ISPF CHAPTER 96

Hearing those words felt like a death sentence, and she struggled to breathe.

“It’s not that I don’t like you. There’s nothing about you that makes you unworthy of standing beside the Crown Prince. Like any other parent, I want my only child to be happy with the woman he first showed affection for. If I were the head of a normal family, I wouldn’t have called you here to say this.”

The emperor displayed a bitter expression and sighed deeply. The wrinkles etched on his forehead spoke of the many years he had lived.

“But I am the emperor of the Empire, and Herald is the crown prince who will succeed my throne. For him, the support of the imperial citizens and the nobles is crucial.”

“…to gain the support of the nobles and the people of the Empire. Everything hinges on royal marriages. I hope you understand why I must speak to you directly.”

Though Retina seemed a fitting choice for Crown Princess in terms of rank and character, she was also a Deneuve by blood.

Despite the Crown Prince’s close ties with the Deneuve family, there were murmurs among the emperor’s faction. Given that Herald was not fully supported by the emperor’s faction, any connection with the noble factions could sway the emperor’s faction against him, regardless of the reasons.

“The Crown Prince is currently the sole heir to the throne, but he lacks strong support from both the nobles and the people. They fear the Crown Prince, but fear and public support are not the same. No matter how good your relationship is, the Crown Prince needs the people’s support. You understand that we cannot ignore those who have long served the Empire.”

Moreover, with the ongoing diplomatic negotiations with the North and the revelation of Retina’s secret, the emperor’s faction was significantly shaken. The Deneuve’s involvement in the investigation led by the Marquis of Hastings raised questions about where the emperor’s loyalty lay.

‘There’s not a corner of Rudenheim’s political scene untouched by the Deneuve.’

Power balances are needed everywhere, but currently, the Deneuve family had a foothold in every significant area. Not only did they hold positions, but the Deneuve children, including the Duke, were leading various sectors. Once the next generation took over, their influence would undoubtedly rise even higher.

The idea of a noblewoman known as a bastard becoming the Crown Princess? That would certainly lead to questions about who truly holds the sovereignty of this nation.

It was best to sever this before the Duke’s influence grew even stronger. Even if it meant betraying his own child’s feelings.

“Uh…”

Retina struggled to respond to the resolute emperor. How could she defy the emperor’s opposition? Regardless of her personal feelings, she had to accept the reality.

“It’s unreasonable to expect young people to part ways immediately. I called you today to start preparing yourself mentally. As you know, Herald doesn’t listen to our words.”

“I understand your concerns, Your Majesty. But I don’t believe that parting ways with His Highness the Crown Prince is the right thing to do.”

She had once thought that while she might continue a lighter relationship, a marriage could be impossible. She had considered how to end things if it came to that. However, among the many possible outcomes, she had never envisioned this one.

“If not now, then when? Were you not planning to marry Herald?”

“When the time comes…”

“The time is now, as I see it.”

Despite the emperor’s gentle tone, his resolve was unwavering.

“You were born in the Empire but chose to become a Northerner. Since you have taken on the title of the North, you must fulfill your obligations as a noble. Even if you were to marry, do you think the only member of your family would leave the North?”

The emperor shook his head disapprovingly. He felt a sense of crisis seeing the Crown Prince who hadn’t even shown his face while Retina was bedridden.

“You might be able to manage, but Herald won’t stay idle. If it comes to that, he will certainly try to keep you.”

If they did not separate them now, there would be no way to turn the Crown Prince back. The feelings he harbored were more significant than the emperor had anticipated, beyond mere youthful infatuation.

“When Prince Noden returns, you should depart for the North with him.”

It was already too late for him or the empress to intervene. It was a matter that needed to be resolved directly by Retina.

Fortunately, there was a convenient excuse. If Retina went to the North and did not return, Herald would have no choice but to find another partner.

“You are a wise person, so I trust you understand my meaning. I hope for a favorable outcome for both of you.”

The emperor had already made his decision and delivered it as if it were an announcement. Retina had no choice but to leave the audience chamber without offering any dissenting opinions against the emperor’s will.

Once one issue was resolved, another problem emerged to block her path. It wasn’t a simple threat of being pushed away from the Crown Prince just because she was disliked. The emperor’s words about truly loving the Crown Prince and contemplating what choice would be right lingered in her mind.

As Retina exited the chamber, Tetten, who had been waiting outside and missed their conversation, observed her differently from when she had entered and tried to gauge her feelings.

“What did you discuss?”

“Huh? Oh, did I look too distressed? It’s nothing. He just wanted to talk before I saw him officially.”

“It’s rare for His Majesty to seek someone out for personal matters. It’s surprising to hear that it was nothing significant.”

“Perhaps it’s because I’m not an ordinary noblewoman?”

Retina’s playful response made Tetten quickly accept it. It was hard to believe that the emperor would summon a mere noblewoman for a conversation before an official meeting, but given that Retina was no ordinary noblewoman, it all seemed plausible.

As they neared the Crown Prince’s palace, the increasingly chaotic sounds made them exchange concerned glances. It seemed as though, in the brief time since their departure from the imperial palace, the Crown Prince had actually returned, and the anticipated upheaval was unfolding before them.

* * *

The investigation, which began with the interrogation of the carriage driver who had used a stimulant, soon expanded into uncovering corruption within noble families. This meant that Herald, despite the dwindling time he had left with Retina, had to spend a lot of time away from her, leaving her alone in the bedroom.

However, he no longer had to worry about Retina potentially not waking up today, so he felt less burdened leaving her side. With some free time before the afternoon interrogation, Herald decided to visit her, planning to have a simple lunch together. Without sending someone ahead, he hurried directly to her bedroom.

“Retina?”

He opened the door, expecting to see his beloved, but the bedroom was completely empty. The room was as cold and neatly arranged as it had been before Retina’s arrival, and Herald’s heart sank as he searched for her.

“Retina! Retina!”

He found the terrace door securely locked, and the bathroom was empty as well, in case she had been taking a bath. Tetten, who had been assigned to guard her, was also nowhere to be found.

If Retina had left somewhere without a word, Tetten would have followed her, but an inexplicable sense of unease was creeping up.

‘My mother… she passed away when I was young.’

Why is it that the story Retina told is coming to mind at a time like this?

He had embraced Retina as she revealed the wounds that had tormented her for a long time.

Although her voice was calm as she spoke of her mother who had eventually left her, despite her plea not to leave her alone, it was clear that she had endured countless wounds to be able to speak about it so matter-of-factly.

Even though she now spoke as if she had healed, the scars from that time still remained in Retina’s heart. While wounds may eventually heal, the scars will remain for a lifetime.

If Retina were to recall those past wounds because of this incident, he…

Herald was engulfed in an inexplicable sense of unease. Even though he tried to convince himself otherwise, a fear began to overwhelm him—that Retina might have made a bad choice without his knowing.

Following the method Retina had taught him to control his rising emotions, Herald’s eyes were bloodshot, veins visibly bursting. Just imagining Retina collapsed was giving him a splitting headache.

“Haah, huff, haah.”

He tried to steady his breathing with deep breaths. He felt like he might go insane if he didn’t find Retina immediately.

Herald smashed objects and threw things around the room in a frenzy. He didn’t stop until a maid, alerted by the commotion in the bedroom, came running and informed him that Retina had gone out to the estate.

“To the castle… she went?”

Breathing irregularly, Herald covered one eye with his palm as he stared beyond the door. He bypassed the maid who was vigorously nodding her head, fearing the crown prince might have a seizure at any moment, and immediately set off to retrieve Retina.