My Sweet Deceiver

Chapter 47

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At dawn, an unusual sight in Denis’ office.

Tehez and Denis were sitting there doing nothing.

No one spoke openly, but the room was full of tension.

Knock

A knock was heard.

“Princess, this is Danielle.”

Tehez jumped up and answered.

“Come in.”

“The Duke of Briem is said to be struggling quite a bit in his interrogation. And it was revealed that he had secretly gathered enlisted men in the mansion, and the charge of treason was also added to him. Whether it was the temple or the royal family as the reason for keeping him alive… they won’t be able to help at the moment.”

“He must have been out of the King’s sight for collecting enlisted men.”

Danielle answered Tehez’s words.

“That’s right, and it’s clear evidence of treason. Even if he is released from the temple safely in any case, the King will not let him die in peace.”

Either way, the Duke of Briem was meant to be dead.

Whether by the temple or by the King.

“And Sarah Mustier will be released after the inquest, as I told the temple beforehand.”

“Good.”

Tehez sighed with relief.

“And….”

Danielle was going to say something more.

“The King has been released from the trap. The temple is looking for the Haz priest. Sarah Mustier will be released from the temple, but the priest is a big deal. So, they will be sure to catch her.”

Tehez turned to Danielle.

“Where is Sherazad now?”

“The search team hasn’t left the capital yet.”

Tehez recalled the first day she met Sherazad.

After telling Jacques to find a suitable person, Sherazad was chosen after much deliberation.

When bringing in Sherazad, Tehez didn’t say she was guaranteed her life. She also warned in advance that it would be tough. Blinded by revenge, however, she seemed unconcerned.

Even so, Tehez was going to send Sherazad back safely. She had to get her feet off faster.

Tehez told Danielle.

“Help Sherazad hide well for the time being.”

“Yes, I see. Princess, this time… I’m sorry for not being good at handling things. The King had to be monitored more closely.”

“…”

“Please punish me.”

Then Ellie, next to Daniel, dissuaded her and said, “No. It was my job, so please punish me.”

Both Danielle and Ellie were silently bowing their heads.

“Both of you go out. I need time to think.”

“Okay, Princess.”

It was an opportunity to let both the King and the Duke of Briem go away.

Though she couldn’t back it up, she thought she could give him a blow.

Tehez looked down at Denis’ face.

‘Is he sad?’

Even after hearing the news of the King, his face remained unchanged.

Denis got up and rubbed her shoulder as Tehez frowned with a headache.

“Are not you tired?”

“…A little bit.”

“Why don’t you close your eyes?”

Tehez looked out the window. It was already dawning.

“More than that….”

Teherz put things that had to be done together in her head.

“I can see that you have a lot of thoughts.”

“Is that so?”

Tehez answered bluntly.

Denis got up from his chair and opened the window.

The air from the stuffy room was driven out, and fresh air came in.

The air on her cheeks was cold. Autumn was coming to an end.

“I know it’s a lot of work.”

At Denis’ words, Tehez looked up at him.

“…”

“You can take it slow.”

When Tehez heard those words, she felt a little choked up.

“No one is after you.”

“I will.”

“Shall we start with breakfast? I heard a rumour. My wife doesn’t eat much.”

Denis closed the window meticulously again, and held out his hand to her.

“Shall we check whether the rumours are true or not?”

Tehez took hold of his warm hand.

It seemed that everything would be resolved if she held this hand.

Denis fiddled with Teherz’s fingers.

It was ticklish.

Tehez let out a small laugh involuntarily.

His words were right.

First of all, after eating, you will have good thoughts.

As Tehez was about to get up from her seat, a knock was heard outside.

“Come in.”

“Prince, His Majesty the King is asking you to have lunch together.”

The man was the king’s servant. He bowed to Denis and said so.

Denis pondered for a moment, then spoke up.

“…Today?”

“Yes, and…”

The servant glanced at Tehez and continued.

“His Majesty the King has asked the Princess to come along, too.”

“Are you talking about me?”

Tehez was surprised that the King had invited her to a meal for the first time, and questioned the man.

“Yes. His Majesty said, ‘I haven’t seen your face for a long time. I miss you.’”

“…”

Tehez and Denis both looked at each other with questionable expressions.

