Chapter 65

Furgel?

It was extremely rare for him to suddenly visit the emperor like this.

"Enter."

At Ventus's command, the door opened, and Rikar Furgel entered. As always, he bowed so deeply that his head almost touched the floor.

"May the blessings of the gods be with you."

The royal family of Lumentia, which claimed to be the descendants of those blessed by the gods in the founding myth, was sometimes referred to in this way.

"Isn't that greeting getting tiresome?"

Ventus waved his hand. Though he often said it with a smile, there was an underlying tone of satisfaction.

Over time, the greetings had become more concise, and the number of people who called them the "blessed by the gods" had gradually decreased.

Moreover, with the temple, which delivered oracles, gaining immense power, it was natural that fewer people would call the royal family "blessed by the gods."

"I almost think you're doing this on purpose now. I'm embarrassed just thinking about it."

"I merely offered the proper greeting to Your Majesty."

"Haha! You always manage to get the better of me."

Ventus laughed heartily.

Though it was a well-rehearsed line, the sight of a beast that knew its place bowing deeply never got old.

"So, what brings you here? I don't recall giving you any tasks."

Ventus stroked his chin and raised his hand before Rikar could speak.

"Ah, wait. Let me guess. Yes, it must be something related to Cleyder."

Rikar's reaction made Ventus smile, as if he had expected it.

"Your thoughts are written on your face. You need to learn to hide them better."

"…As Your Majesty commands."

Rikar bowed deeply.

"So, what is it? Did you find Cleyder's son?"

"That…"

Rikar closed his eyes tightly and began to speak frankly.

He recounted the story, starting from Livia, the temple, and the involvement of Duke Schuets.

Ventus's expression hardened.

"Is this true?"

"Y-Yes, it is."

"How did you handle this!"

Ventus leaped to his feet. Rikar began to beg, almost prostrating himself on the floor.

"S-Spare me just once! We truly didn't expect things to go this far…!"

"Of all places, the temple! And Schuets too…! If this gets out, the royal family's reputation will be ruined!"

Ventus's anger shook the great hall.

'What am I supposed to do about this?'

Furgel, who had served the royal family for generations, had his daughter Livia secretly hide in the temple and even involve Duke Schuets.

'It wouldn't be strange to think the emperor ordered it.'

Ventus leaned on his desk and took a deep breath.

A solution had to be found. They had to get out of this somehow…

"Your Majesty, is something wrong?"

A gentle voice came from behind.

It was Queen Kartia, with her luscious red hair and violet eyes.

"I heard a loud noise and came to check."

She approached Ventus, blinking her large eyes.

"This is not a matter for the queen to worry about."

"Your Majesty's problems are my problems. How can I not be concerned?"

She added sweetly, taking Ventus's hand.

"Please tell me."

She then looked into his eyes, batting her long lashes. Her posture was seductive, like a temptress.

Ventus's lips curled into a smile.

He knew what she was up to, but watching the queen act so demurely was quite enjoyable.

"Even if I say it's not a matter for the queen to worry about…"

Despite his words, Ventus told her everything.

"How could such a thing happen…!"

Kartia gasped, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

However, her glance at Rikar was icy cold.

'I knew this would happen.'

A black-haired beast will bite its master. Despite raising him, he had the audacity to act so rudely.

'But a crisis can always be turned into an opportunity.'

Queen Kartia smiled softly and said,

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. At least this person has brought us some useful information."

"What do you mean?"

"Cleyder's son."

Kartia's words changed Ventus's expression. She spoke with a seemingly innocent face.

"Even Schuets couldn't hide this fact. It's madness to lose one's mind to the point of not distinguishing right from wrong. Cleyder contributed so much to the empire's development."

Of the three people in the room, none believed Cleyder's death was a mere carriage accident.

However, there was no trace of malice in Kartia's expression.

"Besides, we didn't know anything, did we?"

As if they truly knew nothing.

"…That's true."

"Then it's not our problem. Your Majesty need not worry too much."

Kartia gently stroked Ventus's shoulder and arm.

"But the problem is what happens next. If we do nothing, the boy will inherit the merchant guild."

"Oh, the successor should naturally be Cleyder."

"Queen, what do you mean by that?"

Ventus's eyes turned sharp, as if questioning her words. But Kartia kept smiling.

"The way to succeed is through marriage. But the boy is still too young."

So, why not find him a suitable match?

"Chosen by Your Majesty, of course."

Kartia stroked the emperor's cheek softly and smiled.

Her enchanting smile and gentle tone made her words quite convincing.

"Yes, the queen is right. Since the boy has suddenly inherited such a large family, he should have a wise partner."

"Cleyder in heaven will be pleased with Your Majesty's blessing."

Ventus's anger had dissipated. Kartia smiled, her eyes twinkling.

Rikar watched the two of them in a daze.

To calm that raging man in an instant. He was amazed by the queen's skill.

Just as he was admiring her, the queen, who had been smiling seductively, gave him a cold look.

It was a clear signal to leave.

Rikar quickly stood up, bowed, and left the great hall.

"Was my humble suggestion of any help to Your Majesty?"

"Of course."

Kartia covered her mouth and laughed. Ventus chuckled at her girlish appearance.

"To have someone like you as my wife, perhaps this is the blessing of the gods."

"Oh, I don't know."

Kartia laughed playfully and suddenly hugged him.

It was a bold move, but the emperor gently patted her back.

"I will continue to be Your Majesty's only help."

Her voice, whispering love, was incredibly sweet, but her expression was cold.

I won't let any other woman get close to him.

'That experience 15 years ago was enough.'

* * *

I woke up to the morning sunlight.

Stretching, I blinked my puffy eyes.

"Good morning, Lady Ely."

"Yes, I slept well…"

I paused, noticing the unfamiliar maids.

"…Where are the others?"

"They had to leave due to some matters. They will be serving you for a while."

Some urgent matters.

'At least they could have told me. I feel a bit hurt.'

I scratched my cheek and shook my head. It must have been an urgent matter if they left without a word.

Thinking about it, I looked around and noticed something was missing.

I pulled back the covers. Damian, who was always by my side, was nowhere to be seen.

'Where did he go?'

I was usually the first to wake up.

Or did I sleep in too late?

I scratched my bedhead. I was always surrounded by others, so being alone felt a bit strange.

'Oh, stop being so weak.'

What's wrong with being alone?

I quickly got out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to use the bathroom."

"Breakfast will start soon, so please come back quickly."

"Okay."

I said and left the room.

Before breakfast, there was something I needed to do first.

I peeked around the corner. There was not a single guard in front of the underground prison.

The dark aura suggested that the duke had cast a spell.

'Is it safe to approach?'

As I cautiously moved forward, the dark aura slowly dissipated.

It seemed the spell only affected specific people.

Relieved, I opened the door and entered. There was no lock, so I went in easily.

The deeper I went, the stronger the stench became. I covered my nose.

Soon, I saw the prison.

"Ugh…"

Hearing a groan, I raised the lamp higher.

The prison was too large to see everything, but that was fortunate.

Oblivie's lower body was black, indicating it was rotting.

"Black magic is powerful, but it is also dangerous. It goes against the natural flow of the world, and you will pay a terrible price."

I remembered what Ivana had said.

'So that's what she meant.'

I bowed to the woman who was barely breathing.

"I have a question."

At the sound of my voice, she slowly lifted her head.

Oblivie's face was covered in blood. She blinked dazedly.

"Ah… This time, it's the master who came."

"What?"

"Haha, you still don't know…?"

She muttered in a half-dazed voice.

"Did you come to see me, pretty one?"

She smiled weakly, her face half-collapsed.