Chapter 80: [Chapter 080] Originally, The Madam...
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As he read through the report, the Emperor felt a mix of disbelief and rage.
"Roan, you explain this," he demanded, turning to the crown prince who was avoiding his gaze. Roardnes, however, met the Emperor's gaze with a steely stare.
"Father, I... I will explain."
"You wouldn't have ordered the duke's arrest. There must have been something amiss, Roardnes."
The Emperor skimmed through the report, clicking his tongue in annoyance. But as soon as he read the part about Countess Kuroseda, he leaped to his feet.
"Have you found the countess?!"
"She's probably dead."
"Roan!!"
The Emperor was aghast.
"Isn't it in the report? We found a base of operations, an underground prison on the land owned by Count Acacia, a vassal of Duke Noebian. The guards have all fled, and the testimony of the kidnapped Baroness Lotus is consistent."
The Emperor collapsed into his chair, his legs giving out.
"The body... have you found the body?"
"We're searching the vicinity. Once we find the body, we'll conclude the case."
"You mean the duke did it? Why?"
"As a loyal servant of the crown, he must have eliminated the countess to protect the royal family's reputation once your indiscretions became known."
"Roan!"
The Emperor's shocked gaze turned to Roardnes, but before he could say more, the crown prince interrupted. The Emperor was pale and speechless, struggling to process the shock.
"That's why we handled it quietly. If we tarnish the duke's reputation any further, it will only spread rumors about your affairs. If we hold a trial and drag things out, it will only fuel more rumors about your mistress."
"Roan, Roan, stop."
The crown prince tried to calm Roardnes, as the Emperor's face was becoming increasingly pale.
"...You're driving nails into your father's heart. What do you want? Is this all to get the woman you desire? Very well, I grant it. Marry whomever you want. I won't interfere."
"I don't want anything. Just find the body and end this case."
With that, Roardnes left the audience chamber, leaving the near-collapsed Emperor behind. Bardenaldo quickly followed his brother.
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"Roan..."
Roardnes stopped in the middle of the dark corridor.
"...Thank you."
It was a statement filled with meaning. Roardnes didn't reply. He had vaguely mentioned in his report that the reason for confining Duke Noebian was due to suspicions in the Countess Kuroseda case. He had done this knowing that if the fact that he had sent rebels to the west was included in the report, the western region would never remain silent.
"You're taking all the blame for me, but I..."
"Don't say anything."
Looking at his sobbing brother, Roardnes said harshly, "It's not for your sake, brother. It's for Mother."
Retina, the Empress, the only blemish on the imperial family. The one person who could erase all the accusations and make Retina shine as the Emperor's mother stood before him.
"...Roan."
He couldn't undo what had been done. He couldn't tell Bardenaldo that Adriene was alive. If he did, he would have to spend the rest of his life begging Adriene for forgiveness. Even when asked what he wanted, he couldn't dare ask for Adriene. He could only hope that Adriene still wanted him. Roardnes turned his back on Bardenaldo and walked away down the corridor.
****
Steam rose like fog from the hot water in the bath. With the help of my maids, I lowered myself into the tub. I had dismissed them, urging them to return to the Earl's Mansion first, but Maji and Yona insisted on staying at the Duke's mansion to care for me. Most of the servants in the Duke's mansion had been sent to the capital's guard for investigation.
"Did you see the butler's expression, ma'am? He looked ten years older."
"As long as he doesn't hit on the ma'am, I'm fine."
"Goodness, that sly man, daring to hit on the ma'am?"
"I don't know, it just feels that way."
I listened silently as they gossiped about Butler Gaspal. Fortunately or unfortunately, he was the first servant to return after being questioned. Overwhelmed by my stern demeanor, he had unwittingly sent Annie, along with a few of the Duke's belongings, to the north. It was more like expelling her from the Duke's mansion than sending her. I don't know if he knew that Annie was a person of the Duke of Castagna, but he must have known she had a powerful backer. When Annie was unceremoniously dragged away, Gaspal turned pale, clamped his mouth shut, and did nothing. Seeing him cowering, as if I were the master of this house, made me feel a bit scared.
'Butler Gaspal must be a man of the Crown Prince.'
The fact that he had returned so quickly from the interrogation, and yet his eyes were filled with an uneasy flicker even as he tried to remain calm, suggested that he had someone of the level of a Crown Prince as his backer. And besides, he had been following the Crown Prince around so blatantly, serving him. Ah, so many things had happened, and the name I had barely managed to suppress came flooding back, giving me a headache.
'If you had killed him in this Duke's mansion while I was away, it would definitely have been... Crown Prince Bardenaldo.'
