The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 126

Chapter 126. Cruel Fate (1)

“Your Majesty, what is going on? Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing that the Emperor was in critical condition, nobles rushed into the palace one after another. Duke Berthe, who had hurried over from his estate, cried out before even seeing the Emperor. As he tried to enter the Emperor’s bedchamber, he was blocked by the knights guarding the door.

“What is the meaning of this? Do you not know me? I am His Majesty’s maternal uncle.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince has issued an order prohibiting entry.”

Despite his protest, the knights did not step aside.

“That is only natural. But I am His Majesty’s maternal uncle.”

While other nobles naturally couldn’t enter the Emperor’s bedchamber, he had always come and gone freely. When Duke Berthe tried to enter again, two knights drew their swords.

As the duke was struggling with the knights, Adam, wearing a grave expression, opened the bedroom door and stepped outside.

“His Majesty the Emperor has passed away.”

“Gasp, wh, what did you say? His Majesty has passed away?”

Duke Berthe dropped to the floor with his mouth hanging open. Following behind Adam, the Marquess of Carrion stepped out through the door.

He was allowed into His Majesty’s bedchamber? And I am not?

As Duke Berthe’s expression grew even more shocked, the Marquess of Carrion spoke in a solemn voice, “From this moment, in accordance with the late Emperor’s will, His Highness Crown Prince Louid has ascended the throne as the Emperor of the Richert Empire. I ask that you all show your respect to His Majesty the new Emperor Louid.”

“May divine protection be with His Majesty Emperor Louid.”

“Long live His Majesty Emperor Louid.”

As soon as the marquess finished speaking, the nobles who had gathered in the palace knelt on one knee before the bedchamber entrance. All of them lowered their heads and paid their respects to the new Emperor.

What is this… what is happening?

Only Duke Berthe remained seated on the floor, staring blankly in a daze.

“Then what will happen to Her Highness the Crown Princess? She will surely become Her Majesty the Empress, correct?”

Only then did he think of Emilia. Grabbing the marquess’s trouser leg, he asked.

“Well….”

As the marquess delayed his answer with an ambiguous expression, Louid stepped out. His eyes, having lost a blood relative, were red with grief. He had briefly been delirious from the poison, but because he had become accustomed to Serot poison, he was able to awaken miraculously. But the Emperor had not.

William, who had always been healthy and had no political enemies until the Crown Prince’s death, had never faced danger to his life except when he went to war. That meant he had not built any resistance to poison. Though several royal physicians rushed in to treat him, they were ultimately unable to save him.

“Your Majesty.”

Everyone bowed their heads toward the new Emperor.

“Address me as Your Highness. The coronation will be held after the mourning period ends.”

Louid announced in a solemn voice. In the Richert Empire, the mourning period after an Emperor’s death lasted three months.

“Your Highness.”

As Louid, whose expression seemed somewhat hollow, tried to pass through the nobles, Duke Berthe called out to him urgently.

Louid stopped walking and glared at him. Soon after, words like a thunderbolt fell from his lips.

“Arrest Duke Berthe on charges of treason.”

“Your Highness, wh, what did you just say?”

The duke looked at him with a face as if he might faint.

“You don’t even ask about your granddaughter. Emilia was poisoned by snake venom while trying to follow your orders.”

“What do you mean by that?”

As if he had been struck across the face, the duke froze in place. His expression gradually turned pale with shock.

“I intended to execute you long ago, but I held back because you were the late Emperor’s maternal uncle.”

Louid only ground his teeth as he continued speaking words the duke could not understand.

“Your Highness.”

“Take him away and throw him in prison.”

“Yes!”

“It’s unjust, Your Highness.”

Duke Berthe pleaded his innocence, but he was arrested by the knights and dragged away.

“Marquess of Carrion!”

Louid called out to the Marquess of Carrion, who had been standing to the side.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Explain what has happened to the ministers.”

“Yes, understood.”

After giving the order, Louid strode off toward his office. His face was twisted with anger.

“Marquess, what is the meaning of this?”

The nobles left in the corridor bombarded the Marquess of Carrion with questions. Overnight, the Emperor had passed away and Duke Berthe, the head of the noble faction, had been thrown into prison. To them, it was like a bolt from the blue.

“Duke Berthe conspired with Her Highness the Crown Princess and attempted to poison His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince. The duke intended to place the Crown Princess on the throne. And my daughter was injured while trying to stop the Crown Princess and has fallen into a coma.”

The Marquess of Carrion explained what had happened during the night with a sorrowful expression. But his eyes were sharply observing the nobles’ reactions.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re saying Duke Berthe committed treason?”

“Was there really any need for that?”

“He would’ve become Empress anyway, so why?”

