Chapter 179
“Normally, it wouldn’t be allowed. That’s why tomorrow morning, during the morning audience time, I’ll take Luwen to the imperial palace.”
“…Tomorrow morning.”
“And at that time, Count Rodiahim will accompany us.”
“Ah.”
I could tell what my sister’s plan was. She was trying to buy time for the Emperor to calm down.
And if he hadn’t calmed down after a night had passed, bringing Master with us would ensure that the Emperor would want to show his son’s condition first rather than punishing Luwen. Even if the First Prince suddenly regained his senses and objected, he couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s orders.
If it was revealed then that he was feigning illness, the First Prince would face additional charges of deception, and Luwen would be able to return safely.
Perhaps the Emperor might notice our plan. But if a night passes and he can think as an emperor rather than as a father, he would likely let it go generously. He wasn’t one to go back on his word.
‘Even if one night isn’t enough, I can’t think of a better method.’
If I could think calmly, perhaps some breakthrough might come, but my mind wasn’t working well. Perhaps because of the unfortunate dream that kept coming back to me, only negative thoughts persisted.
Only then did I have to admit that I wasn’t being very rational. My fixated thinking was evidence of that. If I had gone to see the Emperor in this state, I might have said things I shouldn’t have in an attempt to redirect his anger from Luwen to myself.
“…Fine. It’s good, but what if His Majesty sends knights tonight to forcibly bring Luwen to the palace?”
“There’s that risk, but I think it’ll be fine.”
“Why?”
“The Second Prince is still at the palace. He’ll protect us.”
My sister’s smile was full of trust.
‘Can I… trust him?’
I couldn’t trust the Second Prince. But I did believe in his love for my sister.
“Alright. I’ll trust His Highness.”
Honestly, my unease hadn’t subsided, but objectively speaking, a son would know his father better than I would, so it made sense to leave it to the Second Prince.
“Everything will be resolved well. Don’t worry too much.”
My sister smiled like the sun dispelling the darkness of dawn. A bright smile that drove away the darkness and anxiety in my heart. But nothing could be certain when dealing with the Emperor. Perhaps my sister was also anxious but smiling like that for my sake.
‘Because I seemed unstable…’
Considering her expression when she came looking for me, her current smile seemed somewhat artificial. And that made her concern for me felt even stronger.
“Sister.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you…”
My sister smiled quietly as if she understood my feelings completely, then changed her expression to a prim one.
“Don’t thank me yet. I won’t be taking Fei with me to the palace tomorrow morning.”
“Huh? Why? I’ll behave quietly. Can’t I come? I’ll just stay beside Luwen.”
Without realizing it, my tone became pleading because I wanted to go with them. After all, how could I wait alone until Luwen returned? I might suffocate with anxiety.
“If we have an audience with His Majesty, we might end up at the First Prince’s quarters. How can I take you there when he might still be targeting you?”
“But there are many watchful eyes in the palace.”
“It only seems that way. What if, by some chance, you get kidnapped? In the current situation, it would be difficult to find you.”
I understood what my sister was worried about. We couldn’t freely search the First Prince’s quarters, and the Emperor currently had negative feelings toward us.
‘It is a time to be cautious.’
I knew too well that this wasn’t something I could just insist on, so I couldn’t say anything. But that didn’t make my worried heart feel any better, so I couldn’t help feeling depressed.
“Alright. Then… I’ll go to the clinic.”
Rather than staying in the mansion waiting anxiously for my sister and Luwen to return, it seemed better to tend to patients with Taran. It would be better to have someone by my side. And if I had something else to focus on, time might pass a bit faster.
Suddenly, I realized how much I had changed. Originally, I liked being alone and was fine by myself. But now, I couldn’t. I had become unable to.
“Would that be more comfortable for you?”
“Yes. I think I’d be anxious if I were alone.”
“Alright. That should be fine. Just in case, take someone to guard you instead of Luwen.”
“I’ll take them only on the way there. Luwen will come to pick me up in the evening.”
The clinic was always bustling with people during consultation hours. That is, there were many witnesses, making it inappropriate for assassination or kidnapping attempts. Plus, I had my identity hidden, and for the sake of the patients, I couldn’t have a stranger beside me during consultations.
‘Anyway, I’ll be in the consultation room the whole time.’
There seemed no need to create an intimidating atmosphere in the waiting room. If things end well, Luwen will come at the end of clinic hours, and we can return together.
I grasped Luwen’s hand tightly, with a prayer that he’d return safely.
“I’ll send him back on time.”
My sister said in a light tone, smiling brightly. Then she turned to Luwen.
“Luwen, please take good care of Fei.”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
Luwen’s voice was lower than usual. Earlier he seemed indifferent, but it seems he’s worried too.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yes, rest well.”
My sister waved her hand and left the room. Even though our conversation hadn’t been very long, fatigue washed over me, perhaps because I was mentally exhausted. Nevertheless, it seemed like it would be a night where I couldn’t easily fall asleep.
