The Fake Madam Disappeared

“Your Excellency, please, I beg you to reconsider.”

Johann hurriedly stepped in front of Edmund, blocking his path.

“His Majesty will not grant you an audience. You know that very well, don’t you?”

“Even so, I must see him.”

“Your Excellency!”

Without realizing it, Johann raised his voice, then quickly lowered it, glancing around anxiously.

“What if something happens to you? What will the Young Lord do when he wakes up? How confused and distressed he’ll be. You know that.”

“So you’re telling me to give up on Daphne.”

Though Johann’s words were carefully chosen, their true meaning was different.

It was a choice between Daphne and Damian. And Johann was trying to persuade Edmund to choose Damian.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

“All the more reason to remain rational in a time like this.”

“Rational?”

Edmund halted in place.

Feeling some relief at having at least stopped him, Johann continued more calmly.

“I’m not saying you should give up on Madam. I’m saying you need to make the better choice.”

To anyone, the obvious choice would be Damian over Daphne.

Damian was the heir of the Winter family – its future. He was far more valuable than the Madam. Johann believed that Edmund felt the same way, without question.

“I understand that you’re troubled by the fact that the Madam is carrying the Winter bloodline. If she were to lose the baby… yes, it would be tragic. But even that could be used as leverage against the Imperial family…”

“Johann.”

Edmund’s voice cut through sharply.

Johann immediately turned toward him.

As always, Edmund’s expression was unreadable. But a chilling air of menace loomed between them.

Johann instinctively shrank back, then forced himself to stand tall.

“Your Excellency, I know my words are disrespectful. But… I truly ask you to think carefully.”

“…Very well.”

Edmund’s gaze lingered on Johann before the dangerous aura faded, and he gave a small nod.

“I understand what you’re trying to say.”

Relief swept across Johann’s face, just as Edmund continued.

“It’s all confusing and overwhelming. But one thing is clear. I’m disappointed in you.”

“…Your Excellency.”

“So don’t come near me for a while. I don’t want to see you.”

Edmund didn’t bother hiding the bitterness in his voice as he looked at Johann.

“Leave.”

With that, Edmund turned away.

Johann opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came. He could only watch as Edmund walked away.

Edmund’s stride was firm, his destination the Imperial Palace. A servant bowed deeply at his approach.

— — — 

“I present Duke Winter.”

“Request an audience with His Majesty.”

“I apologize, but His Majesty is currently—”

As if expecting the refusal, Edmund brushed past the servant and pushed the doors open without hesitation.

“Your Excellency!”

The flustered servant hurried after him.

Edmund’s swift steps carried him to the corridor leading to the Emperor’s bedchamber in no time.

The guards, initially caught off guard, quickly assessed the situation as the breathless servant followed. Their hands moved to the hilts of their swords.

“Your Excellency, please stop! If you proceed, we’ll be forced to summon the knights!”

“You truly believe you can stop me?”

The words were arrogant, implying that mere royal guards couldn’t possibly stand in his way. But no one dared to refute him, because it was true.

Edmund was a knight of unparalleled skill, one of the very best across the continent. Even if the entire royal guard attacked at once, victory against him wasn’t guaranteed.

“…We do not wish to create a scene.”

“That’s my line. I have no intention of causing trouble.”

Edmund scanned the knights, who flinched under his gaze.

“Move aside.”

Confronted with an opponent they knew they couldn’t defeat, the guards straightened their spines by instinct alone. But even so, they couldn’t back down. To yield would mean dishonoring their duty.

As the tense standoff dragged on, cold sweat trickled down their temples.

Edmund stared at the knights, who were swallowing their fear, and took a step forward.

The guards startled, drawing their swords, and tension spiked. Just then, the tightly shut door swung open.

“Chamberlain!”

The nervous servant sighed in relief upon seeing the one who opened it.

“Your Excellency, please come in. His Majesty will see you.”

At the Chamberlain’s words, Edmund walked past the knights and followed him. The guards, finally able to breathe, staggered as tension drained from them.

Edmund proceeded down the long, lavish hallway. As his eyes passed over the ornate decorations, the Chamberlain spoke.

“His Majesty is not in a good condition.”

“I’ll be cautious.”

