Episode 801
“Open this door! Let me out!”
BANG! CRASH!
The Count of Davion’s mansion.
Beyond the locked door, relentless screams echoed, causing the servants to quietly avert their gazes. When news of the war’s end first arrived, the atmosphere hadn’t been like this…
But then again, none of the household staff had witnessed the Count Regleid’s heart-wrenching sobs.
“How could you possibly go to the battlefield? How could I have raised you like this!”
Indeed, Chloe was the youngest daughter who had never even been properly scolded. She had been cherished and raised with the utmost care, yet here she was, heading to war all for the sake of becoming Empress. It was like a bolt from the blue.
What’s worse, after she left the mansion, no one knew if she was even alive for quite some time. Now that she had returned safely, the entire household should have been celebrating.
But recently, the mood had turned icy once more.
“Not opening? I swear, I’ll break it down!”
BANG! CRASH!
War is truly terrifying. How could the delicate young lady, who once struggled even to comb her hair, have become so fierce? The servants pretended not to hear and busied themselves sweeping.
“You lot, seriously!”
BANG! CRASH!
At that moment, the Countess, Chloe’s mother, cautiously approached. Though she had never done hard labor before, her face was drawn and pale. She lowered her voice as if speaking of some trapped monster.
“Where is Chloe?”
“She remains the same.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Milady!”
The Countess staggered, bracing herself against the wall. Sensing her movement, Chloe’s voice grew even louder.
“Mother! Are you there?”
“Call me ‘Mother’!”
“Mother! Please open this door. Tell me, what kind of household treats a daughter who’s been through hell on the battlefield like this? This isn’t some broken family—it’s the prestigious Davion house!”
“Watch your tongue! Where on earth did you learn to speak like that?”
“Even His Majesty praises the soldiers who fought and provides all kinds of support. There’s no way I should be treated like this! Now, open the door, Mother.”
“Not ‘Mother,’ ‘Mother’!”
“Does that really matter between us?!”
BANG! CRASH!
Ah, how had the proud, elegant jewel of Davion turned into this? Her tone was rough and coarse, like a street thug showing off his strength, and her actions were as clumsy as a miner hauling stones.
As the Countess wobbled, the servants rushed over to steady her.
“Mother, you told me to come back safely, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I told you to come back safe, not with your head turned upside down like this! Why did you go to war? With Lady Kayla gone, and the Empress’s throne so close, why? Why, I ask!”
“Ah, really! I’m not after the Empress’s throne! His Majesty has someone else in his heart. And what’s wrong with my Lord Xiaoshi?”
“W-what?”
The Countess’s hands trembled violently. She knew full well this was her daughter’s provocation to get the door opened. She understood, but it was unbearable.
If the servants hadn’t held her back, she would have stormed in and shaken Chloe by the collar.
“You’re capable!”
“He’s just a low-ranking officer, not even a minister. And a former slave!”
“All the ministers are old men anyway. Were you planning to marry me off to some old geezer?”
“W-w-what did you say? Watch your words! And Sir Ian Hielo isn’t a minister—he’s just some lowly gatekeeper! Nonsense! If it were Sir Ian, I wouldn’t be this upset.”
“I don’t like younger men!”
Though he was born out of wedlock on the frontier, he was still noble-born, a mage, and a current minister. But Chloe snorted in dismissal.
“And Lord Xiaoshi is just as trusted by His Majesty as Sir Ian Hielo. He has a future! Just wait and see.”
“Hah! A mere viscount with no lands, what future?”
“He’s handsome!”
“…!”
For a moment, the Countess was at a loss for words. The rumors of his striking looks were widespread in high society.
Damn it! Xiaoshi Enrou, with that handsome face, has bewitched my daughter! As the Countess opened her mouth, the servants whispered sharply.
“His Majesty is handsome too, they say.”
“That’s right. There are plenty of good-looking men from noble families… well, not exactly plenty, but some.”
“Exactly. They don’t make a living off their looks, after all.”
“Y-yes, that’s right. His Majesty is also quite handsome. And you want to bring a slave’s bloodline into the Davion family? Absolutely not!”
“Mother! I’m telling you to give up the Empress’s throne! His Majesty has someone else in his heart. Do you want to see your daughter grow old alone, unloved?”
“Chloe, the Empress’s throne isn’t decided by such things. And even if you miss that chance, Xiaoshi Enrou is not an option. I’ll find you another match. There are plenty of men in the world.”
“No! If it’s not Lord Xiaoshi, I’d rather die!”
“How can you say such terrible things?”
The Countess turned away, fighting the urge to open the door. She could hear sobbing from inside, but it would pass soon enough.
Still, how could she be so reckless? Marriage isn’t just about love—especially not in a noble house like Davion.
“Milady,”
The Countess heard the butler’s troubled call as she descended the stairs. She didn’t need to hear more to know what he meant: Xiaoshi Enrou had come again.
Though she didn’t want to let him into the mansion, she had no choice for the sake of appearances. It was true that he was trusted by His Majesty.
“Tell him I’m unwell and cannot meet today.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
So, the only place he was allowed was the parlor—far from Chloe’s room.
The Countess sighed deeply, as if the ground had swallowed her whole, and returned to her bedroom. It wasn’t just an excuse; her head was truly about to burst.