However, since the servant was waiting for an answer in front of them, they only exchanged glances.

“We will come.”

“Okay, Prince.”

The servant walked out of the room.

As the door closed, Denis called for Tehez.

“Tehez.”

“Yes, Prince.”

“It could be that he’s aware of something.”

Denis’ expression, saying that, looked somewhat wretched.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Denis looked at Tehez without saying a word. Then he tucked Tehez’s hair back carefully.

“I’ll change my dress.”

“Yes.”

Tehez had a lot of things piled up in front of her, but she decided to put off thinking and focus on the King’s luncheon.

***

Denis and Tehez, invited to the dining hall, greeted the King.

“I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

When Elliot pointed the finger at Tehez, Tehez responded politely.

“I haven’t been able to see you in a while because I’m shy. I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Please scold me for my shortcomings.”

The King waved his hand as if he didn’t care.

“You must have been busy. I’m an old man with a lot of time. Sit down.”

“…”

Hearing a rebuke from Elliot before she could even sit down, Tehez panicked and forgot her response.

Normally, the King was indifferent wherever she went, whatever she was doing.

That’s why Tehez kept a moderate distance and only said hello from time to time.

In the atmosphere that dropped down in an instant, Elliot suggested a seat again as if he knew nothing.

“Come on, sit down. I’m hungry.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Denis and Tehez sat down, the splendid food came in one by one.

Beef stew, butter-grilled fish, risotto with cheese and cream…

All of them were too much food to eat for breakfast.

Tehez, who was naturally a light eater, paused for a moment when she saw the greasy food, but smiled softly.

Elliot first picked up the tableware and began to eat the food in front of them.

Denis and Tehez also silently ate the food set in front of them. New dishes were coming in, and some were cleared out.

Elliot was quietly chewing the food.

Tehez looked at Elliot.

It was time to talk.

Only then did Elliot put down the tableware, wipe his mouth meticulously, and say, “I can’t even get in touch with Fabrice. When did he grow up so old?”

Previously, Fabrice could not be reached because he often stayed up at casinos or social clubs for days.

Denis replied expressionlessly.

“He must have been tired from the engagement. He’ll be back after a good rest. Don’t worry too much.”

“Julien had been well enough to ride a horse not too long ago, but his condition has gotten worse again these days.”

“…”

“It’s all because of his insolence. So one child is selfish, the youngest is sick…”

Elliot said bitterly.

But even in the midst of those worries, there was no concern for Denis at all.

Tehez was quick to speak.

“Don’t say that, Your Grace. Your reign in Valloise history will remain as peaceful as ever.”

“No, I have no face to see the face of the late King. The lives of the common people are getting harder and harder.”

Tehez replied hurriedly.

“Many people were impressed by Your Majesty’s speech at the World’s Fair. Don’t feel weak, and stay strong, Your Majesty.”

Elliot’s lament was, of course, close to the truth.

The sharp rise in tax rates sparked outrage among commoners. Those who complained were labelled as disgruntled forces that rebelled against the royal family, and all were captured. That’s how he managed to keep the grudges at bay.

“Besides, I haven’t seen the heir of the royal family for several years, so if this isn’t my fault, what is it then?”

“…”

Tehez, who had been answering like a flowing stream of water, clenched her mouth as if she was speechless for a moment.

Denis answered Elliot’s words bluntly.

“… It’s probably because I’m lacking. It’s not the Princess’ fault.”

“Really? What are you lacking?”

Elliot looked at Denis, his eyes lit up.

Denis put the dishes down and wiped his mouth.

Then he looked at Elliot and said, “…It must be because of my lack of everything, including my bloodline.”

He ended up getting those words out of his mouth.

It was a bad hobby.

Self-criticism.

Tehez lost her appetite and looked down at the little plate in front of her, which was barely running out of food.

The food she had not touched was oozing with fat.

Tehez rinsed her mouth with water and looked at the King with a squint.

Elliot, who had already finished the meal, had a confident expression as if he was satisfied now.

He looked at Denis, spinning his whiskey glass.

“Uh-huh… Is my blood not flowing in you? That’s not right.”

But it was a light tone that was not comforting at all.

“I’m sorry.”

Denis bowed his head.

“There are so many things to be sorry about! It’s all my fault.”

Elliot took a sip of whiskey.

