#110. Traitor
When Derek entered the room to find Daphne, she was already asleep. Derek had a subtle expression on his face. It was like a wandering young animal sleeping peacefully in its shelter. It was the most comfortable face he had ever seen on her face, even though he had not seen it for a long time.
He laid Daphne down properly and covered her with a blanket.
“Have sweet dreams.”
Derek stared at the sleeping face. The peace she had found with difficulty. This must have been what Fabian had wanted. He loved Daphne, and he died protecting her. He closed his eyes and spoke to his dead sister.
“Don’t worry, Fabian. I’ll protect her.”
He softly hummed vain regrets and promises that would never reach the dead. This was something Fabian would have wanted to do, but he was confident in the end. Even if it was late, he would fulfill Fabian's wish.
He was the first to cheer for his father. He hoped that his father's plan would succeed.
Daphne slept soundly for three days. Of course, she woke up in the middle of the night. It was because Derek had prepared her meals. After eating the food, Daphne fell into a very sweet sleep.
She never felt safe or comfortable for a single moment. There was nowhere to put her mind.
She woke up, rubbed her eyes, and went downstairs. She didn't know how much time had passed. When Daphne came down, she flinched. Derek was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.
"Uh...!"
Come to think of it, Derek had given Daphne food and water. Does that mean they've been together all this time? Derek said to a puzzled Daphne.
"Why?"
"No..."
“If you’re wondering how many days you slept, you slept for three days. I thought you were dead.”
Three days? That much? Derek said, looking surprised.
“Your face is really swollen.”
What! Daphne covered her face in surprise. She headed to the bathroom. Perhaps because the water system had been repaired, water came out when she turned on the tap. She thought it only came out where Asherad used to use it, but it came out right away. The maids’ place didn’t have this kind of water...
She looked into the bathroom mirror and saw a woman with disheveled hair. She looked like she had been sleeping for a long time, and her eyes were still drowsy. Her brown-stained hair didn't look bad either.
Daphne faced her free self.
It wasn't bad. Really, it wasn't bad. Daphne came out after tidying up her hair and saw Derek. Now that she thinks about it, why was Derek in this house?
Then Derek said,
“It seems that the Peneus Empire’s army was defeated after attempting a surprise attack.”
“...”
“Everyone is laughing at Emperor Asherad. Of course, I don’t know what the atmosphere is like there, since I’m a knight from the Kingdom of Thalassa.”
“...”
“Emperor Asherad can never come here. There is no escape route or situation that would allow it.”
"Then..."
“Even if they find out, the enemy will never come. Even if their lives are at stake, the nobles will not leave Asherad alone."
Daphne nodded. She had a rough idea of what was going on. If Asherad were to leave the battlefield to find Daphne, the Emperor's ability would be questioned. The people would also criticize Asherad for abandoning this important war just to find one woman.
Asherad.
Her heart still raced when she heard that name. Derek said it to reassure Daphne.
“That’s... good.”
She tried hard to hide her complicated feelings. Asherad, never come here. I will never see you again in my life. Daphne whispered.
Count Locania raised the corners of his mouth. Everything was going according to his plan. The war as well. Count Locania thought of King Thalassa and his wife, who had come to Kalista's funeral. He went to where the couple was resting and told them everything.
After Kalista was taken away, she died a mysterious death. However, the royal couple did not believe it easily. It was because they had seen Asherad's expression. Asherad looked like someone who was dying. Count Locania completely destroyed that sincerity.
'Please, do not trust that demon. The reason Emperor Asherad made that face is because his beloved concubine committed suicide.'
'What did you say!?'
It was the Queen who jumped out. Count Locania told what Kalista had been up to, and how she had been seduced by the devil of Asherad.
As expected, the Queen burst into tears.
'Poor Kalista, my daughter!'
Of course, Count Locania did not particularly feel sorry for the woman. Rather, he thought that she died well. This was not an act of righteousness, but was for something.
'Evidence, is there any evidence?'
