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Chapter 54
When it came to matters concerning the Duke that didn’t involve me, I didn’t bother paying attention. I could’ve gotten myself killed if I unnecessarily interfered. But a variable had arisen. Rose was going to attend the princess’s birthday banquet—together with Duke Artium, who was likely to be blamed for the recent incident. Jane could no longer remain idle. If something went wrong, even Rose’s life could be at risk. She nervously parted her dry lips and swallowed.
“I need to tell you something.”
Rose tilted her head at Jane’s low voice.
“Hm? What is it?”
Jane glanced around before whispering quietly to Rose.
“Don’t go to that banquet.”
“Huh?”
Why was Jane suddenly acting like this? Rose stared at her with wide eyes.
“…Don’t go.”
Jane’s eyes, pleading, bore into Rose. The hand she used to grip Rose trembled weakly, like a leaf in the wind.
“Jane, calm down. Why are you saying this?”
Rose gently tried to soothe her.
“Don’t get involved with Duke Artium. If you do… you might even be in danger, milady.”
Rose sensed that Jane’s words were serious.
“Jane… you know something, don’t you?”
“….”
“It’s okay. You can tell me.”
But Jane shook her head, repeating only her plea for Rose not to go.
‘It must have something to do with Duke Artium…’
Were they planning another scheme at the banquet? Rose felt a sense of foreboding. She forced her racing heart down and spoke calmly to Jane.
“Is Duke Artium going to be blamed for something at the princess’s birthday banquet?”
Startled, Jane responded sharply.
“H-How did you…!”
Her ominous intuition was right. Rose spoke firmly to Jane.
“Tell me, Jane.”
“…I won’t. Can’t you just not go to the banquet?”
“And Duke Artium? If he’s falsely accused, who knows what could happen. Are you just going to stand by?”
“…You said you weren’t close to the Duke.”
Jane hung her head low, murmuring,
“I don’t want you to be in danger.”
Her gentle voice gave way to urgency as she gripped Rose’s shoulder.
“…And the Duke is royalty, with high status! Even if something happens, he can probably handle it. But Rose, you’re not the same. If you get caught up in this and die, what would happen?”
Though part of her worried for Duke Artium’s life, the person Jane truly cared about was Rose. She couldn’t allow Rose to get involved in something so dangerous. Rose was merely the daughter of a fallen noble family. Jane’s frustration at not speaking up earlier was mixed with understanding—she herself had once tried to avoid getting entangled in the Duke’s affairs, despite knowing the potential consequences…
‘…I promised I’d protect you.’
Rose gently took Jane’s hand resting on her shoulder and spoke firmly.
“Jane, I don’t know how you found out about this, but know this: whether you tell me or not, I’m going to attend the banquet with the Duke.”
Of course, this was a lie. She wouldn’t blindly walk into the enemy’s lair knowing it was a trap. It was only a black lie meant to provoke Jane. If used well, this could become an opportunity for counterattack. Rose couldn’t afford to waste it. Jane gasped in shock.
“No! You can’t!”
“If you won’t tell me, I have no choice.”
“W-Wait!”
As Rose turned her back without looking, Jane grabbed her arm.
“I… I’ll tell you everything, just please don’t go to the banquet.”
Jane’s expression was pained as she quietly began recounting what she had learned that day about Cedric and his subordinates. Rose listened calmly, nodding.
“So… they plan to poison the princess.”
“Yes… The princess only drinks wine brought by Duke Artium every year, so that’s when they plan to act.”
“….”
“…Are you really planning to go?”
Rose nodded reassuringly at Jane’s worried gaze.
“Don’t worry. Thanks to you, I now know a way to get out safely.”
Had it not been for Jane, she would have walked right into the trap unaware.
“Is it true that no one else knows about this?”
“Well…”
Jane hesitated, thinking of Cern, realizing she’d also have to reveal that he had betrayed Rose. She struggled to speak.
“Ce…”
Knock-knock.
“Excuse me, the store is now closed.”
Just as Jane was about to speak, a clerk knocked and entered, politely greeting them.
“Ah, it’s really time to go now.”
Rose and Jane rose from their seats. Jane had wanted to tell Rose about Cern, but in the end, she couldn’t.
“Is everything done?”
“Oh? Duke?”
Duke Artium was waiting in front of the café, accompanied by a lavish black carriage and horses.
