The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 101

“It’s likely that the infiltration of the Duke of Reinhardt’s estate… was also Rubens’ doing.”

 

“Only those with Reinhardt blood can open the basement. The lock where the key is kept is enchanted to respond solely to Reinhardt blood.”

 

The Duke of Reinhardt had once said the intruder was likely someone from a collateral branch of the family. At the time, there were no strong suspects, but after hearing this report, Vladimir had a feeling the culprit was someone known to Rubens.

 

They clearly approached with prior knowledge. Vladimir’s eyes narrowed.

 

Someone with Reinhardt blood, who’s currently close to Rubens. Someone who might have caught on to what the Duke of Reinhardt is planning.

 

“The Duchess of Winstaine.”

 

Grace immediately came to mind. Her husband, Duke Frederick Winstaine, was Rubens’ right-hand man, and she had previously refused to cooperate when Vladimir approached her.

 

The woman described by the Duke of Reinhardt matched perfectly:

 

“She had black hair and red eyes. She disguised herself as a maid to get in.”

 

Hair could be dyed, but eyes couldn’t be hidden. It fit exactly.

 

“She’s more troublesome than I thought.”

 

He had told the Duke of Reinhardt to recruit her, but it ended up the other way around—they got played.

 

At this point, there was no other choice. He coveted her, suspecting she had divine abilities, but if she wouldn’t join him…

 

“She’ll have to die.”

 

She was just an obstacle in the way—she’d have to be removed. Vladimir’s eyes gleamed cold blue.

 

“Though… she needs to be captured alive.”

 

Killing her outright wasn’t an option. If she bled out on the ground, all that valuable power would be lost.

 

He would capture her alive, kill her afterward, and have her blood absorbed by Felixius. That would make him twice as powerful—and a formidable ally.

 

“We need to move up the plan to strike Panbion.”

 

“Shall I begin preparations immediately?”

 

“Yes. Wipe out as many Armento as possible. Ah, but leave Grace Winstaine alive. Bring her in. I have another use for her.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

His lieutenant bowed. Vladimir clenched his jaw at the thought of Grace.

 

You’ll pay dearly for mocking me, you wretched woman.

 

 

* * *

 

“All of the troops at the Duke of Reinhardt’s estate have disappeared.”

 

“Just as expected.”

 

Rubens showed no surprise at Frederick’s report.

 

The moment Grace was discovered while infiltrating and gathering intelligence, it was obvious orders would be issued to the troops stationed there. Once evidence of treason had been uncovered, remaining there would only lead to being cornered and attacked by imperial forces.

 

“Vladimir has vanished.”

 

Two days prior, Rubens had learned Vladimir had left the imperial palace.

 

He hadn’t mentioned a specific destination—just said he was going south for a brief retreat. Of course, no one believed him.

 

“Of course, those troops probably haven’t gone far. They’re likely with Vladimir.”

 

“Any idea where they might be?”

 

“We’ll need to search all areas near the capital. He’s unpredictable.”

 

“I’ll mobilize immediately.”

 

Frederick’s eyes burned with determination.

 

“A war, then… Brings back memories of when we fought side by side.”

 

“I don’t think this is the time for nostalgia.”

 

Frederick’s comment was pointed, and Rubens chuckled.

 

“You said the same thing back then—how I always seemed so relaxed, even in dire situations.”

 

Back during the war, Frederick found Rubens strange. Even when lives were on the line and defeat seemed possible, Rubens never lost his playful grin.

 

“Maybe it’s because I believed you’d wipe them out without fail.”

 

“I do intend to annihilate them… No, forget it.”

 

Frederick sighed quietly. There was no time to play with words.

 

“I’m counting on you, Frederick.”

 

The smile faded from Rubens’ face. He placed a hand on Frederick’s shoulder.

 

“The fate of the Empire rests in your hands.”

 

“…Then I suppose we’re even now.”

 

Frederick didn’t particularly like being told the Empire’s fate depended on him, but he responded with as much composure as he could muster.

 

“Of course. I can’t keep milking that debt forever. Let’s call it settled.”

 

“Understood.”

 

To repay “that debt,” Frederick resolved to take full responsibility for stopping Vladimir. His jet-black eyes glinted with resolve.

 

 

* * *

 

“There’s going to be a war.”

 

“……”

 

“I’ll be heading out in a few days. We need to track Vladimir.”

 

Frederick informed Grace as soon as he returned that evening.

 

“We’ll need to search the entire area around the capital. It may take a while.”

 

“I see…”

 

Grace nodded. Having already infiltrated the Duke of Reinhardt’s estate and gathered intel, she wasn’t surprised—she had expected this.

 

“You should leave the palace. It’s going to get dangerous. It’s safest if you go back to your territory—”

 

“If it’s war, the Armento will be mobilized too, right?”

 

Grace cut him off with a question.

 

“Well, yes…”

 

“Then I should go too.”

 

She looked at him with wide, unwavering eyes, as if wondering what the problem was. Frederick let out a soft sigh.

 

“I’m saying this because… I don’t want you to fight.”

 

“I’m capable. And I have the right.”

 

“I…”

 

Frederick trailed off, hesitant in a way that was unlike him. The memory of their previous argument lingered in his mind—how she had told him not to stop her from doing what she wanted.

 

That was why he hadn’t tried to stop her from using her abilities again. But war was different.

 

He didn’t want her to step onto a battlefield filled with death.

 

“If it’s not absolutely necessary, there’s no need for you to fight.”

 

“But you are going.”

 

“I’m the commander of the knights. It’s my duty.”

 

“And I’m an Armento. I exist to be used as military force when the Empire needs me.”

 

Grace’s round eyes showed clear confusion at his reasoning.

 

To her, there was no difference between herself and Frederick.

 

“You didn’t come to Panbion as a tool of the Empire. You came here to heal, to understand your condition, and to pursue what you wanted. I’m the only one with a duty to the imperial family.”

 

“Frederick…”

 

“I know you hate this kind of talk… and that you might think I’m trying to hold you back.”

 

He took a deep breath and continued.

 

“But war isn’t a place to show off your strength. It’s a place of endless death. If you can avoid it, I hope you will. I don’t have a choice—that’s why I’m going.”

 

Frederick was sincere. He truly wanted Grace to stay out of the conflict, safe and far from the carnage. Only then could he feel at ease.

 

“What if I say I want to walk that path with you?”

 

“…What?”

 

“I know going to war isn’t glamorous or something to be proud of. But it’s the path you are taking.”

 

Once again, Grace defied his expectations.

 

“The imperial knights and the Armento don’t always move together. I might not be right beside you to protect you—”

 

“I don’t need you to protect me, Frederick.”

 

Grace spoke firmly. He still seemed to think of her as a naive girl.

 

“You’ve already protected me plenty.”

 

“……”

 

“You’re only going to war because of me. You took the position as commander of the knights so I could stay here in Panbion and heal, grow stronger.”

 

Grace took his hand.

 

“You don’t have to keep sacrificing yourself for me anymore. I’m no longer someone who only takes—I can give back now. I can help the Empire too.”

 

Though he was once again trying to hold her back, like last time, she wasn’t angry. Because she knew what she meant to him.

 

“So let me stay in Panbion.”

 

“There’s no need for permission.”

 

Frederick sighed softly, then lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.