might. The more he thought about it, the darker his vision became. He was studying comfortably at school with the money his sister earned by risking her life on the battlefield.
Astin had heard the story about Elijah's Elze countless times. When he remembered the past when he had just thought that her nickname and name were the same, he felt embarrassed and wanted to hide somewhere.
Elze was always like that. She always supported and looked after Astin. Elze was a strong support to Astin, so much so that he didn't even feel the absence of his parents.
But Astin was not someone Elze could rely on. How much had he been so childish and immature that his sister couldn't even confide in him?
Thinking about it, he acted so stupidly. There were so many things that were clearly absurd and flawed to think that she had made that much money simply through business, but Astin simply believed Elze's words without question.
The trust that he had foolishly believed his older sister would take care of everything blinded Astin's eyes. Perhaps it was not trust, but indifference. Astin muttered heavily.
“I was so stupid.”
It was useless for everyone at Aquis University to praise him as a brilliant genius. He was an idiot who didn't even know the most important thing about his family.
He felt like he had been lost in his pride and then was thrown into the cold reality. Astin looked at Elze with sad eyes. Elze spoke with a sigh at that sight.
“Astin, it’s my fault. I should have told you the truth...”
Elze held onto Astin's hand tightly and confessed all the feelings she had kept hidden until now. She even told him how much of a coward she had been and that was why she had chosen to lie. As Elze approached him honestly, Astin also confessed all of his feelings.
It was a strange feeling to be able to share honest stories with each other without lying. It was his blood-related family that he thought was the closest in the world.
But when they dug deeper, they realized that they didn't even know what each other was thinking. They just vaguely guessed at each other's thoughts and ended up getting tangled up.
"Sorry."
Astin apologized.
“I'm sorry too.”
Elze also apologized.
“...”
After a brief silence, Astin squeezed his hand tightly and made a pledge.
“I will work hard. I definitely want to become someone who can be a source of strength for my older sister.”
“More than now? If you work harder there, you might die.”
As Elze playfully spoke, Astin giggled along. As they looked at each other and giggled, it suddenly felt like everything that had been stuck in their throats had been released.
The things she was afraid of and worried about turned out to be nothing when she actually faced them. It felt like all the unpleasantness from today's courtroom had disappeared. Elze smiled happily.
It was only after a very long time that the two Targayel siblings finally came to fully understand each other.
***
Shan returned home earlier than expected as if his one-on-one time with Raymond had not been that long. El*e welcomed Shan home.
“Shan, are you here?”
Shan didn't even greet her properly but grabbed Elze's shoulders with his hands and made her stand in front of him. Then he examined her carefully from head to toe and said.
“Has anything happened since I left? Has anyone been rude to you or anything?”
“I took care of it appropriately.”
Shan frowned. He guessed that there was an arrogant guy there, so she did so. Elze smiled at him and told him that it was okay.
“Your Grace.”
Marle, with a serious face, approached and called Shan. Marle was a well-informed person. While Elze and Astin were talking, he must have done some research on his own. And he must have learned about the incident that happened in the courtroom today.
Shan simply nodded his head and gave Marle an order.
“Let’s call a meeting. Marle, Liv, Kalia, and Elijah should be sufficient.”
“I will prepare right away.”
Marle, Liv, Kalia, and Elijah. It was the first time that all the major forces of Targayel had been called together for a meeting. It felt like a sign that Shan was about to say something serious.
The meeting place was a conference room located in the study. Although Epen was the representative from Kalia, the large conference room seemed a bit cramped when everyone was gathered together.
Although eight people is not a large number for a conference room, the energy of each person was so strong that it felt like the space was full.
Elze and Shan sat side by side at the highest table, Marle and Liv sat on one side, and Elijah and Epen on the other. The vassals of Targayel sat across from each other, looking at each other curiously. Although they ate from the same pot in the mansion, they had never sat so close to each other.
But there was no time to talk. After making sure everyone was seated, Shan started the meeting right away.
“As of today, my relationship with Raymond is over.”
