Vol. 1 - Ch. 57

Chapter 57 

"Swen?"

It was Swen, a childhood friend working at the imperial palace. Unconsciously relieved, Anna instinctively moved closer to Swen.

"What brings you here?"

"I just have something to talk about. Could we use the reception room?"

Though Swen was speaking to Anna, his gaze was fixed on Olga.

"A mere maid, using the reception room? Just stay in the garden..."

"No, Anna. He's a guest, so he should be taken to the reception room."

"What?"

Olga had never directly expressed it, but Anna knew well that she was not fond of her. So the unexpected permission left her bewildered.

"I'll bring some refreshments. Go ahead and take your guest to the reception room."

Practically pushed along, Anna entered the reception room with Swen.

"Anna, what’s with that look? Did something happen?"

Seeing Anna glancing nervously at the door with a serious expression, Swen asked.

"Huh? It's nothing..."

She shook her head briefly, but the unease lingering in her heart was too much to ignore.

"Swen, could you wait just a moment? I think something might be wrong with the Head Maid. I should check on her."

"Is she unwell?"

Anna hesitated.

"I might be mistaken, but... the Head Maid..."

"You."

Swen abruptly cut her off. Anna, who had been nervously glancing at the door, turned to face him. His expression was stiff, as rigid as Olga’s had been.

"S-Swen?"

"So you saw everything."

Swen’s eyes gleamed red. In an instant, Anna collapsed sideways.

"Well, I’ve been caught, but I needed to take you anyway. This works out well."

Rising from his seat, Swen leaned over to look down at Anna.

"When you wake up, everything will be over."

Anna lost consciousness at those final words.

* * *

As the Black Knights ascended the path, hurried footsteps quickly retreated into the distance.

‘A palace attendant?’

Not missing the presence, Edmund recognized the retreating figure’s attire as that of an imperial servant. But the identity of the unknown spy was not the most pressing matter.

"Baroness Nouvelle is on her way."

Alec carefully laid down Damian. His fever showed no sign of breaking.

"Should we treat him in the barracks first, or take him to the estate, even if it takes time?"

In a place where they could never afford to let their guard down, Edmund stood at a crossroads. He looked at Damian, drenched in cold sweat and gasping for breath, and made his decision.

"Send the fastest rider to fetch the Baroness."

"Understood, Your Excellency. Please hand over the Madam."

Edmund glanced down at Daphne, who he held tightly in his arms. She had fallen asleep almost immediately after leaving the cave, as though the tension had finally broken.

"No. You have other tasks to handle."

"...Yes, sir."

Alec stole a glance at Edmund.

Perhaps Edmund himself was unaware, but Alec had noticed something.

Every step His Excellency took was cautious, deliberately slow and careful, as if afraid of disturbing the lady in his arms.

Keeping his observations to himself, Alec promptly sent Eugene to retrieve Baroness Nouvelle. 

— — — 

Before long, Baroness Nouvelle arrived, carried on Eugene’s back.

After tending to Damian in the barracks for some time, she finally emerged, looking pale. Edmund, who had been watching over Daphne as she lay in his tent, met her outside.

"How is he?"

"He is stable. It was just a fever, so I lowered his temperature. He should recover once he wakes."

"I see."

Fortunately, it was nothing serious.

"Where is Madam? I heard she had contact with the Young Lord during his rampage."

Baroness Nouvelle lowered her voice.

"She is in my tent. Let’s go."

Without rest, the Baroness went straight to check on Daphne. After a thorough examination, she exhaled in relief.

"Phew, Madam is fine as well. There are a few scratches, but they are not infected. She seems to have fainted from exhaustion. Just in case, I will remain by the Young Lord’s side."

"Do so. Once Damian’s fever subsides, we will depart. Be prepared."

"Understood."

After the Baroness left, Edmund gazed at the sleeping Daphne. With her damp clothes changed and the warmth of the barracks surrounding her, she looked more at ease than before.

But then, her brows furrowed. Edmund hesitated before slowly reaching toward her face. Just before his fingers touched her creased forehead, a flurry of approaching footsteps shattered the moment.

Edmund stormed out of the tent.

"...What is the meaning of this?"

It was Duke Bevelock. Leading dozens of imperial knights.

"I heard the Duchess and the Young Lord were safely rescued."

Duke Bevelock stepped forward.

"This may not be the best time, but I have something of great importance to say."

What could he possibly be about to declare?

Just as Edmund’s brows knit together, Duke Bevelock turned back to the knights and bellowed,

"By order of His Majesty the Emperor, I command you! Duchess Winter is the criminal who attempted to poison the Imperial Princess. Seize her at once!"

