Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 92

“Anyway, the maid put stimulants in His Majesty’s tea cup. I mean, she deserves to be punished.”

 

Harmond swallowed a sigh.

 

“You’re not going to forgive her, are you?”

“I know that the maid should be held responsible for her actions.”

 

If it had been according to the original plan, they would have caught and investigated the maid and uncovered Diana’s atrocities.

 

If that happened, the maid would face the death penalty.

 

But if the maid had no choice, if she had no choice but to follow Diana’s words.

 

“She will pay for her crime, but it should be treated accordingly.”

 

Only then would he be able to see Rachel proudly.

 

If someone was in great pain and having a hard time because of him, he was sure Rachel wouldn’t like it.

 

“Then what are you going to do? I mean about that maid.”

“First of all, find out why they had no choice but to follow Diana’s orders. If anyone has been threatened under the pretext of family members, we should take measures first so that this incident does not harm them.”

 

In his heart, he didn’t want to show any mercy towards anyone involved with Diana.

 

“Those who served as Avery’s men and women should be charged afterwards.”

 

He didn’t want Rachel to be heartbroken when she found out about all of this.

 

If it were Rachel, she would surely feel sorry for the deaths of innocent people. He was concerned about whether Rachel would think his treatment was too harsh, and whether she would be disappointed in him as well.

 

He was afraid that Rachel would be disappointed in him.

 

That’s why he was trying to get rid of his emotions as much as possible. He didn’t want Rachel to think it all started with him.

 

“After that, it won’t be too late to get the maid’s statement.”

“Your Majesty, are you going to leave Lady Avery as is?”

“Yes, for a little while.”

 

Harmond still couldn’t understand Ian’s mercy, so he just nodded.

 

“I understand, Your Majesty. I’ll follow your orders.”

“Don’t let Avery notice you. You’ll have to pretend to investigate all the servants of the Imperial palace so that they don’t know that their spies have been discovered.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please spread the word throughout the Empire again. The Emperor’s teacup was poisoned by someone, and the Emperor is bedridden.”

“Why are you asking me to spread such a rumor?”

“To make things look serious. I don’t intend to let Lady Avery go.”

 

Only then did Harmond smile with satisfaction.

 

“Yes, if that is what Your Majesty intends, I will do my best to spread the word.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll do as you say, and leave now. Rest peacefully.”

 

After Harmond left the room, Ian was left alone. He looked around the quiet room, then closed his eyes.

 

***

 

“Sigh…”

 

In the carriage back to the Duke’s residence.

 

Diana let out a deep sigh.

 

“Tsk, stupid girl. Can’t you do anything right?”

 

Everything was perfect.

 

The fact that Ian replied to her letter, and invited her.

 

Even having refreshments, and drinking tea together.

 

If the medicinal effect had increased and the medicine had been circulated a little more, everything would have been as she wanted.

 

Diana didn’t expect Ian to leave his seat like that.

 

She was almost there. If she’d known Ian was so quick-witted, she would have used more drugs.

 

“Empress, that seat was right in front of me.”

 

Diana let out another deep sigh.

 

If she’d been given a few more minutes, she could’ve become the Empress.

 

If only Ian had jumped her. He would’ve had to take responsibility for touching a Ducal lady.

 

The dream that seemed reachable had disappeared from her hands.

 

“It was an opportunity I made.”

 

Diana chewed her lips nervously.

 

If Ian married Rachel, then the opportunity would disappear completely.

 

It was a great opportunity to make it. Everything was perfect.

 

Diana took a deep breath as if holding back her anger.

 

“No, I can make an appointment again. I promised that I would give him tea leaves next time.”

 

Diana shook her head soothingly.

 

Yeah, it was just an unfortunate failure.

 

She had a good opportunity to try it out one more time. Of course, she wouldn’t be able to drug Ian’s tea next time.

 

Diana once again promised to herself.

 

“It won’t get any worse than that. Before that stupid girl ruined it all…”

 

But Diana shook her head quickly.

 

No matter how much her head wouldn’t turn, she wouldn’t blow up about what happened to her. If she wanted to save her family.

 

“Hey.”

 

Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, Diana immediately looked for the butler.

 

“Yes, My Lady.”

 

At Diana’s call, the butler respectfully bowed his head.

 

“Find out in detail how far the marriage talks for the Imperial family have progressed. Work until the sun goes down today.”

“Yes, I understand.”

 

Until Ian and Rachel got married, she had a chance.

 

Diana had to figure out how much time she had left.

 

***

 

The news of Ian’s collapse spread throughout the Empire.

