Chapter 170

Proofreader: somnium

Artizea hesitated. She was worried that something was wrong.

Hayley said.

“Don’t worry, she has such a healthy body. She doesn’t have a fever, she’s just a little tired.”

“I see.”

“Lysia has been very busy, too. She’s not even accustomed to capital life.”

It really was.

In the past, Lysia had barely adapted to capital life.

Unlike then, now she is less exposed to the public, and she is not pressured by rumors, strict court life, and an environment surrounded by enemies.

However, this environment itself would not be suitable for her basically free nature.

“I told her to go see the doctor. Don’t worry too much.”

“Alright.”

“In terms of health, to be honest, you have to be a hundred times more careful.”

Artizea smiled bitterly.

“Is it something that people don’t know yet?”

She watched Lysia wither and die, how could she not care about her?

Besides, Cedric’s memory returned. There was no rule against the same thing happening to Lysia.

Even if it hasn’t come back to her now, it might come back in the future.

It might come back to her as a painful mental disease.

Artizea was afraid of that.

‘Please, even if everyone’s memories come back, I hope it’s just not Lysia.’

For the sake of Lysia herself.

It would be a lie to say that Cedric and Lysia’s relationship is no longer a thing that bothers her at all.

But she decided to believe Cedric.

Cedric had said before and after that Artizea was the only one he wanted as his wife.

She decided to believe it.

There must have been a number of reasons for his engagement to Lysia. In order to protect her, she must either make it easier for Lysia by leading Grand Duchy Evron’s support in her activities, or stand with her in the temple to prevent her from being mistreated… … .

Reason gave several answers.

But that didn’t mean that it unlocked the depths of her heart. The guilt still lingered.

But as long as she lived, Artizea thought she would do her best.

She’ll do her best to trust and believe that she might’ve been forgiven.

“The child is not yours.”

Cedric said so last night.

Artizea trembled as if she had been struck by lightning. Because it was only then that she realized that she was trying to do her own thing with the child as she took it for granted.

Wasn’t she trying to do the same with Miraila, after all?

Even before it was born, Artizea was terrified at the fact that she almost did so.

Artizea, as Cedric ordered, decided not to think about it until he returned.

She doesn’t know if she’ll do well, but she’ll try anyway.

Until then, she wouldn’t think anything of it.

Crash!

The cup that hit Lawrence’s head shattered.

Red tea ran down and wet Lawrence’s head and face.

He was brought before the Emperor as he had been arrested by Gayan in the camp of the Southern Conquest Army. Tea dripped down on his dusty cheeks, making messy stains.

“How can you be so stupid!”

“That’s not what I did.”

“Didn’t I give you everything I had to give you? It wouldn’t be possible if you didn’t ignore the burden and harbor enmity!”

“I didn’t do it, Father!”

Lawrence was really upset.

It was true that he had sent Viscount Hoden to the South. It is also true that he tried to bring Duke Riagan down to curry the Empress’ favor.

But he knew nothing about Queen Eimmel.

He had only rough directions for the plan to bring down Duke Riagan, but never had a concrete plan.

Even Viscount Hoden’s visit to the South could not find any useful information.

This is because Artizea at that point evacuated or hid most of the people who had ties with the former Duke and Duchess of Riagan, and invited the Empress’ old friends to the wedding ceremony.

But now he can guess that it was so, but he didn’t know it at the time.

Viscount Hoden was heavily rebuked for being incompetent.

Lawrence said with a frustrated heart.

“Is there any reason why I should have assassinated Queen Eimmel? It is true that I wanted to do something to Duke Riagan, however.”

Clank!

This time the teaspoon slapped Lawrence’s forehead.

Lawrence wiped his forehead once with his hand. He felt so humiliated that he could not stand it.

But the other person was the Emperor.

Lawrence didn’t say anything, trying to contain the wrath that welled up in his chest.

“Do you think that is forgivable?”

“Father.”

“Duke Riagan is the one whom I handpicked and placed in that place. He swore allegiance to me.”

“He was unfaithful.”

“It is my burden to punish that unfaithfulness and disloyalty. Not you!”

The Emperor’s face flushed red with anger.

“I mean, he has been my servant for twenty years! He is Duke Riagan, and he is a public servant! How dare you plan to bring down the Duke!”

“Then what am I supposed to do? Isn’t it something that Father also supported; to win the favor of Her Majesty the Empress?”

The Emperor jumped to his feet and then collapsed, trembling. His blood pressure soared, and his eyes were dizzy.

