Chapter 162
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Chapter 162
Of course, since the contract terms were disadvantageous to him, it was obvious that Jenath wouldn't cooperate in finding the factions involved in The Experiment.
That's why I created the final clause: "You cannot speak falsehoods."
"I'll tell you. But not now. Margaret will be devastated."
I could vividly imagine how desperate Margaret would become if she learned that Jenath hadn't died. That's why Kaiden wanted to confess this truth only after she had overcome the aftereffects of escaping the Island.
[Do you really think that's for her sake? How foolish. She'll only despair more when she finds out later. She might even torment herself with guilt. Not that it concerns me.]
Jenath seemed to have recovered somewhat, offering Kaiden another piece of advice. Kaiden lay quietly listening to his words before slowly opening his mouth.
"Manifestation."
[Krrgh—!]
Jenath's agonized groan echoed loudly in my mind. Sleep seemed impossible now.
Moreover, whenever I drifted into slumber, Jenath would frequently attempt to seize control of my body.
Even if Jenath managed to take over my body, the subordination contract would prevent him from breaking free from my will or behavioral patterns—yet his efforts were truly admirable.
Kaiden pressed his temples firmly with a weary expression.
I would need to suppress him so thoroughly that he couldn't even muster strength. That was the only way for me to sleep peacefully.
* * *
The Imperial Palace held a tea time for the first time in ages.
The Empress was the host, and amid the ominous atmosphere of war, those who had been restraining their extravagance were eager to attend the tea time.
Innis Belgrime Flone—the heir of the Flone Family and Margaret's older sister—sighed as she observed the noblewomen and young ladies, who appeared even more excited than usual.
The Empress, seated at the head of the table, quickly assessed Innis's complexion and smiled.
"Congratulations, Flone Young Lady. Today's gathering has been prepared in your honor. I'm sure everyone understands the significance."
Before the Empress could finish speaking, everyone applauded and offered their congratulations to Innis.
"You've finally found your younger sister, I hear. I've been told she's currently receiving protection at the Romalisan Holy Ground alongside Langrid soldiers."
"Yes. I've heard the same. Thank you for your congratulations, Your Majesty."
Innis replied with the warmest expression she could muster.
Though Margaret was a reckless troublemaker, she was still her sister. How could she not be pleased that her missing sister had returned?
However, even considering her connection with the Duchess of Flone, Innis hadn't anticipated the Empress would arrange such a grand tea time solely for her.
Innis, with platinum blonde hair like Margaret's neatly pinned up, awkwardly touched the back of her neck.
"I heard she appeared by parting the heavens?"
"She arrived riding a divine beast. Crown Prince Enoch and Crown Prince Jayden of Hestia were apparently with her as well?"
Yet the young ladies seemed far more envious of Margaret, who had appeared alongside the two princes, than concerned for their safety.
"My goodness. But didn't Crown Prince Enoch dislike Flone Young Lady? How dreadful that they were together all this time...."
One young lady spoke up in surprise at the conversation. Immediately, the young lady beside her urgently jabbed her elbow into her ribs. Only then did the flustered young ladies turn their gaze toward Innis.
Innis remained silent without offering any particular response. The fact that Enoch despised Margaret was an undeniable truth.
"Where on earth were they all this time?"
A noblewoman voiced her question into the awkward atmosphere. Another noblewoman who heard it spoke with a smile.
"Perhaps the Divine temporarily took them away. They may have been chosen by the Divine for the sake of this world's peace. There's no other explanation possible, is there?"
At those words, the young ladies began to make a fuss, discussing divine revelation. Innis keenly caught the Empress's subtle frown as she observed them.
"I wonder. For those who hold the power of a nation—nay, the very fate of the continent—to vanish together at the same time and place. No matter how I think about it, I cannot comprehend it."
The Empress raised her doubts through vague and suggestive words without making direct accusations. The ripples spread like a stone cast into still water.
Only then did Innis realize why the Empress had arranged this gathering. She wanted to find some fault, any fault at all.
It was the Empress who had fully supported Rodban after his pardon and reinstatement, enabling him to lead the war effort from the front.
No one was ignorant of the fact that Rodban sought to claim the vacant position of Crown Prince Enoch.
It was possible if he returned victorious from this war—under the assumption that Enoch would remain missing until then.
"However, regardless of the truth, I cannot express how joyful it is that everyone is alive. Therefore, we have decided to hold a grand homecoming celebration upon the Crown Prince's return."
