The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 198

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 198
The Doctor who joined them en route examined April’s arm. Drowsy from painkillers, April asked Logan, who sat at the wheel.
“Are there any dead?”
“None on our side yet. But we have several critically injured, so we’ll need to monitor their condition.”
“Several—how many exactly?”
“That’s…”
Logan hesitated for a moment, weighing whether he should speak, before opening his mouth.
“Seven total. Four of them are Police.”
“If four are Police, that means there were civilians involved too.”
“Yes, three of them were civilians.”
“Were they caught up in it?”
“No—quite the opposite. They came out of their homes armed and threw themselves into the gunfight. When they realized the Head of House was moving, they wanted to help our Police. The opposing force was so large that the civilians’ assistance was invaluable.”
April nodded heavily, then spoke again.
“The civilians…”
“Were transported to the hospital before the Police.”
“I see.”
The knowledge that civilians had helped weighed on her heart—not with fear, but with the burden of their trust. Yet she had no thought of shrugging off that weight.
As treatment continued, the car raced toward the Grand Duke’s Residence. Soon they arrived, and Logan steadied the unsteady April as she climbed out.
Fortunately, the car that arrived next was well-prepared to prevent any mishap to her clothing.
Logan escorted April, now changed into a fresh Coat, and spoke.
“Are you truly all right?”
“The painkiller is working well, so it doesn’t hurt. If anything, I’m so comfortable I’m worried I’ll fall asleep.”
April didn’t seem to be lying. As she said, there was no apparent pain, though she was barely clinging to consciousness. One thing was certain: Pejin would see through her state immediately.
“The Chief will notice right away.”
“I’m not trying to deceive him. I’ll persuade him. Let me explain the situation.”
“Yes, he’ll listen to your words, ma’am.”
Logan spoke lightly while carefully watching her every step.
Soon he guided her to Pejin’s Bedroom in the Grand Duke’s Residence, where Pejin had finished preparations and was waiting. Pejin, who had been reading to pass the tedious time, the moment he saw April’s face as she entered, pulled her into his embrace with one arm and asked Logan.
“What happened.”
April’s hand, seeming intoxicated, gripped his collar.
“I’ll explain.”
“…All right.”
When Pejin gestured to Logan, he bowed and closed the door firmly before leaving the Bedroom. Pejin lifted April and laid her on the bed, then removed her Coat.
When he discovered the sleeves of the Dress cut away and the wound wrapped in Bandages beneath, Pejin immediately turned to leave and find Miller, but April grabbed his arm.
“Listen to me.”
“Listen to what?”
“My parents died because of an assassination attempt on the Grand Duke.”
Pejin froze at her calm statement. April forced herself to sit up and continued.
“For the Emperor not to seize on it, you have to become the Grand Duke first.”
“…”
“Then you can hold him accountable. Miller thought the same thing—he’s used this method before. That’s why he attacked me. To provoke you.”
At her words, Pejin’s trembling hands, burning with rage, found a moment of calm.
Knowing that April had come here, even after the gunfight, with only that thought in mind—he could only contain this whirlwind of emotion. She had just spoken aloud about her own parents’ death to keep him from immediately lunging at Miller. It couldn’t have been easy for her.
Even knowing her heart, Pejin paced for a while, suppressing his feeling, before he could finally sit beside her.
Whether from the drug’s haze or as a deliberate ploy to keep him from leaving, April slumped toward his legs and rested her head on his thigh.
Pejin spoke to her, desperately fighting off sleep.
“Why won’t you sleep? You don’t have to come to the Coronation. Rest here.”
“No. I don’t know what you’ll do, so I’m watching.”
“Whatever I do, I’ll do it after the Coronation ends.”
“I don’t trust you.”
April said so and forced her head up, then stared at Pejin’s face.
“Tell me something funny.”
“Mm.”
With his beloved now wounded by gunshot, Pejin was in no mood for entertaining stories. But since April wanted one, he desperately mustered a smile and searched for something amusing.
“Oh, Hannah. That girl from your house.”
“Already interesting.”
“Right, you like hearing about those kids more than hearing about me anyway.”
When Pejin spoke without hiding his pique, April cupped both his cheeks in her hands and pulled him close.
“Don’t be offended.”
“Why are you like this? What drug did you take?”
Pejin clicked his tongue and grumbled, but let himself be pulled along, then kissed her lips with a soft smacking sound.
He caught her as she threatened to topple backward, his arm wrapped around her, and continued.
“Anyway, that girl will take the Police exam soon. Very soon.”
“…Liar. She’s still so young.”
“By next year, she can start her Police career. We have to think about what comes after the war too. We’ll need a lot of Police.”
“Will you… stay Police?”
“I don’t know.”
Pejin buried his face in April’s shoulder and murmured.
“Let’s think about it after we survive.”
“Yes. Let’s. Later. Later…”
April was drifting into sleep when Pejin kissed her again, and her eyes opened. He continued with provocative kisses to prevent her from falling asleep.
Between the kisses, the Coronation hour drew near, and calls sounded from outside. Pejin released April and spoke.
“Let’s go now. You held on well.”
April nodded at his words but didn’t rise for a while. Then she spoke again.
“It’s true that stories about the kids in my house are more interesting than stories about you.”
“But?”
“But I like your kiss better than those stories.”
“…”
“This isn’t the drug talking.”
April said so and poked his nose with her finger. At her gesture, Pejin let out a soft laugh.
“If you hadn’t said that last part, it would’ve sounded more sincere.”
“It’s true.”
“I know it’s true.”
“Do you believe me?”
“Yes, I believe you. Just don’t take it back when your mind’s clear.”
As he spoke, one corner of Pejin’s mouth, twisted with worry over her wound all this while, lifted slightly.
* * *
The Coronation was sparse. So many nobles had fled to Rasa that seats stood empty throughout the Coronation Hall.
Miller showed surprise as he watched April and Pejin walk calmly into the Coronation Hall. He’d thought she might not die, but he hadn’t expected her to walk in so unscathed.
April seemed to have regained some clarity, and as she closed her Coat, she looked up at Pejin with bright eyes.
“You look especially handsome today.”
“Has the drug not worn off yet?”
“I told you, it’s not the drug.”
“I was already handsome to begin with—why add ‘especially’ to it?”
“…You’re annoying.”
April said so and stomped on Pejin’s foot hard. Pejin clenched his teeth as if it truly hurt.
The Coronation proceeded, sparse though it was, without omitting a single ceremonial step.
As all the rites progressed and the moment just past midnight arrived, Miller passed the crown he held to Pejin. With the new day came a new Grand Duke to the Dieusz Grand Duchy.
The Priest declared Pejin Dieusz’s accession, and a prayer to close the Coronation followed.
In that moment, Miller, hurrying to slip out of the Chapel, collided with a Police officer blocking his path.
Then Pejin’s voice came from behind.
“Miller.”
Miller turned with a hardened face. Pejin, having removed the crown from his head and holding it in one hand, walked toward where Miller stood.
Then he struck Miller’s face with the crown.
“Y-Your Highness!”
The Priest’s cry rang out alongside the sound of Jewels embedded in the crown scattering.
“Pejin.”
The shocked Miller called out to him, but another fist came flying. Miller tried desperately to defend himself, but he could not withstand Pejin, who had spent his childhood training relentlessly under tension and deadly stress. After a few defensive attempts, his stamina gave out, and Pejin began beating him down one-sidedly.
The spectators in the Chapel fell silent. Only the sound of fists, Miller’s gasps, and the crack and scatter of something breaking filled the air. From outside the Chapel, Police came running to stop Pejin.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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