The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 5

Episode 5. The Man with Red Eyes

After finishing his morning duties, Louid headed to the prince’s palace to take a short break. Normally, he would have a meal in the main palace and return to his work, but today he had no appetite and felt thoroughly displeased.

“Your Highness, shall I prepare a meal?”

Just then, a servant who had returned from an errand approached and asked. Since Louid usually resided in the northern grand ducal castle or the ducal residence in the capital, there were only a few permanent staff in the prince’s palace.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m going for a walk, so do not disturb me.”

“Yes, understood.”

Louid went straight to the backyard of the prince’s palace. It was a place where he used to train alone in martial arts since he was a child.

Recalling the events of the previous night, he let out a deep sigh.

***

The night before. He had gone to the dining hall with the chamberlain after being summoned by the emperor. For the past few years, the ailing emperor had usually dined alone in his bedchamber. It had been a long time since he last shared a meal with his brother.

“You seem to be in good spirits today,” Louid said as he unfolded his napkin after sitting at the table. The emperor, who was always gloomy, seemed unusually cheerful today.

“Mm. I heard Duke Berthe has a granddaughter,” William said with a contented smile.

“Is that so?”

Despite the unexpected news, Louid maintained a calm expression. He couldn’t care less whether Duke Berthe had a granddaughter or not.

“Isn’t that delightful news?”

Dennis, Duke Berthe’s only son and the late Viscount, was William’s maternal cousin and childhood friend. William must have been glad to hear that his cousin, who died in war, had a living bloodline.

“I see.” Louid nodded without much thought.

“Her name is Emilia. Marry her.”

“……”

The emperor’s sudden declaration left Louid frozen as he was lifting his water glass. A thick vein bulged at his temple.

“If my bloodline and yours produce an heir, wouldn’t that be ideal? The duke will also have no reason to harm you anymore,” said the emperor in a coaxing tone.

Louid and William had different mothers, and Duke Berthe was not of royal blood, so there was no familial relation between Emilia and Louid. There would be no issue with their marriage.

Having lost his only child, the emperor wished to continue his bloodline by any means. Meanwhile, the power-hungry Duke Berthe would rather maintain his influence through his granddaughter than lose it entirely after the emperor’s death. Louid, who knew well how spineless the emperor was, could easily guess what the duke was plotting.

“…Understood.”

Despite his seething anger, Louid did not defy the emperor’s command. His brother William had repeatedly sent him messengers warning of assassination attempts during times of crisis, and had been suffering from physical and emotional ailments for years. If marrying the duke’s granddaughter and later divorcing her could bring his brother peace of mind, he would do it.

William nodded with relief. “Thank you. Make Emilia happy.”

“Yes, understood.”

***

‘Marry Duke Berthe’s granddaughter?’

Standing at one end of the courtyard, gazing toward the mountain behind, his eyes turned sharp. He had only learned yesterday that Duke Berthe even had a granddaughter, and now he was being told to marry the bloodline of the very man who had tried to assassinate him for ten years. He had known his brother’s depression worsened after the Crown Prince’s death, but this was truly beyond expectation.

There had been countless assassination attempts against him. Especially from Duke Berthe, the Emperor’s maternal uncle, who sent assassins to the north under the pretense of securing the young Crown Prince’s position. The Emperor had sometimes sent him information, but there were many instances when royal messengers died mysteriously and ambushes occurred. Yet, after ten years of continuous attempts, they abruptly ceased following the Crown Prince’s death.

And now, to marry Duke Berthe’s granddaughter—he was speechless.

‘Make that devil’s granddaughter happy?’

He was sorry to his brother, but he could never accept such a request. To him, Duke Berthe and his granddaughter were nothing but devils.

“……?”

As Louid turned his gaze, his eyes fixed on a spot.

The rear courtyard of the prince’s palace was off-limits to all others, yet a strange woman was lingering beneath the wall. She had golden hair and a slender build.

Louid remained in a concealed spot and quietly observed her. She was feeling along both sides of the wall, as if searching for a way out.

‘She could just climb using the tree.’

Thick tree vines dangled from various points along the wall, reaching into the courtyard. If she grabbed one and climbed, she could easily scale the wall.

Crossing his arms, Louid watched the woman with a cynical smile. She hopped up and down, inspecting the top and bottom of the wall like a little rabbit.

“The escape route is that way.”

Though a long time passed, the woman found nothing. Unable to watch any longer, Louid finally spoke. Despite his cold and calm demeanor, he had a rather impatient nature.

“Ah!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Emilia froze. She had thought no one was around, but someone had been in the courtyard.

She slowly turned and saw a tall, broad-shouldered man with black hair and red eyes looking down at her. He was so tall she had to tilt her head up to see him.

