The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 63

Episode 63. If I Hadn’t Come to the Grand Duke’s Castle

If the crown prince had been alive, Louid would’ve continued paying no attention to the throne and focused solely on defending the borders and expanding the territory as commander‑in‑chief of the imperial army. But things were different now. He had to help his ailing brother and keep the empire from falling into the hands of the wrong person.

“Has there been no news from Lucas?”

Lucas was the spy Louid had planted at the emperor’s side. He was supposed to send word by carrier bird whenever something happened at the palace or regarding the emperor’s health.

“No, there hasn’t been any, Your Highness.”

“Prepare the roads so that Her Highness can travel comfortably, and make arrangements in case we’re unable to return for a long time.”

If many people were to travel to the imperial capital, a lot of preparations would be required. And if he were to be appointed crown prince during this visit, returning to the grand duchy would be difficult for several months.

“Yes, Your Highness. And this is a list of nobles living in the eastern region and a list of noble families with daughters of marriageable age.”

“Alright. Good work.”

After Eddie left, Louid examined the documents with a grave expression.

“Emilia, His Majesty has ordered us to come to the imperial capital.”

That evening at dinner, Louid informed Emilia of the contents of the emperor’s letter.

“The imperial capital? Why?”

Emilia’s eyes widened. Going to the imperial capital, where Duke Berthe resided, was unwelcome news to her.

“His Majesty intends to appoint me as crown prince and keep me by his side. Ever since he lost the crown prince, his illness has worsened, and he must feel lonely with no family near him. And I’d been planning to go around this time anyway.”

“I see. Yes, I understand.”

Emilia pictured the emperor’s pale complexion and nodded. Going to the imperial capital made sense.

But then, she realized something.

If I hadn’t come to the Grand Duke’s castle, he would’ve already returned to the grand duchy by now.

He had married her and told her to wait at the grand duchy, but he’d intended to return only six months later. And not for his new bride, but for the emperor.

Emilia quietly focused on her meal, her face hardening more and more.

***

The next day, Emilia summoned Bella. Bella arrived at the grand duke’s castle that afternoon.

“Your Highness, I heard you called for me.”

“Thank you for coming. I’ll be going to the imperial capital soon, but I’d like to continue dress design there as well. Will that be possible?”

“Yes, of course. Madame Bella has a branch in the imperial capital. If you entrust your work to them, it will be handled properly. I’ll speak with them in advance.”

“Thank you.”

Emilia felt relieved knowing she could continue designing even in the imperial capital.

“But Your Highness, if you don’t mind, could you choose a pseudonym? I’d like to create a brand exclusively for dresses designed by you.”

“Hmm… how about Loe?”

Loe was the name written on her deposit certificate.

“Yes, that works beautifully. Then I’ll prepare a catalog under the Loe brand.”

“Thank you. And please continue to oversee the establishment and operation of the fashion academy.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll make sure everything proceeds smoothly.”

“Alright. I’ll trust you with it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The two enjoyed tea while chatting pleasantly about the latest fashion trends.

The next morning, Emilia rode Zelda around the grand duke’s castle. After living there for nearly half a year, the place was full of memories.

The garden where she’d taken daily walks, the dining hall on the first floor of the main building, the library, and the greenhouse overflowing with flowers and trees. She remembered them all vividly, but losing access to the grand greenhouse saddened her the most.

‘I won’t be able to see it anymore.’

It had only been a few months, but she had been the mistress of the castle and had all but claimed the enormous greenhouse as her own. Designing clothes and drinking tea among the many beautiful flowers had become precious memories.

She would never be able to return to the grand duke’s castle again. After the divorce, she would live somewhere far away.

By now, she could ride a horse quite well. Since coming to the grand duchy, she had seen and learned many things, and much had changed.

She wasn’t the only one who had changed.

Louid’s wardrobe, once filled only with black clothes, now held garments in many colors, and Louid also enjoyed wearing the clothes she’d hung up for him.

So many things had piled up that could already be called memories, and the thought that she would soon have to leave made her heart feel strangely hollow.

That afternoon, Emilia packed the belongings she would take to the imperial capital. The maids would take care of her necessary clothes and large luggage and send them by baggage wagon. She only had to pack her valuables.

She packed the jewelry, including the ruby necklace and ring Louid had given her through Eddie, as well as the rough diamonds. She also carefully placed the doll her father had given her into her bag.

