If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 23
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Joseph probably didn’t expect to get a quick answer from Cain.
Joseph oversaw all the affairs within the palace and beyond, acting as the Emperor’s closest advisor, which naturally included handling all the country’s important news. Given his position as the one responsible for processing all significant information in the nation, there was no way any rumors from Leden would escape Joseph’s attention.
Cain’s declaration of his intention to marry Lady Kristin had reached Joseph’s ears even before Cain was summoned. Given this, Joseph realized that he needed to change his line of questioning.
“Since you know everything already, perhaps I should ask a different question then?”
Joseph limped along behind Cain, not looking back.
“Are you in your right mind, doing something like that?” Joseph asked.
“Well, it’s not like I’ve gone crazy or anything.”
“You must be out of your mind to do something like that. Do you have any idea what kind of crime it is to defy the Emperor’s wishes?
“It’s not as if nothing is at stake.”
“You should know how the Emperor has dealt with those who don’t follow his will. Despite being a war hero and enjoying his favor, do you think he would let someone who acts so disrespectfully get away with it?”
“Committing treason against the Emperor because of marrying the woman you love seems like an extreme exaggeration.”
“Well, lov-love?”
Joseph’s incredulous gaze seemed to ask, “Is this really my friend?” Whether it was or not, Cain quickly moved on, leaving Joseph behind.
As Cain continued his brisk walk, Joseph couldn’t help but think about the strange circumstances surrounding his friend’s transformation. Had he been shot in the head on the battlefield? Was he truly in love?
The look in Joseph’s eyes seemed to suggest otherwise, hinting at something much more sinister. Regardless, Cain was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, even if it meant confronting a dangerous enemy in the process.
The events unfolded a bit faster than expected. If it weren’t for the urgent secret letter from the contact that he planted in Calvino County, Cain might have remained in the North all this time.
John Calvino. Agatha Kristin. Marriage approval. Princess Alexandra’s birthday party.
Even though it was a hastily sent letter with only words listed instead of complete sentences, Cain understood its meaning. It seemed that Countess Calvino was trying to swallow the Duchy through the Lady, so he had to act quickly to bring her back.
He still had piles of paperwork to deal with, but there was no regret in his choice. Bringing the Lady back was his top priority, no matter how much the timing had advanced.
“What a snake-like human.”
He wondered how much the Count’s estate had accumulated over the past nine years, and even with all of that, the Countess still had the audacity to desire to consume the entire Duchy .
As someone who had heard about the Countess’s two faces for a long time, Cain was well aware of her greed.
“Marquis Vernat has arrived.”
The palace guards standing in front of the audience room informed of Cain’s arrival. Whether to enter or wait, there should have been an appropriate response, but for some reason, the inside of the audience room was silent.
“Marquis Vernat has arrived.”
Still, there was no response.
“It seems His Majesty is not ready yet. I will wait.”
There was no way. Whoever had sent the message at the crack of dawn demanding an immediate audience would surely not still be sleeping. This must be the Emperor’s petty revenge for daring to reject his proposal.
To become the sun of the Empire, you are indeed quite small. Cain sneered inwardly.
How many hours had passed since he entered the audience room? It wasn’t until he had finished reading two books that Emperor Blahova finally appeared.
“I greet His Imperial Majesty, the supreme and radiant sun of Nikephos.”
He had anticipated this level of coldness since the Emperor called him to the audience room instead of his usual office.
The office was a strictly private space for the Emperor, and only trusted officials were allowed to enter. In other words, he called those he trusted to his office, and those he did not to the audience room.
Seems like a rather childish move for the Supreme of the Empire. Cain thought.
“Sit,” the Emperor said, looking down at Cain disapprovingly. He then sat down himself, his golden robes rustling as he did.
Cain confirmed the Emperor’s seating and, after a short bow as a formality, took his place across from him.
Cain felt the Emperor’s piercing gaze, as if it were silently challenging him to come up with any excuse. Both men sat in tense silence, their eyes locked in a subtle battle of wills.
To an outsider, it might have appeared as a routine audience between a stern ruler and a loyal subject, but the reality was quite different.
