Chapter 25
“More than that, Aunt Merian is very worried about Aiden Bedeusian,” Crown Prince Harbian brought up a sensitive topic. As the Crown Prince, Harbian was Aiden’s cousin. The aunt he referred to was Merian, Aiden’s mother.
Duke Ergen’s eyebrows momentarily stiffened but then he softened his expression, speaking in a sympathetic tone. “Yes, I’ve been troubled by that as well. We had no choice but to demand a hostage from the Bedeusian family, but to think they would send Sir Aiden…”
“I understand it’s a matter between the two families, but for Aunt Merian’s sake, please treat him generously,” Harbian requested.
“Of course. We are doing our best for Sir Aiden. However… he seems deeply disheartened, possibly because he feels abandoned by his family,” the Duke responded.
Listening to the conversation, Raylenne was astonished. She had never felt more appalled. It was clear the Bedeusian family was trying to exploit the rift with the royal family, but this was too much. Treat him well? He was locked up in a dungeon, treated worse than a dog! Raylenne wanted to plug her ears if she couldn’t deny this outrageous lie.
Fortunately, the topic soon changed. Harbian occasionally included Raylenne in the conversation, trying to engage her. Each time, she had to force a smile and respond, which felt like torture.
“Your Highness, it would be best to end the meeting here. We will have plenty of opportunities to see each other in the future,” the Duke suggested.
“Yes, though it’s a pity, I understand,” Harbian agreed. Finally, the conversation was over. The Duke rose from his seat and escorted Harbian to the front gate, with Raylenne following reluctantly.
Before boarding his carriage, Harbian looked at Raylenne with regret. “I hope we can hold the wedding soon, Miss Raylenne.”
The Duke answered in her place. “We will discuss the wedding with His Majesty the Emperor and proceed as quickly as possible. Please do not worry.”
Harbian shifted his gaze from Raylenne and smiled at the Duke. “I trust you, Duke Ergen.” Harbian bowed slightly and boarded the carriage.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
“Safe travels,” the Duke replied, and the carriage departed from the duke’s estate.
As soon as they were alone, Duke Ergen’s low voice stopped Raylenne in her tracks. “Raylenne, let’s talk.” Although she felt uneasy about being alone with the Duke, she sensed they needed to have this conversation.
Raylenne and the Duke returned to the drawing room. The Duke waited until the door was completely closed before speaking. She had noticed earlier that he seemed to be looking around as if searching for someone, as if wary of being overheard. He had dismissed Harbian rather early, implying someone else might be watching.
When the door finally closed and silence enveloped them, the Duke spoke. “Raylenne, as I said, Crown Prince Harbian will be your husband.”
For a moment, she had forgotten that the Duke was an authoritarian and domineering man, capable of announcing her marriage on a whim.
“I just met him today, Father.”
“Raylenne,” the Duke said sternly, “Do you know why I tolerated your antics?”
Antics. The word carried heavy implications.
“Even when you refused to attend parties or lay bedridden claiming illness.”
“That’s because…!” Raylenne started, but the Duke cut her off.
“I waited, believing your weakness would eventually improve.”
Weakness. This was how the Duke viewed his daughter who never stepped outside. She had known he was indifferent, but to think he saw her this way stung deeply.
“From what I’ve seen and heard recently, it seems you’ve overcome your social anxiety completely and have recovered physically,” the Duke continued. It seemed he had been waiting for this moment.
The Duke reached out and caressed Raylenne’s cheek. “Though your skin is still rough.”
Raylenne now understood the comment he had made at lunch.
“You should take better care of yourself from now on. Your body is thinning, and your skin is becoming rough.”
He didn’t see her as his daughter.
“Now is the perfect time for you to serve as a bridge between the royal family and the Ergen Dukedom,” he declared.
Not a bridge, but a bargaining chip to be offered when needed. The Duke was willing to sacrifice his children for his schemes, and this time, she was the chosen sacrifice.
“Since the Bedeusian family has completely fallen out with the royal family, if we strengthen our ties with the royal family now, it’s only a matter of time before Bedeusian falls. That so-called first-class Awakener,” the Duke sneered.
“Anyway, Raylenne, you have no right to refuse. This is for the family, so don’t argue,” he commanded.
“Father…” Raylenne was at a loss for words at his one-sided decree.
“If you behave rudely to the Crown Prince or cause trouble by trying to leave the mansion, then…” The Duke narrowed his eyes and glared at her. “I will not let it slide. Be prepared.”
