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Chapter 143
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, His Majesty has already approved it.”
Leonard was taken aback. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Is it true?”
“Of course. Will you send the proposal then?”
“The laws used since the founding of the country, which are centuries old? You’ve done it?”
“Yes?”
Leonard stood there, inwardly berating his own rash words.
No wonder. Why would Rubette sing songs about May brides and such when the laws hadn’t even changed?‘She must have known everything and teased me.’
Leonard exhaled sharply. “I’ll act as if it never happened.”
“No, why are you taking back your own words?”
“His Majesty is quite the character too, handling such an important matter so casually.”
Lark responded with a somewhat bitter smile to Leonard’s criticism, “To be fair, he agreed to it in a half-distracted state.”
“Pardon?”
“Well, you know about our plan.”
The plan to send the 2nd Prince to the executioner’s block was to let him personally poison the emperor’s tea.
“Of course, but it must have been quite a shock.”
“Indeed. Who would expect their own son to poison his father’s cup while he’s in sound mind?”
The 2nd Prince would poison the emperor’s cup, and the emperor, aware of the poisoned cup, would still drink from it. Only then could they sentence the 2nd Prince to death for threatening the emperor’s life.
“His Imperial Majesty may have expressed a desire for a rational approach, but I will never do it.”
“Is that so? Even for your own children?”
“At least not for my own children.” Leonard replied firmly, his mind drifting to Rubette’s face in silence. “The 2nd Prince thought his brother and father should die… But even if my daughter commits a worse deed than that…”
“…”
“I cannot bring myself to kill her with my own hands. Never.”
Lark blinked for a moment at Leonard’s resolute words. Then, with a perplexed expression, he muttered, “Ah, I guess so…”
***
I watched from the window as the escort procession of the Imperial Guards, with Molga in tow, departed from the duke’s residence. I tilted my head in puzzlement.
“Why is this making me so uneasy? What’s bothering me?”
I paced back and forth in the room, nervously biting my fingernails.
If Wishit had seen me, he would have surely commented on how agitated I appeared.
“Could it be that I made a mistake?”
I replayed my meeting with the 2nd Prince two months ago over and over again.
“No, not at all. The plan was flawless, and my performance was impeccable. I meticulously executed it, even keeping in mind that damn spirit watching from the sidelines, didn’t I?”
The 2nd Prince who fell into our trap would undoubtedly poison the emperor’s teacup.
And the emperor, who knew of our plan, willingly agreed to drink that poison.
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After Lark presented the evidence of the crimes committed, the emperor also acknowledged that the 2nd Prince’s guilt was substantial and deemed it unfit for leniency due to legal loopholes.
So, everything went according to plan.
But why…
“Why am I so anxious?”
***
Two months ago.
Inside the capital, in the 2nd Prince’s hideout.
“The crown prince is plotting to poison His Imperial Majesty. Your Highness, please, save the emperor.”
“…What are you saying? My brother would do that to our father?”
Nathan was shocked when he saw the powdered poison that Rubette had presented.
“It would be advantageous for the crown prince to ascend to the throne quickly. Before Your Highness, the 2nd Prince, can strengthen your influence.”
“Your Highness, it’s like playing a game with a time limit. One can’t help but feel psychological pressure. An anxious person tends to make hasty decisions.”
“It’s a highly toxic substance imported from abroad. If ingested, death occurs within 24 hours. The crown prince plans to use this poison on His Imperial Majesty and pin the blame on Your Highness.”
“Wh-what? Me?”
“Please immediately verify all the transaction records of the businesses you are currently involved with. There will be evidence that the crown prince fabricated to make it seem like you were the one who imported the poison.
“If we merely claim that the 2nd Prince will assassinate the emperor, no one will believe us. We have to lay the groundwork.”
“Before making his move, the crown prince will undoubtedly bribe the servants and plant evidence in Your Highness’s chambers. We don’t know when it will happen, so starting today, have people check for evidence daily.”
“Very well. But if caught…”
“Unfortunately, there is no evidence that the crown prince imported this poison. He used my business as a cover to avoid leaving any traces.”
“What do you mean?”
“In last month’s ledger of <Blanc de Ruby>, there is an entry for imported cattle hides with no source listed. That’s the poison. I’ll send it to Your Highness.”
“Once he has evidence that can damage his enemies, the 2nd Prince will start to have second thoughts. ‘Huh? I could even send the crown prince packing from here, couldn’t I?’”
“Is <Blanc de Ruby> your business? No, wait. What about you? If my brother’s plan to frame me fails, won’t the blame fall on you?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I want to live too. So please, inform His Imperial Majesty of this fact in advance.”
“We need to be subtle about it. The spirit accompanying him seems to be the real brains behind the operation rather than the 2nd Prince himself. But even that spirit won’t be sure if I’m being used by you or if I’m on your side. So, instead of foolishly presenting evidence like ‘The crown prince imported poison,’ it’s more believable to say ‘He used Princess Diollus.’ But in reality, it’s just a clever wordplay. Since no one is unaware of the bond between me and you, the 2nd Prince will likely believe that he can cut your political lifeline with the evidence I provide.”
