I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 204

SILVIA, who received an unexpected call in broad daylight, jumped up from her bed.

The movement was so sudden that even Petra, the maid standing beside the bed, flinched briefly.

“What’s all this? A guest, you say?”

Ignoring her confusion, Silvia quickly responded to the voice coming through the ring. It was none other than Ariel, her friend and the esteemed owner of the Grand Duke’s house.

Had it been any other day, Silvia would have been humming with joy at her friend’s unexpected call, but the news she received was far too shocking to allow for celebration. She had requested Silvia to warmly welcome two unanticipated guests who were on their way.

– “Just a favor. They’ll be leaving from Hildak, so they should arrive today.”

“Would it kill you to at least give me some details?”

Yes, even the names of the guests or the reason for their visit to the Lorentz household was left unexplained. Silvia wasn’t inclined to outright refuse the request; she was just curious if something major had occurred, as she felt the suddenness of the request was unusual. However, Ariel replied in a tone that suggested explaining wasn’t an option.

– “It’s really hard to explain. I’m sorry, but I need this favor.”

“…”

While it would be nice to know the reason, Ariel’s half-hearted apology made it difficult for Silvia to press further. It might be a troublesome request for Ariel just to explain the situation.

“…Fine. So I just need to entertain those guests, right?”

– “Yeah, treat them as if they were me. I’ll definitely repay this debt.”

When Silvia heard Ariel mention a debt that should be repaid, she couldn’t help but wonder how many times the favor would multiply. So far, she genuinely didn’t intend to use her friendship to extort something from Ariel.

“There’s no need to repay any debt. Just let me know later what’s up. Is something big happening?”

– “…You’re sharp, aren’t you.”

“Of course. You think I wouldn’t figure out a little thing like that?”

Although not quite in the same league as Edgar, Silvia prided herself on knowing Ariel well enough. It’s said that the ever-bossy Ariel Robeheim, who never failed to add an unnecessary footnote even during a request, would take such a humble tone to make her plea, suggesting that something serious was indeed afoot.

“Just as you said, I will treat those guests like you and Edgar. But next time, it better be you two coming!”

– “Even though I seem busy?”

“Hah, right now, I’m holding all the cards. You could drop it; it’s all up to you.”

Seeing Silvia pull such a strong move, Ariel let out a light chuckle, as if she had no other choice.

Come to think of it, Ariel had never visited the Lorentz household. Sure, Silvia had invited her previously, but Ariel had always postponed with various excuses. Now, she was sending guests rather than coming herself and requesting they be treated just as well—it was like smacking her face with a brick.

To repay this debt and whatnot, Silvia had to get Ariel to visit the Lorentz household someday. Even if she would create quite a stir upon arrival, considering her status, that wasn’t something Silvia or Ariel had to worry about right now.

– “Alright, I’ll go. After this business is wrapped up.”

“When do you think that’ll be?”

– “No idea. It’s likely going to take a while.”

“Well, that’s something unusual. You usually give at least a rough estimate.”

Ariel was usually meticulous with timing, so whenever discussing a matter, she’d always have a rough idea of when it could be resolved. For her to give such an uncertain reply now meant this was either a monumental issue or one she wasn’t able to pin down.

Silvia felt more remorse than alienation about Ariel not sharing this with her.

Knock, knock.

Just as she was about to check in with her long-lost friend, an unexpected visitor required her attention. Petra went out to see who it was.

“Miss, we have some guests who we’ve never seen before. We don’t know who they are yet, and the guards are currently holding them at the door, saying they wish to be let in with your name…”

“…They probably arrived already. Please let them know I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes.”

She had just been informed they would arrive today but hadn’t expected them this early in the broad daylight.

Though the distance to Hildak wasn’t immense, it meant they likely departed before dawn.

Silvia didn’t know those unintroduced guests, but she couldn’t help but admire their diligence as she stood and turned to the ring.

“Ariel, I believe your guests have arrived. Do you know their names?”

– “That should be Dana and Reshi.”

“…You sent them but don’t know their names? That seems a little off.”

Silvia found herself smirking at the absurdity of the situation. Well, now that she knew their names, all that was left was to meet them and confirm their identities.

“I’ll call you later after I meet them. And don’t think I’ll let those guests be ignored.”

– “Why are you bothering me when you have a perfectly good lover?”

“That’s him, and this is me. Friends and lovers aren’t even comparable!”

It was a logical yet somewhat ridiculous argument, and Ariel couldn’t find a counterpoint.

For sure, she could acknowledge that Edgar was Edgar and Silvia was Silvia.

Putting the distinction into words was tricky, as sometimes even when she savored a delicious snack, Edgar’s face popped into her mind; sometimes, it was Silvia’s face.

Perhaps the brain might be unaware, but the heart knew the difference.

– “I can’t stay long; I have another engagement.”

“So, the lover comes first, and I’m second, huh?”

– “When did I say Edgar?”

“Really? You only have a late-night engagement with Edgar.”

