CHAPTER 73…………………….
: A Broken Plan
Dietrich did not move.
Illeon’s subordinates rushed at him, binding him completely with ropes. Even so, Dietrich simply stood there, gazing calmly at Illeon.
“Dietrich Calypso. From this moment, you are no longer a duke of Avalon, nor the Captain of the Imperial Knights. I strip you of the Calypso name.”
Dietrich gave no reply.
Illeon glared at him with a fierce gaze.
“You murdered the ministers and you have scorned me. Such crimes warrant punishment by martial law.”
“Your Majesty.”
Dietrich’s voice was so low it felt as though it came from the depths of an abyss.
“What proof do you have that I murdered the ministers?”
It was true.
The bodies bore no stab wounds, no traces of poison.
Dietrich was pointing out that Illeon’s punishment was unjust.
Suspicion existed, but no evidence.
And if Illeon stripped him of his knighthood without proof, the majority of the imperial knights would rise in revolt.
“If there is a reason that convinces me, I will accept my punishment.”
His tone was so composed that it twisted Illeon’s insides.
Illeon knew it was Dietrich’s doing, yet there was nothing he could do.
“Must I throw your lover into prison before you kneel to me?”
Illeon approached him.
Though his hands were bound, his eyes were unbearably arrogant.
“I am the emperor, and yet you look at me as if seated above me. Why such insolent eyes?”
Normally, one cornered would feel fear.
But even in this moment, when everything was being stripped from him, Dietrich was excessively calm.
Illeon hated both his expression and the situation.
He was the one delivering punishment, yet why did he feel like he was watching Dietrich’s reaction instead?
When had it become like this?
Was it his mistake to leave Dietrich unchecked, believing he could never climb so high?
Dietrich had seized control of the military and slowly devoured the palace itself.
The emperor’s mad dog had walked into Avalon with the intent to destroy it from the beginning.
Now, after surviving in a hostile royal family, Dietrich had risen to the position of executioner, poised to strike Illeon’s neck at any moment.
Even bound by ropes, his composure was almost uncanny.
Illeon’s thoughts drifted to Celia, who was now alone.
The woman famed as everyone’s first love—overflowing beauty, radiant silver hair, and emerald eyes that sparkled when she smiled.
The princess of the fallen Kingdom of Shan, who did not despair even after losing everything at Illeon’s hands and being subjected to men’s desires.
—Your Majesty, I refuse your request for a dance.
Like sand slipping through his fingers, she had never been his to hold.
The memory of their striking first meeting resurfaced.
—Does Your Grace also think only of what you want to do with me?
She had asked that, blinking slowly, clad in a white mermaid dress.
—I want nothing at all.
Her words had been a blatant lie—rotting inside, yet claiming she wanted nothing.
That lie had sparked Illeon’s curiosity.
According to the original plan, it should have been Celia’s face he ruined.
Not Jeremy’s—who posed no threat—using Erpia’s drugs.
The plan had changed, for only one reason.
—My sadness won’t change anything, will it?
She had said that, smiling brightly.
The stars and moon had been brilliant that night, but it felt as though only she shone.
What if he had ruined her face then?
What if he had given the drug to Celia as intended?
Would Dietrich’s indifferent eyes still hold that calm? Would he dare to defy the emperor so openly now?
“…It’s all because of that woman.”
Illeon let out a sigh that was almost a groan.
“Do I need to tear your lover’s limbs apart and throw them to monsters before you come to your senses?”
“…And is that why Your Majesty threw your own sister to the beasts?”
Dietrich’s words made Illeon’s eyes sink. How did Dietrich know what Arthur had done?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“From the stomach of a high-rank monster I slew at the hunting competition, I happened to find a bundle of pink hair.”
“…”
“Flesh may dissolve, but hair does not, even in a monster’s belly.”
“Do you think only one or two people in the empire have pink hair? My sister Reyna is alive and well.”
“Then bring her before me.”
Illeon raised a brow at his words.
“If you do, I will walk into the dungeon myself.”
