The carriage stopped.

On the way from the port to the Capital, King Eimmel had his eyes closed the whole time. Because he didn’t want to show that he was agitated.

So, it was only when the servant opened the door that he knew where he had come.

“Aren’t we going to the Imperial Palace?”

King Eimmel asked in a subdued voice.

The servant, who was reaching out to escort him, replied politely.

“It’s not going to be a short stay. It will be more convenient here.”

King Eimmel frowned at those words.

From calling in the King of another country and saying that he would stay for a long time as if it was natural, to not preparing a separate place for the esteemed guest at the Imperial Palace, everything was disgracing him.

Even though Emperor Gregor had sent his escorts and guards to be polite, it was only an appearance.

But the King had no way to resist. This was the heart of the Empire.

“Please take refreshment inside. After you have relieved your fatigue, you will have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Umm.”

The King groaned briefly and got off the carriage.

The mansion was splendid, so it was somewhat comforting to his heart. The servant said as if he understood his feelings.

“This is the mansion where His Majesty stayed before being appointed Crown Prince. There was a time when it was called the Spring Palace.”

“Is it?”

Thinking back, it might have been better to be here than to be in the Imperial Palace, where there are many people’s eyes.

Besides, in the Imperial Palace, he would have to greet and bow his head.

Even if the Empress or a lady greeted him, he had to bow his head daily to the Emperor.

He didn’t like it either, but in actuality, even those like Grand Duke Roygar or Grand Duke Evron could not be said to be inferior to him.

Even if they respected him outwardly, it was never possible on the inside.

He came here because the interests of Emperor Gregor and Cadriol were aligned.

The Emperor sought to restore his damaged dignity by placing King Eimmel in the Imperial Capital.

Cadriol wanted to seize the throne without getting his father’s blood on his hands.

For now, he took full control of the armed forces within the Kingdom and the nobles conformed. The King was suspended.

However, if the King survives as another monarch, the Kingship will eventually be split in two. One day, there will be those who will follow him and fight against Cadriol.

The fact that the King lived in good health and was in the Eimmel Kingdom itself was a risk factor.

“You brat, no matter how much Krates is as an empire, they cannot demand that the King of another country be sent there! You are going to sell the country!”

“Well, what would you do? The Empire is a large nation, and we are a small country. Even if the wind blows a little bit in the South Sea, if the Empire decides to put pressure on us, no country in all directions will trade with our country.”

No country could grow without the wealth of the Empire. The severance of ties was fatal for the small countries in the South Sea, where they could not survive without interacting with neighboring countries.

If that happens, within two years there will be a lot of starvation.

“All the force and financial power that Father possessed and wielded over the past few years had been, in part, stolen from the imperial salt business. I guess you forgot. Otherwise, you wouldn’t think you would be able to face the owner of the salt.”

King Eimmel trembled. But his only objection was this.

“Even if the Emperor is that great, your disloyalty is the same.”

“I’m still trying to protect Father’s honor.”

“Honor?”

“Father is going to the Empire only for testimony, not as a criminal. The Empire also promised to honor Father.”

“Cadriol…… !

“Did you not like luxury? You didn’t even like to take care of the state affairs.”

“You, you dare…… !」

“The Imperial Capital is incomparably splendid compared to Eimmel, so don’t worry about anything, go and live in luxury. We will also send you a generous amount of money so that you do not feel lacking in life.”

Cadriol smiled, bowed his head, and spoke with his face close to the King. It was no longer the face of a son.

“Isn’t it better to be the misfortune King than to be killed by your son and become the dead King?”

So, he was put on a ship headed for the Imperial Capital.

As Cadriol said, courtesy was sufficient. On the surface, King Eimmel was visiting the Capital of the Krates Empire.

But he will be detained here. After a year or two, he will be demanded that an abdication be written on the grounds of the vacancy in the state affairs of the Eimmel Kingdom.

Cadriol said that would make he, himself, an ill-fated King who had fallen under imperial pressure; it would appear that he did not want to drive out his father, but that he was forced to ascend the throne because of the Empire.

And Emperor Gregor’s status was elevated, regardless of whether or not he was criticized.

‘Hmm, how long do you think it will be like that?’

The King thought to himself.

The attendant guided him and showed him a large hall where a ball could be held, a spacious drawing room, a profound study and a large dressing room.

The mansion was satisfactory. Although small in size, the quality was better than that of the Eimmel Palace. The King admitted it frankly.

“There is a cook and a gardener. If you have brought anyone, I will take them back.”

“No, they can stay as is.”

Just because it was a cook from Eimmel, there was no guarantee that they would be reliable. Rather, it would have been better to have a cook that Emperor Gregor took care of.

As soon as he arrives in the Empire, the Emperor will be in trouble if he dies.

