TPITT - Chapter 3

''What on earth happened?''

Michael's voice was so low that it seemed as if it would flow to the floor and seep into the underworld.

His life made all the knights and soldiers around him tremble.

''Why on earth...''

In less than thirty minutes, Michael returned to the cage's bedroom.

He couldn't believe the situation before his eyes.

Eve, who had been talking to him just a moment ago, has become a soulless shell.

Because it was done.

'It's all over now, why...'

The seventh Princess of the empire, Evienrose Chloelle Hadelamid. It had already been five years since Michael decided to win her over.

Eve's presence was famous among Michael's people.

The Princess became a mischievous person in the imperial palace because she insisted on improving the treatment of Homunculus and rejected the imperial family's deep evil habits.

This is because there was no precedent in the history of the empire.

There were quite a few Homunculus who were attracted to Eve and wanted to become her direct knights and one of them was Michael.

However, Eve did not give the position as her direct knight to any homunculus.

Michael also approached Eve several times, asking if she was willing to have a knight under her direct command.

He tried to appeal to his own strength, which was incomparable to that of other Homunculus, but Eve's attitude was truly ironclad.

Even after giving up being Eve's direct knight, Michael could not stop caring about Eve and following her with his eyes.

Whenever Eve is treated unfairly and despised for not following the royal family's evil customs, whenever she is treated with contempt, Michael finds himself becoming unusually emotional.

He can see when Eve's lack of tact and stubbornness began to be perceived as attractive.

There wasn't it. When he came to his senses, he had fallen in love with Eve.

It was a love affair between people whose social status was horribly different.

However, Michael did not submit to fate, and after several years of planning, he overthrew the imperial family.

Originally, the plan was to use a moderate method of taking control of the royal palace by taking a few more years. As the tyranny worsened and Eve's arranged marriage was decided by imperial decree, there was no choice but to resort to radical means.

Whatever the process, the rebellion was successful.

Nothing was standing in the way of Michael, who became Emperor. He said the only thing left to do was to keep Eve by his side.

He thought.

But at this moment, right before the goal, everything went to waste.

''..."

Michael looked down at Eve with bewildered eyes. The thin body was like a doll, unable to breathe or feel a pulse.

Michael's purple eyes instantly became colored with anger.

''Don't I ask questions? How did this happen?''

''Your Majesty...''

It was a time when not only the armed soldiers, but even the closest subjects were struggling to survive.

There was someone who bravely stepped forward in front of the enraged Michael. He was none other than Rosenit.

''My sister committed suicide. She said that as a member of the royal family, she would take responsibility and atone by dying.''

''She committed suicide?''

''Yes. She drank the poison of belladonna.''

''How do you know that?''

''Because I saw it myself...''

Rosenit touched Michael's shoulder and spoke in a soft, seductive voice.

When Michael gave her his gaze, she didn't forget to subtly pat her bulging stomach.

''Princess, did you really give her poison?''

''The Princess, it's like that again. Now I'm the empress. And I told you to call me by my name if possible.''

Instead of answering the questions seriously, Rosenit made a mocking comment.

Michael was cold to everyone, but Rosenit herself was an exception.

That's why she didn't feel intimidated when she faced the life-threatening purple eyes directly.

She was even able to confidently confess to Michael what she had done.

''Huh, those scary eyes. I understand. I'll give you the answer first.''

''...''

''Yes. That's right, Michael. I helped my sister atone. It seemed like you couldn't make the decision, so I, as your companion, made the right decision for you. If you leave the royal bloodline that is not cooperative with you, it will only become the seed of disaster. You know that too, right? I have been with you until now and will continue to be the only one by your side."

''Shut your mouth, princess.''

''Michael?''

Michael's eyes were focused on Rosenit.

This was her first time seeing Michael so cold and scary. Rosenit was very embarrassed and stuttered her words.

''Mi, Michael...What's wrong?

''Don't touch me.''

Michael swatted away Rosenit's hand as if she were an unpleasant bug.

It was a rejection that did not feel the slightest bit of pain, but Rosenit's reaction was reminiscent of someone who had been slapped.

''What did you just do to me...''

The pink ruby-like eye movements will instantly bring tears to your eyes.

Rosenit acted as if she was the most pitiful woman in the world.

However, Michael turned his back on her as if he did not care about her sorrow.

''Eve....''