“Are you going to make me suffer while you have your sweet time?” Silvia teased in a teasing tone. Ariel, scattered in her thoughts, ultimately wished her well and abruptly cut off the call.

“Pfft.”

Seeing the white light on the ring disappear, Silvia forced a smile as she stepped outside to meet her friend’s unreasonable request earnestly.

***

Meanwhile, Bartheus, realizing a couple of people had left the Imperial Palace, felt anxious.

The maid’s permissions were frequently granted pretty succinctly without needing to escalate things to higher authorities, making sneaking out of the palace easier than expected.

“Trust yourself, yet you ended up in this mess!”

He had placed his trust in Albrecht, who assured him he’d handle matters, only to fall into this predicament.

That said, Bartheus understood the situation to some extent.

That maid didn’t belong to any prominent family, so there wasn’t much chance for her to find refuge with anyone.

Consequently, he thought she’d remain hidden within the palace, but he never anticipated she would sneak out and head out elsewhere.

“I wonder if they’ll return tonight…”

He discreetly ordered someone to follow them, but he didn’t expect much success.

After all, they hadn’t sneaked out; they had received formal permission to leave the palace, so they likely had their entry passes with them, making it ineffectual to stop them midway.

There was no way the pursuit would catch up at this rate.

Since Albrecht had done this, he’d likely find a way to rectify it too.

Bartheus had no obligation or reason to assist further and planned to refrain from getting involved.

For now, he could leisurely enjoy his drink…

– “Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived!”

“…Let her in.”

His brief moment of deep thought was interrupted.

Forcing him to put down the afternoon drink he was enjoying, he hadn’t wanted to be in a situation where they were alone together. However, he had no excuses handy.

Thud.

“Drinking in the day… it’s not good for your health, dear.”

Right away, Beatria scolded him for taking a sip.

She was probably the only person in the world bold enough to reprimand the Emperor of the Helbenior Empire without hesitation.

“It’s not even much, yet you’re making a fuss. But what’s brought you here today?”

“I had no choice but to come meet you since you’re avoiding me.”

“…I don’t recall avoiding you.”

While he said that, Bartheus felt a pang of guilt.

He had often dodged his wife even while being aware of how transparent his actions were.

But he couldn’t admit that, so he kept spouting excuses.

“Still not ready to tell me why?”

“What do you mean?”

Bartheus put on an innocent face while grinding his teeth remembering that fateful day he had tried to vent his feelings about being drunk, so he only clamped his mouth shut.

If only he had kept his mouth shut then, Beatria wouldn’t have these doubts now.

So the saying goes, alcohol is the enemy!

Honestly, if he could prove he had a distant cold husband who she righteously ought to resent, then they could both move on.

“I know what you want from me. But I assure you, I don’t intend to hate you, nor turn my back on you while remaining blissfully ignorant.”

“…”

“So, are you going to tell me why you grew distant from me?”

As he gripped his wine glass tightly, Bartheus bit his lip.

He knew he could never divulge the truth. This was one matter he needed to take to his grave.

It wasn’t out of some twisted notion of wanting to be the perfect villain or any angst-driven reason. He simply understood that keeping this a secret was the best path for his family.

Above all, what he wanted to protect were not the citizens of the Helbenior Empire nor even the realm he led; it was his family within reach—his wife and children.

Had he possessed a larger ambition, he might have been willing to risk it all, bearing the truth and accepting the consequences together.

“…So, you’re refusing to share, then?”

“…”

Beatria murmured wearily, casting a defeated look at his silence.

Honestly, if her tantrum yielded results, he would’ve confessed long ago.

Since it hadn’t happened, it was likely because the aftermath of revealing the truth would be far more devastating than carrying the burden of guilt for keeping the secret.

“Fine. I’ll excuse myself for today, but don’t think this is over. You, Bartheus.”

“…I’ll remember that.”

As Bartheus nods resolutely, Beatria turned her back, her gaze lingering on him in heartache.

At that moment, an intense pain surged through her entire body as if engulfed in flames, causing her new model to suddenly crack.

“……!?”

“Hey, what’s happening!?”

As she collapsed forward, unable to scream, Bartheus rushed to her aid, looking around for help from the people outside.

“I-I’m fine… just a moment… Haah!?”

While she dripped from sweat, attempting to reassure her husband, Bartheus’s eyes were drawn to something in the background.

“Is that…?”

There, on the nape of Beatria, a dark, small symbol was etched, from which a faint purple glow seeped out with each scream she failed to let loose.

This symbol was a mark the two had engraved on each other during their wedding, but Bartheus knew its deeper implications.

There was no escaping it. The reason he could never reveal the truth to his beloved wife was tied to this mark.

Thud.

“Beatria, Beatria! Damn it! That worm Albrecht…!”

Holding his collapsed wife in his arms, Bartheus cursed and hurriedly moved with the people who had arrived late.

He hadn’t managed to do anything for her as a husband.

He couldn’t watch her slip away like this.

If he lost her now, he would bear every burden, and to feed Albrecht’s demise to the ground, he would sacrifice everything he had.