Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: I've Returned as a Monster
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“Father.”
Marquis Rubel heard Lena’s faint voice. But he didn’t stop and continued approaching Rubid.
“Please head back now.”
Rubid shot the marquis an irritated look before turning his gaze to the nobles who had retreated some distance away. They bowed their heads the moment their eyes met, and Rubid scanned them before spinning on his heel in annoyance. As the marquis turned with him, Lena called out again.
“Fath…….”
But the call went unfinished. The marquis glanced back and gestured for her to stop.
“Lady.”
The marquis held out his palm as if speaking to a beast that couldn’t understand words.
“This matter can be discussed properly at a later time. How about we end it here for today?”
The nobles were impressed by the marquis’s respectful request. To show such courtesy even to a lady who had recklessly caused a scandal. As expected, indeed, just as one would think. The nobles’ sentiments naturally swung toward the marquis. After all, the Northern Marquis was renowned for his character. They couldn’t imagine such a vicious illegitimate child coming from a man like him. The marquis pushed Lena aside and turned away. Then a voice came from behind him once more.
“Marquis Rubel.”
At the title of “Marquis” instead of “Father,” the marquis had no choice but to turn back. A lady in uniform was gazing at him endlessly. He couldn’t tell what lay in those eyes. Was it joy? Sorrow? Or anger? The lady stared at the marquis with an utterly inscrutable expression and asked.
“Is the wound you mentioned before feeling better?”
Wound? The puzzled marquis soon remembered. The line he had written in his note. —Do not use my father’s wound. Realizing what Lena meant, the marquis murmured quietly.
“It has nothing to do with you.”
Lena gave a bitter smile at the marquis’s reply. As if she had expected him to say that. She stared silently at the marquis for a moment before shifting her gaze to pick up a fallen petal from the floor. It was a pitiful flower that had floated across the champagne lake before being tossed aside. Lena brushed it off and dried it as she approached the marquis. Then she kissed the petal and pinned it to the marquis’s chest. After presenting the flower to her father, Lena smiled faintly and curtsied. Then she turned and left without lingering.
***
Rubid and the marquis boarded the carriage together. As Rubid sat down, dripping champagne, the marquis handed him a handkerchief.
“I’m fine.”
Rubid refused without even looking. Withdrawing his hand at the irritation, the marquis carefully broached the subject.
“Your Highness, about what happened today…….”
“I said I’m fine!”
Rubid snapped, expecting a lecture. But the marquis didn’t falter. Instead, he continued calmly, putting Rubid on the spot.
“Thank you very much.”
“What?”
Rubid’s brows furrowed at the unexpected gratitude. The marquis explained shamelessly.
“I know you spoke up for me. To that lady and the gossip-loving nobles.”
Rubid’s face darkened further at the marquis’s interpretation. Raised in the harsh northern winds, Rubid despised empty flattery. Knowing his temperament, the marquis added lightly.
“Though the procedure and method were utterly deplorable.”
“What?”
“I know it was the best Your Highness could do.”
“Hey.”
“Scandals happen all the time, so I’ll let it slide.”
“This guy really……!”
“Even so, thank you. For taking my side.”
The marquis mixed curses with thanks and smiled warmly. Rubid was left unsure whether to get angry or not.
“Is there anything wrong with what I said?”
“It’s all wrong. Doesn’t match at all. Don’t get the wrong idea!”
Unable to tell if it was flattery or scolding, Rubid finally grumbled in annoyance and turned to look out the window. Rubid was cold and fierce on one hand, boyish and innocent on the other. And the marquis knew how to handle this sensitive prince. Once again, he easily soothed Rubid’s temper, and the prince complained without realizing he’d been played.
“Who is that woman?”
That woman, Lena Rubel. Rubid, the little king of the North, found the suddenly appearing Lena extremely grating. So when he asked directly, the marquis replied with a smiling face.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know at all?”
Rubid asked suspiciously. She resembled him too much to claim total ignorance. The kind impression, the tip of the nose, the eye shape, and even the faint dimples when smiling. He had denied it when Clavice said she resembled him, but deep down, Rubid felt the same. Lena Rubel and Marquis Rubel looked alike. Side by side, anyone would take them for father and daughter. At Rubid’s probing, the marquis answered again.
“She does resemble the child I lost in the past.”
Rubid scowled. Then didn’t that mean there could be some connection? As if reading his doubt, the marquis added.
“But if she were truly that child, she wouldn’t put me in such a bind.”
“Ha!”
Rubid burst into mocking laughter laced with irritation.
“Has the doddering old man brought in a con artist?”
“The Southern Duke probably didn’t do it on purpose either.”
Rubid bought it easily. The marquis smiled at him before picking up the handkerchief again.
“Having lost all his children in the war, his mind isn’t what it used to be. How could a man in need of comfort withstand a determined woman?”
“Crazy bastards…….”
“Everyone knows but keeps it hushed. So please don’t worry too much, Your Highness. It’ll come out soon enough anyway.”
The marquis spoke while wiping the tips of Rubid’s hair, and Rubid snorted dismissively. In the meantime, the marquis retied Rubid’s half-dried hair. Then he offered shallow respect to the unsuspecting prince.
***
After seeing Rubid off, the marquis returned to his room. The first thing he did in the dim room was close his eyes and endure his fatigue. Rubid had done something unasked for. Because of this, Lena Rubel had made her mark in high society, making it even harder to quietly resolve the situation. The marquis took a deep breath and removed his heavy coat. Then he paused at the sensation touching his fingertips. The flower Lena had given him was still pinned to his left chest. Gazing at the flower, the marquis thought of Lena.
