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Chapter 10
“Yes, I thought probation would be an appropriate punishment,” I said.
I might have felt a certain thrill if Diego had received something harsher, but that was only a fleeting sentiment.
“Had he faced more than probation, he would have drawn the Emperor’s ire.”
“But probation alone won’t harm the Marquis at all, will it?”
“Exactly. Honestly, it’s meaningless.”
Everyone assumed Diego would become the next Emperor, and his reputation was already in tatters. Adding a probationary sentence wouldn’t change a thing.
“But what if we had a point of comparison?”
What if the gem we had treasured, thinking it irreplaceable, could actually be replaced?
“You mean putting someone else on the throne?”
I nodded.
“I’ll make Prince Lionel Emperor.”
The same Prince Lionel supposedly killed years ago during the Arban Duke family incident, thought lost alongside the rest of his household.
“This is also the most effective way to take revenge on His Majesty the Emperor and Marquis Rizen,” I continued.
Both had wanted Diego to ascend. That had been the reason they eliminated Lionel.
But imagine their frustration and disbelief if Lionel returned alive and claimed the throne.
‘Lionel is alive.’
The reason I was certain was simple: he was the original male protagonist who would eventually be paired with Alice.
At this point, Lionel was likely outside the Empire. In the original story, Alice meets him only after studying abroad in another country.
“Well, it’s an interesting idea,” Louis said, though he didn’t seem particularly surprised. Perhaps he had expected something along these lines ever since I proposed to him.
“This isn’t something sane people would attempt,” he added.
“I knew you’d say that, Louis,” I replied with a faint laugh. He tilted his head in mild curiosity.
“Well, this isn’t something to be taken lightly. What if I refuse to cooperate?”
“Judging by the fact you didn’t strike me down right here and now, I think the answer is obvious,” I said.
He didn’t reply. Still, his silence was a positive sign.
‘Even suggesting we replace the heir apparent with someone of our choosing, and he let it slide.’
Once this is set in motion, we’d be perfect accomplices.
“Yes, exactly. I was getting bored anyway,” Louis said.
He was the type who sought adventure and thrill over stability.
“Crazy as it is, it sounds fun. I like it.”
I wasn’t fond of how easily his curiosity drove his decisions, but at times like this, it worked to my advantage.
Even proposing to place someone thought dead on the throne didn’t faze him.
And he didn’t question the obvious: how Lionel could possibly still be alive. He merely smiled.
“So, what’s the first step?”
“First…” I explained the initial stage of my plan to Louis.
The Arban Duke estate was magnificent. The staff were polite, and no one dared provoke unnecessary tension. At least, not openly.
“They all pretend to be courteous but talk behind your back! Saying there must be a reason you were rejected!”
“Really?”
“They’re ridiculous! How could anyone speak that way about someone about to become the mistress of the Duke’s household?!”
It seemed that Asa had softened the criticisms somewhat when relaying them to me. The verbal attacks, though expected, required some attention.
I calmed the fuming Asa, who was nearly trembling with indignation, and had her leave. Then I allowed myself to be attended to, took a bath, and changed into my pajamas.
“You can’t go that way.”
Walking down the corridor, I stopped at the door to Louis’s bedroom, only to be blocked by a maid.
“Why not?”
“…Well, that’s the master’s bedroom,” she replied.
Another maid pointed down the hall toward the guest room. “Your room has been prepared there.”
“Guest room?” I laughed lightly.
Despite the polite pretense, their true feelings were evident. I was visiting the Duke’s household in my capacity as his fiancée, yet they intended to give me a guest room.
“Do you really see me as a guest who will leave soon?”
“Well… yes, ma’am,” the maids stammered.
I waved my hand. “It’s fine. I’ll manage. You can leave now.”
I wasn’t about to waste time in a pointless struggle when I was exhausted.
“…But ma’am, the master would be furious if he knew!”
Seeing the terrified maids tremble, I sighed. So small-minded, even among the Duke’s staff.
“Even if he scolds me, he won’t strike me. Don’t worry. I’ll behave carefully, so nothing drastic happens,” I reassured them before entering Louis’s bedroom.
Apparently, they lacked the courage to follow me in. The corridor fell silent.
After such a dramatic entrance, the household would undoubtedly be abuzz again tomorrow. I wondered what they’d gossip about next.
The bedroom itself was neat, almost sterile. Minimal furniture suggested a purposeful emptiness. I considered requesting an extra bed. Though engaged, we would eventually share a bed after marriage.
‘Sleeping on the sofa might be more comfortable for now.’
Fortunately, the sofa was wide and soft, ample enough to stretch out. My body sank into it, heavy and weary, like a wad of damp cotton.
‘A short rest shouldn’t hurt,’ I thought, closing my eyes.
When I opened them again, darkness had fallen outside.
“You look relaxed,” came a low, smooth voice, though I was still half-asleep.
He made his presence known deliberately.
“You still have much to say, I believe.”
“…Louis?”
Fully awake, I sat up reflexively.
“When did you arrive?”
“Hmm, about five minutes ago,” he replied, loosening his tie with a playful edge.
“I’ll be taking a bath, so don’t fall asleep.”
I nodded, not bold enough to pretend to ignore him.
Louis, indifferent to my gaze, began undoing his buttons. I had assumed his fastidious nature would make him cautious of being watched—but apparently not.
‘…Hmm?’
I glanced away to hide my surprise.
Exposed across his bare chest were numerous scars.
‘…I probably shouldn’t be looking at this.’
Though it was him who undressed, I couldn’t help but notice. Hopefully, he wouldn’t attack me just for glancing.
“Read something if you’re bored. I don’t know if you’ll find anything worthwhile,” he said.
I nodded silently and walked toward the bookshelf, preferring distraction over awkward staring.
Luckily, his presence soon faded as he presumably went to bathe. I let out a small sigh of relief.
Then came his calm, almost stern voice:
“Did you happen to see something you shouldn’t?”
“You seem a little upset at my blatant avoidance,” he continued, without a trace of humor.
“…We’ll be married soon, after all.”
His tone was casual, yet carried a subtle chill. Alarm bells went off in my mind. I had to smooth things over.
“Was it so terrible that you didn’t want to look?”
“No, that’s not why I turned away,” I said quickly.
“I just felt it was something I shouldn’t know.”
If those scars were truly that shocking, I wouldn’t have agreed to marry Louis in the first place.
“We aren’t really a married couple yet, so it seemed best to pretend ignorance for now,” I added.
I felt a little wronged, explaining while he undressed at will.
“An admirable answer,” he said, smiling faintly, seemingly satisfied with my reasoning.
‘Well, that worked,’ I thought.
“But still, you should be careful from now on.”
“…Yes.”
“It would be troublesome if a misunderstanding came between us.”
Though unsaid, it felt like a quiet warning. I nodded.
Once Louis disappeared into the bathroom, my legs finally gave way.
‘…I almost became a corpse on my first day in the Duke’s household.’
A sense of exasperation washed over me. This was getting dangerous in more ways than one.
‘And what about those scars?’
Most were minor cuts or whip marks. If they were from battle, one would expect more lethal injuries.
‘Something doesn’t add up.’
Feeling I was missing something, I decided to write to Alice, taking the opportunity to ask about the scars while also handling wedding preparations. I refused to sit idle and risk being blindsided later.