“Your Majesty!”

The chief attendant rushed in and supported him.

The Emperor closed his eyes tightly and opened them.

He tried to calm his mind. Then, this time, his chest tightened.

The attendant held a glass of water in his hand.

The Emperor gulped down the water.

“Are you that stupid? It’s not enough for you to behave so half-witted, you’re trying to solve the problems so shallowly?”

“…….”

“Let’s say you take any tantrums and bring Duke Riagan down. Do you think the Empress would have been grateful for that and adopted you as her adopted child? Did the Empress appear to be that easy?”

“…… .”

“Why can’t you show your vision for the future? As a man who rules the country. What is the most important thing?”

The Emperor poured out.

“That was the surest promise you can make, and that was the easiest promise to break.”

The Emperor spoke in past tense.

“What is the difference from what a merchant does to fulfill your wants right now and earning a favor in return?”

“Father.”

“It’s not your job, it’s your subordinates’ job. You don’t have anyone to do that for you!”

The Emperor raised his voice again.

The chief attendant hurriedly stopped him.

“Your Majesty, calm your anger. You are not in good health.”

“Hooo.”

The Emperor let out a long sigh.

This time his limbs ran out of strength. He slumped down on his chair.

He was so tired that he couldn’t stand it.

He’s been attending meetings non-stop for the last two weeks or so and getting reports. However, the Emperor did not feel any difficulty in seeing his government affairs yet.

So this was not physical fatigue, but mental fatigue.

“Anyway, you should leave the capital now.”

“Father! I didn’t!”

“I know. I don’t think Viscount Hoden actually went to the South to do anything, and in fact, looking at the composition of the attendants you sent to Viscount Hoden, I know that they made a mutual monitoring.”

“Yes.”

“But it seems certain that when Viscount Hoden went down to the South, something was ordered to the woman named Madame Lexen.”

The Emperor picked up one of the papers on the desk.

It was a report that scouted the deeds of Viscount Hoden and his attendants.

There was nothing suspicious about Viscount Hoden or his important attendants.

However, some of their servants were missing.

Some were horsemen, and some were simple handymen.

Each of them quit their jobs for one reason or another. No one would have thought it was strange, but when they looked around, their family had disappeared.

Someone must have contacted Mrs. Lexen.

Now Viscount Hoden and a number of his attendants were held in custody to be held accountable.

“It is your responsibility.”

“Didn’t Father say that you knew I didn’t do it?”

“Responsibility is to bear the consequences. How old are you, do you need to have me teach you such basic things?”

The Emperor spat out.

“Even if you are not in a conspiracy, this is your responsibility. It is also the responsibility of not properly cracking down on your subordinates.”

“Father!”

“Shut up! Behave yourself! You would be responsible for the war if you don’t do it now!”

Lawrence bit his lips tightly.

His fists were trembling. He was upset and angry.

“What are you going to do with the Southern Conquest Army?”

“None of your business now.”

said the Emperor coldly. Then he let out a long sigh.

The attendant rolled his eyes and glanced at Lawrence with a hint. It was to not buy the Emperor’s wrath any more.

Lawrence took a step back. It was a rude attitude.

He was so angry, but now he realized that there was no point in talking with the Emperor.

He came out of the office, and Gayan, who had come here with him, was waiting there until then.

Amalie was standing next to him.

The two of them looked startled to see Lawrence’s face, which had turned red on one side of his forehead after being drenched in tea.

Lawrence’s lips twisted. It was a sudden realization.

“It’s Cedric.”

“…….”

Neither Gayan nor Amalie were clumsy enough to show their agitation.

But Lawrence was convinced.

“Is there any way that well-prepared fellows could have done something like this when they said they detected no interference?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Soldiers are all like that. You will regret it.”

Lawrence passes by the two with a sarcastic laugh.

Although he deliberately had a relaxed attitude, in fact, he did not feel very comfortable.

Anger filled his chest, and it seemed as if it had pooled up to the tip of his neck.

He remembered Cedric’s arrival at the Southern Conquest Army.

When Gayan decided to arrest him and return him to the capital, the soldiers of the Southern Conquest Army were very anxious, but stabilized as soon as Cedric arrived.

There weren’t many people who fought directly under Cedric.

But everyone knew the rumors.

They believed that it would be a battle that would not be lost because of Cedric, or at least a battlefield where they would not be killed for the foolishness of the commander.

Cedric’s involvement made him even more upset than the incident itself.