Chapter 96 — Karius and the Duke
Chapter 96 — Karius and the Duke
Translation: Godtl
Karius looked at his father with eyes that showed complete lack of affection, filled with contempt.
"...Hoo."
Duke Superion lost his words and only sighed. Karius spoke as if scolding such a father.
"How could you think of using such words with Lelia? Father, please... think before you speak."
"You rascal, still!"
Eventually, a large bump formed on Karius's forehead.
Karius held his painful forehead and thought, 'Father's strength is still the same.'
'Actually, seeing my aged father after 6 years made my heart ache... but it's a relief.'
He felt relieved inside and rubbed the bump on his forehead.
However, contrary to Karius's thoughts, Duke Superion's health was not in a good state.
His health had deteriorated since Lelia left the territory.
Nothing he ate tasted good, and every day was so quiet and depressing that both his body and mind grew weak.
In truth, Duke Superion thought Lelia might never return.
No matter how much of a scoundler Emperor Perseus was who couldn't even recognize his own child, parents were still parents.
He had raised her with much affection as her grandfather, but... it still couldn't match the love parents would give.
So he thought Lelia left late to find her parents, and even if she never returned, he prayed and prayed again that she would only be healthy and happy.
To think she returned this quickly!
Though she came back in men's clothing and brought along a strange fellow, that didn't matter.
What was important was that she 'returned healthy.'
"By the way, Father. Do you intend to never reveal it to Emperor Perseus?"
When Karius asked abruptly, the Duke's face crumpled.
"Do you think he would believe me if I told him?"
"But you said you still haven't found the whereabouts of the nurse who knows all the facts."
"......"
When the Duke fell silent, Karius spoke in a tone of resignation.
"Well... since we don't know what will happen anyway, let's leave it until Emperor Perseus figures it out himself. If the Emperor finds out, he'll drag her to the imperial castle immediately."
The Duke let out a heavy sigh.
In fact, he had been worrying about this problem for years.
Lelia had grown into a beautiful young lady who looked exactly like her mother.
Whether it was the nurse's testimony or whatever, there was actually no need to prove anything.
If she just appeared wearing the white dress Elizabeth used to love, Emperor Perseus would recognize his daughter immediately.
'If Lelia was still young it would be different, but now no other evidence is needed...'
Because Lelia resembled her mother that much.
Seeing such Lelia, the Duke was sometimes overcome with guilt.
For Lelia's sake too, shouldn't he tell Emperor Perseus the truth?
'Heavenly bonds cannot be severed...'
But Emperor Perseus's conduct kept diminishing that resolve.
Also, when he recalled how Lelia suffered while growing up in the imperial castle, killing that fellow wouldn't have been satisfying enough.
He was the one who nearly killed his precious daughter. Sending his granddaughter there, what hardships would she face?
'Anyway, there's Princess Julianna whom he considers his own daughter, and now he even has a son with the Empress, doesn't he?'
If it weren't for Cedric and Damian who share Elizabeth's blood, he would have severed ties long ago and made the Superion territory independent.
Karius brought up a related topic.
"What do you plan to do about Cedric and Damian, Father? Wouldn't it be better to send big brother to the capital?"
"...I'm already thinking about that."
After a child was born between Emperor Perseus and the current Empress.
The Empress's family was instigating the capital nobles.
'Now a true legitimate imperial prince has been born.' That was their claim.
It was a congratulatory message for the late-born child between the remarried imperial couple, but also an open statement ignoring Cedric and Damian.
There were already two grown imperial princes.
Yet such words appeared openly in the capital newspapers.
In fact, until now, the positions of Princes Cedric and Damian had been solid.
Solid enough that there was no need at all for their maternal family, Superion, to stay in the capital and support them.
But recently, the atmosphere was becoming increasingly strange.
After the Emperor remarried, the current Empress's family grew their power day by day like a ship sailing with fair winds.
And now, they had become an enormous mass that had swelled tremendously.
Such people were crossing the line more and more.
They were even showing movements to appoint the baby imperial prince as Crown Prince, which was maddening.
The problem was that despite knowing this, Emperor Perseus took no stance whatsoever.
Duke Superion swallowed his anger and ground his teeth.
