Prelude
Regular footsteps echoed in the darkness. Gareth sat on a garden bench and stared at the pond, then turned his head to look down the hallway.
Dressed in the conquests of the Imperial Knights, Barcas was walking out of the long arcade that connected to the garden. It reminded him of a snake swimming slowly in the deep, dark water.
He sometimes wondered why.
Pale blonde hair with a faded flax-like hue, silvery blue eyes, and plaster-like skin...
Why does a man made up of only blurry colors like old parchment create such a dreary atmosphere?
Whenever he faced him, he always felt a chill down his spine for no reason.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
The man put his hand on his chest and bowed. Gareth waved his hand roughly, annoyed.
"Get rid of the useless formality."
Even though he was a member of the Imperial Guard, he was a man who would soon succeed Grand Duke Sheerkan as ruler of the eastern region. It was not a position that he could treat carelessly. But Gareth gave him a chin as if he were treating a petty subordinate.
"How long will I let you look up? Sit down."
Despite his rude attitude, the man's face did not change at all. A man with a nonchalant expression, neither upset nor servile obedience, sat down on a marble chair.
The Crown Prince carefully examined the elaborate features that did not feel human. At first glance, it seemed normal, but it was not difficult to guess that he was not in a very good mood.
Maybe things didn't go well. Gareth, who was narrowing his eyes, asked a question.
"What happened to the interrogation? Could it be that they failed to find out who was behind it?"
"I figured out everything I could find."
The man pulled down the top of his tightly packed coat with one hand and replied in a monotonous voice.
"But I don't think that's what Your Highness wants."
Gareth raised an eyebrow.
"Tell me more."
"The medicine in Her Highness's cup did not come from the Empress's palace."
"Yes?"
"The apothecary of the imperial family prescribed it to a maid who worked in the main palace. They said it wasn't a poison in the first place. It is just that it has side effects such as vomiting and stomach pain when taken in large doses, so it is not strictly managed."
"So the maid of the palace suddenly lost her mind and drugged my sister's cup?"
The Crown Prince laughed ridiculously. However, the tendons were tight at the nape of his neck. It was a sign that the Crown Prince was angry to the top of his head.
However, Barcas' gaze on Gareth, whose face was red with anger, was infinitely dry.
"The maid didn't take the medicine herself."
"Then who is the culprit?"
He lost patience and raised his voice.
"Don't drag it out, just tell me the conclusion! If the Empress didn't make a mistake and the maid didn't have an accident, who dared to play a prank on my sister's drink?
"The 2nd Princess did it."
Gareth, who was screaming at the answer that came out of nowhere, stopped.
"That?"
The Crown Prince's face was distorted violently. When the Princess was spoken, the Crown Prince was like a seething lava. But when the Prince mentioned the illegitimate child he had brought, he looked like someone who had the filth of the world. A gnashing sound leaked out of his tightly tightened jaw.
"That's crazy enough. If it's my sister's matter, she's whose eyes are turned upside down with jealousy and can't distinguish between self-interest..."
Barcas did not respond to the vulgar insults that could have been corrected. Gareth, who had been staring at such a man, couldn't let go of his regret and hung down on the Princess.
"Even so, Senevere in this matter... Isn't it too early to be sure that the breath of that didn't work? Is it possible that she instigated her daughter..."
"If she did, she would have used a proper poison instead of this kind of pranky medicine."
Barkcs said in a hurry. His pale eyes shone like flies in the darkness.
"The Empress wouldn't have been caught in such a clumsy manner."
Gareth couldn't find anything to refute and kept his mouth shut. It was reluctant to interrupt him, but the contempt in his voice satisfied Gareth.
It was very satisfying for him to have this young man, who was so indifferent to everything, set up a day when it came to the imperial family's stain. Thalia Roem Gurta. This man is his own... He felt like he had been reassured that he was on his side.
"Definitely... Senevere wouldn't jeopardize her position with such stupid things."
Gareth, who was somewhat relieved, said in a resigned voice.
"Thalia, she stamped my foot. I thought I would work someday."
He smiled like a brawler when he swept through the academy.
"I'm sure she lost her reason because you were taken away by my sister. How much did that illegitimate who didn't know the subject campaign with the heir of the Grand Duke? Now that the Praetorian Knight, whom she regarded as her toy, has become the companion of the 'real' Princess, I guess she has lost her temper."
The man didn't say anything. Barcas Raedgo Sheerkan was a man who said nothing more than what was necessary. Therefore, his silence was not so strange.
But Gareth sometimes found the man's silence unbearable. That was the case right now. He stared at Barcas as if to demand an answer.