The Count of Locania smiled at the King's words. There is no evidence. The Emperor must have hidden it very secretly.
However, King Thalassa seemed to intend to receive compensation from Asherad with evidence. That was not what the Count wanted.
'Are you treating him leniently because he's your grandson?'
Then the King's face hardened.
'Should I run straight to the Emperor and tell him about your trick?'
The Count of Locania let out a hollow laugh at the growling words. There was something. Even though Asherad had been abused by the Emperor, King Thalassa had ignored him. And that was not all? He even thought of sending Kalista to have the child he would bear be crowned Emperor. In other words, the King had joined the dead Emperor's efforts to keep Asherad in check.
'I made a mistake. I know that Your Majesty, the King, a merciful King, hates to see blood shed.'
'...'
'But I cannot stand it either, so I am informing Your Majesty, the King, of this fact. It is an incident in which the Queen's daughter was brutally murdered.'
'...'
'I will help you.'
The Count saw the King's eyes waver. The Queen's face also looked angry. The King could not refuse the Queen's request most of the time. The Queen loved her dead daughter too much.
'What help?'
The answer came unexpectedly quickly. And so this war broke out. The King of Thalassa confidently launched a war against the empire.
Count Locania's prediction came true. He even managed to escape Daphne from Asherad's clutches.
Asherad's downfall was expected. He was a madman, and he went into a fit of rage after losing Daphne. He even attacked Thalassa's army in a hurry to end the war, and was defeated miserably.
The morale of the soldiers fell, and the Emperor's prestige also plummeted. In this chaotic situation, Count Locania leisurely watched Asherad suffer.
It's not over yet. This is heaven compared to the suffering his son went through. Asherad is still alive, at least.
He gritted his teeth and walked through the barracks.
“Your Excellency.”
Then the Emperor's knight came running.
“Why are you like that?”
“His Majesty has something to discuss with you regarding the operation.”
Count Locania nodded to his adjutant and followed the knight to the Emperor's tent. Asherad was sitting on his chair, resting his chin on his hand, while Ioannis stood beside him.
“Your Majesty!”
The Count greeted him politely.
“Welcome. I have called you here because I need the Count’s help.”
“If I can be of any help to Your Majesty, I will offer my body to help you.”
“That’s not it.”
Asherad snickered. Count Locania looked at Asherad's face. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten, and his eyes were stained with fatigue, as if he hadn’t slept. His lips were chapped, his voice cracked. Even with such a haggard appearance, his eyes were sharp and piercing, causing people to fear him.
The sight of Asherad being ruined was the greatest amusement to him. Count Locania was satisfied with the sight.
“Count, how do you think a traitor should be dealt with?”
“What the...”
“The soldier who was secretly delivering information to the Kingdom of Thalassa has been captured.”
Count Locania tried not to show his stern face. When Ioannis nodded, the soldiers brought the soldier. Count Locania looked at the soldier who was brought in.
The Count's heart pounded. It was the soldier that Count Romania had sent to Thalassa.
Asherad said with a smile.
“What kind of ulterior motive could a soldier have? It must have been ordered by someone higher up.”
“...”
“But this guy doesn’t tell who ordered him to do it.”
The bloody soldier looked at Asherad with longing eyes.
“What should I do?”
At that moment, the soldier shuddered. The Count also let out a low sigh. It was the Count who had to tell his subordinate how to torture him.
The Count looked back and forth between Asherad and the soldier. After looking around the barracks, he smirked and approached the fallen soldier.
“You don’t have to feel so guilty.”
At those words, the soldier finally looked at Count Locania. The Count stroked his head.
“You met with trouble while you were running an errand for me.”
At Count Locania’s words, Ioannis’ face hardened. The Count examined the soldier’s condition and then turned his head to look at Asherad.
“Your Majesty, I hate beating around the bush.”
“...”
“That’s right. I am a traitor.”
The knights and soldiers came in and began aiming their spears at Count Locania. Asherad smiled brightly and said,
“So where is Daphne?”
