Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: The Duke's Return
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‘Leonard Diorus, the Duke?’
‘What am I looking at right now?’
‘He’s alive?’
Unaware that their actions lacked decorum, several nobles rubbed their eyes.
No matter how many times they looked again, it was him.
Leonard Diorus.
Over a decade had passed since he had vanished almost like a ghost, yet his appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest.
No, there was one change: his sharp impression.
The gaze that had once held a hint of softness was now so fierce it was hard to meet for even a minute.
He exuded an aura as if he could casually kill a person without a second thought if they crossed him.
Like a beast scanning for prey, Leonard swept his piercing eyes over the nobles in the conference hall one by one before finally taking a step forward.
Thud, thud, thud.
His heavy footsteps echoed through the silent chamber.
Following behind him with a somewhat anxious gait was Viego, the Vice Duke, who cleared his throat awkwardly.
The first seat on the left of the head table.
“……Duke Diorus.”
Lark muttered in considerable surprise as he watched Leonard plop down in the spot that had been empty for over a decade.
“I heard your daughter caused some trouble.”
“…….”
Lark froze at the sudden remark. The nobles’ eyes widened in shock at Leonard’s out-of-left-field statement.
Sweeping a sharp gaze over the conference table as the murmurs began to rise, Leonard said.
“Aren’t you starting the meeting?”
Flustered nobles.
Leonard’s intimidating presence.
Caught between them, Lark closed his eyes tightly and bit his lip.
The painful silence didn’t last long. Soon, Lark’s dry voice dispersed into the air of the conference hall.
“……Let’s begin.”
* * *
The twins grumbled as they peered down at the carriage returning with Leonard and Viego from the second-floor window.
“I can’t figure out what Viego was thinking. Why drag His Excellency along like that?”
“You know Oppa’s personality. He probably felt sorry for Princess Lizbet. He must have asked His Excellency to pull some strings to at least keep her from being exiled to the island.”
“Ah, this is so annoying!”
Riki ruffled his hair wildly.
“I thought we wouldn’t have to see that unlucky Lizbet’s face anymore!”
“Don’t take it too hard, Riki. No matter how much His Excellency tries, some things can’t be helped. Killing her own sister is as good as done, so they can’t stop the dethronement. She’s heard ‘Princess’ for the last time.”
“Yeah, you’re right? But isn’t Lizbet one scary girl? What kind of guts does she have to pull something like that?”
“You think she knew what she was doing? The imperial succession battles are brutal. She was probably used like a fool by someone.”
“Well…….”
“Huh? What’s that?”
Lillia pressed right up to the window.
Two carriages were pulling into the mansion. Behind the Diorus Ducal House carriage was one bearing the imperial crest.
“Isn’t that the military police?”
Riki’s eyes widened as he crowded next to her at the window.
Two military policemen in red uniforms were stepping out of the imperial carriage.
“What’s going on? Scary. Why are the military police here all of a sudden?”
“Right? Wait, wait.”
Spotting something else, Lillia tapped Riki’s shoulder excitedly.
“Isn’t that Rubette? Why is she out there?”
* * *
By the time I finished preparing and came out, the accompanying military police were right there as expected.
Appa, who had been waiting, approached me immediately.
“Did you have a safe trip?”
“…….”
Appa stood tall in front of me and stayed silent for a long while.
He seemed to be choosing his words, but unable to bring himself to speak, his lips just twitched for several minutes.
Finally, Viego, standing behind him, nudged Appa aside and stepped forward.
“Rubette.”
“Yes, Oppa.”
“Ha…….”
Letting out a deep sigh, Viego knelt down and gripped my shoulders firmly.
“Listen well.”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to the Tower of Silence from now on.”
“Yes?”
I was startled by the unexpected destination.
The Tower of Silence was where Lizbet was currently imprisoned. A prison for imperial royals awaiting trial, before their guilt was confirmed.
‘I thought she’d naturally be locked in the underground dungeon until the trial, but no? If it’s the Tower of Silence for royals only, isn’t that a total sweet deal?’
It was called a prison, but aside from not being able to leave freely, it was practically a luxurious bedroom, built to accommodate royals.
“It might be scary, but…….”
“It’s not the underground dungeon?”
Viego frowned.
“How could we send the daughter of the Diorus Ducal House to a place like that?”
“Oh…….”
“There’ll be a final meeting next week, and the trial will be held the week after, based on the punishment decided there.”
“So I just need to stay for about two weeks.”
“There will be interrogations by the investigative team in between, but you don’t have to answer any questions that intimidate or pressure you.”
“Yes.”
“The trial…… don’t worry about it.”
Viego’s expression, meant to reassure me, only worried me more. His hands gripping my shoulders were trembling.
“It’ll end without any major issues.”
Appa, standing behind, suddenly interjected.
I nodded.
“Yes, Appa. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Don’t cry. Visits are allowed once a day, so Oppa will come every day.”
No, am I going off to die or something?
While I remained calm, Appa and Viego dragged their feet with gloomy faces. The two military policemen stood behind us, unsure what to do, just watching our faces.
