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Chapter 59
“Noah.”
Though his face was no longer visible, the trembling in her voice revealed just how unsettled he was. Karia reached out her hand to him as she called his name.
For some reason, she felt she had to hear the story of why he, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Gilford, was not only similar in appearance but also the same half-elf as Gilford.
“Wait!”
But he stepped back a single pace, avoiding her hand. Without a moment to grab him, he ran away. Karia sat down heavily at the entrance, staring helplessly at the figure disappearing into the distance.
Even someone as experienced in anticipating possibilities as Karia hadn’t foreseen this situation. Trembling, she clenched her fists, having discovered a secret far more startling than his confession.
“-Gilford… could it really be you? Or is this just an incredible coincidence?”
She didn’t believe in fate or things that couldn’t be proven. Yet at that moment, she felt something indescribable. It was as if the whole world was pushing her forward, warning her never to let him go.
“Ma’am, are you all right?”
Soon, the servants, hearing the commotion, rushed over. Old Butler Noah was startled to see her sitting on the floor and helped her up. Karia didn’t seem hurt, but somehow she seemed dazed.
“-It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
Struggling to stand, Karia waved her hands at the worried servants.
I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Once the sun rises, Noah will return here. Then she can confirm everything.
Still, she couldn’t understand why her heart felt so heavy, why his shocked expression remained etched in her mind.
“Bring them in.”
“Your Majesty, Servis has not arrived yet.”
It was the once-a-week imperial dinner. Robert, arriving on time, was puzzled by the sparsely set table.
The crown prince’s schedule was already busy. Karia’s divorce turmoil had added even more to his responsibilities, leaving no time for tea with Servis. And at the banquet, the younger sister’s cheerful face was nowhere to be seen.
“She said she’s going to see the opera today.”
“The opera… really?”
The Emperor spoke calmly, beginning his meal as if nothing unusual had happened. Robert forced a smile to hide his discomfort.
“Servis always accompanies me when going to the opera, but today, I wonder who she went with.”
“Who else? That careless child, always wandering around without shame even after causing so much trouble.”
“-That’s Karia speaking, isn’t it.”
Lately, Servis had been absent from family gatherings. The reason was usually Karia. One day, she went for tea with her, another day for a meal, and yet another day for shopping.
Truly, it was as if the sun had risen in the west.
They were not the type to enjoy each other’s company, yet since Karia’s divorce, they met almost daily, pretending to be affectionate sisters.
“Tch, it’s infuriating! Why would that child do such a thing? And it’s not just one hidden child, but two! Always timid, yet suddenly bold at the wrong time! What was Duke Pandeon doing, unaware that his wife was pregnant and had children?”
“-Indeed. The children appear to be around five years old, so it seems they were born while she was at the Pandeon estate.”
“Did you look into the father of the children?”
“We did, but there was no information. It seems she didn’t tell anyone.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue in displeasure. If she hadn’t boldly revealed it, the fathers must have been insignificant men. Thus, illegitimate children had been born into the noble royal line—a disgrace for future generations.
Anger boiled within him, and he gulped down cold water from his cup.
“By the way, Your Majesty, have you heard about the transfer of the Baltah marquisate?”
“Huh?”
“I wanted to ask Servis, but I haven’t been able to meet her.”
In truth, Robert wasn’t especially concerned about Karia’s situation. He only asked out of curiosity, while gauging the Emperor’s mood.
The Baltah region had long been an imperial domain, well-administered and prosperous. Robert had been overseeing its administration as crown prince and had recommended granting it to Servis—a gift he had prepared.
But now, that valuable land was going to Karia. Robert didn’t hold a grudge, but it was still frustrating.
The Emperor snorted and replied with a displeased look.
“She voluntarily gave it to Karia.”
“Eh? Why would she…?”
“Karia must survive alone, taking care of two children. She needed an income. That little one had the sense to think of that.”
The Emperor still wanted to scold Karia, but he restrained himself. All of this—the divorce approval, the marquisate transfer—was because of Servis. The young girl had pleaded for Karia, asking the Emperor to consider her feelings, and he, regretting not having been a proper family support, had transferred the title.
Feeling ashamed of his daughter, the Emperor refrained from interfering with Karia. He had partly given up and let her live as she wished.
“After all, the princess isn’t that young anymore. Karia married at twenty-one, while Servis, now twenty-five, still has no fiancé.”
“Servis is different. She’s the youngest and still immature.”
“You’re too lenient. You’ll be getting married this year, and Grenberic and Alcad have long-term fiancés. Haven’t you been too indifferent about finding Servis a match?”
The Emperor put down his fork and knife, resting his chin on his hand in thought. Robert clenched his fists anxiously. How had the conversation taken such a strange turn?
‘Finding a match for Servis is far too early! Way too early!’
Just imagining his sister in the hands of another man filled him with rage.
Fifteen years ago, their mother, on her deathbed, had entrusted Servis to him.
“Robert, your father is the Emperor. He cares for you, but he can’t focus on you alone. You must protect your young, weak sister. Please, I beg you.”
Servis was only ten at the time. Grieving their mother’s death, she cried for days, while Robert, just nineteen, stayed by her side, stepping up to be her protector.
That memory instilled a deep attachment to Servis. He knew it was an irrational feeling, yet the heart couldn’t be changed by reason. As long as he hid it well, there was no need to alter it.
“However, Your Majesty, there is currently no suitable match for Servis. The high nobles are either too old or already married—.”
“There’s no need to limit it to within the country.”
“Eh?”
“Wars have ended, and now it’s time to properly establish relations with neighboring countries.”
Robert’s forced smile cracked.
The Castaros Empire had been united for over 150 years, but due to regional imbalances, revolts arose, and after long wars, the continent split into three nations: Castaros in the central fertile lands, Edenburg in the south with fortified mountainous regions, and Bismarck in the west rich in iron resources.
They had long tried to establish relations with Bismarck, which had rapidly accumulated wealth and was skilled in weaponry—making it a nation to watch.
“Actually, a few months ago, a marriage proposal came from Bismarck for Servis. At first, we were going to refuse, but I think it’s worth considering.”
“Well, the Emperor of Bismarck already has a wife.”
“If it were the Emperor himself, we’d refuse without a second thought. You know who actually runs Bismarck.”
