IMVTD| Chapter 18

Episode 18

“So you’re saying Prince Leocus actually sent this?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Unlike the other royal guards in dark uniforms, the man in front of Diana wore white, and he eyed her cautiously

while she reread the letter.

This was no small matter for her—it could decide the course of her life.

“When I asked him to handle it, I thought he’d do a sloppy job just to get it over with.”

She could still remember the look on Leocus’s face the last time they spoke—one of the few royals who never

welcomed her.

Being born out of wedlock herself, Diana had felt a strange kinship toward him. Over time, they’d even started

making deals when their interests aligned.

“He made sure it was done properly, right?”

“Should I bring you her body as proof?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Diana hesitated for a moment.

If they brought back Emilia’s corpse, Edwin might finally accept she was gone. But she decided against it—there was a

risk it could break him completely.

It was hard to believe, but Edwin was already in a bad state because of her. She hated admitting it, yet she couldn’t

deny what she saw.

She glanced at her own hands—her nails were ruined, ragged where she’d once had perfect manicures just days ago.

What he needs most right now is time.

If Emilia was dead, searching for her was pointless. The search would waste time, and during that time, Diana could

turn Edwin’s heart toward herself.

She was confident she could do it. So she decided to be satisfied with the news of Emilia’s death.

Leocus hated the Herman family too—no way he left her alive.

Instead of pushing for more proof, she asked the messenger,

“Why did you come instead of my brother?”

Leocus usually came in person when it was important, even if he teased her endlessly. That he sent someone else was

strange.

The messenger, recalling his instructions, answered, “His Highness said he wanted to take a vacation. A long one this

time, so we’re not to bother him.”

“A vacation… Ah, right. He went to Grand Forest, didn’t he? Every time he goes there, he comes back acting

different. I don’t get what’s so great about that backwater place.”

She genuinely didn’t understand it. But since he always acted oddly when he went there, she figured it was just the

same thing again.

Maybe it was like a hometown to him since he’d grown up there, but Diana couldn’t relate.

Since entering the palace, she’d never once gone back to the streets where she grew up—it only brought back painful

memories.

So she couldn’t understand why Leocus would visit the place he’d lived before becoming royalty.

By imperial law, a missing person is declared dead after a year. I don’t even have to say a word.

She didn’t want Edwin’s hatred by flaunting the news. Better to wait.

When enough time passed and Edwin’s heart dulled, when he finally forgot Emilia entirely. That’s when she’d take

her place at his side.

Others might try to claim the duchess’s empty seat, but Diana swore she wouldn’t let anyone take it from her.

“Beati Valentine.”

“My lord! I’m innocent!”

Before leaving the estate, Edwin was making sure everything inside was in order.

He wasn’t going to repeat his mistakes—when Emilia came back, nothing would hurt her again. Anything that had

harmed her before was being wiped out.

“I don’t see what’s so unfair about it.”

He’d taken good care of his people, especially Beati, even trusting her with looking after Emilia.

She’d had freedom, influence—more than most servants could dream of. In return, he’d only asked a few things: stay

by Emilia’s side, follow her orders, give her whatever she needed.

But Beati had twisted his intentions completely.

Instead of serving Emilia, she’d isolated her. She’d even made it look like this was Edwin’s will, undermining Emilia’s

place in the household.

That betrayal made his blood boil—not just at her, but at himself for trusting her and leaving Emilia alone. He

could’ve torn himself apart for making her head maid.

“I told you from the start—look after her.”

Instead, she’d cut Emilia off from everyone.

If he could turn back time, he would.

“She’s from the Herman family! She was never fit to be near you!”

Her complete lack of remorse almost made him laugh. It was almost a relief proof that he’d been horribly wrong

about her from the beginning.

“Lock her in the dungeon.”

“My lord!”

“You’ll never see daylight again.”

Without another glance, he turned and mounted his horse. His knights were lined up, ready to leave.

Chris approached with a gold-sealed envelope. Edwin tore it open immediately and skimmed the letter.

The gist? We’ll approve your vacation—just don’t say you’re quitting.

Edwin clicked his tongue and told Chris, “You’ll handle the ducal work while I’m gone.”

“My lord, must you really leave?”

Chris wanted to stop him—too much could happen in his absence—but Edwin’s mind was made up.

Without another word, Edwin rode off. Chris let out a frustrated sigh at the mess his own misjudgment had helped

create.

If only I’d realized sooner.

He’d known Edwin cared for her, but not that it ran this deep. Then again, how could they have known? Edwin had

never once shown it to his retainers.

Who would’ve guessed the duke and duchess had truly loved each other?

“I’m partly to blame, too.”

He’d never sided with Beati against Emilia, but he’d stood by and watched. That alone was wrong.

He looked around the now-empty estate, knowing Edwin might not return until Emilia was found—if at all.

Until then, Chris vowed to guard the house as if his life depended on it, so that when Edwin and Emilia came back,

they’d return to a home worthy of them.

I owe her an apology too… but will she even accept it?

Emilia’s days had been peaceful.

She’d been in Cardinal Village for quite a while now and had gone through so much here.

Little by little, she’d found joy again—something she thought she’d lost forever in the capital. She smiled every day.

Farm work, laundry, dishes—none of it was easy, but she learned to manage, and the work gave her back her self-

worth.

She saw her life here as a blessing.

“Amy, take it easy.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t have to work so hard.”

She’d grown close to the villagers, so much so that no one called her “Miss Amy” anymore—just Amy.

She joined in farm work alongside them, like today, helping harvest potatoes.

At first, the work had been exhausting, but she’d adapted. Now she was a pretty good hand.

“Hey, isn’t that Annie coming this way?”

Emilia pointed at the woman running toward them from a distance.

Everyone paused, surprised—Annie had left for the market in high spirits earlier.

“What’s got her running like that?”

They waited until Annie reached them, breathless. Emilia poured her a cup of water and handed it over.

“Thanks, Amy.”

“Don’t mention it.”

After gulping down the water, Annie finally spoke, still panting.

“The Duke of Casper’s in Grand Forest!”

Emilia froze.

Who’s where?

It wasn’t just her everyone nearby turned to look at Annie.

“What’s the duke doing here…?”

“How should I know?!”

“Did he come to arrest someone? Why else would he come all the way to this mountain village?”

While the others murmured, Emilia stood stiff, her expression tightening.

Why… why is he here?

If Edwin Casper had come to Grand Forest to drag her back and throw her to Diana’s wrath… what then?