Chapter 54

It's the First Prince again.

Reflecting on it, the reason I got involved was because of the incident where the First Prince attacked and made the Second Prince cry.

And this time, it's the attempted assassination of the Fourth Prince.

Knowing that he behaves quietly and tries not to stand out, I want to know why it ended up like this.

Moreover, the situation has become even more complicated with the absurd talk of curses.

The trigger was the First Prince's statement, but it was the Duke Lukaios and his circle who spread it.

It seems that the Duke Lukaios, suspecting collusion with the gardeners to obtain poison, pursued the matter rigorously.

This backfired, and the gardeners, in solidarity, gave testimony to protect the First Prince.

"A considerable number of nobles who decided to investigate the matter on their own have heard testimony from some gardeners protecting the First Prince. The day the attempted assassination was reported was the day he was scheduled to meet the gardeners to receive plants to be discarded, not an outing planned for an assassination attempt."

I was aware of this schedule, so I knew the gardeners' testimony was not a lie.

Moreover, it was the day I moved to directly supervise Levain at the request of the Duke Eulasion.

Inadvertently, I have taken steps to prove the First Prince's innocence.

"This time, it seems that Duke Lukaios has not been thorough enough. The Fourth Prince has recovered, there is no trace of poison, and the talk of curses was uncertain from the beginning. The impression is insufficient. Among those who have raised objections, there are also accusations against those who lost track of the Third and Fourth Princes."

If this happens, there will be people around Duke Lukaios who will be tarnished.

Because the Empress's family has filled the Prince's surroundings with their own people.

Most importantly, the First Prince has seen that the Empress herself has realized there is a solution.

The reason the bad reputation spread well in the case of the Second Prince crying was because there were too few people involved, and even among the parties, the actual situation was unclear.

This time, there are too many people involved, and the gardeners acted immediately after the incident.

I was surprised at how accurately they narrowed down who was where and when based on eyewitness accounts and the testimonies of those who were in the garden at that time.

"It seems they thought they could handle it as smoothly as last time, but once something happens, measures are taken. In the case of the Second Prince, the gardener who tended the area where the incident occurred was dismissed. To avoid getting burned... Levain?"

After hearing the First Prince's story, I returned to my office.

I noticed that the man who usually interrupts was silent and called out to him.

Since we didn't have to take a roundabout way this time, he shouldn't be tired.

"Did the First Prince know about the relationship between me and the Duke?"

"What? ...No way."

The only thing that comes to mind is the direct question about Levain.

It's whether Levain, knowing it would cause me trouble, prioritized his own feelings.

The comparison is to the relationship between the Emperor and the First Prince.

"Isn't that question about whether a father of high status would hold you back?"

"That's one way to take it... but, I haven't said anything about us, right?"

"Of course. Besides, I've never been asked about my personal matters. That's why I thought, maybe he knew."

I look at Levain, who smiles to hide his unease.

Even when I look at him again, I don't see any resemblance to me.

And I don't think he looks much like his mother either.

Still, his personality shows the influence of his mother, and sometimes it makes me wonder if it's my blood.

"......If it comes to it, you don't have to worry about causing me trouble."

Reflecting on it, we never formally introduced ourselves.

Levain's mother was my lover in Lukisaria.

We had promised to marry, and the preparations for the engagement were underway.

Then came the talk of my marriage into the Duke's family, which felt like an order from my family.

The groundwork had been done before I was told.

My lover's family, unable to compete, backed down, and if I resisted, it would affect the marriages of my younger siblings.

My lover concluded that we couldn't be together if it would harm her family and the country.

At that time, we talked it over and parted ways.

"My mother said, when she realized she couldn't marry, that she had taken your first time."

My face heats up, despite my age.

Because it's an undeniable fact.

In reality, I was asked to have a physical relationship to satisfy her, and I, considering marriage as a duty of those born into noble families, agreed to it to cut my ties.

I swore that my heart would never leave Lukisaria, and we shared a bed.

And Levain was born from that one time.

"Even when she said she was going to run away with me, she laughed and said she would come for me. There was a time when, as a child, I thought if I ever met my father, I would never acknowledge him."

Listening to Levain's recollections, I can't say anything.

I made a promise, I took an oath, and I think of my current role as Duke Strategos as just a duty.

Still, there is no one waiting for me anymore.

I was too late.

"......I'm sorry."

"No, when I saw her come running in, her hair in disarray, crying and begging her not to die, I realized my mother was right."

Should I apologize for that too?

Honestly, I was so focused on the fact that the person I loved was on her deathbed that I forgot to even speak to my son, whom I was meeting for the first time.

"So, it's a bit frustrating, but as the First Prince said, I don't intend to cause you any trouble, and I have no complaints about the current situation."

It seems that the First Prince's insight into his feelings was something he resented.

I feel the same way about not wanting my inner self to be exposed.

I loved someone who I could expose myself to and lay everything bare.

I was fortunate to have met such a person.

If Levain meets such a person, I have decided to fully support him when the time comes.

"Since I'm asking anyway, why didn't you elope, even though you cried so much at the funeral?"

Levain asks as if it's no big deal, but this is the first time he's brought it up.

Despite his seemingly rude behavior, I realized there was a line he wouldn't cross.

Whatever the reason, now that I've laid it all out, I intend to be honest.

"On the day I found out I was pregnant, I proposed to elope and was turned down."

"Huh?"

"I had no intention of making the child suffer, and immediately. Moreover, I was grilled about the place to run away to, the means of living, the follow-up for those left behind, and the life plan after the child was born."

The endless questions told the story of the person I loved, who had truly agonized over it.

It's impossible to make everything go smoothly.

That's why she decided not to elope.

"I was sent away with the words, 'I'll wait for you, so come back and propose again when you're properly settled.'"

To finish my duties in the Duke Strategos family, get a divorce, and return to marry again.

"I was also warned that if I took too long, I would be greeted by a son or daughter who was no longer there."

Levain seemed to want to say something but stopped.

In the end, the person I loved passed away from illness, leaving behind only a son.

If the King of Lukisaria hadn't informed me, ignoring her wish never to tell me, I would never have met her again.

The person I loved was very angry that I would form attachments.

"......What's the right thing to do? Do the people of the Duke's family know about me?"

Levain asked as if he could read my mind.

I still don't know what's right.

Still, I move forward thinking it's for the better, and if I can't figure it out, I stick to my own way.

I have to stand tall and declare it's right, or I can't face those I didn't choose.

"The previous generation knows. My wife is aware."

"Really? Then what about the Duke's children?"

If I say it, they are Levain's siblings.

Two daughters were born before the heir son.

"They shouldn't know."

When the time comes, I expect to be berated.

That's why I've kept my distance from the children, not showing them any kindness, and have only acted as a Duke.

For a long time, the only child I could call my own was one.

But even that one son, I can't call by that name face-to-face.

I still don't know what's right.

But in the face of such overwhelming emotion, the right answer is trivial.

Speaking of which, the First Prince and Levain, who said they would suppress their emotions for someone else, are more capable than I am.

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