TLDWAE 52

Chapter 52

Hearing her self-deprecating remark, the Count’s face flushed red, and he snapped, “What kind of daughter calls her father an old man?”

But everyone at the dining table knew—he wasn’t truly angry, just embarrassed. It had been a long time since they’d shared such a warm, cheerful breakfast.

“Um… Lady. Forgive me for interrupting your meal, but may I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“The Commander of the Imperial Knights has arrived with a royal decree. How should we proceed?”

“Show him in.”

A royal decree. At that word, Karia realized the news she had been waiting for had finally arrived. She thought it would take a day or two longer, but it came faster than expected.

She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the Emperor drafting the edict in a rage after recovering from his fainting spell.

But when she saw Alcard’s face as he entered the dining hall, her smile froze. A large, dark bruise decorated his cheek.

“What happened to your face?”

“Oh, it’s nothing… just—”

“Don’t tell me His Imperial Majesty laid a hand on his nephew?”

Alcard could neither confirm nor deny it. As someone serving the Emperor, he couldn’t openly gossip about anything that might stain His Majesty’s image. But at the same time, lying wasn’t in his nature.

Even with his face battered, he still wore a gentle smile, which only made Karia’s anger flare.

“So this is supposed to be a warning for me? That the one he really wants to hit is me, and that I shouldn’t act so presumptuously?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just… well, you know His Majesty has a bit of a temper.”

“And yet you still want to defend him after being struck?”

At her sharp tone, Alcard averted his eyes and scratched the back of his head.

In truth, when he was struck, he had felt wronged. Yes, it was Alcard who had intercepted the Emperor’s rejection to give Karia a chance to stand in the great hall—but he had never imagined she would drop such a massive bombshell.

Even he had only learned at that moment that she had an illegitimate child. How could he have stopped it? Still, to the Emperor, he looked like nothing but an accomplice. For half a day, he had been mercilessly interrogated.

And yet, facing Karia now, watching her fume because of him—it felt strangely good. Wasn’t she essentially worrying about him? And those adorable children sitting by her side…

His gaze landed on the little girl staring at him with wide eyes and the little boy watching him with wary suspicion. Reflexively, he smiled and waved. Alice giggled shyly and waved her tiny hand back.

“You said you brought a royal decree, didn’t you? Why don’t you deliver it?”

“Ah! Yes, of course!”

Snapped out of his daze after staring at the children who looked so much like Karia, Alcard quickly pulled himself together. From his coat, he drew a pale envelope sealed in gold and opened it before her.

Normally, when a messenger delivered a royal edict, etiquette required one to kneel as if before the Emperor himself. But Karia remained seated at the dining table.

In fact, she crossed her legs and tilted her chin, looking every bit the picture of arrogance. Yet in her own house, no one dared point it out.

“By the name of Ilgenes Reval Castaros, 18th Emperor of the Castaros Empire, I hereby grant permission for the dissolution of the marriage between the Duke and Duchess of Pandeon. From this day forth, the name ‘Karia Pandeon’ shall officially revert to ‘Karia Lutherbert.’ The two parties are to resolve all further matters concerning the termination of their marriage swiftly and discreetly.”

Alcard handed her the Emperor’s handwritten decree with a complicated smile, adding, “Congratulations.”

Karia carefully read through the document once more, then answered with satisfaction, “I humbly accept the command.”

At that, Count Lowell, the household staff, and the mercenaries erupted in applause that nearly shook the mansion. Some whistled, and a few servants who knew her circumstances even shed tears.

The whole house buzzed with festival-like joy. Alcard felt both flustered and relieved. At least here, she seemed to be doing well.

“Oh, by the way, I didn’t come alone. The Princess sent someone with a gift for you. What should I do?”

“Serivis? Hah, faster than I expected. Afraid she might change her mind, perhaps?”

“Change her mind? About what?”

“Nothing. Let them in.”

With her permission, Alcard jerked his chin toward the doorway. At his signal, a man stepped into the hall.

