Chapter 48

And today, Fen was in a bad mood from morning.

It was because Luithas had told him right away to come along to Uzuku’s villa today.

"…I’m an administrative type. I’m absolutely not suited for this kind of thing."

To Fen’s curt response, Luithas nodded in agreement.

"I know you’re not suited for this. But there’s no one else I can use, so there’s no choice."

"There’s no choice?"

Fen couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

"What do you mean by that lack of sincerity?

Can’t you at least flatter me a bit to boost my morale?"

"Well, if I praise you, you’ll get motivated.

You’re an excellent secretary. I’m sure you can manage a simple interview.

Besides, you have a good face, even if it’s a waste."

After saying that, Luithas suddenly stared intently at Fen’s face.

"You don’t have a bad face. So, why aren’t you married? Is it because of your personality?"

A vein popped on Fen’s temple.

"Is that the kind of thing you say now? Besides, the reason I can’t get married is because of you."

"Why?"

"Because you drag me around! "

Fen pointed at Luithas firmly. Since it was a good opportunity, he decided to voice his usual complaints to his employer.

"Even when we returned from Galantia, you brought me to Sies again right away...

Thanks to you, I spend a quarter of the year abroad.

Do you think there will be any good marriage proposals for a man who’s often away from home?"

"Still, the work can’t proceed without you. I don’t enjoy traveling abroad either.

I see...!"

Luithas suddenly snapped his fingers.

"So, the root of all evil is the Emperor...!"

...Don’t shout it out, Fen thought.

He didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.

Not wanting to continue this topic any further, Fen decided to return to the original conversation.

"...So, I just need to go to Uzuku with you today, right?"

Fen understood the situation to some extent.

If it involved a princess, it needed to be handled carefully, and in Sedea’s case, the situation was even more complicated.

Fen could well understand why the master didn’t want to involve an incompetent servant.

"So, what do I need to ask?"

Resigned, Fen asked, and Luithas immediately replied, "Anything related to Lord Glen."

"Anything about the process of Lord Glen being exiled to Uzuku, or his life after that. I want to bring back as detailed information as possible to Anchease."

Sies’s stay would last three days including today, but today was the last chance to meet Sedea.

Not only was his schedule packed, but the most frightening thing was attracting attention by visiting Sedea frequently.

To the Caines family, Sedea was both a golden egg that brought profit to White Azure and a dangerously secretive person who couldn’t be exposed.

If it were known that he was in contact with Sedea, it was impossible to predict what would happen to her.

...If only he could kidnap Sedea and take her away right now, it would be much easier.

Luithas couldn’t help but stifle a sigh.

It was probably possible to do it by force, but if he took Sedea away without following the proper procedures, it would create a rift with Sies.

It would also tarnish Sedea’s name, and there was no telling what demands would be made for compensation.

Stopping his thoughts on the impossible, Luithas decided to think about how to spend the afternoon with Sedea.

Once he returned to Anchease, it would be a while before he could meet her again.

So, he should enjoy this day properly.

As Luithas was imagining various scenarios, Fen, who had been watching him intently, asked quietly, "Are you unusually cheerful?"

"Is that so? I’m just normal."

Fen looked at Luithas suspiciously but didn’t say anything.

It might have been his imagination, and in any case, it wasn’t a big deal to Fen.

When they arrived at the villa, Sedea welcomed Luithas in the entrance hall on the first floor as if she had been eagerly awaiting their visit.

Luithas entrusted Fen to Marc and followed Sedea to the garden.

The early summer breeze tickled their noses, and the young, soft leaves of the new green trees were beautiful to the eye.

In the flower beds, colorful flowers bloomed, adding a vibrant touch to the garden.

Sedea led Luithas to a small pavilion from which the garden could be seen.

"I’ll have the tea prepared now."

Sedea said with a slight smile,

"Would you prefer herbal tea or black tea?"

"Herbal tea made from the herbs you cultivated."

"The scent of herbs can be grassy for those who are not used to them. Is that alright?"

Luithas smiled in response to her considerate question.

"That’s fine. I’ve been wanting to try it.

Do you have any recommendations?"

"Hmm..."

Sedea thought for a moment.

"Then, how about rosehip tea? It has a beautiful red color. I think you can enjoy it visually as well."

The herbal tea brought by the maid was, as Sedea had said, a vivid red color.

"Here you go."

When Luithas took a sip of the tea, a sweet and sour aroma spread in his mouth.

"It’s amazing. It’s sweet even without sugar.

Just the fruit of the flower, and yet, the vivid red color is surprising."

"Actually, the color comes from adding petals of another flower. It also adds a sour taste."

"Another flower?"

"Yes, the hibiscus flower."