The first words he uttered were heavy. Everyone in the conference room looked at Shan with tense faces. Shan explained the situation briefly.
“As for Heglatan, Duke Seraph was the first to take the lead. Raymond already doesn’t seem to listen to anything I say.”
“Yes, Count.”
Marle cautiously interjected himself into Shan's conversation and asked a question.
“Why didn’t you bring up the scandal involving the Duke? If you had exposed it, it would have certainly caused a stir among the nobles, even if it wasn’t Crown Prince Raymond.”
Elze stepped forward and answered Marle's words.
“I reviewed the matter, but ultimately decided against it.”
“Is Madam against it?”
As soon as Marle heard Elze's opinion, he was shocked and apologized.
“I was short-sighted. I’m sorry.”
Liv snickered quietly as he watched Marle struggling with Elze. Marle and Liv had engraved deep in their bones the fact that if they were caught by Madame, there would be no future for them. That was why they were more afraid of Madame's anger than of Shan's.
But Elze had no way of knowing that, so she was just wondering why he was being so hostile, even though she hadn't even told him why. Anyway, Elze calmly explained the reason.
“I thought about it a lot, but... The Crown Princess is mentally exhausted. I didn’t want to burden you with more. I couldn’t even ask Her Highness if I could blow up the scandal.”
Iarin had experienced things that no one else would ever experience in their entire lives. It was amazing that Iarin had endured such an environment. Elze didn't want to hurt her anymore.
Marle immediately agreed with Elze's words without any further comment. After confirming that Marle was convinced, Shan continued speaking.
“Now is the time for a new phase.”
The slightly chaotic atmosphere became quiet again after Shan's words. Marle asked cautiously.
“You say it is a new phase...”
And Shan answered neatly.
“It is treason.”
“!!”
A brief thrill ran through the conference room. Shan continued speaking slowly.
“Raymond and Seraph have set their sights on Targayel. More specifically, they are after Erzenes.”
Shan's words were true. Duke Seraph had wanted Elze from the beginning. Crown Prince Raymond had been displeased with Elijah, considering them a threat, but now that Elze's true identity has been revealed to the world, he has set his sights on Elze.
“If it were anything else, I would have hesitated to do something so risky. But now that Erzenes has become the target, I cannot afford to be complacent.”
Shan placed both hands firmly on the table. He leaned forward slightly and spoke in a serious tone.
“I plan to go to the border, avoid the eyes of the Empire, gather my forces, and gather my troops. In the next few years, I plan to erase the name of the Baluar Empire from the map...”
Shan concluded his speech by calmly looking around the audience.
“I would like to hear your opinion.”
As soon as Shan finished speaking, Liv jumped up from his seat. He winked one eye playfully and said,
“I think it is only natural since a lion cannot live under a dog. I will follow your will, Lord Cirxus.”
Marle, who was sitting next to Liv, sighed at the sight of Liv not showing any signs of tension. He pushed up his glasses and continued speaking after Liv.
“I have been waiting for your orders, Lord Cirxus. I have been keeping the possibility of rebellion open for some time, and have made preparations and plans accordingly.”
As expected of Targayel's staff, Marle was already one step ahead. Shan nodded and turned his gaze. He looked at Elijah and Epen. And Elijah and Epen looked at Elze.
Elze, who suddenly received attention, blinked. Rapine smiled at Elze’s appearance. With the consent of Tarkun and Ivanna, he spoke in a calm voice on behalf of Elijah.
“We have lived and died together with the commander since the Hundred Years’ War.”
Rapine shrugged her shoulders in a nonchalant tone.
“I gave up my life as a mercenary and became Targayel’s private soldier to follow the captain, so how could I not commit treason?”
Ivanna and Tarkun each added a word to Rapine.
“Wherever the captain goes, I will chase after her even through hell and fire!”
“You’re not thinking of taking me out now, are you, Captain?”
Her heart ached at the blind trust they showed. Elze took a deep breath, feeling as if her eyes were stinging for no reason. Then Epen spoke, following Elijah and the others.
“Our Kalia is a guild created by people who have nowhere to go.”
