I Won’t Accept Your Regrets

While Ellie was just leaving the Sios estate, Duke Croft visited the Imperial Palace.

The butler reported on Duke Croft, who now stood at attention at the door.

"Your Majesty, Duke Croft requests an audience."

"Let him in."

The door opened and the Duke stepped into the study.

"Hail His Majesty the Emperor, Empire Sun."

"Nice to see you in good health. Raise your head, Duke."

Raymond got up from his desk and walked over to the couch. Naturally, the Duke followed him.

"Let's sit down."

A servant came up with a tray.

"You just returned to work, but immediately rushed to catch up with all the omissions. Isn't that too much?"

"Everything is okay with it. A lot of behind-the-scenes work has also been done. Your Majesty, I’m very grateful that you approved the trade agreement with the countries of the East yesterday."

The Duke was enthusiastic.

He thought the reorganization of the ministry would take some time due to such a major incident, but Duke Croft was able to sort things out quickly, as if he was looking forward to the go-ahead.

"But don't overdo it. After all, there are great difficulties further."

"I need to tell Your Majesty something serious."

Raymond smiled and glanced at the servants. The butler led his subordinates out, and the office door closed tightly.

"Let me tell you something. It will be about the Marquis Sios."

Raymond frowned.

He expected it to be a story about Ellie.

He thought that the proposal to return to the imperial palace had reached the ears of Duke Croft.

But what about the prime minister?

Irradiated by the serious gaze of Duke Croft, Raymond instantly forgot all about Ellie.

Sios' problem was as important as Ellie's return.

"Do you want to tell me about the intrigues of the Marquis?"

"As expected, Your Majesty has already heard."

"The reasons for his behavior aren’t obvious to me. In addition, he even worked with Duke Drua. This leaves me with more questions than answers."

"Your Majesty, what are you planning to do? The Marquis Sios is not poking his nose out of the estate now, but I don't see him easily giving up his undertakings."

"Your right. That is why I left the Marquis Paren with me. Now there are a lot of supporters of Sios at court. First of all, we will cut off his hands, we will reorganize the army."

"And this will be Marquis Celine?"

"Exactly. Upon his return, Celine will be appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief. His accomplishments in the northern regions will serve as a weighty pretext."

Ellie's obstinacy was damaging his nerves, but that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t put Marquis Sios in line.

It was time to slowly chop off his limbs in order to eventually cut off his head.

Treason was a crime enough to slaughter three generations of them.

"Then I'll take care of my ministry. My camp is also filled with the champions of Sios. The cleaning will take some time."

"If you need something, or something you need to get rid of, you give a hint toe Marquis Paren.”

"Yes, sire. Then I have to go."

"Is that all you tell me?" Raymond asked as the Duke tried to get up.

"Yes. That's all I can say."

"Didn't you hear anything from Ellie?"

Duke Croft stopped and leaned back in his chair.

"Duke, I know about the child. I also invited her to return to the right place."

"I've heard all that before."

"But you don't want to tell me anything?"

Duke Croft frowned for a moment, then replied:

"Is Your Majesty really interested in my opinion?"

"When I look into your eyes, I already know which side you will be on. Even if you don't say it out loud."

Those purple eyes now and then dragged him into guilt. Although this wasn’t much different from the past, when he suffered after the divorce.

"I’m faithful to Your Majesty. But, as in the past, so far, Ellie's paths with His Majesty have already diverged."

"Even if Ellie's child is on the line?"

"Ellie gave me your words. His Majesty said that he would serve as a shield for the child."

"If I enroll him as a prince, no one dares to touch him with a finger. And if Ellie became my Empress, no one would dare offend Carlisle."

"Your words are correct. But I won’t let my dear daughter return to a place that she didn’t like."

"Duke, I love Ellie. I won’t repeat those mistakes again."

Duke Croft stared at Raymond for a moment.

The tense silence dragged on, but the Duke found his words:

"You don't have to tell me that, but Ellie."

"That, I…"

Raymond clicked his tongue.

He hasn’t yet apologized for past things.

Every time he met her, the words seemed to get stuck in his throat.

He was always in a hurry to throw himself into her arms, but she only doused him with cold every meeting.

"I couldn't do that."

"Show Ellie the truth about Your Majesty. Otherwise, you will never see success."

"I'll keep it on mind."

Not that the Duke didn't know Raymond's intentions.

After all, he had closely followed the Emperor's search for Ellie for the past six years.

But whatever the future, he wanted Ellie to receive a sincere apology.

Well, then – be it the end or a new beginning.

"I will take my leave."

Duke Croft bowed and left, leaving only Raymond's heavy breathing in the office.

* * *

"Mom, how long will these knights hang out here?"

Carlisle looked out the window and asked. For the third day, the knights loitering around the mansion seemed to be troubling Carlisle.

"Are bad people chasing us?"

"No. These are just uncle’s acquaintances… Do you remember how you saw your grandfather last time?"

"Yes."

"Your grandfather sent them to protect us because he cares so much about us."

"Well… okay."

Carlisle rolled his eyes and dropped.

He didn't seem to believe what I said.

Carlisle seemed to sense danger with his instincts.

You got it from Raymond?

"Carlisle, your mother has prepared a gift."

"What kind of gift?"

The word ‘gift’ worked flawlessly. Those round eyes opposite were now filled with expectation.

I gave Carlisle a small box that I hid behind my back.

"Wow! Is it from the east?"

It was a mosaic of oriental landscapes.

This puzzle was custom made especially for Carlisle who loves landscape mosaics.

"You do so well with colored mosaics. Mom will come back after talking with uncle Lumont."

"Yeees!"

Carlisle, carried away by the new game, didn’t even look up. My heart relaxed from his change of mood.

I glanced at Helen and left the room.

When the office door opened, Lumont and Jed were in the midst of a conversation.

"Have you found where to move to?"

I sat down opposite and asked.

Although I issued a warning to Lisa, our current mansion has been compromised.

It's time for us to arrange a move.

"Well… It's not as easy as it sounds."

Lumont scratched his chin and grimaced.

"It’s important to disappear as soon as possible, even if it’s still quiet here. So, if a suitable place is found, we will move out immediately."

"Of course, Milady."

"Would you like to tell me what Marquis Sios was sniffing with the water mage?"

"Marquis Sios has not left home for the last few days."

Come to think of it, the atmosphere at the Marquis's estate was very quiet. Even all the windows of their mansion were covered with curtains.

Marquis Sios sat quieter than water, below the grass.

Therefore… it will be difficult to find out the details.

"Then take care of the Drua family. If we can't get through to Sios's forehead, let's go around the Duke. I would like to personally meet with the heir of Drua, but… Now such an enterprise is dangerous."

It was unsettling to leave Carlisle alone until we find a new hiding place. And Jeremy can't go out yet, because Lisa must have followed him.

"Don’t worry so much. I will find out more. I'll try right now."

"Oh, let's go together. I also need it on business."

Jed rose in sync with Lumont.

"And where are you two going?"

"Hmm? Ah, this… I found a good place to drink. My boss and I became friends… I'll be there for a minute, and I'll be right there."

Laughing Jed left the office, hugging Lumont by the shoulders.

It was an awkward laugh, but I didn't care because my brain was entangled with other thoughts.

After seeing them off, I headed back to Carlisle, while Jed and Lumont left the mansion.

* * *

"Welcome to my humble establishment."

Dilapidated tavern in the capital.

The door opened and the mercenaries shouted.

Jed took off his hat and walked to the farthest corner, past the staggering drunk.

“Jeremy.”

He sat down opposite, welcoming Jeremy, who arrived first.