CH 259

The princess was supposedly the fruit of a dalliance with a maid, but the king couldn’t even recall that maid’s face. ‘I really don’t have any memory of it at all.’ While he continued to be lost in thought, the emperor’s carriage arrived at the royal palace.

“His Imperial Majesty approaches.”

Has the time for their necks to bid farewell from their bodies finally come? Moments later, the palace doors swung open. As Emperor Estian entered, King Navitan drew out all his courage to walk over and greet the emperor.

“We sincerely welcome your visit to the kingdom of Navitan. A-as it was somewhat sudden, our preparations may be lacking, but I pray that you will have an enjoyable…” The king trailed off when he realized that Emperor Estian had fixed an intent stare on him.

After eyeing the king for a long pause, Estian shifted his gaze and asked, “Where is it?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Our place of accommodation?”

The head chamberlain standing at the side immediately stepped forward at the emperor’s question. “I-it is this way, Your Imperial Majesty,” he answered shakily.

“Lead the way. Ah, and regarding the prison…”

Finally, the moment had come. Everyone gulped as they waited for the next words to come. They wondered who it was the emperor would decree to be imprisoned.

“Put those two behind bars,” Estian commanded.

‘Those two?’ Everyone’s attention turned in the direction the emperor was pointing. There were two corpses splayed about, or more accurately, two people who appeared to be corpses. One was a silver-haired, handsome young boy, while the other was an attractive man with the obvious characteristics of someone from the Hyun continent. It was apparent that both had good looks, though for an unknown reason, they both sported swollen faces as if they’d suffered from an intense beating.

As soon as the emperor gave his orders, he turned and left. Silence descended on the hall. After a pregnant pause, the king stammered, “That’s it?”

The emperor had retired to his accommodations immediately after arriving, so the people who had gathered in preparation for the welcome banquet were left gazing blankly at the door he’d exited through. Whatever the case was, it appeared they’d lived to see another day… although what would come tomorrow remained yet to be seen.

* * *

Estian sighed as he smoothed back his hair. Immediately after returning from the World Tree, Cecile had announced that she needed to visit Navitan immediately. Even though he was bewildered, he didn’t ask for her reasons and immediately set about making the arrangements. All along their trip here, Cecile had been restless and uneasy. Lost in thought all day long, her anxiety only grew more visible as they drew nearer to Navitan.

‘Just what could’ve happened during her time with the World Tree?’ Until now, Cecile had shared everything with Estian whenever anything happened, regardless of whether it was an important matter or not. That’s why her hesitation in confiding him now meant… ‘It must have something to do with me.’ Understanding her concerns, Estian gave up his intention to ask Cecile what was troubling her and opted to give her space so that she could think comfortably.

When Estian returned to their room late that night, he found his wife curled up in a corner of the bed fast asleep. When he went to lie down next to her, she subconsciously snuggled into his arms, as if petulant about his late return. Wrapping his arms around her, Estian pondered his own troubles.

‘When should I tell her?’ Like Cecile, there was something he too could not yet tell her. It was about the maids that had supposedly raised Cecile, and how they were nowhere to be found. Not a single possession of theirs had been left behind. Could Cecile really have lived a life of delusion, alone in the royal villa, under the impression that she was being cared for by non-existent maids? But she was far too sane for someone who’d been living under such a delusion. Furthermore, her recounting of the days spent with them were far too detailed to be dismissed as lies. Even though Estian had given orders to investigate the matter in more detail, no new information could be found.

Besides, there was something else that bothered Estian. ‘They didn’t look alike at all.’ Immediately upon arriving at the royal palace, he closely observed King Navitan as well as the other members of the royal family. Although the color of their hair and eyes were the same as his wife’s, their faces didn’t bear any resemblance. Was Cecile really the daughter of King Navitan?

Extracting himself from Cecile, Estian quietly left the room and headed towards the underground prison prepared by Navitan. As soon as Estian stepped inside, he was met with a voice that said, “Why the miserable face?”