Ch.29The Last Fireworks (1)

I stood alone on the terrace, staring blankly at the scenery outside the banquet hall. About an hour had passed since the warmth of people had left. The image of Rashera, who had endured her tears while pouring out her true feelings, flickered in my mind.

“Rahart, Commander. Please, help me.”

Rashera had clearly confessed this. Afterward, I asked for additional explanation regarding her sudden request for help, but she shook her head in confusion.

“I don’t know. My father is definitely plotting something for the birthday celebration… but he didn’t tell me everything until the end.”

“Then why are you revealing family secrets to me of all people?”

“Because I can’t tell anyone else. Also, you’re the only one here who’s politically neutral and has enough strength to handle whatever might happen.”

“Are you saying the banquet hall might be attacked?”

“…I don’t know. That would be the worst-case scenario I can imagine.”

Rashera was clearly betraying her family. Not only that, but she was turning her back on the deposed emperor’s faction itself.

“Perhaps, if I don’t tell you, the Ruat Marquis family might rise to power. But I wonder why you’re asking me for help.”

“No, that’s not possible. Even though you’re politically neutral, I could tell from just the opening dance that your scale tips toward the imperial family. More specifically… toward Princess Serin.”

“Did it seem that way?”

I gave an ambiguous response, not bothering to deny Rashera’s thoughts. She bit her lips nervously, then soon revealed her inner thoughts with a sense of resignation.

“It’s madness. There’s no way it can succeed. I hope it ends with just my paranoia. Once today passes, I can somehow prevent it. But if something goes wrong… it’s terrible. The Literion Emperor, Princess Serin, and even you gathered here—whatever they’re planning, there’s no way it can succeed.”

“…”

“Why don’t I tell the imperial family the truth? I don’t want to die. To openly speak of treason. My family would be wiped out instantly.”

“What would change if you confided in me?”

“It would change. Definitely.”

I was genuinely curious about Rashera’s confidence. What hope did she see in me that made her so certain…

Then her lips carried a thread of hope.

“Please advise Princess Serin that I, Rashera, told you out of concern. Ask her to preserve what remains of my shattered family, considering my loyalty and service.”

“Even if I speak…”

“It will change. Because you’re special to Princess Serin… you’re the man who makes that iron-like woman look at you that way…”

“That’s difficult for me to understand.”

“Please… I can’t follow the path of the deposed emperor or the Elenot family… I just can’t…”

Only then did I realize the nature of the fear Rashera harbored.

Eshtiel, who should have been the noble daughter of a border count. After her family’s downfall, she became a laundry girl, enduring a miserable childhood. With no one to care for her and subjected to constant abuse, she still has a speech impediment.

Meanwhile, my father and mother, barely clinging to life, lived like beasts crawling at the bottom of society. They went from a dignified daily life to living like sewer rats, existing because they couldn’t die.

It seemed Rashera not only feared death but also a life worse than death.

“I can promise nothing.”

“Commander!”

“However, I will give you my word. This is only if something happens. If it ends with just your concerns, then that’s where it ends.”

“You mean…?”

“The judgment belongs to the imperial family. Remember that.”

“That’s enough. Thank you… thank you so much, Commander Rahart.”

The marquis’s daughter bowed her head to me. Still, anxiety seemed to linger as she left the terrace, nervously biting her nails. And so, my current situation of gazing at the darkening sky was complete.

“What should I do?”

I listed the conflicting thoughts from various angles.

Rashera’s request.

The safety of the banquet hall.

The interests of the mercenary corps.

These three elements were swirling in my mind. Amidst these thoughts, the person who pushed aside minor subjects and occupied a large space was a familiar woman.

‘Serin…’

Indeed, shouldn’t I tell her?

Rashera wanted her confession to be revealed after the situation was contained.

If nothing happened and it ended with excessive worry, Rashera would appear to have confessed to treason for no reason. In that case, the Ruat Marquis family could face ruin based on her statement alone.

‘But that case is… too harsh.’

Rashera came to me because she wanted to live. From another perspective, it was a meeting that included the goodwill to prevent her family’s wrongdoing. Even if the probability was low, would it be right to trample on that desperation?

‘Just one person. Wouldn’t it be okay to tell only Serin?’