“Weren’t you returning to your estate?”
“My errands took longer than expected. I came just in case, and you haven’t left yet.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Get in. I’ll take you to the mansion.”
Rose nodded at his words.
‘Good timing. I was wondering when I could tell the Duke about this.’
“Ah, Jane. Are you coming too?”
“No, I’m fine. The mansion isn’t far.”
Jane shook her head politely.
“But you could ride along on the way.”
“Really, it’s okay.”
She smiled faintly and held Rose’s hand.
“I’ll respect your choice, milady. But please promise me one thing… that you’ll return safely.”
“Of course. I’m Rose. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Rose intentionally spoke in a slightly lighter tone to ease Jane’s worry. Jane nodded in response.
“Go ahead.”
“Alright, see you next time.”
“Yes. Next time… we’ll meet.”
Rose got into the carriage, leaving Jane’s wistful gaze behind. Turning to the Duke who followed, she spoke seriously.
“Duke, the Plice Duke faction is scheming again.”
“The Plice Duke?”
The Duke’s eyes hardened at her words.
“Yes. It seems they intended to frame you at the princess’s birthday banquet again.”
Though they had been surveilled by Neran, the Duke hadn’t sensed anything.
“Hm.”
“It’s truly a relief that we found out before the banquet.”
“Was it that maid we met just now who informed you?”
“Yes.”
“…Can she be trusted?”
“If it’s Jane, don’t worry. She wouldn’t lie to me.”
The Duke seemed deep in thought at Rose’s words, clearly troubled.
“Let’s hear about this plan. I’m curious what dirty trick they’re trying to pull this time.”
The Duke’s sharp tone cast a chill over the carriage. Rose felt the cold air, and it was no illusion.
“They plan to switch the princess’s unicorn horn cup with a fake one. Even the wine you’ll bring, Duke.”
The Duke frowned. He didn’t need to hear more to understand their intentions.
“They’re trying to frame me for poisoning.”
Rose nodded quietly at his words.
“But your uncle must know about the plan. He allowed poison to be given to his own daughter?”
“They promised to use only a tiny amount that would make her faint, nothing more.”
The Duke was furious. Despite knowing Diana’s trauma, her uncle had still consented.
“Would you hurt Diana again like this?”
What was the throne worth…! Using his only daughter Diana in such a way was revolting. The late emperor and empress had died by poisoning. Before Diana could even fully grieve, she was faced with more danger. Diana had always been nearby, from the late emperor to the empress, even when her own mother died. She was the first to discover their cold, lifeless bodies—a trauma that would haunt her forever. At less than seven years old, she could barely bear such horror. Her fear of poisoning became extreme. Diana had poison tasters and always wore leather gloves to protect herself. Duke Artium, too, had been shocked by the late emperor’s poisoning, but unlike Diana, he had overcome his trauma by seeking vengeance… He was disgusted and horrified by his uncle’s actions.
‘…I don’t believe the old emperor died of illness.’
Though poisoning was suspected, the investigation ended quickly. Surely, Duke Artium’s uncle and the Plice Duke were involved.
“…Quite methodical. Perhaps we should listen carefully to what the maid says.”
The Duke, who had once doubted Jane, now seemed to trust her somewhat.
“If we ask the princess’s permission and don’t attend, the immediate danger is avoided… but we’d also lose the chance for counterattack.”
The Duke nodded at Rose’s words.
“Let’s think about it.”
Tired, he rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes. Ten days remained until the princess’s birthday banquet. They had to find an appropriate plan before then. The carriage carrying Rose and the Duke galloped forward.
Meanwhile, Jane, staring blankly at the departing carriage, trudged toward the mansion.
“…But really, they’re not involved with the Duke at all, right?”
It felt strange the more she thought about it. Rose desperately tackling the Duke’s affairs despite no relation, and the Duke waiting for Rose late at night—it didn’t make sense. Passing the small forest path, the count’s estate would soon appear. Jane held her head, lost in thought, and walked slowly. Distracted, she misstepped.
Splash!
“Ah!”
One of Jane’s feet slipped into the lake, and her body tilted toward the water. At that moment, someone in a worn robe grabbed her hand.
“Ah, thank you.”
Had it not been for that, she might have ended up swimming in the filthy water. Grateful, she looked at her savior—Cern. He removed the hooded robe and looked at Jane.