But there was still time.
No matter what, appointing a baby as Crown Prince would not be easy.
The forces opposing them also currently held solid power.
For now, it was better to watch the situation more.
Immediately, his wife's health and the fact that Lelia had returned were more important.
The Duke sighed and spoke.
"Let's wait and see for now."
"...Yes, Father. Then I'll go. I need to give Lelia the gifts I bought for her."
"Gifts? You came back after the war ended and even bought gifts?"
"I bought them in the capital. If I knew I'd miss Lelia, I would have stayed longer in the capital... Father should have contacted me sooner."
"Right, so that fellow doesn't have a single gift from his father."
"Really... at that age, so greedy. Me returning safely is the gift for you, Father."
At those words, Duke Superion looked around then grabbed his cane.
Seeing this, Karius quickly fled from the reception room.
Meanwhile, after washing up, Lelia changed her clothes and stood before a mirror.
In the mirror stood herself, exactly as she had been before leaving for the capital.
Wearing the light, loose dress she used to enjoy wearing at the territory, both her body and mind felt at ease.
Lelia flopped onto the bed right next to her.
It was a moment when she truly empathized with the saying, "Home is best after all."
Memories surfaced of sleeping fitfully every day with anxiety at the capital's imperial palace, and camping uncomfortably on the way to the territory.
Compared to that, this place was heaven.
On the sunlit bed, the sheets emitted the soft fragrance she had missed all along.
Becky must have been consistently maintaining the room even while she was away.
Lelia was feeling comfortable happiness when suddenly she bolted upright.
As if asking when her heart was ever at ease, she immediately felt uncomfortable again.
'By the way... did Oscar already know I'm a woman? Since when exactly? How?'
Earlier, when Becky called Lelia "young lady," Oscar definitely had a nonchalant expression.
Not only knowing she was Leo, but had he also figured out she was a woman?
Lelia, confused, got up from the bed.
Just then, Becky opened the door and entered.
On the tray in her hand was a light snack for Lelia.
"Young lady, you must be feeling a bit peckish, right? There's still some time before dinner, so please have a snack. The head chef got all excited hearing the news that the young lady had returned!"
Becky set the tray down on a table and pulled Lelia to sit.
Then she hesitated before asking.
"Young lady, but who exactly is the guest who came with you? The maids are in an uproar!"
"Huh?"
"Where did you bring such a handsome man from? You said you had no thoughts of marriage, but have you changed your mind? Right?"
Becky spoke in a tone that clearly hoped that was the case.
"......"
When Lelia remained silent, Becky spoke.
"But that person... there's something concerning."
"...What is?"
"He's really handsome and beautiful, but... he looks a bit cold. His eyes are too scary too! But he must be different with the young lady, right? He treats you affectionately, doesn't he?"
"......"
"If he doesn't treat you kindly and well, I absolutely cannot let the young lady go!"
A sigh escaped at Becky's excited chatter. Lelia's head throbbed.
"Young lady, please say something. Hmm?"
Becky then picked up a fork and stuffed Lelia's mouth full of fruit.
She couldn't tell if she was being told to speak or to eat first.
Lelia swallowed the fruit in her mouth and said.
"Sorry, but we're not in that kind of relationship. He's really just a friend."
"That doesn't make sense!"
"It does, Becky..."
Becky looked as if her world had crumbled at the words that the two were just ordinary friends.
Just then, as if to save Lelia, a knocking sound was heard at the door.
"Becky, could you let the guest in?"
Becky approached the door with a gloomy face as if she had no choice. However, upon confirming the guest, Becky's face immediately brightened.
Lelia's expression stiffened, having expected it to be her uncle.
No way?
As expected, it was Oscar who opened the door and entered inside.
Becky bowed her head and went out closing the door with an excited expression.
"......"
Oscar slowly walked toward her.
Like Lelia, he must have washed and changed clothes, as his face glistened.
He was indeed handsome enough to make the maids go wild.
"W-what brings you here? Without resting more?"
Lelia said as she awkwardly stood up.
He looked her up and down, taking in the new appearance of Lelia. Lelia gazed at such Oscar with anxiety.
"...Since when did you notice?"
"What?"
"...That I'm a woman."