Did the King notice the change in the Prince?
Duke Vergy's gaze turned to King Jedekayer. He had a gloomy expression as always, but he seemed lost in thought. It was hard to tell whether he was trying to gauge the Prince's intentions or deciding whether to entrust him with the questioning.
“This matter is of the utmost importance for the future safety of the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince. Does the Prince know this?”
“I am asking because I know, Your Majesty.”
“Also, if something were to happen to the Prince, do you know what effect that would have on the relationship between Rotair and Delaka?”
“Of course, I know that. But nothing Your Majesty is worried about will happen. I promise you that.”
The King was silent for a moment. When Ramdark, who had been pacing around anxiously, was about to take a step forward, King Jedekayer finally gave an answer.
“If that is the Prince’s will, then good. Do as you wish.”
Duke Vergy's eyes widened. However, the King raised one hand to prevent him from refuting. Rogero bowed sharply as he had done a moment ago and turned around. Ramdark, who had been watching, followed him with a deep sigh.
“Your Highness, why do you wish to undertake such a task?”
“Haven’t you heard that those who are thought to be just plain thugs actually hold up quite well? What looks flimsy is just a facade. Those guys are the most difficult and troublesome to deal with.”
“No, but...”
“The knights of Rotair, especially the King’s elite soldiers, are very brave, aren’t they? But some things can’t be achieved with just and righteous bravery alone.”
“Of course that is true, but...”
Ramdark, who had been mumbling something under his breath, soon gave up on persuading Rogero and followed him quietly.
The entrance to the underground prison was dark and damp. It seemed as if screams could be heard from inside, but Rogero ignored them and walked inside.
The three prisoners were being interrogated with their wrists tied together, but they were still conscious.
The knights and soldiers of the Combler were strictly disciplined and the punishments for those who broke them were clear. However, they were not very experienced in such interrogations.
Rogero, who had carefully examined the movements of the captured people, approached Neos, who was supervising the interrogation, and spoke.
“Bring me a sharp awl and a pocket knife. And a small brazier. I don’t need anything big. I have the King’s permission to come, so move without delay.”
Neos was taken aback by the Prince's sudden intrusion, but he went out immediately after hearing the King's permission. It was a rule that a Combler had to follow without resisting any order given by the King.
The things that Rogero had requested arrived immediately without a long wait. The three men who had been caught, who were beaten and bruised here and there, looked at the small tools and laughed nervously. Rather than really finding it funny, it was more like a desperate act to relieve anxiety about the absurd things happening before their eyes.
Rogero carefully examined the tools without paying attention to what they were doing. Then he turned to the remaining soldiers.
“Everyone get out.”
“Your Highness, it will be difficult for you to do it alone. I will stay behind...”
“I hate having to tell you twice, Captain Bibi. I’ll take care of it.”
Neos looked at Rogero with a strange gaze for a moment, then bowed his head respectfully. He went out with the soldiers and when he reached the entrance, he looked back toward the basement once more.
“I believe Your Highness will know what to do.”
At those words, Rogero raised his head and blinked a couple of times. He tilted his head as if he was thinking about what she meant, then let out an “Ah” and chuckled.
“I know. Just close the door. It’ll be noisy.”
Finally, the door closed. Now, not a single ray of sunlight entered where they were. The only source of light was the eerie torch hanging on the wall.
Rogero poked the awl into the red-hot charcoal. Then, as if playing a joke, he spun the pocket knife around in the palm of his hand.
When he raised his head, the expressions of the three men with their hands tied were clearly tense. They were perplexed when all the soldiers left, leaving behind only a boy who looked to be no more than nineteen years old. An unidentifiable ominousness and fear were slowly casting dark clouds over the feet of the three prisoners.
“I promise you just one thing.”
Rogero took a step forward. The chains binding their wrists made a rattling sound.
“If you can hold out for half an hour without opening your mouth, I will do whatever it takes to get you out alive. I will help you get to a place where no one can chase you.”
“What, what did you say...?”
“This kid, are you kidding us?”
“No way. I always keep my promises. No more, no less. Just half an hour. Do you understand? Hang in there. Cheer up.”
There was a whoosh. The pocket knife made another turn, and a terrible scream filled the dark basement.
