How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Therefore, Valerian had used his mother as an excuse to recklessly bring up the marriage contract with his own mouth, only to swiftly back down. But why on earth?

It had already been more than five years since I became the Grand Consort of Hezekia. My position was firm, and there was no one who did not know that my contributions were great in making Hezekia prosper as it did now. Thus, he likely would not have thought he could drive me out by babbling about a playful marriage contract from childhood.

Thinking up to this point, I paused for a moment. Was he truly a completely good and pure person, just as I had thought from Tristan’s perspective in the original work?

Could he have thrown it out while aiming for at least the position of an official mistress, only to quickly change his attitude at Tristan’s resolute demeanor? Because of that, it could also be a light trick to try shaking things up between me and Tristan.

I suddenly became suspicious of Valerian’s ulterior motives. That was not the only reason I felt a sense of incompatibility.

It was because the timing of Valerian’s arrival in the original work had also been twisted by more than five years, just like how the timing of the black rat swarm outbreak had changed.

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In the end, it was decided that Valerian would stay at the Grand Ducal Castle and help with simple administrative assistance tasks. Feeling somewhat uneasy, Tristan had stepped forward first, suggesting they give him financial support and send him back, but I opposed it.

It was because the fact that the original work had been bizarrely twisted, and Valerian’s appearance, which seemed somewhat different from what the original work described, weighed on my mind. It seemed I would have to keep him close and watch him.

A few days later, preparations to head toward the eastern fringe village where the black rat swarms were rampant were completed.

Though the bickering repeated several times, Tristan ultimately could not break my stubbornness. My contributions from researching together with the physicians after establishing the medical center also could not be disregarded. There was considerable public opinion that it would be better for me to go along.

Decisively, it was thanks to the fact that around that time, Tristan could also lay down his mind to some extent because a reliable corner to trust had emerged just at the right time.

However, just before departing, an unexpected incident occurred that would be minor if considered minor.

“Your Excellency. Please…… allow me to go together.”

A thinly shaking voice echoed softly. Standing with his fingertips carefully gathered, Valerian’s pupils were moistly wet as he looked up at Tristan and pleaded.

“I cannot simply turn away from the sick individuals while living in a comfortable place. Even in my hometown, when a contagion went around, I had experience helping with work at a small clinic. If I can assist, will the hands not become even a little bit lighter, Your Excellency……”

“……”

From outside the window, the rustling sound of horses’ hooves brushing against dry fallen leaves echoed. Cargo handlers loaded baggage into the carriages that stood waiting in a long line, and the cavalrymen were in the midst of a bustling rush to inspect their horse saddles.

The tension of anticipating the departure of the party heading toward the dangerous region enveloped the entirety of the Grand Ducal Castle. In the very center of it, Valerian’s pleading was hovering emptily.

Tristan quietly lowered his gaze. For a while, there was no answer.

“……Your Excellency. I understand your anxious mind. However, I know well how much suffering the patients and their families are placed within. I want to be together with them, Your Excellency.”

It was a story I had heard a lot somewhere. Because it was so familiar, it was extremely uncomfortable.

While it was also similar to the words I had used while persuading Tristan not long ago, above all, the scene within the original work surfaced vividly.

……Grand Consort Valerian appealed with tears that he would remain by the patients’ side. The Grand Duke, believing that heart to be sincere, was moved by Valerian’s consideration and decided to keep him by his side, heading toward the eastern fringe together with the Grand Consort……”

Isn’t that somewhat hypocritical? And why be moved by that of all things?

Having uselessly reflected on it by myself, my mood turned highly displeased. At that moment, Tristan quietly opened his mouth.

“Do as you wish. Since the person in charge of leading the vassals is Johannes, report to that side.”

“Pardon? Yes……”

No matter how one looked at it, it was an answer that appeared completely indifferent.