Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil Chapter 117
Chapter 117
“Duke of Anthemion?”
Handed the letter, Grand Duchess Crawford carefully opened the envelope.
Inside the envelope were two letters.
One was a handwritten letter from Helios to Count Turner, and the other was a letter from Sirius to Lenia. The Grand Duchess checked Sirius’s letter first.
“So it is true that the western border was occupied by monsters.”
“Your Majesty seems to be ignoring Sir Peterson’s request.”
Countess Walford, who glanced at the letter, said in a worried voice. Grand Duchess Crawford opened Helios’s letter with a bitter taste in her mouth.
“…….”
The Grand Duchess’s expression as she read the letter became increasingly distorted.
‘… The western borders have been devastated, and the civilian casualties are incalculable… What do you think I mean by the outpouring of requests for help from the nobility? … At this rate, it will be difficult for the empire to remain intact.’
She bit her dry lips at the stark description of reality.
‘… It is a shame that I threw myself away and received a medal without noticing His Majesty’s plan.… wonder what it would have been like if I had revealed that it was Your Majesty’s own tricks….’
Grand Duchess Crawford shook her head.
“What does this mean? Tricks?”
“The incident where Duke Anthemion went to a hunting ground with His Majesty and was seriously injured while preventing a monster attack… It is said that this happened at the orders of His Majesty.”
A look of surprise appeared on her wrinkled face. Countess Walford, who had only listened quietly, opened her mouth instead.
“Your Majesty may…! Are you sure?”
“Duke Anthemion said that the monster that appeared that day was the same monster that inhabited Duke Eaton’s magic crystal mine, and he also secured evidence that someone artificially released the monster into the hunting ground…”
“However… Duke must have misunderstood something….”
“Enough. Stop it.”
Grand Duchess Crawford cut off the conversation with a confused expression.
I didn’t want to believe it, but I had a strong feeling that he would be right.
“Your Majesty couldn’t have done such a thing alone, and someone must have helped. Is it Marquis Melks?”
“I suspect so.”
“Your Majesty has kept Marquis Melks close to him ever since.”
The Grand Duchess let out a big sigh as if she understood now.
She knew her brother had been on thin ice since the Duke of Eton’s ouster.
I understood that it could be because of the impatience of the succession. But this is beyond understanding.
The Countess Turner, observing the Grand Duchess’ reaction, continued to speak with difficulty.
“Duke of Anthemion has promised to stop His Majesty.”
“…….”
“My husband and some nobles plan to join in.”
“……”
“But I will not do it if the Grand Duchess opposes it.”
Countess Turner looked straight at the Grand Duchess. Grand Duchess Crawford, who had met her gaze, closed her eyelids.
If the nobles acted alone, it would be treason, but if she joined them, she could legitimately demand a change in the throne.
Although the stigma of being a heartless sister who expelled her younger brother from the throne is unavoidable.
Knock, knock, knock- An irregular knock was heard in the heavy silence.
It was a signal to end the conversation because they might be suspicious.
The closed eyes slowly opened.
A bitter smile appeared on the lips of the Grand Duchess, who looked around the closed room.
Even having a conversation in my house is a situation where you have to look at other people’s eyes.
Once the Emperor has purged the nobility, she will be next.
“If you ever need my strength, you can always come to me.”
Countess Turner bowed deeply.
*****
The pouring rain signaled the end of another season.
I looked down at the letter as I sat in the tea room and watched the light raindrops fall.
A letter flew in front of me saying that my life was not in vain, and that a day has passed since I descended to the Duchy.
Most of them were solicitation letters or the purpose of digging up Helios’ next steps, but there were a few really welcome letters among them.
Such was the letter of Viscount Espenser.
“He’s great too. I mean, he sends me every single letter without missing a beat.”
“He’s a very good teacher.”
I nodded at Mary’s words.
Viscount Espenser’s letter, which comes in once a week and every Monday, details Escal’s weekly learning goals and instructional methods.
It was a kind and efficient teaching method that I could teach even without deep knowledge of the Empire.
Thanks to this, he was able to continue his studies steadily, even if he could not learn directly from Viscount Espenser. Plus
‘I plan to clean up the townhouse soon and rest in a quiet place. If you need a tutor, call me.’
