Chapter 33: The Day Fate Tightens Its Grip

Early in the morning, the sound of birds chirping by the window woke Kebel. He had gone to sleep late, lost in stray thoughts, so his eyes were still heavy with drowsiness.

Letting out a long yawn, he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. As his blurry vision slowly cleared, the room came back into focus.

He slipped on the shoes left beneath his bed and walked over to the window. The spring breeze that drifted in through the window he had left open overnight brushed against him, and Kebel closed his eyes, savoring it.

After a moment, he reached for the bird feed on the table and scattered some into his palm.

As if they had been waiting, several small birds fluttered in at once. They pecked quickly at the food, as though afraid it would be taken from them, and then flew off just as fast. Kebel watched them with a soft, satisfied smile.

“It’s finally today.”

Tension filled his face as he steeled himself.

‘I can do this.’

With that resolve, he rang the bell, and Bill soon arrived with water and a towel. After washing up, Kebel wiped his face, and Bill promptly took the towel away. Not long after, a maid entered the room.

Since Kebel had asked to have a light breakfast in his room, she brought freshly baked bread and soup. He tore a piece of bread into small chunks and dropped them into the soup, stirring until they soaked it up. Only then did he lift a spoonful to his mouth.

The savory taste eased his lingering gloom. Maybe eating really did help when you felt down. In no time, he finished the entire bowl.

Setting the dish aside, Kebel stood up. Nine hours remained until the event. He gazed out the window at the bustling scene below, then slowly blinked, recalling the night before.

Even when he told Osh that he would be entering as the Crown Prince’s partner, Osh’s expression had remained calm, almost as if he had expected it. Contrary to what Kebel had thought, Osh hadn’t pressed him at all. He had simply said, “That’s good,” and smiled.

For some reason, that lingered in Kebel’s mind.

A fleeting worry crossed him, what if Osh was being mistreated again by the Count? But he shook his head. Osh had told him not to worry.

At the sound of a knock, Kebel turned toward the door. He assumed it was Bill, but instead, it was the Duke. Straightening himself at once, Kebel stood properly.

“Why do you look so pale?”

“I didn’t sleep very well…”

“I’d like to speak with you. Come, sit.”

The Duke took a seat in the chair at the center of the room. Kebel followed and sat across from him. Even after all this time, being alone with the Duke still felt awkward. Breaking the silence, the Duke spoke first.

“I know how burdensome it must be for you to enter as the Crown Prince’s partner. And I know it wasn’t a choice you could avoid.”

“…”

“But Kebel… sometimes, when I look at you, I feel sorry for you. I wonder if you grew up too quickly because you didn’t have your mother. And it pains me that you never lean on me.”

Hearing those heartfelt words, Kebel felt his chest tighten. Perhaps that was why the Duke had sometimes looked at him with such pity. Thinking back, he wondered if he had kept too much distance from him.

“Sometimes, it’s alright to act spoiled with me. I am your only family, your father.”

His voice was gentle and warm. As he spoke, the Duke clasped his fingers together, forming a diamond shape. Kebel thought he saw the tips of his ears redden slightly.

Why had he always thought of the Duke as cold? Warmth filled the emptiness in his chest.

“I was happy when you made a friend. I thought it might fill the place I couldn’t.”

“…”

“Kebel, my proud son. If I were to die, I often worry about the family you would be left with, and the power you carry. But now… knowing that the Crown Prince will be by your side brings me some relief.”

This was the first time they had ever spoken so openly. As the Duke revealed what he had long kept inside, Kebel found himself unable to speak, simply listening.

“His Majesty has approved your engagement with the Crown Prince.”

“…What?!”

The words struck like thunder. Kebel’s eyes widened so much it felt like they might fall out. The Duke then pulled out a letter from his inner pocket.

A luxurious envelope, sealed with a large red floral crest, the imperial seal of the Charloa Empire.

“Th-this is…”

Kebel’s eyes trembled like reeds in a storm. Watching him, the Duke pressed his lips into a line, unable to speak immediately, giving him time to process.

In the silence, Kebel picked up the envelope. His hands trembled slightly as he opened it and read.

“Beryl Zenith Charloa and Kebel Ilya. The engagement between the two is hereby approved.”

The elegant handwriting was stamped once more with the imperial seal.

At least it wasn’t marriage. Kebel pressed his fingers against his brow, relieved at that small mercy.

“When… will the engagement be?”

“Around May.”

“…I see.”

Having somewhat calmed himself, Kebel set the paper down. His expression steadied as he looked up, a polite smile forming.

“I’ll discuss this further with His Highness.”

“Good. And Kebel… there’s one more thing.”

The Duke’s expression darkened again. Kebel tensed, bracing himself.

“The Sulleban County.”

The Duke hesitated. Kebel met his gaze firmly, ready for whatever came.

“You know His Majesty’s condition is worsening.”

“…Yes.”

“Soon, the imperial court will be drenched in blood.”

Kebel already knew. He understood what the Duke meant, he had read the original story. And things were already beginning to change.

“I intend to stand on the Crown Prince’s side. That means we will become enemies of the Sulleban County.”

“…”

“The Count is already aligning with the faction of the newborn prince. Their movements have been… suspicious.”

“…”

“Kebel, I know how much you care for Osh. But I hope he won’t be involved in this.”

So that was why, in the original story, Osh had avoided execution and been sent to war instead. The Duke truly cared for Kebel.

Kebel nodded calmly. The Duke seemed surprised, perhaps expecting resistance.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

“I… expected this. But… Fa-”

The word caught in his throat. He had always avoided saying it. But now, hearing it, the Duke’s expression brightened.

“To me… the Ilya family matters more than anything.”

“…Kebel.”

“Osh is important to me too. But before that, I have people I must protect, the family who stands with us.”

The Duke looked deeply moved.

“…But Osh… please make sure he isn’t harmed.”

“I promise.”

The Duke gave a small, bitter smile and stood. Kebel followed.

It was time to prepare.

He would change into the clothes sent from the imperial palace and depart in a carriage, toward the palace.

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