Chapter 58

“It’s just…”

 

Evan’s eyes were not kind as he looked down at Bastien, who was bowing his head in apology.

 

“Don’t forget, Bastien. You are an accomplice.”

 

Evan dismissed him, telling him not to place the Empress and himself on different planes.

 

“If you couldn’t stop it, you should have at least informed someone. Your mouth isn’t just for decoration, is it?”

 

Bastien’s eyes trembled like aspen leaves.

 

“Th-that…”

 

“Don’t ever approach Lepina again.”

 

“…I only wanted to convey my apologies to the lady.”

 

“She doesn’t need those words.”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t want to see you as an enemy. I believe you are the rightful Emperor. I know your capabilities well. Of course, getting rid of the Empress first is the right thing to do. If you don’t want to create an era where the Imperial Family and the Ducal Family are hostile, then sort out your position clearly.”

 

With that brief warning, Evan left the reception room.

 

Bastien, left alone in the reception room, pondered deeply.

 

“What would the lady say…?”

 

Why was Lepina suddenly coming to mind in this situation? What did he want to do?

 

“Hah… Evan, you know me too well.”

 

Bastien quietly closed his eyes.

 

 

***

 

 

As Evan stepped out of the reception room, he noticed that the attendants were not watching Bastien but glaring at him.

 

“He’s hopeless when it comes to breaking free from the Empress’s clutches. And there are too many of the Empress’s eyes around.”

 

The future Emperor, cherished by the Empress. Some even called him a puppet. If so, would he continue to be led around?

 

Evan recalled the Empress. The Empress who could not tolerate even the slightest flaw, who had disliked Bastien escaping her control since childhood. The fact that he had visited here would soon reach the Empress’s ears.

 

But it didn’t matter. In fact, if he drew the Empress’s attention away from Lepina, she would be safer. The reason her life was threatened was likely due to the influence of the Ducal family’s name.

 

“I must make a strong statement…”

 

“Isn’t it Young Master Weiss?”

 

Fedeshar stood before Evan. He wore a smile that was no different from Bastien’s.

 

Evan’s eyebrow quirked up. But he offered a polite greeting.

 

“Your Highness Fedeshar, it’s been a while since I saw you in the Imperial Palace.”

 

Fedeshar looked in the direction Evan had come from and said,

 

“Seeing the direction you were coming from, have you just met with my brother?”

 

“Yes, I have.”

 

“Haha. I see.”

 

A subtle tension flowed between Fedeshar and Evan. Fedeshar had an intense interest in Lepina. Far longer than Bastien did.

 

Fedeshar, wearing a subtle smile, suddenly posed a question to Evan.

 

“Young Master Weiss, do you think my brother is suitable as the Emperor? Or are you just close because you are friends?”

 

Evan slowly raised his head. The attendant next to Fedeshar was surprised and observed him. At this delicate time, he was directly asking Evan about his intentions.

 

In this volatile situation, the attendant was anxiously fidgeting. Evan looked into Fedeshar’s eyes.

 

“I do not blindly take sides just because we are friends.”

 

“Well, I suppose my brother’s choice this time was quite regrettable for you, too, wasn’t it?”

 

Evan held his tongue.

 

A moment of silence fell between Evan and Fedeshar. Although the current situation seemed clearly divided into the Emperor’s faction and the Empress’s faction, Evan sensed that the succession struggle would end anticlimactically.

 

It was unlikely that his father had failed to notice what he had discerned. Evan drew his sword.

 

“It’s something that can be corrected. Everyone makes mistakes.”

 

Fedeshar paused for a moment, then spoke nonchalantly, “That might be so.”

 

“It seems Young Master Weiss’s intention is firm.”

 

“…Not entirely. There is only one thing I can say is firm. And initially…”

 

Evan took a step forward. And as he passed by, Evan whispered softly, only for him to hear.

 

“Your Highness, you have no intention of becoming Emperor, do you? Your Highness, a wrong choice can threaten even your own life.”

 

With those words, Evan left the scene without hesitation. The attendant sighed with relief, watching Evan walk away safely.

 

“What did he say to Your Highness?”

 

“He offered words that will be beneficial to me.”

 

Fedeshar murmured with a faint smile. It was a voice so low that even the attendant beside him could not hear it.

 

“But this isn’t my decision, Young Master. I can tell you it is the decision everyone desires.”

 

“Pardon? I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that. Could you say it again?”

 

“It is nothing.”

 

The attendant, who had not heard Fedeshar’s words, asked, but he vaguely brushed it off. The person who called him would become even more furious if he was late, so he had to move quickly.

 

“Your Highness? What do you mean by…”

 

“Let’s go. It seems His Majesty has many things saved up to tell me.”

