ITETP Chapter 138

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The emperor said, “This is as far as my role goes. I cannot guarantee the outcome of the trial.”

“Yes, this is enough. Thank you.” Dana bowed deeply. It was sincere. Without Yustio, who had once been one of the seven cardinals, it wouldn’t have been possible to convene the holy trial so quickly and efficiently. Her efforts in maintaining a relationship with the emperor had paid off.

With this, it’s all over.

Just as she thought to conclude the conversation and leave,

“The crown prince.”

Surprisingly, Yustio continued the conversation. Dana, startled, lifted her head and flinched. Whether he had been observing her all this time, his blue gaze was fixed unwaveringly on her.

“As you know, because of his black hair.”

“Yes.”

“He hasn’t always received proper treatment, especially from the former emperor.”

“…”

Yustio didn’t elaborate further, but Dana knew. She was aware of his turbulent childhood.

“He harbors a lot of resentment.”

Dana listened quietly. In truth, it was Yustio who had deepened that resentment. The image of Raios hiding and weeping alone in the maze garden the day he was stripped of the throne was still vivid in her mind.

So? What? Does he feel guilty for taking the throne from his nephew? It was possible. Not only had he taken the throne, but he was also leading the effort to ruin his nephew’s engagement through the holy trial. He must be feeling uneasy.

He’s not going to tell me to reconsider, is he?

Dana looked at him coldly. At the end of her gaze, Yustio’s lips seemed poised on the edge of the opening, trembling slightly before finally exhaling a languid breath.

“Ignis Windsor.”

Ah. He had made a decision.

“After the meeting, I will decide on his pardon and send him back.” Yustio nodded slightly. “You may go now.”

Grateful for his excellent judgment, Dana was ready to resist if he had said anything about reconsidering or siding with Raios.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am truly grateful for your time.”

That was it. It was over. All of it was over. Her steps were light as she left the room, nearly feeling like she could fly.

Finally, finally. Finally! The holy trial will convene! She would be finally break up with that b*sard Raios. Not only that, but Carl had finally noticed the issues at the Retillan mines too.

Carl is finished now. He would be ruined, and the nobles who trusted and invested in him would revolt. Then, he would be dismissed from his position as deputy head, and the deputy head’s ring would be hers, and she would finally—

Return. To herself, Yeon Dana. Finally breaking away from this dreadful world.

Dana walked away with an overwhelmed heart, her chest swelling with emotion. Just as she was about to turn the corner at the end of the hallway,

“Stop right there.”

A low voice caught her by the ankle.

“Danae Windsor.”

“…”

Her previously good mood plummeted in an instant. Without bothering to hide her twisted expression, Dana turned around. Raios was standing there. But… What’s with him?

Raios was a mess. His shirt was sloppily buttoned, his coat thrown on haphazardly. Clearly, he had dressed in a rush and hurried out.

Approaching quickly, Raios grabbed her wrist. “What are you up to?”

At that moment, Dana realized. He already knows. Though she had heard the news would be delivered in the afternoon, Raios must have learned of the holy trial through another source.

“You’re holding a holy trial?”

His neck veins bulged, his eyes bloodshot with a bestial rage. How delightful it was to see.

“Yes.” Dana smiled broadly. “Let’s discuss this in the holy trial in a week. Could you let go of this, please?”

“Despicable.”

“Pardon?”

“You have no loyalty whatsoever.”

What? Her head buzzed. What did she just hear?

Raios glared at her with a look that could kill, spitting out his words. “Judging by your eagerness to convene the holy trial, it seems you’ve been conspiring with His Majesty for a long time.” And with a look of contempt and disdain, he scanned her from top to bottom. “Did you offer your body to my uncle in exchange?”

This insane man… Dana clenched her teeth. She wanted to slap him, but too many eyes were watching. “Watch your mouth, Your Highness. I’m starting to doubt if you’re a human or a dog.”

“The only dog here is you, Danae Windsor.”

“What did you say…?”

“Believing a holy trial can facilitate an annulment shows that you,” Raios took a deep breath and let it out, “you must have not preserved your chastity.”

“…”

“Right?”

Given the not-so-bad misunderstanding, Dana simply kept her mouth shut.

“It’s fine.” Assuming her silence as affirmation, Raios suddenly brushed his face as if washing it. “I’ll forgive you. Forget about the annulment.”

“We’ll talk about this in the holy trial.”

