Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Now, Really, the Last
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Esther looked up silently at Noel, who showed no sign of letting go of her hand.
She had nothing to say to a man whose mind was clearly not in the right place, and it didn't seem like talking would get through to him anyway.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that? Why?"
Noel's eyes blinked slowly. Esther knew this was a habit of his when he was thoroughly drunk.
And she also knew that the day after drinking enough to show this habit, he wouldn't remember what happened the night before.
"...Why?"
And that was probably for the best for Esther. It gave her the chance to unload everything on him unilaterally and draw a clean line.
There was hardly anyone who would be searching for a grave at this hour of night anyway. She hadn't passed a single soul on the way here, so it didn't seem like wishful thinking.
"Are you asking why right now?"
Esther grabbed the collar of Noel standing before her and shoved him hard against the wall.
At the same time, Noel let out a small groan as he hit the wall.
"You dug up memories of your mother, trapped in the past, from me and got comfort from me, only to stab me in the back afterward and trample me underfoot?"
Esther stepped closer to Noel and answered him fiercely through gritted teeth right in his face.
"Ugh..."
Noel's pupils were already unfocused, but Esther had no intention of caring about that as she enunciated each word precisely into his eyes.
"How could I possibly look at you and stay sane."
"..."
"What kind of mood do you think I had to be in to give up everything."
"..."
"Think before you speak. Reasons? I'm not kind enough to spell those out for you. Go ask your esteemed father for that. Your father who has the marquis position you were so desperate for—Marquis Micarus."
"..."
"I'm not your mother, Noel."
The moment her words ended, Esther yanked her hand away from his collar as if it had touched something filthy.
At the same time, Noel slid down the wall against his back and slumped to the ground, head drooping as if he'd lost consciousness.
Watching him, Esther roughly tousled her own hair and headed toward the carriage where Carter was waiting.
"Carter."
"You're back. Then let's head out right away..."
"I need your help with something."
"Pardon?"
Esther let out a sigh at her day, which had ended on the absolute worst note, even on the last night she'd spend in the capital.
"Ugh."
Noel clutched his throbbing head and wretched up his hangover-racked stomach the next morning.
"When did I get home?"
Noel sat up in bed and tried to recall the previous day. His last memory was definitely the tavern.
He'd tried to stop the marquis from wrecking the house, gotten the brunt of his anger, suffered nightmares, and stormed out. And then...
"Young master, you're awake."
The butler entered with a worried look and offered him some honey water. Noel took the cup, downed it in one go, and asked,
"How did I get home?"
"Someone from the Elpis Merchant Group found you collapsed in an alley and brought you back in their carriage. Are you feeling any better?"
"Yeah."
At the mention of the Elpis Merchant Group, Noel's mind flashed to that woman's face, and the corner of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
It had been quite a while since he'd last seen her.
He'd been keeping her at a calculated distance with vague connections, but he knew it was time to close in now.
"Contact them for me. Tell them I'd like to express my thanks and help however I can."
"Understood."
Once the butler left, Noel unbuttoned his shirt and headed to the bathroom.
"What the...?"
Standing in front of the mirror, Noel muttered as he touched the small wound around his neck.
His skin there was reddened, as if stamped by something, and it bothered him intensely.
'Why?'
At the same time, a hazy voice brushed through his mind.
It was unmistakably an angry voice. And Noel realized it wasn't a dream—it was real.
Sensing something was wrong, Noel roughly ran a hand through his hair.
"...No way."
The thought that he might have drunkenly vented to someone made his head spin with complexity.
It nagged at him. He needed to track down the owner of that familiar-sounding voice. With that in mind, Noel turned on the water.
In the early dawn, the executives of the Elpis Merchant Group gathered at a cabin deep in the woods far from the guildhall to see Esther off.
Since the emperor's private audience, she'd been under surveillance, so her departure had to be kept secret.
Esther, cloaked in a mantle and dragging a heavy trunk, smiled at them. Dana hesitated before speaking.
"Is it really okay to leave without a word? At least say something..."
"Keep it secret until after the crown prince's birthday banquet. You all know we're being watched. Don't let on until Carter officially announces he's the guild master. It was an unexpected situation that put him in the position."
"They'll be upset when they find out you left like this..."