"Anyway. She can't escape that year's punishment this time. If you do well, you can drive her to a poisoning...."
"It won't turn out the way you want."
He interrupted the Crown Prince for the second time. Gareth's eyes became fierce. However, the man's eyes were silent as he looked at the next Emperor of the empire.
"First, there is only circumstantial evidence and no solid physical evidence. If she decides to do it, it will not be easy to prove that she is the culprit."
"That's what if you put forward the maid who provided the medicine as a witness...!"
"Do you think that with the testimony of only one maid, you can bring Senevere's eldest daughter to judgment?"
While Gareth struggled to find anything to refute, he calmly continued.
"Second, even if it is clear that this was the work of the second Princess, it is difficult to impose a strong punishment just by taking medicine that causes stomach pain. If she insists that it was a light prank, it will end up being a prison sentence at most."
"Light prank?"
Gareth, who had been listening to him silently, finally exploded with his temper. He jumped up from his seat and took the next Grand Duke's hand.
"Do you know what kind of shame the woman who was to be your wife was subjected to in front of people? A kid who had never shown a disturbed appearance collapsed and vomited in the banquet hall! How could Ayla be in so much pain, and how could it be a light prank...!"
As if thinking about the memory of that day, the Crown Prince's bronzed face became so hot that he could recognize it even in the darkness. He gritted his teeth and whimpered.
"Yes, I was out of my mind at the time, but when Ayla collapsed, I saw Thalia, and she was smiling in the distance! Even if I tear her limbs to death, I don't think she would dare... to kill my sister!"
"Your Highness."
Gareth flinched. He didn't raise his voice in particular, but sweat formed down his back for a moment. Gareth took a step back and looked at Barcas.
The man adjusted his disheveled clothes with a calm touch.
"She is not worthy of His Highness the Crown Prince's attention."
His voice was monotonous, as if he were talking about the obvious fact that night comes when the sun goes down.
"All she does is harass many people with such nasty pranks. The ruler of the empire should be enthusiastic about such petty pranks."
He said as if to soothe a child.
Normally, he would have vented his anger at him for daring to admonish him, but Gareth, who knew very well that he had crossed the line first, remained silent.
The man slowly stood up. Even though he was rude enough to leave without asking for the Prince's permission, the man's behavior was as natural as the flow.
"I have sent her a soothing medicine. In the future, we will strictly supervise both the alcohol and the food on Her Highness's table."
"So, cover it up?"
"If Your Highness wants to find out the truth of this matter and punish the Second Princess, I will not stop you. But I want to get out."
Gareth blushed at the hearty reply. Barcas seemed to be trying to dismiss this as just a mischievous prank of a spoiled, obsessed with speculation.
As he said, the Crown Prince and the heir to the Grand Duke of the East were only hurting their own faces.
However, Gareth felt strongly repulsed by his coldness. It wasn't just because of his indifferent attitude toward his sister. Gareth scowled at him suspiciously.
"No way, you're not going to wrap her up, are you?"
The man turned to face the way he had come, but he stopped and looked over his shoulder coldly.
Just in time, the wind from the lake gently disturbed his gray blond hair. However, the impression of the company did not dim in the slightest. A smile like a well-forged blade filled his lips. It was the first expression that appeared on his face, as if he were wearing a mask.
"Am I going to take that girl?"
Barcas let out a big laugh as if he had heard a funny story. However, the man's blue eyes flashed with raw anger.
Gareth was speechless. He knew that this man hated Thalia. But he didn't know that they harbored such strong hostility.
Wasn't he a man who had been thoroughly castrated by the priests? In fact, Gareth had never seen him show emotion in more than a decade.
What on earth did this wooden man do to show all his teeth?
Gareth stared at him curiously.
When he was a knight of Thalia Roem Guirta's guard, he had heard of all kinds of insults from her, but he had never thought that Barcas would be affected by it.
Wasn't he too noble to be swayed by the hysteria of a foolish sissy? To him, Thalia Roem Guirta was nothing more than a nuisance and annoyance. But it didn't seem to be the case.
Barcas said as if chewing, his blue eyes shining faintly without a hint of warmth.
"I just don't want to be involved with her again."
Then, as if he had nothing more to say, he turned around and walked back the way he had come.
Gareth looked at him silently as he walked away like a water snake passing over a lake, and a fishy smile appeared on his lips.
"Thalia. I don't know what she did, but it's good for me."
Now that the man who is supposed to be his strongest supporter hates his enemy, their alliance will grow stronger.
Gareth stood up with a satisfied face.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment