Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Something happened to the Larchen Empire. The gates of the Empire were locked, and the checkpoint search of everyone entering and leaving began.

[ The Empress is missing. ]

It was a rumor that was spreading secretly. Time passed, and it had been a year and a half since the Empress did not appear in public.

“It’s clear that… Grand Duke did the job.”

“Grand Duke?”

“Why is he…”

“Are you talking about the person acting as the Emperor now?”

“Be careful. Who might be listening?”

The people who were talking at the bar looked around in bewilderment. There was an abominable atmosphere that had not existed in the reign of the Empress.

“At first, I thought there was an imperial child.”

“What? You are funny.”

“Isn’t that right? There is only one time when the Imperial Palace locked their door like that.”

“But…”

The other man sighed, sympathizing with the man’s words.

“It is not true that the Empress has disappeared.”

“No? If that’s the case, then doesn’t that mean that the Imperial Family is not in the Imperial Palace now…?”

“Without the Imperial Family in the Imperial Palace, the barrier of the capital couldn’t be maintained.”

“…Right. Everyone in the Empire knows that.”

“So, everyone is quiet. If it weren’t for that, they would have already invaded the Imperial Palace.”

“I wish someone could tell me what the hell is going on in there.”

Saying that, they stared at the white castle, standing firm with worried eyes. Regardless of the concerns of the people of the Empire, the white castle was still in its place today, shining in its majesty.

* * *

“Let’s end today’s meeting for now.”

“The meeting started less than an hour ago.”

“My head hurts, and I can’t sit still.”

“No, you can’t…”

“Didn’t I say so already?”

The nobles noticed the atmosphere that suddenly became cold. Through the gap, Marquis Miller stepped forward and opened his mouth, “Even if the deputy is tired, you can’t do that. These are the things that must be dealt with today.”

“Really?”

“That’s right.”

As Marquis Miller stood with a stubborn expression, Faylos gestured toward the back. A wizard and a knight came out and grabbed the Marquis’ arms.

“What is this…!”

“I said it clearly. I am tired.”

“Even if you are the deputy, you have no authority to do this! Then, the Empire…”

“Empire?”

“Yes, you punk Faylos! What harm have you done to the Empress! Did you not hurt her and sit there?! Give that place back to Her Majesty immediately, and leave!”

“Take him away.”

Despite Marquis Miller’s cry as he was dragged away, Faylos, who had an expressionless face, gave the orders. As he watched the scene, he opened his mouth.

“He lasted a long time. When Duke Verus was taken, I thought he would be dragged along.”

It wasn’t once or twice. In this way, the servants who were loyal to the Empress were dragged away and disappeared. There were secret rumors circulating that the people who were taken away by his orders were being locked up somewhere in the Imperial Palace. There were rumors that they were dead.

“Scram.”

Seeing the people moving in unison at his words, Faylos also stood up.

* * *

“Isn’t the Grand Duke crazy!”

“Not a day or two, it’s already been years!”

“A year and a half.”

“Now what?”

“Are you sure the Empress is not present?”

“That’s odd. Without the Empress, the capital barrier should disappear although the barrier is the same…”

“Then, what did the Grand Duke do to keep the barrier and imprison Her Majesty?”

“But, was there an order from Her Majesty to assign him as deputy…?”

“That’s it! We don’t even know if he had faked it!”

Opinions of the nobles were divided.

“What more can we do with the Duke and Marquis already captured? Besides, it’s not that the Grand Duke isn’t doing his job properly.”

“So, you’re saying that we should leave him as it is—!”

“If we don’t, what will we do? Didn’t he say he was the one under the Empress’ orders!”

There were those who exchanged glances among the nobles who were competing with each other’s opinions. Those who remained behind the nobles opened their mouths.

“Shouldn’t we start now?”

“Looks like it should be.”

“Are you sure the Empress is not present?”

“If she is here, this will not continue.”

“Then, she might be trapped somewhere and use her magic…”

“It seems so. If that’s the case, we don’t have to obey the Grand Duke… We can rule the country.”

At the same time, the images of those who were seriously exchanging opinions in airily voices were stored intact in the video stone in one corner of the conference room.

* * *

One by one, the people who followed Faylos as he moved disappeared one by one. At the deepest area of the Imperial Palace, he entered a place where only designated people could enter through the barrier.

“You’re here?”

Isilis, who spoke without looking away as she read the documents, was there.

“Ilis.”

