Chapter 336

The Emperor’s voice from within the chamber remained silent.

However, the commotion within the palace showed no signs of stopping.

"That, that insolent...!"

"How dare he, even as a Grand Duke! Should we endure such outrageous conduct?"

"This is treasonous! Execute him for lèse-majesté immediately!"

From inside the chamber, the Court Duke’s faction was furiously complaining about Theo’s sudden intrusion.

“Let him in.”

A heavy voice resounded. However, it wasn’t the voice of Emperor Horik.

It was the sly voice of the Court Duke, cutting through the noise like a sharp blade. The tightly shut doors creaked open at last.

The Court Duke met Theo’s gaze with a cold, piercing stare.

“Grand Duke, it seems your remarkable father neglected to teach you even the most basic courtesies.”

The Court Duke’s biting remark hung in the air, but Theo dismissed it without much care.

“How peculiar. One would think that reproach should come from His Majesty, yet it is you, the Court Duke, flapping your tongue so freely.”

Theo’s retort, laced with sarcasm, was aimed directly at the Court Duke, causing the other officials to react furiously. They were ready to leap at him.

Even the Court Duke’s face contorted as if he’d just swallowed something bitter.

"That, that foul-mouthed brat!"

"Ragnar always oversteps its bounds! How dare you!"

"What is the Commander of the Knights doing? Why hasn’t that arrogant fool been thrown out already?"

In a sense, their anger was justified.

With the Emperor absent and no Prime Minister in sight, the Court Duke was the only one standing in as the Emperor’s proxy. However, none of this noise registered in Theo’s ears.

‘There’s no sign of him.’

Emperor Horik was nowhere to be seen. The Court Duke closed his eyes briefly before speaking.

“His Majesty’s health has rapidly declined, and as of today, he is no longer able to conduct state affairs.”

The Court Duke declared solemnly. Felix, standing beside Theo, visibly faltered upon hearing this.

“Is... is that true? Court Duke! Answer me! Are you saying His Majesty has lost consciousness?!”

Felix’s voice echoed with desperation, a cry of anguish that struck everyone present like a curse. His sorrow turned to a dangerous fury, and his aura became so intense it seemed he might draw his sword at any moment.

“Calm yourself. I understand your feelings, but you must not show your emotions here. The opportunity to bring them to justice will come.”

Theo’s telepathic message reached Felix, reining him in. Although Felix struggled to regain control, it was evident that he was barely suppressing the urge to draw his weapon.

“It is true. The best medical experts on the continent are attending to him diligently. You, Sir Felix, must fulfill your duties as well.”

The Court Duke delivered these words nonchalantly, as though he bore no responsibility for the events unfolding. After all, he was the one who had orchestrated this moment from the shadows. Felix’s rationality teetered on the brink of collapse, his bloodshot eyes trembling with fury.

‘I will strike you down. I will mount your severed head at the gates of the capital!’

Felix swore silently, clenching his eyes shut and barely holding himself together. He knew Theo was right—drawing his sword now would only play into the Court Duke’s hands.

“The palace is in chaos. This is why I refused to accept visitors... such tactless individuals.” The Court Duke clicked his tongue. “Both of you, leave at once. This is an order from His Majesty’s proxy—”

Before the Court Duke could finish his sentence, Theo turned and left the audience chamber without a word. The Court Duke’s murderous intent burned behind him.

"That brat! How dare he!"

The shrill cries from behind were ignored with ease. Theo had already come to a conclusion.

‘The Emperor is dead.’

The life force Theo had sensed from Emperor Horik not long ago, though weakened, hadn’t seemed in immediate danger. His speech and gestures had suggested he was hiding something. Yet the situation had now shifted drastically.

While walking alongside Felix, Theo asked in a low voice, “Have you heard anything from the knight who was with His Majesty?”

Theo glanced at Felix, whose face was still pale from shock. The loyal knight had always served the Emperor with utmost devotion, so his current state was understandable.

‘I must keep this man alive.’

Theo wasn’t certain, but Felix might be the “knight pierced by dozens of swords” mentioned in prophecy. However, more importantly:

‘The Golden Lion Knights cannot be wasted.’

Allowing Felix’s elite Golden Lion Knights to fade into irrelevance was unacceptable. If possible, Theo intended to bring them under Ragnar’s influence. With the Emperor removed by the Court Duke’s schemes, this presented an opportunity.

‘How will he react to Horik’s death?’

Would Felix spiral into despair or go on a rampage with his knights? These possibilities troubled Theo.

“Yoon... Yes, Yoon hasn’t contacted me in some time.”

Felix spoke gravely, referring to the knight he had last seen with the Emperor. His face grew even more somber as he reflected.

“Could it be...?”

“It is,” Theo confirmed.

Felix’s face flushed with rage. His footsteps halted as his aura grew darker and heavier.

“Did you know this all along?”

His fury turned momentarily toward Theo, an outsider who seemed to know too much. Theo’s calm reply deflected the blame.

“I only discovered it today, which is why I came to seek an audience so urgently.”

“How much do you know?”

Instead of answering, Theo gestured for Felix to follow him. Once they exited the palace, the conversation resumed.

“I’ll be blunt. His Majesty has likely been assassinated.”

Felix staggered as if struck, clutching his forehead as dizziness overtook him.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. His bodyguard’s silence makes it highly probable.”

Felix recalled a chilling conversation with the Emperor:

"If you lose contact with Yoon, assume that I am dead."

The silence from Yoon, the Emperor’s most trusted guard, was proof enough. Theo’s words confirmed Felix’s darkest fears.

“The Crown Prince is in grave danger!” Felix exclaimed. The infant prince, the sole heir to the throne, was at the forefront of his thoughts.

“Wait.”

Theo’s firm voice stopped Felix in his tracks.

“I know what you’re thinking, but if you rush in now, you’ll die for nothing.”

“I don’t care! If I can protect the Crown Prince, I’ll give my life a hundred, a thousand times over!” Felix roared.

“What if His Majesty had a hidden daughter?”

Boom! Felix froze as if time itself had stopped. Even breathing felt impossible. His trembling gaze turned to Theo.

“A daughter?”

Theo’s steady voice shattered Felix’s disbelief.

“His Majesty entrusted a daughter to Ragnar in secret. Her name is Cassandra Edda. She was sent to Winterer for her safety because of her mother’s low status.”

Felix’s jaw dropped, unable to process the revelation. It made sense. The royal court was a battlefield; a child born to a concubine would have been targeted for assassination. Winterer was the perfect sanctuary.

“Can you stake your life on this claim?” Felix asked gravely.

“I’ve already sent a message summoning Cassandra to the capital. See her for yourself. If I’m lying, take my head,” Theo replied without hesitation.

Felix nodded, his resolve hardening.

“Once her lineage is verified, the Golden Lion Knights will support Cassandra Edda as the new Empress. Together, we will cut down those traitors.”

Felix extended his hand, his determination clear.

“Ragnar will also spill blood on this path.”