Trap (2)
"Does that mean it has nothing to do with you?"
"How could I dare do such a thing? I swear it has nothing to do with me."
The Emperor looked down indifferently at Oslo, who was shamelessly evading the question.
"Yes, Baron Nokron said the same thing. He did it on his own, thinking it might help you."
"Look at that. Would Baron Nokron dare lie to Father?"
"One, it's different from what the Guardian said."
"I don't know what the hell Millenia said, but-."
The Emperor cut off Oslo.
"Third Prince."
"Yes?"
"I, the Emperor, do not call the guardian's name carelessly."
"Ah... I'm sorry. What I meant was that the Guardian..."
"Do you want to claim that the Guardian framed you?"
"Father, it's not a claim, it's a fact."
"What's the evidence?"
"That's me..."
Because he used her heart, cheated on her with his friend, and even tried to kill her.
It was a moment when Oslo hesitated and could not tell the truth.
The Emperor struck down his armrest.
Bang!
"How long are you going to cover the sky with the palm of your hand?"
It was the first time the Emperor had shown such anger. Oslo's face turned pale.
"The Prince of the empire conspired with the nobles to imprison not only his own brother but also the guardian of another country?"
"..."
"The damage to the national dignity is a secondary issue. If this becomes known, you must have done it with some consideration of what Shancrecia will demand of us."
Oslo made a hasty excuse.
"No, Father! I really don't know!"
"Did you think I didn't know what you've been doing? How much do you think of me that you can do something like that!"
"I... I don't know what you heard... but please listen to me!"
"Shut your mouth!"
Oslo's shoulders flinched at the chilling rebuke.
"Before your mother died, she said, why should you be deprived of opportunities just because you were born late? I thought it made sense, so I gave you a chance."
"..."
"But the method you chose was to use the Guardians to increase your power. Yes, it may be vulgar, but I guess it is a method."
Oslo glanced at Millenia without realizing it. She was just standing there quietly, with her gaze down as usual.
"One, how long can you maintain the position you have taken with the power of others? Look at it now. The moment your guardian turns away, you are helplessly shaken!"
The Emperor's cold silver-gray eyes were fixed on him.
"When the arson incident occurred at the Astrod Mansion, I clearly advised you. I admire your ambition, but you will not become the successor if you continue on that path."
Oslo was able to grow its power thanks to Millenia, but the Emperor's indifference also played a part.
A sense of guilt for having treated Oslo's mother coldly all her life, pity for her child who was twisted by a sense of entitlement based on his origins, and an expectation that Oslo might also have the qualities of an Emperor.
For various reasons, the Emperor gave Oslo a chance, and that was the biggest mistake he ever made.
The Emperor continued speaking.
"And yet you never took the chance. You made the wrong choices every time, disappointing me."
Oslo bit his lip. Blood began to form on his lower lip, which was crushed by his front teeth.
'You gave me a chance? Don't be silly, Father. Don't you think I'm trying to make Kalit look better through you?'
The Emperor's stern voice fell upon his crown.
"As of today, all of Baron Nokron's positions and authority are suspended. Accordingly, all of his aides will be replaced, and the appointment authority will be delegated to the First Prince."
"...!"
Replacing all of the aides was tantamount to declaring that Oslo was going to be cut off.
The price paid for keeping Kalit and Millenia from attending the summit was too high.
"Father, this is too much! Why should I be the victim of something that has nothing to do with me?"
"You still say such nonsense? Do you really need to be expelled from the summit to come to your senses!"
"Oh, no. Father!"
He felt it intuitively. He had been completely pushed out of the race for succession.
Oslo fell to his knees.
"Have you forgotten my mother's will? Didn't you promise to give me a chance by the end of this year?"
"..."
"Please don't take away my last chance! I will definitely lead the Great Rift to victory and bring honor to the name of the Empire!"
A deep wrinkle appeared between the Emperor's eyebrows.
His promise to Count Beatrix to give Oslo a chance for five years was always holding him back.
To keep that covenant, wasn't the appointment of a success or was Kalit also postponed until next year?
The Emperor cast a cold gaze at Oslo.
"It would be right to exclude you from the summit, but I will let it slide just this once. It is not because you are pretty, but because I do not want to expose my country's shame to other countries."
"..."
"I warn you, do not cause any more trouble. Keep in mind that now, aside from the question of succession, your very position may be at stake."
"...I will keep that in mind, Father."
Oslo gritted his teeth as he watched the Emperor leave the audience room.
He was a father who had never smiled once in his entire life. No matter how much he struggled, the Emperor's only child was Kalit.
The reason he gave Oslo a chance was because of his pride. He couldn't break a promise he made in the Emperor's name.
A devilish smile spread across Oslo's lips.
I will definitely return the favor for the humiliation I suffered today, Father.
***
Outside the audience room, Chevio was waiting for Millenia.
"Guardian, I will escort you to the conference room."
"Huh? Brother?"
As Millenia stretched out her arms in surprise. Chevio grabbed her hands and brought them to his face.
"His Majesty has ordered your protection. From now on, I will protect you within the palace."
"...Yes?"
It was more of a warning to Oslo than a decision made by the Emperor out of concern for Millenia's safety.
Don't do anything stupid.
Oslo's face twisted as he realized this clearly.
He caught Millenia.
"Let me talk for a moment."
Before Millenia could answer, Chevio stopped Oslo.
"Please step back, Your Highness."
"How dare you, the Commander of the Knights, interfere? Why can't you just get out of the way?"
"I'm sorry, but the Guardian must attend the summit."
"I am also a conference attendee!"
"Is that so?"
Oslo's forehead turned red at Chevio's blunt answer.
Just before he exploded, Millenia reached out and patted Shevio on the shoulder.
"Brother, please step aside for a moment."
"...I'll be nearby."
"Yeah, thanks."
Chevio and Nadia stepped back with a look of reluctance.
Only then did Oslo sneer in a low voice.
"You can't help but laugh after sending me to hell?"
Millenia opened her eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
"You call this hell? The real hell hasn't even begun yet?"
Oslo ground his teeth at the natural expression.
"Let's go as far as we can."
"Think about all the things you've done to me so far. I still have a long way to go."
"What did I do! I didn't do anything!"
Millenia laughed silently.
"I see you are relieved that the prisoners held by the Knights of Eldern have been eliminated. Your Highness, is that the only evidence I have?"
"..."
That's a lie. There's no way any evidence would remain if it was completely erased.
Oslo quickly regained its composure.
"Why don't you just admit it now?"
"What?"
"You told me about the future where you would be trapped in Nokron, right? That's why you told me to send a report to the captain of the guards."
"...Then what?"
"I know you're doing this because of me. You want to get my attention."
They say that love and hate are only a hair's breadth apart. Oslo still had no doubt that Millenia loved him.
He held Millenia's hand affectionately.
"You won. I admit it. I love you."
"..."
"So stop now. I can't stand to see you anymore because it's so sad."
“Ha ha ha!”
Millenia burst into laughter. Oslo hesitated and stepped back in front of her, who was laughing wildly while shaking her slender body.
"...Why are you laughing?"
"I wonder how you come up with such absurd ideas. I'm amazed."
"No?"
"I told you that the only emotion I have left for you, Your Highness, is hatred. Please be reasonable with your delusions."
"Then why.”
Another hypothesis emerged in Oslo's mind.
Millenia did not reveal the future of an individual recklessly.
To the point where Sierra, who was so close to her, wouldn't say a word no matter how much he begged.
The only person she could tell the future to was Oslo, because she truly loved him.
If she had told Kalit the future...
'Did you fall in love with my brother?'
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