Ch#111
Chapter 111She staggered all the way to the study door. Without even time to mind her manners, she pounded on it desperately. Her weakened knocks were quieter than usual.
"C-Count! Count!"
Her voice came out strangled, as if her throat were being squeezed.
She feared Laslo might not hear, but soon enough, he flung the door open.
"Edel......?"
He was startled to see her collapsing to the floor, but immediately scooped her up and sat her on the most comfortable sofa in the study.
"What happened? Are you unwell somewhere? Wait here. Water.....!"
"Count!"
Edel grabbed his collar as he started to rise for water.
Then she began pleading like a madwoman.
"M-My father... he's trying to take me back! I don't want to go! I absolutely don't want to return there! Never again!"
"I understand, so calm do......!"
"Make me your mistress instead! Then they'll give up, saying it's shameful! If that's no good, even as a slave…...!"
Tears burst forth.
Rational thought was impossible.
Buried memories from childhood crept out, binding her, as every worst-case scenario flooded her mind.
"I'd rather die! They'll try to pry information on you through me! S-So, say you can't send me back. Please….…!"
Edel clung to Laslo's collar as if it were a lifeline.
The trembling transmitted through her hands was as desperate as facing death.
.
Only now did Laslo seem to see Edel's wounds raw and unhealed. Fresh blood still oozed from scars accumulated since childhood.
New wounds formed before scabs could even form, hidden away so others wouldn't notice—miserable, festering wounds in places.
Feeling his own heart constrict in pain, he tightly embraced her.
"Edel. You don't know because you're unaware, but I don't let go of what's mine. I've been the one grasping and holding everything until now."
Her sobs in his arms didn't stop; her shoulders heaved ceaselessly, as if they might shatter any moment.
"I've been keeping tabs on House Canian. I didn't entirely fail to anticipate they'd resort to this."
At his calm voice, Edel slowly pulled away and looked into his eyes. Her gaze desperately sought hope.
Laslo smiled faintly.
"As you said, do you think I'd easily hand over someone who knows so much about this house? Even if you wanted to go, I wouldn't let you."
"B-But....... public opinion…..…. Everyone will pressure His Majesty…....."
"I have a plan too. If I were the type to get played for a fool, I'd be buried six feet under by now!"
He gently stroked the crown of her head as she regained her breath and wiped her tears.
Her head was hot, as if from a fever, from all the trembling.
Laslo soothed her back repeatedly, like comforting a child.
And as her shoulders finally heaved once more and settled, he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her tear- and mucus-streaked face.
"Ah, I, me..
Regaining her senses belatedly, Edel reached for the handkerchief, but her slender, drained hands still trembled.
"Stay still. I'm quite skilled at wiping a crying child's face."
As if it were the most natural thing.
Laslo chuckled softly, even wiping her nose, and Edel followed his lead, her face flushing red. It should have been mortifying, but strangely, the situation felt neither awkward nor embarrassing. Truly like a child.
"As I said earlier, I have a plan. I can't tell you yet, but no matter what I propose, will you follow through?"
With her face now clean, Laslo knelt on one knee before her, meeting her eyes at eye level.
- 3 -
Edel nodded without asking what it was.
"I'll follow whatever you command, Count. As long as I don't have to return to House Canian."
"Then until then, don't think foolish thoughts and carry on as usual."
"Understood."
"Ah, and since you'll need strength both mentally and physically, make sure to eat more properly."
Only then did Edel show a faint smile.
"Yes. I'll eat like a wild boar."
"I don't expect wild boar levels—just aim not to have bones protruding from your hands."
His thumb lingered subtly as it stroked the bony back of her hand, but neither said a word.
He had no intention of letting House Canian keep stirring things up, but seeing Edel break down snapped Laslo to attention.
I should've known this could happen................ I was too complacent. Her falling into fear is all my fault.
But reflection was brief. He wasn't one to waste time regretting the past.
Laslo decided to push forward with his plan immediately and first sought out Talon Count.
"Welcome, Sir Criserus. What brings you here?"
Talon Count, who had been taking a brief afternoon tea break, greeted Laslo warmly.
"I stopped by with a question, but I hope I'm not interrupting your rest."
"For a guest as esteemed as you, time opens up. Please, sit here."
Talon Count graciously offered a seat and poured tea.
.
Yet even after the atmosphere was set for talk, Laslo hesitated, seemingly deep in thought.
As curiosity rose in Talon Count's throat about what he might ask, Laslo finally spoke.
"By any chance...... do you know about ways to pardon prisoners?"
There was only one person who came to mind at 'prisoner.'
"You mean Edel Lancaster?"
"......Yes."
Rumors had been circulating in high society that House Canian was bringing up Edel to stir unfavorable opinion against the emperor. Of course, Talon Count knew of it too.
He'd anticipated some directive from Dimarcus on the matter, but hadn't expected Laslo to act personally.
However, rather than prying into details, Talon Count gave a prompt answer.
"Pardons for criminals are generally like this, but especially for a prisoner from the Lancaster Duke family, His Majesty's will is paramount. Moreover, Edel Lancaster was a prisoner personally bestowed upon you by His Majesty."
Laslo made only a small grunting sound in response.
Emperor Dimarcus seemed sly and playful at first glance, but was utterly ruthless toward anything hindering imperial authority.
Just look at how he'd surprise-attacked and exterminated the Lancaster Duke family, who held vast power.
Even Talon Count had opposed the suppression operation, yet Dimarcus had ordered 'total annihilation' without a smile.
It wasn't arrogance overconfident in his power, nor irresponsible wishful thinking.
He laughed casually, but everything in that head was meticulously calculated.
Such a man wouldn't have spared Edel out of mere compassion. No, that man having compassion? Impossible.
Of course, bestowing the women as prisoners also served as a strong warning to other Old Nobility Faction nobles.
But was that the end of their utility?
Laslo couldn't be sure.
"In what cases does the emperor pardon criminals?"
"Sometimes when a prisoner renders merits surpassing their crimes, but the most common is celebratory pardons. On national holidays like Founding Day, the emperor's birthday, imperial heir birth anniversaries, victory commemorations, etc., they pardon model prisoners or those with pitiable circumstances."
At that moment, Laslo grasped what Talon Count meant.
"Soon...... His Majesty's birthday banquet."
"Heh heh, indeed. Last year passed without celebration due to the Lancaster Duke family issue, but this year it'll be grand."
It could be good news, but Laslo let out a long sigh.
"In the end, it means I have no choice but to request it from His Majesty."
Only then did Talon Count subtly probe Laslo.
"I've heard about House Canian too, but wouldn't pardoning her benefit them more?"
"Ah, that....... I'll explain later. First, I need to gauge His Majesty's intentions. What's the pardon procedure?"
"Soon, the palace department will submit a recommendation list. His Majesty will review and finalize it, then announce at the birthday banquet. With a one-month grace period after announcement, if no issues arise, the pardon is confirmed."
Laslo listened intently to the procedure before asking.
"So during the grace period, it's not fully confirmed?"
"It's a bit ambiguous. Legally, they're no longer criminals, but if they commit a new crime or past crimes are newly confirmed within that period, the pardon is revoked."
"I see. Thank you for the detailed explanation."
Talon Count's answer resolved Laslo's concerns. He nodded with a somewhat relieved expression and changed the subject.
.
