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Chapter : 31
After the New Year festival ended, the empire was peaceful.
Since there were no more grand banquets, I had nothing to do and spent my days lying around the mansion.
The day before the new year began, the maids were all busy.
“Madam, once today passes, the new year will be here!”
“That’s right.”
The maids spoke brightly, unable to hide their excitement.
“Then are you spending today with His Grace?”
“I’m not sure.”
Of course, since it was the last day of the year, I wanted very much to spend it with Luciano.
But it suited his personality better—and seemed more comfortable—to let him spend time alone rather than with me, so I couldn’t bring myself to suggest it.
Just then, a knock came, followed by a voice I had grown familiar with.
“May I come in?”
“Yes! Of course.”
Luciano entered my room and sat on the sofa.
“Do you have plans today, my lady?”
“No?”
At my reply, his expression brightened, and he spoke in a more excited tone than before.
“Then, may I have your time for today?”
It was the very thing I had hoped he would say—the words I wanted, yet had not dared to ask for myself.
“Of course! I’d love that.”
I answered eagerly, as if I had been waiting for it.
“Then how about we go out for dinner tonight?”
“I’d love to! Anything is fine!”
“Then I’ll come to your room at seven.”
“Yes, I’ll be ready!”
After saying what he’d come to say, he excused himself and left, claiming he had urgent business.
As soon as Luciano left the room, a maid who had been eavesdropping while cleaning rushed over to me in excitement.
“Madam!! You get to spend today with His Grace!!”
“I suppose so.”
I, too, answered shyly, unable to hide how pleased I was.
“Then I’ll make sure you’re dressed beautifully tonight!”
Normally, I would have refused in embarrassment, but today, maybe out of good mood, I nodded right away.
“All right. I’ll leave it to you.”
Time seemed slower than ever, and waiting for evening felt unbearable.
“Madam! It’s time to get ready!”
Those were the words I’d been longing to hear.
I put on a blue dress and jewelry, and waited for Luciano.
“My lady, it’s me.”
“Come in!”
Dressed neatly, he reached out his hand to me.
“Let us go, my lady.”
“Yes, Luciano.”
We boarded a carriage and rode into the city.
Perhaps because it was the last day of the year, not just the commoners but the nobles as well were all out in the streets.
We entered a shop decorated with splendid lamps.
“We greet His Grace the Duke and Her Grace the Duchess!”
The owner bowed deeply, as if honored, and led us to a VIP room.
“I’ve heard noble ladies frequent this place these days. Do you like it, my lady?”
Luciano asked anxiously, watching my reaction as though afraid I wouldn’t.
“No, it’s truly lovely. I’m looking forward to the food as well, Luciano.”
Smiling, I took my seat.
But once the dishes were served and we began eating, Luciano remained silent.
“Um… Luciano?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“That matter I mentioned before—have you found out what scheme they’re plotting?”
“I apologize, my lady. I’m still investigating, but the Empress and the marquis’ side are hiding it thoroughly. It is difficult to uncover.”
“That’s fine. There’s still time.”
In the spring, Licianthus would be attacked by assassins from Etoile Kingdom, but since that was still ahead, I pushed away my worry.
After the meal, we returned to the ducal residence.
I thought we would spend the night together until the new year arrived, so returning after only dinner left me secretly disappointed.
Even in the carriage returning home, I couldn’t hide my crestfallen expression.
“My lady, is something the matter?”
“Huh? Oh—no… nothing at all.”
Upon our return, I tried to retreat to my room.
“My lady. There is somewhere we must go together.”
Saying so, Luciano took my hand and led me to a room I had never entered before.
“What is this place?”
“A room I prepared so we might welcome the new year together.”
Inside were desserts and wine.
Moonlight poured through a slightly open curtain, deepening the atmosphere.
We changed into comfortable clothes and began drinking.
“This is the first time we’ve greeted the new year together since our marriage.”
Luciano spoke with a soft wonder, and no doubt he felt it strange too—
for the two of us, whose relationship had been so strained, to now be sharing wine alone and welcoming the new year together.
