The Role of Grand Duchess - Chapter 15

“No, rather, it’s alright. It’s like I’m paying the price for carrying a curse my whole life without even knowing it.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“I mean, this magical energy feels quite familiar to me.”

Caelus chuckled and raised his hand. His wound indeed looked different from the other knights whose flesh was rotting away, consumed by the flames of magical energy.

Relief flickered across Count Roang’s face. But he couldn’t let his guard down. Black magic had disappeared hundreds of years ago. Therefore, since so little was known, there could be any number of symptoms or aftereffects.

As they descended to the lower floor, an old wizard in white robes greeted Caelus.

“It is an honor to meet you like this. Crown Prince, no, Grand Duke. I am Artu, the Master of the Magic Tower.”

“Are you also one of the late Emperor’s people?”

“The entire Magic Tower is. And now, we are all Your Highness’s people.”

“That’s a welcome thing.”

At Caelus’s words, spoken with a gentle smile, the wrinkled eyes of the wizard Artu widened. He had secretly observed Caelus several times over the past 20 years. He knew all too well Caelus’s condition, how he had been desensitized to everything by the curse.

Indeed, the curse is gone.

He was overcome with emotion, but at the same time, he felt endlessly guilty and sorry that they had failed to lift the curse, forcing someone who could smile so kindly to live like that all along.

Therefore, from now on, he would help as much as he could.

“If I may be so bold, may I examine Your Highness’s body?”

“Do so.”

With permission granted, Artu carefully examined his body. He paid particular attention to the magical energy still felt at the back of his neck, where the mark of the curse had been etched, and unleashed purification magic to its maximum.

As a pure white light enveloped his body, the magical energy that had been wriggling around the back of his neck flinched and retreated inward. However, with the magical power he possessed, it was impossible to uproot it entirely right now.

Wiping the sweat that trickled down his forehead with a weary expression, Artu sighed deeply.

“The curse has definitely been lifted. The energy that had been blocking me from even examining Your Highness’s entire body has completely dissipated. However, some traces of the magical energy that had been lurking for a long time still remain.”

“I can feel it. It’s like a stubborn glue, giving off a sticky stench.”

“So that’s how you feel it.”

“It must be because my body has become accustomed to it.”

“If I perform purification magic a few more times, it seems it can be completely eliminated. As soon as my magical power is replenished…”

“No, there is something to do before that.”

“What is it?”

“I must find and eradicate all the remaining remnants. Now that I can distinguish those who possess magical energy.”

“Oh, indeed!”

“Therefore, prepare for departure immediately. We are going to the Imperial Palace.”

“Right away?”

“There is a very old fox hiding there, reeking of a strong stench.”

At Caelus’s words, Count Roang’s eyes widened. The old fox. It was obvious who he was referring to. Empress Pamela. It must be her. The Master of the Magic Tower also thought of the same person and nodded firmly.

“We cannot afford to give them more time to hide. You are right. The wizards of the Magic Tower will also join.”

As if responding to Artu’s resolute will, Caelus nodded solemnly.

“I will sweep away all those who assassinated the late Emperor and are gnawing away at the Empire with my own hands.”

***

Preparations for departure proceeded quickly. Leaving behind only the minimum number of troops to protect Eileen, all the knights and soldiers raced towards the Imperial Capital as the light of dawn began to seep in faintly.

Eileen woke up completely after the sun had risen. She looked around blankly for a moment, then suddenly jumped up. As she did, the blanket she had been covering slipped down, revealing her naked body, marked with Caelus’s traces. Hastily covering herself with the blanket, she muttered, looking at the empty space beside her on the bed, where no warmth remained.

“Where did he go?”

It was already absurd that she was occupying Caelus’s bed, but the injured person was not in the room.

“Did he go… to receive treatment?”

“Yes, that’s right, Grand Duchess.”

“You are…”

From who knows when, a young maid who had been guarding Eileen’s room yesterday emerged from the dressing room inside the room, holding new clothes and a towel in her arms, smiling brightly.

“Good morning, Grand Duchess. I am Erica, the maid in charge of serving Your Highness here.”