“…”

“That’s why I made an offering to the temple for the first time in a long time.”

It was a sudden change of topic.

But Denis answered back in an unabashed manner.

“Is that so?”

“I did. And I prayed.”

“What did you pray?”

“I offered offerings and prayers for the health and peace of the royal family. Since I did it generously, wouldn’t Nate be moved and not respond?”

“… You’ll get a response.”

“Yes, I should.”

Elliot smiled contentedly.

“The truth is, I don’t really believe in God.”

At Elliot’s unexpected confession, Denis and Tehez looked up.

“I had a dream since I was young.”

Elliot spoke out to himself.

‘Is he drunk on a few glasses of whiskey?’

Tehez looked at Elliot.

“A dream to be a King. But I was the Fifth Prince. It was hard and difficult for me to become a King, as hard as picking the stars in the sky. So, I begged. God, let me be King. But….”

Elliot, who said so far, looked far away as if he recalled the past.

“But it was not God who made me the King. It was money. Most people say when you have enormous wealth, you get the things you have in your mind. Isn’t it fun?”

“…”

“I believe in what I see. Faith, belief, and truth are weak. It can disappear at any time without a trace.”

“Is that so?” asked Denis.

“Of course, knowing that… there were also times when I had vain beliefs and foolish thoughts.”

Elliot’s face had a hint of remorse when he said that.

“I was betrayed again, and I was betrayed again. Even by a single woman!”

Looking at Elliot holding his glass distortedly, Tehez knew he was speaking of Sherazad. 

Elliot’s anger seemed deep.

“True love, and the invisible thing called immortality.”

Tehez was inwardly surprised. She knew that Sherazad had done her job well, but she was surprised because Elliot did not truly believe in immortality.

Besides, seeing him reveal such a candid truth was amazing.

Elliot, who said so, was looking at Denis and his reaction.

He seemed to be trying to test how Denis would respond to his words.

Teherz carefully straightened her face.

Elliot looked like he knew there was no way he could be driven into a pagan by the temple.

Surely the negotiations with the temple were over.

Tehez noticed Elliot’s face.

A face full of confidence and conviction that would not be caught even if Tehez reported him as a pagan.

“I’m old now, too. I can’t believe I’m being played with such a smooth talk.”

Elliot said bitterly, turning over the whisky.

“The most important thing in life is wealth.”

“…”

“If I were to step down later.”

“Don’t say that. Father will always be there.”

Denis stopped him with a gesture.

It was a nasty temperament.

In this way, he was always trying to get the upper hand in the relationship by crushing Denis.

Even though he was the father, how could he treat Denis and Fabrice differently?

Tehez sighed inwardly.

She learned that Denis had lived on such a tightrope every day.

Tehez felt so when she saw the conversation between Denis and the King in front of her eyes.

“No, there’s not much time left. I can tell. If I were to step down. I have a wish. Will you listen to it?”

Elliot looked at Denis with bitter eyes.

“That is not going to happen. However, if it is father’s wish, I can even grant even an immoral resuscitation.”

“If that’s the case… I’m thinking of going to live in Herzan.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Denis asked back.

“Isn’t that a country where music, art and literature flourished? They don’t have much interaction with Valloise yet. I want to live my remaining life close to art.”

Herzan…

[T/N: In case you have forgotten – after graduating from the academy, Olivier was expected to inherit the Count, but he unexpectedly left for Herzan to study (chapter 28)]

The name of the country mentioned unexpectedly by the King was engraved in his head, and the King wouldn’t have mentioned it for no reason. 

Tehez thought it was certainly a remark for a reason.

“Please do not mention it. Until the descendants of the royal family run around in the garden of the main palace, father, please keep the centre.”

“…Children.”

Elliot looked at Denis for a moment.

“You’re right. I had a foolish idea for a moment.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I guess everyone’s finished eating. Do you want to go to the tea room with me?”

At that time, the King’s servant came out and told him that he had an audience soon.

“Oh, my God. I must have forgotten again. Tell him I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The King said in a voice of regret.

“Let’s have this kind of time more often. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, we will.”

As the King rose from his chair, a young maid behind him put on his coat.

Denis and Tehez also stood up and said their greetings.

Elliot strode to the tea room without looking at them.

(To be continued in the next episode)

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