RR 19

Chapter : 19

King Accers strode briskly toward the castle. The Duke of Kisling had sent a messenger, requesting permission to punish the Barony of Jardin. The reason given was that Baron Jardin, under the pretense of opening new farmland, had violated the border, damaged the forests of the Kisling domain, and conducted unauthorized hunting.

It suited him well. King Accers had long harbored old resentment toward Baron Jardin. Although the Jardin who had married Yohas was already dead, he disliked the Jardin family as a whole.

Still, the incident had occurred within Kisling territory, so it was not something that required the king’s approval. The request itself was meant to bolster the king’s prestige.

At times, Accers found himself wary of the Duke of Kisling. Though they were brothers by blood, Kisling had been adopted into the ducal house at a young age. He had been educated there and had inherited the title. Accers sometimes wondered whether that upbringing had changed the way his brother viewed the world. As royal power grew stronger, the authority of the lords inevitably waned. Accers could not help but remain cautious of Kisling, who was both royal and ducal.

It was the same now. Even though he understood Kisling’s intentions, he felt uneasy. The root of that unease lay in Accers’s own inferiority complex. His suspicious nature was inborn, but his resentment regarding the Redian territory was especially deep.

Grit. His teeth ground together.

Power. The power to knead the world in his hands. The power to command every lord in Slorland with a single finger. When such power gathered beneath his feet, he would be able to strike Ingrad. But the madwoman, Merill, had become the greatest obstacle—like a thorn lodged in his throat.

Redian territory. Merill had dared to defy him and refused to relinquish ownership of Redian. It was obvious what the other lords would think. A king who could not even force one madwoman into submission… Because of Merill, the king’s authority and dignity were being trampled into the dirt.

Accers’s face flushed red with anger. His patience had reached its limit.

Merill. She had tested him too far. He had treated her far too humanely. He would show her exactly what kind of man he was. He was a ruthless king who had even eliminated the former king.

Behind him, an ominous snowstorm seemed to rise.

Torches flickered wildly in the wind blowing in through the doors. Step. Step. As King Accers passed the staircase to the second floor and headed toward the tower with a hardened expression, the chief attendant—who had been following silently—hurried forward. Only then had he realized where the king was headed.

“Queen Merill is in the study.”

“The study?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

King Accers muttered curses savagely under his breath.

“What is that madwoman trying to pull this time?”

He changed direction. His primary purpose had been to see Merill, so he headed for the study. As he descended the stairs and crossed the hall, he saw Yohas.

“Norren.”

Yohas approached him with a gentle smile, opened her arms, and embraced him. Accers kissed her cheek and complained,

“It’s infuriating not knowing when this madness will end.”

A relationship with a mistress was not recognized by the Church. Because of that, Accers had long been unable to receive confession or God’s blessing. Cardinal Mille had expressed difficulty as well, but there was no solution—they were not formally married. Maser, being illegitimate, had not even received baptism.

If he were to die like this, he would go to hell. The thought made his anger boil over again.

Yohas soothed him softly.

“Don’t worry so much, Norren. We’ll be fine.”

“We’re not fine at all. This is not fine!”

Yohas held him tightly and said,

“But we’re together. You’re protecting us. That’s enough. Please don’t be angry.”

Accers let out a long breath and held Yohas close. As expected of Yohas—she was not called “the kind Yohas” for nothing. He had always found comfort and solace through her. She was the warmest-hearted woman he had ever known.

When they finally released each other and he moved to head for the study, Yohas added in a cautioning tone,

“Please don’t get angry. All right?”

Accers answered reluctantly.

“I’ll try.”

He approached the study and shoved the door open forcefully. Then, glaring at Merill, who stood motionless like a statue, he said,

“What is it?”

“May I prepare for Emblin to leave?”

Accers doubted his ears. In the time he hadn’t seen her, Merill had grown gaunt, thin as a bare branch. The fact that she was standing at all seemed miraculous. Accers circled her slowly, as if testing the truth of it. Even the slightest breeze made her body sway.

