Chapter 176

The Emperor held a banquet announcing Lawrence’s return. It marked the end of a year-long seclusion, so many nobles gathered. Whether to celebrate or to watch his movements, there was plenty for people to attend to at the banquet. Naturally, Ren and I attended as well.

“Lawrence, I have returned repentant for my past wrongs. From now on I will do my best to be of service to the Empire and to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Heh heh, well. Lawrence. I trust you have learned much during that time.”

“Yes. I am simply grateful for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

‘Good grief.’

The Emperor proudly introduced Lawrence to the nobles, and I had to force myself to hide the crumpling expression that involuntarily crossed my face.

For some reason his fiancée, Princess Seref, was not visible. Was she ill? Having had tea with her a few times over the year, her absence stood out first. The typical Lawrence-aligned faces — Duke Seref and Marcus the Marquess — were grinning broadly.

Lawrence’s recent actions were clear.

‘Intimidation.’

He hadn’t been trying to brutally kill someone. He staged things to look like accidents, like coincidences. If he had intended otherwise, there would have been injuries when his friends’ house caught fire.

No evidence remained that he had done it. But it was enough to unsettle the targets.

‘An applied version of the gaslighting he used on Raven, perhaps.’

The man, who lacked any ability to empathize, had no hesitation in attempting psychological manipulation. That was proof enough that he did not think normally.

‘He said he devoted himself to study, but was this all he learned?’

He had realized it was more effective to target my surroundings than to go after me directly. On the surface, that made me — who had many things to protect — seem disadvantaged.

‘That’s why, Lawrence, you cannot become Emperor.’

At the banquet Lawrence showed up with an even stronger poker face as he spoke with the nobles. His striking looks gleamed today in a particularly unpleasant way.

“Ria, shall we dance a song?”

Ren, sensing my discomfort, gently led me to the dance floor. Seeing his effort to cheer me even a little bit made my earlier worries suddenly feel pointless.

“Were you worried?”

He smiled as he moved with practiced steps. Even though I saw his perfect banquet attire and neatly combed hair every time, I couldn’t shake the thought that he was handsome. Could such a thought arise amid this serious worry!

“A little. Even if you say you’re fine, you’re someone who worries.”

“I know. I’m the kind of person who tires myself out. Even if I try to change, I can’t seem to.”

“Ria, I’m truly fine. Others said they’re fine too.”

“I know. But I can’t stand living on the receiving end of it. I was thinking of sending a bunch of dead cockroaches to Lawrence’s palace. Would rats be better?”

“What? Pfft.”

Ren chuckled softly throughout the dance. Seeing that rare warmth come to his usually cold face, I didn’t expect eyes from both men and women to fall on us.

“I’ll send that at the right time. And I’ve placed secret guards on your friends, so they’re safe. You know as well as I do that making you worry and fret is exactly what he wants.”

“I know. That’s why it’s irritating. Huh, and you lost a companion animal like a friend……”

That was the most troubling part. No one was hurt, the house could be repaired, Kiara scoffed at the dead black swan, but a lost animal friend does not come back.

“I buried it in a good place. It’s a pity to send it off like that, but I’m glad it didn’t suffer through illness.”

Ren’s mouth looked truly sad as he said that. When the music ended, I took his hand and we stepped off the floor.

“Always a pleasing pair to see. Chancellor, would you dance a song with me?”

It was Lawrence. Ren’s gaze sharpened as he tried to send me away, but I grabbed his arm instead.

A brazen man must be met with brazen behavior.

“Whaat? Me? Are you serious? Really??”

I opened my eyes wide and wore an innocent expression as if I had misheard. I’m sure it would match this appearance perfectly.

“You don’t even want to dance with someone who secluded himself?”

He put on a weak act and looked at me with a doleful gaze. I smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

Gasps were audible around us. I could even feel Ren flinch beside me.

“Hoho, I’m joking. I don’t have much stamina, so today I only want to dance with my fiancée. The Prince also has a fiancée, does he not? The Chancellery has been terribly busy this past year. The major incidents haven’t been easy to resolve. The Prince must know. Ah, being confined to the palace you might not be well aware…?”

A crease formed between his brows. I was pleased.

“Recently there have been regrettable rumors about the central ministries… that you rose to the position of Chancellor on the backing of a Duke. Absurd talk. Are you well, sir?”

“Of course. I trust no one around me. They have seen me at work. Strange… Prince Lawrence must have seen closely as well.”

