Chapter 93

Adel gazed at Cain's face and slowly closed her eyes. Why wouldn't she miss him? This was her homeland, where she had loved every inch. If she could return... But then, a firm and composed voice echoed in her mind.

"I will try to correct the wrongs as His Majesty said and create a better world."

The calm face of the man who had fallen asleep in exhaustion also came to mind. The sensation of the hot lips that had touched hers resurfaced, making her heart surge. What he promised and aimed to achieve was a revolution if successful, but a rebellion if it failed. Yet, Lionel Herbert had willingly become the emperor's target by bringing her to the duke's residence. If the emperor openly attacked Herbert, his situation would become even more precarious. Imagining Lionel bleeding and dying, Adel's eyes snapped open. She couldn't bring herself to look at Cain properly and mumbled an excuse.

"There's still something I need to do."

"…What do you need to do?"

Adel took a deep breath to steady her trembling voice and faced Cain. Her beautiful green eyes were trembling. Though she felt truly sorry for those who had come from afar, she couldn't leave Lionel behind.

"Present-day Echmont is rotten to the core. The emperor, who has taken control of the mage guild, is turning this place into a hell. A revolution will soon break out. I am needed here..."

"Does it matter?"

Cain boldly interrupted her, which was unprecedented.

"Your Majesty, you are no longer the Empress of Echmont but the Princess of Gotropf. Why should you care what happens to Echmont? A revolution? If it fails, it's treason. Are you really going to join such a dangerous endeavor?"

"Cain, stop it."

Gibelin, unable to bear it, tried to calm the agitated Cain and spoke to Adel.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider. Although Cain was rude, isn't he right? Moreover, if you get involved in treason and something happens to you... I cannot agree."

Adel's eyes, which she had been trying to keep composed, became vacant at the sincere advice of her two loyal subjects. As Gibelin tried to suppress his sadness, Cain, who had calmed down, took out a letter from Emperor Lucio of Gotropf from his pocket and handed it to Adel. He spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

"This is a letter from His Majesty to you. His Majesty said that if you are unhappy, he will wage war to bring you back to Gotropf. Gotropf is waiting for you."

Adel took the letter from Cain. Though it was just a piece of paper, it felt unbearably heavy, and her hand dropped. After a long silence, Adel finally spoke.

"Give me time to think."

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Adel left the parlor and walked alone down the dark corridor. She felt suffocated and lost. The dark corridor seemed to mirror her current reality. The letter from Lucio in her hand was still unopened. When she reached the corridor where her room was, Adel involuntarily stopped. Someone was standing guard in the dark corridor.

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Lionel, who had been pacing in front of the parlor, finally turned around. He felt weak for constantly listening to the voices from the other side of the door. As he walked aimlessly, he found himself in front of her room. A short while ago, he had shared a breath with her in this room. When her soft, hot lips touched his, Lionel thought it would be fine even if this was the end of his life. The burning eyes and the slender arms that wrapped around his shoulders seemed like a dream. As he reminisced about the moment of ecstasy, the demon in his heart spoke up.

"Is there a place for me in her heart?"

The sudden question made Lionel's eyes widen. His heart began to beat wildly. The revolution he aimed for, under the guise of a noble cause, was not truly just. If the world knew the deep, crimson desire that stirred within him, he would face immense condemnation. But so what? Honor was never important to him. Not even for Adel. Only for himself. His soul was bound to her, even after just two seasons. Lionel couldn't live without Adel. He didn't want her to go to Gotropf. Cain Nocks and Gibelin Ruhane... He hated the loyal subjects she trusted and relied on. If only they hadn't come... If only they hadn't made her think about going to Gotropf... Lionel laughed bitterly at his despicable self. Leaning against the wall, he watched the passage of time. Suddenly, he heard a noise from the end of the corridor. Turning his gaze, he saw a transparent silhouette in the dim corridor. He recognized her immediately. His heart sank.

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Thankfully, it's dark. She won't see this wretched expression. Adel clenched her teeth and walked faster. She reached for the doorknob, still avoiding him.

"Go back and rest, Duke."

Just as she was about to enter the room, an urgent question stopped her.

"Are you leaving?"

His voice was so soft and fragile that Adel involuntarily turned to face him. He couldn't even reach out to her, and he looked at her with a devastated expression. When Adel didn't answer, Lionel pleaded with all his sincerity.

"Can't you stay here...?"

"…I am a deposed empress."

