It was Ivan and Ian's time together. Even though Amelia naturally came between them, no one thought it was strange.
Amelia was the only one who noticed. Ivan, who had dismissed all the servants and was looking down at Ian, had a calm expression on his face. Just like the day when he didn't get angry even after seeing Amelia do something, and then belatedly not knowing what to do.
“Did Aaron Skipper even tell you where he sent the man?”
Ivan simply asked that question. Amelia barely managed to recall the name of the town, Recton. Ivan left Amelia’s bedroom and sent someone to the town. Just in case, he also sent someone to the island.
A blond man with blue eyes, named Ricky, likes drinking and gambling, so they will mainly investigate gambling houses. Based on this simple information, Ivan's knights traced Ricky's trail.
“You’re gaining weight day by day.”
Ivan muttered, patting Ian's babbling cheek. Ian seemed to think his hand was good for play and held it tightly without letting go.
“Did you find him?”
Ivan took his eyes off Ian and looked at the woman sitting in front of him. As he had done all the good things for Ian, the child was as rosy as a flower in full bloom, but Amelia was losing weight day by day. It couldn’t be just because of childcare, since there was Mrs. Howard, a wet nurse, and maids. Ivan guessed that it was probably because of the worries of her heart.
"Not yet."
There was only one reason. Ricky's shadow had not been found yet. Even though Ivan had told her that it was okay, Amelia could not hide her anxiety.
“It’s not even clear whether he went back to his hometown or not.”
If it were normal, Ivan would have been angry too. But if he thinks about it, it was he who started everything. Taking Ricky's identity card and not killing him, and having a secret relationship with Amelia. It was all his doing.
“Relax.”
So he wished she hadn't looked so gloomy. When he thought of Amelia's face, saying that she would accept the scolding because she was wrong, he felt like someone was scratching at his insides again. It was unpleasant.
“What matters is the certainty and proof that Ian is my child. But who can provide that?”
At least that wasn't Ricky, Ivan was sure.
“That bad priest only knows my face. But memories of more than a year ago are unstable, and there’s no way for him to verify who I am.”
If someone were to say he was impersonating him, would Ricky be able to refute that? Absolutely not.
“But if you insist...”
“That is an insult to the royal family. That is a good way for me to cut off their heads.”
Ivan concluded his speech neatly. It was an unusual kindness for him to calm her nerves and reassure her that such a thing would not happen.
“Think of it as an opportunity, Amelia.”
Ivan, who had turned around to leave Ian playing alone, sat down on one knee in front of Amelia. It was the first time in a long time that Amelia looked down on him. Ivan, who held the highest position in Escliffe, could not stand to see someone looking down on him.
“Aaron Skipper and the Duke of Russell will see this as an opportunity. They have complete faith in you and will try to use you.”
That was right. Amelia nodded twice. Now Amelia was valuable to the Duke of Russell just by her existence. Not as a Priestess, but as a woman who would ruin the Emperor.
“Your job then is to get them to come in the direction you’re leading them. Instead of sitting around anxiously waiting for an answer.”
"How?"
“The Duke of Russell will surely ask you when and how you will move.”
It was only natural. He couldn't just run around asking to kill Ivan without coming up with a plausible plan.
“Tell them that you will set the day when Ian becomes Crown Prince as the day of the event. After Ian is recognized as Crown Prince, you will kill me on the spot.”
“...”
“In fact, you have been humiliated by me and have come to have Ian, and I will secure legitimacy by declaring that Ian is the rightful blood of the royal family.”
It was a provocative story, even if you just heard it. It stimulated the baser interests of human nature and was enough to be stored in the mind at once. The Duke of Russell would definitely spread this story throughout Escliffe and cause Ivan's authority to collapse.
“But I am not fit to rule the country, and the child is too young, so I will abdicate to the Duke of Russell.”
If the Emperor was such a piece of trash that he was killed, people would nod their heads and say that he died well.
“So after the revenge is over, just let me escape safely with Ian.”
Then the Duke of Russell would nod his head, pretending to be kind. In reality, he planned to let her run away, grab her by the scruff of the neck, and drag her to the execution ground.
“But how can I kill you on the spot? There will be many nobles and your knights there. The Duke of Russell will think it is outrageous.”
Is it even possible to kill Ivan through all of them? Amelia asked. Ivan seemed to like the question and smiled.
“There’s a fruit called a strange fruit that I don’t eat. You can secretly mix it into my food and feed it to me. I don’t think they’d think of harming me in such a public setting, and since it’s just a fruit, the servants’ vigilance will probably be low.”
“...”
“At least I’ll pretend not to know about everything you’re going to do, so there’s no risk involved.”
And he calmly told her to tell the Duke of Russell that she was going to poison him. It was as if Amelia didn't even notice the goosebumps running down her spine as she listened to him.
“And you suggest a good idea to Duke Russell first.”
"Good idea?"
“When you declare Ian as the rightful heir of the royal family, I would like to see the knights of the royal family turn their backs on me and show their support for you and the new royal family.”
