Misfortune 123

Chapter 123

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The only silver lining was that Roan also seemed to have no intention of calling her back.

He hadn't stopped Delnia when she left the residence back then. And he still hadn't shown himself. Even though he surely knew she was staying at Leticia's residence.

Delnia guessed it was probably closer to him being unable to bring himself to do it. Considering that last image.

"Still, I'm worried."

Then, a sigh so deep it seemed to make the ground sink jolted Delnia from her thoughts.

"I overheard people talking at the bakery earlier. It seems war really is coming. They say Blois is in the rear, so we should be safe enough, but..."

Margaret pouted and sighed. Having never experienced war up close in her lifetime, her worry was only natural.

"I agree. We might need to prepare to leave Blois if things get dire."

When Delnia readily agreed and added this, Margaret's eyes widened.

"Leave Blois?"

"Yes. We'll need to think more about where to settle and how, but..."

Realistic constraints made it difficult, but it wasn't impossible. Roan wouldn't be able to hold her back any longer.

"Then..."

Unlike Delnia, who spoke without hesitation, Margaret faltered.

As if reading her thoughts, Delnia spoke first.

"If that happens, would you like to come with me, Margaret?"

"Should I?"

Delnia smiled faintly at Margaret's prompt reply, as if she'd been waiting for it.

"If we go, where would be good?"

"Let's find out together. Somewhere safe."

Margaret asked in a tone that seemed more excited than concerned about the escape route. Delnia answered brightly, as if anywhere would do. And it was true. Now, she wouldn't need to be tied down by anything.

***

"I never imagined I'd see you again so soon."

The princess, perched on the seat of honor, opened the conversation without hiding her surprise.

She had rushed to the audience chamber, even postponing a meeting with her staff, upon the unexpected news of Colonel Barthez’s visit.

Roan hadn't even sent a private message or requested a secret meeting to see her. He had entered through the palace's main gate with confidence and formally requested an audience.

She was certain the news that Roan had visited her, not the First Prince, had already reached him by now.

At this point, she couldn't help but wonder what Roan's intentions were for coming all this way.

"I distinctly recall you swearing up and down you'd never change your mind. I can't be misremembering that."

The princess teased him with a mischievous tone.

Something must have happened in the short time since she last saw him, for his face looked gaunt, more so than before. Yet, his steadfast, cold gaze remained unmistakably the Barthez she knew.

"Why did you suddenly decide to change your mind? Care to share?"

As she spoke, the princess gave a subtle glance toward somewhere.

Someone seated at a desk piled high with pens and paper nodded, ready. Their resolute expression conveyed a determination to make every word count.

"The reason I sought you out today is exactly as you suspect."

Roan spoke plainly. The very fact he had come here of his own accord meant his resolve was already firm. There was no need to beat around the bush and waste precious time.

"However, there is a condition."

"A condition?"

The sudden, unexpected word made the princess's voice rise involuntarily.

"You wouldn't be suggesting a deal to me now, would you?"

"That is correct."

The princess's brows furrowed mercilessly at the unhesitating reply.

As she waved her hand impatiently, the clerk promptly stopped writing and set down his pen.

"This is another unexpected turn. I never imagined you would demand a price."

Her fingertips tapped sharply on the armrest.

She knew those who sided with her didn't do so solely because it was the right thing.

No, such people were probably extremely rare. Most likely sought their own advantage. She didn't think that was wrong.

But she never imagined Roan Barthez would utter such crass words. Even true opportunists wouldn't say such things outright.

"I have no desire to listen, but I suppose I must."

The princess muttered, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

Frankly, she hadn't counted on the possibility of persuading Roan. Their last meeting had confirmed his rigid, almost stubborn nature. She had neither the confidence nor the time to break that unyielding conviction.

But precisely because of that, she believed that if he did accept her proposal, it would be because he saw it as right or aligned with his principles.

That was why she felt disappointed, even knowing it was a gift from heaven.

"So, what exactly are your terms?"

The princess, chin resting on her hand in boredom, urged him to speak quickly and leave.

"Before I speak, there is one thing I wish to ask."

"You have quite a lot to say, don't you."

She nodded, signaling she would allow him to speak, though she made no effort to hide her annoyance.

"If Your Highness ascends the throne, will other women also be able to receive noble titles?"

The princess, who had been indifferent ever since Roan brought up the deal, suddenly opened her eyes wide again.

It seemed like an odd question out of nowhere, but if that was part of the 'terms of the deal' he wanted, it was enough to reignite her interest.

"So?"

The princess, who had been slumped back in her chair, straightened her waist and asked, her eyes shining.

Even with those testing eyes right before him, Roan continued without hesitation.

"Then I would like you to grant a noble title to one woman. That is my condition."

"You're not asking for the title for yourself, but for someone else? A woman, no less?"

"Yes."

"Who? Surely not that sister you reunited with recently?"

"No. The person is……………."

The man who had spoken without restraint even before royalty suddenly hesitated for some reason.

Then, as if spitting out a thorn that had been pricking his mouth, he managed to utter the words with difficulty.

"My slave."

"What?"

The princess nearly jumped out of her skin in shock, barely managing to steady herself.

"You mean... His Majesty's gift?"

At the blunt reference, Roan raised one eyebrow slightly, then reluctantly nodded.

Even so, the princess asked again, as if she couldn't believe it.

"You want that slave restored to nobility?"

"Yes."

"You realize you're making a rather audacious request right now, don't you?"

Roan affirmed with silence. Yet his eyes remained fixed on her, as if he had no intention of turning away from reality.

The Eperne family were criminals acknowledged by the Emperor himself. To restore such a woman to nobility was tantamount to defying the Emperor's judgment.

He must know this fact, yet he dared to hold his head high.

But for some reason, the princess didn't find Roan's behavior particularly offensive. Rather, it intrigued her.

"First, I must ask your reason. Only then can I make a decision."

The princess feigned deep contemplation as she broached the subject.

Truthfully, Roan's request posed little difficulty for the princess. It wasn't about restoring Eperne's title.

Once she became Empress, she intended to grant high titles to several women who had aided her as an example. Candidates had already been selected.

Among them, slipping in a mere nominal baroncy was easily manageable.

Yet she hesitated to give a quick answer purely out of curiosity. What on earth had broken that man's conviction and made him bow his head before her?

"………………Because I must return it to her."

He spat out the words painfully, as if something were stuck in his throat.

"Return? What?"

"Everything I... destroyed................."

He answered with great effort, choking out the words. As expected, it was a response the princess couldn't possibly understand.

But she didn't press him further.

Just seeing the man who never showed emotion before, now utterly flustered and his face contorted in anguish, was enough to give her a rough idea.

The reason why every emperor before him had merely pledged loyalty, yet suddenly changed their stance and proclaimed her as the new emperor.

'So, it's love.'

Love alone had moved that stone-hearted man.

She barely swallowed a hollow laugh, her shoulders shaking violently.

Truly, it was something to see after living so long. Though, coming from someone who volunteered to ascend the throne, it wasn't really her place to say.

"Yes. The young lady of Eperne..."

Did that man even realize? That he now wore the face of a lost child.

That he couldn't stay still, unsure if this was the right path, and just had to rush out—it was utterly pathetic, yet somehow moved her heart.

"Wait. Come to think of it, if it's Eperne..."

Then, as if something occurred to her, the princess, who had been muttering to herself, suddenly sat bolt upright.