ITETP Chapter 137

* * *

Inside the carriage, Dana was on her way to the imperial palace.

Finally, I’m going to meet the emperor.

Emperor Yustio had agreed to the meeting. Surely, they would discuss the holy trial. But that wasn’t the only matter at hand. Viego had given her a new mission.

“Obtain a pardon for Uncle Ignis from His Majesty.”

“A pardon?”

“Yes. He said he would decide on the pardon after meeting him in person.”

The emperor had also summoned Ignis.

Dana glanced at him sitting across from her. When their eyes met, Ignis frowned.

“What are you looking at?”

“You seemed uncomfortable.”

“…”

“Are you okay?”

There was no response from Ignis.

Indeed, Ignis looked extremely uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles. Yet… It seems like he’s past the denial stage now.

Ignis had been in denial, claiming it all to be lies, that the nobles were surely playing with him, unable to believe he was adopted into the Windsor family. But now, he seemed to be slowly accepting reality.

“Hey. Let me ask you something.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“You and I were close, you say. Is that true?”

“Yes, of course.” Dana smiled gently. “We were very close.”

Thinking about it, she and Ignis were indeed very close. Physically. I even saw him m*sturbating. But that wasn’t all…

Dana glanced at his hand. Large and rough, his fingers were thick and calloused. However, she knew moments when those fingers became gentle. After all, it was these hands that had given Dana Windsor her first pleasure.

“Then tell me. How did I end up being adopted into a noble family like this?”

Dana observed Ignis’s serious face, his expression anxious and worried.

The amnesiac Ignis turned out to be quite an ordinary man, to the point where Dana thought he would blush and become flustered if she mentioned that he had masturbated in front of her.

…Wait. Why am I thinking such strange thoughts? She must be out of her mind. Dana shook off the intrusive thoughts and answered in a tender voice, “I heard that my late grandfather held a special place for Uncle Ignis. Apparently, you did very well at the military academy.”

“So, how did I end up in an academy that nobles attend?”

“Because, Lord Ignis, you were originally a noble.”

“What?” Ignis’s expression soured as if he had heard a bad joke. “What are you talking about? Me, originally a noble?”

“Yes. I heard you were from a viscount family. Don’t you remember that?”

“…”

No response came back. Was he starting to remember? Or not? Or maybe…

“Ah, damn it.” Ignis sighed as if overwhelmed with frustration. “None of this makes any sense.” He then pressed his temples, right where Dana had shot him. He looked utterly confused, but he no longer seemed skeptical.

It seems he believes everything I say.

Dana resonated deeply with Viego’s words. Ignis was weak against her. Probably because of her appearance, so innocent and pure, incapable of lying. The face she had once criticized for being too naive had fooled Ignis once again.

Poor man, such a tragic fate. She felt a bit sorry, but that was it. Dana had no intention of sympathizing with a terrorist who had killed many. Taking Ignis’s large hand, she smiled.

“Uncle, don’t worry too much. Everything will be fine. I’ll help you.”

As Ignis looked at their intertwined hands awkwardly, he muttered, “…If you say so, I’m grateful.”

Wow. Such a normal response was unexpected. Dana was impressed. Apparently, Ignis wasn’t born a madman…

This version of Ignis—who had forgotten Windsor completely—seemed far more sane than she had expected.

* * *

Finally, they arrived at the imperial palace.

“His Majesty is waiting in his office,” said the imperial guard, guiding Dana there.

“We’ll conduct a brief search on Lord Ignis. Please follow us.”

Since he was a criminal, Ignis was surrounded by imperial guards and taken elsewhere.

“Your Majesty, lady from the Windsor family has arrived.”

Upon entering the emperor’s office, Dana immediately bowed. “Greetings to Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“Raise your head.”

Dana slowly straightened up. Emperor Yustio, always clad in a white robe, sat at his desk in the office. So dazzling. The bright sunlight made his golden hair shine intensely like a slice of the sun melted down into pure radiance.

