The Resolve of That Day
If she vanished like this, could I finally breathe a little easier?
Karina had achieved the revenge she had longed for, while I had lost a valuable ally. If we could part ways before our enmity grew any deeper, I would have preferred that, too.
Karina must have known it as well. Returning to the imperial palace now would mean we would inevitably become enemies again. The conflicts that followed would be far more chaotic and fierce than anything we had faced before.
She was leaving the choice about our intertwined fates entirely to me. Would I stop here, or keep moving forward?
I did not stop the carriage. That decision was mine, and it carried the weight of responsibility for everything that would come next.
The verdict on Ludvi Silanda was finalized three weeks later.
The emperor accepted all the evidence Ebony Bladin had submitted. However, because no meaningful testimony emerged from the other servants of the count's household, the statement from Lady Jesi Inka lost its weight.
In the end, Count Silanda was sentenced to five years in prison. It was an unusually heavy punishment for a noble, but it was fortunate that the charge of murder had not been recognized due to insufficient evidence.
With no right to appeal, Count Silanda was scheduled to be transferred to the Western Marches a few days after the ruling.
The countess also intended to settle affairs at their townhouse in the capital and follow her husband west. But the plan fell through after meeting fierce opposition from Marchioness Lilche.
The Countess of Silanda was a renowned economist. Marchioness Lilche opposed the idea of her abandoning her research because of her husband.
More importantly, if the Silanda family disappeared from the capital now, it would appear to the outside world that House Bladin had toppled them. In the end, the countess decided to remain in the capital of Seider with Rubia.
The nobles pretended to feel pity for the Silanda family's misfortune while failing to hide their curiosity about Rubia. They wondered whether she truly was the daughter of the deceased dancer and whether she possessed the same eyes as Baronet Linton, who currently enjoyed His Majesty's favor.
Silvia had no desire to deal with the gossip-hungry nobles and refrained from attending social gatherings for several weeks.
Because my own mood was heavy, I spent most days shut away in my quarters. Today, however, was the evening meal with His Majesty the Emperor and the two archdukes. I prepared without delay and made my way to the dining hall.
"It's been a while, Ishtel."
As I entered the dining hall, Illid greeted me with a smile. Hellion, seated across from him, looked at me and asked,
"Have you been busy? Never mind—that was a pointless question. Of course you've been busy."
He was right. The past several days had been frantic. I had to redistribute the duties Count Silanda had been handling among the other nobles, and dealing with Marchioness Lilche's relentless questions about Karina had been exhausting.
If I could have followed my heart, I would have skipped this dinner entirely and fallen into a deep sleep. But seeing the faces of the two archdukes waiting for me lifted my spirits somewhat.
"Is His Majesty not here yet?"
"He sent word a short while ago that he couldn't make it. He suggested we dine together separately later."
I asked no further questions at Hellion's reply. I had already heard through the maids that His Majesty had been spending more and more time with Karina lately.
He's probably comforting her even now.
I pushed thoughts of His Majesty and Karina aside and began the meal.
"How have you both been?"
"The same as always for me. I carry out the duties His Majesty assigns, receive reports from the ministers, prepare documents to present to him again. The days pass in the blink of an eye."
"It's the same for me. It's so identical to what my cousin described that I have nothing to add. Oh, right!"
Hellion, who had been drinking red wine, looked at me as if something had just occurred to him.
"Now that I think about it, Sir Delumin submitted his resignation a few days ago. Did you receive the report?"
"Yes, I did."
Sir Delumin had been the knight responsible for my escort. Recently he had resigned due to a famine in his territory and returned to his lands.
The position of guard knight was too important to leave vacant, but since I had not left the palace lately, I had not felt the need for one.
"In that case, I was thinking of recommending a knight to you."
Hellion looked directly into my eyes. Sincerity shone in his pale blue gaze. This was clearly not a casual suggestion.
"Who?"
"Labi Telia. He's Shuri's third older brother."
"You're saying you'd place one of your own close aides as Ishtel's guard?"
Before I could even respond, Illid cut in. He looked at Hellion with clear displeasure.
"The third son of House Telia holds quite a good position even in the Northern Archduchy. Why would he come all the way to the capital?"
"Why are you reacting so sharply? Can't I recommend a single knight as I please?"
Hellion frowned at Illid's sensitive response. Illid answered without hiding his irritation in the slightest.
