If I Can’t Be Your Wife - Chapter 114

She almost didn’t recognize him because his amber hair had been cut short and neatly arranged making him give off a different aura from before. Besides, his face that was white like the other nobles’ in Meyer a few years ago, was now tan and looked much rougher, perhaps because he had been under the strong southern sun for a long time.

‘I didn’t expect him to attend the Founding Festival.’

It looked like the situation in the South was almost done, so he came to make a final report. Kathleen bent her knees towards Peter as he approached her.

“I see Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“I see Your Majesty.”

As Luci copied her, bowing his head with a hushed voice, Peter proudly accepted his greeting.

“You are very well-mannered, Young Duke of Walten.”

“Because I promised Your Majesty!”

Luci said excitedly, clenching his little fist. Kathleen and Peter, as well as everyone around them, smiled.

“I look forward to it. If you carefully listen to your mother during the opening remarks, I will take you to greet your father. Is that alright, Sister-in-law?”

Thinking that she could allow that much for her son who behaved much calmer and more dignified than she expected, Kathleen nodded her head.

“Of course.”

“Wow, really? Can I go?”

“If you listen to His Majesty well, then it’s fine today.”

Kathleen stroked her son’s hair and gave her permission. When permission that he could approach and say hello was granted, a smile spread across Luci’s mouth.

“Yes. I will!”

Luci nodded and promised. Peter greeted Kathleen then turned around and moved to where the hunting participants were. He then announced the opening of the hunting competition, which marked the beginning of the Founding Festival.

Luci whispered to Kathleen as Peter spoke.

“Mom, is Dad starting in a different location than His Majesty?”

“Yes. His Majesty is also attending the competition, but he himself does not hunt, he’ll just watch.”

The emperor himself does not participate in the hunt to avoid accidents. Instead, he is supposed to follow the safe route and follow their progress. It seemed like Luci would be fine as long as he only takes a short walk there.

After Peter’s remarks, the nobles attending the tournament began to mount their horses

one by one.

“Let’s go say hi to Dad.”

After fixing Luci’s clothes, Kathleen took Luci out of the rest tent.

“Dad!”

Luci walked patiently and met Alexis, who looked dashing as he sat atop a large black horse.

He was thrilled and exclaimed.

“So cool. You’ll definitely win first place!”

She thought he had endured it well, but being unable to hold back his excitement as he jumped up and down was like the real Luciano Walten. Alexis seemed to think the same, laughing and leaning down to stroke his son’s head.

“Thank you for cheering me on.”

Then he reached out with one arm and caressed Kathleen’s cheek.

“I’ll be back.”

His gentle eyes were warm. She was used to this attitude by now, but she could feel that the other nobles were whispering like ladies. Kathleen whispered, feeling the heat on her cheeks again.

“Have a safe trip.”

Having been sent off by his wife and son, Grand Duke Walten rode his horse with more force than anyone else.

“Then shall we go too?”

Peter said to Kathleen, taking Luci’s hand. He was talking about going on the promenade. Peter explained to Luci as Kathleen nodded her head and followed them.

“After going around the promenade, we’ll attend tea time. Then your father will be back after that. Grand Duke Walten is the only one who has always been the first to bring his prey and win at the same time.”

“Wow! Really?”

Anyone who saw him would agree that he looked like a son who was proud of his father. Peter also loved his one and only brother more than anyone else, so he got along well with his nephew. Upon entering the promenade lined with thick bushes, the aunt* and the nephew pair soon fell into a conversation of their own. It was to the point where they didn’t even realize that they were much farther from the escort knight who followed them, Kathleen, and Viscount Schenberg.

[T/N: So as you guys know, Peter is a woman but chose to remain known as a man. I’ve strictly been using male pronouns since then but in this sentence the author used ‘aunt’ so I kept it. I don’t know if I’ll get to change this in the future though…we’ll see. :D]

“The young heir respects the Grand Duke very much.”

Viscount Schenberg, who had been walking close to Kathleen, said to her.

“I can see that His Highness, the Grand Duke cares for you too. Your Highness, the Grand Duchess must be very proud.”

“The Viscount teases me. It’s only natural for a family to be affectionate.

Kathleen responded with a soft smile. Viscount Schenberg was Peter’s deputy, so he was one of the few nobles who knew about their past. The fact that he dared to mention Alexis who had become tender, was obviously brought up with mischievous intentions.

“It seems that I’ve been away in the South for too long as Meyer’s situation has become unfamiliar to me.”

Viscount Schoenberg smiled and obediently agreed.

“I have heard that His Highness, the Grand Duke, had changed a lot, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”

“I know. You were in the South but you still seem to know a lot. You must have heard something from His Majesty, right?”