Esther bowed her head, unable to deny Dana's words. Carter watched her and spoke up.
"I'll convince them. Just make sure you return safely, miss."
"Thank you."
Carter and Esther exchanged quiet looks. She was certain he'd do as she asked. She knew he was that kind of man now.
"I'm really sorry it feels like I'm dumping baggage and running. Take care of yourselves."
"Safe travels, miss."
They came up one by one to embrace the departing Esther warmly. Regret at not seeing them for a long while washed over her.
"Yeah, see you later."
As Esther climbed into the carriage, she memorized the faces of her dear family still standing there watching her.
"Thank you all so much. I'll come back properly trained and pull my weight."
Even as the fully loaded carriage picked up speed and raced away, they stood silently in place, waving.
As if to say they'd be right there waiting.
"See you later."
Esther gave her final farewell to the receding Elpis Merchant Group. It was a brief parting.
"Is everything prepared?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The guests have all arrived."
The emperor glanced at the chamberlain who answered, then abruptly addressed Helios beside him.
"Restrain yourself from the same antics as before. Maintaining your health is your responsibility too. As crown prince, you should know better."
"Understood."
Helios replied with an impassive expression, unperturbed by the emperor's words. The emperor clicked his tongue briefly at him and rose.
"Well then, shall we go? It is your birthday, after all. I've prepared a little gift for you. Aren't you curious?"
"What is it?"
The emperor's smiles always filled Helios with unease, so he asked without relaxing. The emperor patted his shoulder lightly and laughed.
"Haha, I've invited the head of the Elpis Merchant Group that you've been eyeing. At tonight's banquet, I'll grant her the title of countess. And soon enough, she'll be—and her guild—in the palm of my hand."
"..."
Helios's fist clenched at those words.
He knew the emperor was probing now to confirm if Helios truly had feelings for her, something he hadn't settled before.
"I see."
Helios answered curtly, stripping emotion from his voice. The emperor shrugged.
"The Elpis Merchant Group accepted the invitation, so they're probably in the hall by now. I'm quite looking forward to what they brought as your gift."
Helios couldn't deny that. He was grateful Esther had come for his birthday, but at the same time, he dreaded recalling their last encounter. Still...
"Your Majesty, Crown Prince. It's time."
"Yes, time for the stars of the show to appear."
"Lead the way."
Just the thought of seeing Esther's face made it the best birthday already.
The moment they reached the banquet hall entrance, the herald ahead flung open the doors with a grand shout.
"His Imperial Majesty the Sun Emperor of the Empire and His Highness the Crown Prince! All pay homage!"
The bright chandelier lights filled Helios's vision. The banquet had begun.
Helios and the emperor strolled leisurely through the bowing nobles. The emperor, now overlooking them from the dais, boomed,
"I thank all the nobles who have gathered for the crown prince's twenty-first birthday banquet."
The hall echoed only with his voice. Amid it, Helios quickly scanned for her.
"..."
Then he spotted an unwelcome head and openly scowled. Marquis Micarus and that greenhorn successor stood there brazenly.
Helios grimaced, vividly recalling Noel pestering Esther. The disgust when that wretched man's hand had touched her was indescribable.
"...Then, please, enjoy yourselves."
As the emperor finished, he signaled the orchestra discreetly. They resumed playing, and the nobles straightened to resume their chatter.
But Helios had no interest in the banquet. He sought only one person.
As he searched even the corners for Esther, someone stepped into his navy-blue view, prompting a frown.
This man before him seemed oblivious to his mood.
"Your Highness, happy birthday. A necklace crafted from the largest ruby mined from our family's mines this season. I hope it pleases you."
"Thank you."
Helios replied soullessly, then eyed the man still lingering.
"Aren't you going to step down?"
"Ah, yes...!"
At Helios's ominous glare, the man stammered and descended.
As the next nobles lined up immediately, Helios felt suffocated. He realized he'd have to wait until they were all done to search again, sighing inwardly—
"We of the Elpis Merchant Group pay respects to His Imperial Majesty the Sun Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince."
At "Elpis Merchant Group," Helios, staring blankly ahead, whipped his head around.
The man before the emperor was someone he knew. But something was off.
The one who should be here was the guild master, Esther.
"Why are you here? Where is your guild master?"