The Dead Villainess Had A Child With The Male Lead

Chapter 128 The Emperor’s Invitation

“It was possible to share a secret with two people, you and Onyx, but a secret shared with over two hundred people… it’s not a secret anymore.”

“….”

“And since I vowed not to run away or hide for Jediel’s sake… there is no turning back now… I must return to the Princess, Veronia.”

Veronia looked divine as she boldly stated her intentions, the faint glow around her body almost making her seem younger.

“I’m afraid… but I’m going to try.”

“I will help you. I will protect you with everything I have.”

“I… know.”

Without warning, Veronia and Killion’s lips gently brushed against each other’s, then parted.

Veronia clicked her piercing and activated the comm. As if she’d been waiting, Jediel answered immediately.

– Mum? Duke?

“Jediel, my dear!”

– I miss my mum and the Duke so, so much!

“I miss you too, dear Jediel!”

“Me too.”

Veronia’s eyes moistened at the corners as soon as the child’s face appeared in the comms. Killion did the same. Jediel shouted with a big smile.

– I’ve missed you so much, and now that you’ve shown me your face, I’ll give the Duke a point!

Veronia and Killion burst out laughing at the innocent child’s words, and if they had been there, they would have hugged him with all their might.

“Thank you, Jediel. So, do I have one point left?”

– Yes, one point to go…

The child’s eyes darted this way and that, seeming to think hard, and then he spoke.

– I’m going to see my mum and the Duke when they come back in good health, and then you have all ten points!

“Oh, so I can be recognized as Jediel’s dad then?”

– Yes! I promised, after 10 points, the Duke will be Jediel’s dad.

“Are you going to call me Dad?”

– That’s… for another time.

Jediel blushed, wondering if Killion’s request was too abrupt. He was still a little too embarrassed and awkward to call him dad directly.

‘Of course you are, you’ve never called him that in your life.’

Veronia felt sorry again. For Jediel, who had never had a father, and for Killion, who had never had a son. She wondered if he could sense her feelings. Killion put a gentle hand on her shoulder. It was like he was telling her it was okay.

– You know, I’m staying overnight at my grandparents’ house in Rossler this weekend.

“That’s great for Jediel. I’m going to get lots of pampering from Grandma and Grandpa.”

– I’m going to my old house for the first time in a long time, and I’m so excited.

The child put his fern-like hands on his chest and spoke excitedly. Veronia and Killion’s smiles spread across their faces. 

For a moment, they could forget their worries about the plague in the south or Jonathan’s crimes. So did her fears of having to stand before the world as a Princess.

– With the pocket money I’d been saving, I bought a present for Grandma and Grandpa! A sweater.

“Oh, my God, Jediel! Did you save your pocket money too?”

– Yes! Grandma Clarissa said that children should learn to spend their pocket money at an early age, so she gave it to me every week.

She knew his godmother cared about his education, but she didn’t realize she cared about his pocket money, which she thought was very nice of him.

“Then listen to your grandmother and stay healthy. We’ll see you in a week.”

– Yes! Take care of yourself, both of you. Bye!

Jediel waved adorably, and that was the end of the communication. She wanted to run over and hug him right now, but she had to hold back. She had a lot of work to do before she could do that.

‘Jediel, please wait a little longer. When Mum’s back, I’ll tell you everything I’ve never been able to tell you. About your family, and about your father.’

***

At the Empress’s Dowager palace, Tate was arguing with a maid who stood in his way. The maid remained polite but refused to let him pass.

“Her Majesty the Empress has had a severe migraine since yesterday evening and has been in bed resting all day.”

“I just need to see her and say hello. I have some urgent news to tell her.”

“Her Majesty is very sensitive. She’s been very careful not to let anyone in today.”

“Including me?”

“…”

The maid didn’t answer, only bowed her head. Tate decided to give up at this point. It didn’t seem like more time would make any difference.

Tate turned away. Andamun’s molars twitched.

‘I see you’ve had a change of heart since you met my brother, mother.’

His tightly balled fists trembled with anger.

‘I trusted you, Mother and… But you can’t just abandon me, you know me too well to do that.’

Tate, who had completely left the Empress Dowager’s palace, had a completely determined face.

***

“What, the Tate I heard about at the Empress’s Dowager palace just left?”

“Yes, that’s what they say.”

Jonathan let out a satisfied laugh after hearing the servant’s report.

“Well, you’re a quick man to change your tune!”

The servant swallowed a sigh as he watched Jonathan laugh frivolously as he wobbled on his legs, holding his stomach. At least he seemed to be in a good mood today, he thought. It was much better than breaking things.

“Hmph… I guess I’ll have to give my mother a present for her efforts.”

Jonathan said, his eyes sparkling as he finally stopped laughing. One corner of his mouth curled up in a dangerous twist.

“That’s right, I’m going to treat my mother to a meal.”

Hoo hoo hoo, the servant watched as Jonathan smiled pleasantly, and secretly shrank back in horror.

***

‘What the hell… is going on?’

Onyx crossed his arms and stared at the correspondence on his desk. It had been ten minutes already.

‘Why does the Emperor want to see me?’

It wasn’t a request for an investigation, it was an invitation to dine.

“Hah…”

A deep sigh escaped Onyx’s mouth as he swept his hand across his face. No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn’t think of any reason why the Emperor would invite him to dinner.

‘I may be investigating the Emperor’s shithole, but there’s no way that fact could have leaked out.’

There were only three people in the world who knew about it: himself, Veronia, and Killion.

‘It’s not like you’re inviting the Guildmaster, and there’s got to be a reason why you’ve singled me out of all the Vice-Guild Masters… and I have no clue what it is.’

Not knowing what it was, he felt a sense of foreboding. For Onyx, who had been a member of the Intelligence Guild for over a decade, the fact that she knew so little about the situation before him was disturbing.

Normally, he would have done his research before accepting an invitation, but this time, the clock was ticking.

‘The invitation was announced 3 hours in advance. Wow, that’s so unreasonable.’

He could easily make the excuse that he was too busy to go, but he didn’t want to. If he didn’t, he would never know why the Emperor had invited him on such short notice.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

He was curious. Why the Crown Prince, who was first in line for the imperial throne, would kill the previous Emperor to become Emperor was beyond. 

It was equally incomprehensible that he would invest so heavily in researching secret magical beasts while sitting in the most exalted seat.

Perhaps meeting the Emperor today would shed some light on his intentions.

‘I’m looking forward to this!’

Onyx exclaimed, a smug grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he finally unclasped his arms and stood up.

“Still, we’re going to the palace, and I’m not going to look like this, so I’ll have to go shopping first.”

A trip to the wardrobe room and then to the palace would not be enough time. Onyx set off at a brisk pace, his stride quickening with each step. Nervousness and anticipation rushed through him at the same time, his heart pounding in his chest.

***

‘Why are you calling me again?’

Sandra’s brow furrowed deeply as she sat at her dressing table, watching the maids busily at work on her grooming, but her mind was replaying over and over the words the servant had spoken earlier.

‘His Majesty the Emperor has invited you to dinner tonight, saying that he has some good news to share with you.’

‘Dinner, you mean today?’

‘Yes. His Majesty has asked to see you today.’

Sandra wasn’t thrilled to receive an invitation to dinner on the same day, but the mention of good news tugged at her heartstrings. Her heart leapt into her throat.

‘Has he finally found Caspian’s killer?’

She was just trying to figure out what punishment she could inflict on the wormy criminal that would make him suffer worse than hell. Suddenly, she remembered something else Jonathan had mentioned.

‘You don’t mean to tell me… you found that child?’

Her first child, the one she’d abandoned on the streets as soon as she’d given birth. 

If a noblewoman gave birth to a child before she was married, both the child and the mother would lose their place in this world. It was a choice she made in order to live like a human being, and she felt no guilt.

‘But what difference does it make if he finds out where the child is now?’

She didn’t feel the slightest desire to meet him. What would she say to him? Should she say she was sorry for what had happened? It was too much for even her.

‘Please tell me they’ve found the killer.’

As she stared at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, Sandra prayed and prayed.