Chapter 119
Chapter 119: Now You Can’t Escape
Lupeon raised the corner of his mouth while glancing at the name written in the upper left corner of the letter.
“Still, you can’t!”
Elena’s cheeks flushed crimson as she firmly answered, trying to act nonchalant.
Rather than conveying her feelings through a letter, she wanted to tell him face to face.
But not right here, right now. She wanted to confess seriously after setting the right mood.
Moreover, she needed time to practice for a confession she had never made before.
As if understanding her desperate feelings, Lupeon took a step back.
Elena, taking the letters and escaping his embrace, breathed a sigh of relief.
Though it seemed he had already read some of the letter, at least he hadn’t read the very last line.
Staring intently at her noticeably brightened expression, Lupeon slowly opened his mouth.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve told you this yet.”
Elena tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
“I really missed you.”
“…!”
At those unexpected words, her golden eyes momentarily wavered.
The playful expression had long since disappeared from Lupeon’s face, and his clear blue eyes shone more earnestly than ever.
Elena, just blankly staring at him, felt something welling up in her chest.
‘Lupeon…’
“I feel like I haven’t had enough time to talk with you, not as Rosie.”
As he said, they hadn’t had many chances to talk except for the day Lupeon regained consciousness. He had been busy handling backlogged work.
Elena suddenly realized she also had words left unsaid to him and looked at the single rose in her hand.
She thought she had carefully gathered all the flowers she dropped in the garden, but apparently she had lost them all on her way to the study.
Though slightly embarrassed, she spoke with a bright smile:
“Welcome back to daily life, Lupeon.”
Elena handed him the single rose and as she opened the study door, glanced back.
“The contents of the letter… I’ll tell you directly next time.”
Watching her retreating figure as she practically fled, Lupeon finally let out the laugh he had been holding back.
“Now you can’t escape, Elena.”
His eyes gleamed with more persistence than ever before.
Elena Rohenbach, the woman who would soon become the next Empress of the Valdeon Empire.
As his lifelong companion.
* * *
<The Final Fate of Viscount Byzantium, Sent to Comfortable Exile in Esperen>
<The Fall of House Byzantium and the Destruction of the Delonso Guild>
Elena raised her lips crookedly, recalling the headlines that dominated the news daily.
After careful consideration, Lupeon had finally thought of a fitting punishment for Viscount Byzantium and the Delonso Guild.
That was exile to Esperen, known as the Land of Death.
Survival was nearly impossible in a land teeming with high-ranking magical beasts.
As per Lupeon’s plan, they were sent into exile with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and finally met a miserable end.
‘Perhaps this is what they call karma.’
Elena shook her head expressionlessly, thinking of their painful deaths.
Jeremy had played some role in House Byzantium’s downfall.
He had betrayed his father and handed over confidential ledgers to Lupeon, becoming the only one from House Byzantium to receive amnesty.
Though it surely wasn’t an easy decision to make, thanks to Jeremy, they were able to thoroughly crush the remaining progressive forces.
No longer the heir to House Byzantium, he was faithfully fulfilling his role as the next Tower Master.
The Empress, upon hearing of her husband and son’s deaths, went mad from shock and ultimately chose suicide.
Their end was the price for coveting what they shouldn’t have and prospering from others’ misfortunes.
Lupeon, as the next Emperor, was busy traveling between the capital and the North while gradually stabilizing the turbulent political situation.
‘I wonder what Lupeon is doing right now?’
Elena wore a faint smile as she thought of him staying in the capital.
Occasionally sending messages through communication orbs, Lupeon expressed gratitude and apology to her for helping with his work while remaining in the North.
But Elena didn’t mind at all. If anything, she only worried about him.
She knew better than anyone how busy his schedule was.
As Elena tended to medicinal herbs in the greenhouse garden, lost in thoughts of her fiancé—
[Child, why are you watering the floor instead of the plants?]
“…Vernon?”
Startled by the voice coming from somewhere, she quickly righted the watering can.
As Vernon had said, Elena had been watering the greenhouse garden floor instead of the plants.
Seeing her lost in thought, the familiar spirit tilted his head and asked:
[Perhaps you have something worrying you?]
“No, I’m fine.”
‘How can I say I was lost in thoughts of Lupeon….’
Feeling awkward, Elena could only show a faint smile.
Seemingly realizing she was trying to hide her thoughts, Vernon nodded. Then he naturally changed the subject.
[Speaking of which, child, I hear you’ve been developing new medicines recently?]
At that question, Elena’s eyes sparkled as she proudly pointed to several medicinal herbs planted in the garden.
“Yes, fortunately the ingredients for the medicines are growing well.”
After successfully completing her research for the Hyporak cure, Elena was developing other medicines as well.
Things that would help the territory’s people, like medicines for fatigue relief and strength enhancement.
Elena felt deeply grateful to Laphine who had helped diligently with medicine research until recently.
That’s why she had opened a small medicinal shop for her, along with a reward vacation.
As Elena wore a gentle smile thinking of those who had helped her—
[Child, you’re doing well enough.]
“What?”
As Elena blinked and tilted her head slightly, Vernon jumped up into her arms.
Having caught the familiar spirit reflexively, Elena showed a puzzled expression.
Vernon patted her shoulder with his cotton-like paw and continued:
[You don’t have to try so hard to do well.]
“…”
Elena hesitated at these unexpected words.
The familiar spirit must have been trying to comfort her, who always carried on silently without showing her feelings.
[So I hope you won’t try to shoulder burdens alone, but share them with those around you.]
Elena wore a gentle smile at Vernon’s attitude, as if dealing with his own granddaughter.
Perhaps because of the warm comfort, her heart felt somewhat lighter.
“Thank you, Vernon.”
Soon Vernon’s ears perked up as he looked toward the greenhouse garden entrance.
[It seems the Grand Duke has come.]
“What? Lupeon…?”
‘How is he here already?’
Elena’s eyes widened at hearing that the man who should be in the capital had come to the mansion without notice.
The last time she had exchanged messages with Lupeon, he had said it would take at least four more days before he could come to the North.
Vernon, looking at her with slightly curved eyes in a smile, hopped down to the ground.
[I should be going now.]
The familiar spirit gracefully disappeared toward another hole, swishing his tail.
As Vernon had said, heavy footsteps were growing closer.
As Elena turned her head toward the sound of the presence, a tall man pulled at his lips while looking at her.
“I knew you would be here.”
“Lupeon…”
“Have you been well?”
Seeing Lupeon appear suddenly and calmly asking after her wellbeing, Elena felt as much hurt as happiness.
‘Was I the only one waiting all this time?’
If he had sent even a letter to let her know, she wouldn’t have spent these past days waiting with an anxious heart.
Elena had been missing him and hoping for his wellbeing, not knowing he was coming.
Slightly pouting her lips and clenching her fingertips, she looked at her fiancé.
Though she tried to suppress her emotions, her voice came out somewhat sulky without her realizing it.
