CHAPTER 129…………………………………….
Bitter End (8)
“What is the Minister of the Imperial Household doing, and you’re the one delivering that matter? Where is Adel, and what is she doing? And even the council members?”
“I don’t know the whereabouts of the council members or Miss Adel. However, earlier, even though the trumpets sounded announcing His Majesty the Emperor’s death, the Empress did not react, which worried the Minister of the Imperial Household, so he sent me. The Minister is now visiting the council and is extremely busy discussing Your Majesty’s funeral procedures.”
‘He dared to skip me and go straight to the council?’
In other words, going to the council essentially meant he had gone to see Duke Saide.
Only then did Hildegarde start to get a sense of how things were unfolding. In short, she, who had orchestrated and planned all this, had suddenly been sidelined, and the initiative had passed to the unexpected Duke Saide. Is this what they mean by “cooking porridge only for the dog to eat”?
“So, who exactly are you?”
Perhaps pleased that the Empress was showing her attention at last, the attendant introduced himself with a bright expression.
“My name is Tardac. My main duty is to assist the ministers of the Imperial Household…”
Who would have thought that this brief self-introduction would become his last words? Before Tardac could even finish, the sword Hildegarde had drawn came down upon his neck.
“What are all the ministers doing, sending some lowly wretch like this to me?”
His mouth, which had just been chattering cheerfully, widened in surprise, and Tardac stared at Hildegarde with eyes full of disbelief.
‘What a temper…’
Watching Tardac slowly collapse sideways while still seated, Duke Crow clicked his tongue quietly.
Even animals don’t hunt when they aren’t hungry, yet here she was killing a man just to vent her temper.
Truly, her beautiful exterior belied a shocking lack of compassion. At first, the Duke had felt a certain kinship with her, but after even a short while, her cruel and selfish nature made him uneasy.
He didn’t know whether his change of heart was due to some family loyalty pulling him toward Anje, or simply because age had made him more soft-hearted.
Whatever the reason, the Duke had now completely abandoned any thought of maintaining a connection with Hildegarde.
“I have a task for the crows.”
Duke Crow nodded as he watched the blood drip from the tip of the sword Hildegarde had let hang.
“Anything… but speak directly.”
The Duke stepped back, indirectly stating his intention to stay out of this matter.
Hildegarde nodded without another word. In fact, she preferred his half-hearted stance. If the Duke had tried to interfere actively in what she was about to do, it would have only been a nuisance.
“Thank you, grandfather. Or would it be better if I just call you Duke Crow now?”
The Duke tilted his expressionless face at her teasing.
“I hear the official funeral proceedings will begin tonight. That is all I have to report. I hope His Majesty’s wishes are fulfilled.”
The Duke bowed politely, his gaze sweeping over the still-gruesome room. When Hildegarde gave a nod indicating he could leave, he exited without looking back.
As soon as he reached the corridor, the leader of the crows that had appeared from somewhere followed him.
“Report on the task the Empress has ordered.”
Feeling his subordinate hesitate, the Duke did not turn back.
“Sir… should I report first before carrying it out?”
Clicking his tongue, the Duke stopped walking.
“Didn’t you see what just happened? If things don’t go my way, I swing my sword around. Do you think you have multiple lives? Do the task first, report later—it won’t be too late.”
“…Understood.”
His subordinate hesitated as if wanting to say something, then bowed. Just as when he had first appeared, he disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.
After the subordinate vanished, the Duke stopped with a sigh and lifted his head to look at the distant sky. Only a short time ago, petals had floated to celebrate a wedding, but now, every fortress surrounding the imperial palace was draped with black banners bearing the Emperor’s crest.
Against the crimson sky, the flapping black banners looked ominous, and the Duke frowned.
“White Tiger Killing Star…”
Of the sixty heavenly stems and earthly branches, seven correspond to the White Tiger Killing Star, so almost everyone has about a four-week period under its influence. Moreover, it can appear in one’s major or annual fortune, so despite all the fuss about its misfortune, it’s fair to say there’s almost no one without it.
Though called an ominous star, if handled properly, the White Tiger Killing Star can bring unexpected opportunities for success.
The problem now was timing.
“Why now of all times…”
Anje frowned as he eyed the White Tiger Killing Star in his personal chart. Normally, he would dismiss it lightly, since everyone experiences it at some point—but now the Emperor had just passed away.
Remaining low-profile was also difficult given the surrounding situation. Anje had already issued a full mobilization of the Black Wolves, sending them to protect Mariana and Algernon.
“Should I hide in some mountain cave for a week?”
Would the world become quiet then…?
He considered various options, but none were realistic, and he frowned.
“What could possibly go wrong?”
The Duke had been at the imperial palace for a week, and while the country was in turmoil, Anje was experiencing a rare quiet period.
Without the Duke, there was no one to provoke or command. Normally, this would be pleasant, but strangely, the emptiness made life feel unbalanced, as if a screw had come loose.
So he even tried to check his personal fortune in ways he wouldn’t normally, but it was pointless.
Anje clicked his tongue as he studied the chart spread on paper.
“Sometimes ignorance is bliss… what a pointless effort… tsk!”
He was about to fold the paper when a voice called:
“Miss.”
Anje froze. At this hour, the only person who would address him as “Miss” was Josh—but this voice did not sound like Josh.
Silently, he approached the door and first locked it. A startled voice came from outside.
“Miss?”
Ignoring it, Anje went to the window and looked down.
From the fourth floor, jumping could break an ankle at least.
‘No choice… the White Tiger Killing Star doesn’t have to hit so perfectly.’
The mansion was mostly empty except for him and a few servants. Most knights and soldiers had been assigned to the Duke’s protection detail; the rest were with the Dowager Duchess, who was out.
The memory of the incident two days ago flashed through Anje’s mind.
‘And you? What can you do now, sick sunfish that you are?’
As always, Duke Saide never spoke kindly.
Even when he had sarcastically feigned concern, Anje had just scoffed. Assigning a bodyguard to a mere aide seemed laughable.
Moreover, Anje himself was a fake aide and actually the head of the information guild. He could protect himself.
With enough experience to gauge an opponent’s skill, Anje now realized he had no choice but to flee.
‘If I get caught, I’m dead! Breaking an ankle won’t be enough…’
Thump! The sound of the door hitting something made him turn quickly, and without hesitation, he launched himself out the window.
The door fell off with a loud crash. Hoping to land on the softest grass, Anje leapt.
Just before hitting the ground, a premonition made him glance back. He saw, as expected, someone reaching toward him from the window—someone he thought would merely watch from above.
His eyes widened.
Anje flailed his arms, trying to escape the assassin, but it was too late.
Thuk!
A sharp force struck his neck.
Clinging to fading consciousness, Anje regretted it. He should have listened to Duke Saide’s words, annoying as they were.
