The first thing Terence saw when he stepped into the bloody room was Cesare holding someone.
"Cesare, you..."
"Your Highness, the 1st Prince..."
The Chamberlain also paused.
This is because he noticed that the person the First Prince was holding was not the Emperor, but Eratosthenes...
"..."
Cesare quietly wiped Eratosthenes's face with his sleeve.
Until the dark red blood stains were erased and he returned to the neat old man he knew, Cesare's hands were as careful and sincere as if he were performing a sublime ceremony.
He covered his clothes with Eratosthenes's monk's clothes, which had become cloudy with the blood that had been poured out.
'What the hell is this... What do you mean?'
The Chamberlain was confused as to how to accept a son who treated his father's murderer so kindly.
"Chamberlain."
Then Cesare's mouth opened.
"...The Emperor was not killed."
The Chamberlain paused.
"Eratosthenes died also due to being stabbed by the Emperor. The Emperor's madness was not limited to a day or two, and he mistakenly thought that Lord Eratosthenes had poisoned him."
In the Imperial Palace, only Cesare's calm voice resounded.
"Your Highness, the 1st Prince, but..."
"It's not a poison. Unfortunately, the Emperor misunderstood the medicine."
"..."
"Chamberlain, you have always supported prosperity in the midst of chaos and tried to keep this country unshaken. I believe it will be until the end."
It was a warning and an order not to let the secret story of the Emperor's death spread.
The Chamberlain noticed.
That Cesare had no intention of letting Eratosthenes's name be tarnished.
The biological son of Perdiccas II covered up the death of his father for the one who did not have a drop of blood.
'Moreover, it cannot help but suggest the noble death of Lord Eratosthenes, who was innocently sacrificed. It would be better to hold a grand state funeral with the Emperor.'
It's not enough to be assassinated; it's a funeral with the enemy.
If it were the Emperor's disposition that the servant knew, he would be so angry and angry that he would come back alive from the underworld.
However, at the same time.
Oh.
The Chamberlain understood.
This means that Perdiccas II will not even be able to pay for the wounds he inflicted on so many people
"I understand, Your Majesty."
The Chamberlain bowed deeply.
The politely changed title was not enough to welcome the master of the empire.
"..."
Cesare did not answer.
The attendant gave the order and looked at the back of the First Prince as he walked away.
In a bloody place, even after witnessing the deaths of his biological father and grandfather, the man did not waver at all.
Even though there are still traces of the gods on his skin.
The attendant shuddered.
The path that such a strong being is headed can be stopped by oracles and gods.
"Katzen... You're welcoming the new sun."
Even if the flesh burns in the heat, even the pain will be forgotten by the light.
Cesare staggered.
The palace attendants who recognized him bowed deeply.
The death of Perdiccas II was spreading.
Even those who did not know the news paid tribute to the fact that Katzen had already fallen into the hands of the First Prince.
Some wanted to look good, and some desperate people wanted to take advantage of the belated fruit.
However, they did not dare to approach the cold demeanor of the First Prince and only looked at his back.
***
1st Prince Palace.
It was only after Medea arrived at the palace that she heard that Cesare had awakened.
"If something happened, you should have informed me immediately."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness."
Menil scratched her head.
"As soon as the 1st Prince opened his eyes despite Lord Terence's dissuasion, he heard the news of Your Highness and immediately headed to the Imperial palace. That's why I knew the two of you would meet..."
Medea bit her lip silently.
Her heart seemed to sink at the fact that they had finally fallen apart despite having been looking at each other so desperately.
"Still, how fortunate I am that the First Prince has woken up. Until a while ago, the palace was full of festive atmosphere."
Despite Medea's scolding, Menil's voice was full of joy.
"For now, there is no need to take Your Highness the Princess to escape Katzen."
She didn't show it, but she had been receiving calls to bring Medea back day by day.
The letter from his superior, D'angel, now contained more insults than words.
However, since coming to Katzen, she wonders if it's because her thoughts about the 1st Prince have changed quite a bit while working in this villa.
Perhaps because she had been with the 1st Prince faction several times at the crossroads of life and death, her comradeship had sprouted. Menil was hesitant to follow the order.
