I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 24
“You think I’d oppose your marriage because of a mere difference in social status? Do you really think I’d be that foolish to do so?”
In the Hevania Kingdom, marriage between nobility and commoners wasn’t legally prohibited. However, due to societal scrutiny, many individuals were hesitant to engage in marriages with differing social standings.
Sarubia clenched her fists on her knees.
“But are you not against it, Baroness?”
“Would it do any good if I were?”
“No, it’s not that, but…”
“You’re the woman my grandson chose for himself. What could I say to that?”
Sipping his tea calmly, Baroness Inferna smiled furtively.
“And, I’d prefer if we have the ceremony while I’m still alive.”
“…”
Rufus and Sarubia couldn’t find a suitable response to that statement.
Baroness Inferna had very little time left.
***
“Didn’t you say you put poison in the cookies! But why is that cur still alive?”
The king yelled.
“I-It seems like Lord Rufus had not consumed those cookies.”
The aide bowed, trembling.
“Why? With something so expensive and exquisite, he should have devoured them, so why on earth?”
The cookies had been made with deadly poison mixed into the ingredients, and the king had deceitfully sent them as a gift in the name of the princess.
He expected that the foolish man would eat those cookies thinking they were a gift from the princess, and that he’d enjoy them.
But it had been a whole day, and there was no news of that cur’s demise just yet.
Daring to disregard the gift sent by the princess… Was he in his right mind?
“Please calm down, Your Majesty.”
The aide tried to soothe the king, sweating coldly.
“Still, the fortunate thing is that Lord Rufus is unaware of the fact that Your Majesty is planning to poison him. There’s still an opportunity.”
“Then invite him to dinner right away. If he’s before me, he won’t dare refuse the food.”
“If you do that, the people will certainly turn against Your Majesty. It could lead to civil unrest if done carelessly.”
“Then tell me, huh. What should I do.”
The aide hastily responded.
“There is the upcoming Fire Festival a few days from now, sire.”
“That’s right.”
In a few days, the Fire Festival, marking the end of the war, will be celebrated. It’s when specially crafted fireworks by the royal magicians will be launched.
“On that day, parts of the palace will be open to the public. This includes the area near the separate palace where Lord Rufus is currently residing. Crowds will gather in that vicinity, creating chaos… Your Majesty can seize that moment.”
Taking advantage of the confusion when outsiders are allowed in. The king, understanding the secretary’s intention, chuckled.
“A truly wise idea.”
With a malicious smile, the king gazed at the sword he had placed by his throne.
Daring to threaten the king’s authority.
A lowly noble, who has nothing to his name yet captured the hearts of the people. A proud man who abandoned the king’s beloved daughter.
Rufus.
The king would personally make sure to end him.
***
Night had fallen, but Rufus couldn’t sleep. After a moment of contemplation, he headed to the room where Sarubia was staying.
“Sarubia.”
He called her name in a hushed voice, and in response, he heard some commotion from inside.
“P, please wait a moment!”
“What’s the matter?”
Startled by the sound of something falling, Rufus quickly reached for the doorknob and twisted it.
“I, I’m not wearing any clothes!”
A large pile of blankets was on the bed, with her ivory hair still peeking out from beneath.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Looking at Sarubia, who had hidden under the blanket, Rufus muttered.
“It does matter! Please wait outside for a moment!”
She was adamant, and he had no intention of forcing his way in.
After waiting outside for a while, the door opened again, and Sarubia peeked her face out.
“You can come in now.”
Sarubia was now dressed in a thin silk nightgown. Perhaps she had hurriedly put it on, as the fabric had slipped down from her shoulder.
Rufus didn’t point that out, finding it rather endearing.
Since that day, Sarubia had left Princess Sordid’s palace altogether.
“You took away my means of survival. You better take responsibility of me.”
She had grumbled about not receiving any severance pay when she suddenly quit her job as a maid in the princess’s palace. Nevertheless, she was quite content to be out of the princess’s palace.
Sarubia had been working in the princess’s palace from a very young age. Having lived in the maids’ quarters all her life, she didn’t have much in the way of personal belongings. Her clothing consisted mostly of the work attire maids wore.
“Why were you undressed?”
Rufus, who was sitting on the bed, asked.
“I used to sleep undressed in my quarters too.”
“Completely undressed?”
“Yes, I lived alone in the attic room of the maids’ quarters… And it’s too hot in the summer, you see.”
You really don’t like the heat, do you?”
“No. I’d rather freeze to death than sleep in the heat.”
“You’re quite extreme.”
Rufus thought it was fortunate that the Inferna territory wasn’t as hot.
“Why did you come here? Can’t sleep?”
“That’s part of it.”
Rufus nodded.
“But mostly because I missed you.”
In response, Sarubia chuckled softly.