Several days passed.
“What? No response from Chloe?”
The Count and Countess froze mid-breakfast.
To be honest, they hadn’t expected it to last this long. Chloe was the youngest daughter of the prestigious Bariel family, the Davions. In extreme conditions like the battlefield, even the smallest things can feel like fate, and even the lowliest companion can seem trustworthy. They had thought their clever daughter would soon realize this was not love, but an illusion—
“Ma’am, she’s been silent for days. She hasn’t eaten either.”
It had all been a mistake.
The Countess went pale and dropped her fork with a clatter. Suddenly, she remembered her last conversation with Chloe.
“Honey!”
“Chloe!”
The voice, crying out that she would die, was still vivid.
The Countess sprang up and hurried upstairs. Outside Chloe’s door, worried servants whispered in the gaps.
“Chloe!”
“Milady.”
“Open the door! Quickly! Butler, bring the doctor!”
The frail girl hadn’t eaten for days and had been raging nonstop—how could her body hold up? At the Countess’s insistence, the servants brought the key.
Click.
The lock finally turned, and the door swung wide open.
All that was visible through the gap was darkness. The windows had been barred from the outside just in case. As the servants cautiously stepped inside—
Flash!
A sudden gleam.
Chloe’s eyes shone as if seizing the moment. She pushed past the servants and bolted down the hallway with surprising strength for someone so starved.
The Countess leaned over the stair railing, shouting.
“Chloe! Are you deceiving your mother?”
“War was better! How can you lock your daughter up like this? If that’s the case, I’ll just enlist!”
“What? What nonsense is this? How could you enlist?”
“I’ve survived the battlefield—what can’t I do?”
“Quick, catch Chloe!”
Crash! Bang!
The servants lunged at Chloe, but she grabbed whatever she could and threw it, then swung a broom like a weapon, driving them back.
Maybe it was desperation, but her blows landed better than expected. The Countess covered her forehead in shock.
“Chloe! Be sensible!”
“I don’t care! Don’t get in the way between me and Lord Xiaoshi! I won’t stand for it!”
“Are you trying to disgrace the family?”
“If you think so, take me off the family register!”
“W-w-wait—”
“Milady! Milady!”
The Countess finally collapsed backward. The servants stopped chasing Chloe and rushed to her side.
In that moment, Chloe managed to escape the mansion and hurriedly urged the waiting coachman.
Whinny!
“Miss, if you do this, I’ll die.”
“Better to die by my hand than not! Just wait and see what I’ll do if you don’t help me now!”
“Um, where exactly do you want to go…?”
“To Lord Xiaoshi’s residence!”
“Eh? Where’s that?”
“Xiaoxi’s place!”
But where exactly is that? I mean, if it were some minister-level official’s mansion or a well-known estate in the capital, sure. But how could anyone possibly know the address of an individual officer?
The coachman froze at Chloe’s question. Then, just as sounds of someone chasing them out of the mansion reached their ears, she snatched up the whip and urged him on.
“Go! Hurry!”
“Miss!”
“Head to the palace! To the palace!”
If anyone could be found, it would be there! Sure, there’d be members of the Davion family too, but out of respect, they wouldn’t forcibly drag her back. Chloe pointed straight ahead with determination.
“Let’s go!”
“Miss!”
“Chloe!”
With no choice, the coachman urged the carriage forward, leaving the mansion behind. Servants scrambled after them, but it was useless—they quickly fell behind.
A rush of cool wind after so long. Chloe roughly swept her tangled hair back and took a deep breath.
Hold on, Xiaoxi. Chloe’s coming for you!
“It’s chaos.”
“Truly a love story for the ages.”
“Wow, Lady Chloe’s tougher than she looks.”
“The count himself came to fetch her, but she just stood her ground like it was nothing. It’s almost entertaining since it’s not our problem.”
The moment Chloe burst into the palace, everything turned upside down. The Davion family begged her to return to the mansion, but she didn’t even blink, turning away as if she hadn’t heard a word.
Ian, overhearing the magicians’ chatter, set down his teacup. Jin’s expression also showed amusement.
“So, where are they both now?”
“After spending the night at the palace, they disappeared.”
“Disappeared?”
“The Davions kept watch outside Xiaoxi’s office with eyes like fire, but the next day they took leave and vanished. Looks like they went back to Xiaoxi’s mansion.”
Xiaoxi had a home? Ian raised an eyebrow in surprise. He’d been an officer for ten years, so it made sense, but he’d never known until now.
“So that’s why Beric made such a fuss.”
Romandro nodded, finally understanding. The palace guard was already short-staffed, and with Xiaoxi gone, things were even worse. No wonder he was so frantic. He even suggested rushing Xiaoxi’s marriage through.
“Your Majesty.”
“Hm?”
“If Xiaoxi becomes part of the Davion family, I believe it would strengthen your position as well.”
“I think so too. After all, Chloe is the youngest legitimate daughter of the Davions; it would improve relations with the court.”
“In that case, why not grant Xiaoxi a new title while we’re at it?”
“Hmm…”
He wanted to, truly. But even Ian, the hero of the recent victory, had declined a title, and objectively, it might be too much.
Still, Ian shook his head reassuringly.
“I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?”