I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 135
The sharp tone and blame was unlike anything I had ever heard before, it pierced me like a knife.
Her small face, illuminated by moonlight, was devoid of any color, her lips pale. Between her clenched fists, the scent of blood wafted.
The situation was dire.
If I were to admit to her that I could see souls… would she forgive me?
While I pondered, Euseniel’s cries continued relentlessly.
“Why does our family have to suffer because of you? Why do I have to endure this pain because of you?”
She reached out her hand, trying to wipe her tear-streaked face.
“Euseniel-”
“-Don’t touch me!”
Her stern voice echoed sharply.
“Don’t come any closer.”
For the first time, Euseniel rejected me.
Though she had always reluctantly held my hand, she now distanced herself, and I dared not close the gap.
“Because of you, my family is being pointed at. Not once, but twice.”
“…..”
“I sometimes wonder what my little sister, that young soul, did to end up having a sister like me.”
I knew about Euseniel’s sister’s past experiences, but I was entirely unaware of recent events. I had been preoccupied following Euseniel, and I hadn’t ordered the chief attendant to investigate. Besides, Duke Hardland was not the type to reveal such matters.
“The cause of her suffering is always the same. It’s because of me who was connected to you. It means she could lead a peaceful life if there were no ties between you and me.”
I closed my eyes, afraid to see the words in her soul that were visible in my eyes.
“Never come back.”
Despite her calm declaration, I couldn’t dare to open my eyes.
“I’d rather die than be associated with you.”
The words startled me, and as I raised my eyelids, I was met with an intense blue that seemed capable of tearing me apart. I couldn’t find a way to penetrate that frozen heart.
Her sharp, deep blue rage was probably directed at me.
I couldn’t leave it like this, so I stood there in silence.
After gazing at me for a while, Euseniel went to her study, returning shortly afterward. She tossed something in her hand towards me.
“Take it.”
A dull thud echoed as the object hit the floor. What had fallen before me was the sword I had given to Euseniel and my own heart.
“Take it and go.”
“Euseniel.”
Seeing my heart lying pitifully on the ground finally made me realize the gravity of the situation.
“Euseniel, I..…”
I had to say something to hold on to her.
“I am Lady Hardland, Your Majesty.”
Her voice remained calm, her mask resolute, sending a chill down my spine.
Her pitch-black hair, delicate features, and slender limbs were all unmistakably mine, but she treated me as if she had no knowledge of who I was.
“Just use teleportation to leave, as you came.”
I seemed to vaguely believe that Euseniel would forgive me.
She had always shrugged off whatever I did, or simply sighed and moved on, so I thought this time would be no different.
However, looking at her so heavily armored than ever before, I realized that I was under a grand illusion.
“Be careful not to attract attention.”
I recalled how her attitude did not change when Ethyl Bonart’s affections shifted. Ethyl Bonart was a close friend, but that was as far as it went, no expectations.
Am I being cast aside as well?
Euseniel, am I becoming meaningless to you?
I have to hold on.
“Euseniel.”
I took a step forward to grab Euseniel, who looked like she was a complete stranger.
Crack.
Somewhere, there was a sound like something breaking.
Euseniel’s soul, which had been standing calmly as if nothing had happened, had a golden crack. It began to spread, with thick gold at its core, so fragile that it seemed like it would shatter irreparably, making it impossible for me to move any further.
“I’ll come back.”
Fearful that even the slightest touch might worsen it beyond repair, I left a desperate promise and returned to the palace.
* * *
“Euseniel, Euseniel, Euseniel…”
Clang, crash.
The room had turned into ruins, but I couldn’t stop. My vast knowledge didn’t provide guidance on how to handle situations like this, and I had to figure it out on my own.
First and foremost, I had to restore Harland’s tarnished honor.
I had the chief attendant investigate everything that happened with the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the report I received was more horrifying than I had anticipated.
Those who had insulted Hardland were called to assembly. Among them, there was no one without guilt, and it was easy to find excuses.
“Death sentence for all.”
“Your Majesty!”
The one who objected was Duke Hardland.
“What is this sudden matter without consulting us?”
He was, quite unusually, showing anger.
“I believe His Majesty has a plan as well.”
“A plan? What plan are you talking about?”
“His Majesty’s foresight, you must know it well, too.”
The chief attendant tried to calm him, but the Duke was unyielding.
“Why does the law exist? It’s not for Your Majesty to avoid mistakes, is it?”
“…..”
“Then who will serve Your Majesty? Who will do their best when they don’t know when their own head might roll?”
I understood why the previous Emperor had exiled Duke Hardland with regret. He was a true loyalist to the Emperor.
“This is tyranny, Your Majesty.”
“Tyranny?”
“Yes.”
Duke Hardland, who bore a striking resemblance to Euseniel, responded with a calm yet clear voice to the end.
“These are the actions of a tyrant.”
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