“How many times do you plan to talk today?”
“Number 3. I saw it yesterday, and the speed was crazy.”
“If you move a little, you might drop the rider?”
Attention began to be drawn to the martial arts competitions and horse races that had begun at an inopportune time. The stakes were enormous. Of course, this was also because the third oracle had not yet been realized. They went to watch the games and placed bets on horse races, but they looked nervous.
“Now you’re even doing pear picking.”
Meanwhile, Ian managed to roll over and even started to urinate.
“The device will start operating soon.”
Mrs. Howard looked back at Amelia with a proud face as she spoke. Amelia also watched Ian's growth with joy.
“Then, soon, they will start sitting, standing, and running. Children grow really fast.”
Mrs. Howard and Amelia had high hopes for Ian's growth. However, Louis, who was attached to Ian all day, was not very interested. The reason Louis was with Ian in the first place was that the other eye and ear that the Duke of Russell had attached were all cut off. There was no one else to watch over him but Louis.
“...”
Amelia looked away from Louis as she bit her nails. She could tell what was on her mind right now.
She had to kill Ian, but since she had already failed once, she was on high alert and could only watch. But she couldn't kill him with her own hands, so it must have been frustrating.
“From now on, do as they tell you and act the same way as before. It’s even better if it looks like you hate me.”
And Amelia acted as calmly as Louis did. As if she didn't notice that she was trying to kill Ian in the temple. And as if she didn't know that Louis was also waiting for an opportunity. That was Ivan's order, too.
“In a few days, I'm going to ask you to dinner, and you're going to bring a man called the High Priest.”
“Him, why?”
Amelia hated Aaron. Even the thought of him brushing past her for a moment was disgusting and terrifying. It was another name for fear.
“Tell him I tried to kill Ian. So you need his help.”
Ivan's words sounded dangerous. But what he was leading them to was a plan of treason they were planning, and if it was a mistake, it was inevitable.
“Your Ladyship.”
It was then that the maid came to find Amelia.
“The High Priest has arrived.”
A few days ago, Ivan asked Amelia to have dinner with him. Amelia, who had no reason to refuse, naturally accepted. As long as Amelia was present, Aaron would not be absent.
“Tell them to come in.”
As soon as Amelia gave permission, Aaron appeared.
“It’s been a long time, Priestess.”
Even though it had been a long time since she had seen him, his face still looked unwelcome. Amelia faced Aaron with an indifferent expression.
“I’m glad you look okay.”
It was funny how Aaron sounded worried. Amelia was stressed, and the only things he cared about were things related to the temple.
Even with Ian, it was like that. If he hadn't tried to harm Ian in the temple, she wouldn't have felt like she was walking on blades every night, holding an egg.
“Surprisingly, I seem to fit in well with the palace. I want to continue living here.”
Amelia answered indifferently. Aaron laughed as if he had heard a very funny joke.
“The baby has grown a lot. It seems that there is no such thing as meaningless time.”
And he mentioned Ian's growth. His eyes were fixed on the tiny body lying on the floor with its arms and legs swinging in all directions.
“Ooh!”
“You must be busy.”
As Ian struggled, Mrs. Howard quickly picked up his body.
“...”
The pitch-black eyes, like walnuts, sparkled in the light. A strange emotion surged over Aaron’s eyes, which were the same color as Amelia’s. It was as if he had found something he had treasured for a long time.
“That's a given.”
His acting was disgusting. Amelia opened her mouth, drawing Aaron's gaze from Ian to her.
“No matter how much you like the palace, you can’t ignore the temple. You know that, right?”
The palace was a place where it was difficult to manipulate Amelia as he pleased. Aaron could not even enter the palace unless Ivan gave permission. In the meantime, he must have been upset that Ivan had even gotten rid of the servants that Amelia had. It would take time to bring in new spies.
“...That’s how it should be.”
Aaron smiled, as if he was satisfied with Amelia's reluctant answer. It seemed as if he was satisfied with Amelia, who had not been able to escape his influence even after coming this far.
Aaron was a kind of prison guard who kept Amelia locked up in a certain space for her entire life, unable to think for herself, and who made her unable to protect her own children by herself, but instead rely on others. And he was a man who was very satisfied with that influence. It would be the same until the day she died.
