The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 121

The king’s envoy setting foot in the Yesiol Duchy in an official capacity was something that hadn’t happened in decades. Thanks to her quick‑witted escort, Shailoh had slipped by without her identity being exposed. But the castle itself was on edge. In the wide hall, Declen sat on the dais and received the guests with his vassals at his side.

 

“Greetings, Duke Yesiol. I am Baron Gardin, come to deliver His Majesty’s message.”

 

“Welcome, Baron. We had no prior notice, so I fear our hospitality is lacking.” Declen dipped his chin in the bare minimum of polite greeting, then studied the envoy with hawk‑sharp eyes.

 

There were four of them, not one. Yet only the man standing at the front had spoken. Declen stared openly at each of them in turn, then gave a gentle order.

 

“By the way, Baron Gardin. I’ve seen you at the royal castle a few times, but I don’t know the three behind you. Would you mind having them remove their hoods and show their faces?”

 

Contrary to his expectation that they would obey at once, the three men didn’t so much as twitch. As Declen’s eyebrow twitched, the baron wore an awkward expression and politely refused.

 

“Your Grace, forgive me, but these are merely my escorts. They are not people Your Grace needs to concern yourself with.”

 

The vassals who had been watching began whispering among themselves at the sight of the baron indirectly rejecting the duke’s words. A command that, here, was as good as law and faith itself. Just as several hot-headed men were about to step forward and hurl insults, a cold voice echoed through the hall.

 

“No one I don’t know may set foot inside my castle.”

 

“But—”

 

“I don’t repeat myself.”

 

The moment those icy words fell, Kianan, standing beside Declen, signaled to the guards with his eyes.

 

Sensing the dangerous atmosphere, the baron swallowed nervously and quickly spoke. “Your Grace! I have come as His Majesty’s envoy! To lay hands on me would be no different from committing sacrilege!”

 

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that.”

 

The instant Declen smiled, guards rushed forward and restrained the group, binding their hands behind their backs. With grunts of surprise, the three men were tied up in an instant.

 

Looking down at the now pale-faced Baron Gardin, Declen explained kindly. “I would never lay a hand on you. I merely intend to educate your insolent escorts, who dare ignore my orders within my territory, in my own castle.”

 

“But—!”

 

“It is also a matter of my authority and dignity. I’m sure you understand.”

 

The baron, who had been about to protest, clamped his mouth shut. No matter that he had come as the king’s own messenger, Duke Yesiol was no different from a king in the North. No, in some ways he stood higher than the real king who was not present here. The common folk’s faith in their liege lord was such that they revered him as a living god. Murderous glares pierced the baron’s party from all sides, as if the onlookers were ready to rush in at the duke’s command.

 

“I suppose… it cannot be helped.”

 

“Good.”

 

As the baron reluctantly agreed, the oppressive atmosphere immediately eased.

 

Fingers laced together, Declen asked in a mild tone, “Then let’s hear what news His Majesty wishes to convey to me.”

 

The hall fell silent at once. No one said it aloud, but everyone thought of the same person. On the day Shailoh first arrived here, Declen had gathered everyone and ordered them never to speak of his sister to anyone outside the castle.

 

In the hall, now so quiet that even breathing seemed to stop, the baron slowly opened his mouth with a resolute expression. “His Majesty has instructed me to deliver the joyous news that the young lady has been found.”

 

A chill silence swept the hall again. The words were perfectly understandable, yet no one could properly process them.

 

While no one dared open their mouths, Declen’s brows drew together. “What…?”

 

“I have come to tell you that His Majesty has found Lady Yesiol and wishes to take her as his queen.” Smiling broadly, the baron delivered the shocking statement once again.

 

Everyone in the hall turned to one another, faces washed in shock. Shailoh, standing hidden among the crowd and watching the baron’s party, was no different. Her face turned deathly pale, as if someone were strangling her throat. She could barely breathe.

 

Just as Declen was about to issue an order to the soldiers stationed throughout the hall, a sound of applause rang out in the silence.

