2.
The secret passage was so narrow that only two people could walk side by side.
“Please do not leave my side, Your Highness.”
Idis tightly gripped the hem of Karl’s clothing. Shielding her protectively, Karl moved forward with caution.
No matter how long they walked, the path did not seem to shorten. Beads of sweat formed on Karl’s forehead. In the suffocating darkness where not even an inch ahead could be seen, the small lantern in his hand was their only lifeline.
Leaning on one another, the two continued down the seemingly endless path.
Silence stretched between them. Their ragged breathing and the echo of footsteps along the walls sharpened their nerves.
‘It feels like I’ve fallen into a terribly cruel nightmare…’
If that were true, she wished she would wake soon. Idis repeated to herself that this endless darkness could not possibly be reality.
How long had they walked?
At last, a faint breeze brushed against them from afar—a sign that the exit was near.
When they reached the end of the path, a solid wall blocked their way. Karl handed the lantern to Idis and began feeling along the surface, tapping at the stones.
Thunk—thunk.
One stone above sounded different.
Pressing it firmly upward, the tightly fitted gap opened, and sand trickled down from above.
Fresh air rushed in all at once. The sudden clarity made Idis dizzy, as though she had just awakened from a dream.
But unlike her wish, the reality before her remained cold and unchanging.
“…Of course not.”
Wiping away the dust, Idis brushed at her eyes.
After checking outside, Karl lifted Idis up first, helping her climb out, then followed behind.
Carefully scanning the surroundings, Karl found no sign of anyone.
As he raised the lantern, a familiar place revealed itself.
“This is the storage shed at the southern hunting grounds. It’s quite far from the imperial palace—I didn’t expect the passage to extend this far.”
“…Yes. I remember.”
Idis’s gaze drifted toward a massive buffalo horn mounted on the wall. It was a decoration she had seen every time the hunting competitions were held. The unused furniture was coated in a thick layer of dust.
“It seems the Crown Prince has not arrived yet.”
“…Nothing has happened to him, right?”
“If his route is similar to ours, he is likely still on his way. However…”
Karl approached a small window and gauged the time, pointing toward the tallest cedar tree in the forest.
“When that star tilts to the top of that tree, we can wait no longer.”
Idis flared up.
“We cannot leave without the Crown Prince. Are you telling me to abandon my brother as well?”
“That is not my intention. We do not know when the Second Prince’s soldiers will catch up. If he does not arrive by the appointed time, we are to proceed first to the southeastern safe house for mutual safety.”
“The southeast… that’s where Baron Bart’s territory lies…”
“Yes.”
Idis recalled the path to the baron’s estate—a secluded land surrounded by dense coniferous forests and rocky mountains.
Though it had little exchange with other regions, it bordered parts of the allied nations to the south, making it strategically important.
“But the baron has no reason to risk himself to help us.”
She knew Baron Bart.
Rowan Bart, nearing forty, always appeared at the imperial palace dressed in dark clothing, as though attending a funeral.
Each time they crossed paths, his sharp eyes and stern expression unsettled the young Idis.
He never sided with the Emperor nor the nobility—neither conservative nor progressive. Not just him, but his father and grandfather had been the same.
Many had tried to draw the Bart family into their factions, but they remained neutral. Over time, no one paid much attention to the name Bart anymore.
Most assumed they were simply a minor house, content to survive quietly.
“The Bart family has long served as a shadow of the imperial household.”
Karl continued with a faint, bitter smile.
“Even if something happens to me, you must find him.”
“Don’t say that!”
Idis snapped, fully understanding the meaning behind his words. She forced herself to change the subject.
“So they were connected all along, yet never revealed it… Should I call that wise, or cunning? Either way, they’re far from ordinary. Whatever the reason, it means they had loyalty.”
“That is correct.”
“…Still, people can betray.”
Even those once considered family could stab you in the back. How could she trust anyone completely?
The image of Rishar’s red eyes flashed vividly in her mind, and Idis clenched her teeth.
Seeing her trembling, Karl shook his head.
“The baron cannot betray us. The founder of the Bart family swore an oath of loyalty to the first Emperor, Calix I, in the name of Luhanan.”
