Chapter 75
Chapter 75
After sending Melanie to the garden party, Alteion was moving quickly.
Since he had decided to openly oppose the emperor, he had no intention of dragging things out. A swift and decisive attack would leave no time for the emperor to prepare.
'Fortunately, the emperor hadn't anticipated a scenario where I would survive unscathed after the banquet.'
As Alteion conferred with his most trusted retainers, he began to see a way forward.
'Even if he rushes to make preparations now, he won't be able to change the major plans already set in place.'
He bent over the map with his closest aides.
"His Majesty the Emperor will soon be departing for an inspection of the eastern Arten region. How about we seize the opportunity there?"
The Arten region had a favorable climate and abundant resources, but it was also a place where barbarian tribes settled nearby, leading to frequent conflicts.
The lord of Arten was one of the emperor's staunchest supporters, and the troops and supplies stationed there were practically an extension of the emperor's forces.
"A direct confrontation would be unwise. However, given the frequent battles in Arten, we could use that to our advantage."
Alteion had always been rigid and principled, a man who valued rules above all else. However, in a situation where a father was trying to kill his own son, survival demanded even the most dishonorable methods.
The emperor had tried to assassinate him first—why should he hesitate to do the same?
"If we make it appear as if a barbarian raid killed His Majesty the Emperor and the Lord of Arten..."
Alteion's gaze sharpened.
"The imperial succession would naturally fall into place."
"However, we would need to secretly move within the barbarian territory. Of course, Your Highness the Crown Prince cannot personally take part."
Due to prolonged exposure to poison, Alteion was physically incapable of engaging in direct combat. Moreover, if he were present at the site of his father's assassination, he would be the immediate suspect.
"Is there someone Your Highness can entrust with this mission—someone skilled in strategy and warfare, yet able to disappear from the capital for a time without raising suspicion?"
Alteion fell into deep thought at his retainers'question.
The person responsible for secretly eliminating the emperor and the Lord of Arten would have to bury the incident in history and return unscathed. If caught, they would be immediately executed for regicide.
No, even before that... they might be killed by the barbarians while blending into their ranks.
"It is, of course, a dangerous mission. If successful, granting the Arten territory as a reward would be wise."
Arten was a prosperous land with a mild climate. While it suffered frequent invasions from the barbarians, that also meant that whoever defended it could easily earn the unwavering loyalty of its people.
"...There is one person who comes to mind."
Alteion spoke slowly.
"However, I need to hear his thoughts first."
Someone he could trust with his back, someone capable of assassinating both the emperor and the Lord of Arten under the guise of a barbarian attack.
Someone who had already vanished once before—so if he disappeared again, no one would question it.
'Ekian Meius.'
Alteion knew Ekian well. There was no chance that he would die in a skirmish or show any weaknesses.
Of course, at the same time, there were plenty of reasons for Ekian to refuse this task.
His wife was pregnant, for one. Additionally, as the Young Duke of Meius, he lacked nothing in terms of wealth or status. Arten's territory was not something he would covet.
Under normal circumstances, Alteion wouldn't even consider making such a proposal. It was too far-fetched.
'But too many things don't add up.'
Ekian's recent actions had been entirely irrational. That alone made Alteion believe there was a possibility.
He bit his lower lip in contemplation.
'I can't predict his movements at all. That's why I can't afford to think within the bounds of common sense. I must at least make the offer.'
No matter what Ekian wanted—Alteion was prepared to grant it.
Eventually, the bathroom door opened.
Judith, wrapped tightly in a towel, took a deep breath.
"Trust me, Judith."
Master said quietly.
"I'll only take care of your leg and leave."
He strode over confidently and stood before her. Judith, without thinking, let out a shriek.
"Close your eyes!"
"How am I supposed to treat your leg if I close my eyes?"
Despite his exasperated response, Master took hold of her leg. Then, leaning his weight forward, he gently pressed against it.
"Just wait a moment like this, and the cramp should subside."
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Judith covered her face with her hands and shouted, "Don't look! I told you to close your eyes!"
"Alright, I'm closing them now."
"That means you did see! What's the point then?!"
"Since it makes no difference, should I just keep my eyes open? By the way, does it feel any better?"Master pulled her foot closer to her body as he asked.
Judith gritted her teeth in mortification and mumbled, "Ugh... How am I ever supposed to look you in the face again? Just leave once this is over. I honestly have nothing else to say."
"But I have something to say."
Master grumbled, though his hands continued to massage her leg gently. Judith could feel the heat creeping up her ears.
"W-what do you have to say?"
"I already asked—why were you avoiding me? Did you really have to act like I was some filthy pest? You knew I was worried about you."
At the word'worried,'Judith's face turned even redder. So, from the moment she had been drenched, he had been thinking about her.
It was true that she had avoided him out of embarrassment, but being the object of his concern didn't feel bad at all. In fact, deep inside, a strange sense of fulfillment began to bloom.
"Ah... um."
"You're not answering. That means you were avoiding me on purpose."
"I—I don't know! Anyway, I'm too embarrassed, so I don't think I can ever look you in the face again!"
"What nonsense."
Master clicked his tongue in frustration.
Judith desperately didn't want him to see how flustered she was. Especially since his expression was hidden behind a mask, giving him an advantage.
His gentle touch had already turned her thoughts into a mess, and she could only keep repeating herself.
"After experiencing something like this, how am I supposed to face you again? I just can't!"
At that, Master let out an exasperated sigh and immediately retorted, "Then what about me? After kissing you, I was absolutely mortified, but at least I didn't go around avoiding you—"
It was clearly a slip of the tongue. He cut himself off mid-sentence. Judith, eyes wide in shock, stared up at him from the floor.
"Ah..."
Master, now visibly flustered, let out a deep sigh and muttered under his breath.
"You were drunk that night, so I thought you didn't remember... But we did kiss. And I've had to endure that embarrassment all on my own..."
"Uh... Hold on a moment."
Judith blinked and interjected in a small voice.
"There's a slight error in that."
"...What?"
"I didn't forget. I remember everything."
"...What?"
"We kissed. You were struggling, so I helped you..."
This time, it was Master who fell into stunned silence.
"You acted so normal afterward that I assumed you'd completely forgotten."
He stammered, utterly bewildered, "So... You remembered everything but still acted like it never happened?"
His voice was laced with shock as he continued, "Was it such a meaningless event to you that you could just brush it off like nothing?"
"Ah... That's not it."
Judith hesitated before glancing up at him.
"I just thought you wanted to pretend it never happened. Was I wrong?"