“What trick are you trying now?!”

When he growled quietly, Merill replied, staring straight ahead,

“I’ll keep my promise. But please give me one more week.”

In an instant, Accers stepped right up to her face and shouted,

“You’re lying again, you madwoman! I’m sick to death of your lies!”

Merill lifted her blue eyes and asked,

“After waiting this long, can’t you wait one more week?”

“The only reason I’m not hitting you right now is because of Yohas’s request. She asked me not to get angry with you.”

Yohas Lorem… Even in death, he would never surpass that woman. Still, there was something he wanted to ask at least once.

“Why her? I have more than she does—so why was it Yohas?”

“You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

“Then explain it so I can.”

“This is all I can say. The only reason you’re still alive is because of Yohas’s mercy. So forget your nonsense about one more week and proceed with the divorce immediately.”

Merill said,

“All right. I’ll send Emblin away and then immediately request a divorce from Cardinal Mille.”

“If you lie again, I’ll cut off every one of your limbs.”

“And you, too—keep your promise to me. Guarantee Emblin her freedom.”

“Fine. I don’t care if that wretched girl dies.”

Merill’s face turned deathly pale.

“If you break your promise, you will die screaming. Your limbs and your head will be cut off and scattered everywhere.”

Accers smiled faintly, then suddenly grabbed Merill’s face tightly. He hissed through clenched teeth,

“I’ll kill you first before that happens.”

“Yes. Do that, then. So… may I prepare?”

Accers immediately called for the chief attendant.

“Emblin is leaving the capital. Prepare a carriage.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Merill let out a long breath and left the study. Yes—this was how it should have been. She should have sent her away immediately. If she had done so back then, Emblin would have enjoyed even one more day of freedom.

Then she saw Yohas. With a gentle smile, Yohas bowed politely to Merill. Merill’s eyes reddened at once. Because of that woman… I’ve become like this…

Yohas straightened and headed directly toward the study, looking every bit a dignified queen.

Merill turned and watched her go. As if hearing her footsteps, Accers came out and embraced Yohas. To them, this must have been wonderful news.

But Norren—you should know this. The Church will not grant a divorce easily. It will likely be rejected again and again. You may go mad. But I won’t stay to watch that happen. I truly love you—more than my own life.

Merill’s love was the kind that could only be abandoned through death.

Though it was sudden, Emblin remained calm. Seeing her like that made Elga’s chest ache as she packed Emblin’s belongings.

“I’m sorry, Lady Emblin.”

“No.”

“I should have done better…”

“That’s not true. Don’t say things like that.”

But there was no warmth in Emblin’s voice. Her expression was cold. So Elga swallowed the words she wanted to say. She had wanted to ask her to check whether any family members were still alive. Only afterward did she realize her mistake—she had nearly burdened someone who was leaving just to survive.

Wrapped in a thick cape, Emblin waited for Merill. In truth, she had never expected Merill to grant her request so easily. She had believed she would gain freedom only through her own death.

When the door finally opened and Merill staggered in, Emblin rose from her seat and moved to support her. But Merill rejected her hand and said,

“Go. If you ride without stopping, you’ll be able to leave the capital before sunset.”

“And you, Mother?”

Merill pushed her from behind without having prepared anything herself. With an unintentional edge to her voice, she said,

“You knew I wouldn’t be going anyway, didn’t you?”

Emblin’s face hardened. Merill avoided her gaze, as if regretful.

“That was nonsense. Go first. I’ll follow somehow.”

“Let’s go together.”

“No!”

Merill suddenly raised her voice.

“If not now, you won’t be able to go. If not now, you’ll be trapped forever. Don’t waste my last bit of courage, Emblin. It has to be now.”

Emblin looked straight into Merill’s eyes. In Merill’s blue eyes, she saw herself reflected. Merill whispered as if pleading,

“If not now, you’ll never leave again. You have to go right now.”

Emblin’s indifferent gaze. You made the right decision, Merill. You did well.

Merill gently stroked Emblin’s cold face and said,

“Go.”