Chapter 34
“No matter how much His Majesty cherishes you, Lord Rogian, you are still a man. Let’s consider those words as if they were never spoken.”
At Duke Alexis’s remark, Rogian glanced at me, momentarily taken aback.
“Yes, indeed, given the circumstances, it would be unseemly to proceed. I appreciate your concern, but I am quite alright.”
Thinking of the cleric’s visit now rendered futile, I clicked my tongue softly.
As though concluding the matter, the duke rose from his seat and continued speaking.
“It’s understandable that you might not be fully aware, having spent all your time within the palace.”
At the implication that he was uninformed, Rogian’s face hardened noticeably. Kneeling nearby, the cleric Tamitarte was silently observing, attuned to the tense atmosphere.
Given that he was the sole cleric with spiritual power, one would think he’d have no need to tread so carefully.
Even more curious was that Rogian summoned him so freely, despite his status. It wouldn’t have been surprising if Tamitarte held himself with a lofty air toward someone like Rogian.
One strange detail after another…
Pushing these thoughts aside for now, I turned my attention back to the conversation between the duke and Rogian.
“The same applies to me,” the duke went on. “Only the head steward and the heir are privy to the state of the duke’s health.”
Rogian’s attempt at concealing his reaction fell short at this overt rejection.
“I am grateful for the gesture of bringing a cleric, but I must decline.”
After all, it was unsurprising that Rogian would lack such understanding. Within the royal family, he occupied no particular role.
Had he been born a woman, he might have studied royal decorum, etiquette, or the management of palace affairs, but as a man, he had learned none of these things.
Rogian was an isolated figure within the palace, his only activity being indulging in luxuries funded by the royal treasury.
“Rise,” the duke instructed me, his tone signaling that he saw no need to continue conversing with Rogian. I nodded and stood, aware of Rogian’s wounded pride.
At least he didn’t insist on stopping us. My unblemished state after the carriage accident would surely raise questions, and I preferred not to revisit the story of the leopard attack.
When the leopard bit me, it had been expected to leave a severe scar, yet my shoulder had healed flawlessly, leaving no trace of the incident.
“What a pointless visit.”
“Are you unwell?”
I asked the question as we walked down the long palace corridor, away from Rogian’s chambers.
The duke, who had been striding ahead, halted and slowly turned to face me, his expression unreadable as always.
It was clear that his mention of this visit being “pointless” stemmed from Rogian’s allusion to his collapse, something he had evidently wished to keep from me.
“It’s not something you need to know.”
I gave him a bright smile before replying.
“True, you did mention that only the steward and heir should know the condition of the duke.”
Though curiosity had prompted my question, I hadn’t truly expected an answer, nor did I particularly desire one.
“Before we return to the duke’s estate, I’d like to visit someone briefly.”
“In the palace?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
At my tilted head, the duke swallowed and gave a slight nod.
“Of course not.”
“…”
“Feel free to go wherever you wish.”
With his permission, I turned and made my way toward Persephone’s quarters.
“Damn it!”
Ignoring the presence of Tamitarte and other palace servants, Rogian cursed loudly.
Crash! The sharp sound of breaking glass filled the air. Tamitarte closed his eyes, accustomed to these fits by now.
“To be dismissed so easily…!”
Most treated him with contempt, regarding him as little more than a male consort to the emperor.
Being male, he couldn’t produce heirs, which only worsened their disdain. Those fools.
He was all too aware of what the royal court imagined—and believed about him.
They probably thought he was submissive beneath the emperor, his cries filling these halls.
“Idiots.”
When would they realize that the reality was the exact opposite of their assumptions?
The crown prince, Persephone, only had to say a single word to expose them all.
Then again, she probably despised tarnishing her father’s image, even if he was little more than a living corpse.
“Come here.”
At Rogian’s command, Tamitarte stepped closer.
Collapsing onto the sofa, Rogian reached out a hand, and Tamitarte carefully took it in his own, allowing his spiritual power to flow through and soothe Rogian’s body.
“My body has started to wrinkle.”
At Rogian’s slow, languid words, Tamitarte made no reply.
The words “Humans naturally wrinkle as they age” spun around his throat, though he kept them unspoken.
In truth, it was Rogian’s artificially preserved appearance that was unnatural.
“I’ll bring a tonic for you on my next visit to the palace.”
“Forget that.”
“…”
“Has that runaway been found yet?”
It was clear that “that runaway” referred to Daniel.
Rogian’s raised brow made it clear he wasn’t pleased with the prolonged silence.
“If you can’t find him, then bring me his child.”
After a long pause, Tamitarte replied softly.
“…Yes.”
It was the only answer he could give.
“Lady April?”
Adonis, standing guard outside Persephone’s office, greeted me in a surprised tone.
“Hello, Sir Adonis.”
“What brings you to the palace… Ah, you’re here to see His Highness?”
“Yes, I was hoping to step inside…”
Perhaps it was because of the conversation regarding the engagement’s annulment, but Adonis looked mildly uncomfortable. Did she think I’d cause a scene over the engagement?
I wondered if I’d need to reassure her that I wouldn’t make a fuss for her to open the door.
In a voice gentler than usual, Adonis spoke.
“There’s a guest inside…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the door swung open, and I found myself instinctively stepping back at the sight of Lerbian.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, my lady?”
“I’ve come to see His Highness, as his fiancée, of course.”
“Now may not be the best time.”
Did he truly have a visitor? I glanced past Lerbian into the room.
I didn’t know who the guest might be, but I doubted they were more important than I was.
As the thought crossed my mind, I tightened my grip on my gown.
There was, in fact, someone Persephone held more dearly than me—the very person she had confessed to caring about.
“Please tell His Highness that I am here to deliver my answer regarding the engagement, Sir Lerbian.”
“…”
“I’m curious if His Highness will still refuse to meet with me.”
Besides, I’d be able to see the one who held his affection.
It wasn’t hard to imagine noble ladies pining for Persephone, but the idea of Persephone herself loving someone seemed almost unimaginable. I couldn’t even begin to picture who the person might be. In my mind, she was still the same shy, tearful child from years ago.
After a moment’s hesitation, Sir Lerbian nodded and reentered the office.
He returned almost immediately, gesturing for me to step inside.
To my surprise, only Persephone occupied the office.
The room remained as I remembered it: the large bookcases, the drawn curtains blocking out sunlight, everything was unchanged.
“Please, sit.”
She motioned for me to take a seat on the nearby sofa and settled into the chair across from me.
As I took my seat, her eyes held an intense curiosity, tinged with expectation, as if eager to hear my answer.
“So… what have you decided, my lady?”
“Before I answer, I should mention that I met Lord Rogian today. He was concerned enough about the carriage accident to summon a cleric for me.”
Despite the sudden mention of Rogian, Persephone showed little surprise. She must have already been informed of the meeting with Duke Alexis and Rogian.
“I believe you’re aware that Lord Rogian is rather eager to see us break this engagement.”
“…”
“And as I see it, Your Highness will likely require the support of the duke’s family to ascend the throne.”
“Are you saying your answer is to refuse the annulment?”
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