The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 130

Chapter 130. Cruel Fate (5)

Two months later.

At the very end of Peric Island, inside a tower on the highest floor, a gaunt, pale-faced woman sat. There was no expression on her face.

“She’ll die soon at this rate.”

“How did the Crown Princess of the empire end up like that. Tsk, tsk.”

Even the guards pitied her.

“What date is it today?” Emilia asked the guard who came once a day to check on her.

“It’s December 15.”

She had entered the prison in October, so two months had already passed.

After the guard left, Emilia placed her hand on her stomach. It was still flat, too flat to say a life was growing inside it.

Not long after entering the prison, she realized that even though her time had passed, she hadn’t gotten her period.

“I’m sorry, my baby. Your mother has been too careless.”

While touching her stomach, she murmured in a small voice. There was nothing she could say except that she was sorry to the child trapped in her womb along with her.

Meals were given once a day, consisting of coarse, hard bread and a small amount of water.

The prison she was in had no bars, but there was a window too small for a person to escape through, and below it was the surging sea.

Crash. Crash.

The sound of fierce waves crashing against the prison walls was chilling.

On clear days, the land could be seen far away, as small as a speck, but because the waves were rough and fog often settled in, it could only be seen once every few days.

‘It’s the same as back then. There’s nothing difficult about it.’

Emilia thought that her current situation was not much different from when she had been locked in the tower.

Let’s think of it as a dream. I just briefly enjoyed a luxury that was never meant to be in my life.

Fortunately, she had been able to bring the princess doll her father bought her. It was a platinum-blonde doll that resembled her.

“Tell me just one thing you need.”

Before departing for the prison, the captain of the soldiers had said that.

“Could you bring me the doll in my room?”

Emilia had asked them to bring the doll that was on her desk. It was a cherished doll she had hugged whenever she felt lonely since her time in the tower.

Should she be grateful to Louid for letting her bring even a doll?

The doll was still wearing the clothes Emilia had made for it.

“My baby. You’re doing well today too, right?”

She would speak to the child in her womb while holding the doll. The guards thought she was talking to the doll.

If someone stayed on Peric Island for a long time, even a normal person could develop mental health problems, so the guards were rotated every month. Because of that, no one noticed the gradual changes in her physical condition.

Should I send a letter to Louid and at least ask him to spare the child?

One day, after reality had begun to sink in, the thought suddenly came to her that she had to save the child, at least.

‘How can I save the child?’

‘It will be difficult since his memories are altered, right?’

‘When will the black magic be lifted?’

Questions piled up every day.

“How is His Highness the Crown Prince doing?”

“I don’t know.”

Even when she asked the guard, only a curt reply came back.

Then one day, a stranger guard handed her a note through the gap in the door.

“Give your reply within three days.”

What is this? Could it be from Louid? Or from Damian?

She recalled that the day before the incident, Louid had sent her a note telling her to come to the Prince’s Palace. Perhaps he had regained his memory.

Emilia hurriedly unfolded the note.

But her face soon darkened with disappointment.

The note was sent by Ian.

“Emilia, please come out.”

The moment she recalled Ian’s voice calling her that day, a chill ran down her spine.

[My beloved Emilia. Please become my queen. I have returned to the Kingdom of Billiot and become the Crown Prince. The King intends to abdicate to me soon, so I will ascend the throne in the near future.]

The note contained news of his current situation and a proposal. Emilia closed her eyes and opened them again, then read the next part.

[If you send a reply, I will find a way to rescue you.

There are many things I can do for you if you become my queen. I will grant you everything you desire.

Your enemy is not me, but Louid Richert.]

“My enemy….”

Emilia murmured quietly. Tears welled in her eyes.

No. He is not my enemy.

Denying Ian’s words, she looked out at the wave-tossed sea through the window with an expressionless face.

There was paper and a pen, but she did not write a reply.

***

Confined in a lodging near the royal palace of Billiot, Asher could not sleep from anxiety. Damian was the same.

