Episode 24
The color drained from the Emperor’s face all at once.
His pallid, deathly pale face contorted in agony. Even his golden eyes lost focus and wavered dangerously.
It was the moment when the shell of dignity and authority he always maintained was stripped away in an instant.
Though the Emperor was seasoned in hiding his emotions, even he couldn’t help but react this time.
“H-How do you know that…?”
Shards of shattered crystal still orbited threateningly around the Emperor.
What the youngest son had just recited was the content of a divine oracle.
Something that no one should know, and by now, no one should remember.
“You should’ve hidden it better, Father. Did you think no one would ever find out?”
“If you dare disgrace the woman who bore you… Even you won’t be spared.”
The Emperor growled, grinding his teeth.
His voice, low and heavy, was like thunderclouds foretelling a storm.
Antonio maintained a relaxed smile and snapped his fingers.
With a loud crash, the floating crystal shards all fell onto the marble floor.
Freed from the threat of death, the Emperor drew a sword from the wall. With a metallic ring, the blade pointed straight at Antonio.
But even with the tip of the sword at his throat, Antonio didn’t flinch.
“If you want to kill me, go ahead. But tell me—do you have any other options besides me?”
“You insolent wretch!”
“No matter how much you cherished Mother, how could you try to cover up such blatant adultery?”
“Where did you learn such vulgar language?!”
“I was cast aside early on. I never learned the roundabout speech of the court.”
“Your mother was a model empress of the Empire. I won’t allow anyone to tarnish her honor.”
The Emperor’s pained expression was as good as a confession.
Antonio sneered.
“Since when was committing adultery with a knight considered exemplary behavior in Tristum?”
“Let me ask again—how did you find out?”
“I did some digging. After that oracle came down, two people died.”
The first was Count Raoul de Castello, former commander of the Empress’s knights, known to have been closest to her. After her death, he resigned all his posts and lived in seclusion.
He remained a bachelor his whole life but was recently killed by bandits during a hunting trip. A will found in his private vault bequeathed all his property to the imperial family.
The other was the High Priest who received the Emperor’s oracle. By the time Antonio returned to the Empire, no one at the temple remembered the oracle—meaning only that owl knew the truth.
“The High Priest’s case almost passed as a natural death. Clever, using a shellfish allergy to do the job.”
“After dishonoring your mother, now you slander your father?”
“Why do you try so hard to hide the truth? Just expose it already.”
The Emperor inched the tip of his sword closer to Antonio’s neck.
“Your theory insults the imperial family. Are you saying the great Emperor of Tristum has been deceived for thirty years?”
“So what if he was? What’s done is done.”
“A stray dog will set its eyes on the throne.”
Clank. The Emperor lowered his sword to the ground and finally spoke his true feelings.
The “stray dog” was undoubtedly referring to Grand Duke Ravenhart.
Ravenhart was a northern-based collateral royal and the late Empress’s father. Until recently, the Emperor had treated him with the utmost respect.
Thanks to the Emperor’s backing, Ravenhart was quietly building alliances with nobles and was close to Crown Prince Carlos, his grandson.
The Emperor grimaced bitterly. If the slow-witted Carlos ascended the throne, he would undoubtedly become Ravenhart’s puppet.
Even if the whole truth came out…
If the Empress were formally impeached, Antonio—being born of her—would be labeled a bastard, not a legitimate prince.
If all four of the Emperor’s sons lost their succession rights, the next in line would be Grand Duke Ravenhart.
Trusting his father-in-law simply because he was the Empress’s father was the Emperor’s critical mistake.
The Emperor slowly closed and opened his eyes, as if making a decision.
“The truth will be revealed at the right time. Unfortunately, while you have strength, you still lack the political clout to stand against the stray dog.”
“I believe this upcoming campaign will be your chance to win the nobles to your side.”
“Ah, so you had a plan after all.”
The Emperor didn’t bother denying it.
“Everything must appear natural and legitimate. For the mother who died giving birth to you, and for the Tristum Empire that you and I will inherit—this is the best way.”
The Emperor had adored the Empress to the point of obsession. Everyone on the continent knew of his love.
After her death, he never allowed another woman in his chamber. And who would want to, with the room plastered with portraits of the dead Empress?
But unfortunately, love had not been mutual. To commit adultery with her knight despite his suffocating affection… Antonio couldn’t understand his mother.
“Your mother’s final love was me. The proof of that is you. For the sake of imperial dignity, handle this rationally.”
The Emperor, still madly in love, looked more desperate than ever.
Antonio gave a cold smile. He wasn’t thinking of imperial dignity, but rather his and his wife’s pride.
Now it was clear—Antonio was the Emperor’s last remaining card.
If the Emperor had any other illegitimate children, he would have chosen one of them instead of calling back the abandoned son.
“But you’ve yet to ask how I feel about all this, Father.”
“Haa… And what is it you feel, that you act like some wild colt?”
“I’ve never once wanted to be Emperor.”
“One doesn’t want to be Emperor. One is born to be Emperor.”
The Emperor spoke with heavy authority. Antonio, unfazed, barely listened.
“Just one thing—I won’t disgrace my mother, so please don’t disgrace the people I care about.”
With that cold declaration, Antonio turned and left the bedchamber.
The Emperor glared at the tightly shut door.
“If you weren’t of my blood, I would’ve made sure not even your bones remained.”
But soon, his rage subsided, and color returned to his face.
“…But I do like your resourcefulness and backbone.”
His youngest son was unexpectedly reasonable. He even showed qualities of a ruler.
“But you still don’t know everything. The High Priest isn’t dead. I faked his death and am hiding him.”
The Emperor murmured to himself.
A ruler must be ruthless—but always protect his own.
***
“Y-Your Highness, the Prince.”
I held my skirt and bowed politely. I felt I should at least show proper courtesy to apologize for my past rudeness.
“Cut it out and act normal. I hate stiff formality.”
Antonio waved his hand, visibly annoyed.
“But how could I dare…”
“You’ve already made your decision, right? We depart tomorrow.”
“Yes. I-I will. Join the knight order.”
I answered resolutely.
“Think you can handle the conditions? You’ll need to accept my magic to grow—and the method is, well…”
“Yes! I mean, of course! I can do it right now!”
I had braced myself all night to build resistance. I had never kissed a man before, and the thought embarrassed me to death. But if it was with Anton—no, Antonio—I thought I could bear it.
He wasn’t just anyone—he was Antonio. It was mortifying but not unpleasant.
More than anything, I wanted to become strong. To cast off the label of “Princess of Iote” and someday stand tall as just “Josephine.”
He was an imperial prince anyway. He’d likely have a political marriage partner. As long as I kept my feelings in check, it would be fine.
At least until someone else stood by Antonio’s side. Until then, I’d be okay.
I had to maximize my magical growth until then—to operate independently without anyone’s help.
“You said you could do it now? Then go ahead.”
Antonio raised an eyebrow and gestured.
I stepped toward him, resolute. I shut my eyes tight, rose on my toes, and leaned in blindly toward his lips.
Smooch. Something touched my lips—but it felt rough, not like lips at all.
Curious, I opened my eyes… and saw a calloused hand.
Antonio’s palm was pressed against my lips.
“If you’re going to force it, forget it.”
“I’m not forcing it. Please believe me.”
“Drop the formal speech. It’s unbearable.”
“…Okay.”
“Then follow me. If you want to join the order, you’ll need the others’ approval too.”
