Episode 15: The Perfect Shield Brought by the Uninvited Guest of the Night
Late at night, on the third floor of the main building of the Duke of Castillo's estate. With all the candles extinguished, Eleanor sat by the balcony window, a thick shawl draped over her neat indoor dress. The cool autumn night breeze gently scattered her silver hair.
As she gazed silently at the night sky in the darkness, a faint thudding sound of the wind reached her ears. Swoosh, a massive beast landed silently on the balcony railing, as if flying in. Standing with his back to the moonlight, he was Caelon Argentus, the ruler of the North, who had breached the Empire's most fortified defenses barehanded.
"The night wind is cold, Madam."
Caelon, neatly dressed in a dark black uniform instead of the splendid tailcoat of a ballroom, carefully stepped over the balcony threshold into the bedroom.
"To have climbed that height barehanded, I never knew the Grand Duke of the Empire had a hobby of climbing the balconies of other people's mansions."
"After all, an uninvited guest cannot enter through the front gate."
At Eleanor's lighthearted joke, Caelon smiled faintly and approached her. He carefully draped the thick, heavy Northern obsidian cloak he was wearing over Eleanor's slender shoulders.
"..."
The moment the cloak wrapped around her shoulders, his warm body temperature enveloped her body cozily, accompanied by the deep scent of the winter forest. The sight of a massive man, well over 190 centimeters tall, adjusting the cloak's closure with the care of someone handling fragile glass gave her a strange sense of relief and excitement.
"Thank you. However, seeing that you have come so urgently in the middle of the night, it seems you have brought quite heavy news."
"Yes. The movements within the Imperial Household are ominous."
Meeting Eleanor's gaze, Caelon began his report in a low, serious voice.
"Just moments ago, your foolish husband bribed a corrupt knight to send a secret letter to the Emperor. It stated that if you were accused of treason and he saved you, he would hand over Castillo's iron mines and funds to the Imperial Household."
At his words, Eleanor's red eyes gleamed. It was not surprise, but the cold gaze of a predator confirming that its long-awaited prey had finally fallen into a trap.
"Indeed. A cornered rat wagged its tail not at a cat, but at a tiger to survive. So, what was the Emperor's reaction?"
"He took the bait immediately, as if he had been waiting for it. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, the Imperial Special Investigation Team and the elite troops of the First Knight Order will storm into Castillo to conduct a forced search."
Caelon's voice lowered slightly, taking on a menacing aura. The fact that the Emperor was attempting to strangle the woman he loved was enraging this northern beast to the extreme.
"The Emperor intends to arrest you and Lady Liliana tomorrow on charges of 'usurpation of the family and treason.' Madam, please give me your order."
Caelon knelt on one knee beside Eleanor's chair. His golden eyes gazed straight up at Eleanor alone.
"I have already secretly dispatched ten thousand elite Northern Knights south to the outskirts of the capital. If you give me just a nod, Madam, I will cut down every single one of the Imperial dogs that will storm the Duke's mansion tomorrow morning. I will ensure the Emperor does not dare lay a finger on you."
It was a vow of absolute and blind loyalty, willing to commit even treason. Eleanor quietly let out a sigh of relief at the deep devotion of this man, who feared not even the Emperor's power and was willing to shed blood solely for her sake. She slowly reached out and gently cupped Caelon'S cheek as he looked up at her.
"...Madam."
As Eleanor's cool, delicate touch reached him, Caelon's eyes trembled slightly. Like a beast craving its master's warmth, he carefully rubbed his cheek against her palm while lowering his gaze. Even without direct physical contact, that single desperate and tender gesture colored the air of the bedroom heavy and deep.
"I gratefully accept your reckless yet steadfast loyalty, Caelon."
Eleanor spoke in a gentle yet unwavering voice.
"However, you do not need to draw your sword tomorrow. If the Imperial Investigation Team arrives, it will not be a crisis for me, but a perfect stage."
"What do you mean by a stage...?"
"The secret letter from Valdemar that they took will serve as the decisive evidence proving Valdemar's own 'treason and treason' in attempting to sell his family to a foreign nation."
Eleanor curled her red lips alluringly as she unfolded her meticulous plan.
"No matter how thoroughly the Imperial investigation team searches this mansion, all they will find is the legal and innocent ledgers that Liliana has perfectly organized. While they are left bewildered and empty-handed, I intend to expose the original copies of Valdemar's nominee accounts to the Supreme Court."
As Caelon listened to Eleanor's words, he felt an unbearable ecstasy welling up inside him. The fact that the woman he had loved with all his heart for ten years was not a fragile flower in need of protection, but an absolute ruler holding the empire in his grasp, overwhelmed him to the point of madness.
"It is a truly cruel and dazzling plan."
Caelon let out a deep gasp and reverently kissed Eleanor's fingertips.
"The Emperor will shoot himself in the foot, and your husband will fall into eternal ruin."
"To do so, I need a little of your help tomorrow, Caelon."
Eleanor leaned down to meet Caelon's gaze.
"Tomorrow morning, when the Imperial Knights attempt to break down the main gate of this mansion. please stand by my side and break their spirit. I will show the Emperor exactly what kind of beast I hold the leash of."
At Eleanor's arrogant proposal to use him as a tool, Caelon wore the happiest smile, without the slightest hint of displeasure.
"I will answer your call. I will gladly become your most menacing pawn."
He rose from his seat and bowed respectfully once again.
"The dawn is breaking. May you rest in peace before the storm rages."
Having finished his greeting, Caelon silently crossed the balcony like a shadow and disappeared into the darkness.
Eleanor gently stroked Caelon's heavy, warm cloak left on her shoulders. The cool scent of the North lingering at the tip of her nose was providing a reassuring comfort for the impending war with the Imperial Family.
The morning of the most elegant and vicious counterattack was dawning.
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