WARDV 50

CHAPTER 50

The Imperial Palace was thrown into chaos.

As news of Rudian’s accident spread, the banquet was immediately halted.

Only after managing the aftermath and issuing necessary orders could Emperor Ajeph head to the Crown Prince’s palace.

For before he was a father, he was the Emperor.

“Your Majesty.”

As he entered Rudian’s room, Empress Vanessa, who had arrived first, turned to face him.

“How is Rudian?”
Ajeph asked urgently.

Though he had already been informed that Rudian was safe, he wouldn’t be at ease until he saw it with his own eyes.

“He woke up briefly a little while ago but fell back asleep.”

Only after seeing the child’s peaceful, sleeping face did Ajeph finally relax. He sat down beside Vanessa.

“You must have been very frightened.”

Vanessa silently stroked Rudian’s head.

The moment Ajeph noticed her hand trembling slightly, she opened her mouth.

“If I had been by Rudian’s side, this wouldn’t have happened, would it?”

“Vanessa, this wasn’t your fault. It’s not like you wanted to leave him alone.”

Ajeph took her hand in his.

Since giving birth, Vanessa’s health had weakened, and she hadn’t been able to attend long events.

Today’s Foundation Day celebration was no different.

But simply saying “it couldn’t be helped” did little to soothe her heart.

As she gazed at her sleeping son with a faint, bitter smile, she began to speak.

“Still, I’m so grateful. That the Duchess of Parnese… no, that Leticia was there in that moment.”

The moment her lips formed the name Leticia, Ajeph stiffened.

She hadn’t referred to her as “Duchess” but by her given name—a sign of where this conversation was going.

“I’d like to summon her to the palace soon and express my thanks. She also helped recover my mother’s necklace, remember? You’ll allow it, won’t you?”

“Vanessa, she—”

“I know. You disapprove of Leticia.”

“……”

“But her personal affairs are one thing, and the debt we owe her is another. We can never repay what she’s done for us, so the least we can do is show our gratitude. And more importantly…”

Vanessa turned to look Ajeph in the eyes.

“Can we really speak on her private life when we barely know her?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Of course, nothing can justify getting involved with another man before ending her marriage. That’s clearly wrong.”

“……”

“But, Your Majesty—if she had requested a divorce because her husband kept a mistress, would anyone have listened?”

“……”

“People would’ve said things like, ‘Is that all? Just endure it. How will a woman survive on her own?’”

In the empire, men keeping mistresses was common—but that didn’t mean it wasn’t valid grounds for divorce.

Still, as Vanessa said, it was much harder for a woman to divorce.

Even asking for a divorce in the first place was far more difficult for a woman.

“Maybe, for her, divorce was worth risking everything for.”

“……”

“Before we criticize her, shouldn’t we ask ourselves whether we were ever truly willing to listen to her?”

Vanessa’s pointed words struck Ajeph like a blow to the head.

He looked at the peacefully sleeping Rudian, then slowly nodded.

“…You’re right. It wasn’t Idris who was blinded by emotion—it was me.”

He had feared that approving Leticia and Peydan’s divorce would seem like he was favoring Idris and abandoning his duty as Emperor to remain impartial.

But after hearing Vanessa speak…

He realized he’d used fairness as an excuse to ignore Leticia’s voice—simply because he wanted Idris to meet someone better.

“…We’ll do as you wish.”

Of course, neither Leticia nor Peydan had formally submitted divorce papers yet, and Ajeph still wasn’t ready to approve it immediately.

But at the very least, he could express his gratitude for what she had done—and perhaps hear her story.

“Once both you and Leticia have fully recovered, that is.”

His permission came with a firm condition.

Only then did Vanessa smile softly and lean on his shoulder.

“My wise emperor. Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

Looking at his safe son and loving wife, Ajeph felt certain:

That Vanessa’s decision to show Leticia gratitude… was the right one.

After the banquet ended, Deon also returned to the Grand Duke’s estate.

“Welcome back, Your Highness.”

He passed by the bowing butler and servants without a word and entered the mansion.

The butler immediately sensed something was off.

Normally, Deon would ask if anything had happened, or at least nod in acknowledgment—but today, he did nothing of the sort.

The butler’s instincts went on high alert as he followed behind.

Then, Deon spoke in a low voice.

“Bring me water.”

The butler silently gestured to a nearby servant to fulfill the request and followed Deon to his room.

Deon roughly loosened his cravat just as the servant returned with a pitcher and cup.

The butler calmly poured the water and brought it to Deon.

Deon snatched the cup, downed it in one go—and threw it straight at the wall.

CRASH—!

Startled by the sudden shattering sound, the servant gasped—but the butler didn’t even flinch.

He silently ordered the servant to leave and closed the door.

In the darkness, Deon’s voice rang out.

“…The plan failed.”

The butler had already suspected things hadn’t gone well—so he showed no sign of surprise.

Sitting on the sofa, Deon furrowed his brow, picturing the face of the one who had foiled everything.

“…My beloved little brother blocked my path. Again. How adorable.”

Today’s plan had been to use the chaos of the banquet to kill Rudian.

But not only had the plan failed—it had backfired completely.

“Now Ajeph knows someone is targeting Rudian.”

Though many nobles disliked the vulnerable Crown Prince, and it wouldn’t be easy to narrow down suspects, the real problem was:

“Security will be far tighter from now on.”

Killing the boy would be much harder now.

The only silver lining: Idris had killed the maid sent to assassinate Rudian.

Still, even with the maid dead, investigators could gather clues and track down the mastermind.

And on top of that…

“He publicly humiliated me.”

Idris had appeared at the banquet with her—the woman Deon had set his sights on—and then openly insulted him.

Part of him wanted to kill Idris, and even Leticia, whom he could no longer have.

But now was not the time.

He needed to bide his time… and wait for the next chance.

Deon took a deep breath, as if swallowing his rage, then called out in a low voice:

“Gilbert.”

The butler—who had been silently standing nearby like a shadow—stepped forward.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Clean up everything related to Kanna Riere. Before sunrise.”

“…As you command.”

Having given orders regarding the dead maid, Deon turned back toward the inner room.

“I just need a little more time. The throne will be mine in the end.”

So he told himself, forcing down the boiling hatred within.