“I, see. But did the Grand Duke go to receive treatment?”

“Yes. It seems that treatment would take a long time here, so he went to the Magic Tower. He will be back soon, so the Grand Duchess can rest at the mansion.”

Watching Erica, who was naturally lying as she had been instructed in advance, Eileen nodded slightly.

He’s already seriously injured, but he did that kind of thing with me all night, so he must be in more pain.

Why did he do that?

I should have stopped him somehow.

Regret washed over her along with worry. At the same time, the embarrassing lovemaking of the previous night came to mind, and her face flushed red. The shameful memory of sitting on top of him and shaking her hips was vivid.

“Oh my! It seems the fever hasn’t subsided yet. I’ll call a doctor!”

Surprised by the Grand Duchess’s complexion, which had turned red in an instant, Erica quickly turned towards the door. Eileen hurriedly grabbed her.

“No! No, it’s just… I think I just need to take a bath. You don’t need to call a doctor.”

“But you don’t look well.”

“I’m really okay. So… I’ll take a bath first. I want to wash off all the sweat.”

“Yes. Then I’ll help you with your bath first. And then the doctor…”

“No! Alone, I’ll do it alone, so just bring the clothes to change into inside the bathroom.”

As she watched Eileen, who was at a loss and refusing assistance, Erica’s eyes caught sight of her mottled neck. She had been serving nobles since she was young, so she was quick-witted.

“Yes? Ah… Yes, I understand!”

Seeing Erica, who smiled knowingly and flung open the bathroom door to start preparing the bath, Eileen’s face turned even redder.

Anyway, after safely finishing her bath and having a simple breakfast, Eileen finally came out of the room. She lightly responded to the greetings of the familiar knights guarding the door and went downstairs, with Erica following closely behind.

“Would you like to look around the mansion?”

“No, I’m just feeling stuffy and thought I’d get some air.”

“Then I’ll guide you to the garden.”

“Thank you.”

“Hehe. You’re welcome.”

Erica smiled brightly and opened the front door of the mansion. Just then, a coach that had arrived in front of the mansion, and the coachman who got off shouted at them.

“Greetings. We are from Stair Estate. We have brought urgent news.”

“Stair Estate?”

Erica, who did not know Eileen’s original surname, tilted her head. The knights at the door were also wary of the suddenly appearing stranger. Then Eileen hurriedly stopped them and stepped forward.

“They are from my hometown. But how did they get here?”

“The Countess sent someone to deliver a letter.”

“My mother?”

“Yes.”

As the coachman opened the door of the coach he had driven, an ordinary-looking woman and a woman wearing a white nurse’s mask got out one after another.

“We greet the Grand Duchess. I’m Jenny, a nurse from Hamal Medical Center in Stair Estate.”

Following the masked woman, a woman with a sword at her waist also bowed her head.

“I’m Yanes, Jenny’s escort mercenary.”

“Medical Center? Has something bad happened to my mother?”

“It’s not something I can say where others are present…”

Seeing Jenny’s hesitant expression, Eileen nodded urgently and turned around.

“Let’s go to my room.”

“Yes.”

Jenny followed Eileen, who was hurrying inside, with quick steps. Yanes also moved with sharp eyes.

“Wait a minute. You, mercenary. Leave your sword outside.”

“I will.”

Yanes obediently released her sword and handed it to the knight, following Eileen and Jenny, who were walking ahead.

“Ah, wait a minute.”

“What is it now?”

“Nothing. Just go.”

The knight, who had been about to search her body in case she had any weapons, shook his head.

She was just a woman, and she was wearing tight-fitting clothes that emphasized the curves of her entire body, so it didn’t seem like there was any place to hide a weapon separately. Besides, they would be guarding the door.

The knights followed them with sharp eyes and took their places in front of Eileen’s room.

And Eileen arrived at the room and, as soon as she closed the door, received the letter that Jenny handed her.

Tearing off the beeswax with the Earl’s seal and opening the envelope, a hazy powder burst out from inside and covered Eileen’s face.

Before she could even scream, her consciousness faded away. In her blurring vision, Jenny’s red eyes, wearing a strange smile, flickered.

