North x Northwest

Chapter 356

Volume 9 Chapter 356

It almost seemed like it wasn’t Joseph who was speaking, but the terrible desire beyond the physical body. His fingernails, which had grown long from laying in his sickbed, dug into Lil’s skin like he was holding onto the edge of a cliff. Joseph’s face, with veins bulging on his temples, turned a moderate shade of red all the way to the tip of his nose.

“The child… where is it?”

As if those last words were spoken with his remaining strength, Joseph fell back onto the pillow and gasped. A fit of dry cough quickly followed. His half-submerged body beneath the blanket fluttered around like a fish out of water.

The scene was shocking enough for Lil, but it also surprised the Archduchess. Lil supported the staggering woman until she safely sat back in her chair. She then gestured to Ed, who was across the bed, that it was all under control before responding to her father.

“There are no children.”

“…”

Joseph’s fingers, which had been gripping Lil, loosened. Blood that was flowing from the corner of his mouth dripped onto the pillow.

‘He could’ve used his last bit of strength to say something meaningful… but it shows that Joseph doesn’t know what it means to be a father…’

Lil continued to speak to Joseph, who glared at her as if she had betrayed him.

“You overexerted yourself. It would be best for you to get some rest.”

Dr. Limue shook his head at her, but Lil had no regrets left. Rather, she felt an inexplicable sense of desolation.

‘Despite being in this state, he keeps bringing women into his bed, just for an heir…. It’s terrible and incredibly foolish of me to try to find traces of my father in this shell of a person who only harbours resentment. No, actually, Joseph should’ve never been associated with fatherhood. It was all just my illusion. Parents are indescribable beings. During our time apart, I forgot about this. The moment I’m back he’s quick to offend me and becomes even disappointed in me without thinking twice…’

After leaving Joseph’s bedroom, the Archduchess turned toward Lil. She was a woman wearing a dark blue dress with her thin blonde hair done up neatly. Lifting her fox-fur shawl, her calm blue eyes looked up at Lil.

“I prepared a simple dinner for you, so I will see you later.”

In the past, the times Lil had mixed words with the Archduchess were very few and far between. But although the older woman was neither interested in Venua nor Lil, she never violated her duties as Archduchess.

Lil bowed her head and expressed his gratitude.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”

The Archduchess’s maid, who had been waiting in the hallway, greeted her and followed. Soon, the Archduchess turned and walked to the other side of the hallway.

As Ed thought Lil was thinking about the Archduchess, he stepped closer and whispered.

“…According to the reports, the Archduchess took control of the administration and household affairs of Obernyu while the Archduke came down with his illness. The Prince Regent will succeed to the throne, but the real power right now lies with the Archduchess. So, it won’t be easy to ignore her for the sake of the throne…”

“…”

Lil nodded slowly. But truth to be told, she was actually thinking about something else as she stared at the place where the Archduchess had disappeared.

Ed leaned over and looked at Lil more intently.

“Are you okay?”

He smoothed her wrist, which had red marks from the Archduke’s fingernails. Shaking her head, Lil rested her forehead against Ed’s chest. She couldn’t help but feel a tightness around her heart.

“I felt pity for a moment, but it was all a waste of emotion. My father doesn’t think of me as anything more than a useful means of reproduction. It’s been that way for a long time, and it’s still the same even as his end approaches…”

“It’s a shame he doesn’t know what an extraordinary child he has.”

“…He would’ve told me I was special had I given birth to a son… I’m so sick of this…”

Ed wrapped his arms around Lil’s shoulders.

‘I thought change would sprout in the world, but some things never change… Sometimes, it’s too late for change and it will just be buried and continue to rot…’

Lil glanced back at the bedroom door and soon left the hallway with Ed.

***

The dinner to welcome Lil was held in the form of a banquet despite the unpleasant atmosphere.

Unlike Sesbron, Obernyu was Lil’s hometown where she had been born and raised. From the time she was young, she was surrounded by courtiers, servants, and relatives ​​who worked at the castle. They welcomed Lil, who returned home after many twists and turns, with one heart.

