Chapter 126

Astelle paused after hearing the maid’s words.

“Who?”

The maid bowed her head politely and repeated her words.

“The Duke of Reston is here and requested you an audience.”

That’s so unexpected.

“Where is he now?”

“He is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

Astelle glanced at the window in the hallway.

The morning light shines outside the window.

It’s too early to even call it morning.

The servants of the Imperial Palace are also still sleeping at this time.

‘Why did my father ask to see me at this early hour?’

Don’t tell me he’s here for Theor……

The Duke must have already heard that Theor was sick.

He had several people listen to the details of what was happening inside the empress’ palace.

But Theor was just a cold.

He wouldn’t have cared as soon as he heard that Theor wasn’t seriously sick.

‘Hm……’

A slightly ominous thought came over Astelle.

‘I wonder if Fritz got caught.’

Astelle asked Fritz to find the documents the Duke had hidden.

Fritz faithfully completed his mission as Astelle told him and returned.

“Okay, I will meet him now. Get the tea ready.”

Astelle said so to the maid and headed for the drawing room.

It’s dawning outside the window, but it’s still dark inside.

The drawing room is illuminated by candlesticks like it’s midnight.

Through the light, Astelle saw her father sitting in a chair.

Even though it’s early in the morning, her father, the Duke of Reston, is neatly dressed in a suit.

“Father, what brings you here so early?”

His light green eyes looking at her looked a little shaky.

“Where is the Emperor?”

“He is with Theor.”

Astelle calmly answered the Duke’s question and sat down.

The Duke of Reston asked again as if he just remembered.

“Oh, yes, I heard our prince fell ill. How is he?”

“He had a fever all night, but it went down a little while ago. Thank you for your concern.”

Astelle said sarcastically, but the Duke didn’t care.

“I heard it is not serious. Young children are often ill.”

The Duke of Reston glanced at the door.

After confirming that the door was tightly closed, he said his main purpose for coming here.

“Someone secretly investigated my estate a few days ago.”

Astelle tried not to be surprised.

She didn’t expect that her father would bring it up so suddenly.

“Brother Fritz went to investigate the estate.”

“It’s not what Fritz did.”

The Duke of Reston went on in frustration.

“Someone did a background check on me while Fritz was clearing up the estate’s problems.”

“Is that really true?”

Astelle looked surprised.

She then watched her father’s anxious face intently.

Are you trying to test me? That’s very possible.

He may have noticed that it was Astelle’s work and is acting to see her reaction.

Astelle asked him as naturally as possible, looking surprised and frightened.

“Who would have done that?”

“I don’t know.”

“What was there?”

At Astelle’s question, the Duke remained silent for a moment.

“You don’t need to know. It’s not a big deal.”

“You came to see me in this early morning even though it’s not a big deal?”

“It’s almost time to wake up anyway.”

“Theor was sick, so I took care of him all night.”

“It’s just a fever, you could have asked the maid to do it……”

For a moment Astelle almost yelled at her father.

She is tired and sensitive because she couldn’t sleep the whole night, but when she heard this, she was furious.

Luckily, the maid brought tea after knocking on the door.

Astelle gave up any further conversation and drank tea.

“When the Emperor said he was going to send Fritz down to the West……”

The Duke of Reston looked at Astelle and continued.

“I was happy but also confused. Even if he’s obsessed with you, I still can’t believe he helped our family. The emperor has tried so hard to drive out our family over the years.”

“No way…… Do you mean it was the work of His Majesty the Emperor?”

Astelle realized why her father came here so early.

Her father seemed to think that the Emperor had been secretly seeking out the evidence of his corruption by pretending to send Fritz down to the West.

So he rushed to the empress’ palace so early to discuss with Astelle.

He’s worried that the emperor is still thinking about getting rid of him.

Because Theor fell ill, there is also an excuse.

If he makes an excuse that he rushed to the empress’ palace in shock to hear that the prince fell ill, no one will suspect it.

“Then who would have done it? Fritz couldn’t have done that.”