Sedea then showed Luithas the rosehips used for the tea.

"Did you cultivate these roses as well, Lady Sedea?"

"I just help with watering and fertilizing, in consultation with the gardener. The thorns are quite painful, so the gardener harvests the fruits.

The cook, Martha, cuts the fruits in half and removes the white, hairy seeds."

"Remove the seeds?"

"Yes. After removing the white hair and seeds, they are washed and dried."

"It’s quite a labor-intensive process, isn’t it?"

When Luithas said this with admiration, Sedea smiled.

"I watch them work while chatting. Martha always warns me to be careful because the white hair can cause itching."

Sedea spoke happily, but Luithas felt a bit melancholic.

Sedea was not allowed to leave this place. Her only diversions were enjoying the seasons within the limited space and talking to the same servants.

...She must have wanted to leave this place since she was confined here at the age of eleven.

Luithas narrowed his eyes slightly.

He would suffocate if he were in her place.

Even if the garden was well-maintained and she spent peaceful times surrounded by kind servants, there was no future here.

A monotonous life where one was not allowed to dream or pursue anything was suffocating, no matter how comfortable it might be.

Noticing the loss of Luithas’s smile, Sedea also paused her words. Looking into his calm eyes, Luithas slowly spoke.

"I haven’t heard the original reason for your letter to me.

May I hear your wishes, Lady Sedea?"

Sedea let out a small sigh. Her eyes swept over the garden covered in new green leaves, and then she slowly lowered her gaze.

"I don’t want to stay in Sies anymore."

Sedea answered in a whisper.

"...I have memories here at the villa, and it’s hard to part with the servants, but just thinking about being connected to the Caines name makes me shudder.

In Sies, widows follow their husband’s family, but I want to return to Anchease...

Can you help me return to Anchease?"

Luithas looked straight at Sedea and nodded.

"Of course.

I never intended to leave you here in Sies."

"Then..."

Seeing Sedea’s brightening expression, Luithas interjected, "But..."

"There’s another reason for this.

I believe your life is at risk if we don’t take you away before the customs duty exemption period expires."

Sedea frowned at the unexpected words.

"My life?

And what customs duty are you talking about?"

Luithas calmly explained the conditions of the marriage and the contract to Sedea.

"The customs duty exemption period is fifteen years from the marriage, which is two years from now.

Until then, you must remain alive, but after that, your value to the Caines family will be zero.

In fact, you will become a dangerous presence just by being alive."

Sedea turned pale and weakly shook her head in denial.

"Surely, that’s not..."

"Lady Sedea.

Anchease will never leave you here.

However, it will be difficult to overturn the lies that have been built up.

If necessary, the Emperor will use force to bring you back, but we want to avoid conflict between the countries as much as possible.

We will think of a way, so please wait a little longer."

Sedea listened quietly to these words, her eyes filled with anxiety.

"I don’t doubt what you say, Lord Luithas.

...But will the Emperor really go to such lengths to help me?

I am a worthless sister to him.

And..."

Sedea bit her lip hesitantly.

"I have met the Emperor once.

He showed no interest in me.

Given the circumstances, I can’t imagine the Emperor going to such lengths for me."

Luithas let out a soft sigh.

"That was before you were married."

"Yes."

"At that time, the Emperor had no feelings for his family and only focused on inheriting the throne."

Luithas paused and looked directly at Sedea.

"Lady Sedea, the Emperor grew up without the warmth of a family.

As you know, his father was... like that."

Sedea seemed to understand what he meant and let out a bitter smile.

"His mother was also only interested in power and treated the Emperor as a mere pawn."

Sedea looked surprised.

"The Empress didn’t care for Prince Alex at all?"

It was hard to believe at first, but there were indeed parents who didn’t love their children.

Glen, for example, was a child who was ignored by his parents once he lost his political value.

"Well, he looked good on the outside, but he was quite a troubled prince."

Luithas continued matter-of-factly and then added with a self-deprecating tone,

"Well, I can’t really talk about others."

Sedea looked at him curiously. The words didn’t seem to fit the Luithas she knew.

"Lord Luithas was troubled?"

"Yes, well..."

"I can’t believe it..."

Luithas chuckled and began to talk about his upbringing.

He spoke about the time when he was unloved by his parents and became quite rebellious. He had never told this embarrassing story to the three of them.

When he was sick with a cold, he was severely scolded for not being in good shape and ordered to recover by the tea party, which left him feeling very lonely.

If he behaved improperly, he was harshly punished, but if he did well, he was praised in a cloying tone.

Despite feeling suffocated by this daily life, from the outside, Luithas seemed to be his parents’ favorite.

