-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Joshua Ehrnhardt's Story (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>
> 30. Joshua Ehrnhardt's Story (4)
>
>
> -It protects me?
>
> -Yes. This is a magic stone that protects its owner from harm. So, always keep it with you.
>
> There was a time when he had looked at it and thought, ‘If Mother had this instead of me, perhaps she wouldn’t have been so senselessly poisoned.’
>
> He knew the jewel’s appearance well, for he would gaze at the pendant and wallow in regret whenever he could.
>
> But now, the once brilliantly shining jewel had lost all its light and turned completely black.
>
> ‘Why has it…?’
>
> Could an assassin sent by Duke Lilith have come while I slept?
>
> But why am I so young? Did someone give me a strange potion?
>
> After a thorough search of the room, a troubled Joshua realized he hadn’t just become younger—he had returned to the past. To the winter he was twelve.
>
> ‘Then what about everyone else?’
>
> His master and Daniel? The moment the thought crossed his mind, Joshua threw open the door and questioned a passing servant.
>
> “My master—no, what’s become of Duke Adrian?”
>
> The servant was slightly taken aback by the sudden question but quickly composed himself and answered.
>
> “If you are referring to Duke Adrian’s whereabouts, he went to have an audience with His Majesty just a moment ago… Your Highness?”
>
> Joshua pushed past the servant and headed for the emperor’s audience chamber.
>
> “Your Highness, you mustn't do this!”
>
> “Step aside for a moment!”
>
> After barely managing to shake off the attendant blocking the door, he entered and found Duke Adrian speaking with the emperor.
>
> As a Sword Master, Duke Adrian aged very slowly. Perhaps for that reason, the Duke’s appearance hadn’t changed much from the last time he’d seen him.
>
> But his aura was different. He exuded an unrefined, cool aura rather than the polish of a middle-aged man.
>
> ‘Master has returned, too.’
>
> Joshua threw himself into Duke Adrian's arms and wept like a child.
>
> At the same time, he made a vow. He didn't know how he had traveled back in time, but this time, he would protect everyone he loved.
>
> And so, his story had begun.
>
> * * *
>
> Returning to the present.
>
> His reminiscence over, Joshua took out the necklace he kept in a secret jewelry box. The pendant was still pitch-black.
>
> ‘I want to ask Mother more about the pendant, but…’
>
> If he did, she would surely cause a stir, asking what had happened. It was possible the frail Ophelia might even collapse. In a more serious case, the emperor might launch an investigation.
>
> That would complicate everything.
>
> ‘Still, I can surmise what happened.’
>
> Joshua roughly guessed that someone had turned back time.
>
> In the process, the magic stone must have deemed it a harmful spell and protected him. That was likely why he, unlike everyone else, remembered the past.
>
> He wasn't sure if such a thing was even possible, but for now, it was the most plausible theory.
>
> ‘The problem is who turned back time.’
>
> Until now, he hadn't thought deeply about *who* had done it. The fact that he had returned to the past was more important. Joshua had been focused on how he would change the future.
>
> He had only vaguely suspected it was the work of Celine Owen, a mage affiliated with the Duchy of Adrian, also known as the Witch of Fire.
>
> But things were different now.
>
> ‘If Rosette Dallas was the one who turned back time…’
>
> What was she scheming, and why was she at the Adrian estate?
>
> What was her true intention?
>
> ‘I’ll have to meet her.’
>
> First, he felt he had to confirm whether Rosette Adrian was indeed Rosette Dallas.
>
> He could decide how to deal with her after that.
>
> Since it had come to this, he decided to visit the Adrian estate at once and rose from his seat.
>
> A calm knock sounded at the door. When Joshua gave permission to enter, a servant came in and bowed.
>
> “What is it?”
>
> “Her Majesty the Empress is looking for you, Your Highness.”
>
> “Mother? I understand.”
>
> Joshua put the pendant he was holding back in its box and headed for the Empress’s Palace.
>
> * * *
>
> On his way from the Sapphire Palace to the Empress’s Palace, Joshua thought of his mother, Empress Ophelia Ehrnhardt.
>
> In his now-faded memories, his mother had always been a beautiful and graceful woman.
>
> Due to her status as empress, she had not doted on Joshua, but her love for her child was second to none.
>
> Ophelia Ehrnhardt was originally a princess from the Ivelin Kingdom, a nation famous for its magic. To protect her country, she had left her beloved family and come here, to the Ehrnhardt Empire.
>
> Unfortunately, Joshua had never met Ophelia’s family. He had never even set foot in the Ivelin Kingdom, as the emperor had forbidden it.
>
> Conversely, the people of the Ivelin Kingdom were not permitted to enter the empire.
>
> Ophelia was isolated alone in a foreign land. The Empress’s Palace where she resided was the most lavishly decorated after the Emperor’s Palace, but it was nothing more than a gilded cage.
>
> Even to young Joshua’s eyes, it was clear that his mother was withering away day by day.
>
> *When I’m a little older, I’ll protect Mother.* With that thought, he diligently studied the sword and magic.
>
> But before that day could come, Ophelia suddenly died. He was twelve years old.
>
> Thirteen years ago, he had held back his tears at Ophelia’s funeral. Those who didn’t know better called him a cold-blooded man who knew no sorrow, but the truth was different.
>
> He was devastated. So much so that he wanted to collapse before his mother's coffin and beg her not to leave him all alone.
>
> But he had acted nonchalant, thinking his mother shouldn’t have any lingering attachments to this world.
>
> It was the consideration of a twelve-year-old boy, trying to tell her that he would be fine without her, so she could leave without worry.
