Chapter 35
“The Emperor said to see me tomorrow. If Isilia wakes up, come with her.”
“…Yes, understood.”
“The Agnes family’s father and son will be coming as well.”
“…….”
“I trust you will handle yourself properly. His Majesty frets when even the mention is made that the Count is taking a vacation to the countryside.”
At this, Ruiyan fell silent, understanding the meaning behind the words: a subtle pressure, a look that hinted at difficult demands. He was to avoid offending the Count or the Emperor. The deep cyan eyes fixed on him curved slightly, watching him intently.
“Is work manageable these days? I imagine there isn’t much paperwork heading to the Foreign Ministry.”
“…It’s fine.”
“Thanks to you, the men have become lax. I’ve been busy trying to find documents to hand over.”
“…….”
“I’m tied up with various matters, so I won’t need to call for you for some time.”
With that, he gestured disinterestedly for Ruiyan to leave. Ruiyan bowed his head. Through the closed door, he saw the Emperor’s eyes closing. Perhaps he really was busy—though with that typically inscrutable face, it was impossible to know the truth. The Emperor was skilled at hiding expressions and at disguising the truth, which is why those below him were so easily swayed. Ruiyan, too, was among them.
“…….”
Ruiyan turned his head. Standing in the quiet corridor, he felt a peculiar sense of desolation.
—
The glare was sharp. With unwavering green eyes, Ruiyan exhaled. The Knight Order was located opposite the Foreign Ministry. But… judging by the fact that he was standing here, it seemed he had been waiting for him. Lately, they had been crossing paths often. Ruiyan thought this as he looked at Arwin.
“Greetings, Your Grace, the Duke of Endrians.”
Ruiyan had vaguely sensed it the last time they met, and indeed, he had known. Isilia’s brother seemed to sense his guilt. The green eyes greeting him were cold and formal. Ruiyan nodded and stepped forward. Arwin, who had stepped aside from blocking the path, spoke.
“There were words I could not say to my younger sibling in my childhood.”
Ruiyan said nothing to the sudden remark. Arwin continued, seemingly unconcerned by the lack of response.
“I knew that child was looking at you in her own way. Much time has passed, and now my words are belated. But now, I see it differently.”
“What is it that you want to say?”
“…Are you aware that Isilia has awakened?”
He was skirting the topic. Ruiyan remained silent, and Arwin fell silent too, as if at a loss. Ruiyan turned away. The strong gaze pressed against the back of his head, but he did not look back. Though he had been briefly distracted by Arwin’s strange behavior, now that the man had gone, the words he had spoken lingered in his mind.
Isilia has awakened.
“…….”
For some reason, his steps felt lighter. Ruiyan looked around. Glancing back, Arwin was gone.
—
The day after Isilia awakened, El was sick from early morning. His wife touched her slightly feverish forehead and sighed. Since she had collapsed, their young son had refused to leave her side. When Johan looked at Ruiyan, intending to step forward, he lowered his hand, seeming to give up. Ruiyan looked away. Isilia was mouthing something silently. Her hand stroking the child appeared thinner than before.
“…….”
Upon arriving at the palace, the Crown Prince shook his head at the sight of El’s flushed cheeks. Ordering a physician summoned, he approached, and Ruiyan stepped back. There was something unsettling about his seemingly easy expression.
“Long time no see. Three… no, four days?”
“…….”
“You don’t seem very pleased. El aside, Isilia doesn’t look well either.”
“She woke up yesterday. I heard she arrived at the mansion, Your Highness.”
“Indeed. Then I will take her to the hall first. You, take the children to the nanny.”
The nanny would be in Zion’s room. After giving a few curt words, Jordan approached Isilia and took El. Johan frowned at being told to separate from his mother.
“Johan.”
His young face was full of displeasure. Jordan muttered softly, handing El over. Walking down the quiet corridor, Johan whined. Holding the feverish El, Ruiyan sighed.
“Mom…”
“Johan.”
