episode_0012

The banquet continued. Glittering music flowed through the air as people danced and conversed.

I remained by the young lady’s side, keeping watch over our surroundings. Though Kyle Lorencia and the Crown Prince occasionally caught my eye, they no longer approached us.

…It felt like the eerie calm before a storm.

As time passed and the banquet reached its peak, the Emperor ascended the dais at the head of the hall. The music ceased, and all eyes turned to him.

“My loyal subjects, and the proud nobility of the Empire.”

The Emperor’s commanding voice echoed through the grand hall.

“Today, I am deeply pleased to celebrate the founding of our great Empire with you all. For centuries, our Empire has overcome countless trials and achieved prosperity. This was only possible through the dedication and efforts of every one of you gathered here.”

The Emperor paused briefly, sweeping his gaze across the hall. His eyes lingered for a moment on Duke Pitus.

“In particular, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Seriratus family—the Empire’s steadfast shield and pillar. Duke Pitus, your loyalty and courage are an example to us all.”

At the Emperor’s praise, Duke Pitus bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.

Once again, all eyes in the hall turned toward us. It was a moment of honor, yet I couldn’t shake my unease.

The higher one stands, the fiercer the winds blow. The Emperor’s public commendation would undoubtedly elevate the Seriratus family’s standing—but it would also stoke envy and wariness among our enemies.

As the Emperor’s speech concluded, it was time for the toast. Servants bustled about with silver trays bearing glasses of champagne. The Emperor raised his own glass high.

“To the eternal prosperity of the Empire, and to the health and happiness of all gathered here! A toast!”

“A toast!”

The entire hall clinked their glasses in response.

Pitus, too, raised his glass toward the Emperor with a faint smile. The young lady and I followed suit. The celebratory atmosphere had reached its zenith.

Just as I was about to take a sip—

I noticed something strange.

The servant who had handed Pitus his glass moved unnaturally. As he passed the glass, his thumb seemed to brush ever so slightly against its contents.

…No. It couldn’t be.

A chill ran down my spine. But it was already too late. Pitus downed his glass in one swift motion with the toast.

“Ahem…”

The Duke coughed lightly as he set his glass down. At first, it seemed like nothing.

But his coughing grew increasingly ragged, and his complexion began to pale.

“Father?”

The young lady called out to him in concern. Pitus tried to gesture that he was fine, but his hand trembled faintly in the air.

“Ghk—!”

Suddenly, the Duke clutched his chest, a pained groan tearing from his lips. His body swayed, and his glass shattered loudly against the floor.

“My lord!”

“Your Grace!”

Head Butler MacLaine rushed over in horror. I, too, hurried to the Duke’s side with the young lady.

The banquet hall descended into chaos in an instant. The music stopped, replaced by screams and panicked murmurs.

“F-Father! Father, what’s wrong?!”

The young lady clung to him, her voice breaking. Blood, dark and thick, already trickled from the Duke’s lips. His eyes had lost focus, and his breathing was shallow and irregular.

“Fetch a physician! Now!”

MacLaine bellowed. The imperial guards and servants swarmed around the Duke. Even the Emperor descended from the dais, watching the scene with shock.

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

The unfamiliar servant who had handed the Duke his glass had already vanished into the crowd.

I lost him!

My heart turned to ice. Every sign pointed to poison—a meticulously planned, brazen assassination attempt during the toast.

We had been completely wrong. The worst we had anticipated was political strife, or perhaps the royal family withdrawing their support.

But—assassination?!

My mind went blank. Yet when Pitus’ fading gaze met mine, I immediately dropped to one knee.

It was my master’s final command.

“Give me your orders.”

“Vir…dem… my daughter…”

With the last of his strength, the Duke gripped my hand. His eyes were already glazed, but his worry for his daughter remained until the end.

“Do not worry, my lord. I will—”

Before I could finish, the strength left his hand. His head lolled to the side.

“…My lord?”

MacLaine called out in a trembling voice. There was no response. The imperial physician rushed over to examine the Duke but soon shook his head.

“…He is gone.”

The moment those words echoed through the hall, the world seemed to stop.

“N-No… Dad! Open your eyes, Dad!!!”

Firnea’s scream was like a knife through the heart.

