Chapter 124

The Marquis continued the explanation.

That year there was a skirmish at the border.

It wasn’t a great battle. Because the immigrants at the border only caused a disturbance for a while.

However, the battle that was expected to end easily was delayed by inflicting minor damage, contrary to expectations.

It happened because the lieutenant, Ecklen, delivered the wrong order during the battle, and the orders between the units were twisted.

Although it was a simple mistake, it was unavoidable to be reprimanded.

Ecklen complained of injustice, but there was no way to substantiate his words.

The Marquis thought it was a simple mistake, so he finished it by driving him away without serious punishment.

Ecklen was dishonorably driven to the frontier.

“That’s what happened.”

But later the Marquis found out that it wasn’t his mistake.

“After some investigation, about two years later, it was revealed that it was not his fault.”

The Marquis frowned as he recalled the incident.

‘It’s a sad story.’

The position of the knight commander’s assistant was not a position that anyone could obtain.

Although it was a position that was nothing more than a secretary, the new knights always wanted to be the lieutenants of the high-ranking nobles, because they were able to gain experience by the side of their superiors and build strong personal connections.

A young man from a low background got a good job, but he was unfairly kicked out.

Young Ecklen’s life must have been ruined.

Astelle listened quietly to her maternal grandfather and asked, “Did you find out whose fault it was?”

“I couldn’t figure it out.”

“Maybe….., maybe it had something to do with my father?”

Somehow Astelle thought that it was something her father could do.

It was a suitable role for someone like her father.

A high-ranking villain who blames his rivals and takes over the Lady.

However, her maternal grandfather denied her prediction.

“No. Your father was not interested in your mother at the time.”

“Really?”

The Marquis sighed.

“I apologized to him directly and tried to compensate him. But he didn’t take it because he said he didn’t need it.”

Why didn’t he take it? Because he has a big grudge?

Still, it would have been better to receive compensation.

For Ecklen, it must have been like wasting two years of his life unfairly……

He must have been angry that he was disgracefully kicked out, even though it wasn’t his fault.

However, the Marquis gave the young lieutenant a chance to explain and investigate the case, so it could be said that he did enough.

He continued to investigate two years later and eventually uncovered the truth of the case.

Does he still hold a grudge?

Astelle immediately found the answer in her grandfather’s next words.

Why did Ecklen, who was unfairly kicked out, refuse to be compensated?

The Marquis, who was the knight commander at the time, did everything he could to reveal the injustice of his lieutenant. So why is he still uncomfortable with him?

“Your mother got married while he was away.”

The Marquis said with a long sigh.

“I didn’t know they were so close. I think they were closer than I thought.”

Since there was a difference in status, even if it was a relationship similar to that of a lover, it was impossible to reveal it.

“But my mother accepted my father’s proposal.”

If the two had a relationship that was deep enough to promise a future, the relationship wouldn’t have been broken by that.

‘Perhaps my mother liked my father more than the faraway Ecklen.’

Of course, it’s a little surprising that her mother liked her father so much, but in her mother’s eyes, he may have looked great……

‘Hm……’

It was hard to believe, but Astelle herself didn’t really know her mother.

“I didn’t and still don’t like your father, but she insisted to marry him.”

Astelle understood her maternal grandfather’s heart.

It seems that he felt like he had forced the two of them apart.

“Count Ecklen didn’t seem to have any regrets. Wouldn’t it be better to brush off the past at this point?”

The Marquis did not answer.

Astelle recalled Count Ecklen, whom she had met a few times before.

He was very kind and courteous to her.

‘It was because he liked my mother.’

Until then, she thought she would be able to make friends without much thought.

Hearing this, Astelle herself began to think about how to deal with him.

‘Did my father know about his relationship with my mother?’

He seemed to react a little sensitively when he heard the name of Count Ecklen.

As she was thinking about it, the Marquis murmured.

“It’s raining.”

As she turned around, raindrops started hitting the window pane.

Astelle looked at the clock and got up.

Kaizen and Theor must be waiting in the bedroom.

“It is too late. I have to go back to the bedroom.”

***

Astelle ended the conversation with her maternal grandfather and returned to the bedroom.

As she was passing the hallway, the rain suddenly began to pour heavily.

The rain that fell like a waterfall drenched the garden.

“Why is it raining all of a sudden……”

The servants were seen running out to the flower bed through the rain where they couldn’t see an inch ahead.

The servants covered the garden with tarpaulin to protect the flowers.

Some people had umbrellas, but even the umbrellas were broken by the strong wind.

It must be hard.

‘Next year, I will have to tell them not to plant flowers that are weak in the rain.’

With that thought in mind, she entered the bedroom.

But there was no one in the bedroom with the lights on.

“Your Majesty? Theor?”

The maid found Astelle and approached her.

She was holding a towel and pajamas, maybe she was tidying the bedroom.

“Your Majesty the Empress?”

“Where is His Majesty and the Prince?”

“His Majesty went out to the garden with the Prince.”

“Garden?”

When it is raining like this?

“Astelle.”

Startled at the familiar voice, she turned around to see Kaizen entering the bedroom with Theor in his arms, both of them soaked in the rain.

Every step Kaizen took, water dripped from their bodies.

Theor muttered while wiping his face.

“It’s cold.”

Kaizen lowered Theor to the floor carefully.

Astelle wiped Theor’s hair with the towel the maid had brought.

“You have to take a warm bath.”

The quick-witted maid bowed her head and ran toward the bathroom.

In an instant, hot water was ready. At Kaizen’s order, the maids filled Theor’s bath with hot water first.

Astelle herself took Theor to the bath, handed him over to the maids, and returned to the bedroom.

Kaizen was wiping off the water with a towel.

“I went out and played with him for a while, but suddenly it started raining,” he said.

He took off his dripping coat, revealing his damp white shirt.

A thin shirt stuck to his upper body, revealing his strong body.

Astelle averted her eyes without her even realizing it.

She pretended not to see it and tried to direct her gaze to the window, but a low voice was heard.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes?”

“Your face looks dark.”

She then turned around and met with red eyes staring at her.

Slightly fierce-looking eyes were looking straight at Astelle.

Bright red eyes, dark hair like the night sky, and a sharp nose.

Cold raindrops trickled down from his strong jaws onto his sturdy muscular chest.

Once again, Astelle thought he was quite good from the outside.

Astelle immediately stopped her useless thought and spoke in a calm manner.

“I am fine. My grandfather told me about my mother.”

“Did something happen to your mother?”

“It’s not like that……”

Astelle did not finish her words.

After hearing about her mother’s past, she had a lot on her mind.

Kaizen put down the towel, wondering what misunderstanding he had made, and said in a low voice.

“If you have any concerns, you can let me know. I want to help you. I didn’t mean to just give you gems or a palace to help you.”

“……”

Somehow he sounded desperate when he said that.

“Thank you for saying that, Your Majesty.”

Astelle turned to him after a moment of silence.

“But I am fine. If there is anything I want to ask you, I will let you know.”

“……”

Kaizen just stared at Astelle without saying a word.

Astelle pretended not to see the painful emotion in his red eyes.

It was difficult for her to draw a line like this every time, but Kaizen’s attitude, who crossed the line every time, was also uncomfortable.

Has Kaizen forgotten that we are in a contractual relationship?

‘We just got married……’

Fortunately, this uncomfortable moment was quickly over.

The maid came running and knocked on the door.

“Your Majesty, the hot water is ready.”

Kaizen turned around without answering and went to the bathroom.

***

A little distracted by this and that, Astelle had no time to dwell on Count Ecklen.

Three days later, Fritz arrived at the empress palace.