Chapter 70. The identity of Duke Javier2020.10.03.
Rumors that Duke Javier had been violent against me quickly spread throughout the imperial palace. I sat quietly on the bed in a mummy state and counted in my mind.
‘One, two, three-.’
bang!
“Mabel!!”
Exactly three minutes later, the door burst open. After a month, my dad, who was all disheveled, ran to me and was shocked to see me.
“This is what this is…”
“Ah, that’s Saksini…!”
I spat out the lines I had prepared in advance and lay down on the bed. Dad sat on his knees by the bed without even touching me.
“The imperial palace of the imperial palace-!”
“Come on.”
At my blatant lie, Dad drooled as if he was staggered. After a while, Dad’s fingertips gently stroked my cheek.
“You mean Duke Javier… stabbed you?”
“Not a hand, but Baloo.”
“…foot?”
“Prince Javier is hitting Enrique. So why don’t you stop and hit Balloo.”
Dad’s expression hardened.
‘Anyway, it’s not a complete lie.’
Indeed, Duke Javier was assaulting Enrique, and I ran into the Duke’s leg to stop it, bumped into his leg, and fell to the floor. Enrique’s cheeks, which were not yet swollen, would serve as proof. Dad put his hand to my now scabbed neck and quickly withdrew it. From that hesitant gesture, I realized that Dad was still minding the events of the night before.
“Anyway, since you hurt the emperor of the empire, you can’t dispose of it lightly. Don’t worry, cute Mabel. Dad will take care of it.”
Dad, who swept my hair one last time, got up and headed for the door. I hurriedly called my father.
“dad.”
“Why?”
“After the duke is disposed of… what about Enrique when he goes home again?”
Although the crime of murdering the imperial family was a serious crime, one of the dukes of the empire, Duke Javier, could not be dealt with carelessly. As Count Mytheron, he succeeded in depriving him of his title, but being a duke would probably be difficult. Dad, who read my worries, smiled as if telling me not to worry.
“Don’t worry about unnecessary things and get some rest.”
I suddenly tilted my head as I saw the door closing.
“It’s a long way off, but…”
***
“It is unfortunate, Your Majesty. I have never laid a hand on His Majesty the Emperor!”
Duke Javier complained of resentment. I was really really sorry. Wasn’t it the emperor who suddenly appeared and rushed alone, bounced off and fell? However, Hwang Sangje Esteban’s expression did not change as he listened to the appeal. He was just looking down at Duke Javier with ferocious eyes, as if he would chew and swallow them at any moment.
“It must have been a foot, not a hand.”
“…yes?”
“Is that foot? The foot that hurt my daughter.”
A calm voice echoed through the audience room. Duke Javier swallowed dryly. The Hwang Sangje system gave off an atmosphere that made people feel intimidated even though it was confident.
‘It looks like he’s going to cut his leg with his eyes.’
He knew Hwang Sang-je’s intense love for his daughter through experience. If provoked carelessly, a big upset could come back.
“…I know very well that His Majesty Sang Sang treasures His Majesty the Emperor. However, because of His Majesty’s one-sided claim, if you don’t listen to my loyal subjects’ protests, some will say that His Majesty Sang Sang is a monarch whose eyes are blinded by selfishness-”
“Is that your opinion?”
“You are speculating.”
“well.”
Esteban smiled and winked at Gustav, who was waiting. Gustaf opened the door and someone walked in.
“you you!”
“Meet Your Majesty the Situation.”
The one who appeared was none other than Enrique Javier. When Duke Javier was brought to the imperial castle, Enrique also moved as a witness. Esteban’s eyes ran over Enrique’s swollen cheeks.
‘Mabel’s words were true.’
In passing, I had heard rumors that Duke Javier treated his son severely, but I remembered hearing it because I was not interested.
“Your cheeks are very swollen.”
“…I apologize.”
“If you leave this place, immediately seek treatment from the imperial physician.”
It was Enrique who had hatred for being close to Mabel, but it didn’t look good to see him stabbed by his real father. I felt even more uncomfortable because I was the same age as Oscar.
“Mabel said he stopped the ball from assaulting Enrique and kicked him. Is it true?”
“It is false. There’s assault. I was just disciplining my son for making a mistake.”