“There won’t be… bloodshed, will there?”

The steward stopped and turned to face Edmund.

“I’ll do my best.”

“…Very well.”

Apparently satisfied, the Chamberlain moved closer to the door.

“Your Majesty. Duke Winter is here.”

The steward opened the door, and Edmund stepped inside. A sudden haze of smoke hit him as he entered.

“Duke?”

“Your Majesty.”

Edmund paused briefly, then resumed his steps at the sound of the Emperor’s voice.

The Emperor stared at Edmund with hazy, unfocused eyes, clearly intoxicated by some unknown substance.

“So the Duke has come. You say you have something to tell me?”

“I heard the guards around my wife’s prison have been increased.”

“Ah, that. Yes, that’s true.”

Though he clearly knew what Edmund wanted to say, the Emperor feigned ignorance, his expression blank.

He had rejected every single visitation request Edmund had made so far. Knowing he wouldn’t get a straight answer, Edmund took a different approach.

“…I wish to make Your Majesty an offer.”

“An offer?”

The Emperor’s unfocused eyes briefly regained clarity. Then he let out a short, sharp laugh, a clear mockery.

“So even the mighty Duke Winter turns to negotiation when cornered.”

He made no effort to hide his derision.

“But my mind is made up.”

Through the smoke, the Emperor’s pale golden eyes gleamed coldly.

In recent days, he had come to a realization.

Rumors that Duchess Winter attempted to poison a royal princess had spread rapidly. At first, the people were skeptical, asking: Why would the Duchess harm the princess? Is the royal family framing the Winters to destroy them?

In a war-torn empire plagued by hunger and poverty, Edmund was revered as a hero. It made sense that the public favored him over the Imperial family who had fled the capital when its walls fell.

‘Then should I have stayed? Should I have died there?’

The Emperor trembled with rage.

This wasn’t the first time such thoughts plagued him. Yet he’d always managed to rein in his anger, acknowledging Edmund’s usefulness.

But now… there was a difference.

Now, he had a concubine whispering poison into his ears.

[“Don’t hold back any longer. Show the Duke what happens to those who defy you. Crush him, destroy him completely. Start… with his wife.”]

The Emperor’s gaze, fixed on Edmund, burned with barely-contained fury. His eyes reddened, whether from anger or something else, and then, just as quickly, the red vanished.

“If you continue to interfere, I will consider it treason.”

“Your Majesty.”

A splitting pain surged through the Emperor’s head.

“Linda… Bring Linda! Now!”

He had learned that being wrapped in her skirts made the pain disappear. Now, in agony, he screamed for her.

Moments later, unable to bear it any longer, he bolted from the room, shouting her name as he ran.

Edmund watched the steward chase after the Emperor before silently exiting the empty chamber and heading for his carriage. Johann was nowhere to be found.

Before climbing in, Edmund turned to glance toward where Daphne must be.

* * *

Back at the mansion, Edmund immediately summoned his people. Johann was among them, but Edmund didn’t even glance his way.

“I offered the Emperor a deal. He refused.”

“…That’s…”

“I knew something was off when he kept denying visitation, but I never thought he’d go this far.”

“We’ll need another plan. Interrogations begin tomorrow. We have no more than a week to get Daphne out.”

“That’s cutting it close,” sighed Baron Nouvelle.

“Your Excellency, I have something to report,” Nick interjected, looking as haggard as ever.

“One of my spies in the palace witnessed something. I can’t confirm it for certain, but… early this morning, a physician disappeared, then reappeared. He was spotted near the building where the Madam is being held.”

“…What?”

Edmund blinked in disbelief.

“Then something may have already happened to her!”

“With the increased security, we couldn’t get more information.”

The conversation continued, but Edmund couldn’t focus.

Eventually, the others dispersed. Left alone, Edmund stared blankly.

If he considered the worst-case scenario… Daphne might already be… 

Before he realized it, Edmund was on horseback. Upon reaching the palace, he headed straight for his destination.

“Duke?”

The lady of the residence was surprised by Edmund’s late-night visit.

“That proposal,” Edmund said, “I’ll accept it.”

Elizabeth smiled.

T/N: People in this story gets crazier and madder, I don’t know who I want to perish first