* * *
“Are you insane?”
As soon as he entered the room the Emperor had prepared for him, Karl, who had followed after leaving the courtroom late, glared at Zeroth and spoke.
“Then you should’ve died.”
“If you leave me alive—”
“I haven’t forgiven you.”
Zeroth glared at Karl’s twisted face. He could kill him even now.
“The only reason you’re still alive is because you have to kneel before Sylvian.”
The thought that this man was necessary for Sylvian’s recovery wouldn’t leave Zeroth.
If not for that, he would’ve ignored the Emperor and Lady Nefer’s words and killed Karl the moment he captured him at the secret estate.
He didn’t care about Karl’s crumbling face or his guilt.
“Haah…”
Karl couldn’t bring himself to confess everything he had done to Zeroth. The only relief was that he hadn’t crossed the final line.
“If Sylvian doesn’t forgive you, then it’s war between you and me. I won’t care about the Empire—I’ll kill you myself.”
At the words filled with killing intent, Karl dropped to his knees in front of Zeroth.
“I will kneel before the Duchess just as I am now.”
Karl clenched his fists. He had to seek forgiveness not just from Sylvian, but from Zeroth too.
After Zeroth revealed the truth, every time Karl tried to deny it, he remembered Hailey’s awkward smile and strange way of speaking.
If all of that had been deception… if it had been because she couldn’t bring herself to say the truth out of guilt…
“Because of my ignorance, I’ve hated you for so long and caused harm to you, your family, and the Duchess. Please forgive me.”
“I don’t need your apology.”
“Even so, I will apologize. I’ll take responsibility for the sins I’ve committed against both you and the Duchess. I’ll also speak with His Majesty. When the time comes, you can kill me.”
Karl now knew that the only reason he was still alive was because of Zeroth. He didn’t understand Zeroth’ true feelings, but the man had never stopped sparing him.
“The merchant groups and contracts under the Marquis family—”
Thud.
A rough hand came down from above and struck Karl, knocking him over.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not accepting anything just to ease your conscience.”
“That’s not—”
“Shut up. When Sylvian wakes up, apologize to him properly. And live the rest of your life drowning in guilt. Don’t even dream of being happy.”
At Zeroth’s words, Karl gave a small nod.
“Charlian is itching for a fight. Isn’t this good for you?”
At the mention of Charlian, Karl’s eyes trembled.
“Why, can’t handle that either?”
“No, it’s just… do you also know Charlian’s secret?”
Zeroth paused at the serious question.
“Yes. Bear an heir quickly, and step down on the day that heir comes of age.”
Karl nodded with a blank expression. Was that all it would take?
He thought he’d die today, yet here he was, still breathing. It didn’t feel real.
Zeroth clicked his tongue as he looked at Karl. Foolish bastard.
“This is my sin. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Zeroth turned his back.
The Emperor’s eagerness to use even death to uncover Zeroth’s true feelings made him grind his teeth.
If Sylvian never opened his eyes again, Zeroth would no longer give his heart to the Empire.
‘Maybe I should just leave the capital and return to the duchy.’
Living quietly while taking care of Sylvian didn’t sound so bad.
If Sylvian would only open his eyes again, Zeroth would be willing to do anything.
“……Ugh.”
A faint groan broke the silence of the duke’s bedroom.
Blink.
Blink.
“Ah. K-Khmm.”
Sylvian opened his eyes and looked around.
How long had he been asleep?
His throat was so parched that he couldn’t even speak.
He reached out to grab the pitcher beside him but nearly dropped it.
‘Haa?’
He couldn’t muster any strength in his body.
He desperately wanted water, but all he could do was barely breathe.
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
“Syl…vian?”
At the sound of that trembling voice, Sylvian froze.
“Ah….”
Drip.
Thick tears rolled down from Sylvian’s eyes.
“Sylvian!”
With hot tears came an even hotter embrace that swallowed his body.
“Ah… Aghuhk.”
“It’s okay. Everything’s okay now.”
A quiet sob leaked from within the embrace.
Zeroth let out a sigh of relief as he held Sylvian tightly.
“There’s nothing that can hurt you now. It’s all right.”
“Sniff… Z-Zeroth?”
“Yes, it’s me. Zeroth Graham.”
With trembling hands, Zeroth gently lifted Sylvian’s face.
His face was soaked in tears.
Though he had been cared for all this time, the fact that this fragile body was once again in his arms made his chest swell with emotion.
“How… How could I, huff, h-hick.”
Tears streamed endlessly down Sylvian’s face as he looked back at Zeroth.
He had no idea how much time had passed, but judging by Zeroth’s reaction, he must’ve been unconscious for quite a while.
He didn’t even know why the tears were falling, or why he couldn’t get up immediately.
“Shhh. If you keep crying, you might collapse again.”
If he closed his eyes again, who knew when he’d wake up.
Zeroth held Sylvian closer and gently stroked his back.
He reached out and tugged on the bell cord.
“Ah! Lord Sylvian?!”
Lua, who had just entered the room, let out a small scream at the sight before rushing out again.
“The duchess is awake! Paul! Paul!”
Lua’s loud voice echoed in from beyond the closed door.
“Haa…”
Pat, pat.
Zeroth’s hand softly and steadily stroked Sylvian’s back.
Sylvian clung to Zeroth’s clothes.
“I… I was so scared…”
“It’s my fault.”
“Sniff, hick! Waaaah!”
The gentle comfort finally broke the dam, and Sylvian burst into tears.
“Karl was with me…”
When Sylvian finally calmed down and spoke, Zeroth secretly frowned.
So, he had lied.
But thanks to that, Sylvian no longer had a reason to fear or avoid him.
“He was rescued as well.”
Zeroth kissed Sylvian’s confused face.
“Did you suspect Karl?”
Nod.
So clever.
Zeroth had heard from Elizabeth that Sylvian suspected Karl.
The way he had run away had taken some courage.
“You did well.”
“…….”
Sylvian blinked at the unexpected praise.
If Karl really was the culprit, why wasn’t he saying anything?
Now fully conscious, Sylvian cautiously slipped out of Zeroth’s arms, all while sneaking glances at him.
He even made sure to wear a sheepish and troubled expression.
“Sylvian?”
“I-It’s okay now.”
Seeing his flustered red eyes, Sylvian fidgeted with the blanket without realizing.
‘Is it awkward again?’
He had always been a fearful person.
It would make sense for things to feel awkward after so long—no.
That didn’t make sense.
“Lord Sylvian!”
Just as Zeroth was staring at Sylvian in dismay as he slipped from his arms, Paul entered the room.
“The duchess is awake.”
Zeroth, who had tried to reach for Sylvian again, stood up upon seeing Paul.
“It’s fortunate. Other than having lost strength from lying down so long, there’s no major issue.”
After thoroughly examining Sylvian, Paul spoke.
“He should start with light broth again.”
It felt like a setback, as if all the recovery so far had been undone, but fortunately, the previous training hadn’t been for nothing.
Paul expressed confidence he would recover soon.
“Let’s support him with energy-restoring food and medicine. For now, let’s get some food in him.”
As Paul finished speaking, Penny and Luaia, who had prepared in advance, brought in some warm soup.
“I’ll do it. Everyone, leave us.”
Zeroth took the tray and dismissed the staff.
“I-I can eat by myself.”
* * *
