Chapter 90
Because many houses in the village had been swept away by the raging flood, the villagers used the materials they had tied together in advance to set up temporary tents.
When they learned that the guest who had come to their village was the emperor who rose to the throne after the revolution, the villagers were shocked and didn’t know what to do.
Etias promised the village chief that the imperial palace would help rebuild the village.
Everyone was deeply moved and bowed before him in gratitude.
Of course, the villagers still didn’t know that I was Lady Katrin Ellemore.
Some might have guessed, since my wig was gone and my bright pink hair was revealed.
But before putting out the fire, I had hugged Biyo and told them all to stay silent about me.
So no one dared speak of it.
With threats to me still alive, Katrin Ellemore could not be me here.
“Milady, the road is blocked.”
The flood had submerged the whole area.
It had broken trees and extinguished the fire, but the debris piled up on the narrow road leading into the village.
“But the Scavengers are sending food and supplies through messenger birds.”
“And the imperial army is helping clear the road with them.”
The three of us sat together at a table.
Etias, now neat and clean in Heros’ clothes, spoke.
“Let’s return to the capital, Katrin.”
I looked at him with uneasy eyes.
“To the imperial palace.”
Would it really be alright?
‘The hearts…’
HP: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡♡♡
Before I knew it, one more had filled, making seven.
I didn’t know the exact reason, but every time I met him, the hearts increased.
Which meant… until I figured out the cause and how to stabilize it, I had no choice but to stay by his side.
“I object.”
Heros’ low voice broke the silence.
“Your Majesty said you could protect her, but as I said before, I cannot trust you.”
“…Heros…”
I stared at him blankly.
Since the funeral of Duke and Duchess Ellemore, he had always guarded me from the closest place.
He had every right to say this.
“The real danger now isn’t the faction that supported the dead rebel emperor—it’s the faction that supported you, Your Majesty. If we return with you, who knows what might happen?”
After a pause, Etias spoke.
“I understand your concern, but I swear.”
His piercing blue eyes locked onto me.
“With my life…”
His gaze was heavy with resolve.
My chest ached hearing it.
Don’t risk something so precious for me!
“No one will dare touch Katrin Ellemore.”
I remembered what he had once told me:
That he would give me everything in the world.
“You are my sponsor.”
His voice carried a deep emotion that nearly choked him.
“And my most precious…”
Could it be that he had felt the same even back then?
But Heros cut in sharply.
“Words alone will never make me trust you, Your Majesty.”
“The moment we return, I will strike.”
Etias’ low voice cut him off.
My fingers twitched.
“I ordered Carmel Beatrice to secure evidence while I was away. Evidence that Aglia betrayed me.”
My eyes widened.
He planned to strike Aglia?
“The council’s power was great enough that even the rebel emperor couldn’t uproot it. It only required timing.”
And he had already been preparing it in secret.
“I already know her true face.”
My brows trembled.
“Because someone awakened me to it.”
‘So he really heard it back then.’
His blue eyes held me.
Ba-thump, ba-thump.
I drew in a breath and finally spoke.
“…Then I’ll help. I also have proof.”
Heros flinched.
“Proof that Aglia is a wicked woman.”
With Etias’ will so firm, I couldn’t help but give a wicked smile.
“She must pay dearly for trying to massacre people.”
“…Milady…”
Heros’ eyes wavered as he looked at me.
The situation had changed somewhat.
Etias no longer treated me as an enemy, acknowledged my support, and planned to eliminate Aglia—the biggest danger—once we returned safely.
Then, most importantly, I could check his health and the matter of the hearts.
I would decide my own future after that.
“So you’ve decided.”
Heros sighed softly.
“I’ll stay by your side in the capital. As your butler.”
“Heros…”
As I looked at him, we suddenly heard a voice from outside the meeting room.
“Sir Ros!”
Heros excused himself, stood, and opened the door.
Now only Etias and I remained in the room.
After a short silence, I decided to finally bring up what I hadn’t been able to say.
“I have something to tell you.”
Etias must have learned of Aglia’s black heart from the conversation she and I had at her birthday.
“It’s about the late Empress… your mother’s death. The fire at Cambut Palace.”
My heart ached like a thorn was lodged in it.
“I think… my father, Duke Ellemore—”
“Katrin.”
Before I could finish, Etias reached out and took my hand.
His strong, manly hand covering mine startled me, and I looked at him with trembling eyes.
“No.”
“….”
“What you’re thinking right now—it’s not true.”
His voice brimmed with firm conviction.
“But if my father, Duke Ellemore, killed the Empress and burned Cambut Palace, then I don’t deserve to be by your side. Just sparing such a man would ruin your legitimacy.”
So I pressed on.
“Yes, I supported you, but that can’t outweigh—”
Not when compared to the enormous sin Duke Ellemore had committed against him.
That was why I had left so decisively, with the blood of that original sin flowing in my veins.
“…You’re wrong, Katrin.”
Despite my solemn words, there was no resentment in Etias’ deep eyes.
“Everything is wrong. Aglia’s thoughts, and your reasoning.”
“….”
A faint, sorrowful smile touched his lips.
“I’ll tell you the truth when we return to the palace.”
