After the sudden death of Olivia Winston and the misfortune of Prince Erhart, who was running from Arhen upon hearing the news, the Emperor became irritable and obstinate.
He often nitpicked over trivial matters, and the sighs and tears did not dry up in the palace. At first, there was an atmosphere of understanding the loss of the Emperor who lost his consort and son in succession, but as the Emperor, who had completely turned away from government affairs and indulged in intemperate pleasures, the public sentiment gradually grew bitter.
He didn’t have great accomplishments, but it took less than two years for the Emperor to ruin state affairs. All who spoke the truth were silent, and only the flatterers whispered sweet words in the Emperor’s ear and won his favor.
Backed by the Emperor’s favor, they squeezed the blood of the people, but the Emperor, who had already closed his eyes and ears to their tears and lamentations, refused to hear them. The backlash against the imperial family spread like a fever. Indeed, it was a time that could be called the Dark Ages.
“You look ridiculous.”
Bloodstains spread with every step he took. Helpless in the sudden attack, he glared in anger.
“How could you…!”
“He who is born under the red star will stain the throne with blood.”
For the first time, the expression on the Emperor’s face showed bewilderment at the words that were hummed as if it was a song.
“I am fulfilling a prophecy that has come down to me.”
“H- How…”
“And to set a nation in order?”
The strangely stretched tone sounded like mocking the Emperor’s foolish tyranny.
“The heir who will succeed me is clearly alive, do you think this kind of behavior will be tolerated? Do you really think the House of Nobility will recognize you as the legitimate successor!”
“Your Majesty. Where do you think I’ve been?”
He smiled and wiped the blood off his cheek.
“I am the only surviving son of yours.”
“Erhart Hesseles!”
The Emperor finally called his name. He acknowledged the return of the prince, who had been attacked by bandits two years ago and whose body had never been recovered.
“I will not recognise you.”
With a flushed face, the Emperor lowered the long gun hanging on the wall and aimed it at Erhart.
“I should have found your body then and ensured your death.”
There was regret in his voice for not doing so.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Pa’r ijaf, yea P’ii wjxf la atja kjs gluta cbk.”
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“Lbk…”
Deiifar ktlgifv jgbecv lc atf jlg. C wjulm mlgmif rkjsfv yfcfjat Sgtjga ilxf j tfjnlcu rfj.
“How can you be surprised that I am a mage?”
“…”
“Ah. Or perhaps you believed in those people who controlled magic swarming the imperial palace.”
“You…”
“You are worse off than that.”
Erhart looked at the bullet whirling about a span of his chest and then bounced it off with his hand. The bullet pierced the Emperor’s heart.
“And, my dear Emperor. The nobles have approved my succession.”
Whether it’s from fear or awe.
“Ah. Though you will not hear of it now.”
He indifferently looked down at the dying Emperor whose eyes widened. The death of the absolute who once held his throat was so easy and futile.
Thud. Thud. The sound of footsteps was heard from outside. As he turned his head to hide his emotions, the impeccably equipped soldiers opened the door and came in. They knelt down on one knee on the ground.
“What about the other places?”
“It’s almost sorted out now. Everything will be done according to your will before dawn breaks.”
‘My will’. No. This was the will of heaven. Erhart’s lips twisted. He stared at the cold corpse that couldn’t even close his eyes. Erhart threw away his sword which was dripping blood and turned away.
Even though the lights were turned on, the corridors were dark, the corpses slumped, and the sound of clashing weapons could still be heard from somewhere.
After this night, the owner of Hesseles will have changed.
* * *
When the sun reached the top of the spire, it flooded the Emperor’s office. Sunlight breaking into golden dust hit the Emperor’s head. Entering the office under the guidance of the chamberlain, Niels Canavan looked at the Emperor, who forgot his manners and kept his eyes on the papers, as if bewitched. Even when he was young, he was terrifyingly handsome and set fire to the hearts of young ladies. Now, even men are mesmerized.
What’s like that…
“Hmm.”
The chief chamberlain cleared his throat and broke his thoughts. Only then did Niels Canavan bow with a pale face. He was ‘that’ Erhart, who had given him time due to their acquaintanceship in the past.
“Thank you for your time, Your Majesty.”
The iron-blooded Emperor. He was thought to be dead, but returned after two years and brutally murdered his father and brothers and usurped the throne. Also,
“May all the glory of Heseles be with you.”
A great mage born after a hundred years.
“Rise.”
A low, cool voice lifted the deeply bowed waist.
“Thank you for letting me be your audience.”
“Go back to Arhen.”
“Since Reina made her debut, I have to go back now. She seems to want to stay longer.”
“She must have seen someone she liked at the ball.”
