I Killed My Husband - Chapter 58

The news that Viscount Liberty was visiting the Imperial Palace spread quickly.

And upon hearing the rumor, Carlos sighed. But he didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.

“What does Her Majesty the Queen Mother think of the dignity of the Imperial Family? That womanizing bastard.”

As soon as Mercedes returned from meeting the Queen Mother, she said that an investigation into Viscount Liberty was necessary, but Carlos already knew about him.

He was said to be a rather famous figure in high society.

The people Mercedes had memorized were mostly ‘politically’ important figures, so the viscount had been excluded.

Anyway, since the Emperor would continue to escort her by his side, there was no need to know about the womanizer.

No matter how bold the womanizer was, without backing and being from a viscount family with low prestige, there was no way he would make a move on Mercedes, the Emperor’s woman.

“A womanizer, now I understand. Not only is he accustomed to dealing with women, his appearance is also quite outstanding.”

Mercedes laughed, amused.

“His appearance is… outstanding?”

For a moment, Carlos’s face hardened. Mercedes, who was chattering while having tea, did not see his expression and continued.

“Yes. He was a very eye-catching handsome man. His eye smile was quite something too. I wondered why the Queen Mother assigned this man, but perhaps she thought that since he knows women well, he might catch me showing even the slightest opening.”

“…Then will you. Show an opening?”

“What? Of course not. I have no openings. Such a man’s sweet words are laughable to me.”

Mercedes spoke with confidence. Carlos thought that his momentarily irritated heart somehow felt refreshed.

“Anyway, you’re saying you have to meet that bastard several times because he’s in charge of the escort?”

“Yes. Escorting doesn’t require practice, but she insists on calling it that. Anyway, I can’t enter the Queen Mother’s palace with Sir Knight, so assign a shadow knight as planned.”

“Alright. It’s not a difficult task.”

“And… For now, let’s leave things as the Queen Mother wishes until the day of the event. Then, what if we create a situation where His Majesty comes to keep the Queen Mother in check, dismisses the viscount, and escorts me himself? I will apologize to Her Majesty the Queen Mother separately.”

“We think alike. I was thinking the same thing. If it’s under my authority, it won’t be your fault, so the Queen Mother won’t resent you either. Anyway, nothing good will come from assigning that kind of viscount to you.”

“Haha. Your Majesty really dislikes the viscount.”

“Does anyone like a womanizer who defies principles?”

“The women in high society like him, so he must have become a womanizer.”

“Those women like me too.”

Carlos suddenly blurted out a grumpy remark. He immediately regretted it afterwards. There was no need to say this.

He didn’t even understand why he had uttered such childish words.

‘Damn it.’

Seeing himself say and do things unlike his usual self, he thought that he should avoid her for a while.

But in order to win Mercedes’s heart, he had to stick close to her.

He was now in a situation where he couldn’t do either.

“Haha. Of course they would like Your Majesty. Separate from aiming for the position of Empress, Your Majesty is a wonderful person.”

But whether she knew of his predicament or not, Mercedes praised him calmly.

Mercedes was also in a complicated state of mind, but wearing a mask and giving this level of praise was not difficult for her.

The two fell into silence for a moment, each lost in their own complicated thoughts.

“The enthronement ceremony is coming up soon.”

It was Carlos who broke the silence that had settled as they were each lost in thought.

“Yes. It is.”

“If you feel anxious or encounter any difficulties, make sure to tell me.”

“I will- Ah. I actually have something to ask for your help with. I wrote an invitation to Count Cromwell. Will you take a look at it?”

“Of course.”

Mercedes had Patricia bring the draft of the invitation she had written. In the meantime, she also relayed news about Bruno.

“And Bruno sent a letter. As I instructed, while the count is keeping an eye on him, he is spending his days training the disorderly knights and doing nothing more. Now it’s time to shake up the hearts of the soldiers. Along with sending the invitation, I should send instructions as well.”

“Certainly. Your strategies are always excellent. By the way, Bruno is doing a great job. He’s a clever one, I really like that.”

While they were talking, Patricia returned with the invitation. The invitation was handed to Carlos, and Carlos gave brief advice regarding the sending date and content. Along with the praise, ‘There’s really nothing to advise now. You’re improving rapidly.’

Yes. Putting aside these complicated emotions and talking about ‘work’ and ‘goals’ was so comforting.

Mercedes became composed.

And Carlos found a breakthrough of sorts, deciding that from now on, it would be best to focus on work-related topics when conversing with Mercedes, leaving his own feelings aside.

Thus, with talks about each other’s goals, that evening’s dinner ended peacefully.

* * *

The invitation arrived at Count Cromwell’s residence four days before the enthronement ceremony. If he hurried, he could somehow attend, but he would need to charter a fast ship.

He was Mercedes’s father. And the enthronement ceremony was a good opportunity to establish a close relationship with Emperor Loom.

The invitation did say, ‘The enthronement ceremony was prepared in a rush, so the invitation is late. I apologize, Father.’