She also opened the pendant she’d kept in the wardrobe again. The child with pinkish blond hair inside the pendant resembled her, yet for some reason it still felt like it might not be her.

‘Is this child me? Or not? If it isn’t me, then who is she?’

***

At that time, Damian was loading hundreds of bottles of wine onto a wagon to deliver them to the Dalton count’s castle.

“Lucian, go to the count’s castle alone today.”

Martin’s face looked even more gaunt than a few days ago. A shadow fell over Damian’s face.

“Martin, is your back hurting again?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I’ll buy medicine on the way back.”

“Do that. My body’s breaking down one part at a time now. Guess my time’s come.”

“Please don’t say that. You have to live a long time with me.”

Damian had become family with Martin and lived with deep affection for him. He worked the vineyard with Martin and had learned how to make wine.

Martin was a servant affiliated with the count’s castle, but he lived outside the castle, cultivated grapes, made wine, and delivered it to the castle.

The two of them delivered wine to Count Dalton’s castle together once every half month. But lately, Martin had often complained of back pain.

Damian worried that Martin might collapse. Martin was his only family.

A little later, Damian drove the wagon loaded with wine toward the Dalton count’s castle.

After arriving at the castle and delivering the wine, he sat for a moment on a bench in front of the servants’ quarters to cool his sweat while the servants unloaded the bottles. August in the south was scorchingly hot, the height of summer.

Asher had stayed for some time at the count’s residence in the imperial capital because of his duties as foreign minister, then recently received leave and come down to the count’s castle. His parents, the elderly Count and Countess Dalton, were spending their later years at a villa near the castle.

Asher liked to ride his horse around the hunting grounds of the count’s castle. Today as well, he circled the hunting grounds a few times.

“Grand Duchess?”

On his way back to the castle, Asher murmured quietly. In the distance, a woman with long blond hair tied back was sitting on a bench. Wearing a pleased expression, he slowly guided his horse toward her.

At the sound of hoofbeats, the woman on the bench sprang to her feet.

“It’s an honor to meet you, my lord.”

The woman greeted him politely.

But looking again, he saw that it wasn’t a woman but a handsome young man. His looks were so striking that at a glance, one could easily mistake him for a woman.

Still seated on his horse, Asher asked, “What’s your name?”

“My name is Lucian.”

“Where are you from?”

“I came from the north. I’m working under Mr. Martin. Today I brought the wine in his place.”

“I see. Rest a bit before you go.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Damian bowed his head to the count and turned to head back toward where the wagon was. By now, the servants at the count’s castle had likely finished unloading all the wine.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Asher called out to him from behind.

“…?”

Damian turned around with a puzzled expression.

“You said you came from the north?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Where in the north are you from?”

“…I came from the Norman County.”

The Norman territory bordered the western side of the grand duchy. A faint disappointment crossed Asher’s face. If the young man had been a resident of the grand duchy, he’d planned to ask about the grand duchess’s well-being, but that didn’t seem possible.

“I see. You may go.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Turning his horse back toward the castle gate, Asher let out a small, defeated laugh.

‘I must be out of my mind. There’s no way the Grand Duchess would be here.’

He lifted his gaze to the blue sky. Its color reminded him of a certain woman’s clear eyes. He almost felt as if her refreshing, crystalline laughter were echoing beside his ear, soothing the tangled heaviness in his chest.

‘I wonder if she’s doing well….’

When he’d gone to the grand duke’s castle, the grand duke and grand duchess hadn’t looked like they were on bad terms, but they hadn’t seemed like a true married couple either. Given that Louid and Duke Berthe were like mortal enemies, perhaps that was to be expected.

‘What am I even thinking….’

Asher let out a hollow smile. After leaving the castle gate, he urged his horse into a full gallop.

***

Knock, knock.

Lina entered the marquess’s office carrying a tray. The marquess’s expression brightened immediately.

“Father, I brought tea.”

She set the teacup she’d brought down on the marquess’s desk.

“Good. Come in. You must be tired after such a long trip. You should rest a little longer.”

Lina had returned from the grand duchy the previous afternoon.

“I’m fine. I’m not tired.”

“Was there any trouble at the grand duke’s castle?” asked the marquess while watching his daughter’s expression closely.