Chapter 7

The long story came to an end, and Arklein's face was dark as he left Sashes' room.

The mana in Estel's eyes also deeply darkened.

It was no wonder. He had been told that Tertelise, whom he had always considered an enemy, was actually connected to Sashes and had been working to bring down Duke Marvick. The feeling of being betrayed and the sense of alienation must have outweighed any joy he might have felt.

After putting some distance between himself and Sashes' room, Arklein stopped in his tracks.

"I hate feeling so small. ... Why am I so angry?"

"... I think it's understandable for you to feel that way, Lord Ark. I felt indignant too, and I wondered if there could have been another way."

"......"

Arklein approached the window in the corridor and looked outside. From this window on the second floor of the Lion Palace, the garden could be seen in its entirety. The garden was divided into two sections: one was a maze made of hedges, and the other was an Oriental-style garden centered around imperial decorative architecture.

"In the past, this garden was a vast rose garden. ... While I was kept away after being given tea laced with something, the garden changed completely. ... All traces of how it was when 'Mother' was still alive have disappeared."

Arklein gripped the window frame tightly.

"That's why I still can't believe it. I thought Father's favor had shifted to that woman."

Even though it was clear that Arklein was deeply hurt, Estel couldn't find the right words to say.

"That person used to be kind. I should be happy to know that it wasn't a lie... but..."

Then, Arklein began to speak about Tertelise from the past, in a broken voice. When Arklein was still young, he had visited the "new mother" out of curiosity, and she was a woman with a somewhat melancholic air, quite different from what she is now.

Tertelise gradually became more cheerful through her interactions with the young Arklein. Arklein also felt the same way, and Tertelise helped fill the void left by the loss of his biological mother. That's why the memory of being given tea laced with something when his half-brother was born left a deep scar in his heart.

"If Estel's ability hadn't exposed that person's emotions..."

At Arklein's words, Estel's heart ached. Sashes had said that the truth was intended to be buried in darkness. However, she also wondered if not knowing the truth would have spared Arklein this pain.

The reason the situation had become so complicated, she thought, was because Sashes had tried to save Arklein, Tertelise, and Leedys equally, which made her feel even more helpless.

"Do you think it would have been better if you didn't know, Lord Ark...?"

"That's not the case. But..."

Arklein bit his lip hard and then confessed.

"... Father is an incompetent ruler. As a ruler, he should have considered the country's interests and made decisions about who to save and who to sacrifice. If I were Father, I would have—"

"It's not right. Don't say it."

Estel didn't want to hear what he would say next and hugged Arklein from behind.

"There's no way the Emperor would abandon you. He said that Lady Miliaria was the only one. You were always his top priority."

Estel's hands, which were wrapped around Arklein's torso, were overlapped by a larger hand.

"I want you by my side today..."

Even without being asked, Estel intended to stay by his side. She tightened her embrace, hoping that her presence could heal his heart, even a little.

◆ ◆ ◆

The morning sunlight hit Arklein's face, and he woke up, burying his face in Estel's hair, who was sleeping in his arms.

He remembered that after leaving Sashes' room yesterday, he had gone to his office but was sent away due to his terrible appearance. He then found Estel napping in the guest room he used as a bedroom and let her continue sleeping. After that—

The warmth in his arms made him hold Estel tighter.

Once his emotions had settled, his next concern was Leedys.

He had Estel, loyal subordinates, and Klaus.

But for Leedys—

Not only had his maternal relatives been arrested, but his attendants at the Aquarius Palace were also under investigation and imprisoned, as they were suspected of being under Duke Marvick's influence. It was as if he had lost everything in one night. Arklein was worried about his half-brother's mental state.

◆ ◆ ◆

Estel's education as a princess was to resume today with a tutor, so after having breakfast together, she returned to the Libra Palace.

Arklein headed to his office to deal with the backlog of paperwork. He wanted to find time to meet with Leedys, but it might be difficult to do so today.

Due to the rise of capitalists and the increased influence of the citizenry, the country had been transitioning to a governance system that valued parliamentary decisions since the reign of the previous king, Ezelbert.

However, the king still reigned at the top of the parliament, cabinet, military, and religion. Nothing could be done without the king's approval, and there was a mountain of documents that needed to be reviewed.

Especially now, with Duke Marvick's downfall, the power struggle among the nobility was intensifying. It was a critical time to monitor their movements.

Currently, he was focusing on paperwork, but his duties also included social and diplomatic activities and attending ceremonies. He had to decline or postpone public duties that required him to go out because he needed to prepare for the ceremony of being named the crown prince and the advanced wedding ceremony.

Additionally, there was the aftermath of the Marvick Treason Incident to deal with. There was simply too much to do, and even if he had multiple bodies, it wouldn't be enough.

How long would this dizzying busyness last?

Sashes was scheduled to return to her duties in two days, which should ease the workload somewhat, but it would be a while before he could return to the Libra Palace.

After finishing a day's work, Arklein was walking towards the guest room he used as a bedroom when he noticed a small figure ahead and stopped.

"Brother..."

The figure was Leedys. When he noticed Arklein, he called out.

"I apologize for ambushing you like this. I know you probably don't want to see my face, but I had to apologize..."

Leedys' face, which shared features with Arklein, was pale.

How much courage must he have mustered to come here?

It was already past midnight, not a time for a child to be wandering, but Arklein couldn't scold him. He stopped and waited for Leedys to speak.

"What Grandfather did to you is unforgivable. This apology might just be for my own satisfaction... and it might only cause you more trouble. But I couldn't just do nothing."

Leedys' face, as he confessed, was exhausted.

Seeing his expression, something welled up inside Arklein.

Sashes had already told Leedys about the conflicts between his grandfather and mother and the circumstances behind the treason incident.

His mother had hated his grandfather and worked with his father to bring him down. As a result, his half-brother had ascended to the throne, and he would be seen as the son of a traitor. How was he accepting this harsh reality?

Leedys, who had been manipulated by Milsea Marvick and acted recklessly, couldn't be said to be blameless.

From the testimonies of Tertelise and Leedys, it was clear that Leedys had committed a crime during the dragon attack at the hunting tournament.

Regardless of the reasons, it was undoubtedly a sin that he had kept silent until the treason incident.

He had his thoughts about Leedys' silence. However, now that he had heard about Leedys' age and the reasons why he couldn't speak up, his anger towards Milsea and Silvio was stronger.

Milsea Marvick, driven by her obsession with the throne, had committed various atrocities. Silvio, who blamed everything on Milsea and gave no proper testimony, was also at fault. Compared to them, Leedys had a victim's side. A victim of Milsea's gentle abuse and his mother's betrayal.

"I don't need your apology. I'm not angry with you, Leedys."

"But... didn't you hear? I was involved in the dragon attack... and because of that, Estel was left with a permanent scar on her left hand."

"I've heard that the mastermind was Milsea. I don't blame you, and I don't think Estel's scar is your fault. However, it was wrong to conceal the truth. You will have to face some punishment from Father."

"Father said that this matter won't be made public... because I am a valuable direct royal descendant and can't afford to have any more blemishes..."

"I think it's better to keep it hidden rather than expose it as the work of an anti-government organization."

On the day of the hunting tournament, everyone at the base camp was a victim. Among them were many high-ranking noblewomen. If the truth were exposed, it would cause a major problem and affect Leedys' second place in the line of succession.

Leedys, who was proud, would find it more painful to be punished publicly than to have it hidden. His dark, downcast face was pitiful.

"Father has ordered me to serve a six-month period of seclusion and community service."

"Are you dissatisfied?"

"I thought it was too lenient..."

"......"

Arklein took a moment to think before speaking.

"Considering that you were involuntarily involved and are a minor, I think it's appropriate."

"But..."

"You've lost a lot of other things. Father must have taken that into account."

What did Leedys think about Tertelise's actions? Did he feel betrayed like Arklein? Or—

"From the moment I was born with that grandfather, I never had anything to begin with. That's all."

Leedys' words were accompanied by a self-deprecating smile.

"I believe that my mother did the right thing. So please don't worry about me."

His voice was trembling. How could Leedys say such things? Was it because he had decided to pursue a religious path?

"I heard you plan to study theology."

"Yes. Father has allowed me to attend the theology department at Albion University if I graduate from college."

"... If you change your mind, let me know."

"Father said the same thing, but I won't change my mind. Even if I do, public opinion won't allow it."

Arklein couldn't look at his half-brother's determined face.