episode_0017

Morning arrived in the blink of an eye.

Once again, Elaine saved me.

Having exhausted my mana and vitality to the limit, I died once more only to come back to life, and during that time, my mana had increased even further.

In truth, I was quite surprised when I came to my senses.

I discreetly looked around as I heard the sound of the door closing.

Elaine, holding a large basket, was stealthily making her way in.

Folded layers of blankets were draped over the hand grasping the basket.

From the basket emerged damp blankets and the black clothes I had been wearing.

It seemed she had hurriedly washed the soiled items at this early hour when no one else was around.

Ssshh—

The newly brought blanket was meant to cover my body.

A deep shadow cast over her face, unaware that I had awakened.

Just as I was about to call her name, her hand suddenly reached out. I had no choice but to quickly shut my eyes.

It felt like it had to be that way.

What followed was unbelievable.

Elaine brushed over my head.

It was a gentle and meticulous touch, as if handling a sleeping baby.

Before I knew it, the descending hand lightly grazed my cheek.

It was an indescribable sensation.

Wondering why she was doing this, I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes out of embarrassment.

My face tingled and inexplicably itched, almost causing me to make a sound unintentionally.

I couldn’t find the right moment to get up, so I just stayed still.

Opening my eyes in that situation would probably become an unpleasant memory for both of us.

Then suddenly, Elaine rushed to the dressing table.

Shortly after, upon hearing a knock, she swiftly returned and sat by my head.

Of course, it wasn’t difficult to discern her intentions.

It seemed she was trying to conceal my identity.

However, Han Yajang’s probing was quite persistent.

She had the look of someone convinced that Elaine had done something wrong.

From start to finish,

Han Yajang never showed any consideration for Elaine.

Despite being a foster child, she consistently maintained an arrogant attitude, disregarding the fact that Elaine was the daughter of the household.

Ultimately, it was easy to anticipate that she would even pry into the blankets.

Using Aqu’s purification magic, I began by removing the bloodstains from the sheets.

Then, I made my body transparent and swiftly got out of bed at the right moment to pull up the blanket. After completely erasing even the faint traces of the blanket, I quickly moved, faster than a cat, to grab the clothes under the bed and headed to the corner of the room.

As a result, Ha-nyang’s appearance, crying and begging Elaine, was quite something to behold. The initial confidence was nowhere to be found.

“I have nothing to apologize for. I’m going to tell everything to Katia.”

Just uttering Katia’s name alone seemed to spread fear across Ha-nyang’s face. It seemed that the effect of the threat made to Katia wasn’t all that bad.

Come to think of it, the changed appearance of the room didn’t look too bad either. Unlike the old small room that didn’t get much sunlight, it was a spacious room that felt open. And although it was spacious, there were abundant expensive-looking furnishings such as a large and soft bed, a splendid dressing table, and a wardrobe by the table.

Finally, I thought it looked like a room that suited her. This confirmed it. If she knew one thing, she knew two. She had significantly improved Elaine’s treatment by reading into the hidden meaning, despite only giving her the fear not to torment her.

So, I discreetly moved from Elaine’s side, who was sighing deeply with her eyelids drooping, to Katia’s room. It was my intention to give Elaine more fear, much like whipping her, in order to further improve her treatment.

Perhaps last time’s threat was quite effective, as without even using spirits, Katia was very obedient. Just like before, she nodded repeatedly before I even finished speaking, without saying a word.

After leaving a short but authoritative sermon, I left the mansion. I did want to have a conversation with Elaine, but there was no time. Last night, due to an unexpected injury at the Gerund Mansion, the traces of magic I left behind as I hurriedly escaped were not insignificant. It was clear that they would have led to Elaine’s room.

If Gerund Mansion were to request an investigation at the tower, Elaine could be in danger if my tracks were discovered. So, before it was too late, I needed to leave additional traces to make tracking impossible.

There was more to hurry about than just that.

The amount of information obtained from the Gerund estate was not insignificant, even though only recent ones were selected.

There was quite a bit of evidence of the despicable machinations the estate had been carrying out.

When I ordered Rak to swallow a vast amount of data that would fill an entire shelf, it was the first time I had ever heard such foul language used to describe a spirit, even in novels.

Anyway, before the Gerund estate and the Shuraine estate could act, at the very least by mid-morning, the evidence needed to be hurriedly delivered to the nobles of the Half-Queen’s faction.

Time is not on our side.

And since my absence must never be revealed, I need to return as quickly as possible.

If the fact that I secretly left the palace becomes known to the Queen, not only will all my efforts be in vain, but the situation will become far more dangerous than ever before.

So, I must hurry.

***

Herpina, the Empress of the Mersenne Empire.

She was currently enjoying teatime in the palace garden with her maids.

It was a lazy afternoon, not long after lunch.

It was a warm spring day that seemed like she might doze off while sitting.

“Your Majesty, have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

Although she pretended not to know with a smiling face, the Empress immediately caught on to what the maid was about to say.

“It’s about the Crown Prince using unfair means during the tournament.”

A happier smile than usual spread across the Empress’s lips.

The story about the Crown Prince cheating by throwing dirt and even grabbing his opponent’s hair during the tournament.

Of course, that was to be expected.

It was already a reported matter.

Moreover, it was a story that had been spreading like wildfire for several days now, both inside and outside the palace, due to her instructions.

“Moreover, he even gave Astia Levoln, that arrogant woman, a good beating.”

“Oh, that snobbish girl?”

“But she endured it quite well, didn’t she?”

“That’s true. She’s the one who killed my mother, yet she endures.”

“These days, kids are all like that. They endure things they shouldn’t. Hahaha.”

