Chapter: 10
As Serena had said she would be out shortly, she truly came out not long after.
“Miss, are you really leaving now?”
Mei couldn’t understand Serena’s words. She had come under the pretext of attending the tea party hosted by the Countess of Delphium, yet Serena was saying she would leave before the party even began.
“My errands are finished. There are a few places I need to stop by on the way.”
With the help of the coachman, Serena got into the carriage, and Mei followed her inside.
“Where are we going this time?”
“I want to buy a gift.”
“For whom?”
“For a man.”
“A man? No way… for you?”
Seeing Mei cover her mouth in surprise, Serena turned her gaze to the scenery outside the window. She watched the fast-passing landscape and replayed her conversation with Salome in her mind.
“How could you…! I, I can’t do it…”
Flustered, Salome stammered, but Serena smiled gently.
“I trust you know how the Countesses passed away. You must be aware of the Count’s cruel nature.”
Salome opened her mouth to speak further but quickly closed it again. Her hands, trembling with anxiety, were tightly clasped together. Yes, taking someone’s life is never easy. Even if one resolves to do it, using one’s own hands makes it almost impossible.
“I’m not forcing you. How could I force you? I only spoke because I wanted you to find a little more happiness. Please don’t dwell too much on it.”
Salome nervously stared at the firmly closed door of the parlor, as if someone might have overheard.
“Miss, no one could have heard.”
“Huh?”
“I… prepared things a little beforehand.”
Serena had actually cast soundproofing magic on this room. Their conversation could not escape.
“Let’s pretend what you just said… was never heard.”
Salome felt a chill under Serena’s gaze, as if Serena could see through everything. How did she know the Count’s cruel nature? The Count himself ensured secrecy. How could a young lady, just of age, know such things? The thought sparked a flicker of curiosity in Salome.
“Miss, I only want to help you. But… I cannot force you, and the decision is ultimately yours.”
Serena smiled softly and stood.
“I simply have business today and cannot attend the tea party. I came to give you a gift as an apology. If my words offended you, you may forget them. But…”
Her eyes fell upon the bottle on the table. Salome followed her gaze.
“I’ll leave this gift… even if you forget my words… should another difficult night come, this bottle may provide some comfort.”
Serena gently tapped the crystal bottle with her fingernail, producing a clear ting—a sound so unlike the dangerous contents inside.
She lightly lifted her skirt in a brief, formal bow and exited the parlor.
As Serena glanced back while leaving, Salome looked lost in thought.
The Count of Delphium was one of the most influential vassals in the Duke’s household. Even though he was elderly, his presence could disrupt Serena’s plans. She was taking a gamble—testing whether she could truly change the course of events with her own hands.
If this succeeded, and she could alter a single life and the flow of a family, she would have to see just how far she could go.
Clunk!
The carriage came to a halt, pulling Serena from her thoughts.
“What’s the matter?”
Mei opened the carriage window. The coachman had a troubled expression.
“The wheel got stuck in the mud.”
The path from the Delphium estate to the plaza ran through the woods. Even though the road was reasonably maintained, rain often caused carriage wheels to get stuck. With only the young lady and her maid, it was impossible to free the wheel.
“Let’s wait for others to pass by.”
Since this path led not only to the Delphium estate but also to the temple, many people often traveled it.
“Yes, understood.”
Serena said, and the coachman bowed and gave water to the horses. A brief silence fell, broken by Mei.
“This path must usually have a lot of people passing, but there’s not a single soul here.”
“That’s true.”
As Serena stared out with little interest, a jet-black horse appeared outside the window.
“Looks like you need help, Miss.”
Recognizing the familiar voice, Serena turned to its owner. Blinking in disbelief, she confirmed it was real and composed her expression.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke.”
Diego pulled lightly on the reins of the black horse, then loosened them and dismounted. Beside him stood the knight she had seen at Knox’s hideout. Serena glanced at the knight briefly before returning her attention to Diego.
“I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“I was just coming back from the temple. What seems to be the trouble?”
“The carriage wheel got stuck in the mud and is spinning.”
“In that case, my knight and I can help.”
Diego tied his horse to a tree. Chester, following suit, tied his horse and rolled up his sleeves with a displeased expression.
Opening the carriage door, Diego extended his hand.
“You’ll need to step down for a moment.”
