IHRM 72

IHRM

Chapter 72 The Crack

Shenil was wandering inside the palace when she noticed that today, the atmosphere seemed unusually noisy.

She stopped in her tracks upon catching the whispers of some maids.

“Really? Is that true?”

“Of course. I heard it from my friend who works in the princess’s palace. It’s absolutely true.”

“Then… does that mean His Majesty and Her Highness are in that kind of relationship?”

“Wouldn’t it? They were together late at night, and above all, His Majesty personally carried the sleeping princess back.”

It was only natural for Shenil to freeze at the maids’ unexpected gossip.

What infuriated her even more was what came next.

“Then what about Lady Shenil…?”

“Honestly, isn’t it strange? After all this time, there’s been nothing. Not even an engagement ceremony.”

“True. There are countless rumors, but nothing certain. Maybe His Majesty actually has someone else in his heart—the princess, perhaps?”

Grinding her teeth, Shenil forced herself to suppress her rage and walked past them. Then she immediately summoned the head maid.

“You called for me?”

“How are you managing the maids? They were carelessly gossiping about me.”

At her cold reprimand, the head maid quickly bowed her head.

“My apologies. I will take immediate action.”

“You’d better make sure their mouths are sealed tight. If this happens again, I’ll hold you personally responsible.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After the head maid left, Shenil was alone again. The words of the maids still rang in her mind.

“The two of them were alone again the other day… What exactly happened?”

She had pretended not to notice before—if she made it obvious she was having them watched, it would only backfire. But this time, she could not endure it. She rose from her seat.

At that time, Terban was in his office, discussing with his aide about the orphanage plan he had spoken of with Elrea yesterday.

He explained what he intended to do and issued instructions related to it.

The work itself was meaningful and necessary, but the real issue lay elsewhere.

“I’m not sure the nobles will accept this so easily. I expect strong opposition.”

“We’ll see about that. That’s why we must prepare thoroughly, leaving no room for weakness.”

“Yes, understood.”

The aide left with his orders, and not long after, Vandel entered the office.

He handed Terban a document and began his report.

“The preparations for the upcoming tournament are nearly complete. I expect no significant issues.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

But instead of leaving, Vandel lingered, which made Terban look at him curiously.

When he still hesitated and stammered, Terban spoke first.

“You seem to have something else to say.”

“Well… about yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

Terban already guessed he meant something regarding Elrea. Yet Vandel still looked hesitant.

Just then, Shenil’s voice came from outside.

“Terban, may I come in for a moment?”

“Come in.”

As she entered, Vandel excused himself.

“I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.”

Passing Vandel, Shenil approached Terban.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“You’ve been so busy lately that I hardly see you. I thought I’d stop by.”

Indeed, with all that had been happening, Terban hadn’t even thought of her. Normally, they would at least share a meal or a walk. But recently, the one filling that time had been Elrea.

When Terban didn’t answer, Shenil slyly glanced at the documents on his desk, quickly scanning them.

Nothing noteworthy…

Acting casual, she brought up the rumor spreading in the palace.

“Were you… with the princess last night?”

“How do you know about that?”

“I happened to hear people say they saw you two together.”

The moment she spoke, Terban realized this must have been what Vandel had tried to bring up earlier. From Vandel’s reaction, the sight of him with Elrea had already spread widely. He could only imagine what people were saying.

“I was worried something might have happened. If not, people might misunderstand…”

“No, the rumor’s true. I was with her yesterday.”

“…I see.”

Shenil had hoped desperately that it was all false—that it was some kind of misunderstanding. But Terban did not even attempt to deny it.

She clasped her hands tightly behind her back, hiding the tension so he wouldn’t notice her rage boiling over.

“It’s a relief nothing happened. If you’re free, shall we have some tea? Take a little break.”

Terban accepted readily, rising from his seat. Shenil was about to follow when something on his desk caught her eye.

What’s this?

As if drawn by some force, she picked it up. It was a white handkerchief.

She was about to put it back when her hand froze.

“This is…”

It was clearly a lady’s handkerchief—embroidered, laced, delicate.

In other words, it wasn’t Terban’s.

Naturally, only one person came to mind: Elrea. Why did Terban have this? What did it mean?

“Shenil?”

Before she could think further, someone outside called for her. Shenil quickly hid the handkerchief inside her dress.

“I’m coming.”

She walked with Terban, conversing lightly, but her mind was consumed by the handkerchief.