“…Yes, he saw very clearly.”

The crease deepened. It almost sounded as if something there was grinding.

“His Majesty the Emperor does not appoint just anyone as Chancellor. Because the appointment was so unorthodox, such rumors arose. As a loyal subject of His Majesty, I work day and night so as not to disappoint him.”

Before I knew it, everyone had stopped and was listening to the three of us. Most of the nobles nodded as if they agreed with me. Then suddenly the Emperor approached us.

“Indeed, the Chancellor is a loyal subject I personally selected. I have not a single regret in appointing you, Chancellor. Everyone already knows your ability, do they not?”

‘Oh, how unexpected that he took my side.’

Ren whispered.

“If His Majesty is watching Lawrence’s movements, he might also be aware of the strange threats. It seems he judges Lawrence is going too far now.”

The Emperor surely remembered their conversation from that day about how he would not tolerate it if Lawrence crossed the line first.

The Emperor took Lawrence toward another group of nobles. I felt I could finally breathe. Officials from the Chancellery who had been observing the situation and other nobles I knew edged closer. Nobles who had consistently shown interest in Raven also came over to chat with us.

“Where the Emperor’s favor will tilt…”

“The throne of the Emperor cannot be secured by skill alone.”

“One cannot easily ignore the legitimacy of the Empress’s offspring.”

“Although it’s only a year of seclusion, seeing His Majesty stay so close makes it hard to gauge…”

“Given Prince Raven’s temperament, could he really push his elder brother aside? He followed him so devotedly…”

A marquess who didn’t know Raven’s circumstances cupped his chin as if worried. Nobles who only remembered the past chimed in agreement.

“Back then he was a respected elder brother. But now—is that still the case?”

At that significant remark, the nobles silently swallowed.

Just then Lawrence approached Prince Raven, who was coming toward our side. It was close enough to intuit their conversation, so I watched quietly.

“How have you been, little brother?”

“Brother Lawrence, have you been well?”

At first it was a routine greeting.

“I’ve kept to myself. Raven, you didn’t come to see me during that time. Still, you’re my cherished brother; I’m a little hurt.”

He was subtly getting started.

“I’m sorry, brother. His Majesty ordered strictly, so I refrained from visiting for fear that I might become more of a burden to you. Besides, trying to fill your absence left me no time.”

‘Oh?’

I thought that just being able to converse without losing composure would be a success. But Raven not only met Lawrence’s eyes confidently, he was also deliberately getting under his skin. And he did it well.

“…So, was it well filled?”

“Of course not. It was truly difficult during the year you were absent. Now I’m more or less adapted.”

‘I kind of feel his cadence is similar to mine…’

In any case Raven was properly taunting him. Lawrence’s seclusion made work difficult, but he’d adapted; meaning there’s nothing left for his brother to do. Basically, go away. It was a surprisingly sophisticated form of speech, and Lawrence, perhaps understanding the insult, clenched his fist tightly.

“You’ve changed a lot. It feels like only yesterday you followed me around. Rotten… you’re not cute anymore.”

Raven snorted a laugh.

“How old do you think I am? Isn’t it time to walk side by side rather than be cute? I’m glad you’ve returned, brother.”

Raven even hugged Lawrence first. After all he’d gone through, he seemed remarkably tolerant. Is that the caliber someone who aims for the Emperor’s throne must have? I was lost.

“You’ve suffered much, so perhaps you may rest now.”

“You needn’t worry. I’m still young and strong. Call on me whenever needed.”

‘Crazy, bringing up age too.’

Even if I had endured it, that attack would have hit hard. Raven’s rhetoric had also improved by leaps and bounds. In one year he had grown both inside and out; I felt it viscerally. That alone made attending today’s banquet worthwhile.

After the banquet, Ren and I rode in a carriage heading home. Perhaps I was tense over that man’s return, or maybe sleepiness hit me; I leaned on Ren’s shoulder and closed my eyes.

“I’ll wake you when we arrive. Sleep a bit.”

His tone, which had softened considerably over the year, made me unconsciously lift the corner of my mouth. As I sank deeper into sleep inhaling his scent, my body suddenly lurched and I fell into Ren’s arms. I was jolted awake.

“Ren?”

When I came to, the carriage that had been moving had stopped. A guard outside shouted.

“Ambush!”

At that moment, an arrow pierced into the carriage and grazed my arm. Instinctively I knew.

It was a poisoned arrow.