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Chapter 52
After that, the rest was obvious without needing explanation.
Russell had never been welcomed by anyone.
“The ministers opposed taking him in, calling it a cunning scheme, and the church criticized Remi for breaking their doctrines.”
“How could that…?”
When Russell’s mother appeared at the imperial palace, she was expelled along with her child.
Without any help from anyone.
“I tried to secretly follow the expelled Remi… but even that had limits. After a few years, I gave up.”
Countless years passed.
Russell, once treated as a dead child by the royal family, boldly appeared before the aging emperor.
“One day, I heard that someone seeking revenge for grievances in the slums would come to the palace and kill indiscriminately.”
“That person was Russell, wasn’t it?”
His Majesty didn’t reply.
‘Maybe he’s keeping his eyes tightly shut.’
The son of the woman the emperor had initially rejected had returned to the palace.
“…I still remember him when he came to the palace. He wore black like he was in mourning, with his black hair and black clothes. It felt as if he was speaking to me.”
Asking why I didn’t protect him.
Why let his mother die?
Why only seek me out now?
“Russell resembles Remi. I thought that if she and I had a child, he couldn’t lack ability.”
“That’s irresponsible.”
I snapped, unable to hold back. A burning heat rose in my chest, as if touching it might scald me.
“So in the end, you couldn’t protect the duke. And now, having returned, you say it’s his duty to guard the North?”
Ah, this.
Russell had probably never been angry at the emperor before. Yet my tongue spoke on its own.
‘But I have to say it.’
Russell is not just a simple avenger.
“The duke’s situation is partly your responsibility as well, Your Majesty.”
“…Yes. Your accusation is fair. I won’t deny I neglected Russell. But—”
In His Majesty’s voice, I could sense a clear agitation, as if on the verge of tears.
“…When I heard that Remi had been dead for a long time, I regretted it terribly.”
“…I understand why Your Majesty cherishes the duke.”
I began to understand why His Majesty called me aside.
‘As the duchess, he wanted to see if Russell was just a vengeful spirit or truly human.’
A selfish man.
“You don’t love Russell.”
“Indeed. I do not love him.”
The emperor does not love Russell. He only imagines a non-existent woman layered onto him, pretending it is love.
When His Majesty spoke again, there was a deep sigh.
“How do you intend to treat Russell?”
His voice was heavy.
“No one has been able to change him. There were women who only caused more pain. How do you plan to treat him?”
“I can’t give a perfect answer, but I can say one thing.”
The sovereign of all people could not prevent all the misfortune that had befallen Russell.
Nor could I promise to prevent all misfortune in the future.
“A person can survive on even the smallest act of kindness.”
I felt His Majesty’s gaze fixed on me.
‘Don’t bow your head.’
I straightened my back confidently, just as Russell had taught me.
Like the person who had inspired me, even without grand gestures. Even a small hand extended in kindness can allow someone to survive.
“So this time, I’ll stay by his side. I’ll prove it.”
“I didn’t know the duchess’s eyes were so bright and sharp.”
“That was a slip of the tongue.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I sensed a mixture of relief and pleasure in His Majesty’s voice. Perhaps he felt he could finally let go of some worry.
Just as I was about to say something else, I sensed someone approaching.
“Your Majesty. Excuse me.”
“Time must have come. Yes, we can’t keep things waiting.”
“Excuse me.”
I bowed briefly and turned to walk away.
Soon after, His Majesty’s voice followed.
“I entrust it to you.”
I didn’t reply and kept walking.
‘Even the exalted emperor was, after all, still human.’
By the way… why did I hear the tree’s voice again?
‘Magic is imagination… but maybe it’s a side effect from yesterday.’
My thoughts became tangled as I walked.
Tap, tap.
The sound of my stick hitting the ground alerted me that Russell was nearby.
‘I can hear his breathing.’
One more step, and I might bump into him.
“Did you have a conversation?”
I feigned casualness, though my voice betrayed a hint of anxiety.
I shrugged, pretending not to know.
“Nothing important. I just asked something personal out of curiosity.”
“I see.”
He didn’t press further. Perhaps he thought the situation was too complicated to discuss right now.
“Russell. Lean forward for a moment.”
“Hmm? Like this?”
I reached out and traced his face with my hand.
“Fiana? Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“Just… I had a long talk with His Majesty.”
At a young age, Russell had been abandoned in the slums, watching the people he loved die horribly.
He had achieved his revenge, yet still had to come to the palace. What must he have felt?
“I thought… you might have been very lonely.”
His mouth twitched under my fingers.
He could hide his expression, but he couldn’t hide the brief trembling of his muscles.
Then, I felt his palm cover the back of my hand. He held my hand gently.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m not fine. Russell, this is a promise.”
“What kind of promise?”
I lifted my other hand, which had been stroking his cheek, to touch his forehead.
His forehead, cooled by the crisp morning air, felt refreshing.
“No matter what happens, you won’t hide your struggles from me.”
“Why suggest that? You could just tell me not to lie instead.”
“Russell.”
His voice carried a strict resonance, and his expression became serious.
“If I tell you not to lie, you will lie eventually.”
Even I hide the fact that I remember my past life or that I was once a rat in the slums.
‘So telling him not to lie isn’t right.’
I conveyed it to Russell.
“It’s okay to lie. You might leave me someday. But you should also know how to show when you’re struggling.”
“And if I show my struggles, who will handle the North?”
“I’ll help you, won’t I?”
His lips curved into a faint smile, pleased with my answer.
After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke firmly.
“Alright. I promise.”
“Good.”
“But—.”
He grasped my wrist.
I could hear his breath close by. He brought his lips near my ear and whispered in a very soft voice.
“I hate lies.”
Am I embarrassed? My heart feels chaotic.
He released my wrist and said,
“I won’t lie from now on. I hope you have nothing to hide as well.”
“O-okay… I understand.”
I felt the gazes on us and blushed. Just as I tried to hide my face behind my hair, he reached out his hand to me.
“Shall we go now?”
“Huh? Y-yes…”
And so, the matter in the archipelago came to a close.
Far from Glacies Castle, near the border of the Cassius Kingdom.
The northern frontier.
Men cloaked in black hooded garments kicked the corpses of goblins, slaughtered and lifeless, with their toes.
“They said the Glacies Knights don’t hold back in battle… and they were right.”
“Among them, Duke Glacies is a monster. Best not to encounter him if possible.”
“That’s creepy.”
Giggles echoed from all directions. The man at the front raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
“Enough. Are we ready?”
“Yes. Finished.”
“Understood. Let’s move.”
The hooded group muttered incomprehensible words as they vanished into the blizzard.
“For the Cassius Kingdom.”