"House Regentera has chosen to remain neutral in the matter of imperial succession between you and me. Though we have no specific guidelines or plans yet, pushing a northern vassal as Ishtel's close aide would compromise fairness."
"You seem to be mistaken about something. Since when has a guard knight been treated as such an intimate confidant? From what I've observed of Sir Delumin, he barely worked even half the month. He only accompanied Ishtel briefly when she left the palace. Inside the palace, security is strict, so there was rarely any need to have an escort with her."
"Then there's even less reason for the third son of House Telia to come. It can't be that important a post if he's willing to set aside his duties in the North."
Hellion rested his chin on his hand atop the table, looking surprised by Illid's sharp counterpoint. He waved the knife in his hand, pointing it toward Illid.
"I don't understand why you're getting this angry. Is it really just about political fairness? Or are you hiding something from me and Ishtel?"
"Watch your words, Hellion. There's a limit to how much I'll overlook simply because you're younger."
"You're the one who should stop needlessly trying to check me. You know, you really are quite greedy. You put on this mature, concerned act with every excuse imaginable, yet you refuse to yield even an inch. Do you think I don't see it? If you keep behaving this way, I won't be able to show you respect anymore."
"This way? What exactly do you mean by 'this way'?"
"Well. It's hard to define in a single phrase. That's why I'm going to start sorting it out one by one from now on. What kind of person you really are."
At Hellion's unyielding retort, Illid bit his lip hard. Anger flooded his usually gentle blue eyes, and the hand gripping the edge of the table had turned so white that the bones stood out.
Before Illid could fan the flames of their fight any further, I stepped in. Normally I would have shown my displeasure and told them to stop, but I didn't have the energy for it today. I raised a hand toward the growling Illid, signaling him to cease.
"The mood between you two is strange today. Did you spend the past three weeks fighting while I was busy?"
"Not at all. As always, this fellow is simply taking his temper out on me for no reason."
"Don't dismiss my feelings as mere temper."
Hellion set his utensils down with a loud clack and glared at Illid.
"In any case, we've completed all our preparations. Since we've applied for the position of Ishtel's guard knight, if there are competitors, we'll simply defeat them and claim the spot. If you don't like it, the South can put forward its own knight and apply as well. Though I doubt you have anyone who could match ours."
At Hellion's provocation, Illid clicked his tongue in disbelief. Fortunately, he did not pursue the matter any further.
For the remainder of the meal, the atmosphere between the two archdukes was as cold as a sheet of ice. Caught between them, I was so busy reading the room that I hardly noticed the food going down my throat.
It really feels like something happened between them... but they won't tell me anything...
When we left the dining hall, Hellion quickly offered to escort me back to my quarters. I felt concerned for Illid, but it seemed rude to refuse Hellion's suggestion, so I agreed.
"I'll see you again soon, Ishtel."
After bidding me a gentle farewell, Illid turned away without even glancing at Hellion. As I watched his retreating figure with a heavy heart, Hellion took my hand and pulled me along.
"When Labi Telia comes to the capital, he'll bring a gift for you. I prepared it especially, so you can look forward to it."
"A gift...? What is it?"
When I showed my curiosity, Hellion couldn't hide his excited expression.
"Telling you in advance would ruin the fun. Labi will arrive in a few days, so just wait a little longer. I'm sure you'll like it."
"All right. Then I'll look forward to it, too."
I offered a faint smile to match Hellion's buoyant mood. When our eyes met, Hellion gave a short cough. His cheeks had turned as red as his own hair.
Hellion really likes me a lot.
I had already known it, but the thought suddenly weighed strangely on a corner of my heart.
Since coming to the capital, Hellion had handled the duties the emperor assigned him with remarkable competence. He had offered solutions so clear that the ministers were astonished, and when he encountered policies that didn't fit the current situation, he boldly requested improvements.
The older ministers praised him, saying he had inherited Archduchess Alensia's fiery temperament and drive to act. Objectively speaking, he was clearly an excellent candidate for crown prince.
Does that mean I will end up marrying Hellion?
The day he had kissed me beneath the floating lanterns. From that day onward, Hellion—who had always seemed so young—began to look different to me. But so far, that was all.
I still don't understand my own feelings toward Hellion.
Emotions had always felt like an unsolvable problem to me. To understand them better, I would need a little more time.