Chapter 45
“If this sword truly grants power at the cost of one’s lifespan, then I believe it is for the best that Your Majesty cannot wield it.”
“Mmm, no. No. You have only just awakened, after all. Your health is already fragile; there is no sense in overtaxing yourself.”
“Not at all. I only just realized I possessed such power. Seeing Prince Brian o, oppa in danger, I simply acted without thinking…”
“Mmm.”
The Emperor let out a dissatisfied grunt as he looked at the unconscious Brian and the trembling Imperial Consort Cleo. Feeling his gaze upon her, the Imperial Consort spoke quietly. Her eyes were venomous.
“…Your Majesty, it is a blessing for the Empire that the Imperial Princess, who could not be awakened, has returned safely and obtained the divine power to slay demon beasts. However, the Imperial Princess has never even held a sword before. Furthermore, did not the knights who previously held the sword say it was strange, given it failed to react even to Your Majesty? To be safe, we should investigate the sword and—”
“Imperial Consort!”
“I say this out of concern for Your Majesty. The Imperial Princess claims the sword spoke to her in a dream, but what evidence is there other than her word?”
“Then, Imperial Consort. Are you suggesting that this sword is a demonic sword?”
“It is not that, but rather, a more thorough investigation…”
“The Imperial Princess used this sword to save Brian.”
“…….”
“And yet, as a mother, instead of expressing gratitude, you seek to find fault first?”
“T-that is not it at all!”
The Emperor’s eyes were cold.
He did not believe in the Imperial Consort’s innocence.
Had things gone well, had she orchestrated the matter to suit his tastes, he would have turned a blind eye even if he knew she was behind it. He might have even lent her his support, as he had yesterday.
But the situation had turned out like this. And above all, because of the Imperial Consort’s mistake, the Emperor himself had almost been put in danger.
“Right, you said the Imperial Consort summoned the High Priest.”
“Ye-yes, Your Majesty!”
High Priest Margid, who had been standing behind the Imperial Consort, hurriedly fell to his knees at the Emperor’s words.
“Tell me then. Is Imperial Princess Titania tainted by a curse and in need of your purification?”
“N-no, that is not the case!” On the contrary, she is overflowing with divine grace!”
Margid muttered desperately. The Imperial Consort glared at the High Priest with bloodshot eyes. The Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Is that so? Then what about what you claimed yesterday?”
“I never officially confirmed that Her Highness the Imperial Princess was ‘certainly cursed’! I merely stated that ‘if everything Her Highness the Imperial Consort said was true,’ then there might be a need to check if the Imperial Princess was cursed.”
Margid spoke while pointedly avoiding the Imperial Consort’s gaze.
“However, as, er, the Young Duke said… since not all the details provided by Her Highness the Imperial Consort align perfectly…”
“So Titania has no issues?”
“Yes, yes! That is correct!”
“And there is nothing wrong with the sword?”
“I witnessed that sword slaying a demon beast along with Your Majesty. There are countless types of swords in the world, and only a few can contain divine mercy. Just because it is picky about its master does not mean the sword is inherently evil!”
“High Priest Margid’s words are logical.”
High Priest Margid let out a sigh of relief. He would have been firmly on the Imperial Consort’s side had things gone well, but seeing the Emperor’s displeasure, he was quick to abandon her and seek his own survival. The Emperor looked at the Imperial Consort and spoke.
“I shall hear the Imperial Consort’s words once more.”
“…….”
“Is it truly the case that what the Imperial Consort found in the basement of the Rose Palace is evidence that the Imperial Princess was cursed?”
Grind. The Imperial Consort bit her lip until it tore, and a thin trail of blood trickled down. She glanced once at Brian, who still hadn’t regained consciousness. Then, as if settling her mind, she closed and opened her eyes.
“…That is.”
The Imperial Consort spoke in a calm, resolute voice.
“That was merely a case of a maid who dared to enter the Rose Palace to steal, and upon trying to take the sword, fell into a fit of madness and caused a stir about a strange sword……”
Grind. The low sound of teeth grinding could be heard.
“Someone heard that news and sowed seeds of sedition within the Imperial Palace, even using the fact that the innocent Imperial Princess Titania could not wake up… to concoct a scheme. And I was foolishly deceived by that plot…”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. In my foolishness, my excessive concern for the Imperial Princess led me to act. I failed to… handle the matter with enough care…”
Grind. The sound of grinding teeth echoed again. Yes, had she known it would end like this, she would have tried to plan more meticulously.