Her royal status was both a trap and an anchor. Like an animal that had been tied up all its life and couldn't move even when the leash was removed, Adel had always been weighed down by her status and had never thought of any other life. She had never lived a single moment as just 'Adelinde,' which was why she was so shaken. Seeing her this way, Lionel was overwhelmed by a strong impulse. He wanted to be the soil where this proud person could root, the anchor, the rest. He wanted to live with her.

"I will give you everything I have."

As Adel looked at him with wide eyes, Lionel slowly knelt down.

"Duke!"

Shocked, she tried to stop him, but Lionel, still on his knees, looked up at her and spoke.

"Give me everything you have. Take everything I have and do as you see fit. Use me as a tool, a stepping stone, or a shield."

"…What are you saying!"

"Marry me."

As Adel stood in shock, Lionel poured out his heart, feeling it was his last chance.

"Take everything I have. I want to be yours."

Tears rolled down his cheeks.

Adel stared at him in silence, then slowly turned around. The door closed silently.

＊ ＊ ＊

Adel entered the room and closed the door, breathing heavily.

"Marriage..."

The soul that had been detached from the name of royalty was as fragile as a newborn, without a single callus. In front of the man's earnest plea to take everything he had, her fragile soul was shaken. Adel closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. The letter slipped from her limp hand. She opened her eyes, looked at the letter on the floor, and bent down to pick it up. She tore open the rough envelope, revealing a piece of fine paper. With trembling hands, Adel unfolded Lucio's letter. The first line read, "To my dear sister," in elegant handwriting. Adel bit her lip and opened her eyes wide.

"Adel, my sister!!"

If Lucio had been wary of her, she might have felt less guilty. His voice echoed in her ears. Before leaving for Echmont, Adel had left a letter for Lucio, pouring out her inner feelings. She had written it coldly to prevent him from blaming himself for her departure. [Sometimes, when hard days come, I am overwhelmed by baseless hatred.] Lucio, who was wise, couldn't have missed the meaning, yet his reply was affectionate. As Adel read the long letter, tears streamed down her cheeks. She covered her mouth with one hand to stifle her sobs. [Sister, what I truly want is your safety and happiness. You have never lived for yourself, always fulfilling your duties as the Princess of Gotropf. If I had known you would go there, I would have told you earlier. I am sorry it is too late.] Adel finally collapsed on the floor. [Sister, if you are unhappy there, don't worry about honor or reputation. I will come to get you. If you truly want the throne of Gotropf and it will make you happy, I will gladly give it to you.] She thought she was walking alone. How selfish and arrogant was that? The young Lucio already knew everything. He knew what was troubling his sister but pretended not to, staying by her side. [Sister, I truly want you to be happy. Live for your own happiness, as you have dedicated yourself to Gotropf. Whatever it is, I will help you.] Adel read Lucio's letter over and over. Time seemed to stand still. Her gaze was fixed on the air, but her soul was retracing every moment of her life. The fleeting images of the past and the countless possibilities of the future. She wasn't unhappy. Every moment, fulfilling her duties as a royal and exploring the countryside with her friends, was brilliant. The moments walking hand in hand with her young brother were no different. But in every moment of her life, Adel's priority was never herself. Wasn't it natural? As the Princess of Gotropf, she had to fulfill her duties. She cherished the rights and obligations given by her name. On the day she had to let go of the things she stubbornly clung to, she thought the only thing left was death. Adel got up and brought out a small box hidden in a deep corner. She took out the death inside and stared at it. At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty, it's Cain Nocks."

Adel quickly closed the box, put it aside, and straightened her clothes before answering.

"Come in."

The heavy door slowly opened, and a familiar figure appeared.

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The door closed in front of him, but Lionel couldn't call out to her or knock on the door. His intense emotions wouldn't subside. He slowly got up and walked down the corridor. She was his hell and his heaven. He wanted his life to end here, but a lingering hope kept him from letting go. When Lionel reached the end of the corridor and turned around, a sharp, hostile gaze pierced him like a volley of arrows. Cain Nocks, who had been standing in the middle of the corridor where the stairs turned, glared at Lionel from the darkness. Lionel took a deep breath and looked at Cain, showing no sign of the vulnerability he had displayed in front of Adel. He descended the stairs without hesitation. Just as he was about to leave, a cold voice pierced his ear.

"You dare to desire someone as noble as her. Never show your heart to her again."

Lionel stopped, slowly turned around, and looked at Cain. Their sharp gazes clashed in the air.