He even revealed his intention to come to the Duchy of Anthemion if I called him.
Since the whole Empire is still in chaos, I couldn’t tell him to travel so far.
‘I heard that monsters will ride until late winter.’
I couldn’t feel it because I was inside the castle, but when I saw that the people who had run away from the monsters flocked to the Duchy of Anthemion and the territory was crowded, it looked like there was a riot outside.
I wonder when this commotion will subside.
“—You will catch a cold.”
A thick blanket rested on my shoulders.
“Helios.”
“What are you doing? It’s cold.”
Helios smiled as he sat down on the empty chair.
After the quick-witted Mary left the tea room, he pulled up a chair and sat down.
He looked gaunt, probably because he had been roaming around without a break because of the monsters.
“I was just staying here. You’re back now?”
“Yeah.”
There was water on his pale face. The cold weather and rain made his lips turn blue, so I hurriedly put the teacup in his hand and took off the blanket.
“Cover up. You will catch a cold.”
“I’m strong and I’m fine.”
“Don’t say that. It used to be that healthy people get sick more when they get sick.”
I got up and forced a blanket around his body.
Helios smirked at me, as if he couldn’t beat me with words.
“Come on, go wash up and change clothes first.”
“I told them to prepare the bath water.”
Helios, who swallowed the lukewarm tea, stared intently at me.
I looked into his eyes and curled my eyebrows.
Helios’ eyes, who had been silently capturing me for a while, turned to the letter placed on the table.
“It’s from Viscount Espenser. He says he’ll come here if you call him.”
“Viscount? Why?”
“I guess he doesn’t want to miss out on an outstanding disciple.”
A smile appeared on Helios’ face at the light joke.
“So, will you call him?”
“I want to do it when I think of Escal, but I’m thinking about whether Viscount Espenser is aware of the situation.”
Helios’s complexion darkened when I replied that it would be better to be cautious as he may not have known about the conflict between Helios and the Emperor, although he was not a slow person.
“… I’m sorry.”
“What, suddenly?”
“Just, in many ways.”
I knew what his apology meant. Knowing that, I had no desire to accept it.
I gently wrapped my arms around his skinny cheeks.
“Helios.”
“…….”
“I chose it. I chose you, and I chose this path.”
“…….”
“”So for you to apologize is to say that my choice was wrong.”
“…….”
“Please don’t ever say that again.”
“… okay.”
Helios gently lifted my chin and kissed me.
As I savored the feel of his lips, which were as cold as his cheeks, there was a knock on the door.
“Duke, this is Dustin.”
Helios’ eyes slowly rose.
Helios clicked his tongue slightly at the interruption and opened the door.
“What is it again?”
“The Imperial Knights Commander has arrived.”
*****
“It’s been a long time.”
Helios greeted the Knights Commander at the hall where it was pouring rain.
Dozens of knights lined up behind him were all heavily armed.
Sensing his unwelcome purpose, Helios hid his displeasure and offered a greeting.
“It’s been a long time. What brings you all this way?”
“I have brought Your Majesty’s order.”
The commander of the knights bowed and gave the Emperor’s order. Helios frowned upon receiving the order.
‘It’s not Count Grenier’s handwriting.’
It’s not the font I’ve always seen, but it’s a familiar font.
‘Is it the Marquis of Melks?’
Helios began to read the order slowly, guessing who wrote it.
As his gaze went down, a crack appeared in his calm expression.
The Emperor’s order said that the situation on the western border was urgent, and that he needed to travel to the western border as soon as possible to deal with the monster to ease his worries.
Helios, who had read the entire order, raised his head, and the knight commander bluntly opened his mouth.
“Your Majesty has instructed you to go straight to the western border as soon as you confirm the order.”
“Right now?”
“The Duke must be aware of the urgency of the situation on the western border.”
Helios clenched his fists.
If the Emperor is like this, there are only two ways out.
We can either slash the Commander’s head and ride to the palace and kill Marquis Melks, or follow the Emperor’s orders and go to the western border.
‘Only treason will do.’
It is treason to advance into the capital now.
Helios opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Could you give me some time to prepare?”
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