Countless people shook hands with Lil as she made her way from the gallery entrance to the dinner table. Some kissed the back of her hand while others handed her a flower. Many people smiled or wiped away tears, but they all expressed their emotions in a restrained atmosphere, typical of the Obernyu court.

After receiving the flowers that were handed to her without hesitation, they quickly turned into a bundle. Lil shared some with Ed and walked inside the banquet hall.

At the long, horizontal table with seats only at one side, were the Archduchess and Marguerite. Of course, Venua didn’t show up. And since Joseph couldn’t attend, they were the only direct family left. Lil sat to the left of the Archduchess, who was in the centre of the table. Even though she was the host, neither she nor Lil had much to say to each other.

A calm ballet performed and a short play followed. Both were about praising Obernyu’s tradition and praying for Joseph’s health.

Then, music began in earnest. Some of the attendees stood and danced, while the rest gathered in small groups to talk. However, the musical selection that was chosen in consideration of Joseph was all slow and calm, so soon people lost interest in dancing. Instead, they turned their attention elsewhere, and, of course, the target was Ed. The courtiers and nobles of Obernyu found themselves scrambling to impress him. Lil was briefly concerned, but Ed didn’t act unruly, at least not when he was next to her. He also didn’t act as sly as when he was alone with her and instead showed off a level of sociability appropriate for Obernyu court.

Only after exchanging a few facetious words with the Archduchess was Lil able to approach Marguerite. Lil held out one of the glasses she was holding. Marguerite stood up and smiled dryly as she accepted Lil’s offer.

“Long time no see.”

“Marguerite.”

“You probably have heard this countless times, but even I thought you were dead. Obernyu was so quiet.”

The young women naturally walked towards the wall behind the table. Lil had grown much taller than her, so she had to look down at Marguerite.

“I only pretended to be dead.”

“Was that why I did not get a single letter?”

“I am sorry.”

Lil had no idea how Marguerite lived. Since Ricard’s death, she had even stayed away from Lil, and Lil had been too busy carving out a life for herself in Sesbron. However, it wasn’t hard to imagine that Marguerite would be unhappy living with the man who killed the man she loved.

“Then, when the palace became noisy again, that is when I thought, ‘Ah, she must be still alive’.”

“…”

Lil laughed bitterly.

‘Hearing Marguerite describe my survival as some kind of disturbance, it’s obvious that it was because of Venua’s doing. Marguerite, like everyone else, is clearly enduring Venua. And it’s much more difficult for her due to her status as his wife…’

“Venua went after you, did he not?”

“..!”

Before Lil could respond, Marguerite took her hand. She spoke, lowering her voice sharply in case anyone would hear.

“Be careful. He might try to steal your child. I wanted to tell you in advance, but I did not know where you were.”

“Oh, that is already…”

Suddenly, there was a ‘commotion’ at the entrance of the banquet hall. Small screams and sporadic shouts rose, and the people gathered in groups moved to either side as if they had been swept away by a wave.

“…Marguerite!..”

It was Venua.

“…Marie!..”

Even though he was still wearing a justaucorps, Venua’s cravat and shirt were both undone. His bloodshot eyes were sunken, and the areas under them were dark. Perhaps because he was drenched in sweat, the strands of wet hair were plastered on his forehead and ears.

“Who told you to come here!”

As Venua crossed the banquet hall, the smell of alcohol gradually lingered in the air. Ed, who was near, moved and stood next to Lil. Reaching the table, Venua swept his arms to topple a bowl full of fruit, a candlestick, and a vase decorated with flowers. The ceramics that fell to the floor shattered and splashed.

Venua then shouted and slammed down on the wooden surface.

“How dare you defy my words?”

“Venua, prepare yourself and join us.”

The Archduchess gently reprimanded Venua for the sake of saving face. But he refused to listen to what she said. He didn’t even give her a glance. His burning gaze was directed at Marguerite only.

It made Lil anxious, afraid that Venua might do something unpleasant to his wife. Glancing next to her, Ed seemed to be thinking the same thing. Lil stood as if to block Marguerite’s path. But at the same time, Ed’s shadow fell in front of her.

“Prince Regent. It has been a while.”

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