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When Derek entered the room to find Daphne, she was already asleep. Derek had a subtle expression on his face. It was like a wandering young animal sleeping peacefully in its shelter. It was the most comfortable face he had ever seen on her face, even though he had not seen it for a long time.
He laid Daphne down properly and covered her with a blanket.
“Have sweet dreams.”
Derek stared at the sleeping face. The peace she had found with difficulty. This must have been what Fabian had wanted. He loved Daphne, and he died protecting her. He closed his eyes and spoke to his dead sister.
“Don’t worry, Fabian. I’ll protect her.”
He softly hummed vain regrets and promises that would never reach the dead. This was something Fabian would have wanted to do, but he was confident in the end. Even if it was late, he would fulfill Fabian's wish.
He was the first to cheer for his father. He hoped that his father's plan would succeed.
***
Daphne slept soundly for three days. Of course, she woke up in the middle of the night. It was because Derek had prepared her meals. After eating the food, Daphne fell into a very sweet sleep.
She never felt safe or comfortable for a single moment. There was nowhere to put her mind.
She woke up, rubbed her eyes, and went downstairs. She didn't know how much time had passed. When Daphne came down, she flinched. Derek was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.
"Uh...!"
Come to think of it, Derek had given Daphne food and water. Does that mean they've been together all this time? Derek said to a puzzled Daphne.
"Why?"
"No..."
“If you’re wondering how many days you slept, you slept for three days. I thought you were dead.”
Three days? That much? Derek said, looking surprised.
“Your face is really swollen.”
What! Daphne covered her face in surprise. She headed to the bathroom. Perhaps because the water system had been repaired, water came out when she turned on the tap. She thought it only came out where Asherad used to use it, but it came out right away. The maids’ place didn’t have this kind of water...
She looked into the bathroom mirror and saw a woman with disheveled hair. She looked like she had been sleeping for a long time, and her eyes were still drowsy. Her brown-stained hair didn't look bad either.
Daphne faced her free self.
It wasn't bad. Really, it wasn't bad. Daphne came out after tidying up her hair and saw Derek. Now that she thinks about it, why was Derek in this house?
Then Derek said,
“It seems that the Peneus Empire’s army was defeated after attempting a surprise attack.”
“...”
“Everyone is laughing at Emperor Asherad. Of course, I don’t know what the atmosphere is like there, since I’m a knight from the Kingdom of Thalassa.”
“...”
“Emperor Asherad can never come here. There is no escape route or situation that would allow it.”
"Then..."
“Even if they find out, the enemy will never come. Even if their lives are at stake, the nobles will not leave Asherad alone."
Daphne nodded. She had a rough idea of what was going on. If Asherad were to leave the battlefield to find Daphne, the Emperor's ability would be questioned. The people would also criticize Asherad for abandoning this important war just to find one woman.
Asherad.
Her heart still raced when she heard that name. Derek said it to reassure Daphne.
“That’s... good.”
She tried hard to hide her complicated feelings. Asherad, never come here. I will never see you again in my life. Daphne whispered.
***
Count Locania raised the corners of his mouth. Everything was going according to his plan. The war as well. Count Locania thought of King Thalassa and his wife, who had come to Kalista's funeral. He went to where the couple was resting and told them everything.
After Kalista was taken away, she died a mysterious death. However, the royal couple did not believe it easily. It was because they had seen Asherad's expression. Asherad looked like someone who was dying. Count Locania completely destroyed that sincerity.
'Please, do not trust that demon. The reason Emperor Asherad made that face is because his beloved concubine committed suicide.'
'What did you say!?'
It was the Queen who jumped out. Count Locania told what Kalista had been up to, and how she had been seduced by the devil of Asherad.
As expected, the Queen burst into tears.
'Poor Kalista, my daughter!'
Of course, Count Locania did not particularly feel sorry for the woman. Rather, he thought that she died well. This was not an act of righteousness, but was for something.
'Evidence, is there any evidence?'