She opened her mouth as she gazed at Faylos’ face, who showed tiredness as his expressionless face collapsed.

“You look tired.”

“Of course. When do you plan to show up?”

“A little longer.”

“A little longer?”

“Isn’t it necessary to properly screen out the impurities? Now, I think there will be people who will soon rebel.”

“Well. I noticed that.”

Isilis laughed as she watched Faylos floundering in his seat and complaining of exhaustion.

“You said you wanted to be Emperor?”

“Not to my taste.”

“It is not an easy place.”

“Though you can sit in a seat like this and hold on, Ilis.”

“If I don’t hold out, this Empire will fall.”

Isilis looked puzzled at Faylos, who was staring at her seriously.

“By the way, what are you going to do with the Princess?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“I think she should be announced sooner rather than later.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

After her pregnancy was confirmed, Isilis called Faylos first.

“Ilis.”

“Fayl.”

“The imperial doctor said…”

The next moment, Faylos looked at her somewhat swollen stomach before opening his mouth, “How many months?”

“…Four months now.”

“Aren’t you going to find the child’s father?”

“This child is of the Imperial Family. What does a father mean?”

“I see.”

At her resolute words, Faylos shook his head.

“It would be difficult to have a child on your own.”

“It has already been talked about with the imperial doctor.”

“Then, why did you call me?”

“I need a deputy while I’m having the child.”

“No way… Are you going to tell me to do it?”

“Why not?”

“Ilis…!”

Isilis spoke as she handed over the papers, ignoring his cry.

“You’ve been playing and eating outside the Imperial Palace, now you have to work.”

“I am the one who abandoned the position of Grand Duke!”

“But, the Grand Duke’s position is still empty.”

“I threw it away!”

“Really?”

Faylos picked up the genealogy while wheezing at Isilis, who threw the royal genealogy. Slowly looking, he found his name at some point and paused.

“Did you confirm?”

“This… Why! Why is my name? Why is it here?”

“Right.”

A smirk flashed across her face as she spoke.

“This—!”

“If you want to blame, blame your mother.”

His mother and Isilis’s aunt, the former Grand Duchess, still did not give up her lust for the throne. Therefore, she hoped that Faylos would succeed her as the Grand Duke. When Faylos announced that he would renounce the title, she begged Isilis’ mother, the predecessor Empress to let him keep his title.

While Isilis objected, it was the Grand Duchess’s will that was left to the predecessor Empress.

‘…That’s a relief now.’

The light of resignation was vivid on his face as he sighed and laid down the genealogy.

“So, what should I do?”

“Be my deputy.”

“How long?”

“Until I achieve my purpose.”

“Can I just do it after you give birth and your body is ready?”

“No.”

At her words, Faylos stared at her with sharp eyes.

“What do you really want?”

“Finding out insurgents.”

“What…?”

Isilis slowly parted her mouth, snorting at the startled Faylos, “Do you know why the Larchen Empire has never had a single revolt?”

“Isn’t the country not maintained without the Imperial Family?”

“No. Conversely, even if the imperial family is not the imperial family, as long as they have their blood, the country will be maintained.”

“Then…”

“Until now, the emperors have searched out insurgents in various ways. This is my chance in my reign.”

“Now?”

“Now, if the predecessor Empress disappears and I disappear, how do you think the nobles will come out?”

“They will find the Imperial Family.”

“No. There will be those who will be looking, though there will certainly be those who don’t. I’m going to get rid of every single element that would put my child at risk.”

“Ilis…”

“Can you help me, Faylos?”

“Everything is according to the will of the Empress.”

Isilis waved her hand with delighted eyes as she watched Faylos slowly kneeling.

* * *

As she recalled the past, she was awakened by Faylos’ eyes, who were staring at her.

“It’s not quite clear yet, so we’ll have to wait until it becomes clear.”

“I see.”

Faylos continued his words casually, “By the way… Are you really not going to contact the child’s father?”

“My child doesn’t need a father because she’s of the Imperial Family.”

“You almost died giving birth to the child, though?”

“Isn’t that what everyone goes through?”

“You really…”

“It is better that the child does not have a father. If the father of the child is a fool, the nobles will riot to wield it.”

“Even if he’s not that kind of person?”

“Faylos… Do you know what I was thinking when that baby was born and held my finger in that little hand?”

At Isilis’s sudden question, he raised his head and faced her. An unknown heat was burning in the ultramarine eyes.

“Only one thing. If anyone takes this child from me, I will kill them.”