'It could only be Crown Prince Bardenaldo.'
Splash!
"Ma'am!"
"...Sorry."
I slapped the image of Noebian Trovica that was floating on the water, and water splashed everywhere. Maji grumbled and got up to change her clothes. She also went to get some ointment for Yona's cheek, which Bianca had slapped. As soon as Maji left, Yona began to gently massage my scalp. I sighed deeply and bit my lip. Noebian Trovica had deceived and betrayed me countless times. How much of what he said should I believe? There was no choice. He loved Adriene. Blié was just a substitute. The Crown Prince had urged him to marry me, but in the end, he loved you. His uncomfortable truths filled my heart and left me wounded. I didn't want to accept any of it. Suddenly, I remembered the Crown Prince's words about being willing to do anything for the empire. If Noebian was right, and the Crown Prince was the root of all evil and also a victim, then was I just a sacrifice for a greater cause? Was I supposed to accept Noebian's words because I had no choice, and understand the Crown Prince's decision because he was acting for the greater good? ['I have a brother. He is the person I love most in the world and the one I would give my life for.'] That loving and respected elder brother who always appeared in Roardnes's letters from when he was young. Maybe I should ask Roardnes? He trusts the Crown Prince, so he would tell me not to believe Noebian's words. But even if my death wasn't his intention, my unhappy marriage was certainly caused by the Crown Prince. If only Noebian could be punished. If only he could suffer as much as I have. If I could destroy the reputation he had built up his entire life, it would be like killing him. Even if I stabbed him in the heart countless times, Noebian, who would bear the burden of all that shame, would not despair. Losing his honor, living a shameful life unworthy of a royal, living at the bottom – that would be the most miserable and cruel way to kill him. That's why I did it. But why do I feel so uneasy? Why can't I see a clear path forward? Is Noebian right...?
"What if the Crown Prince had me killed?"
Unlike with Noebian, I felt more bewildered than betrayed towards the Crown Prince. Instead of resentment towards him, Roardnes's face came to mind first. I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him that I hadn't been able to say it properly the last time, that I "missed him." I imagined living fully for myself, for the time that had been stolen from me by Noebian. What if we had met properly? What if I had doubted Noebian even once? What if I had met Roardnes's gaze, which had been fixed on us as we danced for the first time? Just imagining Roardnes's reaction made my face turn red. I quietly buried my face in my hands. I didn't want to think about anything. What should I say when I see Roardnes? 'Noebian said that the person who could have killed me is your brother. So I want to investigate your brother. Will you help me?' Whether Roardnes helped me or not, I would feel uneasy. It would be like forcing him to choose between his brother and me. I didn't deserve to put such a burden on him.
"I wonder how much Blié knew?"
How much of the truth was she trying to confirm with me? That Noebian had married me against his will at the behest of the Crown Prince? Or that the Crown Prince might have been involved in my death? If she was going to tell me, she should continue writing it in her diary. I leaned my head back with a deep sigh. Let's rest today. Just today. I've been running so hard. I really wanted to rest.
"Ma'am, are you tired?"
"...Yes, Yona. I'm sorry. It's all my fault that you got hurt on your pretty face... I should have called for you when it was time."
"Actually, I came here in a hurry when I heard the news, but I also came to take care of your hair."
Yona scratched her cheek awkwardly and began mixing the things she had prepared to care for my hair.
"You can do my hair anytime."
I smiled faintly and let her do as she pleased. Her familiar touch made me sleepy.
"But look, the color has already come up. I was thinking that since there were no supplies at the Duke's mansion, I should visit the Earl's mansion someday."
Until I heard Yona's strange words.
"...What are you talking about?"
Yona's innocent face suddenly seemed unfamiliar. I felt a strange chill run down my spine and turned my eyes to the mirror on the wall.
"...!"
There, in the bathtub, leaning back slightly... it was me, or rather, Blié. The only difference was...
"Yona, what on earth... is this?"
Just as Yona had said, my wet hair, from root to tip, was turning blonde. It was like magic. I felt a chill run down my spine so hard that my hair stood on end. I jumped out of the bath and rushed to the mirror. Everything was the same, except that Blié's hair was now shining a bright blonde, just like my original hair.
"Yona, Yona... Yona?"
Feeling dizzy, I reached behind me, groping for something to hold onto.
"What's wrong, ma'am?"
Yona quickly came over and took my hand tightly. I slowly turned my head towards her, feeling my neck stiffen.
"Ma'am, you were originally blonde, weren't you?"
Yona was there, smiling brightly.
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