CH 289

Theon’s reaction, which seemed to make fun of his thoughts, was completely different from Owen’s expectations.

“You don’t… resent me?”

Owen’s olive-colored eyes slowly fluttered as he asked.

“Why should I?”

“…”

“Didn’t you do so at His Majesty’s command? If I faced the same situation as you, I would have made the same choice.”

“But…”

“So don’t blame yourself.”

With his final words, Theon’s steps started moving again.

Looking at his back slowly getting farther away, a heavy breathing flowed out of Owen’s mouth.

***

“From now on, don’t let anyone in.”

Including the court physician, only a few maids were inside the dark east palace.

Because of Theon, who had blocked all the visits by high-ranking nobles, including the officials in charge of important tasks, only very few people were allowed to enter and exit the east palace.

Even more so since the King’s health had deteriorated dramatically.

But to even dismiss the court physician amid all this… Mason, who had received the command, frowned.

It was a matter that could lead to a controversy over his qualifications as the next king.

Was it because of that? No one in the east palace was easily thinking about leaving their positions.

When Theon turned his threatening gaze to the crowd, the maids who were looking at him left.

“Aren’t you going to leave?”

After he finished speaking, Theon’s gaze turned to the court physician, who was keeping his position.

“I… I can’t abandon my position and leave His Majesty.”

“I guess you are a very loyal subject.”

Watching the situation, Mason looked at the court physician and took his hand to the hilt of his sword.

Theon raised one corner of his mouth and shook his head silently at Mason, as if telling him to let it go.

Trudge, trudge.

The sound of rather exhausted steps echoed inside the dark room.

Soon, Theon’s steps stopped in front of the King.

His lifeless face was full of age spots and had turned unsightly.

The King who agitated the Stellen Kingdom as he pleased and smiled triumphantly could not be seen anywhere.

Only the steep breathing that could be heard occasionally proved that he was still alive.

“Cause of death?”

“Sorry?”

“You heard me. You know I don’t have the bad habit of asking the same thing twice.”

“Your words are too much! How can you ask about the cause of death when His Majesty is still alive!?”

“It seems that to you, this figure is someone who is alive.”

“H-He hasn’t stopped breathing yet.”

The gray eyes that glittered darkly moved slowly at the trembling voice of the court physician.

How could he express all the emotions that are in it?

Theon, who had remained silent for a moment, opened his mouth.

“He’s just breathing.”

No one could answer Theon’s voice, which was cold as ice.

The King hadn’t made the slightest movement for days.

Even the occasional moments where he regained his consciousness had not been happening in recent days.

An emaciated, skinny body, and hollow eyes.

As he said, the King seemed to have already left this world.

Theon’s gaze turned from the King to the court physician.

Soon, Theon rolled up one corner of his mouth and continued speaking in a pitchless voice.

“The cause of death must have been arranged in advance with Duke Daniel. Is it death from old age? Or deterioration of his condition? Which is it?”

“W-What do you mean?”

“I heard that His Majesty showed symptoms of poisoning.”

“I haven’t seen the court physician who made that report. Someone else is in charge of that important task…”

But it was weird, wasn’t it?

Theon’s sharp gaze turned to the court physician.

At the same time, Mason, who had drawn his sword, brought the cold piece of iron to the old man’s neck.

“I’m not like my brother, who confronts people with his sword from the beginning.”

“…”

“I’ll give you a chance.”

“W-What…?”

“Your financial situation has improved a lot lately, hasn’t it? It would be a shame for you to die with that much money.”

“What do you mean, die! Sword… Please lower your sword first! You can’t do this to me, who is looking after His Majesty.”

“You’re a stubborn… and noisy old man.”

“…”

“I hate that kind of thing.”

The court physician shut his mouth at Theon’s irritated voice.

His trembling eyes, facing downwards, were telling him that his goal was not far away.

It was clear that he would easily confess everything if he provoked him a little more. Since there was nothing more precious than his own life.

“If His Majesty the King passes away like this… Who do you think will be held responsible?”

“…”

Theon’s appearance was a little different from before. Not only his tone of voice, but also his gestures and gaze, were gentle and polite.

The court physician’s shoulders trembled slightly at Theon’s words, which were sticking to principles.

“Will Duke Daniel really help you? Like now? I have a different opinion…”

“…”

“Think carefully. About who is holding a rope around your neck.”

After speaking, Theon sat on a chair surrounded by a gold frame, crossing his long legs.

“Unfortunately, I can’t give you much time.”

He then took out a pocket watch from his chest area and waited for an answer.

“It is true that he was p-poisoned. His liver and many other organs aren’t functioning properly. I used medicine, and even tried magic secretly, but… it was to no avail.”

“What is the cause of his poisoning?”

“…”

Theon tilted his head towards the old man, who was once again hesitating to answer, unlike a moment ago.

At the same time, the tip of the sword pointed at his neck dug deeper and deeper into his skin.