Astelle realized that her father trusted Fritz a lot.

Although there were times when opinions were divided and conflicted, her father firmly believed in her brother.

‘Because he is his only son.’

Astelle hid her feelings and spoke again.

“It could be one of them. Most people hate you.”

“……not all are like that.”

The Duke of Reston mumbled meaningfully.

Astelle didn’t even have to ask what it meant.

After the fall of the Marquis of Croychen, some nobles paid attention to the Reston family and tried to please the Duke.

Her father’s words must have meant that there were already nobles on his side.

“Anyway, I don’t think His Majesty was behind it. For Theor’s sake…… he’ll protect my father.”

Astelle said so, pretending to be innocent.

“Don’t be stupid. If the Emperor loses interest in you, he will try to bring down our family again, with or without a prince.”

The Duke of Reston raised his voice a little frustratedly.

Then he looked directly at Astelle and gave advice.

“So while the Emperor is still in love with you, you must have another child.”

“……”

The thought of pouring her father a cup of tea crossed Astelle’s mind. If not for her having to convince her father until she completes her plan, maybe she really did.

However, the conversation did not continue. The door swung open without a knock.

“Astelle. What are you doing here?”

That’s Kaizen.

After spending the night with Theor, he too looked a little tired.

Kaizen looked back at the Duke of Reston.

The Duke hastily got up from his seat.

“I greet you, Your Majesty……”

“I don’t think the Duke has learned any basic etiquette.”

The Duke of Reston quickly lowered his head with a frown on his face.

“When I heard the news that the prince fell ill, I as his grandfather was very worried and rushed here.”

“What are you doing here if you are so worried?”

“Because the prince is still sleeping……”

“Thank you for worrying about the prince. Now that Theor has recovered his energy, you should go back. I can’t let outsiders in when my son is sick.”

It was a clear order to leave immediately.

The Duke of Reston was furious in his heart, but he dared not be angry with the Emperor.

“……I will be back in the afternoon.”

The Duke of Reston glanced at Astelle, bent down, and went out.

Looks like he still wants to talk about this matter again later.

After her father left, Astelle looked at Kaizen in casual clothes.

He broke in without warning, but she actually thanked him for kicking her annoying father out.

“Theor just woke up. You didn’t come, so I came to see you.”

“How is Theor?”

“I think he’s fine. As soon as he woke up, he took some more medicine.”

Astelle headed with him to Theor’s room.

Fortunately, Theor regained his energy and was hugging Blynn on the bed.

“Blynn!”

Theor giggled with Blynn in his arms.

Blynn wagged its tail and licked Theor’s cheek.

Blynn also stayed under the bed all night when Theor fell ill.

Theor found Astelle while stroking Blynn’s fur.

“Mom.”

“Theor, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes. I’m not sick anymore.”

Theor, who answered so, looked a little pale, but cheerful.

Shining red eyes and white cheeks are also lively.

Astelle smiled relievedly.

“Are not you hungry?”

“Um…… a bit.”

Astelle gave Hannah a glance.

Moments later, Hannah brought warm soup in a small bowl.

Theor sat on the bed and quietly ate the soup.

Astelle made eye contact with Kaizen while helping Theor eat the soup.

“You must be tired, so don’t work today and take a rest.”

At Kaizen’s friendly voice, Astelle smiled softly.

“Your Majesty is more tired than I am.”

Astelle herself is tired from not getting enough sleep, but it’s nothing compared to Kaizen.

He must have struggled with the emperor’s work, but he couldn’t sleep the whole night.

He must be really tired.

“I’m okay. I’m worried about you.”

Theor, who was eating soup while listening to their conversation, asked with an innocent face.

“Can’t both of you rest today?”

At Theor’s innocent question, Astelle and Kaizen burst into laughter at the same time.

“It’s going to be a little difficult. Instead, I will finish work early today.”

Kaizen said, stroking Theor’s messy hair.

There’s a warm atmosphere between the three of them after a long time.