The picture is perfect. The Duke of Russell, who is looking for a reason to usurp the throne, will be very satisfied. He will believe that his honor will not be tarnished. Moreover, even if some oppose him, he will kill a few of them as an example, using the knights who have sworn allegiance, and they will all kneel and swear allegiance to him.
A life where everything is resolved in an instant within a confined space, and the throne and power are in his hands. How could the Duke of Russell refuse it?
“I will soon advocate the expansion of the Imperial Knights. Naturally, they will oppose.”
“...Are you advising me to hide my private soldiers in their increased numbers?”
“That’s right. It’s hard to recruit the existing knights, but it’s easy to push in the ones you’ve already recruited.”
Amelia, who had figured out Ivan's intentions, asked cautiously. Ivan's answer was cool, unlike Amelia's caution.
“Your guess is correct, Amelia Escliffe.”
“...”
“You’re not stupid. So don’t be so careful with every word you say.”
Ivan stood up. His head rose again. But she couldn't watch it for long. Ivan suddenly moved behind Amelia.
“Straighten your back like the day you fucked me.”
Ivan's face came between Amelia's face and her shoulder. She was startled by Ivan's body and breath, which had suddenly come close, and Ivan's hands slid down Amelia's upper body. He grabbed Amelia's stomach and waist over her yellow silk dress and straightened her up.
“...”
As if the window were a mirror, Ivan’s eyes met the reflection in the window. Ivan’s strong fingertips naturally applied strength to the area he was holding, and he corrected her to the posture he wanted. The figure reflected in the window looked very elegant and stubborn.
“Speak confidently as if everything you say is true. So that no one can sense the flaws in your words. Even if they do sense the flaws, they can think that you have another idea.”
They have always been belittling Amelia as if she were helpless, helpless, and without them. They have not allowed her to utter a single word without their permission. It must have been because they have given her power over her mouth and actions, and they cannot control them.
But a hesitant voice is always powerless, because it makes everyone feel unstable.
“...”
Amelia, who understood even what he didn't say, nodded quietly. Then Ivan raised his hand, cupped Amelia's face with one hand, and turned her toward him. Then he kissed her lightly as if he were giving a reward to a good child. Amelia responded to his kiss and slowly closed her eyes.
Your guess is right. I'm not stupid. Behave yourself.
The words Ivan had said to Amelia flashed through her mind one by one. Except for the times when they were emotionally confrontational, Ivan's words were mostly sweet, and his demands were usually difficult. That made her happy, and that made her sad.
So, when she feels sad, she decides. She can't stay with Ivan and Ian for long, but at least while she's with them, she wants to be a good person. Even if her life is going to burn out and disappear, she wants to do well.
Amelia was the only one who noticed. Ivan, who had dismissed all the servants and was looking down at Ian, had a calm expression on his face. Just like the day when he didn't get angry even after seeing Amelia do something, and then belatedly not knowing what to do.
“Did Aaron Skipper even tell you where he sent the man?”
Ivan simply asked that question. Amelia barely managed to recall the name of the town, Recton. Ivan left Amelia’s bedroom and sent someone to the town. Just in case, he also sent someone to the island.
A blond man with blue eyes, named Ricky, likes drinking and gambling, so they will mainly investigate gambling houses. Based on this simple information, Ivan's knights traced Ricky's trail.
“You’re gaining weight day by day.”
Ivan muttered, patting Ian's babbling cheek. Ian seemed to think his hand was good for play and held it tightly without letting go.
“Did you find him?”
Ivan took his eyes off Ian and looked at the woman sitting in front of him. As he had done all the good things for Ian, the child was as rosy as a flower in full bloom, but Amelia was losing weight day by day. It couldn’t be just because of childcare, since there was Mrs. Howard, a wet nurse, and maids. Ivan guessed that it was probably because of the worries of her heart.
"Not yet."
There was only one reason. Ricky's shadow had not been found yet. Even though Ivan had told her that it was okay, Amelia could not hide her anxiety.
“It’s not even clear whether he went back to his hometown or not.”
If it were normal, Ivan would have been angry too. But if he thinks about it, it was he who started everything. Taking Ricky's identity card and not killing him, and having a secret relationship with Amelia. It was all his doing.
“Relax.”
So he wished she hadn't looked so gloomy. When he thought of Amelia's face, saying that she would accept the scolding because she was wrong, he felt like someone was scratching at his insides again. It was unpleasant.
“What matters is the certainty and proof that Ian is my child. But who can provide that?”
At least that wasn't Ricky, Ivan was sure.
“That bad priest only knows my face. But memories of more than a year ago are unstable, and there’s no way for him to verify who I am.”
If someone were to say he was impersonating him, would Ricky be able to refute that? Absolutely not.
“But if you insist...”
“That is an insult to the royal family. That is a good way for me to cut off their heads.”
Ivan concluded his speech neatly. It was an unusual kindness for him to calm her nerves and reassure her that such a thing would not happen.
“Think of it as an opportunity, Amelia.”
Ivan, who had turned around to leave Ian playing alone, sat down on one knee in front of Amelia. It was the first time in a long time that Amelia looked down on him. Ivan, who held the highest position in Escliffe, could not stand to see someone looking down on him.
