Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 94

Episode 94

They entered a room with only one round table. Adelhardt, who was leading the way, sat down in a chair and then spoke.

“Let’s exchange hostages after the conversation is over. Is that okay?”

“…”

“Even if it’s not okay, there’s nothing we can do.”

Leonel didn’t mind the mole, a former ranch keeper, sitting next to him, but Nelly sitting next to Adelhardt was very uncomfortable.

“What is it?”

“Did you hear that Devondus Altwood succeeded in the wheat harvest?”

“…Yes.”

“He’s going to deliver all the harvest to the royal family for free and continue to produce for them without charge.”

“Is that so?”

“And do you know that he gave up the title that the queen wanted to confer on him to someone else?”

This was news Leonel had not heard. When he shook his head, Adelhardt continued.

“He made a gardener under me into a viscount and sent him to the capital. He’s quite skilled in social circles.”

“Gathering power.”

“Exactly. What other reason could there be?”

“Altwood’s ducal title.”

“Or he might be aiming for the throne. If you and I were out of the way, he’d be the most likely candidate for the throne. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do, right?”

Leonel fell silent. When he seemed lost in thought, Adelhard asked a servant for tea.

A man soon brought the tea, but Adelhardt, Leonel, and Nelly didn’t touch it. Frer watched the three of them closely.

When Leonel finally finished his thoughts about how the wheat cultivation method ended up in Devondus’ hands and what Adelhardt wanted, he spoke.

“It means there is another spy on your side or mine.”

“Yes.”

“Are you suggesting we join forces to get rid of Devondus?”

“That’s right.”

They were discussing an alliance, but neither of them looked pleased.

Frer sipped his tea and watched them like he was observing a fire on the other side of the river.

Nelly was on edge.

Leonel made no effort to hide his concerns, and on the day when Adelhardt took out his sword, it might turn into a mud fight.

“How can I trust you?”

And the fear became a reality. The moment Leonel said those words, Adelhardt’s handsome face contorted.

Fortunately, no swords were drawn, but Nelly touched her forehead as the day she died came back to her.

“Leonel.”

She called Leonel’s name as if to stop him.

Leonel’s gaze briefly met Nelly’s, and only then did he notice Adelhardt’s wounded, blue eyes.

But he had no intention of taking back his words. This was his sincerity.

“Even if I hide behind a facade of not caring about power, I’ve never secretly plotted to have someone killed.”

“That was a coincidence. I don’t go around stabbing people with a smiling face either.”

As their emotions toward each other sharpened, Frer moved away from the table with his teacup in hand.

They exchanged biting words incessantly.

“Sending a spy is a despicable act, and you think it’s righteous when you send one, Leonel?”

“You send a spy to someone worth countering. Do I need to do that to you?”

When you listen closely, the conversation feels off in some way. The tone was mixed with strong animosity, overshadowing the content. It seemed like they were just brandishing their swords to hurt each other in any way possible.

When they put aside their resentment and hostility towards each other, an entirely different conversation emerged. 

Adelhardt claimed that he never tried to kill Leonel, and Leonel insisted he had never sent a spy to Adelhardt.

Nelly, silently listening, felt the need to intervene. She thought that taking a deep breath and having a calm conversation might help clear up the misunderstandings. She cautiously spoke up.

“Uh…”

“I shouldn’t have called you here. What cooperation can I expect from someone who doesn’t even give a hand to a childhood friend?”

“For now, could both of you calm down…”

“You only care about becoming king, so I don’t want to hear anything from a guy who ignored a friend in a life-threatening situation.”

“Who created that life-threatening situation? It was you, Leonel!”

A tense silence hung in the room, as if either of them opening their mouths would lead to an immediate clash of swords. Nelly advised them to calm down several times, but the two didn’t listen.

It was frustrating to see that they wouldn’t even try to listen to each other, despite the need to clear up the misunderstanding. Nelly, holding back her frustration, slammed the table.

“Both of you, just stop it!”

Frer, startled, dropped his teacup. The sound of shattering glass reverberated loudly, and only then did the two regain their composure.

They both glanced briefly at Frer and then fixed their gazes on Nelly.

“I understand that you both have deep emotions, but you’re talking about cooperation. So, please, talk calmly. You’re not even listening to each other.”

Adelhardt, who had partially risen from his seat, sat back down. He took a long breath and closed his eyes.

She approached Leonel and held his hand. His tense expression softened slightly.

“Listening, it seems Leonel hasn’t sent a spy to Prince Adelhardt.”

“That’s right.”

Adelhardt raised his head. Whether he intended to convey something to Leonel, his face was filled with skepticism.

“Adelhardt didn’t try to kill Leonel?”