Although knights were waiting at the border, they were all confined and unable to make contact, so it would take several days for the knights to learn about the delegation’s situation.

They would assume the delegation was staying in the kingdom for a few days, so it would take about a week before they realized something was wrong, and it would take quite some time to send a report by carrier pigeon and receive instructions from Louid.

What should we do….

For some reason, the kingdom had not harmed them. It had only prevented them from leaving the lodging.

Even when he protested how such treatment could be given to a Minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the empire’s minister at that, the only reply was to wait.

“It’s been a while, Count.”

Then, a few days later, Ian appeared before them.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Asher bowed politely. He had heard that Ian had recently been invested as Crown Prince.

“I won’t ask for your reason, so release us.”

Sitting across from Ian on the sofa, Asher made the demand directly.

“I was held as a hostage in the empire for over a year, yet you cannot endure a mere few days?”

With an arrogant expression, Ian spoke slowly, as if mocking him.

“There is no law for this. If His Majesty learns of this….”

“Ah, it seems you haven’t heard the news.”

“What news do you mean?”

Asher glared at Ian with a suspicious look. A bad feeling crept over him.

“His Majesty William V has passed away.”

“….”

Suddenly? At the shocking news, Asher’s face turned pale.

“I informed the knights at the border that your party’s departure would be slightly delayed.”

“Why did His Majesty pass away so suddenly?” Asher asked in a trembling voice. The Emperor, who had seemed mentally exhausted after the Crown Prince’s death but had no issues with his health, had suddenly died. It made no sense.

“Well….”

Ian lifted the corner of his lips with a sinister look and shrugged.

According to the secret letter sent by the Marquess of Carrion, it seemed Louid’s memories had been manipulated by Della’s black magic. Louid didn’t know that the events of that day were carried out by the Marquess of Carrion and Ian. That was why a delegation had been sent to the empire a few days ago. If Louid’s memories had been intact, instead of sending a delegation, he would have begun preparations for war.

‘It seemed the plan had been ruined, but it was actually carried out quite well.’

He rejoiced inwardly. It was unfortunate that Emilia had taken the blame and been imprisoned in Peric Prison, but they could simply take her out later.

She wouldn’t refuse if I say I’ll save her.

He was well aware of the infamous reputation of Peric Prison. After three months, even a strong man would come out dead.

Let alone a frail woman. How could she endure it?

As he thought of Emilia, a faint crease formed on his brow.

“Then are His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Crown Princess safe?”

Asher, who had been overwhelmed by shock, came to his senses and spoke. He kept watching Ian’s expression with a cold feeling creeping over him.

“I’ll speak well to His Majesty the King, so you’ll be released soon. Go back and check for yourself.”

Ian avoided answering directly and changed the subject.

“Ah, and I heard the reason you were stopped was because His Majesty had a gift to send to His Majesty the Emperor. But since the recipient has changed, it seems a different gift must be prepared. I ask for your understanding even if it takes a little more time.”

“What did you say?”

“It may take some time, but please make sure to deliver the gift properly to His Majesty the new Emperor.”

After finishing his words, Ian turned and strode away. The sound of his footsteps echoed unusually light and crisp against the marble floor.

“No, that man. Ha… Your Majesty.”

Asher grabbed his face with one hand, overcome with anguish.

Was he not His Majesty, who cherished Louid like his own son and was always kind even to him?

It was difficult to even imagine how great Louid’s grief must be.

He needed to return at once and offer comfort, yet being trapped here, he could do nothing.

The knights must have also been deceived by the Kingdom of Billiot or were slow to grasp the situation. Since it was the Emperor’s mourning period, some would have gone to the capital, and Louid would also be overwhelmed.

‘Nothing must happen….’

Taking advantage of the chaos, a rebellion could break out.

Emilia’s face appeared before his eyes. He couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling.

Half a month later, Asher and his party were released and headed toward the capital. As Ian had said, it was not that the king had voluntarily released them, but that Louid had pressured the Kingdom of Billiot to secure their release.