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Chapter 12
The Draphania family’s treasure vault was located beneath the mansion.
It was, quite literally, a vault—its massive door tightly locked. As if it hadn’t been opened in ages, the hinges groaned with a metallic screech when the door finally swung open.
“There’s nothing particularly special here.”
Quinlan took Rudiche’s hand and guided her inside.
Rudiche slowly looked around. It was an ordinary noble family’s treasure vault.
She already knew what was kept here.
Because I saw it in my previous life.
After her encounter with the emperor, she had returned and scoured the entire mansion until she discovered this place.
But there had been nothing remarkable.
Jewels and accessories passed down from distant ancestors, weapons and armor, precious items once bestowed by the Imperial Family.
If anything, the collection was less impressive than the vaults of newly risen nobles—just a gathering of old relics.
Yet the meaning was different now.
In her past life, these had been nothing more than outdated relics. But as Quinlan carefully explained each piece to her, history and significance settled over them like weight.
The two eventually reached the center of the vault, where the belongings of the first Duke of Draphania were enshrined.
The armor and sword he had wielded, and the gifts he had received from the emperor.
In truth, the entire vault existed simply to safeguard these.
“His Majesty once said…”
Rudiche, gazing at the armor and weapons in the center, finally spoke.
“That the reason you never showed me this place was because you didn’t acknowledge me as part of Draphania.”
That she was a wife unrecognized by her own husband.
“His Majesty said that?”
“Yes. He claimed that your refusal to show me the treasure vault was proof that you didn’t acknowledge me.”
Of course, that wasn’t something of the present. But the emperor’s words had never faded. From then on, he had treated Rudiche as though she were no longer of the family, shunning her.
It had all happened in her previous life, yet the unease still lingered.
“Absurd.”
Displeasure flickered in Quinlan’s voice. It was as though he could not tolerate Rudiche being treated that way.
“The only reason I couldn’t show you this place was because I was sent to war immediately after our marriage. It was never to belittle you.”
“I know. Now that you’re back, I won’t have to hear such words again.”
Rudiche replied with a small smile, then moved past the armor and pointed to something she hadn’t been able to ask about in her past life.
“…What is this?”
Her gaze landed on a worn book and a crown displayed separately to the right of the armor.
“A crown?”
“Yes. The first Duke of Draphania was given this by his brother, the emperor.”
The emperor had wished to show gratitude to his brother, who had helped him.
So, when the duke swore his thousand-year oath to the emperor—
—My brother. You are the eternal cornerstone of this empire, its pillar. As you serve me as your liege, so shall you be my king. This crown is the eternal proof of my heart.
The emperor had gifted his own crown to his brother.
“That is the very crown. The emperor bestowed it to the first Duke, his brother, as a token of thanks.”
“I always thought that was just folklore… but it was true.”
Rudiche studied the crown closely. Though old, the jewels and gold still held their shape, gleaming beautifully.
Was it like this before? I think I dismissed it as just a shabby old crown.
She couldn’t remember clearly.
“The armor, the book, and this crown are the true treasures of Draphania. The book, I hear, is something like the first Duke’s diary.”
“That’s meaningful.”
Listening to him, Rudiche carefully examined the treasures.
“There’s nothing unusual here. I suspect the emperor only said those things to unsettle you.”
“…If that’s so, then I’m relieved.”
She had asked as though digging for secrets.
If only the emperor had shown his hostility openly, like the crown prince, it would’ve been easier. But, in true imperial fashion, his inscrutability only deepened her unease.
“Thank you for showing me, Quinlan.”
“Think nothing of it.”
After she finished looking around, Quinlan extended his hand, as if asking her to take it. Rudiche’s face shifted slightly as she looked at him.
“An escort?”
“Of course. Who else would escort you but me?”
Ah, again.
Rudiche instinctively pressed her hand against her chest and exhaled.
Her heart stirred—an inexplicable warmth spreading from within.
How should I describe this feeling?
She hadn’t expected this.
Rudiche looked at Quinlan. He gazed back at her with his usual calm expression.
Ah. Yes.
Quinlan was alive. He hadn’t died—he was here, breathing and speaking right before her eyes.
A radiant smile spread across Rudiche’s face.
“Thank you, Quinlan.”
For coming back alive. For being by my side.
Rudiche took his hand and stepped outside. The touch of his hand felt warmer than the sunlight streaming across the world.
She knew she would never forget this moment: leaving the dark vault behind, standing with him beneath the bright sun.
When her gaze met Quinlan’s, he returned it with quiet steadiness.
In that instant, Rudiche realized—this man would never make the first move.
Because he understood what it would mean if he did. Because he wouldn’t risk interfering with her future. That alone kept him from moving.
Then I’ll move first.
She had no choice but to push him until he lost his composure.
Her expression brightened with determination as she smiled at him.
When they left the treasure vault, Quinlan escorted Rudiche to the duchess’s bedchamber.
“Rest well. We go to the palace tomorrow.”
“Alright. You should rest too—you must be tired.”
Rudiche stubbornly refused to retreat until he left first.
In the end, it was Quinlan who turned away and went to his own chamber.
They stood not far apart, exchanging one last look.
Time passed quietly.
Quinlan gave her a slight nod, then stepped inside.
The door closed, leaving silence in the corridor.
“Well then. Since I’ve made up my mind… shall I get on with it tonight?”
A mischievous smile curved Rudiche’s lips.
Night fell deep, the air itself drifting into slumber.
The door to the duke’s chamber eased open, and a shadow slipped in.
Peeking in cautiously was none other than Rudiche Draphania.
Silently, she stepped inside.
True to her knightly background, she moved with almost no sound. Quinlan Draphania, for once, remained asleep.
It was a sight unimaginable for a man who usually woke at the faintest stir.
“Quinlan?”
The duchess whispered softly at his bedside, but the duke didn’t stir.
Watching him, Rudiche crouched down by the bed and rested her arm upon it.
His platinum hair lay tousled across the pillow. His brow was perfectly shaped, his nose sharply defined, and beneath it his lips curved in an elegant line.
Those lips, which had always seemed cold, burned hot when they touched hers.
The firm chest visible above the blanket felt even stronger, warmer, than she remembered.
“Quinlan…”
She murmured his name quietly, but there was no reply.
For a fleeting moment, the memory of his death stabbed her heart painfully.
But as she watched the steady rise and fall of his breathing, her own breath gradually returned to calm.
Rudiche reached out a hand, but drew it back before it touched him.
Is this a dream? A vision? The flash of life before death? Or a trick of the gods? How could such a thing be?
No matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t understand.
“…It doesn’t matter.”
Yes. It didn’t matter.
Whatever the reason, the man before her was Quinlan Draphania—her one and only partner.
Perhaps exhaustion had finally caught him.
Though someone had entered his domain, he hadn’t awoken. That wasn’t like him at all.
But he looked so peaceful that she didn’t want to wake him.
“Quinlan.”
She called his name again in a whisper, but he gave no answer.
After watching for a while, Rudiche sank to the floor at his bedside.
“This time, I won’t regret it.”
She whispered, meeting his face with her gaze.
Yes. Just for now, let her stay at his side. Just like this, beside him.
Happiness welled within her.
