Chapter 100
The negotiation with Geranian was concluded swiftly and decisively.
Thanks to that, Fernan was able to return about two days earlier than the four days he had promised Yulia.
Just as he was about to depart for the Duchy, a messenger bird sent by a knight arrived for him.
“…”
Fernan’s expression hardened immediately. Messenger birds didn’t come all the way here unless it was urgent.
Feeling a foreboding, he quickly read the message the bird brought.
Upon reading the news, he bit his lip fiercely and crumpled the letter.
Yulia had disappeared.
Fernan was able to grasp the situation instantly.
Based on what the knight reported, this time Yulia had certainly not left of her own free will.
According to the maid, Yulia had read a strange letter that arrived at the castle a few weeks earlier, and two days ago, she suddenly went out.
Without a doubt, she had been deceived by a forged letter, likely from the Emperor’s agents or the Marchioness.
Frowning deeply, Fernan changed the direction of his journey, which was heading to the Duchy, and instead set his destination straight for the capital.
He should have properly explained everything to Yulia from the start.
If only he had roughly told her that the Emperor was after her, this would never have happened…
Veins bulged on his jaw.
He shouldn’t have ignored the uneasiness he felt the moment he left her behind.
Whipping the reins sharply, he could no longer hide his impatience and increased his speed even more.
At the same time, he ordered his deputy:
“Send a messenger to the Duchy. Lead the troops and infiltrate the capital quietly.”
“By the way, what is the Duchess doing?”
The Emperor asked leisurely while receiving a massage from a servant.
Sitting across from him, the Crown Prince Javier answered in a relaxed tone.
“As expected, she’s behaving herself. Though she seems a bit frightened.”
Javier smirked.
At first, the woman was intended only as bait to lure and threaten the Duke, but she had some entertainment value.
Her eyes, as if about to cry, stirred a man’s dark desires quite well.
“The Duke will come to the palace on his own feet soon.”
Javier continued with a satisfied look. Upon hearing that his wife had disappeared, the Duke would rush like a madman to the palace.
“To facilitate smooth negotiations with the Duke, it would be wise to have the Duchess nearby when he arrives.”
If the Duchess, tearfully bound, appeared before him, the Duke would have no choice but to hand over everything.
She was the key to shaking the Duke.
Javier was proud of his logic as he smiled arrogantly.
The Emperor leaned back in his throne with a rare relaxed expression.
“Good idea.”
He eagerly anticipated how he might break down Fernan, who would rush breathlessly to the palace demanding his wife’s return.
“Prepare in advance what to demand from the Duke.”
Javier added neatly. The Emperor nodded and smiled broadly.
There were many things to demand from that man, so it was best to prepare thoroughly for any unforeseen situations.
“We will strengthen the guards in this audience chamber.”
Although the Duke likely wouldn’t use force with his wife held hostage, the Emperor wanted to prepare for any possibility.
At the same time, knights would be stationed inside the chamber to increase pressure on the Duke when he arrived.
“Bring the Duchess here at the right time as well.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor nodded as he looked at the trustworthy Javier.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Fernan arrived at the capital in the evening after the sun had completely set.
He had crossed a distance that usually took half a day in less than that.
Upon passing the palace gates, the knights on guard let him pass without resistance.
Fernan headed straight for the central palace where the Emperor was.
During the long journey, his eyes seemed cold and calm as if all thoughts were resolved.
His steps were firm and unwavering, facing straight ahead.
After climbing the wide stairs and walking down the hallway, he finally arrived at the Emperor’s audience chamber.
Before the attendants could announce his arrival, he decisively flung open the large doors.
Beyond the open entrance, the Emperor sat calmly on his throne.
Knights stood in long rows around the Emperor.
“Duke, welcome.”
The Emperor seemed surprised at Fernan’s unexpectedly early arrival.
But he also felt relief that knights had been positioned swiftly in preparation.
The Emperor gave Fernan a quick, subtle once-over. Though standing neat and proud now, by the time he left this place, his body and mind would be utterly exhausted, the Emperor smiled quietly.
Meanwhile, Fernan spoke in a cold and sharp voice.
“Where is she?”
The Emperor, who knew exactly who Fernan meant, chuckled softly with his chin resting on his hand.
“Duke, or rather, Fernan.”
He narrowed his eyes and changed his tone.
“This uncle thought you hated your wife deeply.”
Tapping his chin slowly, the Emperor tilted his head.
That’s why he had doubted when Javier said the Duchess was the key to this matter.
“But why such reckless acts? I’m genuinely curious about your intention.”
He shifted his crossed legs a few times as if pondering sincerely.
About a month ago, when Fernan secretly stationed knights to find a woman hidden in the Ilion temple, he never imagined that woman was the missing Duchess.
Fortunately, because that woman was the Duchess, they were able to kidnap her here using the Marchioness.
Watching Fernan’s fierce expression, the Emperor drummed his armrest.
“Hmm… Even without knowing the full details, your fierce glare proves the Duchess is your Achilles’ heel.”
Pleased to have found Fernan’s weakness, the Emperor scoffed.
Fernan, standing unflinchingly, might have seemed to the Emperor like he was trembling.
“What do you want?”
Fernan’s voice was calmer now, as if willing to negotiate.
The Emperor looked down at him with a satisfied expression.
“What I want…”
The longer he delayed, the more anxious Fernan would become.
The Emperor was confident he could get more of what he wanted the longer he drew it out.
Although Fernan showed little change in expression, such details were lost on the Emperor’s self-absorbed gaze.
“Please, have a seat. You must be tired from the long journey.”
The Emperor nodded leisurely. Fernan complied and sat.
The Emperor smiled, satisfied, as he observed Fernan’s obedient attitude.
Having organized what to demand many times before, it was easy to start the conversation.
“Let’s not waste words. You understand your situation well.”
“…”
“My wishes are not many. First, return two of your territories to the crown: the southern granary lands and the western port city.”
Taking back just those two would be a huge benefit for the Emperor.
But he didn’t stop there and continued listing demands.
“And disband half of the Duke’s personal guard. That way, the balance of military power between you and the crown will be more favorable.”
The Emperor still had some conscience and didn’t demand full disbandment.
Excessive demands might have backfired, causing Fernan to resist.
While the Emperor spoke calmly, Fernan merely stared back silently without resistance.
The Emperor took this as acceptance.
Though calm outside, Fernan was surely grinding his teeth inside, the Emperor smiled as he leaned back.
Much time had passed in conversation. Knights had already been ordered to bring the Duchess from the villa.
Though the Duchess should have arrived long ago, the Emperor was too absorbed in this moment to care.
Confident that he controlled Fernan and held the upper hand, the Emperor looked relaxed.
Fernan, staring coldly, finally spoke quietly.
“Do as you wish.”
Slowly standing, he strode toward the Emperor.
“Take everything you want.”
The Emperor’s face twitched slightly. Fernan was not as weak as he might have seemed.
Stopping below the throne, Fernan continued evenly.
“You will probably want my life as well.”
Changing his formality to suit the Emperor, Fernan drew a hidden sword from his waist.
The knights beside him flinched and drew their swords in response.
Without looking at them, Fernan continued.
“Try it.”
With a slow flick of the shining blade, Fernan fixed the Emperor with blazing eyes.
“Before I kill you, uncle.”
At that moment, the doors of the audience chamber were thrown open with a heavy crashing sound.
Fernan’s armed knights burst inside in an instant.
Fernan glared fiercely at the Emperor. The one who had been stalling wasn’t just the Emperor.