He reached out to the startled child. Gently brushing back his tousled blue hair, the whimpering ceased.
“Isilia will be here soon. Wait with your sister.”
“…And dad?”
“I’m taking you and El to the nanny, then I’ll go fetch Mom.”
Ruiyan patted the child, who nodded, and stood. Pulling the door open, black hair appeared through the gap. Ruiyan smiled as he looked down at the children in his arms. Handing El to Zion and arriving at the hall, all eyes that had been on Isilia shifted to him. The glare was sharp. Ruiyan ignored the cyan eyes staring at him and sat. Looking up, he saw the Agnes family father and son sitting. Seeing that they didn’t even glance his way, Ruiyan stayed silent.
“…….”
“…….”
Silence persisted. No one spoke. The Emperor was addressing the pale-faced Isilia. His eyes were on his wife, but his attention seemed focused on Ruiyan. …So that’s what he meant by handling oneself properly. The Crown Prince smiled at him.
“It’s been about a year since we last met.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You look pale. Are you unwell?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Arwin frowned at her potentially curt reply. He still struggled to hide expressions. As Ruiyan scanned the table, the Emperor’s gaze rested on the Count. Seemingly checking the Count’s expression, his father calmly raised a glass of wine. The Emperor then looked back at Ruiyan. A cold, frozen tension filled the air. Sensing clear hostility, Ruiyan silently picked up his glass. The sweet wine tasted bitter. Surely it wasn’t poisoned—given his ailing wife, he likely wouldn’t dare. Jordan smiled at Ruiyan’s attempt to appear composed. Indeed, I told you to be careful, Ruiyan thought. Jordan’s small smile and words were infuriating.
“Have you finished?”
“I’m not feeling well… Sorry for missing this rare dinner, Your Majesty.”
“No, it’s fine. Go rest first. I heard the child is unwell.”
With the Emperor’s permission, Isilia left the hall. As the door closed, Ruiyan set down his glass. The intensified hostility pressed down upon him the moment she left.
“Duke.”
After a long silence, the Emperor spoke. Even when Ruiyan acknowledged him, he did not speak. He simply stared with deep blue eyes, like Jordan’s. Yet the hostility in his gaze remained, and Ruiyan straightened from tension. The Emperor, who seemed about to scold him, said nothing further. After a brief, complex glance at Ruiyan, he waved his hand.
Thus ended the silent gathering.
After the Emperor left, the Crown Prince rose. Jordan, who had looked cheerful since sitting, lowered his gaze. Meeting Ruiyan’s eyes as if signaling him to follow, the light gesture made Ruiyan sigh.
“Feeling easier to breathe now?”
The playful tone made Ruiyan choose his words carefully. Seeing Ruiyan seriously consider his reply, the Crown Prince smiled. Glancing at the closed door with a small smile, Jordan turned his head. Ruiyan followed, watching the door.
In the hall remained the Count of Agnes and his eldest son. Having informed the Emperor of El’s illness, they would soon go to her. Ruiyan recalled meeting the Count’s eyes as he rose. He frowned, recalling Arwin, sitting next to the Count, openly expressing displeasure. The unflinching green eyes and the equally expressive deep green eyes…
“Though they are so alike, the way they look at you is different.”
Ruiyan nodded at the indifferent remark. The Emperor did not scold him but did not hide hostility either. The Count, however, acted as if he knew nothing from start to finish. He showed no displeasure, raised no voice, remained calm. …How is that possible? Ruiyan could not understand the Count, who calmly watched him. Isilia resembled the late Countess of Agnes exactly.
She had erased all traces of herself related to him, leaving only memories… It was something the Count once told him at the Agnes estate long ago. He had asked him, indirectly, to cherish his daughter. The Count had valued her greatly.
Thus, Ruiyan found Arwin’s unhidden displeasure easier to bear than the Count’s silent gaze. He could not understand the Count. He valued the child so deeply that when Arwin opposed his marriage to Isilia, he had protested with a grave expression, claiming the rapid marriage was unreasonable.