A man with a stern, expressionless face. Karia had expected a mere servant, but instead, it was none other than the Princess’s guard, Higgon Alkestra.

Karia extended her hand silently. Higgon strode forward and kissed the back of it.

The dining room fell into silence.

“I only meant for you to hand me what you brought.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Without a flicker of emotion, Higgon handed her a thick envelope filled with documents. Breaking the seal, Karia skimmed the contents. They were the papers transferring the title and tax rights of the Varta Marquisate.

A satisfied smile touched her lips. Those who couldn’t see what was inside swallowed dryly, waiting for her words.

Then Higgon knelt and slipped a large, ornate ring onto her finger—the signet ring of the Varta Marquis.

“Congratulations, Marquis of Varta.”

Karia held the centuries-old ring to the light. Even loose on her thumb, the deep green gem glittered brilliantly like a forest under twilight.

As she admired the ring, Alcard suddenly let out a strangled noise of disbelief.

“Wait—Marquis of Varta? But that was—”

“Serivis had it. She gave it to me.”

“She gave you a marquisate? That Serivis? She’s always wanted nothing more than to devour you alive! Why?!”

“Who knows? Maybe she suddenly felt a surge of sisterly affection.”

Alcard’s face crumpled in confusion. Sisterly affection? From Serivis? The Emperor’s spoiled youngest daughter, who feared nothing and loved only herself—was such a thing even possible?

But Karia offered no further explanation.

No matter how much her tongue itched, it wasn’t time yet. For now, all she had to do was enjoy her newfound freedom—and the spoils she had taken. After all, Serivis had done nothing but take from her all her life. This was only the beginning.

Then Higgon, still kneeling quietly at her side, finally spoke.

“Marquis of Varta.”

“What is it?”

“In truth, I came here not only by Her Highness’s order, but also because I wished to speak with you. Please permit me to say it.”

Karia lowered her gaze expressionlessly. What could this man possibly have to say to her now?

Meeting her eyes as if challenging her, the stoic man finally spoke.

“I want to return to your side.”

“…What?”

“Is there still a place for me?”

5. The Varta Marquisate

“They granted her a divorce? By whose authority?!”

Rubidov Pandeon exploded with fury upon hearing the imperial edict delivered by a palace attendant. A man who had spent his life masking his true feelings with ease, he found himself unable to contain his rage this time.

He swept everything off his desk in anger. His right-hand man, Hesis Ribne, quickly echoed his outrage. No matter the reasons, the fact that she had secretly been raising a five-year-old illegitimate child was nothing less than a betrayal of the Pandeon Duchy.

“Even if she never warmed to the family, to go so far as to bear a bastard child? And to hide it all these years until it grew so big? Incredible. I never thought the Duchess capable of such things.”

“Still no word from the estate? If she was pregnant, surely her belly would have shown. How did no one notice?”

“Hah… well, the Pandeon lands are rather closed-off. And the Duchess was never exactly warm. She must have kept everyone at arm’s length.”

“Why now, of all times?”

As Rubidov and Hesis fumed, Jurin Baltos interjected calmly, being the most collected of the three.

“The fact that she hid it for five years suggests she had no intention of divorcing until now. And since she left the ducal residence and immediately bought a townhouse, it doesn’t seem to be about money either. Rubidov, does anything come to mind?”

“If I knew, would I be sitting here like this?!”

“Sir Ansen Miller said the Duchess once collapsed while volunteering at an orphanage. That day she supposedly fell down the stairs.”

“What?”

Collapsed? Who? His wife? Hearing this for the first time, Rubidov’s eyes shook violently.

Why hadn’t he known about it? No matter how he looked, he realized he knew nothing about her. Every new fact was like another lash across his back.

He remembered, too, hearing from the butler that about a month ago she had quarreled with her physician. Could she really be ill?

“But the doctor said there was nothing wrong with her body… Ah. Could that have been what she was trying to tell me that day?”