Just before her unconscious body was thrown to the floor, Yanes lightly picked Eileen up.

Yanes, who already knew what to do, watched Rowena, who was disguised as Jenny, throw away the wig she had been wearing and took off Eileen’s clothes.

The time it took for the two people’s clothes to be exchanged, for Eileen to be fitted with the wig and mask that she had brought, and for Rowena to put on a wig that was the same color as Eileen’s hair, was only a few minutes.

“Handle it well.”

Yanes nodded, understanding the words spoken by the venomous red eyes, and took out a scroll from her bosom, tore it against Eileen’s body. Then Eileen’s body, which had been lying unconscious, rose on its own and opened its eyes. With unfocused, blurry eyes, Eileen, who had become like a marionette doll, began to walk with her head bowed as Yanes manipulated her.

When the door opened, the knights saw Eileen, who had been made up to imitate Yanes and Jenny.

“We have delivered the letter and the message, so we will be going. But the Grand Duchess seems to be in a bit of shock. She’s crying.”

“What? Why?”

“The Countess is very ill. Prepare your heart…”

The knights’ faces hardened as they watched Yanes, who deliberately trailed off. For such bad news to come to the Grand Duchess at a time like this.

“It would be best to leave the Grand Duchess alone for a while. Then we have a long way to go back, so we’ll be going now.”

Yanes naturally manipulated Eileen to leave the mansion. And Rowena, who was occupying Eileen’s bed, smiled victoriously.

She smiled brightly, caressing the love potion she had hidden in her bosom. In her eyes, filled with elation, Caelus’s handsome naked body flickered as if she could reach out and grab it.

Come quickly, my love, Caelus. Today, I will conceive your child.

***

At the same time, in front of the Descartes Imperial Palace.

The knights of the North, the wizards of the Magic Tower, and even the allied forces of the nobles who followed Grand Duke Caelus.

A large number of troops had gathered.

However, instead of ordering an advance, Caelus stood in front of the gates of the Imperial Palace. Because there was no trace of sticky magical energy anywhere in the Imperial Palace.

Standing proudly in front of the massive gates, with the dignity of a king overflowing, Count Roang, Master Artu, and Duke Demaris, the representative of the noble alliance, stood behind him.

“I seek an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

At the majestic appearance, overflowing with the dignity of a monarch, the knights guarding the main gate of the Imperial Palace involuntarily stepped back. Regardless of treason or anything else, the military force lined up behind him already far exceeded the number of troops within the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Guards, who had no loyalty to protect the Emperor at the risk of their lives, did not dare to block Caelus’s path.

However, the Emperor’s direct bodyguards, who were guarding the main hall, were different. They stood in Caelus’s path with faces prepared for death. In particular, the face of the captain of the guard, who was standing right in front of Caelus, was full of determination.

“This is treason! Immediately disband the soldiers and retreat! Otherwise, it will be difficult to avoid beheading!”

“I know your loyalty well, so step aside.”

“My sword will never! Allow a traitor to stand before His Majesty the Emperor! Retreat!”

With bloodshot eyes, the captain of the guard shouted at the top of his lungs. Caelus stared at him intently, recalling Emperor Bailian, who would be sitting on the throne inside the main hall.

“Yes, now that I think about it, you may be foolish now and then, but you never seemed to be an evil person. That’s why these people are making such a fuss to protect their lord.”

‘Then these guys aren’t worth my blade either.’

Solidifying his resolve, Caelus conspicuously patted the sword hanging at his waist.

“If I were going to kill you, why would I be standing here without even drawing my sword?”

“Shut up!”

The knight commander was trembling, but he looked ready to swing his sword at any moment. Despite doing nothing, Caelus exuded the aura of a ferocious beast, and the commander was squeezing out every ounce of courage and loyalty he possessed.

“Step aside! Or I will strike down the traitor!”

His desperate cry echoed before the grand hall. But at that moment, the tightly shut doors of the grand hall swung open, and Emperor Bailian’s voice rang out.

“If I grant an audience, it is not treason. Is it not, Commander?”