Chapter 20

"Is this a reckless act, now that you know I am Lord Sezon?"

Outside the door, a commotion was breaking out.

Lord Sezon, who had been denied entry in front of the ladies-in-waiting and attendants, was raging at the guards who had blocked him, and was about to unleash his own knights.

"What is this?"

Ruitas, who had come out into the corridor, firmly closed the door behind him and faced Lord Sezon with a nonchalant expression.

There was a small click behind him. The knight in the antechamber must have locked the door.

Ruitas stood in front of the guards, as if to calm them down.

The atmosphere of the knights on both sides, who were about to grasp their sword hilts, suddenly relaxed.

"Considering that His Majesty has just passed away, it is quite a commotion."

While restraining Lord Sezon's knights, Ruitas spoke in a calm tone.

"Prince Alek is now bidding farewell to his father. Do you think a mere subject can enter such a place?"

Lord Sezon gritted his teeth in frustration.

Ruitas Ladas, the son of Lord Ladas who held a high seat at the Round Table, was well-known as a close aide to Prince Alek.

The guards might be swayed by the concubine's influence, but Ladas was unmovable.

To break through, he would need to be prepared to draw his sword.

But for Sezon, this was the last chance.

If the first prince occupied the bedchamber, there would be no future for Prince Romaris.

"The Concubine Myar, who was favored by His Majesty, has the right. She was deeply favored and recently gave birth to a prince!"

Sezon shouted loudly, pushing the Concubine Myar, who had been hiding behind the guards, to the front.

She must have been woken up from her sleep and brought here.

Wearing a simple dress, with her hair tied back and no makeup, Concubine Myar hid half her face with a fan, avoiding the gaze of others, and showed no trace of her usual arrogance.

"This is Her Highness the Concubine.

His Majesty would surely be delighted to see her.

However, please wait before entering.

Her Majesty the Empress is on her way. We cannot let you enter before her."

Ruitas politely but firmly refused, and Lord Sezon's face turned red with anger as he shouted.

"Concubine Myar gave birth to a prince with the right to succession! Do you think you have the authority to stop her, a mere subject!"

The knights behind Lord Sezon also raised their voices in agreement.

"I apologize, but it would be against etiquette to let the Concubine enter before Her Majesty the Empress."

Ruitas repeated the same words with a smile.

The atmosphere between the two sides quickly became tense, and the attendants, who had been nervously watching, began to back away.

"His Majesty loved Concubine Myar deeply!

If you do not let her through, we are prepared to take action!"

A fierce light, almost mad, appeared in Lord Sezon's eyes as he glared at Ruitas.

Ruitas thought he was determined to break through.

To kill the first prince and occupy the emperor's bedchamber. Sezon knew that if he retreated here, he would have no future.

"The Emperor told me that Prince Romaris is the one fit to be the next emperor!"

Shouting in a loud voice, Sezon drew his sword.

That was the signal. The knights of Leiatou, who had been waiting behind Sezon, all drew their swords at once.

Amid the screams of the ladies-in-waiting, Ruitas and his men also drew their swords.

There were only six of them. They knew they would be slaughtered.

There was no chance of winning, but they had to take down as many knights as possible to weaken the enemy.

"Do you intend to draw your sword against the First Prince?"

Ruitas' angry shout must have been heard inside the room.

Ruitas hoped the knights in the antechamber would move furniture or anything to create a barrier.

Even if all the knights here were killed, as long as Prince Alek survived, there would still be hope!

Just as the two sides were about to clash, the sound of footsteps like an earthquake came from the corridor.

Both sides, trying to identify the uniforms, narrowed their eyes, swords drawn.

A sigh of relief escaped Ruitas' lips.

The approaching group was in deep blue uniforms. Amont had arrived!

Seeing the armed squad rushing to the scene, Sezon realized his defeat and groaned.

All the scenarios he had envisioned were crumbling.

There was no time to waste. Shouting "Fall back!" Sezon dragged Concubine Myar and fled.

The knights of Leiatou, while still threatening Ruitas and his men, one by one turned and followed Lord Sezon in retreat.

The first prince's side had no strength left to pursue them.

Ruitas, who had run to his friend Amont first, whispered "Thank you" and sheathed his sword, still breathing heavily.

He had thought it was over this time.