Judith was finally able to calm down and regain her complexion after drinking hot tea with sugar one after another. Even though she said that it was okay, Mary Anne was busy moving around without resting, putting a warm water bottle at her feet, a cool cloth on her head, and a winter gauze on her cold hands.
As soon as Franz heard the news, he rushed to the Palace of Nation and waited. The moment she got out of the carriage and saw his face, Judith couldn't stop the tears that flowed like a dam had burst. Even when people were dying before her eyes, she had held back her tears with her teeth, but they burst out as soon as Franz hugged her.
“Are you okay now?”
Franz asked, slowly pressing a wet cloth against her swollen red eyes. Judith nodded, exhaling deeply, her breath still smelling of salt.
“It’s okay, Your Highness.”
Franz lifted the veil and carefully felt Judith's hands. When she first arrived at the palace, her fingertips had been as cold as ice, but now they were warm. That alone made him feel relieved, and his stiff shoulders slowly relaxed.
Judith did not try to urge Franz, who was silently looking down, to keep quiet. She knew that it was not because she was silent that it was difficult to say things like, “I’m glad you’re safe, I’m glad you’re not hurt, I’m glad you’re not hurt,” which he could say thousands of times.
Judith didn't know what Franz was thinking. She was curious about what he was looking at and what he was recalling, but she couldn't ask him.
“You were surprised because of me.”
The golden eyes blinked behind his eyelids, then disappeared and reappeared. Franz did not answer right away but simply reached out his hand. He touched her round cheek, and her pale lips, which seemed to have lost all their color.
“I was very surprised.”
“Should I apologize?”
“No, it’s not something you should apologize for.”
If it had been her in the past, she would have bowed her head countless times and apologized for causing trouble, but not anymore. She couldn't waste her emotions and time on meaningless apologies that had no one to receive, guilt that weighed heavily on her chest, and belated fears.
This time, she was of no help. If Cheeran hadn't been there, and if Neos hadn't come at the right time, she would have fallen for their scheme and the problem would have gotten worse. But if she just regrets it, nothing will be solved.
Judith remembered Flavia's face as she screamed.
The reason she didn't report her right away was because she hesitated for a moment. She wondered what the real reason was that Flavia hated her so much. Should she have thought more about Flavia?
No, now even that thought is meaningless. Judith let out a long sigh and looked back at Franz.
“I have something to tell you.”
"Anything."
“I don’t know how Your Highness will take this story, but... I’m telling you that what happened today wasn’t just a dangerous problem for me. There’s no guarantee that something like this won’t happen again in the future, and I might not be the target then.”
Franz could quickly understand what Judith was saying. He could also picture what she was worried about. When Franz nodded, Judith took a deep breath. Her gaze slowly turned to the window. The slight movement of the tree branches swaying in the wind was transferred to her eyes.
“It seems that the second Princess is involved in this matter. Her father... Count Bloset.”
“Count Bloset and Flavia?”
“Yes. The Countess may also be involved. Whether the real mastermind is Count Bloset or...”
Judith paused for a moment. Franz took up the interrupted words in a calm voice.
“Are she the Queen?”
Her small lips trembled, but the trembling only lasted a moment.
“I don’t know for sure which one, but the Count’s family was certainly involved in this. They tried to kidnap me, but they mistook me for a maid because of my attire, so they grabbed Flavia instead. Then Flavia pointed to me and said, ‘The Crown Princess is not me, it’s that woman.’”
“Why didn’t you tell my father about it as soon as you arrived?”
“As you know, it wasn’t a situation that could have been like that. Also, I thought it was a problem that I couldn’t rashly point out until something was revealed through the interrogation.”
When the carriage came in, the palace, which had been informed of the news ahead of time, was in complete chaos. The fact that the Crown Princess had been attacked in broad daylight, and in a place where people could see her, was even more serious because it was a matter related to the dignity of the palace. It was not something that could be treated as a mere attempted kidnapping.
Franz held Judith's hand and sat silently in thought. This wasn't the first time Flavia had tried to harm Judith. That was the problem.
Franz knew that Judith was trying to forgive her and cover her up as much as possible. That's why she hesitated a little. Knowing how cruel Krald was, he thought that he might forgive Flavia once, considering the pain she must have suffered innocently.