“Even if you die, your children will live as they wish. Isn’t that a good deal for you? Plus, you’ll get revenge on those who ruined your life.”
Suddenly, she remembered what Ivan had said. That was so right that she couldn't deny it. That made her a little sad.
“...”
But since it was something she had to do anyway, she decided to think it was a good thing. Instead of just dying, she could make the people who had fooled Amelia her whole life her companions. Thanks to that, she could also save Ian's life.
“I think it’s time to leave now.”
“I will serve you.”
Mrs. Warner, who had appeared before anyone knew it, bowed her head and greeted them. Amelia followed Mrs. Warner along with Aaron.
“Do you know why His Majesty the Emperor is looking for us today?”
“Well, knowing that, I really...”
Amelia, who had been talking up to that point, stopped talking. It was an action that was clearly conscious of the fact that many ears were listening, so Aaron did not bother to give Amelia a hint. It was just an expression on his face that seemed to indicate that Amelia was not properly aware of anything that was happening in the palace.
“They say His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet. Please go in first and wait.”
When they had just arrived at the restaurant, Mrs. Warner had already informed them that there was no one in the room. Amelia and Aaron sat down without saying much and waited for Ivan.
“It’s been a while.”
After waiting for a long time, the restaurant door opened, and Ivan appeared. He was dressed up as if today were a special day, and it was so dazzling that it was dazzling.
“I am grateful that you have found my lowly body.”
Aaron answered with some courtesy.
“Don’t skip manners.”
After Ivan sat down at the head of the table, he motioned for Amelia and Aaron to sit down. As soon as they sat down, the servants brought out appetizers for them. As soon as Ivan sat down, he drank wine one after another.
“Actually, there are quite a few things I should have said earlier.”
“...”
“Now that I think about it, quite a bit of time has passed.”
Amelia didn't have much of an appetite, so after the appetizers were over and the main dish was right in front of her, she was just rummaging around. Ivan finally broke the silence and opened his mouth. His eyes were drowsy and open, as if he were drunk.
“You know, it’s not a very good oracle for me.”
Well, there was a time when he gave good advice to the royal family. Fortunately, Ivan never said that.
“Honestly, I thought it was nonsense and tried to ignore it. Even if he were a god, I thought it was an overstep of authority to talk about my successor.”
Aaron did not answer. There was nothing wrong with Ivan’s opinion. The temple had opposed the imperial family’s opinion on every issue, but it was only against the imperial order. There had never been a time when the god had openly stated that he would appoint a successor. If that had happened, there was no telling how the imperial family would react. An all-out confrontation had clearly been a risky burden for the temple.
“Does Your Ladyship know the founding myth of Escliffe?”
Ivan asked. Amelia blinked in surprise at the question suddenly being turned to her.
“Escliff is an empire established by the first Emperor and the first Duke of Russell according to the will of God.”
Before she could answer her question, Ivan skillfully steered the conversation back towards him, as if he had not intended to ask Amelia the question in the first place.
“They received a revelation to behead the Emperor who forcibly mobilized the people to fight in a war started by the royal inspector, and then cowardly ran away when he was about to be defeated.”
Amelia blinked. What Ivan was saying was that the beginning of Escliffe was the will of God. It was more likely that they had pushed God into justifying their rebellion than that they had actually received God’s will.
“After the founding of the nation, I was even given the gift of you, the representative of God.”
One day, a Priestess suddenly appeared on the beach, told the near future events, and saved the poor with food that was not considered food. And as everyone knows, after that, for a long time, she did not grow old or die of an infectious disease. So everyone revered the Priestess as the incarnation of God or her representative.
“This empire itself was established by the will of God, so how could I turn away from the will of God?”
As such, it was the public sentiment itself that supported a non-existent god. And the one who made it so was the first Emperor.
Ivan chuckled. Amelia thought that was the only sincere thing Ivan had said that day. It sounded like a self-deprecating laugh, but it was definitely a laugh. She was sure of it.
“What does that mean, is...”
Aaron stepped out of the silence. Ivan tilted his head to the side and met Aaron's eyes.
“I recognize him as the Crown Prince.”
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