SWWYV CHAPTER 167

Chapter 167

One day, while waiting in the garden after being told that Beatrice was conversing with another guest,.

As was his nature, he often spoke kindly to the servants and attendants, and he was acquainted with the gardener who had served the Empress for a long time. 

That day, the gardener looked particularly troubled, prompting Mikhail to ask after his well-being.

“You don’t look well…”

“It’s nothing. Just a small worry.”

The gardener, Thomas, laughed it off as if it were nothing. 

However, Mikhail noticed a small paper envelope fall from Thomas’s work coat pocket. On the envelope was the name, Logan.

“Excuse me… what was your name again?”

“Thomas, sir.”

“Then this must be yours?”

Mikhail asked, picking up the envelope. Thomas looked startled and reached out to take it.

“No, it’s not mine. A friend asked me to hold it.”

“…This empty envelope?”

The brown envelope was already empty.

“People like us reuse small envelopes several times.”

Thomas quickly took the envelope and stuffed it into his pocket. 

The problem was that the texture and size of the envelope were similar to those Garfield had when he died.

Could Thomas be the Black Moon?

No, he was too old and unwell to be involved in such activities. 

Mikhail decided to investigate further connections. 

There was only one likely link Thomas could have.

Mikhail began to suspect a truth he didn’t want to believe might be real.

“Mikhail, I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding…”

“Lay down your arms, Mother.”

Mikhail addressed Beatrice.

“If you are innocent, there’s nothing to fear…”

With a trembling voice, Mikhail drew his sword. 

Beatrice laughed at the sight of Mikhail pointing a sword at her.

“Mikhail, how could you…”

“I want to believe that Your Majesty has been falsely accused.”

Whether his mother was truly guilty or he was misunderstanding her, Mikhail wanted the full truth to be revealed to make a judgement.

“Your Majesty once told me.”

‘If you truly believe in Killian, shouldn’t there be a thorough investigation?’

Beatrice had said this when Killian was in the underground prison.

“Please erase my doubts, Mother.”

Mikhail pleaded, causing Beatrice to pause and look at the Orhelin knights around her. Then, she looked down.

“…Lower your swords.”

When the Empress commanded, the Orhelin knights lowered their swords without hesitation. 

Killian frowned at Beatrice’s compliant attitude. 

Although it was right for her to back down given the evidence and Mikhail’s intervention, her submission felt too convenient.

“…I will personally escort Her Majesty. Is that acceptable, Killian?”

Mikhail gestured to the lowered swords of the Orhelin knights and asked Killian.

“But the Empress is now a criminal.”

“Only a suspect, Sir Ian.”

Mikhail drew a line when Ian stepped forward incredulously. 

Killian nodded eventually, knowing how much deliberation and anguish Mikhail must have gone through to point a sword at his mother. 

It was a minimal act of respect for Mikhail.

Sophia also knew Mikhail was someone trustworthy.

“I will follow closely behind.”

Killian’s words were met with a nod from Mikhail.

“Prepare the carriage.”

Mikhail ordered a servant.

* * *

Killian and Sophia watched as Beatrice boarded the carriage.

“Will we be able to expose all of the Empress’s crimes?”

“There are enough testimonies and witnesses.”

Killian nodded. 

Even if they couldn’t send Beatrice to the underground prison, they could bring her to trial. 

He had been diligently collecting testimonies and evidence up until the carriage accident.

Not only Nicholas but also the servants of the Grand Duke’s residence had been helpful. 

After Ben confessed his sins to Killian, others began to come forward, admitting they had also followed the Empress’s orders.

With the cooperation of those who supported him, Killian was able to secretly contact the Emperor. 

They didn’t report his clandestine meetings with the Emperor to Beatrice, thus dismantling the cage and surveillance tower she had constructed.

“I don’t want to disappoint those who have shown courage. And I can’t leave you in more danger…” Killian tightly grasped Sophia’s hand. 

“It seems Prince Mikhail has found evidence related to the Rosarphi.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince must be very confused as well.”

“…Indeed.”

Killian nodded and released Sophia’s hand. He stepped out into the rain and mounted his horse.

“Sir Ian and I will follow to the palace. Please return to the Count’s residence and wait.”

He couldn’t take Sophia to the palace. Ian also mounted his horse, and the two of them prepared to follow the carriage carrying Beatrice.

“Killian…!” Sophia called out, stopping him for a moment.

“There are many important matters at hand, but I’m worried about the continuous rain. It’s also the season of the demon beasts, so please be careful.”

She pointed to the rainy sky.

It had been raining for two days since the carriage accident.

‘In the original story, demon beasts rampaged in the capital during the heavy rainy season…’

The timing of the rain made her anxious. 

Killian glanced at the dark, cloudy sky and nodded. 

Sophia had cautiously mentioned the demon beasts yesterday too.

Though it was rare for dangerous demon beasts to breach the walls of the capital, occasionally, some managed to fly over the walls, and knights could usually subdue them with a few men. 

Even though Killian thought it was a bit of an odd worry, he listened because it was Sophia who spoke.

“Then…”

Killian gave her a reassuring smile and rode off, following Beatrice’s carriage. 

The Orhelin knights escorted the carriage, with Killian and Ian trailing behind. 

Soldiers and Ruchtainer knights, who had been summoned for the funeral, followed as well.

* * *

Mikhail sat in silence beside Beatrice. Never had it been so painful to be in his mother’s presence.

“…I am truly disappointed in you, Mikhail.”

As the sound of rain hitting the carriage filled the air, Beatrice spoke.

“To think you would be swayed by their words and doubt me…”

She questioned her son, causing Mikhail’s blue eyes to darken.

“Do you think I was swayed by their words?”

“Yes. Logan? Whatever that is, you fell into their trap…”

“Your Majesty.”

Mikhail clenched his fist and looked at Beatrice.

“Why do you think I only asked questions several times?”

He bit his lip, trying to control his crumbling expression. 

Alone with Beatrice, he finally asked her.

“What are you saying…?”

“Do you think I drew my sword because of Logan or because of a single slip of your tongue?”

“What…”

Mikhail no longer felt the need to explain everything to Beatrice. 

After discovering Logan’s envelope and suspecting his mother, he didn’t just stand idly by like a fool. 

He wanted to believe he was mistaken and tried to confirm her innocence.

Unable to directly ask Beatrice, he observed her surroundings. 

On the day of Sophia’s carriage accident, Mikhail discovered that his mother had called Sir Nicholas and arranged for a rented carriage. 

At the time, he didn’t find it suspicious. 

Sir Nicholas was not only the captain of the military police but also a knight who frequently interacted with Beatrice.

It was only slightly odd that she arranged for a regular carriage despite having access to royal carriages. 

But when Beatrice mentioned the ‘carriage accident’ about Sophia’s death, he recalled the memory he had dismissed. 

When Sir Nicholas confessed to the incident, it terrified him even more. 

That’s why he kept questioning his mother about the ‘carriage accident’, hoping she would explain and prove her innocence.

Seeing the betrayal in Mikhail’s eyes, Beatrice grew angry.

“Mikhail, you should be on my side. I gave birth to you and raised you!”

“Your Majesty, I am here because I am on your side…!”

He knew about the carriage incident, yet he didn’t mention it in front of Killian, Ian, and Sophia. 

He brought it up now, alone with Beatrice, for a reason.

“Why did you do it?”