Chapter 62: The Daughter of the Father
2024.01.01
“And while Hillurst might not be a big deal, Vasquez is just being used to put pressure on Your Highness by sheer numbers. You know that, donāt you?”
“Of course, I know. It’s a family that couldn’t even secure a seat in the Assembly. Still, even a fallen family is one of the Eight Sacred Houses. I canāt just ignore their name.”
“You wonāt have to concern yourself with them for much longer.”
“Is that why you broke Vasquezās ankle?”
As soon as that topic came up, Leonard clammed up. Gabriel grinned as Leonard, usually brimming with confidence, finally shrank back for the first time.
“You think I wouldnāt know what happens in the capital?”
“You must not be very busy with state affairs these days, if you have time to concern yourself with such trivial matters.”
“When I thought about why you suddenly visited Vasquez and broke his ankle, it hit meāheās your student.”
“It was just because he annoyed me.”
“Hah. You? If it really bothered you, you would’ve killed him, not just crushed his ankle. Itās a crumbling house anyway. Even if the Vasquez Electorate drops dead, who would care?”
Gabrielās remark was too accurate to argue against. He chattered on gleefully, regardless of what Leonard said.
“And hearing all that just made me more curious. Why the ankle and not the neck? But then! I heard your student injured his ankle and was recovering at your mansion. Just a few days before Vasquez got his crushed. What a remarkable coincidence, donāt you think?”
“Indeed.”
Leonard feigned ignorance as Gabriel continued making a fuss.
“And thatās not all. I heard you left the Saracen banquet in the middle of it carrying your student in your arms. You, who treats women like furniture. You even brushed off that Elfenbaum girl.”
“Cordelia isnāt just some womanāsheās my student.”
“You think anyone cares about that? All they saw was you carrying a woman out.”
The king burst out laughing, slapping the armrest of his chair, unbothered by appearances. Leonard raised an eyebrow and stared at Gabriel.
“Truly, Your Majesty…”
“What now?”
“You mustāve been so thrilled that I made it back alive, to be so well-informed about my activities.”
“Ah, I suppose I forgot to say it. Atillei, I am so glad youāre alive. Youāve kept this dreadfully boring palace filled with stories. You know how bored I was during those three months you were gone?”
“If you’re that bored, why not get yourself a queen instead of bothering busy people like me?”
“Come now, what kind of reason is that to take a wife? Iāve always dreamed of meeting someone in a garden full of blooming hydrangeas, where the wind carries her handkerchief to me. Iād pick it up and say, ‘Iāve been waiting for you for so long!'”
“So, you want to fall in love with a woman who trespasses in the royal garden and carelessly drops her handkerchief?”
“ā¦That sounds a bit off, the way you put it.”
Gabriel cleared his throat awkwardly at Leonardās dry sarcasm.
From Leonardās perspective, this was already a heavily censored response. Had it been anyone else, they probably would’ve cursed and stormed out.
It wasnāt because Gabriel was king that Leonard held backāit was because he needed the kingās cooperation to open a tribunal.
“So you really have no plans to marry?”
“Now you’re concerned with my marriage too?”
“Iām not the only one. Probably half the nobles in Yebo Delim have placed bets on when youāll tie the knot.”
“With whom?”
“Why, Lydia Elfenbaum, of course! Why? Do you have someone else in mind? Tell me, I made a bet too.”
“ā¦Ha.”
If it werenāt for the tribunal, Leonard wouldāve stormed off long ago.
He barely held back his irritation and played along with the kingās antics. Knowing that, Gabriel only teased Leonard more gleefully.
Meanwhile…
“Whatās got you spacing out like that?”
“ā¦Nothing.”
Cordelia resumed walking, her ankle stinging more than it had in the morning. Perhaps because of the awkward time of day, there werenāt many carriages around.
Beluche sat her down on a bench near the entrance of the park.
“Iāll go hail a carriage. Stay right here.”
“Got it. Iām not a child. Iāll wait quietlyājust hurry up and bring the carriage. My leg hurts.”
“If you hadnāt gone out in the first placeānever mind.”
Cordelia sat obediently to reassure him. Beluche looked around nervously a few more times before disappearing from sight.
āIām in love with Leo.ā
As things quieted down, Lydiaās tearful yet confident face kept resurfacing in Cordeliaās mind.
She had held Cordeliaās hand tightly, begging her for help. Cordelia had reflexively agreed, but something in her heart felt oddly uncomfortable.
āAm I just shocked that Lydia likes Master?ā
Objectively, she had no reason to be. Shouldnāt she be congratulating them for being a good match?
And yet, no words of celebration came out of her mouth.
An indescribable unease lingered in her chest, tormenting her.
āAm Iā¦ jealous?ā
Like someone reacting to news that their sibling was getting marriedā¦ or feeling possessive upon hearing their father had found a new loverāCordelia managed to come up with that somewhat logical explanation.
āGet it together, Cordelia. Whoever Master marries, it’s a good thing.ā
She stared at a pair of butterflies fluttering by and forced herself to calm down.
Then, in the distance, she spotted a man. Oddly enough, she could clearly tell who he was just from his back.
She didnāt know many people in the capitalāwho could it be?
Then the name suddenly hit her.
āDennis!ā
It was her younger brotherāsomeone she never expected to see in the capital.
Cordelia immediately forgot Belucheās warning and jumped up.
More than joy, anxiety overwhelmed her.
āWhen did Dennis come to the capital? Did he come with Father? Why?ā
Limping hard, she hurried after him. But the distance between them only grew. She couldnāt even keep up with normal peopleāher injured leg made it impossible.
Her ankle began to throb more intensely from the effort. Grimacing, Cordelia stopped.
She decided sheād find out why Dennis was in Yebo Delim later. For now, she needed to return to where Beluche told her to wait.
She turned aroundāand gasped.
Sheād had enough surprises today.
āM-Master.ā
“Why are you out here alone, when youāre supposed to be at home?”
“Uh, umā¦ wellā¦”
“Explain.”
Leonard looked down at her expressionlessly. Even though it wasnāt that hot, sweat beaded lightly on his forehead. Cordelia lowered her head, fidgeting.
“I had an appointment.”
“With whom?”
“I was going to meet Lydia. She said she knew a good dessert place.”
“And you didnāt think to mention it to me?”
“Thatās becauseā¦ you donāt even like me leaving the garden. I was planning to come back right away.”
Just then, Beluche returned. Seeing Leonard, he seemed to grasp the situation immediately.
“Master.”
“Beluche. I distinctly remember giving you one instruction before I left.”
“Iām sorry.”
Without excuse, he bowed his head. Leonard glared at him coldly.
“Youāre on probation for a week.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Wait! Beluche only came with me because I insisted.”
“Heās still responsible.”
Leonard turned and walked away with that single remark. Normally, he wouldāve slowed his pace for Cordelia, but now he didnāt even glance backāhe was clearly furious.
Cordelia followed meekly, her head hanging.
Beluche came up beside her and held out his arm.
“Werenāt you told to sit still?”
“Iām sorry, Beluche. I just saw someone I recognized and wanted to check.”
“Who would you know in the capital? Come on. Grab on. You were begging for my arm earlier.”
Cordelia, a mix of guilt and gratitude in her eyes, leaned against his arm.
Leonard had already boarded the Atillei carriage. With Belucheās help, Cordelia climbed in. The door closed, and the carriage started moving.
Leonard didnāt even look at her.
Cordelia murmured softly,
“Iām sorry, Master.”
“You canāt stay still for even a moment, can you? Was it really so hard to just stay home?”
“I really was just planning to meet Lydia. Iām sorry for sneaking out. But you always scold me so much, Iā”
“So itās my fault?”
“No. Thatās not what I meant. I meanā¦”
She felt like she was just making excuses. So she simply shut her mouth.
The carriage arrived at the Atillei townhouse in silence. When it stopped, Leonard got off first without a word.
āSheesh. I may have snuck out, but is this really worth getting that mad over?ā
Cordelia felt both hurt and wronged watching him walk away. Sure, she didnāt tell him in advanceābut did she really deserve this much scolding?
āLady Cordelia!ā
Suddenly, her maid, Layla, came running up to her in a panic. She fussed over Cordelia, checking her from head to toe.
“Youāve finally returned! Are you alright?”
“Iām fine. Why are you freaking out, Layla?”
“Oh, donāt even get me started! Master came back to the mansion earlier and found out you were goneāand he caused a huge scene!”
Oops.