“Young Master.”
I was looking at the window, which reflected the dim interior, when I turned to him at his call.
“Is it true that the First Prince is targeting you? You responded so calmly, were you already aware of this?”
Ah… Luwen must be hearing this for the first time. Somehow, I hadn’t found the right timing to tell him. But now wasn’t the time for such a conversation.
“Yes, but it’s not that important—”
“Nothing is more important than that. It concerns your safety, Young Master.”
“Your life is in danger. The attack, which may or may not happen, is less dangerous than the current situation you’re in, Luwen.”
Suddenly, a surge of emotion made my voice sharp. At the same time, I didn’t want to raise my voice.
‘Right now, I just… want to embrace Luwen.’
I wanted him to hold me. I just wanted to listen to Luwen’s heartbeat until dawn.
At that moment, as if reading my mind, Luwen said kindly:
“I’ll be fine.”
“…That depends on His Majesty’s decision.”
“I can escape.”
“What?”
I blinked. I couldn’t tell if it was a joke or serious.
“I can extract myself at the very least.”
“Aren’t you underestimating the imperial palace?”
“Not at all, but there are few who can stop me.”
This… seems serious? Was he really planning to escape? Is that why he seemed so indifferent?
“Only your sister, the Second Prince, Duke Cromwell, and you, Young Master.”
…When I heard that, it really did seem possible for him to escape. If my sister doesn’t stop Luwen, the Second Prince won’t move either, and Duke Cromwell isn’t at the palace. And me, well, I doubt I could stop Luwen anyway, but I’m not at the palace either, so the possibility seemed high.
“…You were serious. Alright, if the situation worsens, run away. Don’t worry about my sister or me, go somewhere beyond the Empire’s reach. Will you do that?”
I don’t want to part with him. But it’s better than Luwen dying. If he’s alive, we can meet again someday.
I tried to maintain a composed attitude as much as possible when conveying my opinion, in case he might hesitate to escape.
But then.
“When I flee, I plan to kidnap you, Young Master, so you can tell me where to go at that time.”
“Huh? Me, me?”
“Would I leave you behind? You can’t even sleep properly without me.”
Suddenly, the tension completely dissipated. It was a simple but quite clear solution.
In reality, the Emperor is just angry at Luwen, not wary of us. So the imperial security would be the same as usual, and if Luwen is stronger than them, escape rather than confrontation would be possible.
Above all, the important point was “kidnapping” me publicly. My sister could pin the blame solely on Luwen personally, and the Second Prince would actively support that. Then the chances of both the family and my sister being safe are high.
Of course, if that happens, Luwen would not be able to set foot in the Empire again. The moment he’s caught, he’d be sent to the dungeon beneath the palace. The verdict of the trial would be death, without even needing to see it.
But we could live cozily in another country. I’ll miss my sister, but… it’ll be okay when time passes and she becomes the Empress. The Second Prince, once he becomes Emperor, might also pardon Luwen’s crimes. We could return to the Empire then.
‘The more I think about it… it’s not bad?’
As I pictured a future of living in another country for a few years and then returning home, I burst out laughing.
“Alright. Make sure to come kidnap me.”
“Of course. But I hadn’t heard about the First Prince targeting you.”
“Ah, that’s really not a big deal.”
I explained to Luwen that it was just one possibility. And that the First Prince’s situation wasn’t good now, so he probably couldn’t focus on me.
“I’ve always been with Luwen until now, and at the clinic, Taran is also there, so I’m never alone. Tomorrow, since Luwen won’t be with me, we’re just preparing for any unforeseen situation.”
“…I’ll come straight to the clinic as soon as I leave the palace.”
Luwen’s expression was grave. He had brushed off his own problems so lightly. I had only postponed telling him, but he looked so serious as if he were the guilty one.
“To kidnap me?”
So I deliberately tried to lighten the mood by smiling brightly, and in an instant, his expression softened.
“Yes. I’ll definitely come to kidnap you, so wait obediently.”
Then he hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear. I hugged him back, burying my face in his chest.
“Mm. Come quickly.”
Just in case, I should take some expensive accessories to the clinic tomorrow. Things like necklaces with too many gems that I’ve never worn because they were too ostentatious.
‘They’ll be useful when escaping. Ah, I should ask my sister to find a house for Alteo.’
Since we’ve received help from him, if I ask her to find him a house, she’ll surely resolve it after things stabilize. The timing might be delayed, but still.
‘Luwen’s escape plan should be kept from my sister so she can show a genuine reaction, right? But she’ll worry a lot, so I should write a letter…’
As I was thinking about various things in Luwen’s cozy embrace, something started poking my lower abdomen. He doesn’t usually wear decorations, does he? Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I tried to change my position and squirmed a bit.
“Stay still… it’s troublesome.”
What’s troubl… Oh, OH!
I suddenly realized what was poking me. With this realization, my face burned bright red.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
