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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter 27: The Worst Possible Future
Worried about Will, Selina stepped forward and said,"It's fine. I was curious about the situation at home anyway, so I'll go with you."
"Grand Duchess."
"Lord Chase, it's best not to say things that could be seriously misunderstood."
Ruth said and tried to get Selina into the prepared carriage.
"Just a moment before we go..."
Selina said and approached Janus.
The two looked at each other silently for a moment before embracing.
They seemed oblivious to the escort, the Imperial Knights, and Ruth around them.
In the embrace, Selina quietly said,"Your Grace, don't forget what we talked about. We're moving according to plan from now on. I'll take the marriage proof."
Her words were so calm and quiet that no one but Janus could hear it.
"But I'm the one who's been keeping it..."
"There must be a reason why the proof was in my hands in that forest. I'll keep it. No one will think this is proof anyway."
Selina said, briefly showing the pocket she had made to wear around her neck, perfectly sized for the proof.
"If that puts your mind at ease, then do so."
"No matter what happens from now on, promise me this one thing."
"I'll promise you anything."
"Don't die. You know the heir... can die too. Just promise me that."
Janus, looking at Selina's trembling eyes, reassured her.
"I promise. No matter what happens, I will live and come back for you. I will proudly declare in front of the Empire that you are my wife and that we are already married."
"Yes, I'll believe in that promise and wait."
"Lady, there's no point in stalling, so let's go quickly."
Selina glanced at Ruth at his urging and said to Janus,"Lower your head for a moment, please."
"What?"
Janus, unable to hear Selina's quiet words, tilted his head.
Seizing the moment, Selina pressed a lingering kiss to his lips.
"It was longer than this back then."
Everyone was surprised and frozen by their bold kiss, but Selina calmly approached Ruth and said, "Aren't we going?"
Ruth, regaining his composure, ordered the Imperial Knights to take Selina's luggage and head to Count Arsene's residence.
"Are you really going to let her go like this? We have 200 escorts. We can easily subdue them. If we let her stay in the Grand Duke's residence for protection..."
"What if we're branded as a rebellious family and Selina is put at risk? It's not time yet. If internal conflict arises, Autumn might take advantage of the opportunity and attack us. It's best to let her go for now."
Janus unconsciously touched his lips as he watched Selina's receding figure.
'Just a little... Just wait a little longer.'
As he watched Selina's figure grow smaller, Janus turned towards Hans.
"Father?"
"He's currently receiving treatment in his room. Your Grace, you did well. You can go back to get the Grand Duchess when the time is right."
"Yes, I have to. Right. Let's go to Father right away."
"I'll go after disbanding the escort."
Janus nodded lightly at Will's words and entered the Grand Duke's residence.
* * *
For some reason, the Imperial Knights escorting Selina to the Count's residence did not let her ride in the carriage.
Instead, they had her ride on an ornately decorated horse, as if to put her on display for everyone to see, as they moved from the Grand Duke's residence to the Count's.
Commoners asked who the group was and were about to throw food waste, but did not dare when they saw the knights carrying shields with the Imperial family's crest.
'It seems like they're doing this on purpose. What are they up to?'
After this conspicuous procession, Ruth spoke to Selina just before she entered the Count's residence, having dismounted from the horse.
"If possible, quickly apologize to His Majesty for your past rudeness and ask for his help. A difficult battle may begin tomorrow."
"..."
"Sometimes, clinging to the powerful is the answer. I'm saying this for the sake of your father's and my friendship, so take it to heart."
Despite Ruth's words, Selina stood firm at the mansion's gate and said,"Thank you for His Majesty's grace. I have safely arrived at the residence, so you may return now."
Even after Selina saw off the Imperial Knights, no one came out to greet her at the Count's residence.
'Did the Emperor order this too?'
Thinking so, Selina had no choice but to carry her luggage herself and head towards the east wing.
'Ben, Cathy, and Nora should be waiting in front of the east wing, but why is no one there?'
Sensing something strange, Selina entered the east wing.
But as soon as she entered, she heard the sound of the door being bolted from the outside.
"What the! Who is it?"
As expected, Brandon spoke from outside.
"Stop disgracing the family and live quietly in confinement. Once the rumors die down, we'll send you to the Arsene estate. Damn blood ties. Father says he can't abandon you even if it kills him, so I have to do this as the Acting Head of the family."
The future Selina feared the most was becoming a reality.
'I tried so hard every day, hoping this day would never come.'
The worst possible future, which she didn't even want to imagine, flashed before Selina's closed eyes.
Flora and Brandon gleefully controlling the merchant group while her father, Count Arsene, was away on business outside the Empire.
Herself, powerless and trapped by their schemes, knowing everything but unable to do anything.
And eventually, being banished to a remote estate and sold off to a man she didn't want.
"I won't let that happen."
Selina rubbed the wedding ring on her finger.
"I've already taken the first step to escape that future. I have no regrets about this choice."
She then took off the ring and put it in the pouch with the proof of marriage, fastening it securely.
"Keeping this a secret is only temporary. I just need to make His Majesty acknowledge me as the Grand Duchess. Let's stick to the plan."
* * *
Count Arsene, of course, did not agree to confining Selina to the east wing.
It was Brandon, who was acting as the Head of the family while the Count was away at the Imperial Palace, that instigated the vassals and carried out the act.
"Whether Selina is like that or not, there are bad rumors, so we need to show that we're taking action as a family to protect our reputation! We need to show people that this is Selina's problem and the family's intentions are different."
More than half of the vassals, swayed by Brandon's words, agreed to confine Selina, and thus her confinement was decided.
Count Arsene knew that his wife and Brandon were the main culprits behind the rumors, but he couldn't reveal it.
They were also part of the Count's family, so trying to determine right and wrong would be like spitting in one's own face.
But he couldn't just stand by and watch Selina be locked up.
"I'm revoking Brandon's authority as the Acting Head of the family immediately. Open the east wing door right now!"
"Count! This is not a matter to be dealt with emotionally. You need to think and decide as the Head of the family!"
"If we don't take any action against the young lady, someone else will insult and vent their anger out on her. We need to at least pretend to discipline her for the sake of appearances."
"Since there's no one else to immediately take over as the Acting Head of the family, please reconsider revoking Lord Brandon's authority."
With the situation unfolding this way, Brandon and Flora firmly believed this was their chance.
"We need to take advantage of this opportunity to become the real power in the family. And get rid of Selina quickly."
"Yes, we have to. The Count will be boarding a ship soon for his trade business. Let's send her away while he's gone."
"I'd love to just kill her..."
"No, we can't. People would immediately find out who did it. It's better to sell her off to a wealthy noble in the countryside. She's still pretty, so someone will take her."
"The rumors about the villainess Selina have spread even to the countryside. It won't be easy. We should have spread them moderately. And not for free."
Brandon sighed after saying this, but Flora didn't really listen and glared towards the east wing where Selina was confined.
'Yes, we're the ones who will survive. This family is ours. It belongs to my son, Sebastian.'
The ambition Flora had harbored since giving birth to Sebastian finally ignited into a raging fire.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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