Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Love and War
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“Say it again.”
Wesley, listening to the report, unwittingly flicked off his cigarette ash. It had been two days since the letter from Karenna’s mayor had come up in the meeting. The aide set down the report and added,
“There’s a high chance Viscount Ian Hielo passed through the area around the time the bandits in Karenna were wiped out. The routes from Hielo territory to the capital are limited, and passing through the triangle of Karenna, Longin, and such is the safest and fastest way.”
If only there hadn’t been those bandits. Wesley hurriedly stubbed out his cigarette and scowled. If the mercenary who took them out was indeed Ian, he must have harbored suspicions about the undead.
‘Did he notice traces of necromancy? But before that, how did the bandits even have undead? That bastard Ian might be investigating on his own. Did he access the archive after joining the Magic Department?’
His mind was a total mess. Anything else might be fine, but forbidden necromancy must never, ever be discovered by Gail.
As she gnawed at her nails, the aide gently stopped her.
“We’ve sent a messenger bird to Karenna for details, so we should have a reply soon.”
“Check if Ian accessed the archive.”
“Yes, understood.”
“…Did he come in today?”
“He arrived at dawn. Seems he has a lot to learn, going around the Magic Operations Division and other places for training.”
His stomach churned, blood rushing to his head. It felt like he could only calm down by dragging Ian in right now and yelling at him. Asking if he was the one who wiped out the bandits in Karenna, what he saw there, what he found out.
It was the moment Wesley couldn’t hold back, his hands trembling as he reached for another cigarette.
Knock knock.
“Lord Wesley. A message from His Highness Gail.”
“From His Highness? Let me hear it.”
She probably hadn’t realized it. That her trembling hands had stopped. The aide silently watched, gathering the documents to one side. Whenever there was a message from Gail, work was always pushed aside.
“‘Come to the palace whenever you have time,’ he said.”
“I see. Got it. I’ll head there right away.”
Wesley grabbed her outer jacket and stood without a moment’s hesitation. How long had it been since he last summoned her?
Contact had naturally dwindled amid rumors of him mingling with the daughter of House Haiman. She had endured it since the Haiman daughter could aid Gail’s cause, but she was reaching her limit.
“Oh, and a few days ago, there was a witness who saw Viscount Ian Hielo entering Prince Marib’s palace covered in blood.”
The aide followed her, delivering the rest of the minor reports verbally. Wesley’s footsteps echoed urgently through the empty corridor.
“Prince Marib’s palace?”
“We don’t know the reason, but it was late at night.”
Gail’s palace wasn’t an area Wesley monitored, so she hadn’t noticed Ian had seen Gail first. She scowled as she boarded the carriage.
“What about his residence?”
“He’s been staying at Lord Romandro’s estate under the Administrative Office, with no suspicious movements from the guards or otherwise. Seems it’s just him, a pregnant woman, and one servant.”
“I see.”
“He rarely returns home due to work.”
“Then, reduce the watch on the residence to a minimum.”
“We’ll redirect the rest to Ian.”
Wesley nodded, gazing at Gail’s palace drawing near. It had been so long since she’d seen her lover. Feeling her heart pound, she bounded up the stairs in one go.
Knock knock.
“Your Highness Gail.”
“Wesley, you’re here. I’ve been waiting.”
“It’s been ages. You’ve been so busy lately, it’s hard to even see your face. Not going on a flower-viewing outing with the daughter of House Haiman today?”
Gail lounged languidly on the sofa, merely smiling. Smoke from his cigarette drifted with his laughter. He beckoned her closer.
“Come here.”
Then, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap. Wesley naturally nestled into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Wesley. I’ve been truly thoughtless toward you all this time.”
“Your Highness, what’s this all of a sudden?”
A smile bloomed across Wesley’s face. It was so warm and beautiful, one might doubt if this was the same dignified head of the Magic Department who usually exuded coldness. Gail opened a small jewelry box and whispered,
“Open it.”
Click.
Earrings encrusted with densely packed diamonds. Wesley’s mouth fell slightly open at the gems sparkling like they held the light itself. Not because they were precious— as head of the Magic Department, Wesley’s wealth was among the empire’s elite. But this was…
“Your Highness, what did you do wrong to me?”
“As if.”
‘My first gift. From Your Highness to me.’
Instead of answering, Gail gently brushed her hair aside and put the earrings on her. As he touched her earlobe, Wesley felt tears welling up.
Yes. No matter the daughter of House Haiman, to Gail, she was still…
“You’re the one who’s done wrong, Wesley.”
It wasn’t a voice brimming with affection. Wesley read unfamiliar emotions in Gail’s gaze, so close their noses nearly touched. Disgust and contempt. Where had the man who’d just caressed her earlobe gone?
“Your Highness?”
“I’ve been truly thoughtless toward you.”
“Wh-what do you…”
Gail held Wesley tightly in his arms as he pulled documents from the table. She easily recognized what they were. A report on necromancy research results, stamped with the Magic Department’s top-secret seal. Her spine chilled, heart plummeting.
“To think I didn’t know you were scheming behind my back.”
