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T/N: Just like I said a few chapters ago, I really couldn’t understand Daphne’s train of thoughts.
E/N: Yeah I don't know why she's not telling Edmund the truth. She can just have the excuse that she has no child so no need to stay married.
“If he gets engaged, you can secure his position as the heir. Since there won’t be any external interference, His Majesty will feel less pressure to keep things in check.”
Tap, tap. Edmund tapped his desk, silently listening to Daphne.
“And it will speed up the divorce, too.”
Tap. Edmund’s hand stopped.
“What do you plan to do about the child?”
“The child…?”
Daphne blinked rapidly, as if she hadn’t expected the question.
“Even if Damian’s position is secured, you still have to give birth to the child.”
Hearing this, her hand trembled as she clenched her shawl tightly.
It’s disgraceful. Nothing but ‘child,’ ‘child,’ ‘child.’
Daphne realized it then. She was nothing more than a vessel for a child, not even treated as a human being. She felt her eyes sting with heat but took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly.
“Don’t worry.” Daphne forced a smile. “I’ll give you the child you so desperately want.”
* * *
The moment the door opened, a cloud of cigarette smoke rushed out. Baron Nuvelle blinked a few times and stepped inside.
“You’ve already gone through it all?” The Baron placed another cigarette on the table.
“I’m always indebted to your wife.”
Baroness Nuvelle, who was skilled in herbs, had made the cigarette.
“I heard the effects have started to wear off. This one’s stronger than the last.”
“Right.”
Edmund reached for the cigarette, but Baron Nuvelle held it back firmly.
“Your Excellency. This is the second time this year.”
The intervals at which Edmund needed the drug-enhanced cigarettes were becoming shorter. Considering it had initially been prescribed as a treatment nearly ten years ago, the rapid pace of consumption was alarming.
“I’m aware.”
With a quiet sigh, the Baron finally released his grip. Edmund took the cigarette and placed it in the empty case.
“As you’ve probably heard, Madam has regained consciousness. Though her recovery will take time due to her frail condition.”
Unintentionally, Edmund’s mind wandered to the memory of Daphne’s slender wrist and thin waist that had fit easily in his hand. Realizing this, his expression hardened.
“Your Excellency!”
Johann burst into the office in a hurry. The sudden intrusion brought an abrupt halt to the conversation between Baron Nuvelle and Edmund.
“What’s the commotion?”
“The knights transporting the Holy Knight were ambushed by monsters.”
“That’s impossible.” The Baron’s face twisted in disbelief.
“Didn’t we just finish the monster subjugation a month ago?”
“Yes, sir. But apparently, they’re the offspring of the creatures. And their numbers….”
“How many?”
“Well… it’s estimated to be over ten.”
The number was far greater than expected. Edmund shot to his feet.
“Prepare my horse.”
“Your Excellency.” Johann called out to him but didn’t stop him. He knew there was no other choice.
“This is likely to escalate. It hasn’t been long since the last monster subjugation, so any rash actions could cost us dearly.”
Sending the Black Knights would draw too much attention. Edmund deemed going alone the best option.
Johann, with a voice full of concern, called out to Edmund as he mounted his horse.
“Your Excellency. Please… absolutely do not use your aura.”
With the sound of hooves pounding the ground, Edmund rode out of the fortress.
— — —
Before long, the faint scent of magic lingered in the air. Edmund spurred his horse faster.
Five knights from the Black Knights were already battling the monsters. Edmund leaped from his horse and cleaved a monster in two.
Screeee!
The creature let out a harrowing shriek before collapsing, and a wounded knight, clutching his injured arm, spotted Edmund.
“Your Excellency…!” The knight’s face lit up with relief.
“Fall back.”
Leaving the wounded knight behind, Edmund methodically slashed through each monster. Not long after, Edmund stood alone in the snowy field, surrounded by the corpses of monsters drenched in blood.
All five knights had sustained minor injuries but no serious harm.
“Your Excellency!”
“Is that the Holy Knight?”
“Yes, it is.”
Edmund flicked the blood off his sword and approached the limp figure tied up in a sack. The gag had been partially loosened. It was only the slight rise and fall of the knight’s shoulders that indicated he wasn’t dead.
“When did the monsters appear?”
“It happened when we briefly loosened the gag to prevent the Holy Knight from dying of asphyxiation.”
That explained why the gag had been hastily retied.
“Rebind it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Edmund stood up. As one of the knights approached the Holy Knight, the prisoner began to mutter something.
“What’s he saying?”
“I’m not sure. He’s been like this since we captured him, but none of us can understand the language.”
The Holy Knight, muttering in an unknown tongue, suddenly started convulsing, his voice growing louder. One of the knights tried to subdue him, but the Holy Knight wouldn’t stop. Sensing something was wrong, Edmund took a step forward.
Screeee!
From afar, a strange cry echoed. Edmund tightened his grip on his sword.