In the bright sunlight, his eyes sparkled like blue sapphires. Serena stared for a moment before placing her hand gently in his and stepping down.
After Mei also got out, Diego and Chester helped the coachman lift the wheel out of the mud.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. It’s no trouble at all.”
Diego smiled broadly, the corners of his eyes crinkling, and Serena found it strikingly beautiful. Under moonlight, his expression seemed cold, but in the sunlight, he looked bright and radiant.
“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, this was a coincidence.”
Serena read his thoughts and spoke.
“Understood.”
“I don’t plan things to this extent.”
He seemed skeptical, so she emphasized it again. She felt awkward giving so many explanations.
Diego looked at her with a firm expression.
“Miss, I have something to tell you.”
“Oh? A date proposal?”
“No.”
“Quite cold, aren’t you?”
Seeing his eyebrows knit slightly, Serena realized she had taken the joke too far and changed her expression.
“Very well. Shall we do it here?”
“……Wait, shall we go over there?”
Diego pointed beyond the bushes.
“I think I’ve explained enough, but your answer is a refusal?”
The “something” Diego wanted to say was indeed a refusal. Serena hadn’t been excited thinking it was a date, nor expected the persuasion to be easy—but she didn’t feel entirely relieved either.
“Brother… no, I cannot abandon His Majesty the Emperor.”
Diego loved his brother, the Emperor. Apart from his mother, they were the first family he had ever known. Even if they threw him into death, he could not hate them.
“They will aim their blades at Your Highness’s heart.”
“I know.”
“Eventually, those blades will pierce your heart and the hearts of those you wish to protect.”
At Serena’s last words, Diego’s fingertips twitched.
“Grand Duke Walther cannot become a wise ruler. He only desires power and has no concern for the people.”
Indeed, it was true. Even the current Emperor didn’t pay much attention to the citizens’ lives, causing unrest. People starved and fought over resources, while nobles indulged in luxury.
The slums where Diego’s hideout was located were a direct result of this neglect.
The Emperor didn’t abstain from governance; he did the minimum he could, no more, no less. Those at the pinnacle of power often behaved the same.
The empire was like a rotten fruit—shiny and vibrant on the outside, decayed within.
“You truly care for the people and wish to place me on the throne?”
Diego, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke slowly.
Of course not. She simply wanted to defy fate, to question the intentions of the deity who had returned her memories. Other reasons were secondary: the need for a wise ruler and saving the man doomed to a tragic fate.
“…My intentions aren’t exactly noble, but isn’t it a reasonable excuse?”
Serena’s delayed answer made Diego’s expression change subtly. He could never discern her true thoughts.
“Miss… is this very uncomfortable for you?”
They had moved to a field adorned with flowers. The recent rain left the ground muddy, making it difficult to walk in shoes, causing them to stumble slightly.
“It would be a lie to say it’s not uncomfortable.”
“They said you liked flowers…”
Just because she liked flowers didn’t mean she liked trudging through mud.
She clearly hadn’t experienced dating before.
“Hmm, Your Highness, you need more detailed information.”
Diego fidgeted awkwardly at her remark.
“Sorry.”
She looked at the flowers briefly before speaking again.
“Your Highness, in return for bringing me to such a beautiful place, I’ll give you a piece of advice.”
“Don’t tease me.”
When Serena stopped, Diego naturally did the same.
“Soon, His Majesty the Emperor will reduce the supplies sent to the south.”
Diego’s slight smile froze as he processed her words.
Reducing supplies would be extremely dangerous for the Grand Duchy in the harsh southern lands. Surviving the winter from spring to fall would be nearly impossible.
“The decayed Empire… the army is no different. Knights without proper skill, bought with money, are rampant, yet the army that actually goes to fight belongs to the Grand Duke. Correct?”
“That’s… correct.”
“The Emperor wants to suppress that army. Not his own strength, but the power of any force that could challenge him.”
“That… would weaken the nation.”
“If the Grand Duke’s army were scattered and absorbed by him?”
The Emperor was such a man. Unable to produce perfect results himself, he would take those who could and claim them as his own.
A silence fell between them. Serena spoke again before Diego could respond.
“Your Highness may refuse, but I will not give up.”
Serena’s piercing gaze seemed to declare that Diego would ultimately act according to her wishes.
