Kayden silently followed Carlotta, avoiding the eyes of others. Carlotta had somewhat stopped crying as they entered the forest connected to the imperial palace garden, but she occasionally glanced nervously at her neck.
How far are we going?
Kayden glanced at the increasingly dense foliage around them. The forest, connected to the imperial palace garden, wasn’t very large as it was meant for the imperial family’s strolls. If Patrasche noticed Kayden’s absence and started searching, he would soon reach this forest, making it puzzling why they would come here. But that thought was soon interrupted.
“Wait…”
Carlotta’s hoarse voice made Kayden stop abruptly. They were in the middle of the forest. Looking around, there were no visible structures or signs of the second concubine.
“…Found it.”
The next moment, Carlotta murmured softly and pressed her finger on a spot hidden among the bushes. Rumble— A square entrance appeared where there had been only earth and grass. It was so well-concealed that its location was almost impossible to guess.
There is such a place in the imperial palace?
Kayden couldn’t hide his surprise. Carlotta, clutching the entrance, stared at him with tear-streaked eyes.
…Damn it.
<I sense an ominous aura below. Are you still going in?> Elfand warned him of the danger in his mind.
Kayden knew the second concubine wouldn’t have led him here unprepared. I have no choice.
<…Yeah. That’s just like you.> Elfand clicked its tongue but did not dissuade him further.
Kayden took a deep breath and jumped into the entrance. Landing softly, he heard a faint thud. My body… feels heavy. As soon as he descended underground, he felt a weight pressing on his shoulders.
Behind him, Carlotta followed, and the entrance closed, cutting off the sunlight. Instead, the only light illuminating the underground space was the candle glowing behind the second concubine.
“Come here, Lottie. You did well. Come here.” The second concubine turned to Carlotta with open arms, speaking tenderly.
Carlotta flinched noticeably. Glancing nervously at the ring around her neck, she slowly approached her mother.
“Mo-Mother, I…”
“Yes, it was scary, wasn’t it? I’ll take it off now. It’s okay. Everything is okay, Dear.”
The second concubine hugged Carlotta tightly, patting her back, and used a pincer-like tool to cut the ring around her neck. Clang— The ring split in half and fell to the ground, the magic dissipating.
As soon as the constricting ring was gone, Carlotta collapsed weakly to the floor. But the second concubine, having completed her task, didn’t look at her daughter or help her up. She discarded the tool carelessly and turned to Kayden.
Kayden, his face contorted with anger at the absurd sight, spoke harshly. “What is the meaning of this, Second Concubine?”
Dozens of men with weapons stood around the second concubine, creating a sinister atmosphere. She twirled among them, laughing like a girl. Given that she had never once smiled at Kayden, it was clear something was very wrong. Her words confirmed it.
“We are trying to find happiness.” The second concubine, Adella, truly believed that. If I kill the third prince and hide his body here, no one will find it until the empire falls.
This place was a secret underground space Carlotta had stumbled upon as a child. Although Carlotta seemed to forget that memory, the second concubine clearly remembered the words her daughter had whispered as a secret. She thought it might be useful for the first concubine someday.
When the time came, Adella remodeled this underground secret room using a magic restraint device. She also had the mercenaries she hired carry magical tools with wavelengths opposite to those installed in the secret room, creating a battlefield that was disadvantageous only for Kayden.
Adella intended to kill Kayden and bury him here. If we succeed in killing the third prince, we can make it seem like he disappeared forever. Even if I die and the third prince escapes from here, I’ve prepared so that Roxanne won’t be blamed and at least prevent him from leading the parade.
Adella had left a will in case she failed to kill Kayden and died instead.
[My son, Ferand, was killed by the Third Prince’s scheme. I, his mother, realized it too late. Now, I will take the third prince with me to accompany my son in death.]
The will made it seem as if her attempt to kill Kayden was personal revenge, not something done for the first concubine. If she survived, the will would be destroyed. If she died, it would be made public by someone on the first concubine’s side. Only she would bear the blame.
Kayden, glaring at the second concubine as if she were insane, spat out his words. “…Happiness, you say.”
“Yes. Happiness will come when your wretched life is ended. If you disappear, everyone will be happy, Third Prince.”
Her words struck Kayden like a dagger. He was momentarily breathless, remembering the looks of those who had once praised Rebecca and scorned him.
“If only you weren’t here.”
Those words echoed in his mind like a curse.
The world would get along fine without him. In fact, many would rejoice at his death. There was a time when Kayden wished for death. Being unwanted everywhere he went, he once longed to be welcomed by death. But…
“I want you to be happier than anyone else.”
Not anymore.
There was someone by his side who wished for his happiness and life more than he did. Because of Diana’s existence, Kayden knew the Second concubine’s words were not true. So he wasn’t hurt and spoke firmly.
“No.”
“…What?”
“Taking my life would only make you and the first concubine happy, not ‘everyone.’ Am I wrong?”
Kayden dropped the honorifics. His words wiped the smile from the second concubine’s face.
Hiding his uneasiness, Kayden gripped the hilt of his golden sword. He glanced at the number of men around the second concubine, his eyebrows twitching. I feel my magic being suppressed. They must have magical tools. He clicked his tongue at the mercenaries, who showed no signs of struggling like he did.
The meaningless conversation ended. Both the second concubine and Kayden knew it.
With a blank expression, the second concubine quietly ordered. “Kill him.”
As soon as that short command was given, dozens of mercenaries lunged at Kayden. With a cold expression, Kayden gripped his sword tightly and charged forward.
* * *
“What is it, Lubi? If it’s not urgent, let’s talk later. I’m a bit tired.”
Rebecca, perched by her room’s window, muttered indifferently, her gaze fixed outside. Though she was under house arrest, Rebecca and her close associates moved freely within the White Flame Palace, only being cautious of others’ eyes. To them, the emperor’s orders meant little.
Ludwig, who had come to see Rebecca during a short break before the parade, stared at her before taking a step forward. Swish— He pulled the curtains without hesitation, blocking Rebecca’s view.
Rebecca frowned and looked up at him. “What is the meaning of this…”
“You can’t let yourself be worn out by just this.”
“…What?”
“Your Highness is the one who said that there’s nothing more foolish than being knocked down by a storm that will soon pass.”
Happy New Year everyone!ヾ(´︶`♡)ﾉ