Epen, who had never said such a thing before, continued to speak quite coherently, although he felt embarrassed.
“The only thing we were good at was killing people, so we ended up becoming an assassin’s guild. And we ended up making killing our job just to make a living.”
There was no lie in Epen's words. It was obvious that he was struggling to figure out how to convey his sincerity.
“But now, Kalia doesn’t work for money. We work for the lady, for Targayel. Everyone... says they are happy to be by the lady’s side.”
Epen spoke to Elze with a slightly red face.
“Anywhere is fine. Just let me continue serving you, Madam.”
Elze pressed her fingernails against her palms. Otherwise, she would cry like an idiot. It might have been a life-threatening thing, but they all had no hesitation in swearing to follow Elze. In fact, they begged her not to leave them behind.
I am so loved.
That fact soaked Elze's whole body and seeped deep into her heart.
“Elze.”
Shan briefly called Elze over. Now, only Elze's decision remained.
Elze looked at Shan. His eyes, as always, were focused only on Elze. When he thought about it, he was really a reckless man. What should she do with that man who said he would rebel for her own sake?
But even so, she felt excited because she thought that the recklessness was for her own good. Thinking that she was such an idiot, Elze slowly opened her mouth.
"...Great."
Elze smiled and spoke to the people of Targayel, who have been through thick and thin together and will continue to do so together.
“It’s nothing... Let me try to rebel, okay?”
After making the decision, things went smoothly.
Marle came out with a fairly specific plan and explained it. When Elze complimented him, he felt a little embarrassed and replied that he had been preparing little by little for a long time, thinking that this would happen someday.
First, they finished the meeting by laying out the outline of the plan. They decided to decide on more detailed matters after the date for going to the border was set.
Shan and Elze, who had been busy with various things all day, decided to rest well before dinner and went up to the bedroom. However, it seemed that Elze was the only one who was tired. As soon as the bedroom door was closed, Shan pushed Elze against the door and kissed her.
The passionate kiss was dizzying. The hand that had been sweeping down her curved back tightly grabbed Elze’s waist. The other hand tangled with her hair ran down her neck, and then gently touched her chest.
"...Ha."
Elze, who had pushed Shan away, took a deep breath and scolded him.
“Now is not the time for this.”
But Shan nudged his lips again mischievously. Only after he had kissed Elze so loudly did he speak.
“What is more important than this right now?”
But when Elze didn't loosen her stiff expression, Shan stroked Elze's cheek with his hand and asked.
“Your face is so serious. Is it because of treason?”
“Of course, that’s there too...”
Elze let out a sigh as if the ground was falling apart. Then, after muttering a thought that had been running through her head since earlier, she spoke.
“I just remembered you kneeling before Raymond in court...”
The moment Elze's identity was revealed publicly, Shan knelt before Raymond to cover up the situation. She knew it was the best thing to do in that situation. But no matter what, it didn't change the fact that Shan knelt because of her.
Elze was upset. Perhaps it was because Crown Prince Raymond was a man who had absolutely no respect for her.
“You don’t have to feel sorry about that, Elze.”
Elze opened her mouth slightly to say something, but she couldn't say anything because he was gently caressing her lips with his finger. Shan said, running his fingertips over her lips.
“I wonder if it’s about as big as my knees. I could easily do it even if I had to bang my forehead on the floor.”
Shan's face came closer. He gently brushed the tip of his nose against Elze's and lightly kissed her lips. After a light kiss, Shan opened his mouth.
"I am..."
He whispered at a distance where her eyelashes barely brushed against his.
“To protect you, I will stop at nothing to protect you.”
In the days following the trial of the Count of Epernon, the Targayel estate was quiet. But beneath the seemingly calm surface, a great lava of treason was seething.
Shan proceeded step by step with preparations for going to the border. He finished up his work in the capital and coordinated with the imperial family to get a date to leave for the border.
People made all sorts of speculations surrounding the gentle Targayel. However, there was no treason in the many rumors they created. In the end, no one guessed the truth even a little.
