Chapter 53

I'm sorry, it's short.

This is the first time I'm doing an interlude (from a different character's perspective) in the novel version.

Elenora Hillrose was moving quickly down the corridor of the ducal mansion in the capital. She had been called by her beloved father for an important talk.

She burst into the Duke of Hillrose's room without knocking.

"Father! I'm here!"

"...Elenora, you should knock before entering a room. And try to be a bit quieter."

"I understand!"

When Elenora replied energetically, the Duke sighed and told her to sit down.

With an excited expression, she sat down and he handed her a large envelope. She took it with both hands and tried to open it with a curious look.

However, the Duke of Hillrose called out to stop her.

"Wait, that's not for you, Elenora. I want you to deliver it to Ronald."

"Is it a letter for my brother?"

"Yes, that's right. After you deliver it, stay with Ronald."

"I understand!"

Not fully grasping what it meant to stay with Ronald, the Duke explained in simpler terms.

"...You will be living at Ronald's house for a while. Take only the most important things with you."

"Is it like a sleepover!?"

Elenora's eyes sparkled with joy. As she thought about what to pack, smiling, the Duke emphasized.

"Really, only take the most important things. Think of it as if you won't be coming back here."

"Eh? I don't want to not come back! I won't be able to see Father!"

"...I mean, think of it that way. We will meet again, I love you, Elenora."

"I love you too!"

The Duke gave Elenora a light hug and then indicated that the conversation was over, urging her to leave the room.

She left the room in high spirits without looking back. She didn't notice her father's somber face, nor did she realize that this was the last time she would see her beloved Duke.

The Duke, left alone in the room, closed his eyes and held back his tears. He had a mission. He had no time to cry.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, the Duke of Hillrose twisted his lips into a smirk.

"The time has finally come for the Duke's mission, the time to rebel against the royal family. Everything is ready; all that's left is to prepare the one who will carry on our will."

He was completely confident that his plan would succeed. He believed that his son, who had received the plan, would handle it well.

"Shall I go to the Dorkness territory?"

The Duke stood up with a sense of purpose. His destination was the place where the person he had in mind as a successor was located.

Up to this point, his plan had been perfect... except for one point.

◆ ◆ ◆

After leaving the Duke's room, Elenora was rummaging through her private room for things she needed for the sleepover.

There was a knock on the door. The voice of a servant from the ducal mansion could be heard.

"A letter has arrived for you, Miss."

"A letter? From whom?"

"From Lord Dorkness."

"Yumiera!?"

Usually, Elenora was the one who went to see Yumiera, and the reverse was extremely rare. Therefore, Elenora was very happy to receive a letter from her best friend.

She snatched the letter from the servant and eagerly tore it open, scanning the words on the page.

"I did it!"

"Miss, please calm down."

Elenora suddenly made a victory pose.

The letter informed her of Yumiera and Patrick's engagement, and it mentioned that their wedding would take place in six months.

Ignoring the servant's attempts to calm her, Elenora jumped up and down with joy.

"How wonderful! Oh, I must go and congratulate Yumiera! Prepare the carriage! I'm going to the Dorkness territory!"

Elenora rushed out of the ducal mansion in her current attire, heading to where her friend needed to be congratulated.

Under her arm, she carried the large envelope she had received from her father.

What was thought to begin and end in the capital, the decisive battle would take place in the Dorkness territory.