Even after their short tea time, when she returned to her palace, her face was stiff. She couldn’t even recall what she and Terban had talked about.

And when she arrived, someone was already waiting.

“What brings you here unannounced, Father?”

“You’ve heard the rumors, haven’t you?”

“Well… more or less.”

She realized Hisben must have come after hearing about Terban and Elrea. The gossip had already reached the nobles.

“Then why are you doing nothing? Do you mean to let all your efforts go to waste? The nobles are already whispering. If you don’t become empress, they’ll shift their loyalties to the princess—”

His words, sharp and grating, made Shenil’s head throb. She cut him off at once.

“Father!”

At her single word, Hisben fell silent and looked at her. She met his gaze with a confident smile, exuding composure.

“What are you so worried about? That will never happen. I still remember what you told me the day I fell. Terban will never abandon me.”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

Though she spoke calmly, even Hisben—her own father—felt a chill from her. That day long ago had made him realize what kind of daughter he truly had.

“So don’t worry. Just do what you must. Luckily, Terban still doesn’t know anything. You should move quickly, before there’s any trouble.”

“…I understand.”

“Then please leave. I’m too tired right now.”

Hisben left without another word. Alone again, Shenil leaned back on the sofa with a heavy sigh.

This has never happened before…

All the years she’d stayed by Terban’s side, no one had ever threatened her position. Not once, since that day she could never forget.

“Yes… I’ll stay here, always. Terban, you can’t turn away from me. Can you?”

* * *

Fifteen years ago, in the Rubain Imperial Palace.

A young boy with glossy black hair and detached blue eyes—though smaller in build, he didn’t look much different from how he did now. This was Terban as a child, back when he was still crown prince, not yet emperor.

His mother, the empress, had been frail and died shortly after giving birth to him.

As every future emperor before him, Terban fulfilled his duties. But whether due to the crushing pressure of his position or simply his own nature, his eyes were never childlike.

There was no innocent smile, no curious gaze—only the feeling of someone grimly enduring the burdens placed on him.

Since he was destined to be emperor, many nobles naturally tried to have their children get close to him. Young sons as friends, young daughters as potential brides.

But even at his age, Terban easily saw through those with ulterior motives.

So he ignored them all, refusing to even glance their way, as if he had built a solid wall around himself.

As he stubbornly isolated himself, the fateful incident occurred.

That day, he had gone at the emperor’s summons, only to find Hisben there with a young girl who resembled him. Even at a glance, it was obvious she was a duke’s daughter.

But that was all. Terban showed no interest in her whatsoever.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.”

“While we talk, spend some time with Lady Remiel’s daughter.”

“…As you command.”

Though displeased, Terban couldn’t refuse the emperor’s order, so he brought her to his quarters.

As always, he offered no response to Shenil’s attempts at conversation.

Though she tried not to show it, Shenil grew increasingly anxious at his cold indifference.

If this goes on, I won’t be able to do as Father instructed…

Before coming to the palace, Hisben had strictly told the young Shenil:

“You must befriend the crown prince at all costs. That is the path to our family’s prosperity. Don’t you also want to stand at the very top one day, looking down on everyone?”

Those words had sparked her imagination—seeing herself at the pinnacle, ruling over all. The thought thrilled her. Even at that age, Shenil understood well the power that came with authority.

She wanted to shine from the highest place, making everyone bow their heads before her.

But Terban was colder than expected, giving her not a shred of attention. He smiled easily at others, but never at her.

As Shenil’s anxiety mounted, Terban suddenly stood, bored, and walked out to the terrace.

She followed, only to see him perched casually on the railing, high above the ground. It was a place where a single misstep could send him tumbling, yet he looked completely at ease.

Seeing her startled expression, Terban smirked.

“Stop struggling to get close to me. I can see right through you. What, did your father tell you to befriend me no matter what?”

His piercing gaze made her flinch, but she couldn’t back down now. She had expected this much. So she put on her purest, most innocent smile.

“Huh? How did you know?”

“Knew it.”

“Actually, I really did want to be friends with Your Highness.”

She spread her arms wide with a childlike grin, as if she had no ulterior motives. For the first time, Terban’s expression shifted.

That childlike innocence—that was his weakness. Shenil sensed it immediately and asked with wide-eyed curiosity:

“But… why would my father say that?”

“Forget it. It’s nothing.”

She stepped closer, looking up at the railing higher than her own head.

“Aren’t you scared, sitting up there?”