Above all, unless ordered by her master, Medea, Menil was going to stay here.
"Priests and wizards have all gone away, but I don't know how it is possible... But at least he opened his eyes."
Medea paused.
At a time when neither holy power nor mana is being eaten, what else did Cesare do...
'Did my blood work?'
To find out if that really woke up Cesare, she has to see him herself.
She felt relieved only when she saw his calm eyes, not with his eyes were closed.
Medea curled her fingertips to hide her silent nervousness.
"Prepare the carriage. I have to go to the imperial palace."
"What if the road crosses again? Gallo has sent a message to Sir Terrence, so you should wait here."
Mrs. Tolin stood beside her.
It was then. There was an urgent sound of footsteps.
"Your Highness!"
Kensington and Gallo came in at the same time. Their faces were stiff.
"What the hell are you doing to force yourself like this? Menil, give Kensington this handkerchief-"
Kensington, who had difficulty with his legs, threw down his cane and ran. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead.
"The Marquis of Eratosthenes poisoned the Emperor."
"...What?"
Medea stood stunned, speechless, holding a handkerchief.
Menil and Medea's subordinates were the same. Mrs. Tolin also took a breath.
"And the Marquis committed suicide on the spot."
Gallo added.
"..."
"Your Highness, are you okay?"
Even for Medea, the Emperor's death was sudden.
Even in her last life, Perdiccas II lived for a very long time.
He fought for power in a back-and-forth struggle to avoid handing over the throne to Jason, and eventually got caught up in a battle of numbers in Medea, and closed his eyes.
'But how could the Marquis of Eratosthenes get rid of Perdiccas II...'
The reason why the old man was like dry firewood was that he burned everything in revenge.
Medea cast her gaze out the window
On one side of the hall outside the window, a little monk was playing with the young attendants.
At first, the child was hesitant and timid, but now he seems to be getting along with children his age little by little.
"..."
'I should have noticed when the Marquis sent that child to me.'
Medea bit her lip.
She doesn't know why, but the news of Eratosthenes was more heartbreaking than the death of the Emperor.
An old man who always looked dry, but never drove her away.
Perhaps, if she had acted differently, she could have prevented his death.
"Therefore, it is the request of the head of the imperial family to come to the imperial palace now."
"...What about Cesare?"
If so, Cesare will also be hurt... Medea wonders if it could have been prevented.
"His Highness the 1st Prince heard the news when he was about to leave the imperial palace and went back inside.'
Kensington added.
"And the palace gate was blocked and blocked. It seems that everyone has not noticed it yet at the order of His Highness..."
'The fact that the truth of the murder has not spread out is that Cesare does not want it.'
Medea nodded.
"Prepare the carriage."
Coincidentally, there is no longer conflict.
The empty throne will not let go of Cesare.
***
Before leaving for the imperial palace, Neril stood by Medea's side.
"Your Highness."
Neril turned her head slightly and looked around.
Seeing Gallo busy inspecting the carriage in the distance, Neril lowered her voice.
"The army of Valdina has reached the border."
Medea paused.
"His Majesty also accompanied them."
'Peleus, oh my God, what if he comes here?"
He was an older brother who cared for Medea terribly, so she didn't think he would sit still even after hearing the news of the oracle.
But now Perdiccas II is dead.
It was dangerous at a time when the resulting sparks could fly into Valdina.
"You know very well that no one can stop His Majesty, and Sir Sissair accompanied him."
Medea pointed at her sticky temples. If it comes to the current situation, what will happen to the state affairs?
"Neither of them is the kind of people who give up their duties, so they must have found a suitable way. And since this trip to Katzen is also highly classified, they're asked me to keep the words out."
As Neril spoke, she quietly told Medea in a low voice.
"Lord Sissair told me to tell Your Highness. The only time I can take my feet out is now."
"..."
"Your Highness, so what the lord said-"
"I get it, I just need to know what you mean by."
With the death of Perdiccas II, who is busy trying to decide the next owner of the throne, now is the only time Medea can easily get out of Katzen.
Medea nodded.
"Let's put it on hold for a while."
After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath and got into the carriage.
Medea cast her gaze out the window.
The imperial palace was getting closer and closer.
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