Gail buried his face in Wesley’s nape, letting out a low laugh. She struggled to escape his embrace, but couldn’t overpower the man.
Grip.
“No, it’s not, Your Highness. It’s a misunderstanding—”
“Without the imperial blessing, my mind might’ve been consumed by now. So that’s why they all call you a witch. Bring the shackles!”
A subordinate emerged from the shadows, holding thick iron chains as if prepared. Terrified, Wesley cried out without thinking.
“Gail, hear me out first!”
Ziiing! Ziiing!
Her eyes turned golden, but no mana emanated. In the wine glass’s reflection, the diamonds by her ear gleamed conspicuously.
…Mana Sealing Stones.
“Shh, Wesley.”
Gail still pinned her wrists. He didn’t miss her stunned hesitation, snapping the shackles on and chaining her to a wall ring. That too embedded with Mana Sealing Stones.
“I want to snap your neck right now, but for old times’ sake, I’ll spare you. So behave.”
“…Old times?”
Wesley’s mind went blank. At the same time, her tongue moved of its own accord. She and Gail were practically one body. Yet he was trying to dispose of her without even hearing her defense, meaning her existence had already been erased from his mind.
“…You’re trying to replace me with someone else as minister, aren’t you?”
If Wesley, Magic Department Minister, were killed, an investigation would follow, and the forbidden necromancy would surely come to light.
For attempting to harm the prince, Marib would reform the Magic Department’s monopolistic power structure. It would be a fatal blow to Gail, tantamount to defeat.
“To keep me from the personnel meeting, you set up someone else and plan to kill me, me…”
Tears fell unwittingly. Wesley bit her lip hard and looked up at him, but Gail’s expression remained icy.
“I can’t fathom it. You’re so perceptive, yet you tried something so foolish. Wesley. What a shame. You were a fine ally in many ways.”
“No! Gail, you know. I would never betray you.”
I wanted to be with your future.
That was all.
“Really? Fine, then. I’ll give you one chance.”
At Gail’s nod, the subordinate offered the truth serum. The man leisurely shook the vial, tilting Wesley’s chin up. Bitter potion poured into her raised mouth.
“Guhk!”
Wesley coughed up blood. Endless blood poured out. Gail knelt on one knee, meeting her gaze.
“I’ll ask, Wesley.”
Please, ask the right question.
“Did you try to cast necromancy on me?”
Why not ask if she’d intended betrayal, or if she could swear eternal loyalty? Wesley pressed down her unruly tongue. But in the end, the truth spilled with the blood.
“…Yes.”
Gail frowned and stood. Wiping the blood with a handkerchief, he ordered the subordinate.
“Watch her without a moment’s lapse.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What of Wesley’s aide?”
“He’s waiting outside.”
“Deal with him. Tell the Magic Department Wesley’s on an extended trip for now. Prepare personnel to purge the Magic Support Division right after the personnel meeting.”
The subordinate affirmed and vanished into the shadows. As Gail turned to leave the bedroom, Wesley’s scream pierced his back.
“You always do this to me!”
“…”
“Gail, I love you. That’s why I did it. I knew you’d discard me eventually, so I just wanted to keep you by my side! You were always my future!”
Gail glanced back. Blood-soaked Wesley bit her lip, tears streaming. But Gail merely smirked.
“If you wanted to stay together, you should’ve known your place, Wesley. Then I would’ve taken responsibility for you to the end. You crossed the line.”
His gaze fell to Wesley’s lower jaw. No more blood flowed. The truth serum’s effect was said to last until the subject vomited blood.
“And I can’t trust your words without the blood.”
Bang!
The door shut without regret. In pitch darkness, Wesley swallowed her tears, glaring where Gail had been. Without blood, he couldn’t trust? Fine. Got it.
Crunch.
She tore into her lip, eyes blazing with rage. How dare he do this to her. How…
‘I’ll see this through to the end, Gail.’
She smeared her face in the blood pooling on the floor, screaming wretchedly. Gail’s steward ignored the faint howls as best he could and locked the door.
* * *
“Did you hear? They say things are really off between His Highness Gail and Minister Wesley lately.”
“Because of the daughter of House Haiman?”
“Dunno. Rumors are floating around. But those two have been together for ages, right?”
“But Minister Wesley’s on a trip now. They say His Highness Gail ordered it himself. If they were on bad terms, he wouldn’t trust her like that.”
“True. And is Minister Wesley the type to go wild? Without her bloodline, she’s still comparable to the Haiman girl.”
“So, Minister Wesley won’t attend the personnel meeting?”
“No need. She’ll be reappointed anyway.”
As the personnel meeting neared, people gathered and gossiped about high officials. It was only natural, with the year’s leaders to be decided.
Swoosh.
“Hm?”
“What is it?”
“I thought I heard someone.”
“Who else would be here besides us? Cut the nonsense and hurry. We’ll be late.”
Once the chattering group left, a ripple stirred in the space. It was Wesley’s aide, Bareto, who had been hiding with magic. He stared toward Gail’s palace with a complicated expression.
‘I’ll get you out soon, Lady Wesley.’