The arrival of Antoire was immediately reported inside, and several knights joined the prince's guard.

Amont did not enter but stayed at the door.

If Sezon returned with troops, this would become a battlefield. Amont could not leave the scene.

Gradually, courtiers who had heard the rumors began to gather in the corridor.

Nobles, unsure of what to do with the sudden news of the emperor's death, were speaking in low voices, perhaps mindful of Antoire's troops.

Ruitas also remained on the scene with Amont, observing the reactions of the courtiers.

If anyone tried to incite support for Lord Sezon, they would have to be eliminated.

The sky had become completely light.

A murmur approached like a wave, and the nobles, as if on cue, made way.

The Empress, dressed elaborately, walked slowly through the crowd without a moment's delay.

Ruitas thought to himself that it was reasonable for her to be late, given her attire, but the majestic presence of the Empress was impressive, and the courtiers, one by one, knelt in awe.

Behind her were the heavyweights of the Empress faction, led by Lord Dillenmer.

The Empress, satisfied with the sight of the Antoire knights surrounding the emperor's bedchamber, nodded slightly to Amont Antoire, who was bowing, and stopped in front of the chief attendant, who was prostrate.

In front of the courtiers, who were holding their breath, the Empress asked a question she already knew the answer to.

"Who was with His Majesty in the bedchamber last night?"

"No one was with him. He rested alone last night."

"Then, did he have dinner with anyone?"

The chief attendant's gaze wandered restlessly.

He must have realized what the Empress was trying to make him say and who she was trying to choose.

"Is there someone you need to hide?"

The Empress' tone became harsh.

"Unthinkable, Your Majesty."

The chief attendant prostrated himself, sensing the Empress' anger and knowing he had to say what was expected.

"It was Concubine Myar."

The order to arrest Concubine Myar was issued immediately.

She was suspected of being heavily involved in the emperor's death. She was to be apprehended and interrogated.

With the emperor's death and the crown prince not yet determined, the Empress was now at the pinnacle of power in Anchease.

Following the Empress' command, a messenger was immediately sent to the Antoire headquarters.

The Empress then slowly entered the bedchamber (it was later widely ridiculed that this was the first time in twenty years she had entered the emperor's bedchamber), and the Empress faction nobles took up positions near the bedchamber door.

From now on, the Empress would temporarily run the empire, and Prince Alek would likely ascend the throne in due course.

It was the same flow as twenty-two years ago, Ruitas thought.

In the confusion following the emperor's death, the crown prince also died, and the chancellor, who had already laid the groundwork, convened a nominal selection council.

Just as Dillenmer had pushed Prince Palesis to become emperor then, now the Empress would lead the council.

Ruitas concluded that it would be difficult for Amont's father to arrest Concubine Myar in time.

Concubine Myar and Prince Romaris were Sezon's last lifelines. He would do everything to protect them.

On the other hand, Ruitas was also concerned about the movements of the other countries.

The news of Emperor Palesis' death would soon be known to all the countries. Those who came to pay their respects would likely be watching, expecting Anchease to be in turmoil without a crown prince.

It would be good if the strategy Gruuk had mentioned worked.

Soon, a small murmur spread through the corridor, and the fifth princess, Myra, appeared with her mother, Concubine Sectour.

She must have come to pay her last respects to the emperor, having heard that the imperial palace had calmed down.

It was at that moment that Ruitas realized he had overlooked something important.

"Where is Prince Celdis?"

His voice was devoid of emotion due to his agitation.

Amont looked at Ruitas as if to say, "What are you talking about?"

"He is under the protection of Antoire."

Of course.

Unlike Prince Alek, who had to rush to the emperor's bedchamber as quickly as possible to secure Anchease's dominance, there was no such urgency for Prince Celdis.

Rather, for his own safety, he was likely being kept deep within Antoire.

Then, what about the Crystal Palace?

Ruitas felt a chill run down his spine.

If Sezon, who had been expelled from the imperial palace, went to the Crystal Palace for revenge?

With only a few guards, the Crystal Palace could easily be attacked by the forces Sezon had brought earlier.

If the palace was massacred, including the beloved Concubine Via, the prince would be deeply wounded, even if he secured the throne.

Ruitas immediately asked Amont for some knights and rushed to the Crystal Palace.

As he approached, he was astonished to see many Lofman knights patrolling the area, swords drawn, guarding the entire palace.

