Chapter 35
“…So, you had to lie and take leave to sneak out of the mansion just to deliver a few letters?”
“That’s right. The letters you sent over time were probably intercepted in the middle.”
When Deus finished speaking, the three men’s faces turned cold.
“That bastard.”
Aken spat out.
Morve shook Julius’s collar, which he had not yet let go of.
“Confinement? Cutting off communication? Forced marriage?”
“Mo-Morve.”
“I’ll cut your throat!”
“W-Wait!”
Bang!
As the two struggled, Julius’s servant rushed into the living room again, this time with a dozen men in uniform.
“…The guards? You really called the guards?”
“Hmph! Unlike you, we have the trust of Her Majesty the Empress! Haven’t you heard my son is close with His Highness Balthazar?”
Julius shouted as he shook off Morve.
“Take these people away immediately!”
Julius ordered the captain of the guards.
“…Hmm.”
But the guard captain paused, observing the situation with a puzzled look.
“Well…”
The captain, a young knight who looked not yet twenty-five and had particularly cold eyes, spoke stiffly.
“I don’t think this is a simple case of trespassing.”
“Isn’t that the Aphellemion princess standing with those three?”
“That’s right. Our princess, abused by these so-called proxies.”
“…If the claims are so contradictory, I don’t think we can resolve this here.”
Morve’s words were met with the guard captain’s hesitation before he finally replied.
“I will escort you all to the royal court.”
His tone was ambiguous — both an offer and an order.
“The royal court?”
Morve frowned.
“How far will the royal court involve itself in Aphellemion affairs…”
Morve bared his teeth, but the guard captain sneered.
“The royal court can intervene in all imperial matters. Surely you don’t intend to claim Aphellemion is an independent kingdom?”
“…”
“Let’s go. Recently, the royal court has been curious about the princess and the acting head of the family.”
“Is that so? That’s good!”
Hearing this, Julius smiled triumphantly.
“We’ll go to the royal court. Let’s see if they dare to ignore my authority recognized by imperial edict even there.”
“The royal court? Why not just break your neck right here?”
Morve growled, but the captain signaled to his men.
Four guards moved to pry Morve’s hands off Julius’s collar.
“Bastards!”
Morve shoved two of them away, but the captain drew his sword and pointed it at Morve’s throat.
“If you resist the royal guard, you will be tried for treason. Your status outside the palace means nothing here.”
The captain’s gaze was even colder than when he had looked at Julius.
Iris, watching from behind, thought the guard captain’s eyes resembled the Empress’s.
Seeing his unyielding arrogance even at the duke’s mansion, he was probably from the Rudes family — not someone to be trifled with.
Morve, Aken, and Jurik seemed to realize this too. They clenched their fists but didn’t move. While they could easily kill Julius and ignore the guards, they didn’t know what would happen to Iris’s fate if they did.
“Didn’t you say we’re going to the royal court? Why are you all silent?”
Julius shouted again.
Iris’s mind was racing.
It was true they eventually had to go to the palace.
Though sooner than expected, they were somewhat prepared.
There was only one thing left — a message she was waiting for.
Her gaze fixed on the one who might know that message: Kaisat Deus.
“Miss.”
Deus whispered as if reading her mind and approached her.
“I have delivered all four letters.”
Iris perked up.
“I conveyed everything clearly, and by now he must know.”
“…And?”
“And I heard some fresh news there.”
Deus lowered his voice further and whispered something in Iris’s ear.
“…Really?”
“I’ve already confirmed it. That’s why I was late.”
Iris nodded.
She had finished everything she could.
Even now, Grace was preparing to come up to the palace.
If so, they had no choice but to charge forward.
“I will go to the royal court.”
She finally spoke to the guard captain.
“Is that so?”
He replied, surprised.
“Really, Iris?”
Morve asked anxiously.
“Yes, I think it’s best if you uncles accompany me. Also…”
Iris glanced around the mansion.
“To clear up doubts, the maids who testified earlier, my other maid Ray, the stable master, and Sir Deus should also come.”
“What nonsense!”
Julius waved his hand dismissively.
“Why bring those lower-ranking fools?”
“The royal court won’t be satisfied with just what I and my uncles say.”
Iris looked at the captain, who slightly nodded.
“If you have anything to say, it’s better for everyone to come along.”
“This is unfair!”
“Then how about the steward and the deputy steward too?”
Iris proposed, making Julius and Lucilla blink in surprise despite their fierce objections.
“Bring Blick? And Kent too?”
Lucilla scoffed.
“What’s the scheme? No matter what you gave Blick, the steward isn’t someone you can manipulate.”
Iris said confidently.
“I know. I only added them because I don’t think you two would agree without them.”
She shrugged.
“You really want to try this? Do you foolishly think your friendship with the First Prince will help?”
Julius laughed darkly.
“Fine! Since the acting head’s authority is to be executed under royal orders, we’ll enter the palace immediately!”
Morve and the other two lowered their raised fists following Iris’s lead.
They left the duke’s mansion immediately.
As Iris climbed into the carriage, a flood of emotions — anxiety, tension, expectation, hope — swirled in her mind.
Three days earlier.
Thud
“Ugh!”
Painful groans echoed in the prison.
“It’s a bit noisy.”
Karsiel, sitting a few steps away observing, spoke to the knight who was throwing punches.
“Sir Kharhnab, I thought you assured the soundproofing?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
The knight answered.
“This is a space my father prepared. Since our territory is a military stronghold, enemies will always be many, so he always said we needed an underground prison.”
“Thank you for letting me use such a place.”
The knight, or rather Sir Kharhnab the Viscount, swung his fist again.
Whack!
“Ugh…!”
The man chained by his limbs to the wall groaned again.
Karsiel sighed deeply.
“Enough beating. Let’s go out.”
“Are you alright?”
“You see, you, who fought on the battlefield with me, think so little of me? I should reflect.”
Karsiel smiled.
“Can’t handle one wounded aide with bound limbs?”
“That’s not true! Then I will withdraw!”
As the viscount left, Karsiel slowly rose.
“Still have nothing to say?”
He stood barely an arm’s length from the chained man and asked.
“You betrayed me despite being my close friend, at least give me an explanation.”
The swollen-faced man slowly lifted his head.
“Isn’t that right, Gale?”
“…Water.”
Gale gasped blood from his mouth.
Karsiel nodded and poured water from a glass on the table into his mouth.
“Colder than I thought… you’re harsher than expected.”
After gulping down the water, he finally spoke in a proper voice.
“…I suspected I might be found out someday, but I didn’t expect you to set a trap.”
He paused to catch his breath, then continued.
“Was it Luten’s idea? Or…”
He twisted the corner of his mouth and asked.
“Did you find a better adviser?”