“Why would I do that?” 

Adelhardt denied it, prompting Leonel to intervene.

“An assassin had already failed.”

“Why didn’t you just use it as an excuse to get rid of me then?”

“Preserving my own life was more important than dragging you down.”

“So, you wanted to live while Tatiasun was killed?” 

Nelly was surprised and blocked Leonel’s ears, pulling him away by force. His body felt stiff under her hand.

Nelly glared at Adelhardt with fierce eyes. His blue irises showed traces of regret, but there was still more resentment and hatred than regret.

“Let’s set aside emotions for now and talk about the facts. I think there might be a misunderstanding…” 

“So, what should I have done?” 

Leonel pushed Nelly aside and raised his head. 

“Should I have embraced Tatiasun while my subordinates were dying? What do you know? You, who was safe in the capital, can’t possibly understand how it feels to see dozens of people who used to laugh and smile with you dying!”

“That’s why I sent a letter asking you to send Tatiasun to the capital. You said you’d handle it.”

Leonel looked at Adelhardt as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Adelhardt, who had been bowing his head, continued speaking without seeing Leonel’s expression.

“I waited because I thought you had a better way.”

“…”

“Do you know what it feels like to see people who used to laugh and smile with you dying? How about you? Do you know what it’s like when people who were like brothers to you suddenly turn against each other, and one of them returns as a corpse?”

“I…”

“The only people I could call family were you and Tatiasun. But you, Leonel, were probably only thinking about ascending to the throne!”

“I have no interest in the throne.”

“Why didn’t you do anything then? You received a letter saying that Tatiasun had been brainwashed and would betray, so why did you just let him die? If you were going to do that, why did you reply that you’d handle it yourself?” 

Leonel’s face was filled with shock as he gazed at Adelhardt. After a while, he barely opened his restrained voice.

“I haven’t received any such letter, and I haven’t replied. You, on the other hand, ignored my letter asking for help when Tatiasun was in dire straits, didn’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

Adelhardt, sensing that something had gone wrong, furrowed his brow.

“I never received your letter. Not even once since you suddenly went to the battlefield.”

A completely different atmosphere of silence descended upon the room. 

Frer, who was slowly clearing the shattered teacups, muttered to himself in a bewildered tone, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

“It seems like someone’s been meddling…”

Despite the loud voice, everyone’s attention was focused on him. Frer got lost in his thoughts when all eyes turned to him.

Nelly alternated her gaze between Leonel and Adelhardt. 

Maybe it would be better if they left them?

Upon seeing Frer, he nodded and clumsily held up the broken glass fragments.

“I’ll clean this up.”

Leonel and Adelhardt didn’t stop him as he left the room. The hostage drama had become meaningless.

As soon as she felt safe, Nelly got up from her seat. But before she could even mention leaving, Leonel grabbed her sleeve.

“It’s dangerous, so just stay here.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for the two of you to have a conversation? Frer has left, so I’ll make way as well.”

“He only has allies around, so there’s no need to worry about safety. But it’s different in your case. You’ve hurt your hand.”

Deep annoyance was evident in Adelhardt’s smile.

“Then send her to Altwood Knights.”

Leonel didn’t bother, but Nellie nodded coldly.

“I’m going to get my hand healed.”

Only then did Leonel release Nelly’s sleeve. Adelhardt summoned all of Altwood’s knights, handed Nelly over to them, and returned to his seat.

The two of them were sitting across from each other but didn’t make eye contact.

Leonel stared at the reddish tea in his cup for a long while.

Adelhardt, who had buried his face in his hands, spoke first.

“Shall I get some drinks?”

“Sure.”

Adelhardt called a servant to clear the tea cups that no one had touched. While he was tidying the table, he retrieved the bottles and glasses.

Adelhardt hesitated for a moment as he set down the drinks. He called the servant who was about to leave.

“Could you ask Frer if he’ll die if he drinks?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The servant who had gone out for a moment returned shortly.

“He won’t die, but it’s best if he doesn’t drink.”

“Well, what can we do about it then?”

Leonel silently took the bottle from Adelhardt’s hand and filled his glass. He then handed the bottle back to Adelhardt.

Adelhardt also filled his glass and drank it in one gulp, as if to give him time to confirm there was no poison.

Leonel smiled slightly and emptied his glass.

After quietly finishing another glass, they finally spoke simultaneously.

“Start with the letter.”

“What do you mean by sending a letter?”

Leonel gestured to Adelhardt as if to say he should speak first and refilled his glass.

Adelhardt stared at the glass for a moment and sighed.

‘Can I say this?’

He’ll be devastated to know that he could have saved Tatiasun, but didn’t.