TEWRIT 69

Episode 69

After his private meeting with the Emperor, Flint immediately ordered Gilbert to prepare for their return to the North.

He couldn’t wait any longer.

Originally, he had planned to leave only after Eliano’s health improved, and once Heriath had chosen the right time. But now, he knew—there was no perfect time. They had to escape this cursed capital now. Nothing good ever came from staying here too long.

After sending Gilbert ahead, Flint made his way to the Crown Prince’s palace. The moment he saw Heriath, his expression was sharp and cold.

“You’re going back to the North? Just like that?”

Flint’s face gave nothing away. He spoke flatly.

“Has the marriage registration been handled properly? I can’t wait any longer. Don’t tell me it was rejected?”

His eyes said he might punch someone if the answer was yes.

Heriath chuckled.

“Rejected? Don’t insult my skills.”

That night when Eliano and Flint finalized their marriage, they hadn’t just signed a marriage contract. Eliano had pulled out a marriage registration document, stamped by the temple, and Flint had nearly fainted on the spot.

That registration was handed over to Heriath the next day.

That’s why Flint already called Eliano his wife—the Grand Duchess of Howard. It was all official.

Had the registration been rejected, he would have filed it again once they were back in the North. It simply looked better to have it done in the capital.

But since Heriath had quietly and efficiently taken care of it, no one knew the Howard couple was already legally married. He said he would announce it when the timing was right—with a grand ceremony and a public mass at the temple.

Flint trusted Heriath. But the Emperor? Never.

Flint wasn’t sure if the Emperor knew about the registration, but he decided not to waste more time on it.

Right now, the best thing he could do was leave this city and return to the safety of the North.

Seeing how serious Flint looked, Heriath gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make the announcement at the right time. Just wait a little longer. By the way, how’d you even get that registration? Was this all your plan?”

It was rare for Flint to ask for favors. But the day after that “incident,” he had come to Heriath personally. Heriath had helped without hesitation. The Duke of Rosana’s spies could guard the temple all they wanted—it was already over.

He’d even laughed out loud, forgetting his royal image.

“Announce it tomorrow morning. Or better—tonight. That should shut Rosana up.”

Flint’s tone was harsh. Heriath choked on his tea.

“What?!”

“I’m leaving for the North tonight.”

Flint had learned that the Emperor had spoken with Eliano before calling him in. That wasn’t a good sign.

Flint didn’t care how the Emperor used him. He’d lived that life already. But he couldn’t let Eliano be drawn into it too.

That’s why he had chosen to leave behind his father’s belongings and his mother’s ashes. He took back the letter instead—to protect Eliano.

Eventually, Heriath would become Emperor. And when that happened, those things would return to Flint. In his hopeless days in Lynxgen, that would’ve meant nothing. But now, he could afford to wait.

Because Eliano was not something to throw away and pick up again.

Even if it meant waiting a little longer, he was sure his parents would understand.

“Flint, you can’t just—! Hey!!”

Ignoring Heriath’s shouting, Flint left the palace like the wind.

As he galloped toward the Howard estate, he forced his boiling emotions down. By the time he arrived, his face was calm and unreadable as usual.

He headed straight for Eliano’s room.

“Eliano.”

The room was unexpectedly noisy. The door was slightly ajar. Inside, her maid was packing quickly. He could hear soft voices.

“Lady Isabella secretly packed your things for you. Did we forget anything?”

“I can just buy everything new once we get to the North… I’ll write to her when we arrive.”

“Oh no! We forgot Melanie!”

“Hmm…”

Eliano looked disappointed. Then a deep voice spoke from behind.

“The Grand Duchess of Howard lacks nothing. What is this ‘Melanie’?”

“Your Grace!”

Eliano greeted Flint with a bright smile. As he searched for the words to explain their sudden departure, she spoke first.

“I was packing. With all the chaos the Sun of Bianteca is about to stir, I thought it’d be best to leave quickly. I was just about to ask you.”

“Good. I was about to ask you the same.”

Flint wanted to ask what the Emperor had said to her—but he held back. Still, one word bothered him.

“Why did you say ‘chaos’?”

“Because… the Sun and you don’t share the same intentions. I’m sorry.”

Eliano looked apologetic. Flint shook his head and gently took her hand. He kissed the back of it and whispered,

“No apologies. Your husband made sure his will was known to the Sun.”

Eliano blinked. Flint pulled a letter from his coat. Her eyes widened in shock.

“Your Grace…! Why?!”

“Shh. Don’t say another word. I won’t have my wife scolding me.”

Her face was filled with guilt.

“Can I burn it this time, for good?”

“…As you wish.”

Flint tore the letter again and again, until it was nothing but scraps. He tossed it all into the fireplace and stirred it thoroughly. Eliano watched in silence.

“Once we arrive in the North, our marriage will be officially announced.”

Flint stared into the flames. Eliano couldn’t see his face.

“It wasn’t… rejected? I mean… I didn’t exactly get it through official means.”

She had taken the document in secret, though the temple hadn’t guarded it too tightly. She had a good image—devout, generous, well-known. No one stopped her.

She had simply entered the office during lunch and taken it. No one suspected a Rosana lady of stealing.

Looking uneasy, Eliano finally confessed. Flint reassured her with a steady voice.

“No. My lord and friend—the Little Sun—handled it perfectly.”

“…So His Majesty already knew…?”

Did the Emperor already know and just play along? Eliano felt like she’d been tricked by an old fox.

“I’m not sure, honestly.”

Flint’s expression was hard to read.

– ‘The date on the paper shows it was after she became Grand Duchess. I’ll back you.’

He wasn’t sure if the Emperor was talking about the contract or the registration.

Eliano wasn’t sure either. Did the Emperor know everything Heriath did behind the scenes?

Heriath was more like his father than people realized. He was already wielding power in the Emperor’s place. Eliano had no doubt Heriath was capable of acting without permission.

“If His Majesty really didn’t know… he’s going to be shocked by his son’s skills.”

“It’s about time he learns what Heriath is capable of.”

Flint had essentially dumped everything on Heriath—telling him to announce the marriage tomorrow.

– Announce it now? You can’t just drop this on me! My father doesn’t even know yet—at least let me explain—Flint?! Where are you going? Hey! Flint!! You can’t just throw a bomb and leave!!

Flint remembered Heriath’s panicked voice and annoyed face—but pushed the memory away.

A father sows, a son reaps. And Heriath had promised to support any woman Flint chose. A man must keep his word.

Flint reached out his hand.

“Let’s go home. Our land may not be exciting like the capital… but it’s peaceful.”

Eliano took his hand and nodded.

That night, the Duke and Duchess of Howard left the capital for the North—each carrying their own thoughts.

End of Part 1