TPOTLPIM Chapter 29

The blazing autumn sunlight had withered away, and before anyone realized it, dry and bleak air had seized control of the capital.

Along with the dreary weather, cruel rumors circulated endlessly through aristocratic society.

The Dant ducal family had plotted treason. The Imperial Knights had stormed into the ducal house and dragged away the once-mighty members of the ducal family.

A family that held the symbolic status of founding contributors plotting treason—people were shocked as they mulled over these two incompatible words.

Does the imperial dog bite the imperial family after being raised for so long? No, it wasn't a dog from the start—it was a wolf all along. Didn't Prince Crolyn of the Dant family enter the equestrian competition? So how could he have conceived of installing a bomb at the celebration banquet? The son must have been misdirection to escape suspicion. That drunkard son was probably a thrown-away card from the beginning.

The blades of suspicion that had been aimed at Count Otmin Serin instantly turned toward the Dant ducal family.

Cecilia found this dramatically reversed public opinion utterly bewildering.

Some quarters still mentioned the possibility that Count Otmin Serin had helped the Dant ducal family and refused to withdraw their suspicions, but that was fine by her. The blade tips that had been pointed at the Serin family had changed direction, allowing them to briefly take shelter from the pouring rain. If they could buy even a little time until Father returned, that would be enough.

Every time she remembered the sight of Teros's retreating figure as he left saying he would resolve the matter, Cecilia wondered if the current situation was also related to him.

Meanwhile, at Duke Jeminick's castle, the angry voice of Duke Jeminick, whose complexion had turned pale with rage, could be heard.

"Are you out of your mind right now? What did you tell the Emperor!"

A booklet that had left the Duke's hand made a whoosh sound as it grazed past Teros's cheek. A small wound appeared on his cheek, but Teros stood there impassively as if nothing had happened. He looked straight into his father's eyes that were consumed by rage.

"I told him not to suspect the family that should be the backbone of the Empire's discipline, but to properly see the enemy that needs to be cut out."

"And you're saying that enemy is the Dant ducal family?"

Duke Jeminick's voice came out terribly cracked due to the shout he had just let out.

"I found evidence that the Dant ducal family was connected to the rioters who attacked the Imperial villa five years ago, and I simply reported the facts to His Majesty."

What Teros had handed to the Emperor was a necklace laden with blue sapphires. It was an Imperial treasure that had disappeared during the rioters' attack five years ago, and an item that Prince Crolyn of the Dant ducal family had pawned.

The suspicions about the incident five years ago extended to suspicions about the recent bombing incident, and like the sapphires hanging from the necklace, the two separate incidents became firmly connected as one. Eventually, the Dant ducal family became the prime suspect for both the villa attack five years ago and this bombing incident.

"You destroyed a ducal family without even consulting me once? Do you think I wasn't aware of the Dant family's suspicious activities? It was an opportunity to use them as chess pieces. There's an appropriate, optimal time for everything, and you should know that."

"For me, that optimal time was now."

"Is it because of that damned girl from the Serin family?"

Anger instantly flickered across Teros's face, which had been standing in a firm posture without expression.

The moment Duke Jeminick saw that expression, he felt a strange satisfaction. He had found the only way to anger his uncontrollable son.

"Please watch your words. I will marry Cecilia."

His son, as always, was informing rather than asking his father.

"Do you know why I've left you to run wild all this time? You have the soul of a devil, but you're quite clever, so you don't ruin my plans. But you dare commit such an act? Do you think I'll accept that shabby girl from the Serin family?"

"You'll come to like her. It doesn't matter either way."

The Duke grabbed whatever was on his desk and threw it at Teros. Even as an inkwell flew toward him, splattering black liquid on his well-tailored coat and cheek, Teros stood like a statue without batting an eye.

Eventually, the Duke had no choice but to stop throwing things, breathing heavily.

"Devilish bastard."

The Duke cursed with genuine feeling.

After leaving Duke Jeminick's castle, Teros boarded a carriage bound for the Serin estate.

He rubbed the hem of his coat, which had been stained an ugly black. He briefly considered whether he should change clothes before going, but he missed her too much.

Upon arriving at the Serin estate, Teros was guided by the butler to the garden where Cecilia usually spent her time. The closer he got to the garden, the more he could smell the fresh scent of grass that didn't suit the gloomy weather these days.

Thinking of Cecilia's smile, which would be as fresh as the grassy scent, his steps became hurried. He could almost hear Cecilia's chattering voice.

That voice wasn't a hallucination. Along with her voice, he could also hear another familiar voice.

Teros pricked up his ears. The laughter that burst out between the barely audible conversation got on his nerves.

"Lord Teros!"

Soon he saw Cecilia running toward him with joy.

"Cecilia!"

He gave Cecilia a light embrace, then glared at the man who was awkwardly rising from the table behind her.

It was Dmitri.

"Ah, Lord Dmitri came to comfort me since I've been staying home without going out."

Cecilia, noticing Teros's chilly demeanor, added apologetically with an awkward expression.

"You're back? It's been a week, hasn't it? What were you doing that you left the young lady alone?"

"What were you doing that you left your future sister-in-law alone, brother?"

