episode_0138

Eleanor’s decision to give up on the northern journey with Dimitri, despite her stubbornness, was not solely because the northern winter was as dangerous as her lover often claimed.

“If Dimitri had that kind of personality, he would have sent Hilda elsewhere long ago.”

Inside the first-class compartment of the train heading west.

Looking out into the serene countryside in the distance, Eleanor murmured to herself.

The past week. Eleanor, who had been in chaos to the point where she couldn’t live without Dimitri, decided to return west so easily, feeling a sense of obligation.

It had been two seasons since 20-year-old college student Seo Juha had been living in the body of Eleanor, the beloved daughter of the Viscount’s family.

In reality, it was only a short period of less than half a year, but during that time, Eleanor keenly felt the weight of being the beloved daughter of the Viscount hanging over her shoulders.

Moreover, she had not paid any price for living comfortably as the beloved daughter of the Viscount’s family in Eleanor’s body.

Up until now, she had brushed it off with the excuse of amnesia, but now she found herself in a position where she had to become the Duchess of Verberitz, not the lady of Beaurn.

The marriage with Dimitri was set for next summer.

In fact, she wanted to have the wedding a little earlier, in spring. However, due to Dimitri’s words that some time was needed to tidy up the northern regions endured during the winter, the wedding was postponed later than she had thought.

So, Eleanor remained as Beaurn, not Verberitz, with only autumn, winter, and the upcoming spring left.

During this short time, Eleanor resolved to fulfill her duties as the youngest daughter of the Viscount of Beaurn, even if it meant becoming the Duchess for Eleanor, who had entrusted her precious body to her.

She planned to show herself as the youngest daughter in front of her father and brother, and to confidently reveal her appearance as a lady of Beaurn in the western social circles.

As Eleanor was gathering her thoughts inside the compartment, Sophie’s startled voice caught her attention.

“Um… Miss.”

“Yes, Sophie. What’s the matter?”

“Well… this… a letter came…”

Eleanor’s sky-blue eyes turned from the window she had been staring blankly at to Sophie. Standing in front of the compartment door, Sophie seemed unsure unlike her usual self. In her hand was a letter resting on a white apron.

“A letter came in front of the compartment for you… there was no sender, so it seemed suspicious.”

Eleanor’s gaze shifted to Sophie’s hand. On the envelope written in elegant handwriting was only the short phrase, ‘To Eleanor Arène de Beaurn, the beloved daughter.’

And so, the approaching season was autumn.

After enduring the scorching summer, the people of the empire were eagerly anticipating the harvest festival.

As Eleanor, who had been enjoying the sweetness under the stage for a while with a letter brought by Sophie, she once again found herself standing on top of it.

#20. On the Blood-Stained Fallen Leaves

The trees on the streets were no longer adorned with fresh, vibrant green, but were now decorated in vivid yellows and reds, shedding their leaves.

Not long ago, they had suffered under the scorching summer sun, but now it had become a season where one had to wear a thin coat in the chilly morning and evening breeze.

One by one, as the leaves fell, Albriss walked along the tranquil path by the riverbank, cautiously speaking to the man following behind.

“So, it seems like something is about to happen soon, right?”

The low voice that flowed through dry lips was drowned out by the surrounding noise and lost its shape. However, it seemed that only the man following behind could hear Albrice’s voice clearly.

“The movements of the Imperial Guard are quite suspicious. Especially in the past few days, they have been moving quite aggressively, to the point where it might be exposed to us.”

Upon hearing the report, Albrice let out a soft sigh.

It had been a long time since the competition among the powerful nobles from the entire Lutestia region had turned into a competition in the capital.

Since the powerful nobles in the provinces feared falling behind in the power struggle under the rule of the previous emperor, they built townhouses in the capital and sent their estates there without hesitation.

Albrice, who had grown up in the gaps between these estates, had even managed some estates himself.

So, Albrice could feel with his own skin that the atmosphere in the capital of Lutestia was quite unusual.

But receiving such a report…

Albrice let out a deep sigh.

The cool breeze flowing down the river carried his sigh far away.

