After finishing her words, Erica began examining me from head to toe as if she couldn’t understand what was going on. While William’s reaction was indeed excessive, I still didn’t want to make him look foolish in front of the attendants when he was someone I cherished.
“No. Thanks to His Highness’s devoted care, I’ve recovered a lot. It’s true I almost died.”
“Oh my… How much you must have suffered. I thought something was strange.”
Only then did the corners of Erica’s eyes droop.
“I’m so relieved that you’re fine now.”
“Indeed.”
Erica tidied the bed and helped me lie down properly. It wasn’t that I had difficulty moving, but it was embarrassing to be like this. However, since I had already spoken, it seemed I’d have to maintain the patient lifestyle for a while.
Erica settled into a seat beside the bed.
“Erica, could you leave so I can rest alone?”
“No. Don’t say such dangerous things.”
“Dangerous? What could happen when I’m just lying here quietly?”
Erica tapped her chest as if frustrated.
“You really don’t know anything about what’s happening outside. Right now there are ten soldiers standing guard in front of Daniel-nim’s room. A whole ten!”
Erica’s face was full of excitement as she spread out ten fingers. My mouth fell open wide in surprise.
That must mean William’s shock was that severe.
“Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince usually just scolds me when he sees me but doesn’t say much else, right? But today he even called me by name.”
“What?”
I sat up in bed in surprise. William called Erica by her name?
Erica laid me back down as if telling me to calm down and imitated William.
“His Highness said, ‘Erica, don’t leave Daniel’s side for even a moment until I return. Stay close to him and don’t let anyone come near.’ I felt like my head would be cut off if I let my guard down for even a moment.”
I sighed and pulled up the blanket. Just when William’s obsession with me was gradually decreasing, the kidnapping incident must have made his anxiety worse.
Should I consider it fortunate that a rampage didn’t occur?
This would be an issue I’d need to approach carefully for a while.
***
William returned shortly after going to meet the Emperor.
“Was there any trouble while I was gone?”
“What trouble could there be? More importantly, what did His Majesty say?”
William settled into a seat beside me.
“He’s very worried.”
“Since political issues with neighboring countries are involved, it must not be easy for him.”
“No, that’s not it. I mean he’s very worried about your physical condition.”
For a moment I doubted my ears. Why would His Majesty the Emperor be worried about my health?
While I was puzzled, William said matter-of-factly,
“It’s natural for him to worry since the only Dominant Omega who can continue the bloodline was kidnapped.”
I almost asked William, “Aren’t you interpreting things the way you want to hear them?” It wouldn’t be good to provoke William right now.
“What did he say about Ridden’s illegal weapons trade?”
“That matter, given its nature, will be brought before the Noble Council. Since the nobles were summoned urgently, the Imperial Knights will probably arrest Ridden tomorrow and his crimes will be judged before the nobles.”
Things were progressing much faster than I had expected.
“He said it would be punished similarly to treason, so Ridden will probably be exiled.”
I thought that was sufficient revenge, but William trembled as if his anger wasn’t resolved.
“Just exile… What good is his immunity privilege.”
I carefully embraced William’s trembling shoulders.
“Your Highness, isn’t it enough that you didn’t grant the lopeia trade monopoly rights… no, more than that, that you didn’t take Ellawud as Crown Princess? So please calm your excitement and show mercy.”
William tilted his head and asked.
“Do you really think so?”
I read William’s suspicious expression and answered with a slight lie mixed in.
“Of course. I want to become Your Highness’s only concubine.”
“No, not that!”
“Then what?”
“You asked me to get revenge. But are you satisfied with it ending with just exile?”
I felt the need to explain to William step by step. Whatever the result from the Noble Council, it had to be followed, but if William went against it and started a rebellion or something, it would be terrible.
“Of course. I’m more than satisfied. Exile basically means everyone in that family loses their status, and their property is confiscated by the state. Moreover, Ridden will have to go to the harshest place and live a life no different from a slave. When you think about it, isn’t exile a punishment worse than death?”
“If Daniel says so…”
Though he seemed to agree reluctantly, William’s expression was full of dissatisfaction.