But the second time couldn't be, no matter what Judith's intentions were.
“This matter is of the utmost importance for the future safety of the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince. Does the Prince know this?”
“I am asking because I know, Your Majesty.”
“Also, if something were to happen to the Prince, do you know what effect that would have on the relationship between Rotair and Delaka?”
“Of course, I know that. But nothing Your Majesty is worried about will happen. I promise you that.”
The King was silent for a moment. When Ramdark, who had been pacing around anxiously, was about to take a step forward, King Jedekayer finally gave an answer.
“If that is the Prince’s will, then good. Do as you wish.”
Duke Vergy's eyes widened. However, the King raised one hand to prevent him from refuting. Rogero bowed sharply as he had done a moment ago and turned around. Ramdark, who had been watching, followed him with a deep sigh.
“Your Highness, why do you wish to undertake such a task?”
“Haven’t you heard that those who are thought to be just plain thugs actually hold up quite well? What looks flimsy is just a facade. Those guys are the most difficult and troublesome to deal with.”
“No, but...”
“The knights of Rotair, especially the King’s elite soldiers, are very brave, aren’t they? But some things can’t be achieved with just and righteous bravery alone.”
“Of course that is true, but...”
Ramdark, who had been mumbling something under his breath, soon gave up on persuading Rogero and followed him quietly.
The entrance to the underground prison was dark and damp. It seemed as if screams could be heard from inside, but Rogero ignored them and walked inside.
The three prisoners were being interrogated with their wrists tied together, but they were still conscious.
The knights and soldiers of the Combler were strictly disciplined and the punishments for those who broke them were clear. However, they were not very experienced in such interrogations.
Rogero, who had carefully examined the movements of the captured people, approached Neos, who was supervising the interrogation, and spoke.
“Bring me a sharp awl and a pocket knife. And a small brazier. I don’t need anything big. I have the King’s permission to come, so move without delay.”
Neos was taken aback by the Prince's sudden intrusion, but he went out immediately after hearing the King's permission. It was a rule that a Combler had to follow without resisting any order given by the King.
The things that Rogero had requested arrived immediately without a long wait. The three men who had been caught, who were beaten and bruised here and there, looked at the small tools and laughed nervously. Rather than really finding it funny, it was more like a desperate act to relieve anxiety about the absurd things happening before their eyes.
Rogero carefully examined the tools without paying attention to what they were doing. Then he turned to the remaining soldiers.
“Everyone get out.”
“Your Highness, it will be difficult for you to do it alone. I will stay behind...”
“I hate having to tell you twice, Captain Bibi. I’ll take care of it.”
Neos looked at Rogero with a strange gaze for a moment, then bowed his head respectfully. He went out with the soldiers and when he reached the entrance, he looked back toward the basement once more.
“I believe Your Highness will know what to do.”
At those words, Rogero raised his head and blinked a couple of times. He tilted his head as if he was thinking about what she meant, then let out an “Ah” and chuckled.
“I know. Just close the door. It’ll be noisy.”
Finally, the door closed. Now, not a single ray of sunlight entered where they were. The only source of light was the eerie torch hanging on the wall.
Rogero poked the awl into the red-hot charcoal. Then, as if playing a joke, he spun the pocket knife around in the palm of his hand.
When he raised his head, the expressions of the three men with their hands tied were clearly tense. They were perplexed when all the soldiers left, leaving behind only a boy who looked to be no more than nineteen years old. An unidentifiable ominousness and fear were slowly casting dark clouds over the feet of the three prisoners.
“I promise you just one thing.”
Rogero took a step forward. The chains binding their wrists made a rattling sound.
“If you can hold out for half an hour without opening your mouth, I will do whatever it takes to get you out alive. I will help you get to a place where no one can chase you.”
“What, what did you say...?”
“This kid, are you kidding us?”
“No way. I always keep my promises. No more, no less. Just half an hour. Do you understand? Hang in there. Cheer up.”
There was a whoosh. The pocket knife made another turn, and a terrible scream filled the dark basement.