“Discipline… I wonder if the person concerned really thinks that way.”
Esteban’s gaze turned to Enrique, who kept his mouth shut.
“Tell me about it, Enrique. Did Mabel really fall alone and cry, as Duke Javier insisted?”
“Enrique Javier. We must tell the truth.”
Duke Javier remonstrated sternly. He made no assumption that his son would make false statements. That’s because Enrique was an obedient and good son. Soon, Duke Javier’s expectations were shattered.
“His Majesty the Emperor found me being beaten and rushed to stop him. Then an accident occurred.”
Enrique’s words turned the tide completely. Esteban’s gaze turned to the duke. The Duke pointed at Enrique with his mouth wide open.
“What are you saying right now…!”
“Please forgive my father, Your Majesty.”
Esteban calmly rested his chin at Enrique’s formal addition.
“Looks like the results are already out.”
“It is false, Your Majesty. Please give insight-.”
“Duke Javier. I remove you from the council seat.”
“…your majesty!”
Duke Javier’s eyes widened. The name of the parliamentary seat. It was a punishment more dreadful than anything else. As much as the honor that the name of parliamentary nobility brings is greater than anything else, the blow when he was expelled was enormous.
“Please take my orders, Your Majesty. Didn’t the Javier family always serve the Emperor with all their heart?”
“Considering Mabel, who has to face the ball every week, I think it’s the right thing to do.”
“It is an overkill.”
Esteban, who was resting on his chin, smiled and stood up.
“Do you think the disposition is over?”
“yes?”
Is there a punishment worse than expulsion from the parliamentary seat? Duke Javier clenched his fists, feeling an unpleasant pounding. Soon after, the name of the situation was dropped.
“I will put you under house arrest, Duke. You will not be able to step out of Javier’s estate after this time.”
The last order was a punishment equivalent to exile. He could never go out of the territory without the permission of Sanghwangje.
“You can’t be like this! Your Majesty Your Majesty!”
Duke Javier, captured by the knights, was dragged out. Esteban sat askew and looked at Enrique, who was left alone.
“Are you satisfied?”
“yes?”
“Didn’t you let your abusive father go unnoticed?”
Enrique didn’t answer, just lowered his head. Esteban was tired and pressed his eyes.
“I already know that your statements are false.”
“Did you already know?”
“okay. Since I’m receiving reports about Mabel’s activities periodically, I realized something was wrong.”
When I stopped by Mabel’s bedroom to check, I thought Mabel, who wrapped her whole body in bandages and pretended to be in pain, was cute and thought she was going to die. He was willing to fall for Mabel’s lies.
“okay.”
Enrique replied calmly. Whether Sang Hwang Sang Je knew it or not, the fact that Mabel rushed in to save him did not change. If it hadn’t been for Mabel, he wouldn’t have thought of making a false statement against his father’s wishes. Seeing Esteban smiling, as if just thinking about it, made me feel bitter. Is a father really like that?
“Doesn’t the situation matter at all even if His Majesty lies?”
At Enrique’s impulsive question, Esteban smiled and nodded.
“of course.”
Esteban loved such a clever daughter too. No matter what I did, I couldn’t help but love Mabel. What is such love really like? Enrique could not know.
“…Then I’ll leave.”
“for a moment.”
Esteban greeted them according to the manners and stopped Enrique, who was about to leave. There was something I had to say. In fact, it was a more important issue than Duke Javier.
“Enrique.”
“yes.”
“Don’t roll your eyes.”
“…yes?”
Esteban glared at Enrique with crooked eyes.
“I mean don’t pretend to be friendly with Mabel.”
I didn’t like the way Enrique somehow loosened up every time he put Mabel in his mouth. It was to the point of wanting to revive the ban on entry.
“….”
Enrique was speechless at Esteban’s fastball.
***
“…Ah!”
It came to mind. what was forgotten I groaned and covered my head with both hands.
“You Babu Babu!”
I went to buy a present for Oscar and came back without buying anything. Limping on my injured leg from the bandages, I slammed open the bedroom door.
“Aidan should go out again…Oscar?”
As soon as I opened the door, I was startled by the sight of Oscar and took a step back. Since he kept avoiding me after the letter incident, it was like seeing Oscar for the first time in a while. So it was nice, but also awkward.