Niels Canavan couldn’t keep his expression on his face for a moment. There was a person who Reina liked and she was obstinate. Even now, his younger sister’s eyes did not change. No, they seemed to sparkle a little more.
No, it couldn’t be just that girl. On the day of the prom, did he really not notice where the eyes of the ladies were focused? Or did he just pass it off as a bother? The Emperor who became a full-fledged young man was quite a shock. Naturally disheveled blonde hair, cool blue eyes underneath, and delicate features.
“… Yes, for now.”
“Good. Isn’t Lady Canavan the right age to receive a marriage proposal?”
Even if that was the case. Thinking of the marriage proposals that came before the debutante, her future was drawn. Neils Canavan looked at the Emperor with a little regretful eyes, then shook his head as if to shake off his thoughts.
If you count the obstacles one by one, they were countless, but regardless, his younger sister was not a vessel that could handle the Emperor. It was obvious that she would wither away. Like most of his siblings, he wasn’t very close with her, but he wasn’t ruthless enough to push his sister into the fires of hell.
Unlike his predecessor, the Emperor was quite fair, but Niels Canavan was afraid of him nonetheless. It was one of the famous anecdotes that flowed all the way to Arhen that the young emperor had overthrown a member of the nobility who had looked down on him, and wiped out one of the most insolent families in the land. After that, no one dared to climb up, so the Emperor’s power was absolutely absolute.
That’s why he erased his younger sister from his head, who had asked her elder brother to tell the Emperor about her when he was visiting him.
“Anyway, I was surprised that Djerba hadn’t bloomed yet.”
Instead, Arhen was already in full bloom, but it was very cold here. The Emperor listened to him with an indifferent face, but he did not add anything special.
He didn’t ask how Arhen was, or how the people there were doing. Even though it was already three years ago, it was a place where he had spent two years, but the Emperor did not show any longing. Besides, his expression was even harder than before.
Niels Canavan, who had been talking heartily, closed his mouth, and a heavy silence fell. He couldn’t stand the awkwardness and eventually took a sip of the tea in front of him. It was lukewarm.
“…”
As he reclined and drank tea, the Emperor pressed his eyes tightly. He looked tired. Looking at him now, there were threads of veins streaked on the whites of his eyes.
“Your Majesty. Are you having trouble sleeping?”
“Are you checking on my health now?”
Niels Canavan bit his lip tightly. The Emperor’s health was a matter of utmost secrecy, and to inquire into it was to invite misunderstanding.
“I swear to God, it’s not like that, Your Majesty. It reminded me that there is said to be a wandering minstrel in Arhen, and that listening to his songs calms the mind and makes one sleep well.”
“It is a gross exaggeration. If he could cure insomnia with that song, he would have made a fortune.”
“It’s a story that spread because a knight who was actually suffering from insomnia heard the song by chance and strangely fell asleep that day, so it’s not a very exaggerated rumor.”
Hmm. The Emperor let out a short breath and put down the teacup. The blue eyes turned to him.
“So, have you ever heard from the knight?”
“No, I’m afraid not. The story is so mysterious. It is said that few people know his face because he wears a robe covering him. Moreover, he does not perform, but the people who heard him humming might call him a minstrel…”
As the words continued, the Emperor’s leaning body sagged again. It was evident that he had lost interest. The slightest glint of interest in his eyes turned to indifference.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to go and take a look?”
With nothing to say, and the Emperor’s interest in him fading, he was choosing the right time to say goodbye when he heard a voice. Niels Canavan, who turned his head at the visit which was neither announced by a servant outside nor authorized by the Emperor, let out an ‘ah’, with a breathless sound.
The one who walked lightly put his hand on the Emperor’s shoulder.
“Since you’ve finished your busy work right now.”
Dark colored hair loosely tied. Lightly pigmented eyes.
“You’ve been wanting to go there once for some time.”
He never showed up on an official occasion, but Neils had a rough idea of who it was.
“Yes?”
He was the Emperor’s hidden lover.
Whaaaat, has it been three years already? And Rayan hasn’t been around all this time? Is this a joke author (although it made the story better, I’m seriously offended). They must meet quickly or my nails will be gnawed out.
Thanks for the chapter 🌹
WAIT WHAT?!? 😭😭 NOT THIS CLIFF HANGER
ok but theory, I have a feeling maybe it’s Rayan but in exchange for saving Erich, he lost his memories and was prob left on human land with his new human body…
or this is just some guy who looks exactly like rayan bc of erich possible obsession
😟
The f? What happened in those years, please?
But I’m a bit suprised how fast that emperor declined before he was removed from the plot.
Thx for the ch (ㅅ˘ㅂ˘)
Ayo is this like the lil mermaid nooooooo
Lovers? What??? Ash???