Elze and Shan knew about the rumors, but they pretended not to know anything and did not react. They had discussed not to displease Crown Prince Raymond before leaving for the border.
Although all the major figures of Targayel were preparing for rebellion, Elze did not tell Astin about her plans. However, Astin was smart enough to guess what Shan and Elze were up to.
Since they couldn't take Astin to the dangerous border, they planned to send him back to the dormitory at Aquis University early.
One day, while they were busy preparing to leave for the border, Elze and Astin sat down to talk about various things, mainly Astin's concerns about his studies.
Now that graduation is near, it's time for Astin to think about his future. While discussing whether to continue his studies or start working right away, a sudden visitor came to visit.
“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, Ma’am.”
Marle said carefully, with a very troubled expression on her face.
“But, an urgent guest has arrived...”
"Guest?"
“His Excellency the Duke Wade and Lady Heyla have arrived. The Count is already talking to His Excellency the Duke, and Lady Heyla wishes to meet with Lord Astin.”
Elze and Astin both looked at each other in surprise. There had been talk of their engagement, but after the trial of the Count of Epernon, the topic was quietly buried.
Duke Wade also understood that he would not want to send his precious daughter to a family whose future was uncertain.
But suddenly, the Duke and Young Lady came to Targayel without any warning. In any case, it was not possible to send away the guests who had come all the way here. Elze ordered Heyla to be taken to the reception room.
While Elze and Astin were welcoming Lady Heyla, Shan and Duke Wade had already taken their places in another reception room.
Duke Wade took a sip of the tea that Marle had hurriedly ordered the maids to serve. Then he sighed deeply, put down his cup, and spoke.
“No alcohol?”
Shan raised his eyebrows for a moment, then went to the wine rack in the corner without saying anything and brought back a bottle of wine and a glass. Duke Wade emptied the wine Shan had poured for him in one gulp. Then he spoke with a sigh in his voice.
“These days, I can’t live without alcohol.”
“...”
It was funny that Duke Wade came all of a sudden and asked for alcohol, but he was so dead that Shan couldn't laugh.
At this point, when he had decided to rebel, Duke Wade would have been a perfect candidate to bring to his side. Even if he did not share his views, it would have been useful to be able to extract information from him.
“Please speak at your convenience, Your Excellency."
Shan filled the glass again, gently easing the Duke's guard. He sat down in front of him and smiled as he spoke.
“Isn’t this a place where there’s only two of us? You can treat me rudely.”
The purple pupils shone in the curved eyes. Duke Wade was pleased with Shan’s friendly appearance.
“Oh, is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Shan listened to the Duke's words while sipping his wine little by little. Duke Wade emptied two glasses in quick succession and then began to speak.
“I don’t know what kind of sweet talk Seraph used to coax His Highness... I really didn’t expect things to turn out like this...”
The Duke muttered, sighing every time he took a sip of wine.
“But the past when I regarded the Crown Prince as a wise man and served him seems like a dream. The Crown Prince has changed so much that I feel unfamiliar.”
After the trial of the Count of Epernon, Shan was practically kicked out of the central political world. What Shan was doing now was finishing up the work he had been doing and handing it over to a new person.
And now the central political world was completely ruled by Seraphs. The loss of Epernon was a big blow, but with the loss of Targayel, the balance that had been so precariously maintained collapsed.
Crown Prince Raymond, who had previously tried to keep the Duke in check by employing Shan, was now acting as if possessed by something and doing whatever Duke Seraph said. Duke Wade muttered in a somber tone as he continued to describe the situation.
“The Baluar Empire is now finished. They no longer have the means to stand against the Seraphs. It would not be an exaggeration to call it the Seraph Empire.”
Shan quietly observed Duke Wade. His face was sallow, and it seemed that he had been suffering from sleeplessness recently. Shan poured him another glass of wine and asked him a question.
“Your Excellency, why have you come to Targayel? There is no use in entangling us from now on.”
“Do I look like such an unrighteous person?”
“...”