“I believe the crown prince is aiming for the New Year’s gratitude address timing. It’s the moment when His Imperial Majesty’s spirit isn’t present, in other words, a perfect timing to target his life.”
“Ah, yes.”
Nathan grabbed his throbbing head and took a deep breath.
During the New Year’s ceremony, the emperor showcases his spirit in front of numerous imperial subjects to demonstrate the strength of the spirit’s protection.
This time, the emperor’s spirit was Guardian.
To showcase his protection and defensive abilities, the Imperial Knights in the capital were planning a serious contest.
There would be no injuries in contests where Guardian’s protection was present, even in genuine sword fights.
“Since the 2nd Prince’s mind might not be clear, I’ll give him a hint that he’ll have a chance to poison the emperor and escape safely during the New Year’s gratitude address.”
Watching Nathan’s confused expression, Rubette recalled Lark’s final concern.
“Alright, that’s fine. But if everything goes according to your plan, Princess, does Nathan need to poison the emperor’s teacup? If he waits quietly, he’ll be framed, but when he presents the evidence, he can prove his innocence.”
“Ah, I see. Don’t worry about that.”
“But the crown prince hasn’t made a decision yet.”
“What?”
“After all, it’s his father, so he’s hesitating. I’ve tried to stop him from going this far, but…”
“I understand.”
“The best outcome would be for the crown prince to change his mind. I’m going to try to persuade him further. However, there’s still a slight concern.”
“He will realize that my betrayal has given him an opportunity. He’ll be secretly pleased at the end of every conversation.”
“But what if we introduce the possibility that he might not act at all?”
“I hope nothing terrible happens.”
“Yes, well, I’m hoping for the same.”
Contrary to his words, Nathan’s expression looked far from relieved.
Rubette chuckled inwardly.
“When candy is right in front of you, and you could swallow it with just an open mouth, but suddenly it’s an inch away, people instinctively reach out their hands.
“There’s only one way for the 2nd Prince to be absolutely sure of getting the candy.
“To personally administer the poison into the emperor’s teacup.”
“Please, don’t let the crown prince’s plan be realized… I’m begging you.”
“Such a glaring opportunity. Like a mouse with cheese… It seems like you can eat it if you just gently, skillfully, cut it out.”
***
Lark agreed that Rubette’s plan was flawless, but he had one lingering hesitation.
“We should inform and seek help from His Imperial Majesty.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Um…”
“Hmm…”
“Pfft. What is it? Your Highness, is there something bothering you?”
“The best scenario would be if Father didn’t know about this plan. Surely, Nathan has committed a grave offense, but Father might reluctantly become lenient because he’s his son.”
“Well, that’s also my concern. What if we ask, and he refuses?”
“Then we’ll have to give up on sending Nathan to the gallows.”
“I guess so.”
They looked at each other with a sense of regret and then simultaneously nodded their heads.
“Still, proceeding with the plan without His Imperial Majesty’s knowledge would be a crime. We would be poisoning His Imperial Majesty to send the 2nd Prince to the gallows.”
“Right, right. Nathan will be the one doing the deed, but we can’t deny that we influenced him.”
“His Majesty will also feel uncomfortable about it.”
“That’s also true.”
“I hope His Majesty can make a rational decision…”
“I’ll try to explain it well.”
That day, Lark went to the emperor with the evidence he had gathered of Nathan’s crimes. The emperor was shocked and acknowledged that Nathan’s guilt was significant enough to warrant his life.
Fortunately, he agreed to participate in the plan.
***
So, the plan was a success, up to 99%.
But perhaps the 1% flaw that Rubette and Lark failed to factor in was that they had never truly understood a parent’s heart.
“It’s peaceful,” the emperor murmured as he looked out at the view of the palace during the New Year’s ceremony.
“All thanks to Father’s benevolence.”
The emperor slowly turned to look at the other side and found a face smiling like an angel.
“Nathan.”
“Yes.”
Gazing into the mysteriously swirling liquid in the cup, the emperor spoke, “I hope this empire continues to be peaceful.”
“…I hope so too.”
“I wish that my beloved children never become blinded by pointless things and turn against each other.”
“Of course.”
Is there poison in this tea now?
It’s impossible to know.
Did time come to a stop without anyone realizing, and what might have happened in that frozen moment?
The emperor couldn’t know.
He only wished that his son, Nathan, hadn’t forsaken his humanity. Even though there was ample evidence of the countless crimes Nathan had committed, indicating that this wish was in vain.
‘If I drink it…’
He, Nathan, would die.
Not himself, who had already consumed the antidote, but Nathan, who had clearly administered poison with the intention of assassinating the emperor.
‘I wonder if he really heard.’
Until the very last moment, the emperor hesitated. He was certainly not an affectionate father to his children, but that did not mean he was cold enough to extinguish a child’s life with a simple gesture.
“Nathan.”
“Yes, Father.”
Watching Nathan’s eyes shimmer as if he were waiting for something, the emperor finally spoke, “If I drink this now…”
He made a choice that contradicted their agreement.
“Aren’t you going to regret it?”
Silence enfolded.
Nathan’s hardened gaze turned perplexed as it fixed upon the emperor.
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