“…What I did out of a desire to ensure the safety of the Imperial Palace has instead put it at risk. I am so sorry that I have no further words to offer, Your Majesty.”
Tears welled up in the Imperial Consort’s eyes. It was a pitiful sight.
“However, please look at Brian, Your Majesty. That child has always been sincere toward you. Though the result was poor, it was only because he tried too hard to catch a hunt he could be proud of for Your Majesty’s sake…”
“Tsk, then he should have produced a result!”
The color drained again from the Imperial Consort’s face, which she had tried so hard to keep soft and pleading. She seemed to realize what the Emperor’s dissatisfied gaze implied.
Indeed. The Emperor cherished Brian because he was proud of having a son who was ‘good with a sword and skilled at hunting,’ one who didn’t fall behind the House of Castline.
But Brian, despite borrowing the power of a sword, had fainted unsightly and wet himself in front of me—someone who stood here without a hint of fear. He hadn’t even woken up in this situation.
Even if Brian wasn’t an adult yet, he was much larger than me, who was small and frail for my age.
Things might have been different if I hadn’t been here.
The Emperor must have heard the report that a demon beast was chasing Brian while he was coming here with the Imperial Consort. He had brought the Royal Guard to kill that beast and save Brian.
I had prepared a performance for the Emperor.
Even if he knew this curse commotion was a farce orchestrated by the Imperial Consort, the Emperor would have covered it up. Proper evidence or witnesses meant nothing.
Therefore, what was needed was a reason for the Emperor to be disappointed in Imperial Consort Cleo and Prince Brian. A reason for him to punish them even if he knew the truth of the matter.
If Brian had stood tall here, looked the Emperor in the eye, and claimed he ‘tried to catch a hunt that would symbolize Your Majesty’s glory,’ the Emperor’s gaze might have been different. He might have suggested covering the matter up for Brian’s sake.
After all, it was Brian who was directly chased by the demon beast, not the Emperor.
Perhaps, if he had even made a show of glaring at Raymon while blustering, ‘I could have caught it if you’d given me just a little more time,’ the Emperor would have been very pleased.
However, in front of that Young Duke Raymon, Brian had fainted from fear, wet himself, and failed to wake up.
The Emperor was deeply disappointed.
This disappointment would not be easily soothed. Not unless Brian personally hunted a demon beast of that size and presented it to the Emperor.
Especially since there was I, who had returned from the brink of death and challenged a demon beast using the sword’s power at the cost of my very life. By comparison, his behavior was inexcusable.
The Emperor suddenly shouted.
“Imperial Consort, you are to be confined to your quarters for the time being! Relinquish all your duties.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Brian loved hunting so much, yet he cannot even stay conscious before a demon beast. It would be best for Brian to quit hunting now.”
“Your Majesty! It was merely a mistake. His bravado was simply too great—”
“It seems his energy has been greatly depleted by this incident, so do not let him leave his room for the time being. Tsk!”
“Your Majestyyyyy!”
The Imperial Consort wailed.
To her, the fact that the Emperor now looked upon Brian with pathetic disdain was more painful than falling into a trap.
Ignoring the Imperial Consort, the Emperor spoke to Raymon.
“Young Duke Raymon. So, you say you will deal with the remaining demon beasts that invaded the palace?”
“Yes. While I trust the Imperial troops, the sudden invasion of demon beasts could lead to additional unintended damage. If you would permit it…”
“Fine, I permit it.”
“Thank you. Furthermore, as the item the Imperial Consort claimed to be evidence is very dangerous, I ask that you allow it to be disposed of as quickly as possible.”
“Ah! Right, that. You deal with it immediately. Investigate those foul things that dared to target the Imperial Palace as well.”
As if suddenly remembering, the Emperor approached me and stroked my head.
“You’ve worked hard. I hate to imagine what would have happened today if you hadn’t woken up safely! The fact that you were able to use such a precious power at just the right time must be because the Gods have blessed the Imperial Family.”
Since when had he played the part of a merciful and kind father to me? I gave a bright smile to the Emperor as he awkwardly stroked my hair.
“Of course, Your Majesty!”
“Yes. Your face looks pale. Take care of yourself.”
I bowed deeply as I watched the Emperor stride away with an air of great importance.
It was then.