Karl took out a small pouch.
“This is proof.”
When he opened it, a brilliant light spilled out.
Without realizing it, Idis reached out. A pendant of silver and crystal dropped into her hand.
On its back were engraved the imperial crest and the Bart family’s emblem. Within the pale, bluish crystal, an unknown power swirled quietly.
Idis’s eyes filled with awe and astonishment.
“…A relic imbued with divine power still exists.”
“This is my first time seeing it as well.”
Idis tried to steady her thoughts.
Divine power—the sacred force—was a concept that appeared not only in the Luhaim Empire, but in the myths of all nations across the continent.
The descendants of the goddess Luhanan had spread throughout the land, using her power to cultivate territory and build kingdoms.
Long ago, records claimed that true inheritors of divine power had existed. But as time passed, legend became myth, and divine power faded into a mere story.
“One was passed down to His Majesty, and the other to the head of the Bart family. It is an ancient artifact, so I cannot be certain… but if the baron betrays us, the pendant will shatter, and his bloodline will be cursed until it vanishes.”
Idis nodded.
It sounded unreal—but now, she felt she could believe anything.
Above all, she knew the swirling blue light within the crystal was something no craftsman on the continent could replicate.
“His Majesty instructed me to give this to you, just in case.”
After staring at it for a long while, Idis returned the pendant to Karl.
“It’s better if you keep it for now.”
As the light disappeared back into the pouch, silence once again filled the shed.
Cold air seeped through her thin chemise, chilling her as her sweat cooled. Idis wrapped the cloak tighter around herself.
Too much had happened in too little time.
Suppressing her anxiety, she silently prayed for the Crown Prince’s safe arrival.
* * *
The last soldier protecting the Emperor had just fallen to Rishar’s blade.
Yet Calix III, Emperor of Luhaim—a man with short silver hair and a sturdy build—stood upright, his dignity unshaken.
Rishar gestured for the surrounding soldiers to step back and approached the Emperor.
“Your Majesty.”
“Do not address me with that filthy mouth.”
Rishar looked up at the Emperor seated upon the throne.
When had his longing for affection turned into hatred?
Even he no longer knew.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
“…Ha. So you finally acknowledge me. You always treated me as if I didn’t exist—just because this hair, these eyes—none of them resemble yours!”
He threw his helmet to the ground.
Dark blond hair, matted with blood, was revealed—completely unlike the Emperor’s. His reddened eyes burned with madness.
All members of the imperial family were born with moonlit silver hair and amethyst eyes.
Even when queens came from foreign lands or noble houses with different features, their children always bore those divine traits.
The people of Luhaim believed it to be the blessing of the primordial goddess, Luhanan.
But Rishar—despite being of imperial blood—possessed neither silver hair nor violet eyes.
He had always lived in isolation.
“…But what can you do? Soon, this throne will rightfully be mine.”
The subtle looks of contempt directed at him would all change after today.
That thought filled him with satisfaction.
“…This is not a seat someone like you can claim.”
“My soldiers are already hunting them down.”
Rishar stepped closer.
From such close proximity, the Emperor’s face was lined with age.
How long had it taken for him to face this man directly?
The once majestic Emperor now seemed like nothing more than a frail old man.
“You will hear the news soon enough. Before that, hand over the throne. I would rather not be known as a patricide.”
“A shallow ploy. My answer remains the same—be content with what you have.”
“…Then, Your Majesty. This is the end.”
Without hesitation, Rishar drove his sword forward.
The Emperor staggered but managed to grab Rishar’s shoulder.
“Ri… shar… you…”
Blood spilled from his lips, his final words too faint for anyone else to hear.
But the one standing before him heard them clearly.
Rishar remained unmoved, watching coldly as the Emperor collapsed.
Had he begged for his life, perhaps Rishar might have shown mercy out of superiority.
But the Emperor of Luhaim remained the Emperor—until his final breath.
His life ended.
Rishar clicked his tongue, as if realizing something, and searched the Emperor’s body.
“…The imperial seal is missing. Ian must have it. He likely hasn’t escaped the palace yet. Search every corner—find them both quickly. As long as I have the seal and the princess, the rest are unnecessary.”