There had never been a time as active as this among the estates, at least not since Albrice had come to the capital.

Especially the Ministry of the Interior and the Imperial Guard.

The fact that they, known as the Emperor’s shadows, were moving so actively was unusual.

In other words, the capital of Lutestia was at a critical moment.

“Oh… come to think of it, Her Majesty the former Empress…”

Albrice was startled by the words that slipped out unintentionally and looked around. His blue eyes moved busily among the people passing by, checking for any suspicious movements.

After confirming that there was nothing unusual except for the guards following him from a distance, he let out the breath he had been holding.

“Of all people…”

He hadn’t failed to predict the possibility of being involved with the Grand Duke when he was appointed as Eleanor’s fiancé. At least Dominic had poured his affection for the north more than anyone in the royal family. Whatever her intentions were.

Although the west was almost handed over to the Princess’s hands twice due to the two unfortunate encounters with Viscount Edmund, the west had maintained a neutral position.

Even though his heart had leaned towards her, he had not supported the Princess with his power.

However, the west, which had quietly taken advantage of the situation between the two factions, was now jumping into the midst of the power struggle.

At least it wasn’t a losing battle, and that was truly fortunate.

“Who is the target?”

“It is said that the Empress and Viscount Edmund are the main targets.”

At those words, Albrice let out another sigh. Lately, he had been sighing a lot.

“Maintain the alert posture as it is now. Cancel the training of the knights in the townhouse and keep them on standby at all times.”

As Albrice spoke, the man in the coat following behind nodded, then passed by his side. Albrice, who had been strolling along the riverbank, stopped in his tracks and stared blankly below.

“So, the Princess has finally managed to get even my father in her hands.”

Albrice let out a bitter laugh. If this was the case, he would have rather sided with her from the beginning when Ellie returned with a slap on her cheek.

He didn’t know how the Princess had managed to persuade the eccentric old fox, the Duke of Ballaty. No, he didn’t want to know. He was tired of this petty fight. At times like this, he couldn’t help but envy his younger brother, Ettelos, who was still in the west.

And at that moment, Albrice’s body froze cold.

“We must go together, Sir Albris.”

Feeling the sharp edge of a sword against his waist, Albris carefully turned around. The man who had suddenly appeared behind him had his face covered with a tightly wrapped scarf and a raised collar on his coat. The knights who had been discreetly following Albris had disappeared somewhere, avoiding the gaze of the people.

“If you quietly follow, your esteemed self will be safe. Besides, there may be familiar faces there.”

In other words, resistance would be futile.

Albris calmly started walking as the man holding his life in his hands led the way.

#

Eleanor, getting off the train, began calling out her maid’s name urgently.

“Ojegni! Ojegni, where are you!”

Surely, if she was her maid.

If she was her childhood friend.

If she was Ojegni, she would come to meet her.

With that conviction, Eleanor shouted out the name eagerly.

Even in the bustling train station, her voice rang out clearly. The people around turned their gaze towards her, but she paid no attention to those looks.

“Ojegni!”

And at the sight of this girl, Etienne, who had come to meet her in place of her family, was surprised and embraced Eleanor in her arms.

“Eli, our daughter! What’s wrong?”

“Mother, where is Ojegni? Where is Ojegni?”

“Ojegni?”

“Yes! Ojegni. Why can’t I see her…?”

Held in her mother’s arms, she expressed her anxiety. Eleanor, calling out her friend and maid’s name eagerly, was a sight that sent chills down one’s spine.

To calm her daughter, Etienne gently stroked her slender back over her blouse. Her voice was calmer than usual.

“That child said she would go down to her hometown for a while, didn’t she?”

The maid, who had taken a step back at Etienne’s words, replied.

“Yes. She said she would rest a bit until the young lady returns to the west.”

“So, Eli. Let’s calm down for now. What’s the matter?”

In her mother’s warm embrace, with her affectionate voice and gentle touch, Eleanor also seemed to calm down a bit.

“If you’re really worried, let’s go back to the mansion and send someone to check on her.”

“As soon as possible. It’s really urgent.”