ELND Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Blasphemous Affection

December 12, 2023

An hour later — inside the Emperor’s private reception room.

“Henry Barth…”

Emperor Letitz muttered, pouring whiskey into a crystal glass.

“Yes, I remember him now. He never struck me as particularly reliable for a head of a noble family, but at least his looks were decent enough.”

Tsk.
A small click of his tongue echoed faintly through the quiet room.

“…Such a fine-looking face, only to end up so grotesquely ruined in death. What a pity.”

The Emperor shook his head, then personally handed out the whiskey glasses.

“Have a drink, everyone. This one’s for our Cedric, this for High Priest Diart, and—ah, Grand Duchess, perhaps this whiskey is too strong for your taste?”

Letitz offered me the glass across from him.

Because of that disgraceful incident, the imperial banquet had ended earlier than planned. Afterward, Emperor Letitz had invited us here, saying he wanted to unwind in private.

I shook my head and accepted the glass.

“Not at all. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

At that moment, nothing seemed more necessary than a strong drink.

Henry Barth.

I had seen his mangled corpse with my own eyes.

Henry Barth dying so suddenly like that… In the original story, he and Robellia still had a long way to go before their plotline ended.

As I struggled to steady my racing thoughts, I took another sip of whiskey.

Cedric, who had been quietly observing my face, gently rested a hand on my shoulder.

“Rebecca, that’s a strong drink. You should pace yourself.”

I nodded slowly.

“I know. I do… but right now, I really need it.”

Cedric exhaled softly, sympathy flickering in his eyes.

“You seem quite shaken. I was worried about you.”

No sooner had Cedric spoken than Emperor Letitz’s eyes widened.

So did High Priest Diart’s.

“You two just now…”

Diart seemed to realize too late that he’d spoken aloud. He quickly shut his mouth and turned away, displeasure evident on his face.

Before another tense silence could form between Cedric and Diart, the Emperor swiftly changed the subject.

“To lose a husband so suddenly — what a tragedy for the poor wife!”

He hurriedly turned to Cedric again.

“Ah, you must know of her, being a fellow northerner — Robellia Barth, the only daughter of the Barth family. Her husband inherited the countship through her, I believe?”

Cedric nodded.

“Yes. She’s not one to appear often in society, but I’ve met her.”

“Good. Since she’s also from the Grand Duchy of Twins, please see that she’s looked after.”

“Of course.”

Cedric’s tone was dry — so dry that it was clear he didn’t care in the slightest about Robellia’s affairs.

Apparently sensing the same thing, Cedric soon steered the conversation elsewhere.

“Has there been any result from the investigation?”

Letitz’s face tightened slightly.

“They found no trace of foul play. No one knows why he went up to that deserted upper floor, and there were no witnesses.”

“…”

“In the end, they had to conclude it was an accident — he must have slipped while drunk. Several guests said they saw him drinking heavily that evening.”

“There wasn’t anything suspicious at all?” Cedric pressed.

Letitz rubbed his chin for a while before nodding slowly.

“There was one thing… but I doubt it means much.”

After a brief pause, he gave a faint, almost incredulous laugh.

“A piece of straw.”

“…?”

“He was clutching it in his hand — like it was something precious. No idea where in the palace he could’ve picked that up.”

“S–Straw?”

The word escaped me in a shrill whisper before I could stop myself.

The Emperor blinked slowly.

“Yes, straw…”

At that, Cedric and I immediately locked eyes.

Straw… Could it be related to that straw doll?

Cedric seemed to be thinking the same thing.

As we exchanged uneasy glances, the Emperor muttered again, shaking his head.

“Still, it’s absurd when you think about it. Straw, of all things! If it had been that note, perhaps I’d understand…”

“Note?” I asked.

“Oh, right. Those who spoke with Henry Barth at the banquet said he went upstairs after receiving a note — supposedly from Viscount Revatt.”

“Then wouldn’t that make Viscount Revatt the prime suspect?” Cedric asked sharply.

“If only it were that simple. But the viscount swears he never sent such a note. His companions confirmed he’d been with them the entire time.”

Letitz sighed.

“Worse yet, the note itself was never found — not on the body, nor anywhere nearby.”

At that, High Priest Diart frowned faintly.

“Then why would Count Barth lie about receiving such a note? Why claim that, and go upstairs?”