She clung to the Duke’s body, sobbing uncontrollably. The surrounding nobles murmured in shock and horror. And—the Emperor’s face twisted in fury.

The Empire’s founding celebration had become a historic tragedy—marked by the sudden death of Duke Pitus, head of the Seriratus family and pillar of the realm.

I stared down at the Duke’s cooling hand.

And listened to Firnea’s anguished cries. My mind was a tangled mess, yet something hot and fierce surged from within.

Revenge.

Who dared do this? I would find them.

And—they would pay.

But for now, there was something far more important.

“…My lady.”

I forced the words out, calling to her.

She was still collapsed over the Duke’s body, weeping. I took her shoulders and gently—but firmly—lifted her.

“My lady, you must pull yourself together.”

“No… Dad… Dad is…”

Her eyes were hollow, her mind clearly shattered by shock.

“I know. But this is not the time to grieve. This place is dangerous. We must return to the estate at once.”

The hall was in utter chaos. The culprit could still be here. Another threat might emerge at any moment. Firnea’s safety was now the top priority.

MacLaine seemed to share my thoughts, urgently issuing orders to the guards.

“The Seriratus family’s escort will immediately protect the young lady and ensure her safe passage to the carriage! The imperial guard will clear the way!”

The family’s knights moved swiftly, forming a protective circle around Firnea. I half-carried her as we hurried out of the hall. Sympathetic stares, curious glances, and perhaps even mocking smirks followed us—but I paid them no mind.

As we stepped through the doors, the Crown Prince blocked our path with an unreadable expression.

“Lady Firnea… and Head Butler MacLaine. Please return safely. The royal family will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the culprit.”

Though his words were meant as comfort, I caught a flicker of calculation in his eyes.

He was already weighing the political upheaval the Duke’s death would bring.

Was he our ally?

…Or the mastermind?

It was impossible to tell.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I replied curtly and quickly guided Firnea to the carriage.

MacLaine soon joined us. His face was ashen, but his gaze was steely.

“To the estate—at full speed!”

The carriage raced through the capital’s night, flanked by the Seriratus family’s escort.

Inside, silence reigned.

Firnea leaned against my shoulder, motionless, her eyes closed. Whether she had fainted or was too numb with shock to react, I couldn’t tell.

MacLaine stared rigidly out the window, his mind undoubtedly racing with preparations for the coming storm.

I quietly took Firnea’s hand. It was ice-cold.

The Duke’s final words echoed in my ears.

…No matter what trials lie ahead, I will protect this young mistress.

By the time we reached the estate, dawn was breaking.

The household was on emergency alert. Security had been tightened, and key family members had already gathered, awaiting MacLaine’s instructions.

MacLaine entrusted Firnea to the physician and immediately convened a meeting.

I stood guard outside her room. From beyond the door came the sounds of the physician’s examination and the occasional muffled sobs of the maids.

Soon, the physician emerged, exhaustion etched on his face.

“The young lady… has lost consciousness due to severe shock. There are no physical injuries, but she needs absolute rest. For now, it would be best if no one disturbs her.”

“…Understood. Thank you.”

Once the physician left, I stared at the firmly shut door.

The silence here was different from the one in the carriage—heavier, suffocating with grief.

How much pain and terror was Firnea enduring alone right now? I wanted to go in and comfort her, but I had to follow the physician’s orders.

As I paced the hallway, MacLaine approached. Fatigue and shock were evident on his face, but his eyes burned with resolve.

“Virdem.”

“Head Butler.”

“The council has decided to proceed with the funeral arrangements as swiftly as possible. Until the young lady recovers, I will oversee the family’s affairs.”

“Understood.”

“And… the investigation into the poisoning will begin immediately. Separate from the royal inquiry, we will mobilize every resource and intelligence network at our disposal!”

MacLaine gripped my shoulder, his gaze intense.

“There is something I must ask of you. No—I must beg of you.”

“Anything.”

“The young lady… I entrust her to you. You are the only one who can stand by her side now. Protect her. Help her rise again. That is your most crucial duty.”

An order from the head butler—and a plea from an old retainer who had devoted his life to the Seriratus family.

The answer was already decided.

“You have my word.”