A homecoming celebration? Innis doubted whether those who returned would even enjoy such festivities. If their disappearance had been involuntary, they would surely crave rest far more than a party.
"I do hope everyone returns soon!"
"How fortunate that this dreadful war has finally ceased!"
"I'm eager to hear what has transpired all this time!"
The conversations continued as those present responded enthusiastically to the Empress's words.
Innis sat through the entire tea time with an uncomfortable expression, finally freed only after three or four hours had passed.
Damned people.
Now that she understood the true reason the Empress had invited her to tea, their congratulations felt utterly unwelcome.
After the tea time ended, someone intercepted Innis as she walked through the Imperial Palace corridors.
"Lady Flone."
He appeared to be Rodban's temporary aide.
At Innis's gesture, her aide Jayden stepped forward and blocked the man's path. Then he spoke on her behalf.
"What is the matter?"
Jayden possessed an imposing frame and commanding presence despite never having undergone physical training in his life. Perhaps because of this, Rodban's temporary aide appeared somewhat intimidated, his eyes darting nervously.
"L-Lord Rodban wishes to see you."
"Isn't he supposed to be on the battlefield right now? How does he expect to find me?"
"He sent word through a communication crystal."
At the aide's words, Innis's face twisted in irritation. She made no effort to conceal her annoyance and directed her anger at him.
"The Flone Family also possesses communication crystals. Why must you block my path here? Do you wish to die?"
At Innis's piercing gaze, the aide's face paled. Jayden then pressed for an answer once more, his tone menacing.
"Lady Flone has asked you a question. Answer."
"It is that... His Lordship finds it more convenient to contact the Imperial Palace..."
Crack. The identification badge in Innis's hand shattered.
How utterly presumptuous.
After Enoch disappeared and Rodban was reinstated, he had approached Innis claiming to have fallen for her at first sight, then relentlessly showered her with advances.
Was he not the one who had attempted to assassinate Crown Prince Enoch upon his victorious return from the battlefield, only to be apprehended at the scene, stripped of his title, and exiled? Yet he had the audacity to persist.
Rodban was utterly unfit to be Crown Prince. His thinking was shallow, and his schemes were so transparent they could be read at a glance.
However, as the Empress backed him and the Emperor began to support him, his position and influence were solidifying.
Innis ground her teeth and followed the aide to the communication crystal, where she faced Rodban's repugnant visage.
[Just wait a little longer. I shall return safely and take you as my wife.]
"Have you not heard? The Crown Prince has apparently returned."
[I shall handle that myself. This place is filled entirely with my people. Do you understand what that means? It means I shall soon eliminate every obstacle and safely ascend to the Crown Prince's throne.]
"Who said I would marry you? I am the heir to the Flone Family. Cease your rudeness. Should you persist, I shall regard it as an insult to my house."
[Hahahaha. What troubles you this time? Your angry face is beautiful too. But I am weary now, so let us speak later. Just wait a little longer.]
The moment the communication crystal went dark and his repugnant face vanished, Innis hurled it straight to the floor.
'This wretched bastard—the moment Crown Prince Enoch and Margaret return, I shall strip you of your power.'
As I pondered this, I recalled what Rodban had said to me just moments before: "This place is filled entirely with my people. Do you understand what that means?"
In any case, that fool lacked caution. No wonder he fell to the status of a deposed prince and was exiled.
I moved with urgency. I needed to relay this news to the Flone Family members who would be at Romalisan Holy Ground.
Since I was returning anyway, I would make sure to tell them to completely eradicate that wretched Rodban's bloodline. So he could never even dream of restoration again.
* * *
It was the dead of night.
I furrowed my brow as a tickling sensation brushed across my face while I slept deeply. It felt as though someone were caressing my cheek.
"Tch... Hmph... Impudent wretch. You've turned your entire body into tattered rags."
A familiar voice reached my ears. My eyes snapped open. Kaiden's face filled my vision.
"You're awake."
"Kaiden?"
"I suppose I do look like Kaiden. Unfortunately, I'm not."
I bolted upright from the bed. Silver Earthworm, who had been curled up at my pillow, opened his eyes drowsily with a dazed expression.
"Who are you?!"
I frantically lit the lantern. To my shock, Kaiden sat before me. Silver hair and crimson eyes. Even an earring on his right ear. It was unmistakably Kaiden, and yet—
"Could it be... Jenath?"
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------