I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 216
“You’ve got something quite interesting there.”
What the prince had been wearing was a magical item with faint traces of power, given to him by the ‘priest’ from his memories. Aside from this, the prince had nothing else. Just a small amount of magic.
“Rest well here.”
Even though he had been used, I felt no sympathy for the prince.
The chief attendant was re-inspecting the maids and servants within the palace. While none of them seemed suspicious, I didn’t stop the process and headed straight to the chancellor.
“Has Sir Ethyl Bonart returned yet?”
“Yes, but is something urgent? He hasn’t reached the border yet; we can summon him back if needed.”
“Hm, no need.”
My father was still speaking with Gael, so I quietly shared what I had discovered with the chancellor.
“I’m not sure if they’re working together, but I think you should keep an eye on him. Also, please secure a list of non-human beings who have access to the palace.”
“Understood. Since you’re telling me directly, I assume you want to keep this from the finance minister?”
“Yes, because my younger sister is involved.”
“As for that, there will be no formal charges against your sister.”
I felt a momentary relief, but the chancellor sighed deeply.
“Your father, Duke Hardland, insists he’ll apologize for all the wrongdoings once the war is over. I had a hard time convincing him not to step down immediately. Maybe Lady could try talking to him later. He doesn’t seem to listen to me anymore.”
His last comment was meant as a joke, so I offered a slight smile, which the Chancellor returned.
“I suppose this needs to be reported to His Majesty as well.”
“To His Majesty…”
I clenched my fists tightly.
“I’ll go myself.”
.
.
.
12: Entering the War
Tess could have died. The thought was maddening, but I forced myself to stay calm.
Now that we knew the culprit, the solution was simple. With just a few words, the Chancellor devised an excellent plan, and the chief attendant became even more determined.
The hidden chamber in Hill Palace couldn’t be opened by ordinary magic, and now someone would be stationed there at all times, making further intrusion impossible.
“Chancellor, I have one more request.”
“What is it?”
“Keep my absence a secret. Even the fact that I’m going to the border.”
I don’t want the other party to know my movements. The Chancellor understood this—that if the enemy discovered I was going to meet the Emperor, their response could be unpredictable.
“I understand. Additional forces will be departing soon. I’ll arrange it so that you are included in that group.”
In other words, my father wouldn’t be able to stop me from heading to the battlefield. This task couldn’t be entrusted to anyone else.
Moreover, it seemed my father didn’t truly want to send Gael to prison. His decision to step down was his way of atoning for her actions. Given that it was favoritism that led to this mess, my father could no longer justify sending her in my place to the war.
“I guess I haven’t been the best daughter…”
I hadn’t expected that I’d eventually have to break his resolve like this.
As I crossed Hill Palace, a thought struck me, and I changed direction.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of my feet in the partially frozen snow seemed oddly out of place given the situation.
I arrived at the glass greenhouse in the garden. The snow hadn’t touched the brilliant crimson flowers, which glowed even more vividly in the warm air. I leaned against the wall.
“Tess…”
Unlike the cold outside, the warmth of the greenhouse helped me relax the tension that had built up in my body.
If necessary, I would kill the prince. This decision wasn’t an order from Tess, so it wouldn’t drive him to madness.
“Let’s go. I’ll….”
Do what I can.
Resolving myself, I turned and hurried out of Hill Palace. My pocket rattled softly as I moved. It was the diamond pendant Ruby had given me.
When I returned home, I explained the situation to my mother, who let out a series of heavy sighs. My father and Gael soon appeared together.
True to form, my father, who always handled public and private matters separately, had given Gael a punishment of house arrest. Afterward, he requested a private conversation with me.
“I heard from the Chancellor. You have something to say to His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“Ciel would tell you to go. It’s what you want, after all. But I don’t want you to go.”
“…”
“But you’ll go anyway, won’t you?”
Father smiled bitterly at my answer.
“Our family must be cursed. Once we fall for someone, there’s no pulling us back. I was like that, and so was your grandfather.”
I had heard my grandfather scolded my father often, and now I could see why.
“War, it consumes lives so easily. It’s terrifying for that reason, but—”
“—What exactly is this prophecy about?”
My sudden question caught him off guard, but to my surprise, he answered, though his response was mumbled and hard to make out.
“It wasn’t a prophecy meant for you specifically. Anyone could have been the subject of it. But because I pursued your mother, Ciel, so relentlessly…”
I listened intently, but it seemed my father had drifted into his own thoughts. His answer remained vague.
“Well, think of the prophecy as something broken now. In reality, it’s practically the same.”
“So then, what is it exactly?”
“You don’t need to worry about it, Euel.”
“Father, wasn’t it this prophecy that made you favor me so much? No one noticed Gael struggling until it was too late. This is—”
“That’s for Ciel and me to atone for, Euel.”
I could sense his resolve to keep the truth from me from his bitter smile.
“Go, Euel. But promise to come back.”
He held my hand and said in a pleading tone.
“Just like last time, come back to your family.”
“Of course, I will.”
Without leaving any room for reconsideration, I responded firmly.
“I’ll win this war and return, proud and triumphant. So please welcome me warmly when I do. But, in return…”
“In return?”
“Please take good care of Gael while I’m gone.”
“Of course. I’ll look after her. Just make sure you come back safe, Euel.”
Father forced a bright smile.
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