The Count of Locania smiled at the King's words. There is no evidence. The Emperor must have hidden it very secretly.
However, King Thalassa seemed to intend to receive compensation from Asherad with evidence. That was not what the Count wanted.
'Are you treating him leniently because he's your grandson?'
Then the King's face hardened.
'Should I run straight to the Emperor and tell him about your trick?'
The Count of Locania let out a hollow laugh at the growling words. There was something. Even though Asherad had been abused by the Emperor, King Thalassa had ignored him. And that was not all? He even thought of sending Kalista to have the child he would bear be crowned Emperor. In other words, the King had joined the dead Emperor's efforts to keep Asherad in check.
'I made a mistake. I know that Your Majesty, the King, a merciful King, hates to see blood shed.'
'...'
'But I cannot stand it either, so I am informing Your Majesty, the King, of this fact. It is an incident in which the Queen's daughter was brutally murdered.'
'...'
'I will help you.'
The Count saw the King's eyes waver. The Queen's face also looked angry. The King could not refuse the Queen's request most of the time. The Queen loved her dead daughter too much.
'What help?'
The answer came unexpectedly quickly. And so this war broke out. The King of Thalassa confidently launched a war against the empire.
Count Locania's prediction came true. He even managed to escape Daphne from Asherad's clutches.
Asherad's downfall was expected. He was a madman, and he went into a fit of rage after losing Daphne. He even attacked Thalassa's army in a hurry to end the war, and was defeated miserably.
The morale of the soldiers fell, and the Emperor's prestige also plummeted. In this chaotic situation, Count Locania leisurely watched Asherad suffer.
It's not over yet. This is heaven compared to the suffering his son went through. Asherad is still alive, at least.
He gritted his teeth and walked through the barracks.
“Your Excellency.”
Then the Emperor's knight came running.
“Why are you like that?”
“His Majesty has something to discuss with you regarding the operation.”
Count Locania nodded to his adjutant and followed the knight to the Emperor's tent. Asherad was sitting on his chair, resting his chin on his hand, while Ioannis stood beside him.
“Your Majesty!”
The Count greeted him politely.
“Welcome. I have called you here because I need the Count’s help.”
“If I can be of any help to Your Majesty, I will offer my body to help you.”
“That’s not it.”
Asherad snickered. Count Locania looked at Asherad's face. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten, and his eyes were stained with fatigue, as if he hadn’t slept. His lips were chapped, his voice cracked. Even with such a haggard appearance, his eyes were sharp and piercing, causing people to fear him.
The sight of Asherad being ruined was the greatest amusement to him. Count Locania was satisfied with the sight.
“Count, how do you think a traitor should be dealt with?”
“What the...”
“The soldier who was secretly delivering information to the Kingdom of Thalassa has been captured.”
Count Locania tried not to show his stern face. When Ioannis nodded, the soldiers brought the soldier. Count Locania looked at the soldier who was brought in.
The Count's heart pounded. It was the soldier that Count Romania had sent to Thalassa.
Asherad said with a smile.
“What kind of ulterior motive could a soldier have? It must have been ordered by someone higher up.”
“...”
“But this guy doesn’t tell who ordered him to do it.”
The bloody soldier looked at Asherad with longing eyes.
“What should I do?”
At that moment, the soldier shuddered. The Count also let out a low sigh. It was the Count who had to tell his subordinate how to torture him.
The Count looked back and forth between Asherad and the soldier. After looking around the barracks, he smirked and approached the fallen soldier.
“You don’t have to feel so guilty.”
At those words, the soldier finally looked at Count Locania. The Count stroked his head.
“You met with trouble while you were running an errand for me.”
At Count Locania’s words, Ioannis’ face hardened. The Count examined the soldier’s condition and then turned his head to look at Asherad.
“Your Majesty, I hate beating around the bush.”
“...”
“That’s right. I am a traitor.”
The knights and soldiers came in and began aiming their spears at Count Locania. Asherad smiled brightly and said,
“So where is Daphne?”
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