Chapter 22

Episode 22

He grabbed the gloves back and headed for the bedroom. Tomorrow was the day of an audience with the king, who had not appeared in public for three months. A pleasant excitement enveloped his body as he thought he was one step closer to the moment he had been waiting for.

***

In front of the king’s bedroom located in the deepest part of the palace, Damien stared intently at the tightly closed door. Three months ago, the condition of the king who collapsed while eating was highly confidential, but judging from the circumstances in the royal palace, it was certain that his condition would not be very good.

“He says to come in.”

The servant appeared and guided him in a cautious manner. Damien strode into the bedroom, where the scent of death was deeply cast.

“Damien. Come here.”

The King raised his hand with a more emaciated face than when Damien returned from the war and had a personal audience with him last time. Watching his bony hands move weakly, Damien instinctively felt that he probably had fewer days left to live than he thought. It was questionable whether it would be possible for him to fill half a year more at the longest.

(TL/N: ‘fill’ meaning ‘live’)

“It’s not long before God calls me in his arms.” (King)

Damien spoke in a tone that was not mixed with emotions, neither positive nor negative about what he said.

“The reason why you ordered me to enter the palace is because you have something to ask me to do.”

The king laughed a little. His nephew was much better than his father. He could be so cold-hearted that he accurately judged the situation in the war and eventually gave victory to the kingdom. It is also true that he wished his son Johannes to resemble at least half of his cousin Damien. But now he felt fortunate that a talented man like Damien was next to the prince.

“Even if I leave, I believe you will serve John well.”

Johannes’ military force, whom he raised as his successor, was inherited from his maternal line. There was a secret known to very few that he(Jhon) was ill, and it was also something that was kept a secret until his death.

“Damien, promise me. You will ease the burden I put on that poor child’s shoulder.  Swear before God that you will serve the king with all your allegiance, as you have always done.”

Damien looked down at the king lying on the bed, and finally opened his mouth slowly.

“If there is a king I can serve, I will.”

The wrinkled king’s eyelids throbbed.

“…..It is a loyal duty to serve because he is the King. Damien.”

“Then the future of the country is bright.”

Demian bowed his head and whispered while looking into his eyes.

“A country ruled by a crazy king.”

“You …. You bastard…!”

Damian’s hand covered the king’s mouth.  The servant behind the curtain could not enter until the king’s order was given. The moment his astonished eyes collided with Demian’s blue eyes, the king immediately grasped the truth he had been hiding.

“Even if the prince has no blemishes, it is impossible to guarantee whether I will be able to serve him or not. When I bow to someone worse than me, bitter water comes up from my stomach.”

Damien’s grip was enormous. He thought it would be enough to crush his chin right away, but the king tried to pull himself together. It was only a belated regret that he should have removed the sprouts when he was young.

(T/N: to kill Damien when he was young)

“It is true that I fought on the battlefield with my life on stake for the sake of my country.”

Tisse’s son, who enlisted in the army at a young age, devoted his loyalty to the country, and financed the royal palace with huge amount of taxes— grew up as a poisonous snake with a deadly poison while the king was relieved.

“Because it’s my kingdom.”

Even as he uttered the dangerous word— rebellion out of his lips, he didn’t move a single eyelash. Damien loosened his hand, but the king was shocked and could not say anything.

“The one who sits on the throne should be qualified, right? Your Majesty.”

“Since when… when did you have such greed?”

The old king couldn’t understand. Damien’s father, the predecessor Duke Tisse, was a loyal person. Marrying the king’s sister also largely attributed to the fact that he was a soldier with a strong professional spirit. Who is the one who instills such impure thoughts into his son? His sister, Damien’s biological mother was weak and had never expressed her interest or greed for power.

Damien answered to the king, who looked at him with an unbelievable expression with his trembling eyes.

“Since I was born.”

Only then could the king properly recognize the existence in front of him. Damien’s instinct was that of a trampler. No one had educated him like that, but he was born that way. If he could turn back time, he would have killed Damien, when he was a fetus, and removed it. The king, who realized that it was already too late, had a belated fear in his eyes.

“If you’re done with your questions, may I step down, Your Majesty?”

“Damien….!”

Damien, who was about to turn around, stopped when the king hurriedly called his name. The king carefully spoke to his nephew in an earnest voice containing his last hope.