Wasn’t that what Rashera had requested? For me to personally plead with Serin. She must have been confident that Serin would listen to me.

Someone like Serin would likely keep the secret even if nothing happened.

As I wavered, another memory flashed through my mind in an instant.

“…Ah. So that’s how it was.”

My thoughts shifted dramatically. And synthesizing the discomfort of today, I finally formed a solid belief. Therefore, I could be certain.

‘An incident… will definitely occur.’

The time limit was approaching. Only one person would know exactly how the trouble would unfold. I opened the door leading to the banquet hall to find and question that person.

It was peaceful.

Men and women enjoying social interactions in the ballroom and noble figures stumbling from alcohol were completely defenseless. They seemed like pieces of a brilliant fireworks display, burning their bodies to enjoy the birthday celebration.

Additionally, Rashera was decorated as a wallflower, ignoring the love calls from the deposed emperor’s faction. Her posture was so anxious that one could see her legs trembling beneath the long dress.

I surveyed the banquet hall broadly, looking around.

‘Where is it?’

I needed to quickly question the person who knew the truth.

But momentarily, the thought that warning Serin should take priority crossed my temple.

‘Serin said she would talk with her mother.’

Naturally, my eyes rolled toward the head table.

In the scene where the Emperor and Empress sat side by side, Serin wore an awkward smile. As if trying to comfort her mother.

Just as I confirmed Serin’s position, two young people entered through the main entrance of the banquet hall, exchanging friendly words.

Eshtiel and Tesser, Serin’s younger brother. I didn’t know how they had become close, but it was a special combination.

I should have been more bold. I should have approached Serin even if it meant ignoring the gazes around me.

As Tesser, who had entered the banquet hall, went up to the head table, the Emperor, who had been sitting like a mountain, stood up with dignity.

Judging by the Empress’s remarks chiding him for being excessive, this wasn’t a planned performance. The Emperor, a devoted husband, probably intended to deliver a few words of blessing for the Empress. Because of this, I had to pause my steps momentarily.

“Hmm.”

Clearing his throat, the Emperor moved his previously closed mouth.

“I express my gratitude to the guests who have visited for the Empress’s birthday celebration today.”

The brief greeting silenced the audience. It was indeed a presence worthy of being called the absolute ruler of the empire, though he might be infinitely soft toward his wife.

“It is truly a good day. I am most pleased that all of you who contribute to the country and the imperial family have gathered together in harmony.”

It was an ambiguous sentiment, unclear whether it was sarcastic or sincere.

While attention was focused on the Emperor, an attendant familiarly presented a tray with glasses of red wine swirling inside.

“Please raise your glasses for the Empress’s blessing and the peace of the empire.”

Only the Emperor and Serin at the head table received glasses from the attendant. The Empress was pregnant, and Tesser was a minor, so drinking was a pleasure for the distant future.

I felt the situation was very contrived.

Of all people, it was the Emperor and Serin who raised their glasses.

The two people at the head table were the great pillars supporting the current imperial family.

“A toast.”

In that moment, the brief nine-day journey traveling with Serin suddenly came to mind.

It was a late night at Baron Raden’s estate.

It was when we were responding to the sinister plot set up by Rude’s mercenary corps.

At that time, Serin had said:

“I understand your concern since our first meeting was our first meeting, but if I hadn’t drunk drugged alcohol, I wouldn’t have been caught so pathetically.”

Drugs, and alcohol.

There is a drug that works on Serin, who is said to have inherited the Emperor’s constitution. She probably called it a drug rather than poison because it only incapacitates rather than kills. But a drug that works on someone like her would have to be an extreme poison.

And coincidentally, only Serin and the Emperor, who possessed kidney-like physiques, held wine glasses.

And on this day, in this place, that Rashera had warned about.

“No way, Serin…!”

Danger.

By the time my instincts warned me, the light clinking sound had already echoed.

This cheerful resonance was the alarm bell spreading urgency.

Immediately, time slowed down.

And so, the scene of the wine glass with red traces plummeting to the floor passed very slowly.

Crash!

Scattered glass fragments.

Simultaneously, flames rising like demons.

It was the opening of a fireworks display where a dying man burns the rest of his life.