294

***

The emperor was much more inebriated than usual, seemingly out of his mind because of the imminent war, and had gathered people around him in the central hall, blathering on about making a speech. Only Duke Escalante and Duke Valeztena, practically enemies, as well as Luciano remained in the other gallery hall.

"You've allowed yourself to be framed. Good work, Escalante," Duke Valeztena sneered as he looked up at the sacred images of the apostles. "In the end, you insist on sending my son-in-law to that doomed war."

Duke Escalante, standing next to him, raised his wine glass to his lips without retort and lowered it again as though the mere scent of the wine didn't suit him. "He is my son."

"And my son-in-law-at least while he is alive," Duke Valeztena added. He did not make any attempt to hide the limited nature of wedding vows.

Duke Escalante frowned and handed his wine glass off to a passing attendant. Then, he drew a hand down his face that couldn't help being overcast with worry and said, "You seem to be eagerly awaiting the day of my son's death. It's as though you can barely stop yourself from snatching away your dear daughter before he has even died."

"I went so far as to try and threaten Othrono to get your blasted son off of that warship, and yet you did nothing. If his father does not care for him, it would not be my fault if he dies." Duke Valeztena glanced over at Luciano as if to urge him to voice his agreement.

Luciano cast his sister's father-in-law an apologetic smile, as if seeking the man's understanding for his meddling father.

"I did all I could, and yet I can foresee what will happen, so I only wish for it to be over. If my daughter is to be widowed, it might as well happen sooner than later," Duke Valeztena commented tersely, as though he did really wish for his son-in-law to die. "The younger she is, the easier it will be for her to meet another good match and be able to remarry and live her life as if nothing happened."

And yet, Duke Valeztena did not look pleased. He had, in fact, been at odds with the emperor lately in his attempts to stop Cárcel Escalante from having to go to war. It was enough for him to become known in the Imperial Council as the man willing to do anything to keep his son-in-law safe, criticized as being dishonorable. But the duke had shot back that they had no right to criticize him when none of them were joining the war either.

If it had been any other regular expedition, it would have been fine, but his sudden promotion meant that Cárcel would be at the very top of the chain of authority, with all responsibility resting on his shoulders. No matter how well he himself fought, he would end up shouldering the sin of at least a few others on that battlefield. It was an obvious trap, shackles to keep him down.

If he had been foolish enough to be excited over his promotion, Duke Valeztena would have charged at him with a sword to end his miserable existence. His sordid love life before getting married had already infuriated the duke, and his blithe ignorance of what was going on would have been the last straw.

However, Cárcel seemed fully aware of what he was doing as he volunteered to walk right into the trap. The duke despised him for it, and had grabbed him by the collar several times, even resorting to throwing things at him, but Cárcel had just bowed his head politely and continued to express that his mind was made up.

"I have made this decision for all of House Escalante, including your daughter, so please understand."

Duke Valeztena had heard that the man was a love-sick fool who was willing to do anything for Inés, so he had threatened him with mentions of her remarrying, but Cárcel hadn't budged.

"If I no longer exist in this world, you are free to do whatever you wish, Your Grace-as long as Inés Escalante agrees with your sentiment."

He had set up a boundary then, letting Duke Valeztena know that his daughter now held the name Escalante, so that he could no longer sway her as he pleased.

Cárcel Escalante was an impudent bastard who refused to listen to his elders because he had already made up his mind, and the duke resented him for saying such ominous things when he had considered his son-in-law to be nothing but a simple-minded soldier. Cárcel seemed to have already thought of what was best for Inés if he perished on the battlefield. He was a love-sick fool. It was what finally did warm up the duke to his son-in-law a little, but the fact that this was because he had done something to irk him was inexplicable.

Duke Escalante was silent for a while before saying, "I appreciate your unexpected efforts for Cárcel's sake, but if he does not do what His Majesty has decided on, his reputation will be in shambles."

"That would have been your job to handle as his father," Duke Valeztena replied. "I still cannot comprehend it. Why do you not care for your son as I do for my daughter?"

Their gazes were nonchalant, without a trace of competitive spirit in them as they looked at each other.

"Inés is my only daughter. I did not let your son take her from us so she could become a widow as soon as possible. I have said this countless times, but House Escalante never once tried to-"

"Cárcel will return safely, so do not worry about Inés."