“…Perhaps he couldn’t reveal who truly sent it,” I murmured to myself.

When I lifted my gaze, all three men were staring straight at me.

Startled, I blinked rapidly, and the Emperor spoke.

“Explain further, Grand Duchess.”

At the sound of that title, Diart’s expression soured — clearly still displeased that the Emperor continued to address me that way.

I paused briefly before continuing.

“If someone would lie to everyone around him — even his wife — just to meet another person, then there are three likely possibilities.”

“Which are?”

“Someone he was conspiring with on a secret, illicit plan… someone who was blackmailing him… or someone he was having an affair with.”

I lowered my gaze, then met the Emperor’s eyes again.

“Or perhaps all three.”

“…!”

Letitz’s eyes widened.

“You’re saying Count Barth’s death could involve revenge — or a crime of passion?”

I shook my head.

“I’m only referring to the sender of the note. I can’t say that person killed him, Your Majesty.”

“…”

“Though, given the circumstances, it’s certainly a strong possibility.”

As far as I knew, the only person Henry would secretly meet behind his wife’s back was Camilla Dimitri.

And now that the note’s sender was the prime suspect, I could no longer pretend ignorance of their affair.

I met the Emperor’s gaze squarely.

“Your Majesty, perhaps you should launch a full investigation into Count Barth’s personal relationships — any possible grudges or affairs.”

Of course, once Camilla and Henry’s affair came to light, Robellia would also be under suspicion.

In crimes of passion, the betrayed spouse was always the first suspect.

I do feel bad for Robellia, but… there’s no avoiding it.

Besides, she herself would hardly want her husband’s death to be dismissed as a mere accident.

And neither did I.

This investigation had to continue — one way or another.

If I can just trace where that straw came from, I might finally get a clue.

If the straw doll had somehow appeared even inside the Imperial Palace, then this was no small matter.

Of course, it could also turn out to be unrelated…

But whatever the result, it’s better to know than not.

As I gathered my thoughts and looked up, I found the Emperor watching me intently.

“That’s quite…” He trailed off, blinking. “Quite a reasonable point.”

Letitz nodded slowly a few times, then spoke with conviction.

“I’ll order a thorough investigation into Count Barth’s personal affairs.”

He immediately summoned an attendant and gave the command.

Once the servant left the room, Letitz looked back at me.

“…You truly have changed, Grand Duchess.”

He said it like he was seeing me anew.

Even Diart seemed surprised. Cedric, meanwhile, just looked quietly pleased.

Feeling self-conscious, I tried to lighten the mood.

“Changed? Has gossip about me reached the capital already?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Then what made you say that?”

“It was Cedric.”

“Pardon?”

Letitz smiled faintly.

“Every time your name comes up lately, his expression completely changes.”

“Your Majesty, that’s hardly necessary—!” Cedric protested, uncharacteristically flustered.

The Emperor’s grin only widened.

“Oh, come now, Grand Duchess, let me finish. In the past, whenever your name was mentioned, Cedric’s expression would turn icy cold — enough to give even me chills.”

“Ah… Your Majesty, must you really—”

“Let me finish!”

He gestured for me to lean closer, and when I did, he lowered his voice.

“But these days, it’s completely different.”

“…How so?”

“The moment your name comes up — no, even when someone says something that just sounds like your name — he can’t stop smiling. Even if he’s furious from a meeting.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. He tries to hide it, but he can’t fool me.”

Letitz chuckled, clearly enjoying Cedric’s deepening blush.

“Cedric, is that true?” I teased.

“Haa…”

Cedric sighed in defeat but didn’t deny it.

I was trying not to laugh when a sharp, cutting voice suddenly sliced through the air.

“It seems the Grand Duke and Duchess have become quite comfortable with one another.”

The atmosphere froze instantly.

All eyes turned to High Priest Diart.

But he showed no hint of emotion — his face remained cool, his tone colder still.

“Divorced couples rarely grow so… affectionate, I’ve heard. Especially those who, before their divorce, could barely stand to look at each other.”

A faint, derisive sound escaped his lips.

“Have you perhaps grown accustomed to playing husband and wife again?”

His words were openly mocking — the chill in his voice unmistakable.

“Or… could it be…”

He paused, eyes narrowing like blades of ice.

“…that some blasphemous affection has begun to bloom between you?”