‘You should have sent the invitation as soon as there was talk of the enthronement ceremony. Useless wench!’

The count barely restrained himself from crumpling the invitation. Wasn’t this the perfect chance to boldly confront King Sheim with evidence of his connection to Loom?

Moreover, the count was also planning to bring his daughter Flora and introduce her to the Emperor.

Mercedes was not trustworthy.

Mercedes had already ruined everything once before, hadn’t she? And now with this invitation, again!

His daughter Flora, although not as beautiful as Mercedes, was his true daughter, much wiser and more reliable than that wench. So he planned to dress her up beautifully and present her before the Emperor.

Of course, he also intended to order Mercedes to cooperate.

To persuade the Emperor that she was lonely living in Loom and needed a sister by her side.

If he could place Flora next to the Emperor like that, wouldn’t there be a chance that the Emperor might fall for his daughter at some point?

Then he would have both his daughters become the Emperor’s women.

He hadn’t considered this when Mercedes was in the position of Crown Princess. But being the Emperor’s woman? It was a very tempting position.

However, Loom was far away, so it was difficult for him to go and directly pressure the girl. This invitation was his chance to cross over to Loom.

“Butler. First, pack the luggage. We must go to Loom. Bring the coachman who drives the carriage best, and charter a ship at the port! And tell Flora to pack plenty of dresses and prepare for the journey. We are going to Loom.”

So the count hurriedly packed his bags.

The order of confinement had not yet been lifted, but this was his daughter’s enthronement ceremony. The king would have no choice but to understand. The king was very mindful of Loom.

Loom was a place that took about five days to reach. If it took four days, he might somehow arrive in time.

Count Cromwell hastily prepared for the trip.

Observing the count’s movements, Bruno went to see him. Count Cromwell, who was busy packing and not paying attention, gave Bruno half-hearted responses while turning his office upside down.

“I heard the news, Your Excellency. Have a safe trip. And here.”

Bruno handed Cromwell the fake insignia the size of a coin that the Emperor had recently sent via letter, small enough to fit in the palm of his hand.

“After arriving in Loom, you will likely face several checkpoints. Use this then.”

At his words, Count Cromwell’s hands abruptly stopped.

Yes… He had received an invitation, but if he wanted to go quickly, he would need a shortcut.

For Count Cromwell, who had developed immense trust in Bruno while observing him training the soldiers, the insignia he handed over was not just welcome, but moving.

To think that the Emperor’s knight would go to such lengths to help him!

He was much better than that wench Mercedes.

Gritting his teeth, he still replied to Bruno with a docile face.

“I’m truly grateful.”

“It’s nothing. His Majesty also told me to see to Your Excellency’s convenience, and I guess I’ve grown fond of you while training.”

“Is that so! Haha. When I return, I will treat you to a good drink!”

“Yes.”

Watching the count, Bruno bowed politely, left the room, and smiled.

At first, he had shown a fastidious attitude, clearly demonstrating that he was the Emperor’s knight, but now that some time had passed, it was time to show a softened demeanor, as his lady had sent a letter along with the fake insignia.

It was the perfect timing to raise the trust of the count, who obviously wanted to go to Loom and act haughtily.

Bruno watched the count hurriedly leave the residence with his daughter, and sent a letter to the informants saying, ‘The count has departed.’

Afterwards, he headed towards the soldiers exhausted from physical training. To carry out the orders written in the letter from his lady that had arrived this time.

“Let’s stop here for today. You all seem too tired.”

“Is that true?”

“It must be true! Don’t ask, be quiet!”

“Yes, Sir Argos! Thank you!”

Bruno looked around at the soldiers who were chattering and expressing their gratitude.

“Now that His Excellency the Count is away, there’s something I want to say carefully.”

The count’s departure was perfect for Bruno. He had been wondering when to convey the words Mercedes had ordered.

Now was the time when there were no watchful eyes.

The count’s right-hand man, the butler, was also busy tidying up the residence due to the count’s sudden departure.

“I saw potential in you all. Although military discipline was lax, you followed my training and regained your pride as warriors.”

The soldiers, although puzzled, bent one knee and bowed their heads at his solemn praise.

At first, they had listened to him because of the Emperor’s insignia, but once the training began, the knights had their hearts captured by Bruno.

It was a harsh training, but Bruno always took the lead and rolled in the dirt with them.

He was an exemplary and magnificent knight, and through the training, he was a great teacher who straightened out their lax minds.

That’s why everyone acknowledged him.

“So I’ll say this. No matter how much of a warrior you are, even if you’ve sworn an oath to your lord, there’s nothing more futile than dying under a lord who doesn’t recognize the honor of death that each individual possesses.”

As Bruno’s words continued, surprise bloomed on the faces of the soldiers one by one. This was now… He was worrying about them and speaking words of betrayal against the count.

“Therefore, it’s okay to run away in the face of death.”

The moment those words came out.

Everyone held their breath.