Chapter 104 – If I’m Right, Apologize (1)

Koshar was not to be tortured? Despite his attempt to harm the Emperor’s child?

Marquis Karl was furthered confused by Sovieshu’s intentions. It was obvious to anyone that Sovieshu cherished Rashta. He had concealed the information that Viscount Langdel gathered regarding Rashta and d.u.c.h.ess Tuania, and immediately believed that Rashta was pushed by Koshar with no evidence. Though blinded by love Sovieshu appeared to be, Marquis Karl seemed to glimpse a shadow of doubt in him.

Sovieshu glanced out the window. From here, one could see the covered walkway leading to the western palace, although one could only see the pa.s.sersby if they came out from under the roof…

“Your Majesty, if you are concerned, you can tell the Empress to come in ahead of me. My issue is not urgent, so I can come back later.”

“I’m sure she’s already gone.”

“You saw her?”

“No. But she’s the empress.”

“?”

“She would never do anything to hurt her pride.”

“Then why don’t you go to the western palace, Your Majesty?”

“I am too angry to do that.”

“But Your Majesty, it is certain that Marquis Farang sought the abortive drugs, correct?”

“My investigator is competent.”

Instead of giving a definite answer, Sovieshu stood up.

“I’m tired. Would you like to walk for a while?”

Sovieshu stood up and approached the door. From here it was more difficult to tell if the Empress had already left. Marquis Karl thought it would be better for Sovieshu to go to the western palace, but he didn’t argue the point and got up as well.

They pa.s.sed through the parlor room and exited the door, and as soon as Sovieshu stepped out onto the hallway he stiffened. The Empress was still standing there. Even Marquis Karl was startled and hurriedly bowed his head.

“I thought you already left.”

Sovieshu muttered under his breath, his eyebrows furrowed.

***

At first, I thought to go back.

I would have done so if I were my usual self, but this time I refused to yield to him. So I stood in place and waited for Sovieshu to come out.

‘Anytime now.’

Fortunately I didn’t have to wait long. He opened the door, and I noticed that his posture was slumped, perhaps out of worry for Rashta. However, his expression turned to displeasure as soon as he saw me.

“I thought you were gone. Why are you standing here? Do you want to serve a punishment or something?”

I smiled as coldly as possible but answered casually.

“I thought you wanted this.”

“!”

“And so I showed myself.”

Sovieshu didn’t reveal any hurt in his pride, nor made mention of the fact that he had ignored me, but his eyes trembled. His mocking voice turned into a cold sneer.

“The Empress always surprises me, regarding Rashta’s case as well as this.”

“And you are a cliché regarding Rashta.”

Sovieshu leaned in towards me and lowered his voice so he wouldn’t be heard by the others.

“I don’t think the Empress is in a position to do this to me. How about occasionally repressing that pride of yours?”

“Why should I?”

“I am covering your brother’s crime for you.”

“You think it was my brother that poisoned Miss Rashta?”

“You don’t?”

In all honesty, I couldn’t say with confidence, ‘My brother is not like that.’

While a concubine’s offspring had no right of succession, it was impossible to block them from inheriting their share of wealth. In particular, when a husband and wife’s relations.h.i.+p turned sour, one of them would give almost all their wealth and property to their favored children.

However, if a concubine’s child was killed outright, the perpetrator was punished by law. Even a covert attempt at murder was likely to leave traces or rumors, and so aristocrats and royals secretly attacked each other’s concubines using abortive drugs. However, I couldn’t agree with Sovieshu’s claim.

“No.”

I spoke plainly, and Sovieshu snorted. As he continued to speak quietly into my ear, I could feel strands of my hair fluttering underneath his breath.

“The arm will bend more easily inwards than outwards. I don’t think the Empress’ judgment has been clouded yet.”

(TN: Meaning a person will be more inclined to help people who are connected to them rather than people from the outside.)

“You ignored me and wouldn’t let me enter your room.”

“I was holding back my anger. I can’t work if I look at you.”

Sovieshu took a half step backwards, gave me a final glance, and then brushed past me. He must be going to Rashta’s room, but it wasn’t in that direction. His footsteps halted, and he turned his heel and approached me again.

“I was going to move on. But I can’t because I’m angry. You believe your brother is innocent, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you should investigate yourself. Who gave Rashta the drug?”

“Isn’t that your job?”

“Yes, it’s my job. But if I step up to investigate, it will hurt you!”

“?!”

“If Koshar is the criminal, my people will be angry at him for trying to hurt my child. No matter how careful I am, I will be forced to reveal the truth.”

“Don’t pretend to be concerned about me.”

Sovieshu’s expression twisted, and he leaned in with a threatening growl.

“Investigate it. Then come to me and apologize if I’m right.”

***

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Later that night, I had taken a bath and Countess Eliza was combing my hair.

“The maids and the chef were expelled from the palace.”

“Expelled…?”

“They hadn’t noticed that the drug was mixed in the food.”

“Was there anything about catching the culprit?”

“Nothing.”

“I see.”

After Countess Eliza left, I sat alone in front of the dresser and looked at my face. I couldn’t understand Sovieshu’s intentions. Did he really make that decision for my sake? Or was he trying to make me feel guilty so I couldn’t touch Rashta?

‘To find the answer, I have to find the truth.’

The next morning, I asked Countess Jubel to call for Marquis Farang. It would be best to talk to my brother in person, but he was banned from entering the palace. I heard that my father was so furious that he couldn’t even step out of his own home. The only person I could ask about this was Marquis Farang.

‘But it’s strange. How did Sovieshu notice that Rashta’s food contained the drugs? If Rashta didn’t even know, it must be something that doesn’t look obvious…’