He was right. Even if there was Karsis in that basement, there was no way the Emperor would tell me honestly.
But.
'I'd rather sit on a bed of thorns and be anxious....'
I seemed to have made up my mind and took a step forward.
Because it suited my personality to directly confront things, whether it meant killing them or becoming food.
***
The palace we arrived at was like that.
However, it was not possible to just go to the Emperor without prior arrangement.
So the method I chose was.
“No, aren’t you Young Lady Cretian?”
It was a request to the Crown Prince for help.
If it was the Ernest I had seen so far, he wouldn't ignore the situation that had befallen Carsis.
Cullen, Ernest's escort, looked surprised at me.
Cullen Alestain.
He was the bodyguard of Crown Prince Ernest and the second son of Count Alestain.
“It’s been a while, Sir Alestain. How have you been? Thank you for the last time.”
In the past, he had brought me to the mansion on behalf of Carsis.
I deliberately brought up our past relationship and hoped to meet the Crown Prince.
Even though I was his fiancée, it was considered very rude to visit the Crown Prince's palace without an appointment.
Eii, who knew it, asked cautiously.
“I have come to see His Highness the Crown Prince. Is he inside now?”
“Yes, I will go to His Highness quickly... Oh? Oh, he is here at last.”
Cullen looked behind me with a smile.
I also turned my head to follow the knight's gaze and Ernest came into view.
“Ellie?”
Ernest, who was walking towards me while talking to the attendant next to him, stopped in his tracks, seemingly surprised to see me.
“Ernest.”
I tried hard to hide my nervousness and approached Ernest.
At the same time, the people next to the Crown Prince stepped back and gave way.
“I’m sorry for not making an appointment. I have something urgent to tell you. Do you have a moment?”
"Of course."
With those words, Ernest suggested that we take a walk in the garden.
He asked casually as he walked through the well-kept garden.
“Is something wrong? Your face looks gloomy.”
I tried my best to act bright, but it was hard to fool Ernest's eyes.
I slowed down my pace with a bitter smile.
“I have a favor to ask of you, Your Highness."
“Anything. If it’s something I can listen to.”
I hesitated for a long time.
Could it be that the Crown Prince is unaware of the Emperor's hobbies?
I was also worried that he might get shocked if I said something.
After I hesitated for a while, Ernest put his hand on my shoulder.
“What the hell is going on that makes you take so long? I’m fine, so just talk to me.”
"I..."
I took a deep breath and raised my head.
“Do you know about His Majesty the Emperor’s cellar?”
“...”
Ernest remained silent for a moment at my question, then answered softly.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t know.”
Ernest knew.
The ugly secret his father had.
As I looked at Ernest, who had a look of pain on his face, a corner of my heart felt cold.
'Well, of course he knew. I went there just once and I knew it right away.'
I shook my head, feeling a sense of guilt as if I had torn open Ernest's wounds.
Even if we delay here any longer, only one person will be miserable.
I, who had gathered her courage once again, opened my lips.
“I think Carsis is in that basement right now.”
"...What?"
Ernest's eyes opened wide as if he had not expected that fact at all.
“It’s not certain yet, but... There’s a high probability that Carsis is in that basement. So Erneat.”
I took his hand.
“Please get Carsis out of there.”
Is it because it's in front of Ernest?
The tension in my neck loosened a little, and I began to sob.
“If you don’t help... Carsis...”
“Ellie.”
He answered, wiping away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I can't do that.”
"... Yes?"
I asked dumbly at the completely unexpected answer.
Because I knew that Ernest would be angry, or in pain, and promise to get Carsis out of there somehow.
But the words that came out of his lips were a firm rejection.
Perhaps, Ernest is also afraid of the Emperor.
Even though he was a son, not all relationships between parents and children were close.
Moreover, they were the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Just like at the last town festival, Ernest seemed to have a hard time with the Emperor.
I, who had interpreted Ernest's answer on my own, pleaded again.
“Then, can you please find out if Carsis is in the palace, or if he is in that underground room, or somewhere else?”
“There’s no need to find out.”
“Huh? What is that...”
“Because Carsis is in the palace.”
For a moment, my thoughts seemed to stop.
Ernest's attitude was as if he had known for a long time that Carsis had been in the basement.
My body suddenly began to creak like an oiled iron door.
“Does that mean...you already knew? That Carsis was in that room...?”
He turned his head away as if to avoid answering.
But that attitude replaced his answer.
“Why... Why, even knowing that..."
“Ellie.”
Ernest had a cold look in his eyes that I had never seen before.
“Did you really think I didn’t know? About your relationship with Carsis?”
Thud.
For a moment, it felt like my heart was hitting the bottom and rising up.
The Crown Prince already knew everything.
What was the relationship between Elizabeth and Carsis?
Everything about what those two have been doing without the Crown Prince's knowledge.
He stared at my face, which was gradually turning pale.
“The reason I pretended not to know even though I knew everything was because I truly loved you.”
He buried his head deeply for a moment and muttered softly.
“I stupidly knew that fact, but... I couldn’t give up on you, Ellie.”
“...”
"Therefore."
Soon, Ernest raised his face and grabbed my shoulder.
“Don’t make me miserable anymore.”
The man's face, which had always been upright, became extremely distorted.
***
Knock, knock.
When the unseasonable spring rain begins to moisten the dry ground.
My body, which had entered the room, slid down the door as soon as it closed.
“Ernest...”
I who had been quietly reciting the Crown Prince's name, stared blankly into space.
"Don't make me miserable anymore."
A little while ago. Ernest's voice and expression were unforgettable.
How did Ernest feel?
Whenever he sees Carsis with me.
Even though he knew that the woman he loved was having an affair with another man.
I couldn't even begin to fathom Ernest's feelings as he remained silent.
The shoulder he had tightly gripped now hurts.
And at the same time, the guilt of not being able to save Carsis tore at my heart.
From the moment I heard the Crown Prince's answer in a suppressed voice, I could no longer ask him to save Carsis.
How could I say it?
Carsis is the reason Ernest feels betrayed by the woman he loves.
“Elizabeth. What the hell are you...”
I hugged my knees and buried my head.
I was resentful of Elizabeth, who had suddenly disappeared, leaving .e to shoulder the weight of all these sins.
I felt lost in a maze without any landmarks.
It was when I buried my head deep in my stomach, trying to hold back the sobs that were about to burst out.
I heard a noise behind the door my back was against, and soon someone was knocking on the door.
“Miss. It’s May. Can I come in for a moment?”
There was no reason for May to come since I had already declared that I would not eat dinner.
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