IWMHWD 68

<Chapter 68> Husband’s Funeral
2024.01.07

“Are you still clinging to that foolish dream, Lydia?”

“What dream?”

“The dream of marrying my brother and becoming the mistress of Atilay.”

“That’s none of your business,” Lydia snapped. She tried to shake off the arm Maximilian had grabbed, but it didn’t budge.

“Pitiful. What’s the use of being from Elfenbaum if you can’t even have what you want?”

“…”

“Oh, did you hear? At the Saracen banquet, my brother left with Cordelia Abrams in his arms. People are already whispering that she’ll end up as the mistress of Atilay.”

At the mention of Cordelia’s name, Lydia’s eyes trembled. It was dark, but not so much that Maximilian missed the shift in her emotions.

Internally, Maximilian grinned. He had clearly struck a nerve.

“I’ve never seen him dote on a woman like that. It’s obvious how much he cherishes her.”

“Cordelia is Leo’s only disciple. Of course, he cares about her.”

“Disciple? Please. From what I saw, those weren’t the eyes of a mentor looking at a student.”

“You must not know, but Cordelia is already married. So what you’re saying is…”

“Married? Ha! So what? Even if her husband dies tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Lydia wanted to refute him, but somehow, the words wouldn’t come. Maximilian felt like a devil, reciting the worst-case scenario she’d secretly imagined.

He smiled gently.
“My brother really has no eye for women. There’s someone beautiful and of noble blood right in front of him, yet he fawns over a girl who came from who-knows-where.”

“Cordelia has extraordinary magical talent. That’s probably why Leo keeps her close.”

“That damn talent—so what?”

Lydia didn’t respond, but deep inside, she agreed with Maximilian. That damn talent. What was so special about it?

The jealousy, inferiority, and resentment she had pushed down began to rise again.

And Maximilian, like a predator sensing blood, picked up on it instantly. What had begun as a casual attempt to silence her quickly turned into a brilliant scheme in his mind.

“Want me to give it to you? That cursed talent?”

“What…?”

“The only reason Cordelia Abrams is allowed near my brother is because of that one talent. If you had it too, wouldn’t he choose you over her?”

“…But how?”

She couldn’t help but be intrigued. For a moment, Lydia even forgot Maximilian had murdered Leonard and leaned in eagerly.

“It’s possible if you have a few holy relics. Don’t bother asking Rosenbluh—he’s too uptight and knows nothing about this field.”

“This field?”

“Yes. Among sorcerers, it’s called the forbidden path. But Lydia, if you tell anyone you saw me here, I’ll never tell you how.”

“You’re trying to bribe me with that?”

“Bribe? It’s the only way you could ever become his wife.”

Maximilian finally let go of her arm. He had been gripping it so tightly it was numb. Lydia quickly stepped back to put distance between them.

“If you want to know how, hang a red ribbon on your window. Make the wise choice, Lydia.”

He pulled his cloak tightly around himself and disappeared into the darkness.

Even after he vanished from view, Lydia couldn’t move. Then she suddenly snapped back to reality and ran toward the mansion.

She was going to tell the guards that she had seen Maximilian. If she reported it now, they could seal off the mansion and easily catch him.

Fortunately, she saw guards stationed near the entrance of the banquet hall.

“Just now, in the garden—”

“Yes?”

“I saw Maximilian. Seal the mansion immediately and inform the palace.”

“What happened? What’s going on in the garden?”

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”

For some reason, she couldn’t say it. All she had to do was name him and point in the direction he went. That’s all it would take.

“Want me to give you that cursed talent?”

Maximilian’s tempting offer clung to her like smoke.

If what he said was true—if she could really gain that talent—then maybe, just maybe, she could stand beside Leonard like Cordelia… or even surpass her.

For the first time, Lydia saw a way out of her painful, one-sided love. A sliver of hope began to sprout deep in her heart.

“You’re leaving already, my lady?”

“Yeah. I’m a bit tired.”

In the end, Lydia said nothing to the guards and returned home.

Even though she knew the capital was in turmoil looking for Maximilian, and that Leonard was probably the most desperate of them all.

She knew it was a selfish choice, but she couldn’t help it.

Talent. That cursed talent.

If only she had that, maybe Leonard would finally look her way.

“We must hold Marquis Vasquez accountable. This incident happened while his son was transferring the prisoner to the tower.”

“Tsk tsk. What were they thinking, entrusting such a crucial task to someone who hasn’t even been a knight for a year?”

“I thought today’s meeting was for discussing solutions, not assigning blame.”

Those who had been arguing fell silent. With the main victim himself speaking, no one dared to continue.

Originally, this emergency session of the Council was meant to conduct Maximilian’s trial—but after his escape, the topic quickly changed.

“Marquis Atilay is right. There’s time to assign blame after we resolve the situation. Marquis Russell, report the current status.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. All city gates now have checkpoints to verify identities and restrict travel. Additionally, Maximilian Atilay’s unusual gait will help soldiers recognize him easily.”

“And yet you haven’t caught him? That means he’s likely still inside the capital.”

“Correct. It takes two days to leave the capital on foot, and we started inspections immediately after the escape. He must still be here.”

The meeting dragged on, rehashing what everyone already knew. If they had a real plan, Maximilian would’ve already been caught.

It had been seven days since the escape.

Every soldier available had been mobilized, and the capital was being scoured from top to bottom. But it was as if Maximilian had vanished into thin air.

And honestly, such an escape shouldn’t have been possible without help.

“Master,” Baron approached Leonard as he exited the council chamber.

“What is it?”

“Embley’s maid finally spoke. Rosalyn Embley…”

“Marquis Atilay!” a voice interrupted loudly. It was Pablo Vasquez, rushing up to Leonard.

As the only noble family not officially part of the Council, Vasquez had not been allowed inside and had waited outside.

“Maximilian—any news?”

“Still not caught, apparently.”

“Really? That’s strange. He must be somewhere. The soldiers are so incompetent.”

“I’m busy. Get to the point.”

Leonard shot him a cold look. Pablo chuckled awkwardly.

“My son, Dennis… he deeply regrets what happened. As you know, there was no malicious intent. Maximilian escaped during a moment of distraction. Who would’ve thought he’d run, especially with those heavy shackles?”

“Don’t say that to me. You should be saying it to His Majesty. His Majesty trusted you and appointed Dennis Vasquez, and now look at the mess.”

“Of course, I’ll speak to His Majesty too. But I thought if you forgave Dennis, the matter could be resolved more smoothly.”

“Why should I forgive your son?”

“Wait, wait. Think about how sad Cordelia would be if Dennis were punished for this.”

Leonard had planned to ignore him and walk away—until he brought up Cordelia’s name.

Using her to protect his son disgusted Leonard to the core.

And more than anything, the difference in how Pablo treated his daughter and his son filled Leonard with rage.

“Oh, don’t worry. Even if Dennis Vasquez rots in prison for the rest of his life for letting Maximilian escape, I won’t let Cordelia find out.”

“What? Rot in prison? No—Atilay, please. Just this once, turn a blind eye. It was Dennis’s first mission as a knight! Mistakes happen!”

“If he couldn’t even handle his first assignment properly, maybe he was never fit for the Silver Deer Knights.”

“Atilay!”

Leonard sneered and walked away. Pablo, pale and frantic, tried to follow, but Baron froze him in place with a spell.

“Back to what you were saying. Rosalyn Embley?”

“She’s six months pregnant.”

“What? Pregnant?!”

Leonard paused for a moment, then resumed walking.

A carriage bearing the White Snake crest waited nearby. Baron opened the door, helped Leonard inside, and joined him.