“I told you, didn’t I? We’ll be buried in the same place.”

“Well, even if I did lose my chastity as you claim, would you still say the same?” Dana whispered quietly, taunting him so only he could hear. “What will you do if I start another family?”

Raios didn’t respond. He just stared at her with those dark, seemingly bottomless eyes. How chillingly ominous they were.

“It doesn’t matter.” His grip on her wrist tightened. “Even if you carry another b*stard’s child, there will be no annulment.” Raios bared his teeth in a smile. “I’ll just make it my own.”

A chill ran down her spine. This man was truly insane. How could he utter such a lunatic threat… However, the moment their eyes met, Dana realized. No. It’s not a threat. Every word he spat out was his true intention. Meaning he was out of his mind. Not metaphorically but literally, Raios was out of his mind…

“…!”

In the next moment, Raios picked her up without warning.

“What are you doing!”

She struggled in shock, but his arms easily subdued her.

“Raios! What are you doing now!”

Raios didn’t answer. He just walked determinedly.

The certainty in his steps made Dana suddenly anxious. No way, right? Is he planning to detain me until the holy trial? It seemed unlikely, but given Raios’s current state, it seemed entirely possible. He had completely lost it!

“Raios! You’ll regret this, let me go! Raios!” Dana screamed furiously. “Let go! Let me go!”

This was madness. To attempt such an outright abduction in the imperial palace!

“Have you lost your mind?! Everyone’s watching! Come to your senses, Raios!”

Raios couldn’t possibly handle the fallout from this. Indeed, numerous servants, maids, pages, and guards were witnesses to this crime scene. But,

“Raios!”

No one could stop him right now. Everyone hesitated, unsure of what to do, merely glancing around. No one in the imperial palace could stand in the way of the crown prince.

Except for one person, the emperor.

“Crown Prince. Stop right there.”

Finally, Raios came to a halt. His breathing was ragged, his face twitching with unrestrained fury and resentment. The precarious balance of his expression seemed on the verge of shattering into chaos and hatred.

Ah. Dana felt fear. Raios was losing his grip on reality. He was breaking down. Seeing him disintegrate into such a wreck for the first time, a wave of anxiety washed over her, fearing he might transform into something entirely different…

“Put Lady Windsor down,” commanded the emperor, who had now approached from behind. “I said put her down, Crown Prince.”

“She’s my fiancée,” Raios spat out with a voice teetering on the edge of the explosion. “Even if you are the emperor, you cannot interfere with matters concerning my fiancée and me.”

“Why can’t I?” Emperor Yustio tilted his head slightly.

“…What did you just say?” Raios’s lips went pale as he echoed the question.

But Yustio didn’t immediately continue. He simply observed, his silence asserting his dominion as naturally as if it was his rightful territory. “Tell me, Crown Prince.” Then, when he chose to speak again, there was no hint of doubt in his voice, only genuine curiosity. “Why do you think I can’t?”

At that moment, Dana realized that Emperor Yustio was more aware of his status and power than anyone else. He had always seemed indifferent to his position, yet he knew the extent of his authority better than anyone. And the power he possessed…

“Danae Windsor was summoned to the imperial palace at my request. This means,” Yustio continued firmly, extending his hand, “I am responsible for ensuring her safe return.” With a decisive touch, he placed his hand on Raios’s shoulder. “So, put her down.”

The air seemed to freeze in that instant. Dana held her breath.

“Right now.”

Yustio’s special ability was to make anything he touched explode. And now, Raios was under his grasp.

Just put me down, you madman… Dana thought, looking up at Raios’s face. Their eyes met. And in that moment, it felt as though Dana had been struck hard. His dark eyes seemed on the verge of shattering into fragments or melting away, dripping down his cheeks.

The overwhelming sorrow that rushed in made Dana taken aback. Why? Why did he have such a look in his eyes…

“Yes.”

But the moment Raios blinked, all traces of that sorrow vanished, replaced by a sudden calm that was almost eerie.

“I will obey your command, Your Majesty.” Finally, he let Dana down.

As her feet touched the ground, Dana quickly distanced herself from him as if fleeing from contamination.

Watching the space between them widen, Raios let out a hollow laugh, a sound filled with icy loneliness. That was the end. He turned and walked away.

Watching his retreating back, Dana thought, without realizing, how his broad shoulders and sturdy frame seemed on the brink of collapsing into nothingness.

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