I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 207

Ethyl seemed petrified. He didn’t even move to stop Aurin as the white light reflected off his face, making him appear pale.

“Ha…”

Covering his eyes with one hand, he let out a hollow laugh.

His inexplicable laughter echoed through the air, and after he left, I found myself unable to move.

I leaned against a tree and looking up, the dark velvet sky seemed punctured by countless shining stars. Hadn’t some poet sung about stars being the souls of the dead, watching over their loved ones?

If each star was a person, how many had died to fill the heavens?

In wars, many die.

The image of the always so bold Aurin crying and Ethyl, usually bright and kind, with slumped shoulders weighed heavily on my mind.

The war felt suddenly close, too close.

“Ha…”

My white breath scattered into the darkness. Very fleetingly.

At least my father, I, or anyone in our household did not have to go to war.

Nor did Tess.

I hoped General Panet would manage the situation well and that the war would end soon.

Approaching the spot where my friend had stood, their footprints remained visible.

One was the imprint of a military boot, the other a small shoe. The shoe print was slightly smeared, hinting at Aurin’s disturbed state, which made me feel uneasy.

I didn’t want my friend to get hurt, regardless.

“Ethyl, you must return safely.”

I had thought it wasn’t my concern. So is that why I was punished?

Before the knights and troops even left the capital, urgent news arrived.

“The Emperor of the Southern Empire has taken command himself.”

The Southern Emperor was leading as a general.

Tess’s face twisted as he read the dispatch brought by the chief attendant.

“He’s looking to end this.”

His voice was grim as he crumpled the message in his hand.

The Southern Emperor was said to receive divine blessings, gaining abilities akin to those of a devil’s contractor.

“General Panet won’t be able to stop him. I have to go.”

His murmur was more subdued than ever, and my heart sank.

I had thought it fortunate that no one from our family had to go, and that Tess was safe by my side, hoping the war would eventually end.

But now, what?

“It looks like I will need to join the battle too, Euseniel.”

Despite Tess’s composed demeanor, I felt an urge to say something, but my lips wouldn’t move.

“Don’t feel too upset, I’m not leaving immediately.”

Even so, it meant that soon you would leave my side for the battlefield.

“Euseniel, you’ve gotten cold.”

Tes slid his hand under my arms and lifted me effortlessly.

“Wow, it’s the first time Euseniel is so spaced out and quiet.”

Even my favorite low chuckle didn’t cheer me up. He gently shook me as if handling a child, but I couldn’t bring myself to protest.

“Your Majesty.”

The chancellor’s voice came from outside, and I got down from his embrace.

“Euseniel.”

“It’s okay. You’re busy, I shouldn’t interrupt. Finish your work and come back.”

I trudged out of the Hill Palace.

The pure white snowscape was still brilliantly illuminated, making me sadder.

If I had known, I would have registered as a wizard, then maybe I could go with you.

…No, that would have been blocked too.

Once when I considered taking the imperial knights’ exam, Tess stopped me, and he would’ve done the same if I mentioned the wizards’ exam. The reason for the former was that Tess didn’t like me mingling with strange men. Likely, the latter would be similar.

“Damn it, Tess.”

Cursing aloud didn’t ease the tension, and I was so distraught that I walked all the way to the mansion.

“Miss!”

Even the gatekeeper was surprised, which reminded me I had arrived without a carriage.

“Stop fussing and open the door.”

I was supposed to arrive in an imperial carriage anyway, so it wasn’t a hassle coming alone.

“Is it snowing outside? Sister, there’s snow on your shoulders.”

Glancing over, I noticed the white snow blanketing my cloak, thankfully I was not wearing the silver fox fur that Tess had given me. Standing in the entrance shaking off the snow, the butler approached with a large towel.

So, there was snow on my head too.

Mother personally took the towel and wiped me down. Hidden behind the large towel, where I didn’t need to manage my expression, I spoke up.

“The Emperor of the Southern Empire has personally taken command as the general.”

“What?”

Even as Gael reacted with surprise, Mother’s hands didn’t stop.

“Oh my, Euel.”

As she dried my hair with the towel, Mother’s warm touch cradled my cheek, making me aware of just how cold I had been.

“The Emperor himself is going to the front. That’s what worries you, isn’t it?”

In my mother’s eyes, which mirrored my own, I could see my reflection that was about to cry. Mother embraced me, and the warmth from another person gradually relaxed my tense body.

When I returned to my room, I opened a window and took a deep breath, feeling more grounded.

“Now, what can I do?”

I have always found something ‘I must do’ and managed to break through, and this time would be no different.

I decided to set aside my confusion for a moment.

* * *

The Emperor’s decision to deploy was swiftly made. The preparations were already complete, and the regional troops had already begun moving to the border adjacent to the Southern Empire.

Only the Emperor needed to step forward as the leader of the expeditionary force.

The newly appointed general himself came to inform me.

“Wow, leaving tomorrow, and you tell me just in time.”

“Tomorrow was the day we were set to depart. Adding me to the roster doesn’t require pushing back the date, does it?”

I know.

I understand how urgent the situation is.