Two minutes before midnight, fireworks burst outside.
Cheers erupted from everyone watching.
“The fireworks have started.”
When the two minutes passed, the temple bell rang, announcing the new year.
“I look forward to this year with you, my lady.”
“Yes, Luciano.”
He seemed to have forgotten—forgotten that we were supposed to divorce soon.
That thought darkened my expression, but seeing Luciano’s carefree smile eased it away.
“Your Grace! Madam!! You must come out immediately!!”
Ed’s urgent voice rang out.
“What is it, Ed?”
The moment I opened the door, Ed came running up, pale-faced.
“The Imperial First Knight Order has come to the ducal house!”
The First Knight Order protected members of the imperial family—
their movement meant war, or danger so great that the empire itself trembled.
Knowing what that meant, Luciano and I hurried downstairs.
“We greet His Grace Duke Winfoste and Her Grace the Duchess.”
Despite their prestige, Luciano replied coldly, ignoring etiquette.
“To barge into the ducal house without so much as a notice, even if you’re the First Knight Order—how shameless.”
The knights stiffened at his icy tone.
The commander bowed low.
“Our apologies, Your Grace. But we come under a direct imperial decree. His Majesty commands that the Duke and Duchess enter the palace at once.”
I stepped forward.
“You demand we enter without explanation? Give us the reason.”
“Her Majesty the Empress is in critical condition.”
That one sentence explained everything.
‘But this was supposed to happen in spring….’
Trying and failing to hide my shock, I hurried into a carriage, scarcely dressed.
Anxiety gnawed at me. I chewed my nails the entire way.
“My lady.”
“……”
“My lady!!”
Luciano’s raised voice snapped me out of it.
“Yes?”
“Do not worry. Her Majesty will be fine.”
I had assumed there was time.
I had believed I could prevent it.
Guilt overwhelmed every thought.
Upon arriving, Luciano headed to the Emperor’s palace. I ran to the Empress’ palace, where Licianthus was.
“We greet Your Grace the Duchess!”
“Where is Her Majesty?!”
Even from the entrance, I could see panic among the maids—
proof enough of how dire her condition was.
“The imperial physician is with her now.”
At that moment, bloody towels were carried out.
I grabbed one of the court physicians.
“How is Her Majesty?!”
“My deepest apologies, Your Grace. Her condition remains critical.”
He hurried back inside.
For two agonizing hours, I could do nothing but pace outside, waiting.
“Your Grace, you may enter now.”
At last the physicians exited, and I rushed inside.
Licianthus lay pale upon the bed.
Her breathing shallow, her body still—she looked hardly alive.
The head lady-in-waiting approached cautiously.
“Your Grace…”
My voice became frigid.
“What happened? Speak in full detail.”
She explained everything.
“An assassin attacked Her Majesty and escaped…”
I had read this in the novel.
Experiencing it myself made fury burn inside.
“How lax must the guards be that an assassin infiltrates the Empress’s palace, strikes, and flees!”
“We are sorry… Because crowds would gather for the new year, His Majesty shifted the guard force to the capital streets. The Empress’s guards were reduced…”
She bowed deeply.
“Even so! And you didn’t even catch the attacker?! How can you call that an excuse!”
“I am sorry…”
I sighed heavily and sat beside the bed.
At that same time, chaos swept the Emperor’s palace.
“This is undoubtedly the Empress Consort’s doing!!”
Khalid raged while ministers struggled to calm him.
“Your Majesty! Duke Winfoste has arrived!”
“Send him in at once!”
Luciano strode in.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
“Come quickly, Duke.”
“What on earth has happened?”
“An assassin infiltrated the Empress’s palace, attacked her, and vanished.”
“You failed to catch him?”
“Yes…”
Luciano exhaled, troubled.
“Whose work do you believe this to be?”
“Who else would dare harm the Empress? Of course it’s the Empress Consort and Marquis Dotena.”
The Emperor spoke as though it were obvious.
