Chapter 178
I should have asked what was going on, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak. The lighthearted feeling I had just moments ago had plummeted to the ground as if it were a lie.
There was only one reason I could think of for the Emperor to summon Luwen.
‘Cutting off the 1st Prince’s arm.’
There was room for justification. But an incident involving the mutilation of a royal family member couldn’t be quietly overlooked like this.
The reason it was possible at all was because of the ‘promise’ that the 2nd Prince had assured me. Fearing that Luwen might be in danger, I had used my wish right as a reward for cooperation, and he had promised to keep his word on his honor.
And when about two weeks had passed since returning from the academy, I received a letter saying there was no need to worry. So, I didn’t worry. Besides, a considerable amount of time had passed.
“Isn’t it?”
Hoping my guess was wrong, I suppressed my anxious heart and asked.
“…Fei.”
My sister’s voice, calling me hesitantly, trembled thinly. It was as good as saying my guess was right.
I reflexively looked at Luwen. He seemed calm. How could he be so composed knowing the seriousness of the situation?
‘This can’t be. We just became lovers…’
My mind was a mess. It felt like it was filled with tangled knots that couldn’t be undone.
I tried my best to maintain my rationality. This wasn’t something that could be resolved emotionally. I needed to judge what I could and couldn’t do. For that, I needed to understand the exact situation.
“Is it because Luwen cut off the 1st Prince’s arm?”
My sister, who had glanced at Luwen for a moment, looked back at me and nodded with difficulty.
It was late. The fact that Luwen was called after official duties had ended meant something had happened to upset the Emperor. If it was something that could cause such a reaction…
“Did the 1st Prince die?”
My sister looked a bit surprised and then shook her head.
“That’s not it, but the situation isn’t good.”
“What’s going on?”
“The 1st Prince is suffering from a high fever due to his wound. He’s unconscious.”
“What about the teacher?”
“Count Rodiahim said not to call him at all. He said he’s in cahoots with the one who cut off his arm.”
“Did he say that before losing consciousness?”
“Yes.”
My sister sighed.
“Then he’s putting on a show.”
The teacher is the most skilled doctor in the empire. He once served as the imperial physician but resigned due to his disdain for intrigue and politics. Since then, he has provided free medical care to poor imperial citizens and charges high treatment fees to wealthy nobles.
If the 1st Prince’s life were truly in danger, they would have come to the teacher first, kneeling if necessary, to bring him.
Moreover, it’s been a while since his arm was cut off. Why now?
“I think so too. The 2nd Prince thinks the same. So, I tried to persuade His Majesty as much as possible, but he was too excited to listen to anything.”
The wound was probably healing properly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been fine until now. The crisis should have already passed. In other words, the sudden severity of the illness now couldn’t be explained unless it was a feigned illness.
‘It’s a show to avoid an unfavorable trial.’
But if the Emperor is excited, not as the Emperor but as a father, he can’t make a rational judgment.
Especially since the 1st Prince was the most beloved child because the late Empress died giving birth to him. Believing the story that he was on the verge of death, the Emperor might kill Luwen in a fit of anger.
‘…Will Luwen be able to return safely?’
Perhaps it would be better to take him and run away. But that would be as good as admitting guilt. In such a case, it would be enough to frame it as treason, so not only would the family be destroyed, but my sister would also be in danger.
And I can’t take my sister with me either.
‘She wouldn’t want to break up with the 2nd Prince.’
Just as I do, my sister would feel the same.
‘Running away is not an option.’
My head throbbed, and I frowned. Trusting only the 2nd Prince and doing nothing was too uncertain. If, by any chance, there was really a sudden problem with the 1st Prince’s wound, we would need the teacher’s help. If he dies like this, we really won’t be able to escape the Emperor’s wrath.
‘I think I should go.’
If it weren’t for me, Luwen wouldn’t have cut off the 1st Prince’s arm. The 2nd Prince would have probably persuaded the Emperor to avoid his anger by mentioning such common-sense aspects. But if that doesn’t work…
“I need to see His Majesty. Sister, please bring the teacher.”
“No!”
“You can’t!”
Both of them stopped me at the same time. I couldn’t maintain my usual gentle demeanor.
“This happened because of me. I need to fix this.”
I realized my tone was stiff, but it was hard to speak as usual.
“Fei. Look at me.”
My sister held my arms and made eye contact.
“…?”
I don’t know why my sister is acting like this. Why is she holding me so I can’t move? Luwen is the same. Why is he blocking the entrance? Do they all think I’ve lost my mind? Do they think my judgment is wrong right now?
“What are you going to say? Tell me that first.”
“Of course, I’ll say Luwen is not guilty. If someone has to take responsibility, it should be me—”
“Fei!”
My sister’s voice rose. Startled, I froze, and my sister sighed softly. My captured arms hurt.
“You’re excited right now.”
“What are you talking about? I’m being completely rational.”
Originally, exposing the 1st Prince’s slave auction was all for the sake of the two of them. To hasten the 1st Prince’s downfall and prevent the war to protect him and my sister. But because of what I did, Luwen’s life is now in danger. How can I endure such a situation?
Staying put and waiting is also impossible. I will meet the Emperor directly and negotiate.
If I can’t persuade him, then it’s right for the master to take responsibility for the servant’s mistake. Considering my sister’s relationship with the 2nd Prince and the merits our family has accumulated over generations, the probability of not punishing me is high.
‘If the Emperor’s anger is greater than I expected and he can’t help but behead someone…’
Then…
‘It can’t be helped.’
Do I want to walk such a dangerous path? Now that I’ve finally confessed to him, and our hearts are connected… We haven’t even properly been lovers yet…
But Luwen is too precious. And my sister is just as precious to me. What can’t I do to protect the two people I love?
‘…Huh? I feel a strange sense of déjà vu.’
It felt like I had made a similar resolve once before. Was it because it was so intense at the time? As I tried to recall, I could soon think of the reason for the déjà vu.
‘Ah… It was a dream.’
The dream I had when I suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness right after entering the academy. The emotions I felt in that dream were similar to now.
“No. You’re really excited right now. Your expression is different from usual.”
“To some extent, I admit I’m excited. But I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
“Do you trust me, Fei?”
Suddenly, why ask this? Although puzzled, I nodded to show that I was rational, as I could trust my sister and Luwen without any hesitation or doubt.
“Then can you trust the 2nd Prince, whom I trust?”
“…That’s…”
Hesitating and stammering, my sister loosened her grip on my arm and gently stroked it.
“I know you’re scared and afraid right now. So am I.”
“But… Luwen and I just…”
My voice trembled pitifully. I took a deep breath to maintain my composure.
But the moment Luwen embraced my shoulder, tears poured out. I bit my lip and lowered my head.
“I see.”
My sister seemed to understand our situation despite the abrupt end to my sentence and gave a faint smile.
“I wanted to congratulate you properly, but the situation has become like this.”
We were both regretful, and my sister’s voice was bitter. My sister looked at me and Luwen alternately and then her eyes sparkled.
“I’ve got a good idea. Tonight, no one is going to the palace.”
“What? Is that okay?”
Surprised, I raised my head and asked back, and my sister gave an inscrutable smile.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
