Chapter 83

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 83

Chapter Title: Schemes in the Dead of Night

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Claudio Ducal House.

Late into the night, the light in the duke's study showed no sign of going out.

"I've already heard the Interior Minister's story. It's a shame to lose him, but your judgment was sound, my lord. A spark that could burn everything must be snuffed out."

Claudio and Raju.

They were allies aboard the ship called Jason. Their goal was the same: to make Jason emperor.

In doing so, the Regent Duke would become king of Baldina, and Raju a meritorious lord of Kazen Empire.

The Regent Duke's eyes filled with emotion.

"I knew you'd say that, Count. My rotten son insists he's right, my retainers come running to me first whenever something goes wrong... Do you know how lonely it's been, carrying the grand design all alone...?"

"Don't worry, my lord. Now that I'm here, everything will fall back into place."

Count Raju spoke with confidence.

"Our delegation will refuse Baldina's plea for aid. But if you beg us, and we relent just enough to send a pittance of food, how does that sound?"

"My mother won't stand for it..."

"If the Queen Dowager keeps blocking you, use that as an excuse to reject the aid. Even her strength will falter then. All the blame for halting relief will fall squarely on her."

Count Raju reassured him there was nothing to fear.

"On top of that, our delegation will communicate solely through you, Duke Claudio—not the royal family."

The Regent Duke's face lit up.

The sole channel to the empire. In Baldina, the value of that rarity was immense.

Especially now, on the cusp of winter, when Kazen's aid was desperately needed.

If he could pull that off, he could shore up his shaky position.

"An excellent idea. We'll do just that."

Relief and joy gleamed in the Regent Duke's eyes.

"Count Raju, I'll never forget this favor. During your stay, ask for anything you need without hesitation."

The Regent Duke brought out his finest liquor. He didn't begrudge a drop.

"What are such things between allies on the same ship? I, too, know how precious a reliable friend like you is, my lord. It's the warmth of homeland I could never feel in that brutal empire."

"Of course. Standing in the empire as a foreigner must fill every hour, every minute with worry. And yet you serve the Grand Duke at his side—truly remarkable."

A staunch classist, the Regent Duke treated him with astonishing consideration, as if Raju's origins as a commoner had never registered in his mind.

As the night deepened, so did the glasses they sipped.

"Count Raju... You've come at just... the right... time. Truly... fortunate..."

Even a man of his iron will and sober temperament couldn't hold out forever against drink after drink.

His tongue grew thick. Then, with a thud, the inebriated duke slumped face-first onto the desk and passed out.

Count Raju, too, seemed overcome by the alcohol, struggling to steady himself.

"My lord... Duke Claudio? Hey, you can't just sleep like this..."

But no matter how Raju shook him, the Regent Duke was dead to the world.

How much silence passed like that?

...

Scraaaape. The sound of a chair being pushed back.

Step, step.

Count Raju's footsteps as he quietly left the study were steady as ever—no trace of a wobble.

Duchess Catherine Claudio's bedroom.

"Ma'am, shall I prepare for bed?"

"No need. I'll handle it myself tonight. Go rest."

She waved a graceful hand, shooing the maid away.

"Don't wake me until I call tomorrow."

"Of course, ma'am. Sleep well."

The duchess was notoriously sensitive; once asleep, no one dared enter her bedroom without permission, no matter the emergency.

The young maid, well aware of her temperament, nodded and slipped out.

...

Catherine sat at her vanity.

In a silk gown that clung to her curves, her hair swept up, she looked breathtakingly beautiful—ageless.

Her makeup was still flawless, not a trace removed, and a faint perfume lingered.

It was then, as she touched her reflection in the mirror—

A rough man's arm snaked in, seizing her delicate chin and waist, pulling her close.

"Robi! You startled me!"

Catherine gasped, her sharp cry quickly muffled.

"My love, as beautiful as ever."

Count Raju embraced her, showering her with fervent kisses.

"What about him?"

"What is there to say? I slipped a sleeping draught in his wine. He'll be out cold till noon tomorrow."

A mocking glint crossed Raju's eyes as he pictured the Regent Duke sprawled sloppily across the table.

"He's still my husband. Don't be too cruel."

"Your husband? Then whose woman are you? Tell me."

As Raju failed to hide his jealousy, Catherine concealed a silent laugh.

Robert—this man is as passionate as the day we met, even after all these years.

They had been lovers for a long time.

Long before Catherine became Duchess Claudio, and Robert a count of the empire.

"Cat, run away with me. To the empire—just the two of us."

"Robi... I can't defy my family's will."

The love between a duke's daughter and a commoner serving her house had ended badly.

Catherine's father had discovered them, beaten Robert senseless, and banished him.

He'd lain sick in bed, listening to the cathedral bells toll for his beloved's wedding.

"I'll never return to this damned place."

Obsessed with success, Robert clawed his way up in Kazen Empire by any means.

Then one day, after saving the previous emperor, his life turned around.

With his new name, Raju, he became the very noble who had once tormented him. Success was sweet—and hollow.

"Count Raju, this is Duchess Catherine Claudio from Baldina—"

But one chance encounter with his first love reignited the embers of passion he'd buried.

"Of course, Robi. Only you."

Catherine answered sweetly, snapping from her reverie.

"That's right. Me too. That's why I brought the Grand Duke and his generals. To make your husband king."

Even as he spoke, Count Raju pulled her into his arms, unwilling to let go.

"How long has it been? Damn it, only a year, but it felt like decades without you."

Catherine pushed at his chest, shooting him a glare.

"Hmph. I already heard you found a woman in Kazen. One the Grand Duke personally introduced you to?"

"Just a political match. You know you're the only one in my heart, Cat."

The tangled pair tumbled onto the bed. The bedroom air grew thick and hot.

Click. The soft sound of the bedroom door closing went unheard by the two lost in each other.

"Haa... haa."

Rumpled sheets. Heavy air. Catherine caught her breath as she pulled away.

Unlike her cold husband, her lover was always passionate.

"Cat, where's our darling daughter? I haven't seen her since earlier."

Raju stroked her tousled hair lovingly.

"She filled a whole carriage with gifts for Birna. Can't wait to see how thrilled she'll be."

"Birna's... still at the convent because of that wench Medea."

Catherine ground her teeth.

"It breaks my heart, thinking of our Birna suffering in that cold, harsh place..."

"Then bring her home. Etienne's dead—no need to watch your step anymore."

Catherine eyed him warily at his casual reply.

"But people's eyes..."

"What do they matter? If anyone dares wag their tongue at my daughter, I'll gouge their eyes out."

His upturned mustache twitched with confidence.

"Cat, your man is someone even Kazen's nobles can't touch. Let alone in a backwater like Baldina—who could stand against me?"

He boasted arrogantly.

"Our daughter will get the best treatment. Once the Grand Duke takes the throne, she'll be the empire's lady. A mere Baldina princess can't compare."

A chill ran through his sinister gaze.

"No need to worry, my love. That princess wench's blood and flesh will be the fertilizer for Birna to spread her wings."

Touched, Catherine threw herself back into his arms.

Princess Palace.

"Count Raju... with my aunt?"

The note from the Claudio Ducal House left Medea stunned.