“Aaron Skipper and the Duke of Russell will see this as an opportunity. They have complete faith in you and will try to use you.”
That was right. Amelia nodded twice. Now Amelia was valuable to the Duke of Russell just by her existence. Not as a Priestess, but as a woman who would ruin the Emperor.
“Your job then is to get them to come in the direction you’re leading them. Instead of sitting around anxiously waiting for an answer.”
"How?"
“The Duke of Russell will surely ask you when and how you will move.”
It was only natural. He couldn't just run around asking to kill Ivan without coming up with a plausible plan.
“Tell them that you will set the day when Ian becomes Crown Prince as the day of the event. After Ian is recognized as Crown Prince, you will kill me on the spot.”
“...”
“In fact, you have been humiliated by me and have come to have Ian, and I will secure legitimacy by declaring that Ian is the rightful blood of the royal family.”
It was a provocative story, even if you just heard it. It stimulated the baser interests of human nature and was enough to be stored in the mind at once. The Duke of Russell would definitely spread this story throughout Escliffe and cause Ivan's authority to collapse.
“But I am not fit to rule the country, and the child is too young, so I will abdicate to the Duke of Russell.”
If the Emperor was such a piece of trash that he was killed, people would nod their heads and say that he died well.
“So after the revenge is over, just let me escape safely with Ian.”
Then the Duke of Russell would nod his head, pretending to be kind. In reality, he planned to let her run away, grab her by the scruff of the neck, and drag her to the execution ground.
“But how can I kill you on the spot? There will be many nobles and your knights there. The Duke of Russell will think it is outrageous.”
Is it even possible to kill Ivan through all of them? Amelia asked. Ivan seemed to like the question and smiled.
“There’s a fruit called a strange fruit that I don’t eat. You can secretly mix it into my food and feed it to me. I don’t think they’d think of harming me in such a public setting, and since it’s just a fruit, the servants’ vigilance will probably be low.”
“...”
“At least I’ll pretend not to know about everything you’re going to do, so there’s no risk involved.”
And he calmly told her to tell the Duke of Russell that she was going to poison him. It was as if Amelia didn't even notice the goosebumps running down her spine as she listened to him.
“And you suggest a good idea to Duke Russell first.”
"Good idea?"
“When you declare Ian as the rightful heir of the royal family, I would like to see the knights of the royal family turn their backs on me and show their support for you and the new royal family.”
The picture is perfect. The Duke of Russell, who is looking for a reason to usurp the throne, will be very satisfied. He will believe that his honor will not be tarnished. Moreover, even if some oppose him, he will kill a few of them as an example, using the knights who have sworn allegiance, and they will all kneel and swear allegiance to him.
A life where everything is resolved in an instant within a confined space, and the throne and power are in his hands. How could the Duke of Russell refuse it?
“I will soon advocate the expansion of the Imperial Knights. Naturally, they will oppose.”
“...Are you advising me to hide my private soldiers in their increased numbers?”
“That’s right. It’s hard to recruit the existing knights, but it’s easy to push in the ones you’ve already recruited.”
Amelia, who had figured out Ivan's intentions, asked cautiously. Ivan's answer was cool, unlike Amelia's caution.
“Your guess is correct, Amelia Escliffe.”
“...”
“You’re not stupid. So don’t be so careful with every word you say.”
Ivan stood up. His head rose again. But she couldn't watch it for long. Ivan suddenly moved behind Amelia.
“Straighten your back like the day you fucked me.”
Ivan's face came between Amelia's face and her shoulder. She was startled by Ivan's body and breath, which had suddenly come close, and Ivan's hands slid down Amelia's upper body. He grabbed Amelia's stomach and waist over her yellow silk dress and straightened her up.
“...”
As if the window were a mirror, Ivan’s eyes met the reflection in the window. Ivan’s strong fingertips naturally applied strength to the area he was holding, and he corrected her to the posture he wanted. The figure reflected in the window looked very elegant and stubborn.
“Speak confidently as if everything you say is true. So that no one can sense the flaws in your words. Even if they do sense the flaws, they can think that you have another idea.”
They have always been belittling Amelia as if she were helpless, helpless, and without them. They have not allowed her to utter a single word without their permission. It must have been because they have given her power over her mouth and actions, and they cannot control them.
But a hesitant voice is always powerless, because it makes everyone feel unstable.
“...”
Amelia, who understood even what he didn't say, nodded quietly. Then Ivan raised his hand, cupped Amelia's face with one hand, and turned her toward him. Then he kissed her lightly as if he were giving a reward to a good child. Amelia responded to his kiss and slowly closed her eyes.
Your guess is right. I'm not stupid. Behave yourself.
The words Ivan had said to Amelia flashed through her mind one by one. Except for the times when they were emotionally confrontational, Ivan's words were mostly sweet, and his demands were usually difficult. That made her happy, and that made her sad.
So, when she feels sad, she decides. She can't stay with Ivan and Ian for long, but at least while she's with them, she wants to be a good person. Even if her life is going to burn out and disappear, she wants to do well.
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