Prince Alek had not mentioned Lofman at all. He had no time to send a messenger to Lofman.

It must have been the chief attendant, whom the prince trusted, or perhaps Concubine Via, who had summoned Lofman on their own initiative.

Ruitas was relieved.

The knight who had accompanied him looked suspiciously at Ruitas, who had stopped, but Ruitas was too relieved to speak.

He must have been completely flustered.

To have forgotten about the Lofman knights until now, Ruitas was thoroughly disgusted with his own foolishness.

The Antoire knights had responded to Prince Alek's rescue request, and the Leiatou knights had also been asked for military support by Lord Sezon.

If the Lofman, who was said to be on the side of the first prince, had been ignored and left out of this critical situation, they might have taken it as an insult and even turned against them.

By being acknowledged, Lofman had maintained their honor.

A Lofman knight, who had been on guard, finally noticed Ruitas and his men and rushed over.

When asked by a senior knight, "What happened?" Ruitas smiled and replied, "Prince Alek has secured the imperial palace."

Cheers erupted from the surrounding area, and the joyful shouts spread like a chain reaction.

Among the people of the Crystal Palace, who were weeping with joy at the news of the prince's safety, Ruitas approached the chief attendant, who he recognized, and casually asked in his ear, "Was it your decision to call Lofman?" The chief attendant whispered back, "It was the Concubine, Your Highness."

Ruitas nodded and was led to the reception room.

Inside, Evbeck was standing by Concubine Via, and Lord Lofman and his senior knights welcomed Ruitas.

"I apologize for the worry. Prince Alek has successfully secured the imperial palace."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ruitas himself reported the situation to Concubine Via and Lord Lofman.

"I am relieved to hear that.

Is anyone injured?"

Via asked with concern, and Ruitas nodded.

"We almost clashed, but Antoire arrived in time."

Ruitas then turned to Lord Lofman again. He thanked him deeply for mobilizing such a large force to come to their aid.

"I am grateful for your assistance. On behalf of Prince Alek, I offer my thanks."

He did not mention his oversight in forgetting about Lofman.

Lord Lofman, hearing the prince's name, believed without a doubt that the request had come from the prince.

"It is an honor to serve the prince."

Lord Lofman smiled happily.

"So, what is the current situation?"

Via interjected impatiently, and Ruitas turned to her with a serious expression.

"The prince, who arrived first, secured the emperor's bedchamber. Then, Lord Sezon, with his knights, tried to break through, but Antoire arrived in time, and Sezon retreated with his troops.

Now, only Her Majesty the Empress and Prince Alek are with the emperor."

As expected, the senior knights of Lofman nodded in agreement.

"The royal physicians who examined the emperor are currently being detained in a separate room.

Additionally, the Empress has ordered the arrest of Concubine Myar, who had the last dinner with the emperor."

The report caused a collective intake of breath among those present.

"Has Concubine Myar been arrested?"

Lord Lofman asked, and Ruitas shook his head.

"No, she and Lord Sezon have been expelled from the imperial palace. They likely went to the Ruby Palace to secure Prince Romaris and fled to the Leiatou knights."

The royal physicians, who had been with the emperor, were detained by Prince Alek and the Empress. This meant their testimony could be manipulated.

The physicians, wanting to avoid punishment, would likely suggest to the Empress that Concubine Myar, who had dinner with the emperor, might have poisoned him.

The Empress would not want to hear anything else.

"Lord Sezon will resist."

Ruitas murmured in agreement with Lofman.

Sezon must have realized that if he handed over Concubine Myar, he would be condemned along with her. With the fact that he had drawn his sword against Prince Alek, Sezon had no way out.

"Some bloodshed is inevitable.

But we must act now to prevent further trouble."

Ruitas looked out the window, now bright with daylight.

The royal physicians were likely exposing Concubine Myar's crimes by now.

If Prince Romaris had not been born, Sezon would not have had the justification or ambition to usurp the throne.

The succession would have smoothly passed to the first prince, and this conflict would not have arisen.

The birth of Concubine Myar's son might have been the beginning of a tragedy for the Anchease Empire.

Regardless, there was no turning back.

The battle had already begun.

Ruitas gazed at the sky beyond the garden, squinting, and spoke quietly.

"It looks like it will be a long day."