Chapter 300

Bernard is put on the spot by the Emperor.

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Episode 300. About 2 Months (8)

Fred felt compelled to clarify in order to clearly grasp the Emperor's intent. After all, the Emperor’s time was precious.

"Shall I focus my explanation on the Lady's qualities as an aide, or on her relationship with the Second Prince, Your Majesty?"

In response to Fred’s question, the Emperor flashed a meaningful smile.

“...Both.”

Fred began his recounting of events immediately, and the Emperor's smile grew with every word. But he also did more than just smile..

Fred got to the final day of the Prince's business trip in Central, when he'd sworn allegiance to him.

As Fred detailed the conversations and interactions he'd witnessed between the Second Prince and Lady Tara, the Emperor could no longer contain the laughter welling up from deep within him.

“Hahaha. I see. So they discussed the issue, and then he refined those ideas and used it as a teaching opportunity.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And he even had her accompany him on his private business?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And to top it all off, he personally ordered juice and a whole feast for her? Even though he wasn't planning on eating himself? Are you saying he acted altruistically? That ice-cold bastard? Hahahahahaha!”

For a moment, Fred stood dumbfounded as the Emperor's laughter echoed through the vast room.

‘I don't understand. What's so special about ordering a meal for a competent subordinate? Isn't that normal to do if you're proud of an employee? Is His Highness not famous for taking good care of his subordinates?'

Fred couldn't help but feel frustrated. He had absolutely no idea which part of his story had elicited such an explosive burst of laughter.

And understandably so; Fred was a bachelor who had spent his entire life burying himself in architectural blueprints and numbers as if they were his personal companions. He was utterly unable to grasp the intimate and subtle dynamics of flirting, so his frustration was to be expected.

The Emperor - seemingly delighted by something - continued to laugh heartily for quite a while longer, before suddenly turning serious.

“There must be a reason she was suddenly dismissed. Hmm... I need more information...”

Just then, word came that the General had returned from escorting Lady Tara out. The Emperor grinned slyly once more and ordered the General to be summoned to his private chambers.

"Your Majesty, you have a certain appearance you must uphold."

When Fred tried to dissuade him, the Emperor replied,

“He'll need to guard me at close range anyway, it’s fine to let him know this much. Besides, he's a former knight of House Elias and was the one who introduced the Lady to me. He might find out the truth through her, so we need to make sure he knows better than to speak of it to others.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Bernard entered, Fred explained the situation in detail and ordered him to remain silent. He looked startled to see the Emperor in such good health.

The General immediately agreed, and the Emperor made the exact same demand of him that he'd made of Fred.

“Lay it all out.”

“Pardon? What shall I lay out for you, Your Majesty?”

“Start from your very first encounter with Lady Elias.”

“Pardon?”

“What? Is there some reason you can't tell me?”

“Well… It’s not that, but it would require a rather lengthy explanation. I hesitate because I fear I might waste Your Majesty’s precious time.”

It was clear to Fred that the General was trying to subtly change the subject.

“What do you mean, ‘precious time’? Never in my life have I had more time to spare than now. Do not concern yourself with wasting my time and tell me everything.”

“.....”

The Emperor had expected an easy capitulation, however, General Bernard remained silent and fell to his knees, his mouth firmly shut.

“What on earth are you doing, General?”

In response to Fred’s astonished question, General Bernard pressed both hands to the floor and bowed his head as if in supplication.

His tone was solemn, “Please forgive me, as it is His Majesty the Emperor who is commanding this of me, but I cannot easily speak of this private matter in the absence of my liege. I made a solemn vow on my knighthood and have sworn my allegiance to Lady Tara Elias. Due to this covenant, Lady Tara Elias will continue to be my sole liege unto death, and her honor is my honor. Based on my limited understanding, I am deeply hesitant to speak to Your Majesty, for fear that even the slightest blemish might be cast upon my liege’s honor. Please forgive me for being unable to bring myself to speak, Your Majesty.”

“...!”

Fred startled as the Emperor roared with laughter.

“Hahahahahahaha! Your liege? That audacious little nineteen-year-old lady is the sworn liege of the general who saved my life! Hahahahahaha! What an unbelievable coincidence! Hahahahahaha. And that same liege of yours accompanied the Second Prince on his private business, before being banished from his service! Hehehehehehehehe. Do tell!”

“....”

General Bernard raised his head slightly from his pose of supplication to glance at the Emperor and caught Fred's startled expression. 

‘Is this really that humorous to him?’ Bernard's eyes seemed to ask.

‘It is a bit strange, but it seems his sense of humor is a bit different than ours.’

‘Ah…'

Just as the General nodded and began glancing around, trying to gauge the right moment to stand up, the Emperor spoke. His expression had instantly returned to being stern.