“Promise me you won’t do anything to hurt John. He’s your blood, Damien. So please, about his safety…..!”

“If you don’t want to see blood, your majesty can make wise judgments.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am telling you that you can acknowledge the prince’s flaws and appoint me as the new heir.”

Damien enjoyed watching the blood accumulating in the king’s eyes. It was a very interesting experience to watch the moment when all hopes turns into despair.

In other words, it was only a desire as a father, not as a king of the country, to establish a person who was not qualified from the beginning as the successor.

“That kind of insult…To Johannes… Are you telling me to do that to my son with my own hands…..?”

“It is the right decision as the king of a country, not as the father of a son.”

The king was able to intuitively feel how long Damien waited for this. The current situation with the nobles of parliament who all are honouring the young duke— the old and sick king lying in bed and waiting to end his life, while the immature and weak prince who relies on the duke for everything.

“I could convene a meeting of parliament and punish you for treason, Damien.”

Damien smiled at the king who had drawn out his last card

“Then you’ll see what real a treason is.”

Seeing the king’s lips quivering, Damien bowed his head to pay his respects, and then stepped down. The king couldn’t calm down and trembled even when his servant, who was called by Damien, came and looked at his (king) safety.

I’ll let you see your son’s neck first in the guillotine.

Demian’s ensuing whisper penetrated the king’s brain and echoed.

Chapter 10. The Train to Tisse

In the winter when the cold wind passed through the tip of the nose, Verdier estate was crowded with workers from outside. The construction of railroad on the mountain was not a scale that could be completed in a day or two, and as is always the case where people gather, the city was slowly but steadily expanding due to active commercial transactions.

The fact that the Duchess of Tisse, who had been married in the summer, had been living on her estate without her husband for nearly half a year was not a big deal anymore. This is because inns, restaurants, and bars were always full, and farmers were also busy with their jobs during the off-season.

Viscount Verdier, who had cleared out all his debts, was also busy. It was his job as a lord to mediate the conflicts between the existing residents and outsiders*. Although his financial ability is a bit lacking, the Viscount, who has a knack for mediating his subordinates, seemed energetic after a long time.

(* The people who came to work on the railroad)

“Father.”

Chloe carefully entered the parlour attached to the study. As if he had told the servant in advance, there was tea and high-quality cookies, which he apparently had prepared for her.

“I bought it on my way back from Swan”.

That’s something to be grateful for, considering there is a time when they are worried about what they would wear and eat. Chloe crunched and bit the soft butter cookies. The sound of wood crackling was heard in the fireplace.

How long has it been since I am able to drink tea with my father on a quiet winter night?

“It’s really good, father.”

Chloe is finally back in her daily life.

“I hugged it all the time in the carriage just in case it gets broken.”

It was a happy time that she desperately protected.

“You have been busy every single day, Chole”

“You look well. It would be good if you take care of yourself”

“For that, we should reduce the snack first.”

Chloe smiled after seeing the Viscount getting better. Seeing her father who was relaxed enough to joke around, she was deeply relieved. Last summer, when the unfortunate things occurred one after another, she was really worried about him.

“I should show a very weak figure until the wretched Alice returns.”

“Even if you don’t, she will be fully reflecting.”

Chloe smiled a little more and looked at him. She didn’t tell her father yet, but Alice and Chloe were secretly exchanging letters.

Alice begged Chloe and her father for forgiveness and told them not to worry, as she is living a life where there is nothing lacking now. The letter— written in a tone where she confidently said that she would soon see Chloe again, was of the highest quality paper and smelled good.

“Where is she living and what is she doing…”

“Don’t worry. She is unpredictable, but always lucky, father.”

Chloe’s words comforted him because her words were true. Although both sisters suffered from the same fever, it left an indelible wound on Chloe’s body, whereas Alice rose bravely. When she was studying at the monastery, she had an eccentric personality, and despite many accidents, she was not kicked out of school and graduated safely.

***

Comments from Korean readers:

Although the male lead here is cold hearted, I thought he could be just a kind- hearted tsundere but after reading this episode I realised he is just a greedy and a bad guy… I feel sorry for the female lead

I think the gypsy is a big shot….I hate you Alice 

Where is Alice?

ALICE KIDNAPPED BY THE MALE LEAD, IS IT!???

Is Alice really lucky to meet a high quality gypsy with true love???

Damien isn’t that bad man!! Don’t call him like that!!!