Chapter 121: Chapter-121

One week after the Medical Council evaluation, Duke Romian approached Elara with an unexpected proposal.

“I think it’s time you met Helena,” he said.

They were in his study, reviewing intelligence on Lady Chen’s grandson. Elara looked up from the documents.

“Your daughter. The one you’ve been hiding for forty years.”

“Yes. I’ve been corresponding with her since our marriage. She’s curious about you. And I think… I think it’s important for you to meet her. To understand what I’m protecting. What I’ve sacrificed forty years of potential family life to keep safe.”

Elara set down her papers. “Is it safe? If the Emperor’s agents are watching, meeting her could expose her location.”

“I’ve been visiting her covertly for forty years. I know how to avoid surveillance.” Duke Romian pulled out a map. “Her home is three days’ travel from the capital. Remote location, carefully hidden. We’d go in complete disguise, minimal escort, using routes I’ve established over decades.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow, if you’re willing. The trip will take a week total—three days there, one day visiting, three days back. I’ve already arranged for your Port Crestfall operations to continue without interruption.”

Elara considered. It was risky. But Duke Romian was right—understanding what he’d protected for forty years would help her understand him better. And better understanding meant more effective partnership.

“I’ll go,” she said. “But we bring the fox knight. Non-negotiable.”

“Agreed. One beast knight won’t compromise the secrecy, and I know he’s trustworthy.”

The next morning, three riders left Duke Romian’s estate before dawn.

Duke Romian dressed as a traveling merchant, wearing simple clothes instead of his military uniform. Elara wore nondescript traveling gear, her hair tucked under a cap. The fox knight was in civilian clothing, sword hidden beneath a cloak.

They looked like ordinary travelers. Nothing noteworthy.

They rode north, avoiding main roads, staying at small inns where no one asked questions. Duke Romian knew every safe stop, every hidden path, every way to avoid attention.

“You’ve done this many times,” Elara observed on the second day.

“At least twice a year for forty years. Sometimes more if I could manage it without raising suspicion.” Duke Romian gazed at the road ahead. “Missing Helena’s childhood, her wedding, the births of her children—those were the hardest parts. But necessary to keep her safe.”

“Do you resent the Emperor for creating a system that forced this choice?”

“Every day. But resenting him doesn’t change reality. I made my choice. I’d make it again.” He glanced at Elara. “Do you think that’s weakness? Allowing emotional attachment to override other considerations?”

“No. I think it’s a different calculation system than mine. You value Helena’s safety above other variables. I don’t experience that kind of attachment, but I can recognize it as a valid priority structure.”

“That’s a very clinical way to describe a father’s love.”

“It’s the only way I can describe it. I don’t have the emotional reference for understanding love directly. But I understand priorities, values, and willingness to sacrifice for what matters most.” She paused. “Your priority is Helena’s safety. You’ve structured forty years of decisions around that priority. That’s internally consistent and strategically sound, even if the motivation is emotional rather than practical.”

Duke Romian smiled. “Helena is going to find you fascinating.”

On the third day, they reached the location.

A small valley hidden between mountains, accessible only through narrow passes. A village of maybe two hundred people, isolated and self-sufficient.

Duke Romian led them to a modest house on the edge of the village. Flower gardens in front, smoke rising from the chimney, children’s toys scattered in the yard.

He dismounted and knocked on the door.

A woman opened it. She was in her early forties, with dark hair streaked with gray and eyes that were sharp and assessing. She wore simple clothing, nothing that suggested wealth or status.

When she saw Duke Romian, her face transformed. “Father!”

She threw her arms around him, and he embraced her tightly.

“Helena,” he said quietly. “It’s good to see you.”

“Too long. It’s been too long since your last visit.” She pulled back, examining him. “You look tired. And older.”

“I am older. I’m sixty-three.”

“You’re using that as an excuse. I know you.” Her eyes moved past him to Elara and the fox knight. “And you must be the wife everyone’s talking about. Fourth Princess Elara Blackwood.”

“Just Elara is fine,” Elara said.

Helena studied her with those sharp eyes. “You’re younger than I expected. And you’re wearing travel clothes like a sensible person instead of princess finery. That’s a good start.” She gestured them inside. “Come in. We’ll talk properly.”

The house was comfortable—not wealthy, but well-maintained. Children’s drawings decorated one wall. Books covered shelves. A warm fire burned in the hearth.

Two children appeared from another room—a girl about ten and a boy about seven.

“Grandfather!” the girl shrieked and ran toward Duke Romian.

He caught her and lifted her up. “Aria! You’ve grown so much since last time.”

“I’m almost as tall as Mother now!” The girl beamed. Then she noticed Elara. “Who’s that?”

“This is Elara. My wife.”

Both children stared. The boy spoke up. “You married someone? Grandfather, you’re old.”

“Marcus!” Helena said sharply.

“It’s alright,” Duke Romian said, laughing. “Yes, Marcus. I’m old. But I married someone very smart who’s helping me with important work.”

“Is she a princess?” Aria asked. “Mother said she was a princess.”

“Yes. But that’s not important right now. What’s important is that you both say hello politely.”

The children bowed—awkwardly, unpracticed. “Hello, Lady Elara.”

“Hello,” Elara said. She wasn’t sure how to interact with children. They were unpredictable variables.

Helena shooed the children back to their room. “Go play. We need to talk. Adult conversation.”

When they were gone, Helena gestured for everyone to sit.

“So,” she said, looking at Elara directly. “You married my father. Why?”

Elara appreciated the directness. “Strategic alliance. He provides military protection and political legitimacy. I provide commercial wealth and administrative capability. We both benefit from the arrangement.”

“No romantic feelings?”

“I don’t experience romantic feelings. Or most feelings, actually. But I respect him and I honor my commitments. That’s sufficient for functional marriage.”

Helena’s eyebrows rose. “You’re honest about it. Most people would lie and claim affection.”

“Lying would be inefficient. Your father knows exactly why I married him. Pretending otherwise serves no purpose.”

“Father,” Helena said, turning to Duke Romian. “Is she always like this?”

“Yes. It’s one of her better qualities.” Duke Romian smiled. “Elara, Helena has a unique magical ability that’s part of why I’ve kept her hidden. She can detect lies and manipulation through magical resonance. It’s extremely accurate and extremely dangerous in a political context.”

Elara looked at Helena with new interest. “You can detect when people are lying?”

“Not just lying. I can sense deception, manipulation, hidden agendas. It’s not perfect—sometimes people believe their own lies, which confuses the resonance—but it’s accurate enough that the Emperor would have used me as a human lie detector if he’d known I existed.” Helena stood and walked closer to Elara. “May I try? See what your magical resonance tells me?”

“Yes.”

Helena extended her hand, not quite touching Elara’s arm. She closed her eyes.

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