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Chapter 14
However, in this situation, none of that mattered. She had to cling to any possibility, no matter how small.
“I want to take revenge on my father.”
Meeting Renatus’s gaze, Eleanor clearly stated her position. One of his eyebrows lifted slightly.
“My mother didn’t die of illness. She took her own life… because of him.”
She chose not to mention that her father was having an affair with Empress Julia.
Certainly, if she revealed that, Renatus would trust her more. It might even make her revenge easier.
But it also came with significant risk. Even without evidence, Renatus could fabricate some and report it to the Emperor—just as Julia had done in the past.
Of course, he knew well how deeply his father loved the Empress, so he wouldn’t act rashly.
The important thing was that if Marquis Crain were executed for adultery, she, as his child, would not escape punishment either.
Adultery with the Empress was subject to collective punishment. That was why Renatus’s maternal family, once a prestigious house, had fallen alongside the execution of Empress Helen. It was also why Renatus now struggled alone.
Even if she was staking her entire life on revenge, she couldn’t afford to choose a reckless path. There was also the risk that Renatus might use only that information and betray her.
“My father supports Prince Cosimo and intends to marry me off to him, so he can become the father-in-law of the next Emperor.”
Eleanor hesitated briefly before continuing.
“If my revenge is to place Your Highness on the throne and purge my father… would you find me cruel?”
After all, he believed Marquis Crain to be her biological father. He might see her as despicable for seeking revenge against her own blood.
As Renatus remained silent, Eleanor’s anxiety grew.
“I’ll give you time to think. But as you know, tomorrow—”
“No.”
Renatus cut her off. Eleanor’s heart jolted as she looked at him.
“I don’t need time.”
Did that mean he found her proposal not even worth considering? A wave of despair washed over her.
Of course, she hadn’t been certain he would respond favorably. Her only alternative was to marry Prince Cosimo.
She had prepared herself for rejection, so why did it feel like this? Perhaps the thought of becoming that woman’s daughter-in-law was more dreadful than she had expected.
“Madam Pereto has likely gone to the dressing room to choose what I’ll wear to the wedding tomorrow. It won’t take her long to pick out the worst possible tailcoat.”
At his sudden change of subject, Eleanor looked puzzled.
“Soon, she’ll hear that you came here. And that means the Empress and Marquis Crain will learn of it as well.”
“….”
“So why would you make such a proposal to me?”
He must have already decided to refuse and was now worrying about her situation.
Eleanor let out a faint laugh. It was a cruel kind of kindness—caring for her circumstances while having no intention of marrying her.
“The justification for taking you as my consort.”
It took her a moment to process his next words.
“You came prepared with something like that, didn’t you?”
“…What?”
That meant—
A flicker of joy spread across her face. He had accepted her proposal. After taking a short breath, Eleanor nodded.
“That we’ve been in love for a long time.”
In love.
As she spoke the words aloud, Eleanor felt a strange, ticklish sensation. But she ignored it and continued.
“And if I were to spend the night with Your Highness today…”
Suppressing her embarrassment as best she could, she finished,
“If we’re discovered, that would be more than enough justification.”
Her voice had dropped to nearly a whisper by the end. Then, worried he might misunderstand, she quickly added,
“…Of course, I don’t mean actually doing that.”
Renatus stared at her, his expression unreadable.
He was still kneeling before her, looking up, yet there was no trace of humiliation or inferiority. Even in that position, he remained dignified—almost arrogantly so. For a moment, Eleanor felt breathless at his presence.
“First, you should take a bath. You’ll be staying here tonight.”
Still looking up at her, he spoke gently.
She was about to agree—it would indeed be difficult to spend the night like this—when he reached for the hem of her dress.
Startled, she flinched and looked at him. Renatus calmly asked,
“May I lift it now?”
Caught off guard, Eleanor nodded.
At his touch, her pale legs were revealed.
At the same time, embarrassment flushed through her—not because she was exposing her bare legs before a man, but because the wounds were… quite severe. Renatus’s expression darkened as well.
“Don’t worry. They’ll heal before the wedding.”
She had meant it lightly, to ease the mood, but it didn’t seem to help.
“For now, it can’t be helped.”
As he scooped up some ointment with his fingers, he continued,
“But tomorrow, you’ll receive proper treatment.”
Just as she was about to reply, a sharp pain shot through her wounds, and she had to clamp her lips shut to keep from crying out.
Where his touch landed, it stung—but also felt oddly ticklish. The medicine seemed to be working quickly.
“Relax your expression. To me, these are something like wounds of honor. Thanks to them, I’ll avoid the wedding tomorrow…”
She tried to joke, but the tension in his brow didn’t ease.
In the end, Eleanor decided that simply not groaning in pain was the best she could do.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Heavy footsteps pounded, followed by a man throwing the door open.
Renatus, who had been strolling calmly through the bedroom, frowned at his behavior.
“That’s quite rude for the Crown Prince’s attendant, Sir Alber.”
“Lady Eleanor—!”
Alber’s voice rose before he caught himself, roughly running a hand through his blue hair.
Lowering his voice, though still sharp and forceful, he demanded,
“Is it true she’s still here?”
“I intend to spend the night with her and marry her, Sir Alber.”
“Your Highness!”
Alber’s voice rose again. He took several quick, deep breaths, veins standing out in his eyes as he pressed on,
“What kind of absurd nonsense is that? She’s supposed to be your sister-in-law by tomorrow! What do you trust about that woman, and what benefit could you possibly gain from marrying her?”
“There are benefits. My consort will remove Madam Pereto, whom I couldn’t easily touch because she was appointed by my mother.”
Renatus explained calmly.
“And it will prevent me from marrying someone who serves as the Empress’s pawn. This is clearly a beneficial marriage for me.”
“Then what benefit does Lady Crain gain? How can you trust her?!”
“She will never betray us, Alber.”
Renatus said with a smile. Alber stared at him in disbelief.
Renatus understood his reaction. But he had his reasons.
He recalled the voice he had overheard on the terrace not long ago—a voice that felt like a gift.
“My father… and the prince’s mother are in a relationship.”
The smile at his lips deepened.
“Never.”
