Chapter 147: We have to meet

Chapter 147: We have to meet

Haverion, the Fifth Prince—no, the execution of Cardinal Haverion.

The ministers were shocked by Ian’s words.

“Do you really intend to go through with it?” one minister asked.

“Absolutely,” Ian replied, his eyes gleaming with determination. “Not only am I targeted, but my people as well.”

“Your Highness...” another minister began, but Ian interrupted.

“If we hadn’t discovered this plot beforehand, there could have been significant loss of life, not to mention the destabilization of Kaistein. Are you suggesting we should just let this slide?”

The minister hesitated and then replied, “That is merely speculation. It was just a minor incident; it wouldn’t have destabilized Kaistein...”

Ian chuckled at the minister’s response. “Would you say the same if it were the First Princess who had been attacked?”

“T-That’s...”

The minister fell silent, realizing the gravity of the situation.

The collapse of the First Princess would have far-reaching consequences, unlike the sudden appearance of Ian, the Seventh Prince.

‘The First Princess is the true queen’s survival. Moreover, she has amassed tremendous influence since her early childhood.’

If something were to happen to the First Princess, it would be a major disaster.

As the ministers remained speechless, King Eloin cut off their objections.

“The crime committed by Cardinal Haverion is unforgivable. The execution will proceed as planned,” the king declared firmly.

“Your Majesty!”

“This is a matter of the royal family. I will not allow any dissent.”

While the ministers were taken aback, Ian inwardly smirked.

‘Of course. It’s to assert the authority of the royal family.’

The reason the execution had been problematic until now was simple.

The intervention of the Holy Empire was what bothered them the most.

The fact that they showed no concern for the fate of Cardinal Haverion troubled the royal family.

However, now the situation has changed.

‘At first, I thought the Saint and the Cardinal Cesare came here to save Haverion.’

But Cesare showed no interest in saving Haverion.

Instead, he seemed preoccupied with his sister and this country.

‘No, it’s certain. He has no interest in Haverion.’

With this realization, Kaistein had nothing to lose.

Ian refrained from voicing his thoughts aloud and instead sent a provocative smile in King Eloin’s direction, as if asking if his assumptions were correct.

The king immediately understood.

‘Okay. You’re right.’

The Holy Empire had set its sights on Kaistein.

King Eloin, as Kaistein’s king, was not willing to sit back and accept it.

The king then made a significant announcement to everyone present.

“The execution of Haverion will take place on the day of the march to Cantum,” he declared.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider...”

But the king’s declaration continued.

“The execution of Haverion will be carried out by Prince Ian, the Seventh Prince.”

“!”

Everyone gasped in shock.

It was unheard of for a member of the royal family to execute another royal, particularly a sibling.

This act wasn’t merely passing the responsibility; it was a powerful display of authority and honor.

It could also potentially shift the balance of power among the royal heirs.

Consequently, the other ministers bowed their heads and one of them dared to speak up.

“Your Majesty, that would not be fair.”

“For the sake of fair competition...”

“Silence.”

“!”

The King’s voice was cold.

“Do you not know the saying, ‘Repay kindness with kindness, but engrave hatred in your heart?’ I approve of this.”

“Your Majesty...”

“Prince Ian, listen. Blood must be repaid with blood.”

Ian bowed his head towards the king.

“I humbly obey, Your Majesty.”

The ministers were left stunned by the king’s apparent bias toward Ian.

However, King Eloin was not oblivious to the perception.

“Instead, I will appoint the First Princess as commander-in-chief of Prince Leonic’s reinforcements.”

He balanced Ian and the First Princess.

The First Princess, who had been watching, was surprised by this turn of events.

“Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this sudden...”

But the king casually replied, “This is the final opportunity to make up for past mistakes. Can you do it well?”

The warmth in the king’s words shocked everyone present, as it was unlike anything they had witnessed before.

However, the First Princess understood the hidden message behind the king’s gaze.

‘Observe and judge with your own eyes.’

The message revolved around Leonic, the Crown Prince.

If he proved himself worthy of being the Emperor’s successor, then it didn’t matter if she became the Empress.

However, if he failed to meet the qualifications...

‘Deal with him and make the youngest the Emperor, not the Empress.’

That was the message conveyed through her eyes.

The First Princess confidently placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head.

Nathan spoke with a determined expression.

“The saintess who came from the Holy Empire. She claims to have been born in the same womb as you, Your Highness.”

Ian raised an eyebrow, skeptical of such a claim. “You have quite a sense of humor today.”

Who was this person claiming to be his sister?

And on top of that, a Saintess from the Empire?

Ian narrowed his eyes, suspecting that Nathan was playing yet another prank.

But just as he was about to scold Nathan, something unexpected happened.

“If you don’t believe me, she told me to tell you this. Your Highness’s... real name.”

“!”

Ian’s eyes widened in surprise.

It was a secret that only he and his mother knew, something even King Eloin was unaware of.

“You must never reveal your real name to anyone. Understand?”

“Why, Mother?”

“It is because using that name is prohibited.”

“But why did you name me that?”



His mother smiled and always said the same thing.

“Because it is your destiny. You are destined to be stronger and wiser than anyone else... to rule the continent.”

It was one of Ian’s oldest memories.

After losing his mother, memories that had been trapped beneath the surface of his consciousness began to resurface one by one.

Simultaneously, Ian’s eyes sparkled.

“Where is the saintess now?”

“I will guide you.”

Ian immediately followed behind Nathan.

But his heart was not as calm as his expression.

Thump. Thump.

‘So that’s why she resembles Mother.’

Was it truly the truth, or was it a trap?

What had happened without his knowledge?

Nevertheless, Ian felt drawn to it.

Not only to see his unknown younger sister for the first time but also because, for some reason...

‘I have a feeling she has something to do with my regression.’

Ian knew he had to meet her.

***

Bang!

Cesare entered the room with a stern expression.

Normally, he would have stayed in the royal palace, but he was currently at the mansion of Marquis Adelas to avoid the eyes of the royal family.

The problem was that he had quarreled with Marquis Adelas over the matter of the Seventh Prince.

“This is serious. If things continue like this, not only will I fail to get my hands on the First Princess, but also Kaistein.”

At that moment, a priest approached him.

“Would you like to change locations?”

“Where do you suggest?”

“If you are uncomfortable with your relationship with Marquis Adelas, you can stay at the church in the royal capital...”

“You fool!”

“I... I apologize.”

Cesare quickly scowled at the retreating priest.

“You’re avoiding eye contact simply because I became furious. Kaistein is barely established. Are you suggesting I abandon the high-ranking nobles?”

“Well...”

“There’s no other choice. Bring the saintess.”

“Surely... are you planning to have her read the future here?”

The priest’s face turned pale.

He had come from the Holy Empire and knew what Cesare was planning.

It was a kind of consecration ritual.

‘But the result is not just simple foresight. It’s closer to prophecy.’

She could see one person’s future as well as their past and present.

That’s how Cesare became a cardinal, a high-ranking priest.

He had harnessed the power of a saint, but only for himself.

“H-However, if she continues to use that power, her life could be in danger...”

“And what do you suggest I do about it?”

“...”

The priest trembled slightly, realizing the weight of his words.

He had no choice but to obey Cesare’s orders.

However, before he could respond, Cesare’s attention shifted.

“By the way, where is the saintess now?”

If the priest was here, who was guarding her?

The priest calmly replied.

“Ah. She is currently in her room, engaged in prayer. She has requested not to be disturbed.”

“Is that so? How unusual.”

Cesare began to make his way slowly towards the saintess’s room.