Having said his piece, the Duke stood up. “And, keep this engagement a secret for now.”
Who would she tell? Normally, Raylenne would have no one to share this news with. As she pondered the Duke’s strange order, he hesitated and added, “Especially from Caverion.”
Caverion…? She was puzzled by the sudden mention of her brother, but the Duke had already left the drawing room.
* * *
Upon returning to her room, Raylenne began preparing to visit Aiden again. All she needed to do was change her clothes, but it felt significant. The navy robe she had grown accustomed to now seemed drab and dull, likely reflecting her confused state of mind.
Her head throbbed. “An unexpected marriage, just like that.” She had known that as part of the Ergen family—comparable to a modern conglomerate—her marriage wouldn’t be entirely her choice, but this was too sudden and coercive.
The biggest reason she found the marriage unappealing was her intended, Crown Prince Harbian. Despite being a tall, handsome man with a prestigious title, she felt no attraction to him. Even recalling the original story and searching her memories, she found no useful information about Harbian.
“At least, the wedding won’t happen immediately.” Before that, her priority was to help Aiden escape. If she were to get married and leave, Aiden would continue to suffer in inhumane conditions here. It felt like a time limit had suddenly been imposed on her mission.
“And…” The Duke had mentioned something about her causing a commotion if she tried to leave the estate again. That was surprising. “The socially anxious Raylenne tried to leave the estate before?” She wondered why she would have made such a choice.
Trying to recall this important memory yielded nothing. Her memories related to her family seemed to be locked, making her feel frustrated. Knowing more would make it easier to understand the original Raylenne. However, dwelling on it wouldn’t solve anything.
Raylenne tried to cool her heated mind. Once her thoughts cleared, she headed to the underground prison. As expected, Haele sprang to his feet upon her arrival.
“You’re here, Lady Raylenne.”
“Yes.” Raylenne planned to find a way to unlock Aiden’s shackles today. There had to be a key here. Since Haele was the only guard managing the prison, he must have it.
She scanned the area around Haele. Noticing her scrutiny, he asked, “Is there something you’re looking for?”
“Nothing. Just give me the cell keys.”
“Oh! Right away.” Haele opened a desk drawer, revealing Aiden’s long cell key along with a bunch of other keys.
“What are those other keys for?”
“Oh, those are for the other cells.”
Hmmm. Asking directly for the key to Aiden’s shackles might be too suspicious. Raylenne thought carefully before speaking slowly.
“Now that I think about it, it’s careless to store such important keys in a mere desk drawer.”
“But… I’m always here, and hardly anyone comes to the underground prison,” Haele replied, scratching his head.
“Accidents happen when you least expect them. It would be better for me to keep the important keys.”
“If you mean Aiden’s cell key, I might need it, so I can’t give it to you.”
Raylenne shook her head. “I don’t need Aiden’s cell key. Give me the key to his shackles.”
“Pardon…?”
“What could be more important than that key? And you have no use for it.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Are you worried I might misuse it?” Raylenne deliberately hardened her expression, pretending to be stern. Haele quickly shook his head, his cheeks jiggling with the motion.
“Of course not!”
“Then give it to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Haele rummaged through another drawer and produced a small, somewhat rusty key.
“I kept it separate because it looks similar to the other cell keys.”
Haele placed the key into Raylenne’s white palm. It was slightly rusty but should still work. Raylenne inwardly smiled with satisfaction as she took the key.
“I will keep it safe.” She maintained a dignified expression as she walked away but then stopped in her tracks. There was one more thing to confirm.
Turning back quickly, she called out, “Haele.”
“Yes?”
“You mentioned you leave this place unattended during the evening?”
“Yes. The guards patrol near the prison during that time.”
“I’m worried. The knights and guards are said to be exhausted from recent territorial battles. Can they properly guard this place?” Raylenne expressed her concern.
“Don’t worry, Lady Raylenne. As you know, there’s only one way out of here, so it’s not difficult to monitor.”
Haele laughed, then added, “Of course, there’s a back door leading outside from Aiden’s cell block, but it’s locked, so it’s fine.”
Oh, really.
“Then I should keep that key as well.”
“Huh? Are you sure…?”
“Yes. It’s not used often, so there’s no harm.”
“I suppose…”
“Then give it to me.”
Haele blinked and opened the drawer again, handing her a blue-tinted key.
“Here it is.”
Raylenne now held two keys. Perfect. This brought her one step closer to freeing Aiden.