Frustrated, I pushed past Viego toward the transport carriage, and one of the military policemen hurried over.
“Hey.”
Appa’s sharp voice made the policeman flinch.
“The child is scared, so don’t drag her by force.”
“Dad.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I cleared my throat.
“You’re interfering with official duties. It’s fine. I’m not scared.”
I turned to the poor military policemen and said.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-Yes. We’ll escort you.”
Escort? Aren’t we in the middle of transporting a suspect?
As I boarded the lavish, top-of-the-line waiting carriage under the military policemen’s…… escort, my cheeks flushed for no reason.
‘Is this what it’s like for a chaebol heir who caused trouble going to “relax” in prison for a bit? Scary that someone might see and judge.’
I even waved to Appa and Viego, who were seeing me off with deathly pale faces.
“See you later.”
* * *
The Tower of Silence, located southwest of the imperial palace.
Upon arrival, I was immediately handed over to an elderly warden and a young knight who seemed to be his successor.
“Take her to the Non-Spirit User Tower.”
“Pardon? Isn’t Duchess Rubettria Diorus a Spirit User over 15 years old? The Non-Spirit User Tower?”
The Tower of Silence consisted of two buildings.
One was the Spirit User Tower, the other the Non-Spirit User Tower.
I’d heard that the Spirit User Tower had control stones restricting spirit power operating 24/7, and the rooms were stark in structure to prevent any funny business.
‘Worried about them causing trouble with spirit powers, no doubt.’
Any imperial royal over 15 would have a spirit, so they had to go to the Spirit User Tower.
‘Younger royals without spirits would probably be held in the slightly freer Non-Spirit User Tower. Kids like Lizbet.’
And I, while not royal, was from a Spirit User family and over 15……
“Hey. Why are you so slow on the uptake.”
“Huh?”
The warden, glancing down at me, scowled and shot a look at his subordinate.
The young warden, who seemed a bit green, tilted his head before suddenly jolting in realization.
“Ah! R-Right…….”
He’d finally remembered I was the fool who hadn’t contracted a spirit.
“S-Sorry. We’ll guide you right away.”
“It’s fine.”
As I headed to the Non-Spirit User Tower, I thought.
‘Nice. Almost spent two weeks with no one to talk to. Chatting with Wishit will make time fly.’
The room was extremely luxurious.
A top-grade bed, vanity, large windows with curtains on both sides, and a wide-open terrace.
‘The Spirit User Tower probably isn’t this free. Total honey pot.’
I rushed over and plopped onto the bed first.
“Wow.”
The mattress was so soft I felt like I was sitting on a cloud.
“You’re awfully carefree.”
“You try it. Softer than my bed at home, seriously.”
Wishit gave me a pitiful look as I giggled and wriggled on the bed.
He thudded over, sat beside me, and said.
“You here to play?”
“Kinda? I braced for two weeks in the underground dungeon, but this is heaven. Lighten up.”
“Hah.”
“This is the thrill of power. Commit a crime and still get a princess room like this.”
I flopped back and said.
“After tasting power, I’m kinda looking forward to it. Maybe just a fine?”
“Ridiculous.”
Wishit scoffed immediately.
“Then what’ll it be?”
“Isolation, probably.”
“Shit……. Yeah, figured.”
Isolation. The punishment handed down to high nobles residing in the capital for serious crimes, like a fig leaf over the eyes.
Simply put, like exile to a remote area in the Joseon era, but with better conditions.
“Where to? How long? Like six months?”
“Ha!”
Wishit, arms crossed, looked down at me sprawled out and laughed in disbelief.
“After conspiring against a royal? Six months? Even the Emperor couldn’t pull that off, not your father. Maybe six years.”
“Oh, please. No way.”
I shot up, suddenly scared.
“Rotting in the sticks for six years would ruin my life.”
“What can you do? I warned you, but you went ahead anyway.”
“Why are you so scary? Say something hopeful. Don’t I have Appa’s backing? And the Crown Prince’s?”
“How much do you think the Crown Prince will cover for you? He’s settled his sibling issue, and used you to secure a big future already.”
Wishit sneered.
“Coldly put, you’re chewed-up gum to him now.”
I flinched at his blunt conclusion.
“N-No way……. Lark isn’t that heartless. I believe him. I believe in the Crown Prince.”
“Suit yourself.”
“I really believe. Tru—”
Bang—
Slam!
“—ly!”
Muttering “believe, believe” like a spell in my fear.
The door flew open like lightning, and I, sitting on the bed, came face-to-face with an unexpected visitor.
Speak of the devil.
“Y-Your Highness?”
“…….”
Lark, completely disheveled.
He’d rushed here to check on me, but then just stood there silently for minutes.
Finally, he covered his tightly closed eyes with a large hand and began breathing slowly, trying to calm himself.
‘No way he’s crying?’
Dumbfounded, I sat frozen as Lark slowly approached.
“…….”
His face was full of anguish. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees, burying his face in my lap……
“Your Highness…….”
It was so unlike the Lark I knew that I froze in shock.