Chapter 116
“…….”
Evelia calmed Samuel down.
“Before that, we just need to find evidence that the Queen uses black magic.”
Lionel added.
“I will send someone to Gafu Hot Springs right away.”
“The Queen invited me and Aria to tea in two days. I wonder what she’ll do then.”
Samuel clenched his fists.
“I will protect Aria at all costs.”
“Me too.”
I looked at him and nodded.
“I will protect Aria and Ruth.”
Evelia’s hands trembled. Cassis held her hand. It was time for Evelia to hold his hand.
“Prince.”
Lionel’s aide hurried inside and whispered to him. Lionel’s face suddenly hardened.
“Is there a problem?”
“The Queen…”
Lionel explained in a stern voice.
“They say she left for the hot springs.”
*****
Clarisse, wearing a hood, slowly walked down the narrow, dark stairs.
When she finally went down the stairs, she saw several boxes with iron bars. Skinny children were trapped inside.
Children who had not eaten properly were left lying on the floor, unable to even open their eyes.
Clarisse’s eyes flashed beneath her hood. As she pointed at the golden-haired boy with her long fingernail, her subordinate grabbed the boy’s head and dragged him away.
“Let’s do it with this child today. It has the strongest magical power. It’s an important day, so I need the capable child.”
“All right.”
The man threw the child in front of Clarisse. Clarisse knelt down on one knee and grabbed the child’s cheek viciously.
“It’s such a shame. If he was raised well, he could have become a pretty useful wizard.”
“Shall I take him with me?”
“No. If you raise a child like this, he will stab a knife in your back without knowing. In that case, it would be better to use it now.”
“All right.”
The man took out a dagger from his chest. Then the child barely opened his eyes and moistened his dry lips.
“Save me…”
Help me. I don’t want to die yet.
But before the child could finish speaking, the dagger was plunged into his chest.
When Clarisse saw it and chanted a spell, a black pattern appeared and disappeared on her neck.
At the same time, the pendant hanging from her neck turned black. The black energy swirling inside the pendant soon turned into a vivid red like ruby.
Clarisse smiled and held the necklace with lips as red as the pendant.
“With this, I can deal with her.”
Clarisse, who was speaking in a whisper, suddenly walked to the corner. Then she stepped on the mouse that was standing still with her shoe. At the same time, smoke appeared and the gray rat disappeared without shape.
Clarisse smiled, twisting the corner of her mouth.
“The rat has gone into hiding.”
*****
“Ugh.”
Lionel, who had been following Clarisse using magic, vomited blood. Evelia was surprised and handed him a handkerchief.
“Are you okay?”
Lionel nodded, wiping his mouth roughly with the back of his hand.
“I’m okay. It looks like they noticed it.”
“Then…”
“We need to hurry up with the plans.”
Lionel wiped his hands with the handkerchief Evelia gave him and then sat down,straightening his posture.
“The Duchess was right.”
He swallowed hard.
“There was a laboratory near Gafu Hot Springs. And there are children inside…”
He kept his mouth shut, as if he couldn’t continue speaking. But that alone was a sufficient explanation.
The three people who were together also turned serious. Cassis, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth with a heavy heart.
“We need to rescue the children as soon as possible.”
“I guess so. Just make sure the Queen doesn’t find out.”
“But since the Queen found out that we were following her, a confrontation will be inevitable.”
“We can’t help it. I didn’t think it would pass quietly anyway.”
Evelia hesitated for a moment and then asked.
“How about asking His Majesty the King for help?”
Lionel scoffed.
“Your Majesty? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh at the Duchess.”
“It’s okay.”
“Unfortunately, Your Majesty will not come forward. There’s no reason for that. The only people the Queen has targeted so far are Ruth and Duke Adelhard. Unless she was targeting Your Majesty directly…”
Lionel, who was explaining, seemed to realize something and closed his mouth.
Samuel asked cautiously.
“What’s going on?”
“Yes. If you weren’t targeting Your Majesty directly, he wouldn’t come forward. But what if she was targeting Your Majesty?”
“Yes?”
“I haven’t seen Your Majesty for the past few days.”
Cassis was the first to understand the meaning and asked back.
“Since when?”
“I think it was after the banquet. It’s very coincidental.”
He added.
“Wasn’t it after the banquet that the Duke got sick?”
Evelia hurriedly asked.
“Do you mean to say that the Queen has done something to the King as well?”
“There’s no reason not to do it, right?”
Lionel jumped up from his seat.
“I’m coming to see Your Majesty. The Duke and Duchess will also go together. Was it Lord Denoa? I’m sorry, Sir, please wait for a moment.”
“I understand.”
Evelia exchanged glances with Cassis, then stood up and followed Lionel.
*****
“His Majesty has asked me not to let anyone in, as he is busy with state affairs.
“Even me, his son?”
“That’s right.”
The attendant guarding the front of King Cesia’s office spoke firmly.
“It’s urgent. I need to see him right now, so tell him.”
“But, Prince.”
Lionel looked down at the attendant with a solemn expression.
“No matter how busy he’s with government affairs, he doesn’t have time to give to your son. It will only take a moment, so let him know.”
“But…”
“If not.”
Lionel’s eyes sparkled.
“Are you in a situation where you can’t meet me?”
“Prince, what do you mean by that?”
“He’s not feeling well.”
The servant was good at managing his facial expressions, but he was unable to hide his facial expressions when he said those words. His eyes shook greatly.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“If not, get out of the way.”
“Prince…!”
At that time, a dignified voice was heard from inside.
“What kind of fuss is this?”
“Your Majesty.”
“Come in.”
The servant sighed once and opened the door. Evelia followed Lionel with Cassis.
Evelia bowed politely and then observed the King. The King of Cesia has been looking pale for the past few days.
“Everyone, get up.”
As soon as the King spoke, Lionel approached him.
“You don’t look well.”
“Not unwell, just a little tired.”
“Maybe….”
Lionel asked quietly after casting a magic curtain to prevent sound from escaping.
“Didn’t you cough up blood?”
The King lost the quill he was holding.
“What is that… How do you do that?”
“What does the doctor say?”
“…….”
The King glared at Lionel. As if he were the main culprit that made him like this.
Lionel touched his temple.
“Don’t look at me like that, Your Majesty. If I had been targeting you, would I have shown up and made a show of it like this?”
“…….”
“It’s just that I have a point to make. You have to be honest with me so I can help you.”
“How can I trust you?”
“Aren’t I your son?”
“…….”
“Well, I know it’s not a very persuasive statement.”
Lionel gestured toward Cassis and Evelia. The two people slowly approached and stood in front of the King.
“Tell me, Duke. What symptoms did the Duke have a few days ago?”
Cassis glanced at Evelia. He explained only after Evelia held his hand to show that it was okay.
“I had vomited blood without any symptoms. I had pain in my left chest. For your information, I have no chronic illness or family history that would cause that.”
Lionel added.
“What do you think, Your Majesty? Aren’t these similar to Your Majesty’s symptoms?”
At that time, Katrina flew in through the slightly open window and chirped.
[It’s similar, it’s similar!]
“Katrina.”
[In this situation, why can’t you trust your son? Isn’t there any other way now anyway? Let’s believe it! Let’s believe!]
The King touched his forehead and sighed.
“Yes, you are right. I am….”
He couldn’t speak and started coughing. He quickly covered his mouth, but before he could, red blood sprayed into the air.
Esperando o rei e a rainha morrerem