It was only when he saw Eve lying on the floor that the vicious murderous look in his violet eyes disappeared.

Michael ran his hand over Eve's pale cheek. There was still warmth left in her, but it seemed like it would cool down quickly if she stayed in the place any longer.

Michael carefully held Eve's body in his arms.

''Michael!''

Obstacles block the way.

''Are you ignoring me now? How could you do this to me? Don't ignore me! It's me, your companion, Rosenit!

''Get out of the way, Princess.''

Michael's eyes looking down at Rosenit were like a well-discarded blade.

The only one who couldn't read that intense murderous feeling was Rosenit, who had lost her fear.

One Homunculus knight who could not see this tried to dissuade Rosenit.

''Your Majesty the Empress, it looks like His Majesty is feeling uneasy. Now it's time to step back and be more considerate...''

''Get out of the way! How dare you step forward to safety! Slave people don't even know the subject!''

Of course, it was no use. On the contrary, only the dirty personality hidden behind Rosenit's angelic face is revealed.

It has been done.

There were more than ten of Michael's closest associates who were homunculuss around him.

It was a time when everyone, including him, gave Rosenit a look of betrayal.

Rosenit, who was blocking the entrance to the prison with both arms, shouted with a venomous look on her face.

''Michael, if you keep doing this to me, I'll make you regret it!''

''...Regret? Is it possible to regret more than now?''

''Ha. Are you saying that now? Did you forget? I'm having your child!''

Looking at Michael who is silent, Rosenit thinks to herself.

“That’s right.”

She was happy.

Although the life in her womb was not created through physical love like a typical lover, it was created through the power of alchemy.

Although it was a borrowed existence, it was still the fruit of her love for him.

Just as she valued it, Michael was also extremely devoted to the unborn child.

Wasn't it until yesterday that he carefully checked the safety of her and the fetus in her stomach every day, saying it was his precious blood?

There was no way a person could change overnight.

However, after a while, Michael completely shattered Rosenit's complacent thoughts.

''A child?''

There was a dark laugh mixed in the voice.

While Rosenit was confused, Michael, whose mockery soon disappeared, spoke in an emotionless voice.

''Are you talking about the cell mass in your stomach that was transplanted from the Philosopher's Stone?''

''I beg your pardon??"

''It seems that the Princess is now mistaking the 'experiment' for 'pregnancy'.''

''What, experiment?''

''The Philosopher's Stone only responds to imperial blood, and I can exert control over the homunculus. So, I borrowed your womb to create a half of an imperial human and a homunculus, and to obtain the 100 rights of the Philosopher's Stone. I was planning on bringing it to me.''

It was never the fruit of love. Rosenit became thoughtful and shouted without giving in.

''Well, anyway, it didn't change that the child in my stomach was yours and mine! It's the fruit of our love!''

''It's our child...'' 

Michael's voice was distorted as he repeated.

In fact, Michael's dominance is manifested as long as he is a homunculus, so the homunculus affection that Rosenit harbors in her stomach does not necessarily have to be Michael's.

It was a pity that there were so many listening ears that there was no way to remind her of the truth.

But there was still more to say that would shock Rosenit.

Michael opened his mouth cruelly.

''The word 'child' is too generous. What's in your stomach is an alchemical experiment that has never been tested. A hybrid between a human and a homunculus. It's unprecedented. So who knows whether 'it' will be a human or a monster when it comes out into the world?''

Rosenit’s eyes widened to their limit. 

"What! To my child...! Uh, uh, how can you say such harsh words?"

''Isn't that what your royal family always said to us? It's a tough situation.''

After saying something contemptuous, Michael withdrew his gaze from Rosenit.

''Bring out the Princess.''

''Yes!''

''Mi, Michael...!

As soon as Michael's order was given, the Homunculus knights dragged Rosenit out of the doorway like a piece of luggage.

This was also a treatment that Rosenit had never received before.

Rosenit saw Michael leaving her behind and leisurely walking to the other side of the hallway.

With her half-sister, cherished behind his wall-like back.

The feeling of victory Rosenit had enjoyed just a little while ago after successfully poisoning Eve was overshadowed.

Rosenit screamed, glaring at Michael's retreating back with bloodshot eyes.

''There! Can't you stand there?! How could you do this to me?!' What on earth is that woman that makes me so miserable!''

Rosenit’s struggles echoed. But no one listened.

Previous            Next