"Aren't you aware that he will only return to his death?" Duke Valeztena asked with a faintly mocking smile. "Must you sacrifice your son's life in order to prolong your own? Must you push him to his death?"

Duke Escalante froze, his lips tightening.

"Father," Luciano called out quietly, stepping closer to almost stand between them. "Calm down. You know that is not true."

They were the only ones left in the gallery hall, and even if there had been anyone else, they spoke too quietly to be overheard, but someone passing by would be able to tell if the atmosphere was tense between them. Arguing much longer wouldn't be good for anyone.

"I apologize, Your Grace. I know you must be worried about your son. My father is simply very fond of Inés."

"Why do you apologize? You are making me look ridiculous, Luciano." 

"You tend to be the one making him look ridiculous," Duke Escalante sneered, even as his brow was furrowed with concern.

Luciano let out a small sigh and said, "I know that there are several reasons driving Cárcel to join the war, but there is another part of this neither of you seem to be aware of."

Duke Valeztena shot back immediately, "Let me stop you before you blather on about how heroes are needed in times of trouble. It is better for him to be a fool who lives instead of a hero in death."

"Father," Luciano began in a calm voice, "I mean to say that there is no reason for His Grace to feel any guilt or anxiety while you criticize him for being a bad father because you have grown fond of your son-in-law. Mendoza is more dangerous for Cárcel at the moment than the battlefield, and if he hadn't joined, his death would only be a matter of time."

Duke Valeztena frowned in confusion. "What are you saying?"

Duke Escalante's eyes glossed over as if he knew something. But Luciano knew that the duke simply assumed him to have referenced House Escalante's current predicament in an exaggerated manner. He did not think Luciano was being literal.

No one would have been able to tell the duke, because everyone knew just how much he treasured his nephew, the crown prince. Duke Escalante was very much loyal to Oscar, whom he had dedicated his life to raising into the ideal leader. The duke had no doubts about Oscar becoming a great ruler, and he trusted his nephew and his perfect demeanor. But what if he found out that his precious nephew lusted after his son's wife and was trying to get his son killed because of it? Once all of that came to light, it would undoubtedly be an unbearable shock.

But the head of a noble house could not simply ignore reality and smell the roses forever. The son who loved him, and the daughter-in-law who was concerned about the shock it would cause him would not be able to bear telling him, so an outsider needed to make him aware of the facts.

Luciano steeled his resolves and told them in a low voice, "Because the crown prince has been lusting after Inés all these years."

Duke Escalante furrowed his brow. "Preposterous... That might have been true when they were mere children, but it has no bearing now."

"Things have been happening quite recently, in fact. Sending Cárcel off to war is only part of it, but there have been several attempts on his life lately as well. Your son seems to be too reverential toward you to have let you know about this, however."

Duke Escalante's hardened expression cracked noticeably.

Even Duke Valeztena's face had stiffened as he asked, "Luciano... is that true?"

"Inés has already managed to barely sidestep several ruses to slander her name and make everyone believe her to be the crown prince's mistress. She nearly ruined her reputation several times because of it. The crown prince is persistent in his desire for my sister. The reason he allowed her to marry Cárcel was mere pretext for his plan to officially turn her into his mistress, and the only use he has for his loyal cousin is the honorable surname that he would give to Inés. She could not be a Valeztena, but as an Escalante, he would be able to intervene with her future because they are his mother's blood relatives."

"That absolute, diabolic lecher..." Duke Valeztena ground his teeth in anger. He had just committed a them.

great sin by cursing the crown prince, and yet he seemed ready to strangle him before the emperor himself. The duke went so far as to mutter something about castrating the crown prince to make sure he would never be able to spread his vile seed, and he sounded as though he truly meant it.

But Luciano didn't have the chance to stop his father from continuing to spout blasphemous curses. Duke Escalante had stumbled forward, his face pale and breathing labored, so that Luciano had to lurch forward to steady him. "Are you all right, Your Grace?"

Duke Escalante managed to reply, "Whatever happens, tell your father to watch his tongue." He then pressed a hand against his chest so hard that his knuckles went white.

Just as Luciano looked back at his father in worry, they could hear hurried footsteps coming toward them.