Many nobles voiced their doubts.

“Well.”

But the Marquess of Carrion only shrugged and avoided giving a clear answer.

“We pursued the survivors, but they scattered in all directions and we couldn’t capture them. Judging by the shape of their swords, they seem to be connected to the Kingdom of Billiot, but it isn’t certain.”

In Louid’s office, Alex, who had returned after completing the pursuit, was giving his report.

Those who had died at the front and rear gates carried nothing but their weapons, so their identities could not be determined. However, based on the shape of the swords they used, there was suspicion they were connected to the Kingdom of Billiot.

Moreover, after chasing the intruders all night and returning, many things had already happened in the imperial palace. His Majesty the Emperor had passed away, and Louid had ordered Duke Berthe imprisoned, claiming the duke and Emilia had committed treason.

‘Her Highness would never do such a thing.’

While it was difficult to judge Duke Berthe, Her Highness would never do something like that.

“I understand. You may leave.”

“Your Highness. I have just heard terrible news. Her Highness would never do such a thing.”

Alex didn’t leave and pleaded with Louid.

“I witnessed it myself. Are you saying I am wrong?”

Louid, who had been sitting expressionlessly in his chair, suddenly grew angry and raised his voice.

His Highness says he saw it himself?

Alex’s body stiffened like stone. If that was the case, there was no room to argue.

“Your Highness, Her Highness the Crown Princess is not that kind of person.”

After being momentarily at a loss for words, Alex pleaded once more.

“I told you I saw it myself. Emilia is Duke Berthe’s granddaughter. She has more than enough reason to want me dead.”

At Louid’s reply, Alex fell silent again.

He couldn’t understand what was happening. It felt like a dream.

If Count Dalton had been in the capital, this would not have happened….

The only person who could persuade Louid was Count Dalton. Alex anxiously waited for Asher, who had gone to the Kingdom of Billiot, to return.

***

Ten days after leaving the capital, Asher and his party arrived at the royal palace of the Kingdom of Billiot. However, Prince Ian, who had departed earlier than them, was nowhere to be seen.

‘Why is he later than me?’

Asher felt a sense of doubt at the incomprehensible situation. Ian, who had left immediately after receiving the order to depart from Louid, should have arrived at the royal palace of the Kingdom of Billiot earlier than him, who had formed a delegation and departed after various preparations. Moreover, since the deceased Crown Prince had no heir, Ian had to inherit the position, so he would have been in even more of a hurry.

No matter how he thought about it, something felt off, but it was difficult to investigate or ask about the prince’s whereabouts during the funeral.

“Something feels wrong. Stay alert.”

Asher, watching the funeral, quietly instructed his aides and Damian.

“Yes, understood.”

A few hours later, after the funeral ended, Asher had an audience with the King of Billiot and left the royal palace immediately with his party without staying even a single day. Not only the King of Billiot, but even the officials gave off the impression that they were hiding something, so he could not afford to delay even a day.

“We need to reach the border quickly.”

“Yes!”

Even if they had to sleep out in the open, they had to reach the border as quickly as possible. At the border, imperial knights sent additionally by Louid to protect the delegation were waiting for them.

However, not long after leaving the lodging, they were surrounded by Billiot soldiers.

“What is the meaning of this?” Asher asked the commander standing at the very front of the soldiers.

“Sir Dalton and his party were ordered by His Majesty the King to remain at the lodging.”

“His Majesty said no such thing when we had our audience today.”

The King of Billiot had merely looked dazed in grief over losing his son and had barely spoken beyond greetings. It was absurd to claim that the King had ordered their arrest.

“Arrest them.”

At the commander’s order, the armed soldiers surrounded them. There were several times more soldiers than the escort knights who had accompanied the delegation.

“I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Richert Empire. What kind of conduct is this?” Asher protested strongly.

“In the Kingdom of Billiot, you must obey the orders of His Majesty the King of Billiot.”

Although they had been on guard, the small delegation could not deal with the large number of soldiers. Before long, they were arrested and dragged off somewhere.

***

​​Warm.

Emilia was dreaming of the days she lived in the tower. Even before winter came, the tower had been extremely cold. Simon brought her firewood, but it was always insufficient, so she had to use it sparingly. The tower was cool even in summer. So much so that it would not be an exaggeration to say there was not a single day she had spent in warmth.

But today, it was warm, as if the fireplace was burning brightly with firewood.

Strange. The tower cannot be this warm.

‘That’s right. I’m the Crown Princess. This is the imperial palace.’

After being unconscious for three days, she opened her eyes.

“…?”

Where is this? Emilia slowly looked around. She was lying on a bed in an unfamiliar room. It was not her bedroom in the Crown Prince’s palace, but a narrow, dark, and dim room.