Chapter 98

Freyer and Ricardo stood before the audience chamber, guided by royal knights and diplomats.

 

Creeeeak—

 

The doors to the audience chamber swung open, and they stepped inside. There, on a raised dais, sat a short old man with hair that had faded to a snowy white. The moment he saw them, he sprang from his seat and hurried down the steps.

 

“Your Majesty! You must maintain your dignity!”

 

A middle-aged man serving as the royal secretary called out with a look of sheer exasperation. The King merely chuckled, brushed past Freyer, and marched straight toward Ricardo, thrusting out a hand.

 

“Ricardo! You’re still alive!”

 

Ricardo grinned, grasping the King’s wrinkled, calloused hand firmly. “My life is a bit too stubborn to let go just yet.”

 

“What a shame! I was hoping you’d finally kicked the bucket!”

 

“Holsun, you old fox. I heard you were in poor health, but it seems that was a blatant lie.”

 

“What are you talking about? I’ve been suffering from a terrible cold for days!”

 

“Whining over a mere cold? You’ve gone soft in your old age, Holsun.”

 

“Soft…?”

 

Holsun’s expression twisted into a mock scowl, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged blue. “It would be quite a sight to see the great Marquis Ricardo lose to a ‘soft’ old friend!”

 

“Hmph… as if that could happen.”

 

Refusing to back down, Ricardo tightened his grip on Holsun’s hand. Their faces turned a deep shade of crimson as they engaged in a childish test of strength.

 

“Why don’t you just let go!”

 

“I was just about to say the same to you!”

 

Their hands trembled violently, neither willing to yield. Sweat began to bead and roll down their faces from the sheer exertion of their petty struggle.

 

Thud!

 

The contest, which had lasted several minutes, finally ended with a groan and the sound of someone hitting the floor.

 

“Why is it so damn hard to beat you!”

 

“You’ve been challenging me since we were children, Holsun, and you still haven’t learned when to quit.”

 

Ricardo placed his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest, shouting toward Holsun with a voice full of triumph. Holsun simply chuckled as he looked up at him. The winner of this private duel was Ricardo.

 

“Your Majesty…!”

 

The secretary, who had been hovering anxiously, rushed over to support Holsun. “Your health is not what it used to be.”

 

“I’m fine, I’m fine!”

 

Supported by the secretary, Holsun finally turned his gaze toward Freyer—a gaze that was sharp and utterly unimpressed.

 

“So, this is the main attraction. The Empire’s Second Prince and Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The way you contacted us was so devoid of etiquette that I can’t say I’m particularly pleased to see you.”

 

Despite the King treating a Prince of the world-dominating Empire like a piece of dust on the road, Freyer showed no sign of offense.

 

“I do not seek special treatment.”

 

“Finally! A likable fellow comes as an envoy!”

 

Holsun let out a bright, boyish laugh and spun around, shouting loudly.

 

“I accept the proposal!”

 

Holsun reached out to his secretary, who handed him a rolled-up document. Holsun unfurled it and spoke.

 

“You say you want to strengthen the relationship between the Empire and our Kingdom!”

 

The secretary shook his head as if he couldn’t stop his King’s whims, while Ricardo, caught off guard by the impulsiveness, tried to intervene.

 

“This isn’t a matter to be decided so easily.”

 

“I’ve read the documents sent to the diplomats. The apology for past wrongs and the previous delegation. The Emperor’s seal swearing that such things will never happen again.”

 

Holsun dropped his playful facade, his expression becoming dignified and resolute.

 

“To be honest, I’m worried that trusting the Empire again will lead to a knife in my back. But what can I do? It is the fate of a kingdom burdened with a fool for a King.”

 

“You…!”

 

Chuckling, Holsun pulled a small envelope from his robe. Ricardo’s eyes widened.

 

“Who sends letters via pigeon these days, Ricardo?”

 

It was a letter bearing Ricardo’s personal seal.

 

“I thought it had never reached you.”

 

“I don’t think this choice will be wrong. If it’s someone my friend Ricardo follows, surely I can believe in him at least once?”

 

With a wide smile that showed his teeth, Holsun picked up the gold royal seal from the table and slammed it down onto the documents Freyer had sent.

 

Thump!—

 

“I look forward to our future cooperation, Second Prince of the Empire.”

 

“The sentiment is mutual,” Freyer replied.

 

Watching the two of them, Ricardo’s eyes grew misty. He whispered his thanks repeatedly.

