Ch#114
Chapter 114Before they knew it, only one name remained. The families of the criminals whose names hadn't been called yet stamped their feet anxiously, but Dimarcus glanced at Laslo beside him and shouted.
"Edel Lancaster! Ah, since House Lancaster is gone, she'll become Edel Canian once the pardon is confirmed."
The ones most startled by that announcement were none other than the Canian count family.
"Y-Your, Your Majesty."
"We are deeply grateful.....!"
Dustin unconsciously glanced at Isaac. They had needed to worsen public opinion against the emperor and Laslo further over the Edel issue, but Dimarcus had preempted them by announcing the pardon.
'That fox-like bastard.....! A sudden pardon...'
Dustin expressed thanks amid the congratulations from those around him, but inside he seethed.
However, it wasn't all bad.
'Right, if the emperor has eyes and ears, he couldn't ignore the deteriorating public opinion. It's practically a declaration of defeat to us.'
He decided to view it as over 80% victory, even if somewhat anticlimactic compared to the original plan.
But Isaac's thoughts were slightly different.
'Dimarcus suddenly pardons Edel Lancaster? Over just that level of public opinion?'
Isaac believed that no matter how much criticism mounted against the emperor over the Edel matter, Dimarcus wouldn't bat an eye. After all, he faced plenty of other attacks and condemnations.
To Isaac, Edel's reinstatement was merely a spark for a larger opinion war. Which made it all the more crucial.
'Is that guy quick on the uptake, or does he have some other scheme...'
Even Laslo maintained a composed expression, making it hard to gauge Dimarcus's true intentions.
.
Edmund had mentioned a few days ago that Laslo urgently requested a private audience with Dimarcus—likely over this. But would Laslo have suggested Edel's pardon first for the emperor's sake?
'From our investigations, Laslo and Edel Lancaster's relationship seemed unusually close. He was prickly when Count Canian visited, but now suddenly willing to let her go?'
If it was out of loyalty, that could be accepted, but something felt off.
Then a condition of the pardon suddenly came to mind.
'No way... Is he planning something during the grace period?'
During the one-month grace period, Edel wouldn't be fully pardoned. Only after it passed would she become 'Edel Canian,' and only then could Dustin reclaim his parental rights.
But what could Laslo possibly do in just that one month?
'No matter how I think about it, there's no way to hold onto Edel Lancaster... Wait! Could he make her commit another crime or fabricate a criminal record to frame her?'
It was a quite plausible scenario.
If Edel accrued another dishonorable crime, the pardon would be revoked, and the Canian count family demanding her back wouldn't face backlash.
Isaac hurriedly sought out Dustin and whispered.
"It seems they'll try to pin another crime on Miss Edel. Then her pardon would be canceled as a crime during the grace period."
"What? Such a despicable tactic......!"
"So we must act quickly. We need to entrust Miss Edel to someone reliable..."
That was when they were discussing it.
Dimarcus suddenly looked down at another document and said.
"I'll also announce special matters regarding the pardoned individuals. First, pardoned individuals may reside wherever they wish, and in special circumstances, a temporary guardian may be designated. So far, the only applicant is Edel Lancaster. Her guardian is Barbara Celestine."
At that announcement, Dustin and Isaac felt struck on the back of the head once more. Barbara Celestine was an ally of Laslo.
Dustin stepped forward and protested.
"Your Majesty! I received no notice regarding my daughter's pardon or guardian application. At the very least, shouldn't I, as her father, have a say in designating the guardian?"
- 3 -
But Dimarcus furrowed his brow as if wondering what nonsense that was and replied.
"Count Canian. You seem to be mistaken about something. Where does Edel Lancaster currently belong?"
"She only becomes Edel Canian once the pardon is confirmed. Until then, she remains a prisoner I bestowed upon Sir Criserus. So who has the right to designate her guardian?"
Dustin was speechless.
Dimarcus didn't stop there and pressed him further.
