Chapter 63 Part 1: Upheaval, Crisis

The Emperor of the Empire had passed away.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the Empire.

He had been quiet in his later years.

But when he was younger, he was an Emperor who wielded absolute power.

His accomplishments were quite impressive.

He conquered two kingdoms and transformed the Kingdom of Winslet into an Empire.

However, having lost his purpose, the Emperor fell into endless boredom and emptiness.

Wine, women, hunting, and banquets.

He lost interest in everything except such fleeting pleasures.

He had no interest in his several wives, who were bound to him by political marriages, nor in the children born from those unions.

[He gained all the world, but lost his human heart.]

Perhaps those words of the gossips were true.

Of course, only the Emperor, who would soon be buried, knew the truth.

With his death, the political situation of the Empire was plunged into a raging torrent.

Just yesterday, the news reached Elchen.

The lords of various houses were immediately summoned to Arnad.

A heavy atmosphere settled in the meeting room.

Walter Bariang was the first to speak.

“What was the dead Emperor’s will?”

Pavel answered.

“There is no will. This is information confirmed by our intelligence.”

Walter let out a sigh of relief at that.

“That’s a relief, at least.”

Other lords chimed in.

“If he had named the First Prince in his will…”

“It would have been quite troublesome.”

Caron, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

“He’s not the type to leave such a thing in the first place.”

In reality, the Emperor had favored no one.

“If he had such intentions, he would have appointed a Crown Prince years ago.”

It was irresponsible, in a way.

But that neglect was welcome to Caron now.

“It has simplified things.”

That was also the reason they had gathered.

Caron declared before them all.

“I’ll get straight to the point. In the coming struggle, I want Elchen to stand with me.”

A heavy silence fell for a moment.

The Archduke was talking about war.

This was no banquet or hunting festival.

Walter Bariang was the first to respond.

“Of course, we will follow Your Highness.”

A moment of hesitation.

“Before that, I have a question. Your Highness. What is the future you envision?”

If he won the struggle for the throne, he would become Emperor.

But what would Elchen’s place be in the changed Empire after that?

Everyone asked with their eyes.

Caron slowly opened his mouth to answer.

“This place, Arnad, is my familiar home.”

Looking back, he had spent a long time in Elchen.

He had come here at the age of thirteen and had lived here for ten years.

“I believe I am well aware of the unfair treatment Elchen receives.”

Unusually high tariffs, an atmosphere of exclusion from mainstream society.

The Empire only tried to subjugate Elchen and made no effort to integrate it.

“So if I ascend to the Emperor’s throne, I will naturally also hold the position of Archduke of Elchen.”

It was unprecedented. It was hopeful.

What kind of treatment would a place directly managed by the Emperor receive?

“In that case…”

Walter Bariang spoke as if he had been waiting for this.

“You are the forgotten heir of Elchen, the one who will guarantee Elchen’s freedom. So naturally, you deserve the support of us all.”

And then he took out a dagger from his pocket and handed it to Caron.

Caron took it.

Slash-

And he cut his hand.

Blood flowed from the deep cut.

But soon a red energy appeared and healed the wound.

They witnessed once again what they already knew.

One by one.

The lords knelt before Caron.

“Ruslanche will follow Your Highness.”

“Experia will do the same.”

After that, declarations from various other houses continued.

Finally.

Walter Bariang knelt before Caron.

“If that is your will, then go forth, Your Highness. Naturally, all the might of Elchen will follow you.”

It was a foreseen outcome.

But with determination in his eyes.

Caron nodded slowly.

The meeting dragged on for a long time.

Rosa was almost on edge.

She was anxious. Worried.

She had been like that ever since she heard the news.

‘So… are we going to war?’

It wasn’t a simple fight.

The opponent was the First Prince’s faction.

It would surely be an arduous and difficult battle.

At the end of the struggle for the throne, there was only the destruction of the loser.

Of course, Rosa believed.

Naturally, Caron would win.

‘But…’

The feeling of worry was. Inevitable.

Caron returned late at night.

Rosa quickly approached him.

She hesitated for a moment, then embraced Caron.

