Chapter 121
The End of Astria
When the Emperor tilted his head and asked, laughter that didn’t fit the situation erupted from all around.
Even though he was older now, the fact that a once-famous general was defeated by someone without a sword was laughable.
Those who had long disliked the Duke’s arrogant demeanor found it utterly ridiculous. They would have never lasted even a second against the Duke themselves, but when mocking someone, that wasn’t a consideration.
Seeing the Duke’s face turn red with humiliation, Emperor William IV had to stifle another laugh.
Whether it was intentional or not, this was a rare opportunity created by Astria’s daughter, Eleanor.
Perhaps it was an opportunity that would never come again, and he couldn’t afford to miss it.
“Right, you said the princess stabbed herself?” the Emperor started.
Duke Astria immediately responded, eager for his chance.
“Yes, Your Majesty. If you carefully examine the angle of the knife…”
“Then, the injuries on the princess’s body—those, too, are self-inflicted?”
The Emperor’s question made the Duke hesitate.
“I was told that her face was beaten so badly that her lips were torn, her skin scratched, and that her legs were full of old scars. All of that was done by the princess herself? And now she’s stabbed herself in the stomach?”
William IV sighed deeply, his face contorting with disgust as he looked at the Duke.
“Do you really expect me to believe that, Duke Astria?”
The Duke, who had been looking down, suddenly lifted his eyes to meet the Emperor’s gaze. His intense glare felt like a threat, but William IV remained unfazed. He only furrowed his brow, as though scolding him.
At that moment, the Duke realized something was wrong.
This wasn’t how Emperor William IV normally behaved. He would usually be trying to help him out of this situation, especially since the Emperor’s future son-in-law was involved.
The Emperor would certainly understand that if the Duke was blamed for murder, it would ruin the Astria family. But the Emperor was acting differently now.
Why? Who had whispered into his ears?
The Duke’s mind raced, trying to figure out who had influenced the Emperor’s decision.
Then, it hit him.
Eleanor.
The one who hated him so much that she would go to any lengths to use him.
“Eleanor…”
The Duke muttered her name in a low, chilling voice. When he thought of her face, the image of her smiling while stabbing herself, he couldn’t believe it.
He never suspected she could betray him. He had never once thought she would do such a thing.
He couldn’t understand how much information had leaked out. He didn’t know where the Emperor and she had gone with their discussions.
But one thing was certain now: he would suffer the worst humiliation of his life today.
“I don’t know much about the wounds on her body…”
“Enough! I don’t need to hear more!” the Emperor interrupted.
The Duke, trying to control his anger, was stopped once again by the Emperor. William IV rose from his seat and looked around at the nobles, who fell silent, eagerly waiting to hear what the Emperor would say next.
“This is a tradition of the Juvenal kingdom, a place where the noble families of this country gather. For such a terrible and inhumane crime to happen here—it is something I cannot ignore.”
Using the word “inhumane,” William IV subtly emphasized the Duke’s attempt to kill his own daughter, drawing serious reactions from several nobles who agreed with him.
“Although proper punishment will be determined by trial, considering the severity of trying to kill his own daughter during this hunting event, as well as the possibility of escape, I will order Duke Astria’s detention until the trial!”
The Duke’s face turned pale with shock.
The difference between being free and being detained was massive. If he wasn’t detained, he could still try to put out the fire by running around, but if he was detained, there would be no way to escape.
Investors never settle for just one piece of security when they entrust their money to someone. They always ask for more security, in case things go wrong.
In this case, the Duke had provided the most significant security in the form of his contract with Royster. But now, with the possibility of detention, his other assets were in danger of being seized by investors who had been promised returns.
“I… I am innocent! Your Majesty!” The Duke raised his voice, desperately pleading, but William IV just shook his head, signaling the knights to take him away.
“No! This can’t be…!”
Five knights grabbed the Duke by his arms and legs. He resisted, dragging himself along the ground, but with his strength drained, he couldn’t put up much of a fight.
“Your Majesty!!”
His final scream was like that of someone being sentenced to death, and many nobles clicked their tongues, while others, angry, muttered under their breath.
This event was one where the highest nobles gathered, and among them were investors in the Astria family.
While the reasons for their anger varied, one thing was clear:
Everyone instinctively knew that this was the end for Duke Astria.
A man who had lived his life oppressing others, who had lost his family to another woman, and who nearly lost his life to his own daughter—he had fallen from grace because of a fake princess, Eleanor.
***
Meanwhile, at the Royster Duke’s Estate:
The Royster Duke’s mansion, located in the center of Juvenal, was usually a place the Duke rarely visited. And when he did, he didn’t stay long. As a result, the servants had little to do and were often very satisfied with their jobs. But things had changed recently.
The change began when the Duke of Royster visited the estate on the day of the hunting event.
The butlers from Royster came and went daily, and even knights started visiting the mansion often. While the maids enjoyed the sight of the handsome knights, the increased workload left them too busy to rest.
Though they grumbled, none dared to complain, especially after seeing the face of their master, Duke Karsian Royster. His expression was filled with tension and gloom, as if he carried the world’s anger and worries on his shoulders.
The reason for his mood was well known.
Eleanor, the woman who had become the talk of the town in Cardiff, was still lying unconscious at the estate.
The one who had brought her to the Duke of Royster was none other than the Emperor. William IV had ordered Karsian to take care of her temporarily, as it would be inappropriate to return her to the place where she had been harmed.
Karsian agreed without hesitation, and even though the nobles thought it was inappropriate for unmarried men and women to be in the same space, they didn’t object. After all, their relationship was already well-known.
Eleanor, after receiving medical attention, was given a room in the Duke’s estate, one reserved for the direct heirs of the family. Karsian never left her side, staying by her even as he continued his work and ate his meals there.
Though the maids were curious about what happened behind closed doors, only a few servants and doctors had access, so they couldn’t learn the truth.
The truth was simple: Karsian didn’t leave her side, sitting by her bed. Unless there was urgent business, he remained right there.
The Duke’s face grew increasingly haggard, the days passing as he waited for her to wake up.
“Please… Eleanor,” Karsian whispered softly, looking down at her.
Eleanor lay on the bed, looking peaceful despite the bruises and bandages on her arms and legs. Her face was calm, as though she were simply resting.
“Please, wake up.”
Karsian’s face was filled with sorrow as he waited, his heart heavy with worry.
Eleanor had been unconscious for three days.
The doctor had assured him that her injuries weren’t life-threatening, but because she had hit her head, it was impossible to predict when or if she would wake up.
Karsian sat by her bed, hoping for her recovery. The longer he waited, the more he felt like he was losing his strength.
“If you have any regret, even a little…”
He squeezed her hand, praying, “Please… wake up.”