"I came with Rosein a few days ago too. Miss Cecilia mentioned there were books she wanted to read then, so I just came to deliver them briefly today."

Looking toward the table, he could see the teacups the two had been drinking from and three hardcover books.

"Well, this uninvited guest will be going now. See you again, Miss Cecilia."

Dmitri waved at the two with a leisurely smile and left.

Left alone with Teros, Cecilia's heart pounded for no reason. She had only exchanged a few words with Dmitri over tea. But somehow she couldn't shake the feeling that she had wronged Teros.

She added defensively:

"Lord Dmitri wasn't here for long. Look, the tea here is still warm."

Teros kissed her before she could finish speaking, as if her words weren't important. Before the surprised Cecilia could say anything, their lips parted.

"Cecilia, we agreed on a reward, remember?"

Eyes still dazed from the sudden kiss looked up at him.

He held her by both shoulders and met her eyes.

"Now, try calling me."

"Ah."

Remembering their promise to call each other by name, Cecilia's face turned bright red.

"You're not going to pretend you don't know, are you? I was busy solving things."

He stared intently at her small mouth. Her pretty lips began to move as if trying to say something.

"Thank you..., Teros."

The moment the words he wanted came out, Teros kissed her lips again. This time, for a long while.

Perhaps startled by the sudden kiss, Cecilia stiffened for a moment before accepting him.

The sweet tea fragrance spread through Teros's mouth. Even while kissing, he felt thirsty.

Then Cecilia urgently tapped his shoulder and pushed him away.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, well. Dalein will be bringing tea for Lord Teros soon. We can't be caught like this."

"I see. But Cecilia, you need to receive a penalty."

Teros pulled the escaping Cecilia into his arms and kissed her forehead and cheeks.

"We agreed to only call each other by name."

Only after seeing her face turn bright red in his arms did Teros feel satisfied and let her go.

"But what's this on your cheek? It's splattered on your clothes too."

Cecilia's fingertips touched the black stain on Teros's cheek.

"You're hurt too. I'll have Dalein bring some medicine."

"Ah. It's nothing, so don't worry about it."

When Cecilia's hand moved away from his face at those words, Teros grabbed her hand again and pressed it to his cheek.

"No. Keep worrying about me."

Cecilia burst into small laughter. Teros, whom she was seeing after a long time, seemed somewhat impulsive and scattered.

She was the same way. Seeing his face after so long, her words and actions began to rush ahead recklessly.

The two sat facing each other across the table, drinking tea that the maid had brought. The wound on Teros's cheek was covered with ointment that Cecilia had personally applied.

"There's a lot of talk that the Dant ducal family is the mastermind behind the bombing incident. Is it true?"

Cecilia took a sip of tea and watched Teros's expression.

"There must be circumstances that suggest so, since the Imperial family searched the ducal house."

Teros spoke calmly. His face was as smooth as a carved statue, but expressionless.

"I feel sorry for Prince Crolyn. I heard he was determined to restore his honor through the equestrian competition."

"There are also many opinions that Crolyn participated in the equestrian competition to avoid suspicion about the bombing incident."

While Cecilia felt fortunate about the current situation, she also doubted whether the Dant ducal family was really the mastermind behind the bombing.

People say they're suspected because there are circumstances, but didn't the Serin family also face unjust suspicion?

"Listen carefully, Cecilia. This is the same as throwing a bomb that's about to explode. Before it bursts in my hands, I have to quickly pass it to someone else."

Teros's gaze was so serious and heavy that Cecilia unconsciously nodded.

"It's still too early to sympathize with others. Count Serin must return quickly. Right now, people's attention is merely focused elsewhere, but if his absence drags on, he'll draw suspicion again. I'll release private soldiers to estimate the routes Count Serin might have taken, centering around the Tanir Mountains."

Cecilia found his cold, dry tone unfamiliar, but she clenched her fists at the part about finding Count Serin.

He was right. Even time for sentimentality was precious.

"Thank you, Lord Teros. No, Teros. You've saved me twice, and this time I've burdened you with another heavy load."

"Saved you twice? I only remember once."

"What? You also rescued me when I fell into the water at Hasblue. And on the day of the explosion, I know you shielded me from getting hurt."

"That day, Cecilia saved my life."

Meeting eyes that seemed to ask what that meant, Teros silently tucked her hair behind her ear.

Though he couldn't speak of it due to his promise with Hadel, if Cecilia hadn't been placed in danger that day, Asen wouldn't have thought to use the barrier. Asen Odik was a pure-hearted young lady for whom friendship mattered more than loyalty to the Emperor or strategic relationships for her family. Teros believed that Asen's reflexive creation of the barrier was because of Cecilia, who had rushed to him when he was in peril.

"We've each saved each other's life once. We're truly meant to be."

Teros smiled playfully. Looking back, Cecilia was truly a remarkable woman.

['Aren't you cold, Lord Teros? You fell into the water just like me.']

Even on the day she fell into the lake, she worried about him despite shivering from the cold herself, and during the explosion, she ran to him without regard for consequences.

For Cecilia, it was a matter of her body moving first rather than any grand resolve, but for Teros, that action held a significance greater than anything else in his lifetime.