I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 141
Father intervened between me and the Chancellor as if blocking his gaze.
“Your Excellency, if it’s about that matter, please leave.”
I could tell from Father’s stern attitude that it was related to Tess.
“But Duke, it’s been several days since His Majesty disappeared.”
“Why are you asking Euel about His Majesty’s whereabouts?”
“Not everyone knows.”
The Chancellor sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.
The general opinion of the Chancellor was quite positive. Some considered him indecisive, but the majority praised his gentleness and competence.
Particularly surviving more than ten years under the unpredictable Wmperor was considered enough to attest to his worth.
I rarely encountered the Chancellor, the former Count Jester. I only heard Father speak positively about him during meal times, so I thought, ‘He seems like a decent person’.
Seeing that those who had the Chancellor position were from the Duke’s family, it seemed that he had good means and abilities.
“The fact that His Majesty and Lady Hardland are close is well known.”
“Your Excellency!”
“There were many who were displeased with the involvement of Hardland’s daughter, who was expelled from the capital, with the Emperor. So everyone kept quiet and pretended not to know.”
As if waiting for this day, the Chancellor poured out his words in a rapid fire.
“His Majesty is waiting for someone, and even if there is someone else destined to be the Empress, everyone jumped into the pit regardless, thinking they were different.”
The Chancellor, shaking his head from side to side, suddenly fixed his gaze on me.
“Lady, please find His Majesty.”
“That’s too much praise. I have no connection with His Majesty. It would be better if someone else-”
“-Surely you’re not suggesting that I should go find the exiled Louise Hitty, Lady?”
The Chancellor cut me off.
“Your Excellency, please don’t do this to my daughter and go back.”
“The Duke should know that now is not the time to worry about this and that.”
“Your Excellency!”
Father let out a loud sigh, and Mother, who had been watching from a distance, came closer.
“The fate of the Northern Empire is at stake right now.”
However, the Chancellor only spoke to me.
“It’s been over a week since His Majesty disappeared.”
I wanted to say that it was just a week, but my lips wouldn’t move.
“Lady, His Majesty has never missed an assembly since ascending the throne. He may have sat bored during the assembly or suddenly lost his temper, but he always showed up.”
Surprisingly, an Emperor who faithfully attended the assembly was rare. Those who consistently attended the assembly were later called wise rulers.
Hearing that he diligently listened to my words despite being reluctant to play the role of an Emperor moved me to tears.
“It means that His Majesty has concealed his traces.”
“I’ll look for places where His Majesty might have gone-”
“-Duke!”
The Chancellor raised his voice as well.
“Since His Majesty disappeared, monsters have been rampaging all over. Villages are collapsing at an alarming rate. The Duke should know better since he received the report with me!”
Father’s face twisted, and he bit his lip.
“The worse thing is that the Southern Empire’s army is gathering at the border.”
The Chancellor quickly brushed his disheveled hair with one hand.
“It’s not the first time the Southern Empire has done this since the current Emperor’s reign began. But it’s the first time they’ve gathered in such large numbers.”
Father didn’t deny it and exhaled with a grim expression.
“I don’t know what they knew, or maybe this was a coincidence. But if we don’t stand up to them, war will come. If they invade in His Majesty’s absence, we will swiftly fall.”
The Chancellor’s point was simple.
If I didn’t find the Emperor right now, the Northern Empire would be in great danger.
“So, what Your Excellency is saying, is that I am the last hope to try to resolve this?”
“Yes.”
The Chancellor paused for a moment.
“I have lost my daughter, Lady. So I can somewhat understand the Minister’s feelings. His Majesty is a dangerous man. Perhaps this time, even Lady’s magic may not work.”
“….”
“But I am the Chancellor, and I have a duty to protect this country. If there is a chance to defend the Northern Empire, I must try anything.”
“Euel, don’t go.”
Mother approached me and took my hand.
“We can just go to the Southern Empire. No, it’s okay even if the Southern Empire attacks. Those of elven descent are the descendants of the God of Light, so we’ll be safe.”
Mother, who had never once sacrificed others for her own benefit, held onto me.
Does that mean Tess is in such a dangerous state?
My concern for Tess’ condition grew more significant than my anger at what Tess had done to me.
“So, Euel, stay here. Huh?”
If the Chancellor heard this conversation, he might get angry, but he asked in a curious tone.
“Is it because of ‘that’? Descended from the elves-”
“-Chancellor!”
Even Mother showed an intense expression. Trembling, she grabbed the Chancellor’s collar as if she was about to throw him.
“I have met the Elven King. I have spoken with her directly.”
Taken aback, he took a step back, but the Chancellor casually continued with his point. He exchanged some kind of conversation with my mother.
“Are you trying to force a choice after hearing that story?”
“I am the Chancellor of this country.”
“But!”
“One person’s life cannot be exchanged for a country.”
I felt relieved that he was speaking straightforwardly.
“If…”
Seeing Mother’s pale face, I was about to ask if the Chancellor would use his authority if I refused in retaliation.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Euel!”
I looked alternately at my parents, who considered me their treasured child.
“Hmm, come to think of it, I never really listened to my parents.”
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