Cornered Rat (3)
In my past life, Albert was a loyal subject who endured Oslo's cruel nature and served him with all his heart.
He lasted for 20 years solely on the belief that if Oslo ascended to the throne, his own status would also rise.
Oslo, who became the Emperor in this way, purged all those connected to his dirty deeds, contrary to AIbert's expectations.
When Oslo came to visit me in prison, I clearly remember the voice of the chief chamberlain who was assisting him.
That wasn't Albert's voice.
That's when I realized that Albert was also included in the purge in Oslo.
That's why, when I had lured Baba from Eldern's villa a while ago, the person I had in mind to testify about Oslo's crimes was Albert.
It would have been difficult if Albert had been as loyal as he was in my last life.
But in this life, Oslo fell out of favor with the Emperor.
With Oslo so clearly distant from the throne, it was natural that Albert would be anxious about his future.
It was so easy to persuade him.
"If you want to live, abandon your master."
Albert, who received my letter through Baba, resolved to clear away any remaining lingering attachments and promised to stand on my side.
Because the master he's served for 20 years isn't more important than his life.
Moreover, Albert had already lost interest in Oslo.
However, he just couldn't make a decision.
But since he had an excuse to betray Oslo because of me, there was no reason to worry anymore.
Oslo muttered with a look of shock on his face as Albert entered the barracks.
"The attendant's name was Albert."
Albert crossed the barracks and bowed to the Emperor without even looking at Oslo.
"I see the sun of the empire."
"If you're the chief chamberlain, you must know the Third Prince's every move."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"It is said that the Third Prince committed kidnapping, attempted murder, and instigation of murder by the fist walker. Do you know anything about this?"
Albert bowed his head and opened his mouth.
"It's all true."
"Hey! Are you crazy?!"
As Oslo glared and shouted, Albert shrugged his shoulders and began to tremble.
"You little shit, you dare bite your master? Do you think you'll be okay after doing that?"
"...No."
"What?"
Albert suddenly raised his head.
"I'm not a dog! I'm a human being, not a dog who is loyal to his master even if he dies!"
"I...I..."
Oslo was rather startled by Albert's voice, which was filled with anger and resentment.
He was not the general whom he usually treated with contempt. He was nowhere to be seen as being afraid of even a single word he said.
"Even I wasn't a dog to Your Highness. Even if you raise a dog for 20 years, it will learn its name."
"... This is ridiculous. How important is a name to you to hold a grudge against your master?"
The Emperor could no longer bear it and struck down the armrest.
"Both of you stop!"
"Father, did you just hear that? That guy clearly has a grudge against me and is conspiring with Millenia!"
"Third Prince, if you ever open your mouth without permission again, I will not forgive you."
"Why are you doing this to me? How on earth can I get you to believe me!"
The Emperor opened his eyes.
"Would you put a gag in your mouth to keep you quiet?"
"Ah. Father..."
"Keep in mind that my patience has reached its limit."
The Emperor's heavily sunken voice was terribly dry and cold.
Oslo staggered back, realizing that he could not escape no matter what.
"The Third Prince's attendant, please explain in more detail."
Albert bowed his head again. After a moment to collect his thoughts, he began to speak.
"The Third Prince never intended to harm Miss Millenia from the beginning. He just wanted to catch her somehow, but she was too stubborn. That's why he tried to kidnap her on the way to Eldern, but it ended in failure. It seems that his feelings have changed since then."
"How can he say that?"
"Rather than letting someone else take it away, I'd rather kill them."
The Emperor closed his eyes tightly.
"After that, the Third Prince planned two assassinations against Lady Millenia. Once, he directly requested the Assassination Guild, and the second time, he made it a condition of resolving the issue of Lady Sierra Coelho."
"Stop."
"Yes?"
"That's enough. Go away."
"...I'm sorry."
As Albert went out, the Emperor sighed and touched his forehead.
Of course, the Emperor was also well aware of the incident that occurred at Eldern's villa.
Because Kalit consulted with the Emperor before rushing to Eldern.
But the reason he was so shocked was because he didn't even know that Oslo would threaten me three times.
The line that can be covered at this level was crossed long ago.
The Emperor opened his mouth after a long time.
"Oslo Royal Antilles is excluded from the summit."
"...!"
"I will also confine you to the palace for 30 years. From today on, you will refrain from any contact with the outside world."
"Father!!!"
Oslo fell to his knees in thought.
You might have expected to be excluded from the summit, but you probably never imagined you would be locked up in the palace.
And that was for a whopping 30 years.
However, the location changed from a prison to a palace.
"This can't be happening! How can you believe that guy's words and throw me out! This is too much, Father! This is really too much!"
Oslo cried and clung to the Emperor, but the Emperor simply stood up.
"The Third Prince should not show himself to anyone and quietly return to the palace."
"Oh, no, Father! It hasn't even been five years yet! You have to give me a chance, just like you promised to my late mother!"
"That damn promise!"
The Emperor's roar echoed throughout the barracks.
"Shall I tell you why you did such a thing? It was because of that promise. You became so arrogant and proud because you knew I couldn't break my promise to your mother!"
The Emperor bowed and met Oslo's eyes.
"Do you know why I left you alone?"
"..."
"Because you were no threat to the empire."
Oslo shook his head violently. Clear tears fell and soaked the hem of his clothes.
"No! You know how much I care about the Empire!"
"Then at least you shouldn't have threatened the Guardian!"
"She's not dead! She's still alive and well, so what's the problem? Why would you abandon your child for something like this?"
The Emperor slowly straightened his back. A dry voice came out of his lips.
"The Empire has guardians who are far more important than you."
"..."
With those words, the Emperor left without looking back. Oslo's desperate screams shook the barracks.
"Father! Fatheeeeerr!!!"
It felt strange to see Oslo writhing in pain.
'I thought it would be more refreshing than this.'
I made a promise every night.
I will look into Oslo's blue eyes and laugh heartily as he falls into despair after losing everything.
But I didn't laugh, because he didn't lose anything.
Unlike me and my family who were annihilated in our past lives, isn't Oslo alive now?
Of course, he has to be locked up like a prisoner for a long time, but it's not a prison, it's a palace.
If he can hold out for 30 years, he'll be free.
In the end, all Oslo lost was his dream of becoming Emperor.
"This is not enough.'
At that moment, Oslo glared at me, gritting his teeth.
"Do you think I'm going to die like this? No, I'll do whatever it takes to tear you and your family apart and kill you! It won't be of any use begging when I get there!"
I realized in my past life that when anger exceeds a certain threshold, it actually makes you calm.
'You shouldn't have touched my family.'
So, everything that happens from now on is your fault.
At that moment, the imperial knight who was waiting to escort me asked politely.
"Young Lady, you should go now. I will escort you.'
"Can you give me a moment? I have something to tell the Third Prince."
"No, the captain has instructed us to take you safely."
"Please take a moment. I'll be happy if you help me."
"...I will wait outside."
"Thank you."
After the knight and Nadia left, Oslo and I were the only ones left in the barracks.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment