Chapter 88:…………………………….
The Prelude to Counterattack
Shine and Julmon, who had come to the Stone Count’s mansion to discuss Lea’s mother with Robi, were shocked to see the estate in complete ruin.
At that moment, Hans, seeing Shine, ran over with tears in his eyes.
“What happened?”
“The imperial palace knights raided last night. They ransacked the mansion and took Young Master Robi away.”
“Your son? Why on earth?”
Hans glanced around and lowered his voice.
“It seems it was because of the guest staying on the third floor. They took that person as well.”
Shine sensed immediately that something was going very wrong.
“And the Stone Count? His son was taken—what is he doing right now?”
“He’s bedridden. He’s a very weak man, and apparently he was so shocked seeing Young Master get assaulted that he collapsed.”
“Pathetic. A father should at least do something in a situation like this.”
Hans quickly lowered his gaze but his expression clearly showed that he shared her frustration.
“You said you are the princess of the Malau Kingdom, right? Please use your influence. It’s only been a night, but haven’t you two been quite close since daytime?”
“Cough!”
Startled, Shine quickly glanced at Julmon, but his expression remained unreadable.
“First, let’s assess the situation. Make that foolish Stone Count snap out of it and figure out how to save his son.”
Shine quickly left with Julmon before Hans could say anything more. After moving to a quiet place, she glanced at him and asked:
“Don’t you want to ask what’s going on?”
“Let’s discuss that after returning to our country.”
Julmon’s face was stiff, his emotions tightly restrained as he answered.
“Good. Contact King Mikrok immediately. It seems Queen Lea is in danger. Only King Mikrok can save her against the Harun Imperial Palace.”
“Understood.”
As Julmon prepared to leave urgently, Shine grabbed him.
“While you’re contacting him, send word to my father as well.”
“Huh?”
“King Mikrok might soon march on the Harun Empire. Father should prepare Malau to cooperate with Pritan.”
“But it might turn out to be nothing.”
“True. But if something really happens to Queen Lea, it’s Malau’s chance to make a mark for Pritan. I don’t want to miss that opportunity.”
Julmon looked at Shine with a slightly surprised expression.
“Why? Are you accusing me of being an opportunist taking advantage of others’ misfortune?”
“No.”
Julmon lifted the back of her hand and pressed his lips gently against it.
“Princess, you will become the greatest queen.”
Shine, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment, turned her head.
“Once we identify Queen Lea’s location, we’ll head to the Holy Empire.”
“Aren’t we rescuing the Queen?”
“We can’t extract her on our own anyway. Until King Mikrok arrives, we’ll go to the Holy Empire to meet the Harun court lady who escaped and learn about Queen Lea’s mother.”
“Understood.”
Julmon immediately left to carry out the orders.
Since hearing the words of Hans, the Stone Count’s butler, Shine had been troubled by Julmon’s extremely businesslike demeanor.
She had jokingly asked him to pretend to be in a romantic relationship with Robi in front of him, but now she realized that if she actually went through with such a plan, a wounded Julmon might leave her forever.
Shivers ran through her, and she immediately scrapped that foolish idea from her mind.
“Ughhh…”
“Master, are you awake? Robi, can you hear my voice?”
I had met High Priest Haris in the underground prison of the imperial palace and heard shocking truths about my mother’s past.
But before I could process it, Robi and the Master were dragged into the adjacent cell. Their appearance, likely from severe beatings, was too shocking to look at.
I quickly gathered healing energy at my fingertips. A small orb of energy formed, but with my hands tied behind me, it was impossible to send it to the neighboring cell.
In the end, I had to retract the healing energy.
“As expected, your pure and strong energy is very similar to Yurahel’s. But your potential is even greater.”
“Can you say that to the Emperor as well?”
“What?”
“I have to escape from here. High Priest, please help me.”
“Tell me. Whatever it is, I will do my best to assist.”
I whispered my plan to him in a small voice.
The High Priest, with a serious expression, nodded after hearing it.
I turned back to Millie.
“Millie, no matter what happens, don’t panic. We must survive and return to Prince Mikrok and Sir William. Until then, stay alert.”
Millie’s lips trembled when William’s name was mentioned. She bit her lip and replied:
“Yes, Your Majesty Queen. I will endure any humiliation until I can meet Sir William again.”
Seeing her determined gaze, I steeled my own resolve and shouted toward the prison guard outside.
“Summon the Emperor! I have something to say!!”
The last night was a nightmare for the maids serving Empress Hailey.
The drunken Crown Prince had caused chaos, only for the Emperor to appear and behead him on the spot.
The Empress, having seen the Crown Prince’s corpse, acted as though she had gone mad. Fortunately, the grieving Crown Princess arrived and took her away.
Just as the maids thought things had calmed, the problem now lay with the imperial mistress, Empress Hailey. She had returned from somewhere with the Emperor and was acting very strangely.
Though another room had been prepared for her, she continued shivering under thick blankets despite the warm room.
“Why does the Emperor not seek me? Will he not order my death?”
“Of course not! The Emperor cares for Your Majesty greatly.”
A servant gave a puzzled glance, and then a knock came. A courtier hurried in.
“The Emperor wishes to see you.”
Hailey’s eyes widened with fear as the Emperor entered, scowling at the surroundings.
“What is this? Why is the room so hot?”
“The Empress said she felt cold.”
Only then did the Emperor notice Hailey trembling on the bed, whether from fear or cold.
He smiled and sat on the bed. Hailey inched backward, pressing her back to the headboard.
“My, whatever happened to the bold Empress who once lied to summon her younger sister to Harun?”
“Your Majesty… please spare me.”
“I don’t understand your complaint. I removed the thorny Crown Prince and even brought Yurahel’s daughter before me—how could I harm you?”
The Emperor gently caressed Hailey’s cheek.
“You have been more useful than any other Empress.”
At that moment, one of the Emperor’s shadow guards approached quietly.
“Queen Lea requests an audience with the Emperor.”
“Really? Quite prompt, I see.”
The Emperor smiled and stood.
“Fascinating. Why must one see blood to regain composure? Isn’t that right, Hailey?”
“Yes, yes, indeed.”
Without understanding what was happening, Hailey nodded obediently. The Emperor’s gaze cooled slightly as his amusement faded.
“I wanted some entertainment, but the Empress is not in good shape. I hope she improves when I return.”
Hailey nodded like an automaton as the Emperor left.
Not even half an hour after requesting the Emperor’s audience, he arrived again at the underground prison.
I knelt with my hands and feet bound, waiting quietly.
“Untie her.”
The guards obeyed. Though my limbs were free, I remained lying on the floor.
“You wanted to see me?”
“I was foolish. I will divorce King Pritan as Your Majesty commands.”
“You expect compensation, right? Asking to save the Stone Viscount and that knight?”
“After giving up the position of Queen of Pritan, is that all the price you expect?”
“What?”
The Emperor looked at me with great interest.
“I met High Priest Haris in the cell.”
“…Did he recognize you?”
“Yes. He said my latent holy power surpasses Mother Yurahel’s.”
“Hmm… and?”
“After divorcing King Pritan, I plan to start a healing business in the Harun court.”
“A healing business?”
The Emperor seemed surprised.
“I will serve only the wealthiest in the northern continent, and the treatment fees will be the highest.”
“And?”
“Profits will be split 80-20. Between me and the imperial palace.”
The Emperor laughed loudly at my words.
“Impressive. Suddenly greedy, are you?”
“My confidence in my abilities was confirmed by the High Priest. Such compensation makes giving up the queen’s position worthwhile.”
“Your ambition pleases me.”
The Emperor smiled and then tested me.
“…Will King Pritan accept the divorce?”
“I will write the letter myself. He will recognize my handwriting and have no choice but to comply. One more thing.”
The Emperor raised his eyebrows, urging me to continue.
“Command High Priest Haris to teach me the court’s secret techniques. He refuses to listen to me.”
“Even though I already have powerful healing?”
“I will possess the ultimate holy power. Only then can I make the greatest profit.”
The Emperor laughed boisterously at this.
“Truly audacious. Had you been my Empress, it would have been a new amusement.”
His eyes glimmered strangely, but I pretended not to notice.
“Shall we draft the divorce papers first? Once sent to Pritan, I will grant you the court’s secret techniques. And…”
I watched him warily, unsure what he would say next.
“The half of the profit you earn will go to the imperial palace.”
Even amidst all this, the Emperor calculated carefully. I tensed; this old fox could never be underestimated.