 

 

***

 

 

“Huh? He’s really coming?”

 

“Yes. We sent a letter of refusal, but…”

 

No, why on earth is he coming? I even sent a letter saying it was fine. Is his guilt that severe? Considering his usual personality, it was understandable.

 

I was inevitably going to meet Bastien alone. Bastien declined the formality of an introduction, saying I didn’t need to exert myself since I was ill. However, the action that followed surprised me and made me jump to my feet.

 

“Your, Your Highness?! I’m afraid someone might see!”

 

I was terrified. Even if there was no one around but him and me, for him to kneel before me!

 

The moment the Empress heard about this, my head might roll. She was the kind of person who would threaten my life again, saying, How dare you make my son kneel!

 

“Lady Clies, I am truly sorry. You trusted me and entrusted me with a task, and I am deeply ashamed. I should have paid attention until the very end…”

 

“Oh, no, it’s not Your Highness’s fault! Isn’t this all the fault of those bad prison guards! To release the pirates after taking bail money!”

 

“…”

 

However, Bastien did not reply.

 

“No. That is not the case.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

I was startled. I had known the truth of the incident all along, but Bastien did too?

 

Since when did he know? Considering he didn’t come to rescue me, perhaps it was later?

 

“…I cannot bring myself to tell you the full story, but it is my fault. Evan even scolded me for it.”

 

Bastien’s bitter murmur made me gasp. He hasn’t visited lately and had been hovering around the Duchy, but he actually went to the Imperial Palace? To protest to Bastien?

 

“I, I’m so sorry…”

 

Judging by Evan’s attitude on the pirate ship, he certainly wouldn’t have spoken kindly to Bastien. Furthermore, Bastien’s complexion was incredibly dark. I hastily added, “I’m safe. Thank you for taking the trouble to come in person; it couldn’t have been easy for you.”

 

“Since it is my fault, it is only right that I come in person to apologize.”

 

Bastien’s shoulder trembled slightly. Seeing him insist it was his fault, did he also know the truth…? I was at a loss as to how to handle the situation.

 

‘Hmm…’

 

I carefully placed my hand on his shoulder.

 

“You are carrying too heavy a burden. Please relax a little.”

 

At my words, Bastien tightly bit his lip. Honestly, I didn’t want to argue about something that was already over. Well, I’m alive now, and I know. If he knows well, then next time, he absolutely must! Stop the Empress’s assassination attempts…

 

“Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is what comes next. It’s enough if you don’t make a mistake next time.”

 

“The more I get to know you, the more remarkable you are, lady. I heard you went out to sea for the herbs needed to cure Evan. And that the pirates targeted that… But you chose to prioritize obtaining the herb without hesitation. Weren’t you afraid?”

 

Bastien looked at me seriously, demanding an answer. I, too, became serious.

 

“…It would be a lie to say I wasn’t afraid. But I am more afraid of what might happen in the future.”

 

Bastien’s eyes widened, seemingly surprised by my answer.

 

“Overcoming the fear of the present with the fear of what might happen in the future… Thank you.”

 

With a smile, as if he had found the answer, Bastien bowed his head and left. Left alone in the room, I tilted my head.

 

‘What? And why was he suddenly leaving…?’

 

Left alone, I tilted my head.

 

 

***

 

 

Bastien was walking down the long corridor. He knew Lepina was in danger, but he couldn’t confide in anyone. Not in her, nor in those around him.

 

He knew well that his position was wavering greatly. He saw Fedeshar walking towards him in the distance and managed a bitter smile.

 

They used to be close when they were children. The fact that their relationship soured was also his fault. He shouldn’t have pushed his hand away.

 

“Brother, where have you been?”

 

“I’ve been to the Clies Count family. I went to apologize for the incident that happened due to my mistake.”

 

“That is truly remarkable. To personally go and apologize to all the victims. There are countless articles praising your benevolence, Brother.”

 

The smiling face was filled with familiarity. However, a whispered comment made Bastien’s complexion turn pale.

 

“It would be very troublesome if the fact that you turned a blind eye were to become known. It seems Her Majesty the Empress still hasn’t mended her ways.”

 

“…You never know which ears might be listening. Be careful with what you say.”

 

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

 

“Where were you heading?”

 

“Ah, I am going to see Father. It seems he is still very angry.”

 

“…I see.”

 

Bastien knew well where the Emperor’s fury, who was outraged at being tricked by the Empress, would be directed.

 

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

 

Fedeshar bowed lightly and walked past Bastien. And he arrived in front of the Emperor’s office.

 

Even without opening the door, the Emperor’s lament could be heard from outside.

 

—Am I being manipulated by that woman again!