Part 2, Chapter 26
Part 2, Chapter 26
Translation: godsn
"Ha, if only Father had shown even half as much restraint today, things wouldn't have gone so awry. To think he even drew the Saintess's attention for nothing...!"
After his father left, Samon exploded in frustration.
The current state of the Claudio family was like a shiny but rotten apricot—beautiful on the outside but decaying within.
Outwardly, they appeared to be thriving with Iason's support and the Emperor's trust, but inside, they were thoroughly rotten.
Perdiccas II had saved the Claudio family by handing over the Fourth Imperial Princess and the Elamuz Strait.
But when it became known that Valdina had begun trade through the strait and that the Sardinia Island ceded by the Fourth Princess contained vast deposits of mithril—
"Do you wretched vermin have any idea what you've cost me?!"
Perdiccas II's fury reached its peak.
That day, Samon nearly died from the Emperor's beating. Like father, like daughter—the Emperor mercilessly struck him with an iron cane without hesitation.
While trying to block the cane, Samon's arm was broken, forcing him to wear bandages for nearly half a year.
And now, the secret order Perdiccas II had given him for this imperial proclamation ceremony:
"Kill him or bring him down—just make sure that bastard never sits on the throne. Carve a hole into the damned Valdina royal family so you can force your way in! Fail, and I'll slice your necks stitch by stitch and feed you to the dogs."
Ruining the celebration banquet wasn't enough to satisfy Perdiccas II.
These worthless scraps he had paid dearly to bring from Valdina had to prove their worth.
"The one saving grace is that the Valdina bastards still have only one king in their lineage."
For three years, Pelleus had not married.
Countless marriage proposals had been sent to Valdina, but not a single one had succeeded.
With the position of Empress vacant, there was no heir either.
If Pelleus alone were to fall, the throne would pass to the Claudios.
But for that, a major change had to occur in Pelleus's circumstances.
Something so significant that Pelleus could no longer govern—forcing them to seek a replacement.
"If we fail to carry out the Emperor's command, death is the only thing waiting for us in Kazen."
Samon gnawed on his lower lip. He couldn't hide his tension in the face of a situation that had gone awry from the very start.
"The celebration banquet is just the beginning. It's too early to give up. We still have the Night of Saint Augustine."
Count Laju approached and patted Samon's shoulder, reminding him.
To Samon, Count Laju was far more reliable than his pathetic father.
"Saint Augustine... That's right. Ah, I had forgotten, Uncle."
Samon's voice, which had been tense with anxiety, relaxed noticeably.
The Night of Saint Augustine was a grand, time-honored festival celebrated by people across the entire continent, regardless of nationality.
The Holy Kingdom had entrusted Valdina with hosting the event this time—an occasion previously held only in the Kazen Empire.
It was their reward for discovering the Saintess.
Though internal tensions simmered due to Rachel, outwardly, it gave the impression that the Holy Kingdom valued diplomatic relations with Valdina enough to entrust them with the Continental Festival.
Unaware of the intricate details, Samon and Count Laju naturally assumed the same.
"I hear the sacred flame for the Continental Festival, sent by the Pope, will soon arrive at the strait. Is everything prepared?"
"Yes, Uncle. We've made thorough preparations. Everything will proceed as planned."
Samon nodded in response to Laju's question.
On the Night of Saint Augustine, when Pelleus ascends the altar to light the sacred flame, the festival will begin.
The moment Pelleus steps onto the altar holding the Pope's offering, the altar will collapse. Stone walls and statues will crumble, burying the Holy Slaughterer beneath them.
Whether he would still retain his sanctity after being crushed under the weight of massive stone statues remained to be seen.
With a soft thud, Samon exited the study after concluding his conversation with Laju.
"Master."
The elderly butler who had been waiting extended a white handkerchief.
Samon glanced down at his own hand. The glass of his wristwatch had shattered, slightly grazing his skin.
"Shall I escort you to your chambers? I informed the mistress that you have already retired for the evening."
"...Thank you, Alberto."
Samon praised the butler as he passed by.
The elderly attendant, hastily procured from the Kazen Empire, was slightly hunched but remarkably competent.
His quick wit was particularly invaluable—each time his mother and sister flew into hysterics, he deftly shielded Samon, just as he had today, earning his master's trust.
"Haah..."
Samon closed his eyes.
The tumultuous events of the day flickered through his mind like a panorama.
Suddenly, the stinging pain from the wound left by the shattered watch glass flared up again.
With rough strokes, Samon scrubbed the bloodied skin with the pristine, unblemished cloth.
But more agonizing than the pain was the humiliating memory from before the banquet—when he had been forced to kneel and look up at Pelleus.
The piercing stares that had stabbed at him. The icy chill of the marble floor biting into his knees.
The shame of being unable to meet Pelleus's gaze, his head bowed low...
'Pelleus... you should have killed me that day.'
Because unless I'm dead, I will never relinquish your throne.
In just three years, a royal seat elevated to an imperial throne. That indifferent face, basking in the people's reverence and cheers.
A spark of fury flickered in Samon's eyes.
"They say one can find the love of their life on the Night of Saint Augustine. Hmph. I wonder if that blessing will extend to him."
It was a muttered whisper, thick with spite and loathing.
"......"
"Let's go."
"Yes."
As if he had heard nothing, the attendant silently followed Samon without comment.
"Master, rest well."
The attendant closed the door behind him as he left Samon's bedroom.
"Sir, you should retire as well. The night is late!"
"Right. All of you, go to bed. If anything happens, ring the bell."
"Yes!"
The slow, heavy footsteps echoing through the hallway only ceased once the butler had entered his own room.
Creak.
With the sound, a thick, dark mustache fell away.
Thud.
A white wig followed suit.
"Thought I'd die from the heat."
The butler straightened his hunched posture, his back now perfectly upright as if it had never been bent.
Splash—
Beside the tub where he poured cool water, atop the discarded clothes, lay a pendant shaped like a red fox.
Knock knock.
Meanwhile, Laju, still in the study, lifted his head at the sound.
"You—!"
It was Catherine. Laju hastily scanned their surroundings.
"It's fine. The children—and him—are all asleep. If anyone comes, I'll just say I came to ask you about today's events."
"...Cat, do you think I don't know you? You didn't come here to ask—that was your excuse from the start."
Laju sighed and pulled Catherine inside. Then, just as she had hoped, he recounted everything that had transpired at the Detached Palace.
"Damn it, I knew it! We're doomed to live in this hell forever. Ugh...!"
As her fears became reality, Catherine burst into tears.
"I—I can't take it anymore. If we're going back to Kazen, I'd rather just die here."
"Shh, my love. Don't say that. There's no need to worry. You, and our Virna—you'll both be able to stay in Valdina."
Laju soothed her. From within his embrace, she lifted her tear-streaked face.
"How?"
"It involves an imperial decree, so I can't go into details."
"But what if it fails...?"
Catherine remained uneasy. No matter how many schemes they devised, no matter how meticulously they planned, they had always failed against Medeia and her brother.
"I know what you're afraid of. That's why I took extra precautions. I've just sent a certain... medicine to the King."
"Medicine?"