“I acknowledge your chivalry, General. Nothing you say here will go on to harm Lady Tara, I promise this on my authority as the Emperor. Nevertheless, if you still do not wish to speak, I shall summon Lady Tara once more and ask her myself. Your liege has limited time to act, and if I summon her again now, I fear I shall keep her here all night long until my curiosity is satisfied. Furthermore, I could hold your liege accountable for your crime of refusing the Emperor’s command to his face. Do you think that would be preferable, General Bernard?”

His tone was full of superficial warmth; the words themselves were a clear threat, brimming with menace.

Bernard's neck went rigid, sudden ice in his veins, and he slowly raised his head. He tried to make his smile as natural as possible while he smoothly changed the subject—the way he had watched His Lady do it—but his lips felt stiff enough to crack.

“Hahaha... Given Your Majesty’s character, I believe my liege would have no objection to you eventually learning of this, Your Majesty. Furthermore, since Your Majesty has graciously set aside your precious time today to grant my liege’s request, I believe she would also permit me to provide such context. Of course, if I omit nothing, the telling might prove long from start to finish, Your Majesty.”

“Hmmm. Very well. It would be unpleasant to kneel for so long—sit over there.”

Bernard sat down and carefully selected the details that would cause the least harm to his lord. He also resolved never to mention the romantic relationship between Prince Kyle and his Lady.

After listening to the entire story—with all of the romantic details carefully omitted—the Emperor rubbed his hands together gently and gazed into the distance. When he spoke, his words were meaningful.

"So the Philippe family arranged for Helen—that sly, old Duchess— to set her sights on her as a prospective daughter-in-law? That's what must have caused such a fuss... Haha. So that's the nefarious plot in question. Hahaha."

“Then, may I take my leave now, Your Majesty?”

Bernard’s voice sounded strained, as if he had never spoken at such length before.

“Yes, yes. You may go now, General. I’ll call for you again soon.”

“Pardon?”

"You haven't fully explained the details of Your Lady's relationship with the Second Prince quite yet, have you, General?"

“...!”

The Emperor smiled shrewdly at Bernard. His eyes widened in surprise, but he replied with an appropriately solemn expression.

“I have nothing further to say, Your Majesty.”

"Even if I command you?"

“Please forgive me. I cannot break my oath. Furthermore, I know nothing of it, Your Majesty.”

"Hmm... Fine. There are other ways to discover it. You may leave now."

After Bernard left, the Emperor stroked his chin and pondered the issue seriously.

‘Well then.... I suppose I can wait. All I need to do is see the look on his face to confirm it.’

***

September 30. Andrei's Castle, Duchy of Ga’an./ Night.

Andrei was guarding the Prince of Ga'an at his castle, located near the border of the Principality.

The Prince of Ga'an had arranged for a body double to travel with the Second Prince and taken refuge with Andrei before anyone else noticed the substitution.

Andrei had been the first one to suggest the ruse and found an acceptable decoy. Andrei's people had then extracted the Prince from the Principality and smuggled him into Andrei's estate.

Furthermore, Andrei had helped devise the safety mechanism in Rock Canyon. He'd manufactured it, installed it before the ambush, and then removed it at the perfect moment after the dust settled.

Of course, the Second Prince had also been involved in the scheme as well. He was the one who had initially conceived the idea for the mechanism and had his architect, Fred, draw up the blueprints.

“It will happen during the Coronation, as planned. The signal will be the first set of fireworks. At that moment, you will escort His Highness into the Imperial Palace. Use the entrance I mentioned last time. Only His Majesty the Emperor knows of it, so it should be perfectly safe.”

“Understood.”

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

Chris had travelled from the vagrant settlement to Andrei’s estate as a messenger and had a tight schedule. Now he had to return to Tandra Mansion.

“…You said you saw it with your own eyes. Is that true?”

“Huh?”

Chris turned back just as he was about to leave, and it took him a moment to realize what the leader of the Black Society was referring to. It was already the third time he'd been asked this particular question.

“Yes. We found the map in her bag and she tried to cover it up. She claimed it wasn’t her, saying she’d read a history book about the Empire in a past life.”

“...Oh, really? She actually said that?”

"Yes. It wasn't just me. Walter and some of His Highness's personal knights heard it clearly as well."

"... And His Highness the Second Prince dismissed her?"

“Yes. It seems he feels a deep sense of betrayal. She was the first aide he ever appointed himself, and he wanted to train her well and turn her into a valuable asset. Besides... there was a personal aspect- Ahem. If even I feel this betrayed, I imagine he must feel it even more keenly.”

Andrei furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

'The fact that he mentions it was a personal matter means he knows more that he isn’t telling me. His Highness's knights have tight lips. If finding out now feels this terrible, it must be even more shocking to those involved. Is my dream out of reach...? Why on earth did she make such a ridiculous excuse? Right... There must be a reason. Or was she really acting as a spy for someone else? Was she truly deceiving the Second Prince... and deceiving me as well?’ _________ Editor's Note -

We've made it to 300 chapters! 🎉

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