TVGS 109

Chapter 109

A few days later, inside the reception room of the Elemore mansion.

The man who appeared in long, heavy priest robes was none other than Kubel Hintz.

He had been the High Priest appointed by the Rebel Emperor.

He hurriedly bowed his head deeply to greet me.

“Eh, I greet Duke Elemore!”

“I didn’t think you would run here the moment I called. You must be quite desperate, aren’t you?”

At my cold voice, he fell to his knees like begging.

“L-lady… no, Duke. Please help me.”

More than half of the nobles who had actively cooperated with the Rebel Emperor were purged, and the purge was still ongoing.

“I am innocent. Investigators come every day to interrogate me, trying to dig up sins I never committed. Please help me just once, and I will repay the favor.”

Those who had been deeply involved in the usurpation, and who exploited or killed imperial citizens, were hanged.

Those who flattered the Rebel Emperor but did their duties properly without exploiting others received only dismissal.

Those who had simply worked faithfully under both the late emperor and the Rebel Emperor kept their positions.

And those who had supported Etias, the true emperor, and helped others even in hardship, were rewarded with promotions and honors.

Kubel Hintz seemed to be a case not yet decided among those categories.

“I, I am only a priest who follows God’s will. Even imperial law says priests have independent religious freedom.”

“….”

With hands folded like prayer, he said:

“I gave strength to the imperial citizens during the troubled times of the Rebel Emperor’s incompetent rule, through faith.”

“Ha….”

I crossed my arms and spoke.

“Religious freedom as a priest, was that preaching that the Rebel Emperor was God’s chosen emperor?”

He had reached the position of High Priest thanks to the Rebel Emperor’s help—a corrupt priest who clung to power like a parasite.

“T-that was only because God gave such a voice then… Now God says even that process was meant to be nourishment for His Majesty’s growth. I only acted by listening to God’s voice…”

I could see why Kubel Hintz had not yet been dismissed.

Because of the special position of priests, even investigators could not agree on how to punish someone who excused himself with God’s name.

After becoming emperor, Etias ordered punishments and rewards to follow legal procedure, not reckless purges.

“Kubel Hintz.”

He feared me.

I knew his weakness, and once, in the palace garden, I had beaten him like a mad dog for insulting Etias.

He also knew that no matter how he squirmed with sophistry, I could send him to ruin if I wished.

I raised the corner of my lips and stepped closer, locking eyes with him.

“You are a disgusting human being.”

“…!”

His eyes shook violently.

“You have a mind as terrible as your private life. A bat-like man who clung to power and twisted God’s words however you wanted.”

“Hiiik!”

I looked at him with a faint smile.

“At this rate, you will surely be executed. Even if the investigators hesitate, Duke Camel Beatrice’s nature will not allow it.”

“Ugh…”

At the word ‘execution,’ Kubel’s legs gave way and he collapsed.

I whispered to him like giving a last hope.

“Though you can’t escape punishment, there is one way to at least save your life. Want me to tell you?”

He trembled as he looked up at me.

I had always wondered how assassins from the five western nations had managed to reach the heavily guarded imperial prison.

If they were behind Duke Luciano Elemore’s death, and the past attack on Etias, then they must have had a stronghold somewhere.

Their appearance was very noticeable, and in groups even more so.

‘With pale skin and nearly silver eyes, they would have to cover their entire bodies. And the only place such clothing would be accepted is…’

“Please tell me how to live. I will do anything.”

Kubel Hintz pleaded desperately.

“Then listen…”

I whispered something quietly to him.

His eyes shook, and his face twisted in shock.

“But, but Duke… That would overturn the foundation of the temple. It is not something I can bear responsibility for.”

“Then will you just die as you are?”

At my words, Kubel blinked and couldn’t say anything.

“Think carefully about what your only way to survive is.”

With a chin gesture telling him to leave, he rose with a pale face.

He staggered blankly, then asked:

“But if I do this, will Your Grace truly save me?”

Just then, noisy voices came from outside.

At the fussing of the maids, I twitched my eyebrow. Soon, after a knock, Anes appeared.

“My lady, His Majesty the Emperor is on his way.”

Kubel, who had been standing awkwardly, trembled at the word “His Majesty.”

Then his eyes fell on my ring, and for a moment they shook with surprise.

“…That is…”

Looking at me, he nodded as if deciding something.

“…I will do it. But you must keep your promise.”

After Kubel Hintz left, I went outside to greet Etias.

In the garden of the Elemore estate.

A warm breeze blew, brushing Etias’s black hair.

His deep eyes held only me, and my heart, which I had suppressed, began to pound again.

“Your Majesty. You must be busy…”

Etias stepped closer toward me.

My splendid favorite.

He suddenly reached out and cupped my right cheek.

With slightly furrowed brows, he said:

“I came because I missed you.”

I had heard those same words before, in front of the Sistina orphanage.

Even so, I still didn’t know how to answer when he looked straight at me and said such shameless words.

“I understand you must work for the empire.”

“….”

“But come to see me. If you don’t, I will come like this myself.”

—Come to see me.

The image of him gazing at me with deep eyes in the palace before the revolution overlapped.

“I was going to come.”

I lowered my gaze and whispered.

“I have reports to give too…”

Since the deaths of my three enemies, I had been working even harder.

Yesterday I had a dream where Phileos’s dead face turned into Etias’s when I drew close.

I had woken in fright, my bed drenched in sweat.

“Huu.”

Looking at my shadowed face, a small sigh escaped Etias’s lips.

“Don’t overdo it.”

At his words, my fingertips flinched.

He gently pulled me into his arms, resting my forehead against his chest.

“It’s meaningless if you collapse like this.”

His quiet voice, mixed with rebuke and guilt, soothed me.

He was worried for me.

“…Your Majesty.”

“You are the most precious to me.”

He said, holding me with strong arms.

It felt like standing inside a warm greenhouse under spring sunlight.

With a faint smile, I softly answered:

“Yes.”

Me too.