The rumor that Duke Javier had used violence against me spread through the palace in an instant. I sat quietly on the bed, still in a mummy-like state, counting in my head.
The door was flung open with such force that it nearly broke, exactly on the count of three. My father, whose clothes were in disarray, rushed over and was shocked at the sight of me.
"T-T-This is... what exactly...?"
"Ouch, it hurts so much...!"
I delivered the lines I had prepared in advance and flopped onto the bed. My father knelt by the bed, unable to touch me.
"The palace, the palace-!"
My father, taken aback by my brazen lie, let out a sigh. A moment later, his fingertips gently caressed my cheek.
"Did Duke Javier... lay a hand on you?"
"It wasn't his hand, but his foot."
"Enrique was being beaten by Duke Javier, so I tried to stop him and got kicked."
My father's expression turned cold.
'At least it's not a complete lie.'
Duke Javier had indeed been beating Enrique, and I had rushed to stop him, only to be knocked down by the duke's leg and fall to the ground. Enrique's still swollen cheek would serve as evidence. My father's hand moved to my bruised neck but quickly withdrew. I realized from his hesitant gesture that he was still concerned about what had happened a few nights ago.
"Regardless, since the Emperor of the Empire has been injured, it can't be dealt with lightly. Don't worry, dear Mabel. I'll handle it."
With a final stroke of my hair, my father stood up and headed for the door. I quickly called out to him.
"After Duke Javier is punished... if we return home, what about Enrique?"
Regicide is a serious crime, but Duke Javier, one of the empire's dukes, couldn't be dealt with lightly. Although I had succeeded in stripping the Marquis of Miteron of his title, it would be difficult to do the same with a duke. My father smiled, as if reading my concern and telling me not to worry.
"Don't worry about unnecessary things, just rest well."
I tilted my head as I watched the door close.
"I am innocent, Your Majesty. I have never laid a hand on the Emperor!"
Duke Javier protested his innocence. He truly felt wronged. The Emperor had suddenly appeared and rushed in, only to be knocked down and fall. However, Emperor Esteban's expression remained unchanged as he listened to the plea, staring down at Duke Javier with a menacing gaze.
"It was your foot, wasn't it?"
"That foot. The one that injured my daughter."
His calm voice echoed chillingly through the audience chamber. Duke Javier swallowed hard. Emperor Esteban exuded a commanding presence that could make even the bravest man quiver.
'His eyes could cut through my legs.'
Esteban's intense love for his daughter was well-known. Provoking him could lead to dire consequences.
"Your Majesty, I am well aware of your affection for the Emperor. However, if you do not listen to my defense based on the Emperor's one-sided claims, some might say that Your Majesty is a ruler blinded by personal bias-."
"It's a mere conjecture."
Esteban signaled Gustav, who had been waiting. As Gustav opened the door, someone walked in.
It was none other than Enrique Javier. When Duke Javier was escorted to the palace, Enrique had also been brought along as a witness. Esteban's gaze swept over Enrique's swollen cheek.
'So Mabel was telling the truth.'
He had heard rumors that Duke Javier was strict with his son but had paid little attention to them.
"Your cheek is quite swollen."
"Once you leave here, go straight to the palace healer."
Despite the animosity towards Enrique for his close relationship with Mabel, seeing him beaten by his own father was unsettling. He was the same age as Oscar, which made it even more uncomfortable.
"Mabel said that you tried to stop Duke Javier from beating Enrique and got kicked. Is that true?"
"It's a lie. And to call it assault... I was merely disciplining my son for a mistake."
"Disciplining... Does the victim feel the same way?"
Esteban's gaze turned to Enrique, who remained silent.
"Tell me, Enrique. Did Mabel really fall and cry as Duke Javier claims?"
"Enrique Javier, you must tell the truth."
Duke Javier sternly warned his son, not expecting him to lie. Enrique was a obedient and good son. However, Duke Javier's expectations were shattered.
"The Emperor saw me being beaten and rushed to stop it. An accident happened in the process."
Enrique's words completely turned the tide. Esteban's gaze shifted to the duke, who was gaping at Enrique.
"Y-You, what are you saying...!"
"Please show leniency to my father, Your Majesty."
Esteban, who had been resting his chin, remained silent.
"It's a lie, Your Majesty. Please, Your discernment-."
"Duke Javier. You are to be expelled from the Senate."
Duke Javier's eyes widened. Expulsion from the Senate was the most feared punishment. The honor of being a senator was immense, and the impact of being expelled was devastating.
"Please, Your Majesty. The House of Javier has always served the Emperor with utmost loyalty, hasn't it?"
"Considering Mabel, who must see you every week, this seems fitting."
Esteban, who had been resting his chin, stood up with a smirk.
"Do you think the punishment is over?"
Was there a punishment worse than expulsion from the Senate? Duke Javier clenched his fists, feeling an unpleasant throb. Esteban's command soon followed.
"Duke, you are to be placed under house arrest. You will not be allowed to leave the Javier estate from this moment on."
The final order was akin to exile. Without the Emperor's permission, he could not leave the estate.
"This, this cannot be! Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Duke Javier was dragged away by the guards. Esteban, sitting askew, looked at the remaining Enrique.
"You've sent your abusive father away, haven't you?"
Enrique did not answer, only bowing his head deeply. Esteban, feeling a wave of fatigue, pressed his temples.
"I already knew your statement was a lie."
"Yes. I receive regular reports on Mabel's activities, so I realized something was off."
When he checked Mabel's bedroom, he found her wrapped in bandages, pretending to be in pain. He had willingly fallen for Mabel's lie.
Enrique answered calmly. Whether the Emperor knew or not, the fact that Mabel had rushed to his aid remained unchanged. If not for Mabel, he would never have thought of lying against his father's will. Seeing Esteban smile, he felt a sudden bitterness. Is this what a father is like?
"Does it not matter to Your Majesty if the Emperor lies?"
At Enrique's impulsive question, Esteban smiled and nodded.
Esteban loved his cunning daughter. No matter what she did, he couldn't help but love Mabel. What kind of love was this? Enrique couldn't understand.
"Then I will take my leave."
Esteban stopped Enrique, who was about to leave with a bow. There was something important he needed to say, more important than Duke Javier.
Esteban glared at Enrique.
"Don't pretend to be close to Mabel."
Enrique's relaxed demeanor whenever Mabel was mentioned annoyed him. He almost wanted to reinstate the no-entry order.
Enrique was speechless at Esteban's directness. ***
It hit me. Something I had forgotten. I screamed and clutched my head with both hands.
I had gone out to buy a gift for Oscar but came back empty-handed. I hobbled to the bedroom door, my leg still bandaged.
"Aidan, I need to go out again, ...Oscar?"
I was startled to see Oscar as soon as I opened the door. He had been avoiding me since the letter incident, so it felt like a long time since I had seen him. I was both happy and awkward.
"Duke Javier laid a hand on you...?"
Oscar's eyes swept over my state, the work of Aidan, the mummy Mabel.
'How long do I have to pretend to be a mummy?'
I fidgeted with my fingers before confessing.
"I went out to buy you a gift, but I came back without anything...!"
"A gift for me? You went out for that?"
Enrique's expression hardened. My words seemed to anger him even more. I felt like a terrible sister and closed my eyes tightly.
"Why did you want to buy a gift?"
"Xavier said that if I gave you a meaningful gift, you'd forgive me."
"I don't understand. Don't hate me, Oscar."
I should have given him a gift and said these words, but asking for forgiveness with empty hands made me feel empty.