“Dietrich. I could throw you in prison this instant, or behead you right here. Why should I humor you?”
“If you do not…”
Dietrich paused, then smiled faintly.
Lifting one corner of his lips, his smile was so chillingly beautiful that Illeon’s men unconsciously drew in their breath.
“…a very troublesome incident will occur, Your Majesty.”
“What are you waiting for? Drag him to the dungeon.”
At Illeon’s command, his men snapped back to their senses and moved to drag Dietrich away.
But then—
“Your Majesty!”
A knight burst into the audience chamber, face pale as death.
“It’s terrible news!”
“What is it?”
“The Ministers’ Hall… it’s burning! The flames are spreading too quickly to contain!”
Illeon’s eyes widened.
The Ministers’ Hall was the sacred place where prophecies were delivered and rituals held.
“Shouldn’t you hurry and see for yourself?”
Dietrich’s words made Illeon glare at him as if he would kill him on the spot.
“How dare you scorn me and harm my ministers. From this day forth, your dukedom is stripped completely. Take him away!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Illeon’s men dragged Dietrich toward the dungeon.
Even then, his head remained held high, his calm expression disturbing Illeon all the more.
“…Find out exactly who set fire to the Ministers’ Hall.”
Illeon ground his teeth and issued the order to his aide.
Before the fire at the Ministers’ Hall, Celia had gone with Anderson to a shabby tavern outside the palace.
The old, worn tavern held only its weary owner with dark circles under his eyes and a single customer.
Celia spotted a man hunched in a corner.
Empty glasses cluttered his table and the floor, yet he showed no signs of drunkenness.
His massive frame was so large it looked almost inhuman, like a giant.
“Duke.”
At Celia’s voice, the man halted his drink and looked up at the silver-haired woman in her black robe.
Beneath his brown hair, his steel-gray eyes gleamed sharply.
The man was none other than Balt.
“How did you know I was here?”
Balt laid a hand on the sword at his hip.
“I just thought you might be.”
At her answer, he chuckled faintly.
“Heh. That so? And I should just pretend you know nothing?”
He removed his hand from the sword and downed his drink in a single gulp.
Licking the spilled liquor from his lips, he smirked.
“So, what business do you have with me?”
Celia glanced at Anderson, signaling for him to leave. His brows furrowed instantly.
The opponent was Balt.
One of only two sword masters in the empire.
If something happened while Anderson stepped away… even imagining it was terrifying. He spoke each word firmly.
“His Grace the Duke of Calypso ordered me to guard my lady no matter what.”
“…It’s fine.”
Celia shook her head, as if to ease his worries.
“Nothing will happen.”
Her resolute gaze left him speechless.
“Sir Anderson, please step out with the tavern keeper.”
“….”
“This is truly important. It won’t take long. Can you do that for me?”
Her words left him no room to refuse. He closed his eyes and finally answered.
“…Understood. But if anything happens, call me at once. I’ll be waiting by the door.”
Reluctantly, Anderson obeyed.
Click.
The door shut, leaving only Celia and Balt inside.
Balt watched her sit boldly across from him and spoke.
“You didn’t come here just to drink with me.”
He tapped the table, where his glass sat.
Tap. Tap.
“You’ve something to say, haven’t you?”
Celia met his eyes directly.
“I’ll keep it short.”
“….”
“You know who I really am, don’t you?”
Balt froze, then stared back at her.
“That you’re the Angel of Brillion? Or… the princess of Shan, the kingdom that fell ten years ago?”
“So you knew after all.”
“If Arthur hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have.”
Balt narrowed his brows.
“Ten years ago, you were partly responsible for my kingdom’s fall.”
At her bold words, Balt’s lips twisted into a crooked grin.
“So. What do you want from me?”
Celia smiled faintly.
“Help me get rid of Illeon.”
“….”
“And I’ll spare your life.”
Balt burst into booming laughter.
“I’m a duke of Avalon, same as him. Why should I betray him for you?”
“If you refuse, you won’t walk out of this place alive.”