‘A palace knight?’

The man wore black from head to toe and exuded such a strong presence it was intimidating just to look at him.

‘He’s incredibly handsome!’

With features sculpted as if by the gods and jewel-like red eyes, the man was astonishingly handsome—far beyond any prince she had read about in fairy tales. Emilia stood frozen, unable to look away from his face.

“What’s your name?”

So much so that she didn’t realize he was speaking informally to her.

“Emilia Berthe.”

Like someone under a spell, Emilia recited her name smoothly.

“……”

Louid looked down at her pale, flustered face for a long time.

‘Berthe’s granddaughter, huh.’

Come to think of it, her blue eyes resembled the duke’s. The duke’s hair had turned white long ago, so his original color was unknown, but since the emperor—his nephew—was blond, the duke must have been blond too.

“Do you want to get out of here?”

Louid, unfamiliar with noble ladies and naturally curt, spoke in a commanding tone, as if addressing a subordinate.

“Not necessarily…”

She answered hesitantly, clearly unsure whether to trust him.

“I’ll help you.”

Louid began feigning kindness.

“Wh-what?”

Her light blue eyes widened like a startled squirrel. With a faint grin, he narrowed his heavy-lidded eyes and even gave a gentle smile, all to lower her guard. Just as he expected, the wariness slowly began to fade from her rabbit-like gaze.

“You seem to want to get out. I’ll show you how.”

“Oh…”

Emilia was at a loss for words. A stranger had suddenly appeared and was offering her a way out. She didn’t know whether to accept or refuse.

“Come here.”

“Ah!”

When she hesitated, a large, strong hand grabbed hers and pulled her forward. Emilia’s body was drawn toward Louid without resistance.

“With such a weak body, where do you think you’re going?” He teased her lightly.

“Well, I just…”

She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t very well admit she was just looking for a hole in the wall. If things went wrong, she could be mistaken for a thief. Though it was cold, sweat beaded on her forehead.

Still holding her hand, Louid walked swiftly along the wall. Emilia nearly had to run to keep up. He brought her to a secluded corner at the end of the wall.

‘What if he does something to me?’

Unease crept in. Maybe he was dangerous. No one else was around to call for help.

‘Should I scream?’

Just as she was about to shout, the man stopped and stared at her intently.

“So why are you trying to run away?” He tilted his head curiously.

‘How did he know I was trying to escape?’

Emilia’s wide eyes shook like an earthquake.

“B-because I have to marry someone I don’t even know.”

She stammered out the first excuse that came to mind. She couldn’t say it was to escape her grandfather. And she had forgotten that using the name ‘Berthe’ would reveal her identity in the palace.

‘Someone she doesn’t know…’

Was there anyone in the Empire who didn’t know him?

Even if they didn’t know Berthe had a granddaughter, everyone in the Empire knew of the second prince and only Grand Duke.

Louid looked at Emilia like a curious creature.

‘They said she had been ill. Maybe she’s mentally unwell too. That must be why Berthe kept her hidden.’

Recalling the emperor’s mention of her illness, Louid nodded as if he understood. Duke Berthe’s granddaughter was likely mentally deficient or disturbed.

“You can’t marry someone you don’t know.” He nodded seriously.

“Right?”

As if relieved to have found someone who understood her, Emilia’s face brightened. Louid quietly watched her radiant smile. Even if she was mentally lacking, she might be the most beautiful woman on the continent. Not that it would affect him.

He had been tempted by many women, most aiming for the title of Grand Duchess. But no matter who stood before him, he had never been swayed. Even so, his eyes kept lingering on Emilia.

Still holding her hand, Louid placed it against the wall. “There’s an indentation there. Press it.”

As he said, there was a slight dip beneath her palm. Emilia pressed it firmly.

“Oh?”

The wall shifted outward, creating a small gap.

“You can get out this way. Same when you come back.”

Louid widened the gap just enough for one person and gestured for her to go.

“Um… You have to let go of my hand so I can leave.”

“……?”

Only then did the man release her hand, looking faintly surprised, as if he hadn’t realized he was still holding it.

“If you follow the forest path outside, you’ll find a stable. Just take any horse and go.”

“Can I really do that?”

If the owner noticed, she’d be caught. And punished. Even she knew that much.

“They’re my horses, so it’s fine.”

“Oh…!”

The man cut her off, as if reading her mind. He must work in the stables.

“Thank you. I won’t forget this kindness.”

Grasping his hands with both of hers, Emilia bowed her head in gratitude.

“It’s not such a big favor. Then, safe travels, my lady.”

The man’s lips curled into a grin. Like a gentleman at a ball, he bent down and kissed the back of her hand. Lifting his head, he released her hand, turned, and strode into the building without looking back.