 

“To commemorate this day, we shall hold a banquet tomorrow!”

 

 

***

 

 

Though it was a hastily organized event, the ballroom was grand in scale. The guests appeared a mix of flustered and excited by the sudden news of the festivities.

 

“The Imperial Delegation is entering!”

 

The knight at the entrance announced their arrival loudly, and the bustling nobles fell silent, focusing all their attention on the newcomers.

 

Led by Freyer, Ricardo and his party entered the hall. Holsun, seated on the dais, welcomed them boisterously.

 

“Come over here!”

 

The Kingdom’s knights could only shake their heads, unable to restrain their King as he beckoned them toward the empty seats beside him.

 

“Everyone, raise your glasses!”

 

As Freyer and Ricardo took their places, Holsun stood up, holding a glass of pale yellow champagne. Every guest in the hall followed suit.

 

“Thank you all for attending this hurried banquet! I simply could not let such a momentous day pass without a celebration!”

 

He laughed heartily and raised his glass toward Freyer and Ricardo.

 

“Let us forget the burnt pages of the past, and let this day mark the first page of a new history!”

 

“To a new history.”

 

Freyer raised his glass in response to the King.

 

“To the future!”

 

Holsun led the cheer, and everyone in the ballroom echoed his words. Soon after, the orchestra began a lively tune, signaling the start of the festivities.

 

 

***

 

 

Every time the King’s distinctive chuckle rang out, the nobles glanced at him and smiled.

 

“His Majesty seems to be in a truly wonderful mood.”

 

“He said he finally met an old friend after a long time.”

 

The establishment of diplomatic ties had been smoother than expected. If Ricardo hadn’t secretly sent that letter to his friend Holsun, this moment would have taken much longer to achieve.

 

The previous night, Freyer had casually asked Ricardo about it.

 

“What did you write in that letter…?”

 

“Oh, that?”

 

Ricardo had rubbed his chin thoughtfully before breaking intoa goofy grin.

 

“I told him that if he didn’t meet me immediately, I’d tell everyone the story of how he used to wet the bed when we were kids.”

 

Freyer had blinked slowly at the response.

 

“And in the P.S., I told him that I follow you, so he should trust me. I told him he wouldn’t regret this choice.”

 

The King of Oneren Kingdom was a man who valued loyalty above all else. While his subjects might find such behavior frustrating, it was the best possible situation for the Empire. This was why Ricardo had been so confident.

 

Freyer stood against the corner wall of the ballroom, arms crossed, watching the scene. People were dancing and laughing, and Ricardo and Holsun were deep in conversation, reliving their old memories.

 

‘I can’t ask to go back on a night like this.’

 

Freyer picked up a glass of champagne from a passing tray and quietly stepped out onto the terrace.

 

“She would have loved this view.”

 

Countless stars adorned the night sky. Freyer recalled the way Lilithia’s eyes sparkled as she watched sky lanterns drift through the air.

 

As he leaned against the railing and took a sip of his champagne, something felt wrong.

 

‘Am I drunk?’

 

His eyes began to blink rapidly, and his eyelids felt impossibly heavy. He looked down at the half-finished glass; he wasn’t the type to get tipsy after so little. He furrowed his brow.

 

The sound of a door closing was followed by the rhythmic tap of approaching footsteps.

 

“I was worried because you weren’t falling asleep even after I used a lethal dose. Finally, the medicine is taking effect.”

 

A chilling male voice cut through the air. Freyer fought to keep his consciousness intact and spun around.

 

“…Poison.”

 

“I slipped a sedative into your champagne.”

 

In Freyer’s blurring vision, the bright lights of the ballroom became distorted, floating orbs. He shook his head to clear the dizziness, but it only made the symptoms worse.

 

“Isn’t it strange? You’re getting sleepier, dizzier, and heavier.”

 

Shatter—!

 

The champagne glass slipped from Freyer’s hand, crashing onto the floor with a sharp ring. He gripped the railing, gritting his teeth as he struggled to remain conscious.

 

“It’s no use. The drug has already taken hold.”

 

“…Who… sent you.”

 

“Who else? Someone who loathes you.”

 

Shriiing—

 

The faint sound of a blade being drawn from its scabbard reached his ears.

 

“You should have known your place, Freyer Lundberg.”

 

Whoosh—

 

The sharp sound of a blade slicing through the air whistled through the terrace, followed quickly by the sickening scent of fresh blood.