Chapter 105
Chapter 105: As If Finding Its True Owner
The deeper she went inside, the stronger the scents of old metal and damp mold became.
Considering the severity of his crimes, Marquess Byzantium had been imprisoned in the most harsh frontier prison, or so they said.
Even the Emperor of the Valdeon Empire couldn’t ignore the backlash from the nobles and imperial citizens.
Elena slightly furrowed her brow as she thought about facing Marquess Byzantium soon.
Still, the fortunate thing was that he had no means to harm her.
All prisons in the Valdeon Empire required ability users to wear control devices to prevent inmates from escaping.
Elena maintained her composure while forcibly swallowing dry saliva as she passed countless iron bars.
“This way, my lady.”
The gatekeeper who had guided her bowed quietly before stepping aside.
Elena looked quietly at the middle-aged man trapped behind the iron bars and wore a mocking smile.
The situation must be quite distressing, as Marquess Byzantium’s complexion looked much worse compared to the National Foundation Festival.
“…What brings you here?”
As the Marquess glared at her through narrowed eyes, Elena lifted her lips crookedly and answered.
“I wanted to see for myself, of course.”
“Ha, quite amusing. Do you think I’ll just stay quietly like this?”
Marquess Byzantium seemed to be constantly scheming even now while imprisoned.
As if he believed he could certainly escape from here.
Otherwise, he couldn’t maintain such a proud attitude.
‘Could he be planning something?’
With Marquess Byzantium, there was a high possibility he was already secretly orchestrating something.
However, there were limits to what he could plot while imprisoned.
‘Whatever it is, I’ll need to prepare in advance.’
Emerging from her thoughts, Elena raised one eyebrow as if finding him laughable.
“You’ll resent and curse me. For the rest of your life.”
“The rest of my life… Unfortunately, that wish won’t come true.”
Despite the Marquess’s triumphant attitude, Elena continued with a cold gaze.
“That’s not possible. My revenge is right before me.”
“…”
“So enjoy your comfortable rest here while you can, Marquess.”
* * *
As Lupeon cut off the Emperor’s right arm [metaphorically], the Progressive Faction’s foundation was shaking.
To completely clear the previous Emperor’s false charges, he was gathering materials to assert legitimacy.
He intended to fully reveal the truth in opposition to the Imperial Family, who still claimed it was baseless rumors.
This meeting was no exception. An unofficial meeting was being held to depose the current Emperor.
A small number of central nobles were also present in the Grand Duke’s great hall, having traveled all the way from the capital to the distant North.
They seemed to agree that they could no longer stand by and watch the current Emperor’s corrupt politics.
Elena couldn’t help but be quite surprised to see the large space filled with seats, unlike before.
Noticing this, Nicollman, sitting beside her, spoke quietly in a satisfied voice.
“It seems there are many nobles who harbor ill feelings toward the current Imperial Family.”
“It looks like all the careful preparation has paid off.”
Elena nodded slightly and looked at her fiancé presiding over the meeting.
Those gathered at the Grand Duke’s mansion around Lupeon continued planning how to depose the current Emperor.
“The Emperor will surely try to win over the remaining Progressive Faction forces.”
“What if we meet with them first?”
As a young noble raised his hand and suggested this, Lupeon shook his head after falling into thought briefly.
“Those who have long supported one faction are more likely to act as spies.”
If that happened, it would not only cause confusion among the forces supporting the Grand Duke but might also risk the rebellion failing and facing grave danger.
That’s why Lupeon always carefully reviewed and decided when accepting those who came over from the Progressive Faction.
Perhaps because he had long steeled his heart until pointing the blade of revenge, he maintained a rather calm attitude.
Preparations for the uprising were progressing smoothly as central nobles and their forces who had turned to Lupeon’s side were being absorbed.
A high-ranking noble who appeared advanced in age among those attending the meeting stroked his beard and spoke in a serious voice.
“I hear there’s an unusual atmosphere in the Imperial Family these days.”
“In the Imperial Family?”
The noble nodded solemnly and related strange news he had heard from his planted spy.
Recently the Emperor had been making frequent outings away from people’s eyes, and his destination was none other than the frontier region.
It was absurd to think he might even be visiting the prison where Marquess Byzantium was to seek advice.
“He must have been anxious.”
Crown Prince Mateo, unable to avoid house arrest, had been cautious, but his position had become unstable as his hidden misdeeds were revealed.
Given the situation, the Emperor desperately needed advice from Marquess Byzantium, who had been practically his regent.
Elena clicked her tongue softly as she thought of the current Imperial Family and Marquess Byzantium, who had created unstable politics by coveting positions that didn’t suit them.
* * *
On a late afternoon thick with fog, torrential rain poured from the dim sky.
The atmosphere at the Devonshire Grand Duke’s mansion flowed more peacefully than usual.
This was because Lupeon had temporarily left the mansion with his knights after an unidentified monster attacked the outskirts of the North.
‘He said this subjugation would take about three days.’
After the assassin’s intrusion into the child’s room, Lupeon had commissioned processed barrier stones from Wiriditas.
When activated, the barrier stones created a curtain-like barrier around the Grand Duke’s mansion, protecting it safely against possible intruders.
As autumn rain had fallen continuously for several days, Elena spent time inside the mansion with her young lady.
After dinner, the child suddenly looked up at her and asked in a shy, careful voice.
“Can we play in new sister’s room today?”
Perhaps tired of always playing in her own room, Anasha’s eyes sparkled even more brightly.
“Of course, young miss.”
When Elena readily agreed, the child showed a bright smile and led the way upstairs.
Though she usually kept dangerous substances in her laboratory, Elena sometimes kept simple alchemy ingredients in her room as well.
She wore a faint smile watching Anasha repeatedly exclaim in amazement while looking at the potions filling the shelves.
“Shall we make a simple potion together next time?”
“Wow, really?”
As the child happily bounced in place, Elena nodded slightly and gently stroked her head.
“Yes, I’ll prepare for it next time.”
Humming a tune, Anasha continued looking around her room when she suddenly discovered something and tilted her head.
“New sister, what’s that?”
When Elena raised her head in the direction the child was pointing, there was a small box at the end of that gaze.
“That’s…”
It was a box where Elena had carefully stored precious items while organizing her belongings when she first came to the North.
‘Come to think of it, inside this…’
Carefully taking out the box and opening the lid, she soon discovered a blue velvet ribbon.
Anasha, who had come beside her, saw the ribbon and spoke in a clear voice.
“Wow, what a pretty ribbon!”
“I was going to give it to my sister, but she hadn’t been born yet.”
Elena wore a gentle smile as she recalled her childhood memories.
‘Since it was originally Anasha’s, I should return it.’
Though it held such precious memories for her, it was time to return it to its original owner.
“Young miss, may I do your hair with this ribbon?”
“Yes, I’d love that!”
Anasha nodded and soon turned around to sit at the vanity, and Elena gathered the child’s fine hair and tied it high with the ribbon.
Looking at it now, it seemed young Lupeon had chosen his little sister’s gift quite thoughtfully.
“I knew it would suit you well.”
The blue velvet ribbon perfectly matched the girl with silver hair and clear blue eyes.
As if the ribbon had found its true owner.