Caron willingly embraced her, who came to him first.

She felt relieved when she was in his embrace.

‘Even though we were only apart for half a day…?’

Rosa had missed this embrace.

The embrace that held her tightly.

Perhaps her worry and anxiety had grown so much that she was acting like a child.

“How did… the meeting go?”

The gaze from below met his.

Rosa seemed to have a lot to say.

She looked like a chick trembling with anxiety.

“It went well.”

Caron reassured Rosa.

He covered her small frame completely with his embrace.

He could feel her soft body through his arms and chest.

The two felt relieved, smelling each other’s scent.

After releasing her, Caron held her hand, interlocking their fingers.

“Let’s go to our room and talk.”

She had many questions she wanted to ask immediately.

But Rosa silently followed Caron.

The two entered the room. A moment of silence passed.

Caron caressed Rosa’s soft cheek.

Looking intently into her worried eyes, he said.

“Go to the capital. Tomorrow.”

The Emperor of the Empire had died.

What did that fact truly signify?

“I should probably attend the funeral.”

Privately, he was his father. Since the Emperor’s death.

He couldn’t start a rebellion immediately.

There was no justification for it yet.

Rosa was at a loss for words.

“Go? To the capital…?”

Even though she had expected this situation, she had to ask again.

Caron nodded slowly.

He couldn’t not attend the funeral.

It would be considered unfilial, even treasonous.

His situation, his very status, dictated it.

“There’s no need to give the enemy an excuse.”

Justification was quite important in war.

Morale of the troops, recruitment of neutral forces, the atmosphere after the war.

It affected all of those things.

Rosa understood the situation well.

‘But it’s dangerous.’

Those words were swallowed back down her throat.

The capital was the power base of the First Prince’s faction.

In other words, Caron was willingly walking into enemy territory.

It wouldn’t be strange if something happened.

Suddenly, Caron spoke.

‘And I’m not taking you to the capital.’

He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

He wouldn’t take Rosa because he didn’t know what might happen.

“Why…?”

Of course, Rosa knew.

“Because it’s dangerous.”

That she could become Caron’s weakness.

So it would be better for both of them if she waited in this safe place.

She had known that beforehand.

‘But…’

Then she also wanted to stop Caron.

She wanted to tell him not to go.

But Caron was directly related to the Emperor by blood.

She couldn’t think of a good excuse.

Caron, who could see right through Rosa’s thoughts.

He pulled her into a tight embrace as if to reassure her.

“The enemy isn’t that foolish.”

To be precise, the Empress wasn’t, though the First Prince might be.

Reckless actions were unlikely.

For example, an attack in the middle of the capital, or ambushing him on the way with troops.

Of course, it wasn’t that Caron wasn’t nervous.

‘I probably won’t be caught off guard, but…’

He was tightening his guard.

Still, the possibilities were limited.

He had calculated those few possibilities, and even had countermeasures for somewhat extreme measures.

Rosa probably already knew.

Because she was always thinking of helping him.

He didn’t need to say it.

It was just as Caron expected.

‘Then…’

Soon, Rosa spoke.

It had been a few days ago.

Summer in Elchen was cool.

It almost felt like autumn.

The greenery spread out beyond the window.

Rosa was quietly lost in her own thoughts.

It had been half a year since she had come here.

When she first arrived.

She had seen a much drier landscape.

At first glance, it was a bleak, cold-looking city.

But she thought its understated elegance was charming.

The antique-style mansions. The black walls that blocked the cold wind.

‘Looking back…’

Everything was so unfamiliar then.

Except for one person, Caron.

Caron was familiarity to her.

Even among many familiarities now, he was a being in a league of his own.

A precious friend, a lover.

And the being to whom she had given her heart.

Caron had become the only one truly for Rosa, and Rosa had finally acknowledged her feelings.

All the time spent with Caron was quite enjoyable for her.

But instinctively, Rosa felt.

That the first hurdle was approaching soon.

So after much deliberation, she made a move.

She personally wrote a letter to the Cardinal.

Cardinal Lázaro had told her.

[Feel free to contact me anytime. I will be staying here for the time being.]