“…A mutant monster.”
A mutant had appeared.
— — —
The room was thick with silence.
“We must send someone.”
It was Johann who finally broke the stillness, standing up with visible anxiety.
“You know that’s not an option.”
Baron Nuvelle, who had been smoking, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. He watched as smoke curled into the air.
“But, Baron, look at the situation outside.” Johann gestured toward the window.
By now, a snowstorm had begun, though it seemed it would pass soon enough. With so many monsters and likely injuries, it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to return through this blizzard.
“His Excellency left no further instructions.”
If Edmund had foreseen any trouble, he would have issued additional orders, but he hadn’t.
“I understand that.”
“Johann.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t be this concerned. But His Excellency’s condition is unstable.”
Both Johann and Edmund knew how dangerous it was for him to use his aura. But if something forced him to use it, he would surely lose control on the spot. And if that happened, the reason Edmund had been hiding his aura would be exposed to the world.
The mere thought sent chills down Johann’s spine.
“Johann, get a grip. You can’t lose your composure now.”
Baron Nuvelle tried to calm him down. Realizing how unsettled he was, Johann sighed deeply and sat back down.
“His Excellency will be fine. Surely.”
But deep down, even the Baron’s heart was gnawing with worry.
Having watched Edmund since birth, Baron Nuvelle knew the truth: Edmund’s outbursts had become increasingly violent with each passing year. As Edmund grew stronger, so did the vastness of his aura – a monstrous growth.
In the past, the entire Black Knights unit together could subdue him, albeit briefly. They would knock him unconscious or bind him. But now, their combined strength might not be enough.
‘We may need the Archmage’s help.’
“Has the Archmage been contacted?”
“I reached out months ago, but last time was just luck. There’s no guarantee the Archmage will awaken this year.”
Baron Nuvelle exhaled another puff of smoke in place of a sigh.
As time passed, and as the silence grew longer, the ashtray filled with discarded cigarettes and ash. Finally, at dawn, when the crimson sunset had long vanished, Johann, who had been pacing near the window, froze.
Through the swirling snowstorm, a faint black dot appeared in the distance. It was difficult to be certain due to the falling snow, but it was moving.
Johann swallowed hard, turned, and shouted.
“Baron! His Excellency has returned!”
Baron Nuvelle and Johann rushed outside. It didn’t take long for them to meet Edmund, who had just pushed through the worsening storm. Five horses were tied together, each carrying a person slumped over its back.
Edmund had led them all through the blizzard.
“Your Excellency, are you all right…?”
Johann tried to drape a thick coat over Edmund, but the man raised a hand, stopping him. Edmund mumbled something under his breath.
“Your Excellency!”
Before anyone could react, Edmund collapsed.
— — —
At the faint sound of commotion, Daphne lifted her head.
“You’ve coughed up blood.”
Hearing those words, she turned her gaze to see Baroness Nuvelle. Daphne lowered her sleeve, which had been raised for an examination.
“It seems the maid panicked and called for you. It’s nothing serious.”
It was just a minor cough, accompanied by a little blood. Considering how recently she had been poisoned, it was no surprise, but the maid had panicked and reported it to Baroness Nuvelle.
“I’m sorry to have troubled you so late.”
“It’s no trouble at all. It’s my duty to care for patients.”
Baroness Nuvelle prepared a few medicines but then hesitated.
“…It’s best if others don’t see this medicine. It’s not good for you in your current condition.”
Her words held a deeper meaning. Daphne stared at the medicine, realizing what the Baroness Nuvelle was implying.
“…Thank you.”
Daphne set the medicine aside.
‘When did she find out?’
A wave of anxiety washed over Daphne. ‘What if others knew as well?’ She bit her lip, worried.
“Don’t worry. I’m the only one who knows.”
As if reading Daphne’s thoughts, the Baroness whispered softly. Only then did Daphne remember that the Baroness had examined her. Of course, she would have known.
“…Did you tell Edmund?”
The Baroness thought of Edmund, who had been avoiding the topic.
Was it a mere coincidence, or did he already know something?
No matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t find an answer.
“I did not.”
“Do you plan to tell him?”
“No, I won’t.”
Daphne unconsciously released the fists she had been clenching tightly, letting out a shaky sigh of relief, her lips trembling slightly.
The Baroness quietly observed her.
Her frail body. Her disheveled brown hair. Her green eyes, resembling a murky swamp.
Daphne was lying. And not just a small lie, but one as heavy as claiming to be with a child.
The Baroness was certain she would never fully understand why Daphne was doing this. But for some reason, she didn’t want to be the one to expose her lie. So, she discreetly gave Daphne the medicine known to be harmful to pregnant women.
“You’re far too thin right now. Eating well and resting plenty is most important. And you mustn’t stress.”
“I understand.”
Just as the Baroness began packing up the items she had brought for the examination, there was an urgent knock at the door.