As other maids chimed in, the already cheerful atmosphere became even more lively.

The empress was also in a good mood.

It was exactly the painting she desired.

As the notoriety of the crown prince increased,

Serbice, her son and the crown prince, would get even closer to the throne.

A contented smile naturally formed on her face, but she concealed it by tilting her teacup.

Revealing her inner thoughts in front of those below her would serve no purpose.

“Finding joy in others’ misfortune is a vulgar act done only by those beneath us.”

Instead, she gently reprimanded the maids with affectionate eyes and an elegant tone.

Of course.

Having lived through quite a few years, there wasn’t a single person unaware that the empress would be most delighted by such stories.

“I, I’ve overstepped. If I’ve upset you, I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Though slightly taken aback by the empress’s rebellious words, everyone could do nothing but bow their heads, knowing full well the ruthless and cunning nature of the empress who had already ensnared the empire.

Sip—

The empress nodded lightly in acceptance of the apology before taking another sip of tea.

It had a sweet yet sharp taste.

Just like the clear blue sky and the brisk spring breeze.

Ever since the late Empress Wiblea passed away, it had always been a perfect teatime as usual.

However, it was unexpected.

Perhaps the crown prince had finally managed to detoxify himself after years of consuming poison.

To lash out at the maid who brought medicine in front of the emperor.

Considering the years of discord, it seemed impossible to be in one’s right mind.

It was certain.

The inability to control anger was undoubtedly a symptom of addiction.

To be powerless against a woman like Astia, and for the elf’s abilities not to return, confirmed this.

Sip. The empress took another sip of her tea.

There was no room for doubt.

There was absolutely no chance of detoxification.

Furthermore, the suspicions regarding Glentino were also mistaken.

Then, there was nothing more to worry about.

The accumulated notoriety over the crown prince’s name.

Merely breathing, simply taking a stroll, would constantly fuel all sorts of negative opinions.

It was the absolute power deeply rooted in the prejudices of the majority.

Leaving it as it was would only lead to trouble.

The fallen prince repeatedly tarnished his reputation, leading to his own downfall. Hence, there was no need to kill the fallen prince and risk a war with the elves. There was simply no need to jeopardize the empire that his own son would inherit. Once or twice would be sufficient. People should have enough time to chew on and savor it. Providing periodic tantalizing material would suffice. And one such material had already been decided upon. Elaine, was it? Upon investigation, she was found to be the illegitimate child of Duke Bart. It was an amusing situation. Betraying the grace shown by Count Karyan, who had saved the dying duke, and consorting with a mere maid to the extent of bearing his daughter. Moreover, marrying such a child, who was perfect for drawing criticism, to the fallen prince. Could anything be better than this? The marriage with Elaine would only add fuel to the already accumulated infamy. With just a little seasoning added, besmirching the name of Wiblea, the former empress, was a given. Even the elf king, her father, would end up having affection for his grandson. The empress’s face filled with delight. There was nothing difficult about it at all. A few days ago, the emperor had sent a letter to Duke Bart. The contents were straightforward. He already knew about Elaine’s circumstances. The talk was about wanting to launder her status as a nobleman’s daughter in another noble family. The purpose written at the end of the short letter was ultimately to marry Elaine to the fallen prince. Everything else was fine. But a noblewoman… It wasn’t just a simple reason to find a partner to be with. Probably, it seemed like he was really considering bestowing the title of grand duchess upon the fallen prince during the dinner. That’s why the status of a noblewoman was necessary. It was to make Elaine into a suitable match for a grand duke. In a moment of soaring anger, the empress’s eyes flashed fiercely. The sudden stillness made the maidservants flinch collectively. The teacup, which seemed about to shatter, now lay empty. However, the maidservants were also equally frightened. The empress’s expression was so grim that they didn’t even dare to pour tea. Eventually, when the empress clenched her fist with a stern expression.

The maids all rose from their seats and knelt down on the ground, heads bowed. They couldn’t understand why they were doing this, but they had no other choice.

“We’re sorry, Your Majesty. Please forgive us…,” one of them pleaded.

“Have we done wrong? Please, grant us your forgiveness…”

Through experience, they knew that in moments like this, prostrating themselves was the only answer. Each voice trembled with emotion, yet the Empress seemed deaf to their pleas.

Her mind was consumed by anger towards the Emperor alone. There was no mistaking it. He still couldn’t forget that vulgar elf. Hence, he intended to confer the title of Grand Duke upon his son, the prince who had committed so many sins. The fact that he could never surpass Wiblea even in death felt unbearably tragic. Just the thought made her shudder involuntarily.

What? Granting titles and territories too? She had no intention of allowing such a thing. She would mobilize the nobles to ensure that not only titles but even the smallest piece of land would be denied to that wretched man.

In doing so, the Empress felt a strange sense of satisfaction. But then…

The Emperor and the prince. How on earth did Elaine find out about it? If the prince had called for that child at such a critical moment, it must have been more than just a casual acquaintance. Were they acquainted in their childhood…?

Yet despite countless eyes watching the palace for years, she had only just learned of Elaine’s existence. Odd. It felt as if there was something unknown lurking around her. But regardless, even if she had missed something, nothing could reverse the current situation.

Her and her father had almost entirely seized control of the empire. The Emperor, thinking the poison he consumed was medicine, was slowly dying, while the prince, like his father, was becoming ailing. He would continue to accumulate infamy and eventually burn as a sacrifice for his son.

Everything was perfect. At least until the elusive Duke Schraine suddenly appeared.

Indeed, it was true.

“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!”

It felt like watching a leopard with its tail on fire.

For him, the Imperial Prime Minister who had subdued countless nobles, to make such an expression.

It was something that had never happened in several years.