The Murian Monastery where the Cardinal was staying.

It was only half a day’s distance from the Archducal estate.

So the letter was delivered a few days ago, and the reply arrived the very next day.

Rosa’s requests were clear.

First, to announce it soon.

Of course, the timing would be after the Emperor’s death.

The oracle, and the appearance of the saint would be announced.

[But the fact that it is me must be kept secret.]

She only wanted it to be announced that a saint had appeared in the north, and that the saint had personally blessed the Second Prince.

She wanted that much to be made public.

A more important request.

[I want the protection of my husband, Cayron Winslet. Using all the power of the Church.]

The capital was enemy territory for Caron.

He had no allies there.

So in case of an emergency, Rosa intended to actively use the power of the saint.

That was the thought that came to Rosa’s mind.

She believed this measure would help Caron.

Always thinking of helping Caron.

She wanted to contribute even the slightest bit of strength.

The Cardinal replied.

[Everything will be as Lady Rosa wishes.]

In addition, he also sent a message about a request she had not made.

[I will prepare the troops of the Knights Templar.]

The Holy Teysian Knights Templar.

They served the role of a holy knight order.

In times of emergency, they would be a reliable reinforcement.

They would be an unexpected ambush to the enemy, and a blessed support to the allies.

Having finished her recollection, Rosa slowly opened her mouth.

“Then… you must visit the church.”

It would surely help Caron.

Around the time Caron arrived in the capital.

The Pope would also be aware of the news.

‘I’m glad I can help even in this way.’

Rosa’s feelings were evident in her expression.

Her feelings were so genuine.

That Caron, as always, ended up kissing her.

“Caron, the answer…”

But instead of an answer, his breath mixed with hers.

“Ah… Answer me.”

Even in the midst of this, Rosa hated herself for melting.

But at some point, Rosa was the one clinging.

Tomorrow, Caron would leave.

‘Because he’s going to the capital for the funeral.’

They might have to be apart for quite some time.

She didn’t really feel it yet.

But that this embrace would be missed, that fact was very clear.

She felt like she would think of it every night.

That point was truly agonizing.

“Caron… I like you.”

There was something else she really wanted to say.

‘Don’t go.’

But she couldn’t bring herself to say those words.

So she became a bit more honest.

“No, I love you.”

Rosa’s honest confession.

Caron’s heart swelled.

There was no getting through that night either.

Caron devoured her repeatedly.

‘I wonder what meaning safe days have at this point.’

It was a thought that actually crossed her mind.

But she wanted Caron.

His warmth, his broad embrace.

She didn’t want him to leave her.

But knowing that it was unavoidable.

She clung to him even more now.

It was the next day.

Caron prepared to leave for the capital.

He stood in front of the castle gate early at dawn with a suitable escort force.

Naturally, Rosa saw him off.

“I’ll be back.”

Caron said.

Rosa’s expression was hardened with worry.

Then, overcome with emotion, tears welled up in her eyes without her realizing it.

Caron carefully wiped those tears with his hand.

Rosa was really worried, and she really didn’t want to be apart.

So she couldn’t send him off with a smile, and she was embarrassed by her own self.

“I’m really not crying.”

She said that to Caron.

Caron answered in a low voice.

“I know. It’s just dust.”

At those words, Rosa finally let out a small laugh.

She held out a token she had made herself.

A pure white cravat made for Caron.

And a red necklace, just like the one he had given her.

Caron looked closely at the necklace with a stone attached to it.

Of course, he soon put it in his pocket.

He held out Rosa’s hand.

There were pricked wounds here and there on her fingers.

“…I’m not good at sewing.”

At those words, Caron paused, then pulled Rosa into a tight embrace.

He wasn’t in a light mood either.

But it was a rite of passage that had to be endured.

“Don’t cry. I’ll be back soon.”

“I believe you.”

Only then did Rosa relax her expression.

Because it was none other than Caron who said it.

Because it was certain that it would really happen that way.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Rosa watched the departing party, raising dust.

She prayed with her hands clasped together.

For Caron to return quickly.

But whether it would be a short separation.

She had no idea at the time.