Shan answered with silence. It was a union based on a deal that had been formed because they both wanted something from the beginning. It would have been even more ridiculous to look for loyalty and trust here. After speaking, Duke Wade felt the same way, and he added, coughing in vain.
“At least I think you’re better than Duke Seraph.”
“Is that really the only reason?”
Duke Wade, who was hit hard by Shan's question, coughed loudly again and then said.
“That, that’s not all...”
He put the wine glass down on the table without saying a word. Then he ran his hand over his face and spoke softly.
“It’s also because of our Heyla.”
"...Yes?"
Shan, who had been guessing other reasons, asked back, wondering if he had misheard. However, Duke Wade did not elaborate further. He just stared out the window, muttering something incomprehensible.
“I think it would have been done by now...”
“It’s nothing... Let me try to rebel, okay?”
***
After making the decision, things went smoothly.
Marle came out with a fairly specific plan and explained it. When Elze complimented him, he felt a little embarrassed and replied that he had been preparing little by little for a long time, thinking that this would happen someday.
First, they finished the meeting by laying out the outline of the plan. They decided to decide on more detailed matters after the date for going to the border was set.
Shan and Elze, who had been busy with various things all day, decided to rest well before dinner and went up to the bedroom. However, it seemed that Elze was the only one who was tired. As soon as the bedroom door was closed, Shan pushed Elze against the door and kissed her.
The passionate kiss was dizzying. The hand that had been sweeping down her curved back tightly grabbed Elze’s waist. The other hand tangled with her hair ran down her neck, and then gently touched her chest.
"...Ha."
Elze, who had pushed Shan away, took a deep breath and scolded him.
“Now is not the time for this.”
But Shan nudged his lips again mischievously. Only after he had kissed Elze so loudly did he speak.
“What is more important than this right now?”
But when Elze didn't loosen her stiff expression, Shan stroked Elze's cheek with his hand and asked.
“Your face is so serious. Is it because of treason?”
“Of course, that’s there too...”
Elze let out a sigh as if the ground was falling apart. Then, after muttering a thought that had been running through her head since earlier, she spoke.
“I just remembered you kneeling before Raymond in court...”
The moment Elze's identity was revealed publicly, Shan knelt before Raymond to cover up the situation. She knew it was the best thing to do in that situation. But no matter what, it didn't change the fact that Shan knelt because of her.
Elze was upset. Perhaps it was because Crown Prince Raymond was a man who had absolutely no respect for her.
“You don’t have to feel sorry about that, Elze.”
Elze opened her mouth slightly to say something, but she couldn't say anything because he was gently caressing her lips with his finger. Shan said, running his fingertips over her lips.
“I wonder if it’s about as big as my knees. I could easily do it even if I had to bang my forehead on the floor.”
Shan's face came closer. He gently brushed the tip of his nose against Elze's and lightly kissed her lips. After a light kiss, Shan opened his mouth.
"I am..."
He whispered at a distance where her eyelashes barely brushed against his.
“To protect you, I will stop at nothing to protect you.”
***
In the days following the trial of the Count of Epernon, the Targayel estate was quiet. But beneath the seemingly calm surface, a great lava of treason was seething.
Shan proceeded step by step with preparations for going to the border. He finished up his work in the capital and coordinated with the imperial family to get a date to leave for the border.
People made all sorts of speculations surrounding the gentle Targayel. However, there was no treason in the many rumors they created. In the end, no one guessed the truth even a little.
Elze and Shan knew about the rumors, but they pretended not to know anything and did not react. They had discussed not to displease Crown Prince Raymond before leaving for the border.
Although all the major figures of Targayel were preparing for rebellion, Elze did not tell Astin about her plans. However, Astin was smart enough to guess what Shan and Elze were up to.
Since they couldn't take Astin to the dangerous border, they planned to send him back to the dormitory at Aquis University early.
One day, while they were busy preparing to leave for the border, Elze and Astin sat down to talk about various things, mainly Astin's concerns about his studies.
Now that graduation is near, it's time for Astin to think about his future. While discussing whether to continue his studies or start working right away, a sudden visitor came to visit.
“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, Ma’am.”
