Chapter 28: New Slave

Chapter 28: New Slave

Who knew that man would actually keep his promise.

Damian fulfilling his promise meant that a lady acquainted with the Crown Prince had high value for him.

I immediately left my room and arrived at the mansions main entrance, where the gift was said to be.

Thump!

What was placed there was an incredibly large box covered with a black veil. The workers were breathing heavily as they wiped away their sweat.

Wow, thats really heavy.

My shoulders feel dislocated after carrying that here.

I cant straighten my back.

All of the workers doused their throats with the water canister hanging from their belts.

Were you sent by the Grand Duke?

The workers bowed to me, then questioned me in return.

Are you Lady Aren Serkia?

Yes.

Its a pleasure to meet you, Milady. We were indeed sent by His Grace.

I see. Is this the gift?

When I pointed to the box, the workmen exchanged glances with each other, then they removed the black veil covering the box. What I thought was a large box was actually a cage with thick iron bars.

!

Inside the cage that should have contained a wild beast was a slave with tanned skin.

His long, disheveled brown hair was the first thing to catch my eye. There were ropes binding the slaves hands and feet. They were tightened to the point that I could even see traces of dried blood on his wrists.

Damian had put on new clothes on the slave to make him seem more like a gift, but his arms, with bulging muscles and veins, had horrible wounds.

Not to mention, the slave had a black cloth over his eyes and a gag in his mouth. The gag was drenched in blood.

He was really planning to gift this slave to the Crown Prince?

It was to the point where I wanted to see what thoughts had been going through Damians head when he planned this. The more I stared at the slave in the cage, the more I could feel Damians cruelty.

Master said to deliver this message along with the gift.

?

That he wishes to meet Milady as soon as possible.

I felt nauseous as soon as I heard the workers message. But it was none other than me who approached Damian. I could no longer avoid my meeting with Damian.

Damian, just as you have turned the crisis I have given you into an opportunity, I will also use this to my benefit.

Its a difficult one to handle. Will you be alright, Milady?

I nodded to the worker.

His Grace has also provided this along with the gift.

?

The workers brought in a large box about half the size of a human.

Clack.

Inside the box were dozens of containers with sharp needles attached to their ends.

Theyre tranquilizers. Even the most savage of beasts turn into harmless lambs with these. The effect lasts 10 hours.

The effect will take place as soon as the needle enters its body. Of course, it wont harm its strong body in any way, so theres no need to worry. The tranquilizer is merely used to calm it down momentarily.

Are you truly out of your mind? One may think that the Crown Princesss title is for a pet dog. Do you think that is the reason why I ordered Lady Serkia to keep your company?

Leon just shrugged at the furious Emperor.

According to Your Majesty, then Im just a dog that holds the title of Crown Prince.

What?

I always follow Your Majestys orders, and I cannot leave the palace without Your Majestys permission. The most I can do in this palace is hold banquets, isnt it?

Leon scoffed. He had been filled with the Emperors affection since a young age. But that love was fake.

What the Emperor gave to him as love was just affection out of duty for the Empress, who had passed away giving birth to him.

Aware of this fact early in his life, Leon considered the Emperors attention troublesome.

So is it your spite against me that you said such nonsense to Lady Serkia? You have gone completely mad. It was my mistake making you Crown Prince.

Your Majesty. Did you know? Lady Serkia rejected my offer. Isnt she such an interesting woman?

Leon snickered to himself as if he found that funny.

I would have actually lost interest in her had she accepted my offer right away. And so, I have become interested in that woman.

Then Leon approached the furious Emperor with his long legs. After stopping right in front of the Emperor, he whispered into the Emperors ear.

The crowns prestige has already fallen due to the poisoning incident. In addition, Ive heard Grand Duke Daeus also filed a lawsuit not long ago.

!

To think that the mighty Emperor had chosen an innocent man as the culprit. The real culprit has still not been found, and only the crown was rendered a fool. Dont you think this could possibly place the throne in danger?

Leon! You dare!

Unable to withstand his remarks any longer, the Emperor grabbed Leon by the collar. His golden eyes, blazing with fury, reflected the Crown Princes placid expression.

Your Majesty, take into consideration that someone may witness this sight.

You dare say such things to the one who has raised you? And you call yourself the Crown Prince of the!

I never wanted it.

Leon responded coldly.

Neither the title of Crown Prince nor your love.

With those words, the strength in the Emperors hand clutching Leons collar disappeared. Instead of an expression full of rage, the Emperor seemed like an empty shell with his now despondent expression. It was as if his soul had slipped out of his body.

Dont you think its about time you quit projecting Mothers image onto me?

As soon as Leon mentioned the deceased Empress, the eyes on the Emperors wrinkled face trembled faintly.

Taking one last glimpse at the Emperor, who was now lifelessly looking out into the void, Leon walked out of the throne room. But just before he completely left the room, he turned his face and spoke to the Emperor.

Ah, and I plan to hold a banquet in the near future.

Then the Emperors unfocused eyes fell toward Leon.

No matter how far the prestige has fallen, I will need to show that Im well and alive in order to affirm to the people that the empire stands strong.

If we dont have anything else to talk about, I will now take my leave. I request that you no longer call me for such trivial matters, Your Majesty.

Without waiting for the Emperors response, Leon left the throne room.

The Emperor merely helplessly watched Leon walk away. A singular sigh filled the silence of the throne room.

Immediately after talking with the Emperor, Leon returned to his palace. Ignoring the various golden decorations and jewels that decorated his palace, Leon entered his bedroom.

On the table right next to him was a sky-blue forget-me-not in a vase. It was the same flower that Aren healed with her abilities.

Honestly, it didnt matter much to Leon whether the Emperor projected the dead Empress onto him or not. He just needed an excuse to hold a banquet.

Lying down on his bed and staring at the forget-me-not with a gentle expression, Leon quietly muttered to himself.

Aren Serkia.