* * *

Daphne’s eyes fluttered open. Realizing she was inside an unfamiliar tent, she hesitated before sitting up. Her clothes had been changed into something dry. She glanced around for only a moment before recognizing the faint, familiar scent that filled the space.

‘This is…’

Edmund’s tent.

Then, as the noises outside grew louder, she remembered what had woken her. Cautiously, Daphne stepped out, only to freeze in shock at the sight before her.

The Black Knights and the Imperial Knights stood in tense opposition, staring each other down.

"Ah, just in time. The Duchess has emerged."

Standing at the forefront of the imperial knights, Duke Bevelock turned toward her. All eyes followed suit.

"Daphne, go back inside."

Edmund, who had approached her, looked as composed as ever. The sight of him eased Daphne’s growing unease.

"…What’s going on?"

"It’s nothing you need to worry about. Just–"

"Duchess, there’s no use denying it."

Duke Bevelock smirked as he cut in. Daphne furrowed her brows.

“What in the world are you…”

“It’s been revealed that you tried to poison Her Highness, the Princess.”

[“How can I lie to Your Excellency? Didn’t Madam tried to poison the Imperial Princess?”]

Daphne suddenly recalled memories from a few days ago. Edmund and Alec had raised no objections when Nick made that incomprehensible statement. The meaning behind their silence had been clear, but given the situation, she had let it slide. She never imagined she would have to face this matter again.

“…I did not attempt to poison the Princess, Duke Bevelock.”

Daphne gripped the fabric of her clothes tightly with her dry hands, forcing strength into each word.

“Daphne.”

Edmund stepped in front of her with a hardened expression. Her entire field of vision was filled with him in an instant.

“Go inside the tent.”

“Edmund, but this… this concerns me.”

“Don’t you understand that your presence will only make things worse?”

As Daphne stood her ground, Edmund grew impatient. He blurted out his words before he could even think them through.

“Just… please. Stay inside.”

Seeing the slight crease between Edmund’s brows, Daphne lowered her gaze and nodded.

“…Alright.”

As she turned to enter the tent, Duke Bevelock stepped forward.

“Duchess, where do you think you’re–”

But before he could get any closer, he was blocked by the sheath of Edmund’s sword. Tension between the Imperial Knights and the Black Knights escalated in an instant.

“…Ha. So you’re resorting to force now?”

Bevelock twisted his lips, irritated at being stopped before he could do anything.

“Seems you’ve forgotten who made the first move.”

Edmund’s unchanging demeanor in this situation only made Bevelock despise him more. He had assumed Edmund would hand over the Duchess without a fuss, since there was no way he actually loved her. He had been ready to sneer at that handsome face. That was why he had taken it upon himself to deal with this.

‘D**n brat.’

He couldn’t stand the sight of a mere boy holding his head high like that. To be exact, Edmund was someone Bevelock was bound to guard against and loathe until the day he died.

“I am carrying out His Majesty’s orders. If you refuse to comply, aren’t you curious how His Majesty will take it?”

It was a provocation aimed at Edmund, but the one who flinched was the Duchess standing behind him. Daphne grasped Edmund’s sleeve.

“…I’ll go.”

“Daphne.”

“I’m innocent, so it won’t take long to clear my name.”

Seeing her resolve, Edmund felt conflicted. He knew for a fact that Daphne had attempted to poison the Princess. Though he had secretly retrieved the poison beforehand, the Princess had barely survived.

“Duchess, I suggest you come quietly. I have no desire to create unnecessary trouble.”

Bevelock’s irritating voice barely registered in Edmund’s ears. Instead, he watched in a daze as Daphne, looking slightly tense, stepped past him.

Had she hidden another poison somewhere? Had she obtained a different one that day? If she had truly, truly attempted to kill the Princess… she wouldn’t survive this.

“Edmund?”

Daphne gasped as she was suddenly pulled back by the wrist. Her voice was filled with confusion.

“…No.”

“Ha, Duke Winter. Even if you try to stop this–”

Edmund tightened his grip on Daphne’s hand, pulling her small frame into his embrace. He held onto her trembling shoulders.

“The Duchess is pregnant.”

“Edmund…!”

Daphne called his name in shock, nearly crying out. Duke Bevelock, too, looked genuinely taken aback.

“She carries the bloodline of House Winter.”

Edmund cast a brief glance at Daphne before turning his piercing gaze back to Bevelock.

“Do you really think you can take her now?”

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