Marle said carefully, with a very troubled expression on her face.
“But, an urgent guest has arrived...”
"Guest?"
“His Excellency the Duke Wade and Lady Heyla have arrived. The Count is already talking to His Excellency the Duke, and Lady Heyla wishes to meet with Lord Astin.”
Elze and Astin both looked at each other in surprise. There had been talk of their engagement, but after the trial of the Count of Epernon, the topic was quietly buried.
Duke Wade also understood that he would not want to send his precious daughter to a family whose future was uncertain.
But suddenly, the Duke and Young Lady came to Targayel without any warning. In any case, it was not possible to send away the guests who had come all the way here. Elze ordered Heyla to be taken to the reception room.
***
While Elze and Astin were welcoming Lady Heyla, Shan and Duke Wade had already taken their places in another reception room.
Duke Wade took a sip of the tea that Marle had hurriedly ordered the maids to serve. Then he sighed deeply, put down his cup, and spoke.
“No alcohol?”
Shan raised his eyebrows for a moment, then went to the wine rack in the corner without saying anything and brought back a bottle of wine and a glass. Duke Wade emptied the wine Shan had poured for him in one gulp. Then he spoke with a sigh in his voice.
“These days, I can’t live without alcohol.”
“...”
It was funny that Duke Wade came all of a sudden and asked for alcohol, but he was so dead that Shan couldn't laugh.
At this point, when he had decided to rebel, Duke Wade would have been a perfect candidate to bring to his side. Even if he did not share his views, it would have been useful to be able to extract information from him.
“Please speak at your convenience, Your Excellency."
Shan filled the glass again, gently easing the Duke's guard. He sat down in front of him and smiled as he spoke.
“Isn’t this a place where there’s only two of us? You can treat me rudely.”
The purple pupils shone in the curved eyes. Duke Wade was pleased with Shan’s friendly appearance.
“Oh, is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Shan listened to the Duke's words while sipping his wine little by little. Duke Wade emptied two glasses in quick succession and then began to speak.
“I don’t know what kind of sweet talk Seraph used to coax His Highness... I really didn’t expect things to turn out like this...”
The Duke muttered, sighing every time he took a sip of wine.
“But the past when I regarded the Crown Prince as a wise man and served him seems like a dream. The Crown Prince has changed so much that I feel unfamiliar.”
After the trial of the Count of Epernon, Shan was practically kicked out of the central political world. What Shan was doing now was finishing up the work he had been doing and handing it over to a new person.
And now the central political world was completely ruled by Seraphs. The loss of Epernon was a big blow, but with the loss of Targayel, the balance that had been so precariously maintained collapsed.
Crown Prince Raymond, who had previously tried to keep the Duke in check by employing Shan, was now acting as if possessed by something and doing whatever Duke Seraph said. Duke Wade muttered in a somber tone as he continued to describe the situation.
“The Baluar Empire is now finished. They no longer have the means to stand against the Seraphs. It would not be an exaggeration to call it the Seraph Empire.”
Shan quietly observed Duke Wade. His face was sallow, and it seemed that he had been suffering from sleeplessness recently. Shan poured him another glass of wine and asked him a question.
“Your Excellency, why have you come to Targayel? There is no use in entangling us from now on.”
“Do I look like such an unrighteous person?”
“...”
Shan answered with silence. It was a union based on a deal that had been formed because they both wanted something from the beginning. It would have been even more ridiculous to look for loyalty and trust here. After speaking, Duke Wade felt the same way, and he added, coughing in vain.
“At least I think you’re better than Duke Seraph.”
“Is that really the only reason?”
Duke Wade, who was hit hard by Shan's question, coughed loudly again and then said.
“That, that’s not all...”
He put the wine glass down on the table without saying a word. Then he ran his hand over his face and spoke softly.
“It’s also because of our Heyla.”
"...Yes?"
Shan, who had been guessing other reasons, asked back, wondering if he had misheard. However, Duke Wade did not elaborate further. He just stared out the window, muttering something incomprehensible.
“I think it would have been done by now...”
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