Chapter 162. The Rainbow Hangs on the Raincloud (1)
There are a few beings in the world considered omnipotent, with the Fairy King and the Dragons being the most prominent examples. The Fairy King and the Dragon are each unique in the world, and it has never been confirmed whether there are more than one of them.
Starting with the Dragon’s powers, it has been passed down that the fairies rule the sky and the dragons rule the earth. Accordingly, the Dragon is said to know everything that happens on the earth. Even events from the distant past that occurred on land are believed to be known to the Dragon. On the other hand, rumors have circulated that the Fairy King knows everything that happens in the sky. However, since humans cannot fly in the sky, the events that occur there are nothing more than thunder and lightning or the sun and moon flying, so it seems that these are not considered as part of the Fairy King’s abilities.
From A Catalogue of the World’s Mystical Legends.
The carriage heading to the palace was fast and bumpy. Illius’s complexion was turning pale from motion sickness, while Fereniana’s face remained calm. Yet, whenever the carriage jolted, both of them would sway together. As Fereniana almost drifted off, Illius quickly grabbed her in alarm.
With one hand still held by Illius, Fereniana asked, “By the way, wasn’t the Marquis locked up? In the underground prison?”
“Since he confessed to all his crimes… They were just discussing what punishment he would receive, so for now, he’s just being detained in the palace.”
Fereniana bit her lip. The carriage was speeding as if it might break apart, but the palace still felt incredibly far away today.
Did Duni know about this?
At this moment, the only thing that came to her mind was the request Duni had made, asking her to save her father. At the time, she thought it was absurd to ask such a thing of her. Had he foreseen this outcome?
“…But if it’s an attempted suicide, that means he can still be saved, right?”
“Why? Do you want to save him?”
Illius asked casually. Fereniana shut her mouth instinctively. She knew that the Marquis was Illius’s enemy, but she regretted speaking thoughtlessly only after realizing what she had said.
Illius glanced at her face and hurriedly waved his hand.
“No, it’s not that. Don’t make that face.”
“…Illius?”
“Of course not.”
Illius had a self-deprecating look mixed with his smile. Fereniana hesitated. She had a vague feeling that something was wrong as she watched Illius’s expression, but the carriage stopped right at that moment.
Illius had used his status as an Earl to enter the palace. He joked that he had already become an Earl in advance for this day, but his face wasn’t smiling. As they walked toward the western tower where the Marquis was being detained, the air seemed to freeze with every step.
When they finally arrived at the Marquis’s quarters, out of breath, the doctors were bustling around. The Crown Prince, who had been standing in a corner with a serious expression, approached them as soon as he recognized them.
“Count Seyran. Lady Cornet.”
“What happened to the Marquis?”
“The food had poison in it.”
“Who brought it to him? Was it Sir Duni Kirethin?”
“It seems so.”
The plot to kill the royal family was considered treason, and as a direct descendant of the traitor, the Marquis was not free. However, the Marquis had immediately confessed to his crimes, and it had been revealed that Duni was not involved in the series of events. The Marquis was now confined to his own home, and his only duty was to handle the affairs of his father, who was also imprisoned.
“I’ve heard it wasn’t attempted murder but rather a suicide attempt…” the Crown Prince said, looking at Illius with a tired expression. He nodded.
“We don’t know if he ordered the poison for his son, or if the son took it knowingly, but a will has been found.”
“A will? There wouldn’t be anything sharp like a pen…?”
Illius had thought that such an item would never be used, but as soon as the Crown Prince nodded, a servant entered with a tray, most likely containing the food, which still had fresh bloodstains on it.
I’m going to the side.
The last words were a single sentence. Illius furrowed his brows and moved away to let the royal doctors pass through. He brushed his hair from his eyes.
“Ha. I’m going to the side? …Duni Duha wants to save his father. He’s willing to do whatever it takes. Someone else must have used the poison. If it were me… I’d investigate Baron Demir.”
“Baron Demir? Isn’t he a loyal servant of the Marquis? I’ve heard he’s particularly faithful.”
“Most of the tasks were handled by Baron Demir. He’s the living absolution of the Marquis. If the Marquis ever says anything wrong, Demir would…”
“He should spend a thousand years in prison.” The Crown Prince nodded in agreement, and then quickly excused himself to leave the investigation to Illius and Fereniana.
“Why did he try to commit suicide?”
“I don’t know, maybe he has memories he wants to die from.”
Fereniana waited quietly for Illius’s response. Illius sighed deeply before heading to a secluded corner of the western tower’s stairs. Soft, colorful light from stained glass windows poured in unexpectedly. As the area grew quieter, Illius spoke.
“I gave him my mother’s diary.”
“A diary?”
“Yes. That Marquis thought my mother would pass the title to him, not to me. In her diary, my mother wrote that after I was born, she decided to pass the title to my younger sibling.”
She hoped he would regret it after seeing it.
Illius rested his chin on the windowsill, looking outside, avoiding Fereniana’s gaze.
“The reason the Marquis tried to kill the princes was because of that. The fairy hybrid had seduced his sister, and because of the child, he ended up killing his beloved sister. He said he would kill every fairy hybrid he knew in the world.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I thought he’d regret it and cry later. I even thought he might die following his own plan. I didn’t know he’d actually try to kill himself.”
That one line was enough. He just needed to mention that he had intended to pass the title to her, but why had it all turned out like this?
Illius fell silent without voicing these thoughts. Fereniana stood quietly next to him, leaning against the cold stone wall. The chill from the wall cleared her mind.
“Do you want to save him?”
Fereniana asked. Illius nodded with an expression of indifference.
“But even if I do save him, he’ll just die again. I shouldn’t have shown it to him. I shouldn’t have given him the diary. I just wanted him to suffer for the rest of his life.”
“Should I erase that memory?”
Illius, who had been staring out the window with a tired expression, suddenly turned to Fereniana with a stunned look. Fereniana, with a calm expression, extended her right index finger.
“I can use magic. That’s all, though.”
“Huh?”
“Should I erase the part where I showed him the diary?”
“Can… Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
“I used it on His Majesty too,” Fereniana whispered softly. If the day comes when she regrets erasing the memory, she could always tell him again. Illius’s mother had intended to pass the title to him.
Illius looked confused for a moment. He quietly took her hand, and while rubbing his forehead against hers, he whispered:
“I don’t know if I want to kill him or save him.”
“Then take your time thinking about it. For now, while the Marquis is still alive.”
Just by telling him that the Marquis had intended to pass on the title to Illius, the Marquis would probably try to kill himself whenever the opportunity arose.
Illius lowered his eyes again.
“I think I’ve become a demon.”
“Shall we go to hell together?”
“I really want to become a good person… just for a moment.”
Illius sighed. Fereniana, muttering that it was serious when he said they should go together, froze when Illius kissed her softly on the lips. The girl, who had intended to complain about what was happening, suddenly noticed the shadow that had appeared on his face.
“Illius…?”
“I really want to become a good person…”
His hand slid into his coat. Fereniana blinked. Illius took a deep breath and handed her a stiff envelope, which seemed to contain a fair number of documents.
“Illius, what is this?”
“I found this out a few days ago. I didn’t know how to say it, so I kept putting it off.”
He had been torn between wanting her to hear it from someone else and not wanting to leave it like this. He had thought he could hide it, but all he could think of was the saying, ‘There is no such thing as an eternal secret.’ Illius furrowed his brow, lowering his gaze.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you as soon as I found out.”
“What is this about?”
Illius took a brief pause, and Fereniana’s eyes shook. Finally, Illius spoke.
“Everything about the murder of Sir Selim Urayer.”
