I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 30
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 30
“Never summon Lillian again when I’m not around, understood?”
Kartan went to the Emperor’s office and warned Arian. At this, Arian, completely deflated, hung his head.
“I’m sorry, Uncle. I just wanted to get along well with the Count’s Daughter…”
“And one more thing. From now on, you’re also forbidden from meeting Bella Ariana privately.”
Instantly, Arian’s head snapped back up as if on a spring.
“What? But that’s impossible!”
“What’s impossible about it? Don’t tell me you’re going to say in front of me that you’ve taken a fancy to that woman?”
“…!”
Hit right on target, Arian just opened and closed his mouth before becoming dejected.
“I know how His Majesty thinks of that woman. Since all of noble society knows about it, that woman has probably caught on too. Right now she’s stopped at summoning Lillian, but in the future she’ll try to use His Majesty even more.”
“No. Uncle, you’re misunderstanding Lady Bella. She’s absolutely not that kind of person. She truly has a kind and pure soul!”
“I won’t say this twice. I cannot stand to see that woman sitting on the Empress’s throne.”
Kartan didn’t even try to listen further. At this, Arian trembled as he spoke.
“If you’re going to do that, why didn’t Uncle take this position yourself?”
Instantly, Kartan raised one eyebrow.
“What did you just say?”
“I’m saying if you’re going to control everything as you please, Uncle should directly rule this Empire yourself.”
Slap.
For the first time, Kartan laid a hand on Arian. At this, Arian covered his cheek with a shocked expression.
“I’m a person before I’m an Emperor. I have the freedom to meet and associate with whoever I want. I don’t want to marry someone I don’t care about while calculating gains and losses!”
“Arian.”
Instantly, Arian, who had been breathing heavily, froze. Kartan stared directly into Arian’s tear-dampened eyes and continued.
“An Emperor is not a person.”
“…!”
“Have you forgotten what I told you when I visited you the night before your coronation? An Emperor must not covet personal things. The Empire must always come first, then the people, and lastly oneself. This is why I didn’t take that position myself.”
“…”
Arian froze completely. At this, Kartan clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
“Your Majesty, do not follow in the Former Emperor’s footsteps.”
“…Yes.”
Even after hearing Arian’s definitive answer, Kartan didn’t believe him. He was worshipping Bella like a sunflower chasing the sun.
‘Although he says he’ll give up now, overwhelmed by my pressure, he probably absolutely won’t be able to let go. If he could, I would have let go long ago myself.’
Kartan ordered his secretary who was following behind.
“Tell Bella Ariana that I want to see her.”
* * *
Bella Ariana entered Kartan’s office wearing a hat with a long brim. Then she sat on the sofa, crossed her slender legs, and skillfully ordered black tea from the secretary.
“His Grace the Archduke, what business do you have with me?”
“Bella Ariana. It would be wise to stop this nonsense now.”
Kartan got straight to the point before tea was even served. He didn’t want to drag this conversation out.
In response, Bella asked sweetly with a smile on her lips.
“What do you mean by that? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’m warning you. No matter how much you may have gained my young nephew’s favor, if you cross the line any further, I won’t let it slide.”
Bella bit her lip for a moment.
“What did I do wrong? Are you saying this because I met Lady Lillian at the Solar Palace that day?”
“….”
Soon Bella’s voice began to tremble as if she truly felt wronged.
“That meeting was arranged by His Majesty. I was merely invited. Besides, I even apologized to the lady that day.”
“Ridiculous.”
Kartan then sneered at Bella. She began to sob in response.
“Why are you speaking to me like this? I don’t know what the lady said or how she said it… I just… wanted to become friends with her…”
“There’s no need to be friends. So try not to appear before the two people I care about.”
Bella, who had been dabbing at her eyes, suddenly froze.
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying… could it be that you truly favor that woman?”
“Ha, why should I have to explain that to you?”
Bella stopped crying as if nothing had happened. Then she repeatedly muttered Kartan’s words in a voice so faint it seemed ready to break.
“…So it really was true. I had my suspicions, but why…”
Regardless, Kartan ran his hand through his hair in annoyance.
“Bella Ariana, listen carefully. The moment you touch my people, you’ll lose everything you have.”
Soon, unfocused eyes looked up at Kartan.
“…Why is it that woman and not me?”
“What are you talking about now.”
Kartan’s brow furrowed deeply. Bella trembled while clenching her fists.
“You continue to turn away from me until the end. I’ve been hoping so desperately for Your Grace to notice me… I’m your perfect match. Why are you the only one who doesn’t see that?”
Soon tears flowed from her lake-clear eyes. It was a pitiful sight that would melt the hearts of many men, but Kartan remained unmoved.
“Come to me. With my family’s power, I could even make you the Emperor of this country. I love you, Kartan.”
“Ha.”
Kartan then rose from his seat and walked leisurely to the desk.
“I don’t care about that nonsense, but one thing is clear.”
He then drew the sword from under the desk and pointed it directly at Bella’s throat.
“Keeping you alive will only cause trouble.”
Bella looked up at Kartan with resentment.
“Do as you please. If I could die by your hand, I would be nothing but happy, Kartan.”
She closed her eyes as if she truly intended to be cut down. Kartan, holding the sword, suddenly burst into laughter.
“This is really fucking ridiculous.”
Just as Kartan readjusted his grip on the sword, the outside suddenly became noisy and Duke Ariana came rushing in.
“Bella, quickly apologize to His Grace the Archduke! How could you speak such nonsense and anger His Grace! Don’t you know that could be considered treason!”
Then he began pleading with Kartan.
“Your Grace the Archduke, please, I will discipline her well, so please spare my daughter’s life!”
When the duke knelt down, Kartan hesitated. He couldn’t kill a child in front of their parent. Moreover, it would become troublesome if Duke Ariana rebelled against the Empire.
“Ha, do you truly want to save your daughter.”
“How could there be any doubt! If you spare her life, I will do anything Your Grace the Archduke commands.”
Kartan continued speaking to Duke Ariana, who was filled with hope.
“I’ll give you one week. Within that time, marry off your daughter to somewhere as far from my sight as possible. That’s the maximum mercy I can show.”
Kartan waved his hand dismissively at Duke Ariana, who kept expressing his gratitude. It was just as the duke was about to leave with Bella following the clear order to depart.
“Wait.”
Suddenly, Kartan, who was sitting on the sofa, leaned his back against the backrest.
“If you carelessly call my name one more time, I’ll tear that mouth apart, so keep that in mind.”
“…Just kill me instead. Rather than being rejected by you, I’d rather die here.”
At this, Kartan rested his chin on his hand and stared at Bella. She looked quite resolute.
“If that’s what you really want, I won’t stop you.”
“…”
Bella, who had been acting like a tragic heroine, finally closed her mouth. Just before the office door closed completely, Bella parted her trembling lips.
“…Your Grace the Archduke, you will regret this someday.”
Even until the private room door was completely closed, Kartan didn’t even pretend to listen. Bella looked at him resentfully and turned away.
‘Your Grace the Archduke, there’s something you don’t know. The more you act like this, the more I want to have you.’
Archduke Kartan was the first man who had never fallen for her.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
