Chapter 108 – I Have To Take It From You (1)
Ahn was her baby’s name, a piece of information given to her by Duke Elgy. But now that name was spoken on that man’s lips.
Rashta turned pale and hurried to cover Alan’s mouth.
“Are you threatening Rashta?”
Alan looked surprised by her informal tone of speech, but he then shook his head morosely and pushed away Rashta’s hands.
“It’s not like that. Really.”
“But knowing that Rashta is the Emperor’s concubine…then bringing up that topic. Is it not a threat?”
“I heard you set up the mansion in the capital for Ahn.”
Rashta’s eyes widened. The only person who knew she paid for the residence was Viscount Roteschu himself. Although Duke Elgy had lent her the money, he did not know what she was using it for.
For Alan to say those words meant that Viscount Roteschu must have told him about it…but did the viscount also tell his son that he used blackmail to do it?
‘No. Viscount Roteschu wouldn’t want to tell his children that he’s a blackmailer.’
“So?”
She only responded coldly to him.
“Ahn is healthy. He’s so beautiful and looks just like you.”
“…So?”
“I thought I should tell you.”
“Why do you need to tell Rashta?”
“You’ve been through so much. Especially when you thought Ahn was dead.”
“You saw me suffer but chose to ignore me.”
“I’m sorry. I was so scared.”
“Rashta was scared, too.”
“I know, but I was more afraid. You had nothing to lose, but I did. I didn’t think it was the right time to leave everything and choose you—”
“I don’t want to talk about the past.”
Rashta looked at Alan with naked contempt and echoed his words.
“Rashta has a lot to lose now. You’re going through the same thing, so you understand me, right?”
“!”
“Your father told you to pretend not to know Rashta. Then do it. And tell your rude sister to behave properly.”
Although Rashta saw Viscount Roteschu as a detestable creature, to her Alan was far more hateful. Those cold words left her mouth without hesitation.
Rashta glared at Alan for a moment as if he were an insect, then brushed past him. Despite her cool outward demeanor, however, her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. She found it positively exhilarating to turn the tables on her former lover and master. Alan however, was concerned when she said she didn’t want to see Ahn.
Eventually, Rashta decided to find Duke Elgy. The only person she could consult about this was with him.
There was no one in front of his room, but she simply opened his door and walked in. She may seem presumptuous to anyone else looking, but Duke Elgy had given her his permission to do so. That alone gave her more confidence to trust in him.
As soon as Rashta entered, she heard Duke Elgy muttering to himself.
“That bastard…”
Rashta looked in his direction and saw him reading a letter in one hand. There was a blue bird sitting by the window.
“Duke?”
When Rashta called to him, the blue bird startled then flew off in surprise.
“Miss. You’re here?”
Duke Elgy folded up the letter and tucked it away. Rashta approached him with a question on her lips.
“Is there bad news?”
“Oh no, not that.”
“You said something that sounded harsh.”
“I think my friend is going crazy.”
“What?”
“Nothing you have to mind, Miss.”
Rashta wondered who this crazy friend might be, but Duke Elgy didn’t seem to want to talk about it, and she didn’t pry any further. Instead, she told him about meeting Alan and Rivetti, and what Alan had said about Ahn.
“As I said before, Alan is that one who abandoned Rashta to misery. Rivetti is Alan’s younger sister, and she secretly harassed me because she didn’t like me being with her brother. They both know about my baby, and I’m worried what will happen.”
After absorbing the information, Duke Elgy replied to her with a laid-back manner as if her issue wasn’t severe.
“If Viscount Roteschu told Alan to pretend not to know you, then he wants him to stay in place. His children are probably aware of the restrictions.”
It was only until Duke Elgy said those words that relief rushed through Rashta. She thought the same way, but it was more reassuring when someone else repeated it.
“Is that what you’re here to talk about?”
“Perhaps…Do you know the person who put the poison in Rashta’s meal?”
“I don’t think anyone knows. Luckily, you’re not hurt. Why?”
“I see.”
“But why?”
“A few days before that…Rashta made a personal commitment. Rashta will protect herself and her baby.”
“That’s a good stance.”
“Yes. The problem is, as soon as I made that decision, I found out I was eating poison.”
Rashta wrapped her hands protectively around her belly.
“I’m afraid this will happen again in the future. Is there any way to avoid it?”
“There are two ways.”
“What are they?”
“One is to ask the Emperor for help. Don’t ask him directly, just keep saying that you’re scared. He’ll do anything for you.”
That course of action was too passive, and she had already done that. Rashta shook her head.
“What about the other way?”
“Sometimes the best defense is offense. Before you get attacked, get rid of the people that might attack you first.”
Rashta’s eyes widened at his bold words. That way was more aggressive, but it was a plausible course of action. She considered it seriously for a moment, but soon turned sullen and shook her head.
“Rashta’s enemy has higher status, more power, and more wealth. Is that possible?”
“Do you know who your enemy is?”
“…”
“Does the enemy with more power mean Her Majesty the Empress?”
Rashta hesitated, then nodded.
“At first, Rashta wanted to become close to her. Like sisters, of course. Rashta is lower than her, but since everyone always praised the Empress, I believed she would also give her love and consideration to me.”
“You don’t think she feels that way now?”
“She made Rashta a liar and laughingstock in front of Prince Heinley because of a misunderstanding. She insulted Rashta by making everyone think I copied her dress. She gave Rashta a sword to mock me, and stood still when her brother pushed me.”
“Hmm.”
“Then she attacks Rashta’s baby just because she’s infertile. Even if Rashta doesn’t like the Empress, what did the baby do!”
“Right.”
“I hate the Empress now. I’m scared.”
Her expression turned to slight terror.
“If the empress attacks Rashta, how can she defend herself? I can’t attack the Empress first.”
Duke Elgy tapped his fingers thoughtfully against his cheek as he stared closely at Rashta. After some time, a smile spread across his face.
“There is only one way to stop the empress from attacking.”
“There is?”
“You need to become the empress yourself.”
“!”
“It’s fine. Whoever holds the position of empress can change quite often.”
Rashta eyes widened in surprise. Although she had yearned for the Empress’ possessions, this was something that had never crossed Rashta’s mind before. Her greatest dream was simply to have a happy palace life, with the love of the Emperor and the friendship of the Empress, and then have her own children be princes or princesses.
But to be the empress herself…?
‘But a slave can’t be an empress.’
Rashta’s face paled and she shook her head.
“You—you shouldn’t say that!”
“It’s not that difficult. As I said, who sits in the empress’ seat can often change.”
Rashta’s trembling fingers did not easily calm, and Duke Elgy called to a servant to serve her a weak alcoholic drink. Rashta only took a few nervous sips, her hand continuing to shake the whole time.
“Can it be…?”
“Of course.”
“But with Rashta’s origins…that’s impossible.”
“Then why not change where you come from?”
“Change?”
“Say that your ‘real parents’ were actually nobles, and you were lost in some kind of accident. Something like that.”
“!”