‘The steward was right.’
Yesterday, the steward who had gone to see Lena in his stead had said she had grown into a truly beautiful lady. It was true. No, “splendid lady” fit better. She had been such a tiny child before. The marquis fondled the petal while recalling Lena’s appearance. At the same time, he remembered. Years ago, the cheeks of his daughter that he had occasionally caressed had felt just like this. As the hazy moonlight stirred his reminiscence, a soft voice came without warning.
“Lovely night, isn’t it?”
The marquis turned in surprise before letting out a long breath. A dazzling silver-haired youth leaned against the door, smiling. It was Cardinal Clavice. Seeing him, the marquis calmed his startled heart and said with a sigh.
“People will see if you come like this.”
“It’s fine. I’ve made up some excuse.”
Though not welcomed, Clavice entered without care. He naturally claimed the sofa and said.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other like this, just the two of us.”
Publicly, there was no friendship between Cardinal Clavice and Marquis Rubel. So facing each other alone like this was awkward. But that was only publicly; things were different in private. Clavice asked the marquis.
“Don’t you have anything you want to ask me?”
As if he didn’t. Crushing the flower in his hand, the marquis muttered.
“Why are you alive?”
Then he added clearly.
“Didn’t you say she was used as a sacrifice and not even a body would remain?”
At the marquis’s question, the angelically beautiful man in holy robes, Clavice Sirenchium, laughed.
“You’re so cruel.”
Clavice said teasingly.
“Your daughter came back alive, but instead of being happy, all you say is that?”
“If the secret leaks, we’re both in danger.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“It’s advice.”
“You’re good with words.”
As the marquis brushed off the mockery half-heartedly, Clavice pouted prettily and changed the subject.
“Did young Rubid make it back safely?”
“I escorted him to his room.”
“He’s so cute, our little Rubid. Pretty face, obedient, easy to fool.”
The marquis inwardly sighed at Clavice’s words.
‘No wonder…….’
It had seemed odd. As far as he knew, Rubid wasn’t one to set crude traps. He lacked the patience, and with ample power, if he wanted to get back at someone, he’d grab them by the hair himself. So when such an uncharacteristic scheme unfolded, sure enough, Clavice was behind it. And Clavice, who had used Rubid to draw out Lena, seemed deeply impressed by tonight’s ball.
“Your daughter turned out splendidly, didn’t she?”
“That child took the Southern Duke’s hand.”
“She did.”
“I worry the Southern Duke will learn of Your Eminence’s movements.”
It meant to clean it up quickly before Lena spoke. But despite the marquis’s concern, Clavice’s attitude remained breezily light.
“We’re past the point of worrying, Mr. Rubel. Your daughter saw me earlier.”
“Saw you…….”
“She recognized me. And then she smiled.”
Clavice whispered ecstatically. Clavice had been as shocked by Lena’s appearance as the marquis. That’s why he used Rubid to summon her. To confirm if she was real, and if so, what she looked like. When Lena finally appeared, Clavice was overjoyed. She was real. Not only real, but a tremendous lady who could face down a hundred nobles alone with sheer spirit. Intrigued, he watched eagerly to see if she would recognize him. If she did, how would she react? Glare? Flee? Rush at him, or perhaps scream? Clavice imagined happily while awaiting her gaze. But when their eyes met, all his predictions missed the mark. Lena didn’t falter upon seeing Clavice. She simply smiled. Beautifully, and dizzyingly.
“How could she? To the one who pushed her into hell, how?”
Normally, she’d tremble with rage. No, she wouldn’t have even climbed back up. Yet Lena Rubel had returned and smiled. So leisurely at the one who sent her plummeting. Unable to hide his excitement, Clavice said in a thrilled voice.
“See? The child we used as a sacrifice has returned as a monster.”
But only Clavice was excited. The marquis watched this madman silently with his usual calm face and somewhat weary eyes.
“You came here so deliberately, but do you think silencing the Southern Duke will settle it?”
“Then what should we do?”
“Ask her yourself. She looked like she had much to say to you. Things like this need to be settled in person.”
At the suggestion to meet Lena directly, the marquis fell silent. Clavice then spoke as if scolding a child.
“Think about it, Mr. Rubel. Your daughter came to the imperial palace where we are, on her own two feet. What do you think that means?”
“That she’s confident enough to oppose us.”
“Exactly. So negotiate politely. Ask what she wants. She’ll surely answer.”
Clavice urged again, adding.
“This isn’t advice. It’s an order.”
“……Understood.”
Clavice smiled contentedly at the marquis’s reluctant reply. Watching him, the marquis thought. What was behind the cardinal’s relaxed attitude? Bluff? Or bravado? Even as imperial kin, he wouldn’t emerge unscathed if Lena’s existence and their past came to light. Because what they buried back then wasn’t just one girl. Six years ago, Clavice had wanted a noble sacrifice. To open the door to the tomb and gain power like the emperor, just as the emperor had. He didn’t know why the already powerful cardinal harbored such greed. Nor did he care. What mattered was the meaning of the act. The world called the pursuit of power equal to the emperor treason. So at present, what Marquis Rubel had to hide wasn’t just selling his daughter. His true secret was participation in treason.