Because he was openly favored by his parents, he was hated by his older sister and younger brother.

"What about now?" Sedea asked.

"They’re both adults now," Luithas replied with a wry smile.

"My sister married a nobleman, and my brother became a son-in-law to a slightly lower-ranking noble family.

To help the family, they don’t want to upset me, the Emperor’s aide."

"It sounds like a twisted way of putting it."

Sedea chuckled, and Luithas replied with a straight face.

"It’s not just how it sounds; I am twisted.

The Emperor says I’m 360 degrees twisted, which makes me look like a decent young man."

"You and the Emperor are really close, aren’t you?"

Sedea said in admiration, and Luithas replied, "We are now."

"Before we met, I hated the Emperor, so I’m surprised we’ve become so close."

Luithas then told Sedea about the first time he met the Emperor.

He explained that he had been told by his parents to befriend the prince, but he only felt resentment towards the prince, the root of his troubles. Sedea seemed to understand his feelings and chuckled, saying, "It’s understandable."

When he talked about how he wanted to punch the prince, who might become the future emperor, and how he started a fight, Sedea couldn’t help but laugh. When she heard that he was sent to the reflection room, she asked curiously what it was like.

His tales of bravery during his squire days made Sedea laugh so hard that she lost track of time.

When a maid came to ask if they wanted more tea, Luithas, realizing they had gone off-topic, apologized to Sedea.

"Getting back to the Emperor, the Emperor you met at the time didn’t believe in family affection.

But after the Empress came into his life, the Emperor changed a lot.

I believe the current Emperor would definitely help you if he heard about your situation."

"...What about Prince Romaris?"

Sedea asked hesitantly, as she was very concerned about how the Emperor treated his brother who had defied him.

"He cares for him."

Luithas answered with a gentle look.

"Prince Romaris is very close to the Emperor."

"...When I heard that Prince Romaris was rehabilitated, I couldn’t believe it at first."

Sedea said in a whisper.

"To be honest, I had given up on my life until I heard about Prince Romaris.

But when I heard that even a brother who defied the Emperor was shown mercy, I started to hope that I might be saved too."

"That’s why you entrusted me with the letter, right?"

Luithas said quietly.

"Yes."

"It’s really good that you made that decision."

Hearing the heartfelt relief in his words, Sedea slowly raised her head and smiled happily.

After that, they walked around the garden and talked for a long time.

Various herbs were in bloom, and the white and light purple flowers swayed in the breeze, looking lovely.

The leaves had distinct shapes, and occasionally, Sedea would pluck a leaf and let Luithas enjoy the scent that spread from the cut.

They had so much fun and the conversation never ended, but eventually, Fen came to call Luithas, letting him know it was time to leave.

Suppressing his reluctance to leave, Luithas said goodbye to Sedea.

"I have to return to Anchease the day after tomorrow.

We won’t meet for a while."

Sedea couldn’t hide her sadness, and her eyes wavered helplessly.

The more enjoyable their time together, the more painful the parting.

She wondered when he would visit again and felt a heart-wrenching sadness, thinking she might never see him again.

Looking down at Sedea gently, Luithas asked her quietly.

"Would it be alright if I write to you after I return?"

"Eh?"

Sedea, who had been blinking rapidly to hold back her tears, looked up at the unexpected words.

"I’m returning without making any promises. If time just passes, you might feel anxious.

If you don’t mind, I would like to send you letters."

"I... I would be very happy."

Sedea answered eagerly, her face turning red with embarrassment.

She wondered if she seemed too eager and lowered her head, but when she heard Luithas’s delighted laugh, she cautiously raised her head again.

"Can I look forward to your reply?"

When asked, Sedea answered softly, "Yes."

Caught in his gentle gaze, Sedea felt as if her heart was being squeezed.

As she gazed at him, almost in a daze, Sedea suddenly realized that he must be popular with many princesses.

With his impeccable background, good looks, and position as the Emperor’s aide, he must be surrounded by women like honey.

He’s out of my reach, Sedea thought.

She had enjoyed the time with him and felt a connection, but they lived in completely different worlds.

"By the way, you’re not allowed to exchange letters, right?"

Luithas suddenly remembered and asked,

"Is it possible to exchange letters without involving Marc?"

Sedea thought for a moment.

"If you send them to the maid, Willa, under a female name, it should be discreet."

"Then, I’ll do that."

Luithas took Sedea’s hand and gently pressed his lips to it.

"I will definitely come for you. Can you believe my words and wait for me?"

Holding onto hope was actually very frightening.

But since he said so, Sedea decided to hold on to hope and fight until the end.

Sedea looked up at Luithas with trust and admiration in her eyes.

"Yes. I will wait for you, believing in your words."