Last Chance [Extra #2]

Part 35

The Count couldn't believe his ears. Celosia truly wanted to cut her ties with him and his family. It was beyond his understanding as to why she would do something so cruel when she was still living inside Elena's body, so he tried a different approach. "Celosia, are you not afraid of the repercussions you'd face after marrying the Grand Duke?"

Celosia was puzzled. That was an odd choice of words. "Repercussions? Are you suggesting I'd get punished for marrying Cassian?"

The Count hesitated for a moment, then uttered quietly, "His Majesty the Emperor is against Grand Duke getting married."

"He is? Interesting..." Celosia mused with a smirk, glancing knowingly at Cassian. The two of them knew the Emperor favored his son, but they didn't think he would be this biased against Cassian. His intentions are clear - stop Cassian from inheriting his title and causing disturbance in high society.

However, what infuriated Celosia was the Count's involvement in this matter. He preached about being neutral and so on, yet he was actively interfering in things he should have left alone.

"I have a strange feeling that it has something to do with you and your visit in the Capital."

"Now you're being impertinent, young lady," the Countess cut in with a scowl. She was still convinced that Celosia was someone she had power over and it didn't sit well with her that someone she considered younger than her acted arrogantly in front of her. She was certain it was because of her relationship with the Grand Duke that she ignored the people who were her family once.

"It's you who's being rude, Countess. You have rudely come here without a prior appointment then demanded to see us. You act like you're above me, where in fact you're like a child compared to me. I have a thousand years of life experience, so don't treat me like a child."

"Celosia!"

"I think that's enough for today. I don't wish to listen to more of your complaints. If you have nothing else to say, leave. We have an audience with the Emperor today and we need to get ready," Celosia stated sternly then got up, pulling Cassian with her. He, however, stopped her from leaving and addressed the Count and his wife.

"If you change your attitude towards Celosia, I'm not against considering you her family. However, as long as you only see her as someone to take advantage of, I will never let you speak with her again."

Both the Count and the Countess were baffled at the venom in the Duke's voice. They didn't expect him to be so cold towards them, the same people who nursed Celosia back to health after she took their daughter's body. Did he truly not see even a glimpse of Elena in Celosia? Did he not consider them Celosia's parents, worthy of respect? Was he so taken by Celosia that he didn't care about her being Elena? It was bewildering.

***

"What do you think about this?" Cassian asked his fiancée once they returned to the bedroom.

"They're still hiding something. I have a feeling it has something to do with the Emperor calling us over so suddenly," Celosia answered with a quiet sigh, settling on the armchair on the balcony facing the back garden. There was still some time until breakfast, and her preparation for the audience with the Emperor would last merely an hour, including her bath, so she had enough time to ponder over the Count's words.

"I thought of the same thing," Cassian casually joined Celi by the balcony. "But at least we now know how the Emperor learned about us. He must've heard about me planning to marry you from the Count."

"I think so. But don't you find it interesting? The Emperor is against our marriage. I wonder why," Celosia smirked, earning a chuckle from Cassian.

"We both know why, love. It's all thanks to my dear cousin."