 

“That is certainly wonderful news. It seems His Majesty knew that our lord has long been searching for his sister.” It was none other than Kianan. Smiling brightly, he descended the dais at an unhurried pace. Then he stepped in front of the baron’s group as if to shield them and looked up at Declen. “What greater blessing could there be, Your Grace? It seems we failed to recognize the value of the guests who brought such precious news.”

 

For a moment, unspoken looks passed between the two men. Then Declen, having forced down his fury, inclined his head.

 

“Yes. Indeed. It is good news.”

 

“I thought you would say so.” The baron nodded and answered with a smile only for a sharp question to cut across to him.

 

“So, did you bring her with you?”

 

At Kianan’s question, the baron hesitated before shaking his head.

 

“I regret to say I did not. The road to the North is too long and harsh. I feared it would be too much for a lady to endure.”

 

The previously quiet hall grew noisy. Holding her breath, Shailoh watched the exchange.

 

Declen, seated with one long leg crossed over the other, raised the corner of his mouth. “You didn’t bring her. Then how are you so certain that she’s my sister?”

 

Unmoved by the chill in his smile, the baron replied with courteous firmness. “That is precisely why I have come to the North, Your Grace.”

 

“What?”

 

“His Majesty wishes for the duke himself to come to the capital and confirm with his own eyes whether she is truly his sister.”

 

At that unexpected statement, several of the watching vassals could no longer hold back.

 

“Is that not going too far? If she is not the lady, what of our lord’s honor?”

 

“Your Grace! Refuse him!”

 

Sharp denunciations and killing intent speared toward the baron. At the clear threat to his life, Baron Gardin flinched, but Declen raised a hand.

 

“Enough.” Declen’s voice was not loud, yet the single short word rang through the hall more clearly than any shout. “What proof is there that the woman His Majesty keeps is my sister?”

 

“He says she is the very image of the late duke. So much to the point anyone who sees her would know at once she is of that bloodline.” His tone was firm and filled with conviction.

 

At that moment, Kianan, who had been silent as though deep in thought, quietly stepped forward. “Your Grace, what if I go in your stead?”

 

“Kianan.”

 

“I may not have seen the late lord in person, but I know his face well from his portrait, and I have served closest at your side.”

 

On the surface, it sounded like a reasonable suggestion. The problem, however, lay in the king’s intentions. The king likely knew that Shailoh had come to the North. Yet despite that, he shamelessly claimed to have the duke’s sister and requested the duke come to the capital. If Kianan went, it was obvious he would be treated as a hostage. It was not a matter that could be decided lightly.

 

“Baron Gardin. What do you think?” After a long silence, Declen asked the baron, who stood quietly, for his thoughts.

 

The baron smiled with an unreadable expression and answered with care. “I have no objection, but I cannot say whether His Majesty would be satisfied. It would be best to send a fast rider and ask his will on this point.”

 

“…I see. I will consider it as well. For now, you must be weary from your long journey. You’ll be shown to your rooms first. We’ll hold the banquet afterward.”

 

“I am grateful for Your Grace’s generous hospitality.” The baron bowed, then glanced quietly at his bound guards. His look was a silent plea to have them released.

 

Declen flicked his hand, and the castle guards stepped back at once. “My steward will see you to your quarters. I’ll retire for now. The rest of you are dismissed.”

 

The moment Declen’s order fell, the gathering dissolved. The people who had filled the hall scattered like ants in all directions. Hurrying out of the hall after Rose, Shailoh fought not to look back at the baron’s party. Having barely held her breath along the way, she slid down the wall and collapsed the moment she reached her room and shut the door.

 

“Are you alright, Milady?”

 

“No…” Shailoh let out a heavy sigh and shook her head.

 

The whole time she’d been down there, a nameless anxiety and impatience had been strangling her. A suffocating sense that some unseen snake was coiling tight around her legs. A feeling of danger, as if some beast in the dark had its eyes fixed on her. It was coming from one of the three men standing behind the baron.

 

“Among the escorts who came with the baron… there might be someone who knows my face and my true identity.”