Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 384 (Part 1):

Margret Irene strode swiftly through the palace halls.

Even in her haste, her demeanor remained as elegant as ever, without the slightest hint of disarray.

Yet, a shadow of worry clouded her face—a familiar kind of worry for her.

She had heard that Michael, who had been bedridden for days due to poor health, had finally risen and was taking a meal.

Margret had wanted Michael to rest well, so she hadn’t visited him for the past few days.

It was only today, upon hearing that he had gotten out of bed, that she rushed over.

“Tell Michael that I’ve arrived,” Margret instructed a maid before stepping into his quarters.

Sunlight streamed through the window. His golden hair glimmered as if kissed by the rays, but his complexion was as pale as lead.

Michael sat at the table, sipping tea. She’d been told he’d finished a simple meal.

He looked up, his eyes crinkling as he smiled like an angel.

“Mother, you’re here?”

Slightly relieved, Margret took a seat across from him, leaning forward.

“Michael, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, I can’t stay lying down forever, after all.”

Margret reached out and gently brushed the back of Michael’s hand. His skin, still faintly feverish, felt warm to the touch.

Michael gazed up at her with a haggard face.

Tenderness and pity surged within Margret’s heart.

Compassion often wielded absolute influence—an emotion difficult to ignore or shake off.

Because of it, Margret often found herself unable to blame Michael for his misguided actions, even when she was aware of them. This time was no different.

If anything, seeing him so frail stirred resentment toward her husband.

‘It must be because of His Grace the Grand Duke’s decision that Michael has been so deeply affected.’

In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of the Crown Prince, Michael had been barred from leaving the Grand Duchy of Renosa for some time.

As if that weren’t enough, the Grand Duke had ordered him to remain in the royal palace of Latona for a month, restricting access to his quarters.

The Grand Duke’s commands were absolute.

At first, Michael had seemed to comply willingly.

But later, he learned from Charlotte that the marriage proposal she’d received was little more than a formality.

He also discovered that the Grand Duke had sent the commander of the Black Wing Knights to accompany Charlotte, and together they had delivered the Grand Duke’s message to the emperor.

‘He gave Charlotte a chance to present herself before the emperor of the Deus Empire. Father did it himself!’

His teeth ground together. Michael had been granted such opportunities a few times before.

But those had always been chances he’d carved out for himself—never ones the Grand Duke had willingly handed to him.

The moment he realized this, Michael collapsed as if struck down by illness.

While he was bound hand and foot, could it be that the imperial family of the Deus Empire was choosing Charlotte in his stead?

Their influence might not be absolute, but it would provide a pretext.

A pretext for the Grand Duke of Renosa to name Charlotte as his successor.

Fierce, ugly emotions clawed through Michael’s insides.

For a time, he was enveloped in darkness. Had he been a mage, he might have willingly turned to dark magic—so desperate and savage was his state.

But no matter what thoughts raged within him, his body was as fragile as a sheet of paper.

If he tried to scribble furiously with a rough hand, it would simply tear.

By the time he managed to recover and rise, days had passed.

Anxiety, anger, and every similar emotion still lingered within him, leaving traces behind, yet his heart felt strangely calm.

He only hoped it wouldn’t stir further.

As he had done before, Michael resolved to let go of what had already happened and seek a new path forward.

From the beginning, neither the Grand Duke nor the commander of the Black Wing Knights had been on his side, and the imperial family of the Deus Empire would likely favor the victor.

Margret spoke calmly.

“It must feel stifling, being confined to Latona like this.”

“It seems Father has already decided whose side to take,” Michael said with a strained smile.

“I was foolish. One mistake can bring everything crashing down, and I should’ve known I wasn’t allowed such a slip…”

“That’s not true. His Grace hasn’t officially assigned Charlotte the role of envoy, has he?”

“But you can’t deny this is a chance tilted in her favor.”

“Michael…”

Pity clouded Margret’s face. But then, as if resolving herself, her expression hardened.

“I supported preventing the closure of the Temple too, so if we’re pointing fingers, I bear some responsibility as well.”

That was why Margret had encouraged Michael’s journey to the empire.

The Grand Duke of Renosa hadn’t blamed her for it. He was strict with the children who would inherit Renosa, but not with Margret.

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