 

Rumors were saying that someone had drugged the Emperor’s teacup, and the fact that the Emperor was in critical condition quickly spread throughout the Oates estate.

 

For the sake of the Imperial palace security, it wasn’t known what he was doing or who he was with when the Emperor collapsed.

 

It took less than two days for the Duke of Oates to find this all out.

 

As soon as Duke Oates heard the news, he went looking for Rachel.

 

Knock Knock

 

“Rachel, if you don’t mind, can you open the door for a moment? I have something to tell you about His Majesty.”

 

Unlike usual, Rachel hurriedly opened the door at the call of the impatient Duke.

 

The Duke’s clothes were a little thin, perhaps because he came right away from his study without even putting on a coat.

 

“Father?”

“Do you have a minute?”

“Yes, come on in.”

 

The Duke paused for a moment, as if he was trying to calm down before he spoke to Rachel, who seemed surprised by his visit.

 

When he saw the letter with the Imperial family’s seal in Rachel’s hand, he frowned.

 

“Rachel, is that a letter from His Majesty?”

“…Yeah.”

 

The Duke checked the open envelope, and looked back at Rachel.

 

“There are rumors that the Emperor has collapsed. Was there anything related to that in the letter?”

“Yes, it was written not to worry, the doctor said it wasn’t too dangerous.”

“His Majesty has contacted you separately. I didn’t even know that, so I ran to tell you about this.”

 

The Duke let out a small laugh.

 

“I’m glad you didn’t seem very surprised, Rachel.”

“I think Father was more surprised than I was.”

“I couldn’t believe that His mighty Majesty had collapsed. There wouldn’t be anyone who wouldn’t be surprised.”

 

Only then did the Duke sit down as if he could finally relax.

 

“No, more than that, who was after His Majesty?”

 

The Duke seemed to be agonizing for a moment, then got up from his seat.

 

“I think we should send Mike up to the capital.”

“Brother?”

“Yes, we should find out exactly what happened to the Emperor.”

 

Rachel remembered Ian, who’d told her not to worry if she heard any rumors about him. She pondered for a moment whether she should tell the Duke about that.

 

“Rachel, I’m sure you want to go. You’d better stay in the Oates estate until we find out who’s after the Emperor. His Majesty wouldn’t like you going up to the capital either.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Rachel, there’s nothing to worry about.”

 

Rachel opened her mouth thinking it would be okay to tell the Duke and Mike, but was taken back by how determined the Duke was.

 

“If anything happens to the Emperor, I will let you know first.”

 

Then Duke Oates glanced at Ian’s letter in Rachel’s hand, and opened his mouth again.

 

“Maybe you’ll be the first to hear the news. Anyway, don’t worry too much, the Emperor managed to come back victorious from the war.”

 

Rachel thought the Duke was more worried about Ian than she was, but she nodded without saying much.

 

Also, she didn’t want to bother Mike for nothing. She thought about telling him what Ian said to her, but Rachel decided not to tell him.

 

There seemed to be a good reason why Ian only mentioned it to her.

 

***

 

Two days after Mike left for the capital under the orders of the Duke.

 

While Rachel was spending time reading a book recommended by the Duke.

 

Knock Knock

 

Rachel quietly closed the book at the sound of someone knocking on her door.

 

“My Lady, may I come in for a moment?”

“Come in.”

 

When Rachel’s permission was granted, the maid opened the door and entered.

 

When Rachel looked at the tray in the maid’s hand, the maid hurriedly opened her mouth.

 

“A letter came for you, My Lady.”

“For me?”

 

She received a letter from Ian yesterday, so it probably wasn’t from him. Rachel pondered for a moment, trying to think if there was anyone else who would write to her.

 

At one time, she’d received invitations from many young ladies, but from the moment she returned to the Oates estate, no one had sent her any more invitations.

 

Perhaps it was as Diana said, everyone was disappointed in her and abandoned her.

 

But here was a letter.

 

“Who…”

 

Rachel received the letter from the maid, then nodded after confirming the seal of the family.

 

“Thank you.”

“Yes, then I’ll be leaving.”

 

After the maid left the room, Rachel stared at the letter in her hand.

 

The daughter of Count Noisen.

 

She was the young lady who accompanied Lady Avery.

 

Perhaps the news of Ian and her marriage had spread throughout the capital.

 

“Will I get invitations again?”

 

For some reason, a lonely smile crept across Rachel’s lips.

 

Actually, she didn’t expect that the first letter would come from Noison, who was by Diana’s side.

 

Rachel was also a little curious. What did Count Nohisen’s daughter write in the letter?

 

Rachel carefully opened the letter.

 

***