Yustio quickly checked her face and went straight to the point. “The holy trial will convene in a week.”

Shocked, Dana clenched her fists. In a week? So soon? She had thought it would take at least a month—

“And the crown prince will be informed this afternoon.”

“…”

This afternoon. In just a few hours, Raios would find out. The thought brought a strange thrill to Dana. Surely, he had been planning their wedding, and now he would have to call it off because of the holy trial.

He’ll be incredibly shocked. Dana regretted not being able to see his astounded face herself.

Would he receive the news while busy with his duties, or… Maybe he’s still entangled with Allice.

Last night, a potion from the barbarian shaman was delivered to Allice. Surely, she would have used it on Raios. This was a report Dana received from the spy she had attached to Sandra.

I didn’t expect Allice to go to such lengths…

Dana had leaked information about the holy trial to Allice, just in case. But Sandra and Allice resorted to drastic measures. By now, the outcome would have been decided.

Suddenly, Dana wondered. Did Allice’s plan succeed?

* * *

Raios woke up with a severe headache.

“…”

The morning sunlight was blinding. He sighed, pressing his forehead, feeling as though a hangover was coming on. And then…

“A-Are you awake?”

There was Allice.

At her voice, Raios sat up in bed and immediately realized he was naked. Allice, lying next to him, was also bare.

“A-Are you okay?”

Raios tried to think clearly. What happened?

Last night, they had wine. He then drank the tea Allice served him. And then…

Everything after that was pitch black. It was as if someone had poured black ink over his memories.

“Hey…” A voice, like the breath of a beast, escaped his lips. Raios ran his hands through his hair, trembling with rage. “Allice Windsor.”

Allice stiffened, her shoulders tightening.

“What did you do to me?”

“T-That’s…”

While she stuttered, Raios violently threw off the blanket. And then he froze. Blood stained the white sheets, vividly clear.

“Your Highness was quite drunk last night…” Allice managed to speak barely above a whisper. “D-Do you not remember?”

Raios looked at her again, dark intent flickering in his black eyes. Yet,

“Yes.” He replied, his voice suppressed as if quelling a rising flame. “I don’t remember.”

“…”

“Not a single thing.” With that, he got up. Donning a robe, he left a frightened Allice behind and headed to his study next door.

Thud! As soon as the door to the room closed, Raios hurried to his desk. His hands, shaking with tremors, opened a drawer. His mouth was dry, and his breathing was labored. Cigars. He needed a cigar. Now.

“Your Highness!”

A voice called from outside. But he ignored it. He had no choice but to ignore it. Raios’s hands were shaking so badly that it took several attempts before he managed to cut the cigar properly. He quickly lit it and took a deep, long drag.

“Your Highness! May I enter!”

Huff. Haa. His breathing steadied, and his heart calmed. Now, he wasn’t afraid of anything. Finally, Raios slumped down to the floor, leaning his head against the desk, and closed his eyes to slowly smoke the cigar.

“Your Highness!”

Raios lifted his eyelids. At that moment, his eyes were like calm, dark pools.

“It’s urgent, Your Highness!”

“…Wait.” He rose leisurely, ran his fingers through his sweat-dampened, disheveled hair, and tightened the tie of his disordered robe. Now completely composed, he replied, “Come in.”

As permission was granted, the door swung open. It was his aide, Count Cedric.

“Please look at this, Your Highness.” Count Cedric handed him a document. His finger, half of the pinky missing, was noticeable.

“What’s all the fuss about?” Raios took the document with an indifferent expression.

“It’s a report from our agent planted within the Vatican.” Count Cedric added urgently. “Your Highness, a holy trial is about to be convened.”

“…What?” Raios’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“The holy trial is scheduled for a few days from now. The arrival of the pope and the cardinals in the capital is for this very reason!”

“…”

A brief silence followed, and then Raios asked sharply, “Who summoned them?”

“It was his majesty.”

In the next moment, Raios heard the name of the person who had taken the throne from him.

“Emperor Yustio has convened the holy trial!”

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