>
> He also didn't want to appear weak to others.
>
> But what good did that do? He should have expressed his feelings more, been a little more childish with his mother.
>
> Still, he thought the sorrow of his mother’s death had faded after thirteen years.
>
> But on the day he returned to the past, on his way back from meeting Duke Adrian, Joshua had found his feet carrying him to the Empress’s Palace. Seeing Ophelia, he once again sobbed like a child.
>
> -What is it, Joshua? Did something happen?
>
> A name he hadn't heard in so long. It had been a full thirteen years since Ophelia's death.
>
> It was then that Joshua was struck anew by how sweet and beautiful his own name could sound.
>
> -It’s nothing. I just had a nightmare.
>
> -Oh, dear. You must have been very frightened.
>
> While the emperor had scoffed at his words, Ophelia hadn't mocked him at all. Instead, with a worried expression, she pulled him into a tight, warm, and soft embrace.
>
> At that moment, Joshua realized. He had loved and missed his mother far more than he knew.
>
> ‘I’ll protect her this time.’
>
> This time, he would be a little more honest with his feelings. And he would build his strength so he could protect his precious people.
>
> So that people wouldn't look down on him even if he showed his emotions.
>
> With that resolve, Joshua entered the Empress's Palace.
>
> Empress Ophelia Ehrnhardt was in the rose garden attached to her palace. It was still early spring, so few roses were in bloom, but other flowers kept the garden from looking bleak.
>
> Joshua approached Ophelia, who was admiring the flowers while being attended to by her ladies-in-waiting.
>
> “Mother. You sent for me? Is something the matter?”
>
> Ophelia turned to him and smiled brightly.
>
> “Is something the matter? I just called you because I wanted to see your face. We haven’t seen each other much lately. Oh, did I disturb you when you were busy? I called because I heard you canceled all your classes today.”
>
> A shadow of concern crossed her face. Joshua quickly denied it.
>
> “Not at all. I was resting after Daniel’s visit.”
>
> “That’s a relief, then.”
>
> Ophelia took Joshua’s hand and led him to a table set with refreshments. As he watched the white hand still holding his even after they were seated, Joshua was overcome with a strange mix of emotions.
>
> To be honest, Joshua still felt awkward around Ophelia. It didn't feel real that she was alive and standing before him.
>
> Even besides that, their bond had never been particularly strong.
>
> It couldn’t be helped. From birth, he was raised by a wet nurse, not Ophelia, in accordance with imperial etiquette. He hadn’t spent much time with her.
>
> But still…
>
> After a moment's hesitation, Joshua squeezed Ophelia's hand. It was rare for him to initiate such physical contact, and Ophelia's eyes widened.
>
> Unable to bear the awkwardness, Joshua lowered his gaze.
>
> Observing his face, Ophelia asked in a worried tone.
>
> “You seem to have something on your mind.”
>
> “Ah…”
>
> It was strange. Then, as now, Ophelia had always been good at reading his heart. He had never let anyone else see his true feelings.
>
> And indeed, Joshua had been on edge ever since hearing the news of Duke Adrian’s accident.
>
> ‘I have to stop Mother’s assassination, somehow.’
>
> He had been working to prevent Ophelia’s poisoning. First, he had dismissed the lady-in-waiting who had been the culprit, using another excuse.
>
> ‘But that alone isn’t enough.’
>
> If he didn’t uncover the mastermind, the assassination attempts would continue. If he could at least find out what poison was used, he could prepare an antidote…!
>
> “Joshua? Are you all right?”
>
> “Ah, I was just thinking of my master. It made me a little worried. Daniel said there’s no need to worry, but…”
>
> “Oh, that’s right. I heard Duke Adrian was in an accident. It could have been very serious. It’s a relief he’s safe.”
>
> “Yes, it truly is.”
>
> “Still, if you’re worried, why don’t you visit the ducal estate?”
>
> “Yes, I was planning to do just that.”
>
> Joshua murmured quietly, then gathered his courage and spoke.
>
> “Mother.”
>
> “Yes, dear?”
>
> “I’m very happy I could have tea with you today.”
>
> Ophelia’s eyes widened in surprise.
>
> “What is it?”
>
> “To hear something like that from you. It’s quite a surprise.”
>
> Joshua cleared his throat, looking sheepish. In the past, he had never shown his emotions to Ophelia like this.
>
> But seeing her smile with such joy made him think he needed to change a lot in the future.
>
> “I will visit more often.”
>
> “I would like that very much.”
>
> “I just remembered something, so I must be going now.”
>
> “Of course, you may.”
>
> Joshua rose from his seat and swept his sharp gaze over the ladies-in-waiting standing nearby.
>
> ‘Is there another spy among them?’
>
> Joshua suspected that Duke Lilith was the one who had killed Ophelia. Because as soon as she died, Leonie Lilith was appointed Empress and Louis appeared, as if they had been waiting all along.
>
> If Duke Lilith was truly the culprit.
>
> ‘Wouldn’t Marquis Dallas have known about the poisoning?’
>
> If so, did Rosette Dallas know who the culprit was?
>
> Damn it, if I’d known this would happen, I would have at least asked her when I last saw her.
>
> Joshua ground his teeth as he walked past the line of maids and returned to the Sapphire Palace.
>
> The need to go to the Adrian estate and confirm whether its youngest daughter was the same person as Rosette Dallas had grown.
>
> “Prepare a horse.”
>
> He ordered a servant as soon as he returned to the Sapphire Palace.
>
> “I’m going out.”