“Prince Javier stabbed you…”
Oscar’s eyes scanned my condition. Aidan’s Mira Mabel.
‘…How long do I have to pretend to be a mummy?’
I wiggled my fingers for no reason and said it straight away.
“Oscar Mia.”
“…what?”
“I went out to give Oscar a present, but I couldn’t buy anything and came back…!”
“My gift? Is that why you left?”
“yes. My wife…”
Oscar’s expression hardened even more. I guess my words made Oscar even more angry. It’s disqualifying as a younger brother to make him even more angry instead of letting go of his anger. I blamed myself and closed my eyes tightly.
“Why did you want to buy a present?”
“Oscar is angry, so if you give him a meaningful gift, he will relieve his anger. So go to Xavier.”
“….”
“I did my best. Don’t hate me, Oscar.”
I should have given him a gift and said this, but my hands were empty to ask for forgiveness with empty hands. Oscar’s silence followed. It was a time when I was afraid to see an angry face, so I kept my head down.
“Your anger is already gone, fool.”
Oscar reached out and pulled me into his arms. A unique fresh scent lingered on the tip of the nose with warm warmth.
“I prepared a present…”
“I don’t need a present.”
Oscar answered firmly and hugged me tighter.
“I just avoided it because I was shy because I was jealous.”
“Is Enrique jealous?”
“…it’s embarrassing, so don’t ask.”
I was curious to see what kind of expression he was making, so I tried to get out of his arms, but Oscar wouldn’t let me go. Eventually, I gave up and hugged Oscar with my mummified arms. And so our bland quarrel ended.
***
“Damn it….”
Inside the wagon being transported to the territory. Duke Javier gritted his teeth and looked out the window. A huge number of soldiers surrounded the wagon. The duke nervously drew the curtains in a state of alert with no gaps in sight.
“Esteban Nice Ermano…”
The duke swallowed his anger as he uttered the name of Sang Hwang. To believe a foolish little boy who only believed the emperor’s words, expelled him from the parliamentary seat, and exiled him to the territory. It was the first humiliation I experienced in my life. Soon, the carriage carrying the duke entered Javier’s estate. Upon arriving at the castle, the servants who had heard the news in advance greeted the owner with their heads bowed.
“Welcome, Master.”
“welcome!”
An attitude of courteous service. The Duke’s heart, which was angry at him, softened somewhat.
‘okay. In any case, there is no one who can resist me here.’
own territory, own territory. The duke was the king here. Duke Javier moved into the castle with a generous smile. Well-educated people took care of the duke with all their hearts.
‘Because I can think of it as a short vacation.’
After taking a luxurious bath, the duke went back to his bedroom and bit everyone. Then he took out a box from among the luggage the maid had arranged. There were two ways to open the box. If you open it, it will contain an ordinary cigar. However, if you push the lid open, there is a sphere inside. Duke Javier held the orb overflowing with black energy in his hand.
“Can you hear me?”
The identity of the sphere was a magic communication tool connected to someone. No answer came from beyond the communication port. The duke put the communication tool down on the table and waited for a response. A few minutes later, the answer came with a crackling sound.
[Yes, Duke Javier. What’s going on?]
A man with a melancholy voice. Hearing the voice for the first time in a while, the duke was briefly nervous.
“I contacted you to say hello.”
[I don’t need to say hello. The duke must have other work to do.]
“That’s…”
[How many moonstones did you find?]
“I found two.”
[That’s terrible.]
The duke smiled awkwardly at the cold remark. What the opponent beyond the communication port wanted was the moonstone within the Ermano Empire. It was the Duke’s duty to find the Stone, otherwise called the Essence of the Tree of Genesis.
“I’m looking hard, so there will be good results soon.”
[I guess so.]
“…And to do that, I need Your Majesty’s help.”
[My help?]
“Due to circumstances, you can’t leave the territory. Please help.”
The Duke’s voice was subservient. But he would rather be servile than lose his honor. There was also a belief in the strength of the other person.
“I need Devlin’s help.”
The man’s true identity was Devlin’s emperor, Veron Arthur Devlica. Duke Xavier was another snob to the Devlin Empire.