There was something more important than that.

“Since I’ve come all the way to the Imperial Capital, I’ll have to contact people I know.”

the King said so.

He was thinking of making contact with Grand Duke Roygar.

But the servant said with a soft, obedient face.

“In two days, you will have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. Until then, rest well. It’s a long journey, and you must be tired.”

The King could not correct his complexion and hardened his face.

But even though the servant would have recognized it, he did not change his face or apologize.

“I reheated the water from the hot spring and prepared it in the bathroom. His Majesty sent a masseuse. After taking a bath, I will prepare a meal for you. Shall we do it Eimmel’s way?”

“…… alright.”

The King finally realized that he was imprisoned.

＊＊＊

Only one candle flickered in the dark attic.

Marchioness Camellia sat on the dusty old bed, her gaze fixed under the candlestick, immersed in her thoughts.

King Eimmel was moved from the port to the mansion under the strict escort of the Guard. He had no chance of contact with outsiders, and the same was true of the mansion now.

But that couldn’t stop the news that he had arrived.

‘I made as much excuse as I could by disclosing the agreement in advance. There is no way I can use my hands on this.’

She was going to hold on like this and wait for the case to pass.

If she does something, it’s only after the aftermath has passed. She had to assassinate Leticia first, and then conspire against Grand Duchy Evron.

However, if King Eimmel was flattering with useless noise, it was all in vain.

‘No way, he won’t say anything to discriminate against himself either.’

However, King Eimmel has a different position from Grand Duke Roygar.

He came here after being pushed out of his home country, but on the contrary, he will no longer be threatened with his life.

He could have even confessed to anything, depending on what Emperor Gregor suggested.

‘I have to contact him by any means before the audience.’

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door

“Mother, it’s me.”

It was Skyla who called out the door.

“Come in.”

Marchioness Camellia said so.

Skyla opened the door and entered. She was holding a large candlestick with six candles in her hand.

The narrow attic was brightened in an instant.

“Why are you alone in such a dark place? It’s cold and humid.”

“It’s good here to think alone.”

Marchioness Camellia said in a subdued voice.

“How did you know I am here?”

“I was looking for you because you weren’t anywhere, so maternal grandmother told me to go up here.”

She was now staying at Marquisate Luden.

It is because Garnet wanted to remain at Marquisate Luden even after the memorial service. She wanted to console her mother’s grief and add a hand to cleaning up her father’s belongings.

She seemed unaware that she was the one who mourns the death of Marquis Luden the most.

And it was for Garnet herself that Marchioness Camellia remained in Marquisate Luden.

Marchioness Camellia was thus in a complicated mood.

She stayed by Garnet’s side, not purely to comfort and strengthen her, but to prevent anyone from spilling useless words into Garnet’s ears about the death of Marquis Luden.

“Are you regretting it?”

Skyla asked, sitting on the floor in front of the Marchioness. Marchioness Camellia looked down at Skyla for a moment, then realized that she had already known about the truth of the assassination of Marquis Luden.

“There’s nothing I can do about what I’ve already done.”

“It may have been a failure strategically, but you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“It is wrong to kill people, Skyla.”

Marchioness Camellia said in a subdued voice,

“Especially because it doesn’t have any strategic value.”

“If my mother hadn’t done it, I would have one day done it.”

Of course, Skyla’s dream of revenge did not end in an accident.

What she wanted was that Marquis Luden would be driven away to a remote country, and he would dig and plow the fields with those whom he despises so much, where he could barely earn 10% of the crop needed to survive, and then die alone.

“Maybe, it could be a good thing.”

“Good thing?”

“Now that maternal grandfather is gone, no one has ambitions in Marquisate Luden.”

“Therefore?”

“Separate from Aunt.”

Skyla took a deep breath and said,

“You know. After Princess Leticia was born, the situation became very difficult.”

“…….”

“If you endure this, will you have a chance? It’s the same even if you make more time by assassinating the Princess. Have you forgotten what happened with Bishop Akim? The Emperor will use that as an excuse to accuse Mother and Uncle of treason.”

“Skyla…….”

“Or, is it possible to exterminate Evron and the Princess? The Grand Duchess is not holding up?”

Skyla said,

“After all, this is a matter of the Emperor’s heart. And the Emperor will not take Uncle as his successor. Especially since this happened.”

“Aaahh…….”

Marchioness Camellia couldn’t help but sigh. Because it was something she had thought about, too.

“It’s not too late, Mother. Everyone knows that Aunt wasn’t involved in politics. Separate yourself from Aunt now, and negotiate with Grand Duchess Evron. There may be humiliating conditions, but that is the only way for our family and Marquisate Luden to survive.”

Skyla clasped her hands tightly and said earnestly.