“Pardon?”

“You became friends with His Majesty. Since when have you been calling each other by name?”

At Kathleen’s question which caught him off guard, Viscount Schenberg made a puzzled expression. Because of his warrior-like short hair, his ears were clearly visible. Kathleen asked, barely restraining herself from laughing out loud.

“Are you planning to come up to Meyer soon?”

“That….. That’s not it. I have some unfinished business. But Joseph and Edith are preparing to go up to Meyer. I haven’t finished the work His Majesty entrusted to me yet…”

As if something was poking him, he suddenly averted his gaze and spoke gibberish.

‘He came up to Mayer even though his work wasn’t finished.’

Status reports could have been sent in writing, but the fact that he came up was quite curious. Kathleen was amused as she thought that the relationship between the two was unusual.

‘It’s time for Peter to find someone he cares about.’

If Viscount Schenberg did it out of his own discretion, Peter would not have turned a blind eye to his unexpected behavior. But if the two of them felt the same way, then it was something to celebrate. Kathleen thought that she would stop with the questions and wait for them to inform her themselves.

“Then, before going back to the South, please stop by the Grand Duke’s residence. It seems like there’s a lot His Highness wants to say to the Viscount.”

“Yes, I will. Ah, come to think of it, Priest Joseph will soon……”

The moment Viscount Schenberg was about to say something.

“Luci!”

Along with Peter’s urgent cry, a horse’s neighing was heard. Kathleen frantically looked in the direction of the sound, but they were obscured by the bushes. Before she could understand the situation, Viscount Schenberg’s face turned white and he shot out like an arrow.

“Protect His Majesty!”

The escort knights belatedly ran and shouted. Kathleen also grabbed the hem of her dress and ran.

As she ran down the not-so-distant road, an urgent situation developed. A horse that had dropped its master somewhere was running amok aggressively. The horse came dashing with an empty saddle on it. Luci stood frozen, perhaps he tried to get close to the horse, and Peter, seizing the reins, tried to calm it down. At that moment, the horse neighed loudly and raised its front hooves. Peter may have realized then that he wouldn’t be able to do it, therefore he let go of the reins, and hastily hugged Luci and leaned down.

At that time, Viscount Schenberg ran towards him. He seemed unafraid of being trampled by the horse’s hooves. In an instant, he pulled Luci out and pushed him towards Kathleen.

“Young master!”

One of the knights brought Luci back. Kathleen hurriedly picked up the child and looked at the horse that was still raging, then at Peter and Viscount Schenberg who were under it. The knights approached and tried to calm it down, but to no avail. In the end, the knights pulled out their swords. The horse became even more aggravated and tried to kick Peter with its hind feet.

“Your Majesty!”

Her heart sank. At the same time as Kathleen shouted, Viscount Schoenberg jumped in front and embraced Peter. The horse kicked Viscount Schenberg’s upper body and his face twisted in pain. Unable to withstand the horse’s strength, they tumbled down the steep hillside.

“Your Majesty!”

As soon as the knights subdued the horse, Kathleen slumped on the spot. Luci was passed out in her arms. With trembling hands, Kathleen entrusted her child to a knight  and approached where Peter and Viscount Schenberg had fallen.

As it was a hunting ground inherited by the imperial family, the mountain was not that steep. Still, they might have been injured, hence they needed to find them quickly.

“Report this to His Highness, the Grand Duke immediately and go down to find His Majesty.”

Kathleen ordered the knights with a pale face.

“We must find His Majesty before sunset.”

“Yes, Grand Duchess.”

Feeling guilty and ashamed of not being able to properly protect the emperor, the Knight Commander lowered his head with a miserable countenance. He then ran to report to Alexis.

‘Peter…..’

Kathleen swallowed her cries as she embraced Luci. The image of Peter throwing his body to protect the child from the rampaging horse was still vivid. Also, Viscount Schenberg, who ran to protect Peter…

‘Please, you have to be safe.’

Kathleen begged earnestly as she touched her child’s pale cheek.

***

“Uh…..”

Peter slowly opened his eyes at the heavy feeling that weighed down his entire body. His vision was dark.

‘Did I hurt my eyes? Or is it because the sun has set?’

He thought with a hazy mind, then realized that it was neither. Just as he came to his senses, Peter noticed that he was being held tightly by someone.

He was confused. Who in the world would dare embrace the Emperor? Just give the proper treatment to the emperor who had fainted…

Having reached that thought, Peter hurriedly pushed away the body holding him.

“Euk.”

Then the man groaned. Unlike him, it sounded like he was in a lot of pain. When he got out of his arms, he realized who it was.

“…Kieran?”

Viscount Schoenberg fell to the ground with a frown on his face, clutching his left arm.