"In the first place, it was Count Criserus who requested Edel Lancaster's pardon. For you, who said nothing until now, to suddenly intervene and speak of rights—it's a bit perplexing."
It was the moment Dustin's facade of heartfelt longing for his daughter began to crack, if only slightly.
The quick-witted immediately realized the Canian family had been hypocritical.
"And guardian designations are finalized by the palace department. In my view, Dowager Marchioness Barbara Celestine is a person of such excellent character that you needn't worry."
It was a warning not to meddle in the suitability of an emperor-approved guardian.
In the end, Dustin had no choice but to bow his head, admitting his short-sightedness.
The day after the emperor's birthday banquet.
As always, Edel rose at 6 a.m., habitually dressed and groomed her face and hair.
But after checking her attire, she spent the remaining time biting her lips or pacing the room aimlessly. She still couldn't fully grasp the reality that had befallen her.
*Pardoned for real...*
Laslo had given her prior notice that it would happen, but she hadn't truly believed it possible. Treason was a grave crime inescapably subject to guilt by association, even without direct involvement.
Wife of a traitor, war captive, spoils of war, criminal, noble-born maid...
Those labels she thought would follow her until death were to vanish in a month—it was hard to believe.
But being pardoned didn't mean a happy ending. On the contrary, a bigger problem loomed.
.
If things continued this way, she'd be dragged back to House Canian inexorably in a month. Count Criserus wouldn't be unaware of that, so he must have some plan.
She hadn't heard about it yet.
*Barbara will visit today, so we'll discuss what comes next then.*
Edel restrained her urge to forcibly turn the slowly ticking clock hands and waited for Barbara while working as usual.
And just past 1 p.m., Laslo, who had left early in the morning, returned to the estate early from the palace.
"Thank you for your hard work today."
As Edel greeted him, Laslo's expression looking at her was a bit odd. Without even a 'I’m back,' he just stared silently—hard to tell if it was a good expression or a complicated one.
"Count......?"
"Come in."
"Ah, yes."
For some reason tense, Edel took a deep breath and followed him.
"Dowager Marchioness Celestine will arrive soon—shall we receive her in the drawing room or the study?"
Edel asked to break the awkward air. It wasn't a difficult question, but Laslo pondered long before answering.
"We'll meet Dowager Marchioness Celestine in the drawing room. Before that, you and I talk briefly in the study."
Even as he said it, he couldn't meet Edel's eyes.
*Why is he acting like that? Did something bad happen?*
Edel's heart beat anxiously.
However, in truth, Laslo was far more nervous about what he had to say in the study.
*Should I have told her in advance? She said she'd follow through with anything, but this might be unpleasant for her...*
After instructing the head maid to escort Barbara to the drawing room, Edel followed Laslo and closed the study door.
At the sound, cold sweat beaded in Laslo's palms. He was more nervous than charging into battle.
But whether war or this, he couldn't back out midway.
He turned toward Edel.
"Edel. What I say from now... please don't be too shocked and judge it calmly."
As Laslo opened his mouth, Edel swallowed dryly.
"It's about my pardon, right?"
"Yes."
She blinked a few times before composing a firm expression and said.
"I'm prepared mentally, so please speak freely."
The unprepared one was Laslo, but he couldn't timidly mumble before Edel, who seemed resolved even to die.
Pretending to be confident, he declared as if proclaiming.
"Marry me before the grace period ends."
Edel's eyes slowly widened.
"Marry... you?"
"Yes."
"So, me, with you, Count......?"
"That's right. You heard correctly."
However, there was a vast gap between understanding precisely and truly comprehending it.
With Edel standing speechless for a long time, Laslo too froze in place like someone under a curse.
.
And belatedly, he realized his proposal had been far too abrupt.
*Even as a proposal, I should've knelt on one knee!*
No, he should've used more romantic flourishes. At least handed her a bouquet of flowers.
Why do these things always come to mind a step late?
*All this tension just ruined everything.*
Just as he grew frustrated to the point of madness with himself, Edel—who he'd thought might faint standing—finally opened her mouth.
.