***
Judith was finally able to calm down and regain her complexion after drinking hot tea with sugar one after another. Even though she said that it was okay, Mary Anne was busy moving around without resting, putting a warm water bottle at her feet, a cool cloth on her head, and a winter gauze on her cold hands.
As soon as Franz heard the news, he rushed to the Palace of Nation and waited. The moment she got out of the carriage and saw his face, Judith couldn't stop the tears that flowed like a dam had burst. Even when people were dying before her eyes, she had held back her tears with her teeth, but they burst out as soon as Franz hugged her.
“Are you okay now?”
Franz asked, slowly pressing a wet cloth against her swollen red eyes. Judith nodded, exhaling deeply, her breath still smelling of salt.
“It’s okay, Your Highness.”
Franz lifted the veil and carefully felt Judith's hands. When she first arrived at the palace, her fingertips had been as cold as ice, but now they were warm. That alone made him feel relieved, and his stiff shoulders slowly relaxed.
Judith did not try to urge Franz, who was silently looking down, to keep quiet. She knew that it was not because she was silent that it was difficult to say things like, “I’m glad you’re safe, I’m glad you’re not hurt, I’m glad you’re not hurt,” which he could say thousands of times.
Judith didn't know what Franz was thinking. She was curious about what he was looking at and what he was recalling, but she couldn't ask him.
“You were surprised because of me.”
The golden eyes blinked behind his eyelids, then disappeared and reappeared. Franz did not answer right away but simply reached out his hand. He touched her round cheek, and her pale lips, which seemed to have lost all their color.
“I was very surprised.”
“Should I apologize?”
“No, it’s not something you should apologize for.”
If it had been her in the past, she would have bowed her head countless times and apologized for causing trouble, but not anymore. She couldn't waste her emotions and time on meaningless apologies that had no one to receive, guilt that weighed heavily on her chest, and belated fears.
This time, she was of no help. If Cheeran hadn't been there, and if Neos hadn't come at the right time, she would have fallen for their scheme and the problem would have gotten worse. But if she just regrets it, nothing will be solved.
Judith remembered Flavia's face as she screamed.
The reason she didn't report her right away was because she hesitated for a moment. She wondered what the real reason was that Flavia hated her so much. Should she have thought more about Flavia?
No, now even that thought is meaningless. Judith let out a long sigh and looked back at Franz.
“I have something to tell you.”
"Anything."
“I don’t know how Your Highness will take this story, but... I’m telling you that what happened today wasn’t just a dangerous problem for me. There’s no guarantee that something like this won’t happen again in the future, and I might not be the target then.”
Franz could quickly understand what Judith was saying. He could also picture what she was worried about. When Franz nodded, Judith took a deep breath. Her gaze slowly turned to the window. The slight movement of the tree branches swaying in the wind was transferred to her eyes.
“It seems that the second Princess is involved in this matter. Her father... Count Bloset.”
“Count Bloset and Flavia?”
“Yes. The Countess may also be involved. Whether the real mastermind is Count Bloset or...”
Judith paused for a moment. Franz took up the interrupted words in a calm voice.
“Are she the Queen?”
Her small lips trembled, but the trembling only lasted a moment.
“I don’t know for sure which one, but the Count’s family was certainly involved in this. They tried to kidnap me, but they mistook me for a maid because of my attire, so they grabbed Flavia instead. Then Flavia pointed to me and said, ‘The Crown Princess is not me, it’s that woman.’”
“Why didn’t you tell my father about it as soon as you arrived?”
“As you know, it wasn’t a situation that could have been like that. Also, I thought it was a problem that I couldn’t rashly point out until something was revealed through the interrogation.”
When the carriage came in, the palace, which had been informed of the news ahead of time, was in complete chaos. The fact that the Crown Princess had been attacked in broad daylight, and in a place where people could see her, was even more serious because it was a matter related to the dignity of the palace. It was not something that could be treated as a mere attempted kidnapping.
Franz held Judith's hand and sat silently in thought. This wasn't the first time Flavia had tried to harm Judith. That was the problem.
Franz knew that Judith was trying to forgive her and cover her up as much as possible. That's why she hesitated a little. Knowing how cruel Krald was, he thought that he might forgive Flavia once, considering the pain she must have suffered innocently.
But the second time couldn't be, no matter what Judith's intentions were.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment