Chapter 6

In a corner of the royal palace stands the tower of confinement.

It is a crude stone prison, far too shabby for a noble, and Rishel lay weakly on the floor.

She was put in this prison solely to comfort Maria.

It was only because Rishel, out of jealousy for Maria, had instigated a rebellion, not because Maria's policies were wrong.

She wanted to prove that alone.

If only the king were still healthy and Rishel's father, Guen, were still around, such a tyrannical act could have been stopped.

The king was a wise and generous man who never wavered in his support for Maria.

But since he fell ill, he no longer appears in public.

The king is likely unaware of the current situation.

No one can stop the prince's tyranny.

The royal family has a sacred artifact that only those of royal blood can use.

Because of this, no one can defy such a tyrant.

He is the only one who now has the legitimate bloodline of the royal family.

The other princes and princesses died in accidents or from illness when they were young, and the king, after a series of tragedies, no longer had children.

There are even rumors that they were killed by the prince's faction.

But, it doesn't matter anymore.

Rishel muttered to herself.

Worrying about the future of this country won't change anything.

This country will inevitably fall.

In such a state of economic collapse, it will be absorbed by a more economically powerful country.

Rishel sighed.

Her legs, which the prince had cut off to prevent her from escaping, still hurt.

She had no energy to cry, being without her legs from the thighs down.

Her body was covered in bruises from the beatings and insults, but the pain in her legs made her forget them.

Even the healing magic cast to comfort her couldn't alleviate the pain.

She has been running a high fever since yesterday, but no one has come to visit her in this stone prison, and she can only endure.

Anyway—there's no saving me.

Rishel realized.

The prince intends to kill her here.

In her feverish daze, she wondered if she would meet her beloved mother after death.

"Are you Rishel?"

A voice came from outside the prison.

She wished to be left alone.

Turning her gaze, she saw a young man in golden armor standing there.

"You are—"

"Rosert El Cachente.

It's an honor if you remember me."

He smiled.

He was the only son of the Cachente territory, famous for its ruins.

They had only met once or twice since he rarely left his territory.

Why was he here?

"I've come to save you."

"…Save me?"

Surprised by his words, Rishel frowned.

She had no connection with Rosert that would make him defy the royal family to save her.

Perhaps the prince had fabricated a charge of attempted escape to have her hands cut off as well.

"Prince Exis asked me to save you.

Come, let's escape from here."

As Rosert fumbled with something, Rishel, still lying on the brick floor, replied.

"No, it's impossible."

The cool brick floor felt good, and she couldn't lift her head.

"It's not impossible.

If you stay here, you'll be killed.

You have to escape."

Rishel, feeling too weak to speak due to the fever, pointed to her legs.

"…My legs."

Rosert's face paled, having not noticed them under her skirt.

"I'm tired of living.

Please leave me alone."

"That's not an option. We can do this together."

"Please tell Prince Exis—

…how many people must you torment to feel satisfied?"

Indeed, if he hadn't given the wrong oracle, Rishel would have married her fiancé and avoided this situation.

Even if the country fell due to the prince and Maria, she could have had a period of happiness.

"…Still, you should live.

Isn't it a shame to wither away here?"

"I no longer have such feelings.

I just want peace."

"Peace? By dying?

Are you sure?

If you don't escape, you'll be killed.

This tower isn't so lenient as to let us escape with someone who doesn't want to."

"What can I become with these legs?"

Rosert sighed at Rishel's words.

"…I understand.

I'll step back for now.

I didn't expect you to have no legs.

I need to rethink our escape plan.

I hope your mind changes by the time I come back."

"You don't need to come back."

As Rishel said this, Rosert opened the lock and entered the prison.

"…What are you doing!"

"These are fever reducers and painkillers.

Please take them.

I'll come back soon."

He gently lifted Rishel and made her drink the medicine.

Maybe it's poison, and he's going to kill me here.

She thought this vaguely as she drank the medicine and, due to the fever, lost consciousness.