***
At the Noble Council, Ridden was unanimously sentenced to exile. Faced with solid evidence, Ridden couldn’t properly make even one excuse and had to accept the Noble Council’s decision as is.
The paper-only contract naturally became null and void, and peace returned to the Imperial Palace.
Before the kidnapping incident, I was tired from following William around because he wouldn’t let me out of his sight for even a moment, but now lying in bed all day was getting boring. Moreover, since William wasn’t leaving me alone, even resting didn’t feel like resting.
I carefully spoke to William, who was going through documents beside me.
“Your Highness, what are you looking at so intently?”
“Why? Do you need something?”
“No. Even if I needed something, I could get it with my own hands. I’m all better now.”
William put the documents he was reading on the table and stood up.
“I was actually thinking of going to the office today. I have an appointment with Uncle.”
That was welcome news.
“Perfect! I can go with you.”
As soon as I answered, I kicked off the blanket and got up. Then William pressed down on my shoulders. I looked up at him with wide eyes in surprise.
What? I naturally thought we’d go together?
William shook his head and said.
“Rest until today. I’ll let you go out starting tomorrow.”
“…Why?”
“How many times do I have to tell you before you understand? You need to recover your body first.”
“I’m perfectly fine though?”
At my words, William came closer, inhaled, then shook his head.
“Your scent has changed. You’re definitely not normal. Don’t say you’re better when you clearly haven’t recovered. I’ll send Erica to you, so stop complaining and recover until today.”
I nodded at the mention that my scent had changed, while carefully observing William’s behavior. Looking closely, there were more than a few suspicious things.
William wouldn’t try to leave my side unless it was unavoidable.
Especially not for meetings with Aren, with whom he had no secrets!
There was definitely something I didn’t know about.
As I was just thinking without answering, William ruffled my hair and spoke as if it was nothing serious.
“What’s so serious? All the materials I need to discuss with Aren are in the office. I’ll let you go out starting tomorrow, so be patient just for today.”
“Yes.”
William went outside. I had to suppress my desire to follow as I looked at the tightly closed door. If the materials were in the office, they could have been brought here… It was definitely suspicious.
***
William walked briskly to the office where Aren was waiting. Today’s discussion would be about dealing with Ridden, and he was worried because Daniel was becoming more perceptive.
During their time growing up together, quite a few things had been done to make Daniel his only concubine, but he had revealed what should be revealed at appropriate times while proceeding secretly with things that seemed better left unknown.
However, lately Daniel had begun to suspect him more and more.
When he thought about it, Daniel had some strange aspects.
‘He’s obsessed, but the direction of his obsession is different from mine.’
If William was obsessed with Daniel as a person, Daniel was obsessed with William’s work. If Daniel’s obsession was about people, when the other person was obsessed, he should welcome it rather than find it bothersome. But Daniel wanted to know everything about William’s work without missing a single detail, yet found it bothersome when William was obsessed.
‘Anyway, it would be better if Daniel doesn’t find out about executing Ridden. Daniel has a soft heart and is too kind, so he hates cruel things.’
Arriving at the office, William made another resolution as he grabbed the door handle.
When he went inside, Aren had already arrived. William got straight to the point as soon as he faced him. If he was away from his post too long, perceptive Daniel would notice something was strange. To proceed without Daniel knowing, he had to make decisions quickly.
“You said he went to Chalcedon?”
Aren nodded at William’s question.
“Chalcedon is marshland, so even if he went there alive, he won’t live long. Food is scarce and it’s an environment where it’s hard for people to survive.”
William briefly closed his eyes and pondered how a person could die most miserably.
“Your Highness?”
“Yes, just a moment. I’m organizing my thoughts.”
“While you’re organizing, may I ask a question?”
William turned his gaze toward Aren.
“Yes, please ask, Uncle.”
“It’s nothing major, but… is there a reason you ordered this matter to be handled secretly? I understand handling it secretly from the outside because of immunity privileges, but I’m curious why you’re doing so even with Daniel.”
“The reason is…”
When William trailed off, Aren added an explanation.
“Until now, you’ve shared some matters while ordering others to be handled without Daniel knowing, and I think I should know the criteria to avoid mistakes.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
