I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 239

“I love my country, but separate from that, you are important to me.”

I wanted to snap back that it was a lie, but I held my tongue, not wanting to anger him.

“You were my joy, when I was living lonely in a foreign land. A little child whose inability to be honest was adorable.”

Mr. Bugh stared off into the distance as though lost in a memory. Then he fixed his gaze back on me.

“If you don’t believe me, I can swear to you.”

After speaking, Mr. Bugh immediately made a golden oath. He smiled at me, who was staring at him in surprise.

“Yes, Euel. You’ve certainly changed. You’re much brighter than before and much better at expressing your feelings.”

“……”

“It must be thanks to the Northern Emperor, right? I understand why the Hardland couple gave in.”

I couldn’t help but agree, knowing I had no other choice.

The last comment he made was so quiet that I wasn’t sure if I’d heard it right.

“It’s a betrayal, but I’m glad I could help you.”

With eyes moistening, Mr. Bugh stood up. After hesitating for a moment, he gave my head a light tap.

“You won’t see me again, Euel.”

After that, Mr. Bugh truly never appeared again.

But the Southern Emperor kept coming.

“Euel, just wait a little longer.”

“What do you mean?”

“When the war ends. The Northern Empire people are really boring. Oh, but you’re the exception, you know?”

Suddenly, I missed the way Tess used to say ‘Euseniel’ in that comforting tone.

“You’ll guarantee the safety of my family, won’t you?”

“Of course, naturally. Your sibling and your mother, Ciel, too.”

The Southern Emperor had not mentioned my father among those he would spare. It had already been weeks since I came here—surely my father had heard about it by now?

Father, could you have collapsed?

Maybe you’ve been crying at meetings.

Of course, what the Southern Emperor said didn’t match the look on his face. Things weren’t going as smoothly as he’d hoped, it seemed.

I suppressed a laugh on the inside, maintaining an emotionless expression on the outside.

As I started to respond more thoroughly to his words, the Southern Emperor seemed increasingly satisfied. His visits became less frequent, and in turn, my free time increased.

The place I spent the most time in was the swing in the garden. I would sit there for a while, then wander through the woods or the brush.

Whenever that happened, the attendants and knights would come looking for me, as if they knew exactly where I’d be. The shackles must have a tracking function built in.

The key to my escape is to break these shackles. It seems they’ve been enchanted with magic stronger than anything a regular wizard can handle.

So, I need to break these shackles, teleport to throw off the tracking, and head to the Northern Empire’s base. Teleportation would take a lot of energy, and I’ve never done it before, so I’m worried it might not work.

I wanted to take the sword Tess gave me, but it seemed like it was left somewhere else, probably because it was a weapon.

The ideal scenario would be to kill the Southern Emperor, but if he’s as skilled in magic as Tess, it wouldn’t be an easy thing. Besides, I don’t even have a weapon right now.

Just breaking these shackles will take considerable effort, so the idea of fighting the Southern Emperor right after breaking them is nothing more than a foolish dream.

Unfortunately, escaping takes priority.

Tess, my Tess.

There were many days when my heart raced uncontrollably, wondering if he had gone mad.

Tess, now you are everything in my world.

For now, I need to show that I have no intention of escaping, to lower the enemy’s guard.

“Please, have your meal.”

“Thank you.”

I smiled at the attendant who served me, and his face flushed. I was kind to everyone watching me.

They seemed surprised at first when I, who was always stiff and expressionless, greeted them with a smile, but soon they began greeting me in return.

To them, I must have been an intriguing figure, worn out by the hardships of war.

I spent most of my time in the garden, accompanied by an attendant as I wandered through the woods. They probably assumed I, being of elven blood, enjoyed such places, and I let them believe that.

I gradually expanded my movements, returning to the building before the guards came looking for me. They started to stop searching once I was out of sight.

The moment I saw an opportunity, I attempted to escape.

As usual, I had dinner and sat on the swing. I felt a presence from the window behind me, but it was only for a moment. Soon, the attendant would close the door and leave.

As expected, when I glanced over my shoulder, the door behind the window was shut.

I was always prepared, so I moved as I normally would.

Calmly, without drawing suspicion.

This place, with a view of the mighty river, was indeed beautiful. I appreciated the wild undergrowth that had been left to grow naturally.

Still, I missed the Radiata greenhouse that Tess had made for me.

I smiled as soon as I thought of him. Though my eyes stung with tears, I strengthened myself.

I had already found the weak point of the shackles.

Recalling Mr. Bugh’s words, that there’s always a flaw in any magic, I targeted one weak spot and used magic to break it.

“Ugh.”

The shackles broke, but my wrist was a mess.

From where the shackles had broken, steam began to rise from the inside of my wrist. The burn was so severe that my skin sizzled and blood flowed.

“Damn it.”

I tore the sleeve of my shirt to apply pressure and refocused. I had to get out of here before they came looking for me.

I set my sights on an island in the distance as my destination.

A rustling sound brushed my ear, and then I felt a sudden lightness in my body.

“Hah.”

I fell through the air. Fortunately, the ground below was dirt, so the impact wasn’t too bad. Quickly, I stood up and looked around. I saw a large stream and, in the distance, the setting sun.