Chapter 77
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Until that moment, Odelia had been quietly calculating how to deal with Gawain.
But then…
His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close in an instant.
His breath brushed against her ear, and his scent filled her senses.
The sudden, unexpected closeness made her mind go blank.
While Odelia was frozen, Ludeviel continued calmly.
“Princess Beloa will be resting at the Excepcion Family. We need to investigate the rampage.”
“……”
“This matter requires a thorough investigation at the imperial level. To think such a threat would occur in the presence of His Majesty’s delegation.”
“……”
“…Don’t you agree?”
When the Grand Duke asked the imperial delegation, they seemed to snap out of it, nodding hastily in response.
“Yes, Your Grace. We will report to the Imperial Family immediately.”
Despite mentioning the Imperial Family, a smile still lingered on his lips.
“Good. I will also abide by the Imperial Family’s judgment.”
He maintained an outwardly innocent and confident demeanor, but the reality was different.
He knew well that there was nothing to gain from objecting in this situation.
If he prioritized his emotions in this situation, which was all about the stability of the empire, he might appear to be an accomplice to the ‘rampaging Beloa.’
So, he chose to feign compliance and seize the political high ground.
Gawain slowly continued, his voice laced with concern.
“However, Beloa is currently unconscious. She is in shock and requires treatment… so she will need sufficient recovery before any investigation.”
His words contained the intention to bring Beloa back from the Excepcion Family as soon as possible.
He outwardly agreed, but was trying to avoid any actual investigation.
Ludville smirked openly at him.
“Medical stability should, of course, be considered. But her condition will be accurately assessed by the Excepcion’s physicians.”
His words were firm, implying that he would not easily hand over Beloa.
Gawain’s fingertips were unconsciously twisting his collar.
He had to retrieve Beloa as soon as possible and silence her.
Silence her, seal her memories, manipulate them, or somehow bring her back within the family’s confines.
Otherwise…
‘That stupid woman might betray me.’
Anxiety crept up from within Gawain.
Humans were creatures who would quickly turn their backs if given the slightest opportunity.
Beloa was relatively loyal, but humans tended to loosen up if surveillance was relaxed even a little.
He had to minimize it as a ‘family matter’ as soon as possible and investigate the truth within that framework.
That way, he could control all responsibility and interpretation as the ‘family’s share.’
But if he insisted on taking Beloa away at this moment, it would obviously look suspicious to everyone.
He was in a dilemma.
Gawain’s fist trembled uncontrollably.
At that moment, a heavy footstep echoed from the back of the banquet hall.
“Gawain Cardell.”
The former Archduke Excepcion, Castia.
Everyone turned their heads at the same time.
An overwhelming presence, quite different from the current Archduke Excepcion… in a significant way.
Even though they were not the ones being addressed, everyone unconsciously showed signs of tension.
“…What is it?”
Gawain replied sullenly.
He seemed to recall the incident from the wedding eve party.
Castia walked to the center of the banquet hall and looked down at Gawain without a word.
Then, she finally opened her mouth.
“Caring for your sister, protecting her… just empty words.”
Her voice was low, filled with blatant reproach and disgust.
“The damage you’ve caused to our Excepcion Family must be addressed. Why are you acting as if you have no responsibility?”
“That’s…”
Before Gawain could finish, she waved her hand.
“You were there and didn’t stop her, didn’t prevent it. I don’t know if the Princess ordered it. Frankly, I don’t care. But just because you didn’t participate doesn’t mean your responsibility disappears.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but I didn’t know…”
“You think you can evade responsibility by saying you didn’t know? No, it’s an even bigger problem if you didn’t know. You’re saying you didn’t know anything while your sister was causing this? You’re not ashamed to say that so confidently?”
“……”
“As the eldest son and heir of the family, it’s basic to take responsibility for the family’s actions. You did the same thing when the epidemic broke out in Bellader Port… It seems the Princess doesn’t even have the basics.”
The surroundings became as quiet as a graveyard.
Gawain’s face stiffened slightly and began to turn red.
Not because of shame. He didn’t know shame.
It was simply because he couldn’t contain his anger towards that old hag who dared to point fingers at him.
But he had no choice but to suppress it and listen quietly.
“If the rampage wasn’t the Princess’s intention, then it means you couldn’t even control what was happening within your own family. So be ashamed and take full responsibility.”
“Yes, of course, as an apology, we will compensate…”
“Responsibility isn’t just about apologizing and throwing money around. You have to sincerely repent and reflect.”
“…Your words are wise.”
Gawain’s lips twisted, but he couldn’t say anything.
Castia showed no sympathy or hesitation towards him.
“Tsk, if I were still the Archduke, it wouldn’t end here.”
She turned her head and scanned the banquet hall, then immediately turned her gaze to Ludville.
“Ludeviel Excepcion.”
“……”
Odelia looked up and saw that Ludville had an expression that said, ‘Here we go again.’
His violet eyes began to lose their soul and focus, becoming empty.
It seemed like it wasn’t the first time this had happened.
“This time, you’re surprisingly calm and handling things normally. I’m surprised.”
Castia crossed her arms and looked at Ludville as she continued.
“But that’s what the Archduke should be doing. Do it like that all the time. Then you wouldn’t have heard things like Iron-Blooded Archduke or Mad Archduke.”
“……”
Ludville didn’t argue. He didn’t even seem to have the will to argue.
No, she didn’t even know if he was listening in the first place.
Castia finally shifted her gaze to Odelia.
“And… Odelia Excepcion.”
Excepcion.
Odelia was startled and looked up at her.
She was calling her Excepcion, not Cardell.
Of course, since she was married, it was only natural that she would be called that from now on.
But the fact that the title came from Castia’s mouth…
‘Does that mean I’ve been recognized?’
Castia narrowed her eyes and stared at her for a moment, then spat out as if throwing it away.
“Someone who’s supposed to be weak is playing the hero…”
Or not.
“…Still.”
While Odelia was momentarily confused, her sigh continued.
“If it weren’t for the Grand Duchess, this incident would have escalated even further.”
