Blood and the Empire, Part 7
"'Why did I come to the West?' I must say, I am disappointed in you, Kalupen."
"...What do you mean by that?"
Though my voice was soft and seemingly considerate, Kalupen's face twisted in slight irritation.
I felt his cold gaze shift toward me.
I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled, deliberately making it sound like a sneer.
"Kalupen, do you know how long you have been in the West?"
"It has only been a short while."
Perhaps his pride was wounded, for Kalupen spoke in a chilly tone, his eyes narrowing sharply.
But for someone like me—who had smiled even with a gun pressed to my forehead and a dagger at my throat—this did not move me in the slightest.
I looked up, meeting Kalupen's gaze with absolute composure.
"I am asking how much time you have spent in the West this year."
"...About a month. There was an order to hand over the classified information quickly. It couldn't be helped."
"A month... Ha."
I scoffed, glaring at Kalupen with icy eyes.
Then, I muttered in a tone of sheer disbelief.
"A month... you say."
"Is there a problem with that?"
"A problem?"
The smile vanished from my lips.
"'It couldn't be helped' is just your excuse!"
My face contorted in sudden rage as I roared at him.
I slammed the wineglass in my hand onto the floor.
Crash!
The shattering glass sent a chilling shiver through the cold air of the room.
Rein stared at me, his eyes wide with bewilderment, as if asking, What on earth are you doing?
I snapped my head toward him.
"Are you people out of your minds?! Did you honestly think the Minister of Finance staying in the West for that long wouldn't arouse suspicion?! Do you have any idea how hard I had to work to convince the Princess and deflect her doubts, and now you dare to suspect me?! Kalupen!"
I turned back to Kalupen, panting, the veins in my neck bulging.
Because I had always maintained a relaxed, unflappable demeanor, he stared at me blankly, utterly bewildered.
Confronted by my explosive outburst, Kalupen knitted his brows.
"...Did she suspect something? No, she is not the type to investigate that thoroughly. My forged evidence—"
"For God's sake... *Tsk.* Do your job properly! I nearly lost my head because of this! Did you honestly think you wouldn't draw attention by lingering in the West for so long?"
"Hawin, calm down. I acknowledge your efforts in persuading the Princess."
He gestured for me to sit.
I glared at him until the very moment I sat back down.
Kalupen tried his best to maintain his composure, but he couldn't hide his anxiety. His eyes darted around, and he swallowed hard.
"Did she realize something?"
"Halfway, yes. I managed to divert the Princess's and the others' attention, coaxing them as best as I could. Kalupen, the longer you stay in the West, the more dangerous it becomes. I am in danger right now because of this!"
"T-Then, shouldn't we send you back to the Imperial Palace, Kalupen?" Aletz von Rein asked, flustered.
Kalupen fell into deep thought, letting out a sigh as he pressed his hand to his forehead.
This unexpected complication was clearly giving him a headache.
I stared at him coldly, silently demanding to know what his next move would be.
"You must know that now is the perfect time for the Nine Kingdoms to invade. Yet you made such a blunder. This is unlike you, Kalupen. And here I thought you were the only one who could change the Empire."
"Yes... only I can change the Empire," Kalupen muttered, gulping down his wine as if his throat had suddenly gone dry.
The reason he was in the West at this specific time was because of the Emperor.
The Emperor was the true ruler of the Empire, but he was currently in critical condition, on the verge of dying from a chronic illness.
Yet, he was a stubborn man who would only relinquish his crown once he was dead.
Right now. With the Emperor critically ill and the nation faltering to its limits.
This was the perfect opportunity for the Nine Kingdoms to ruin the Empire.
Kalupen, you might succeed... but you will have no honor.
There is no honor in treason.
Kalupen was a man drunk on youthful ambition, genuinely believing he could reshape the Empire.
Yet, he was also the traitor who would lead it to ruin by borrowing the power of the Nine Kingdoms.
I had to subtly manipulate those inner desires of his.
"If you return to the Imperial Palace now, Kalupen, you will be in grave danger. But staying here is just as risky... I do not know what we should do."
I presented the dilemma.
Kalupen was stuck between a rock and a hard place—unable to stay in the West, yet unable to return to the Imperial Palace.
If he went back to the palace, his head would roll the moment he was caught. If he stayed in the West, the suspicions would only grow.
What would Kalupen consider the best choice here?
A long silence stretched between us.
I kept my accusing glare fixed on Kalupen.
Rein looked completely lost, unable to grasp the situation at all.
Kalupen massaged his throbbing temples, agonizing over his options.
The initiative Kalupen had tried to seize had already shifted to me.
He was the one anxious now.
"Then... I will entrust the key information to you. You are the only one who can remain in the Imperial Palace and gather intelligence. Since my credibility has already taken a hit, I must stay in the West for the time being and monitor the situation. Can you do it?"
Kalupen finally spoke after a long silence, his face dark.
Time was running out.
But Kalupen was no "hero" willing to risk his life by returning to the palace.
So, he was passing the hot potato to me—handing over the communication device and information for the Nine Kingdoms.
Is that... the best you can do?
I sneered inwardly, but outwardly, I let out a long, heavy sigh.
"...If this is for our sake, and for the Nine Kingdoms."
"I will make sure your efforts are remembered," Kalupen said, biting his lip.
Look at him, playing the hero.
I scoffed quietly.
In the bedroom.
Lady Aran was waiting anxiously.
This is driving me craaaazy...
Of course, Lady Aran had used her charms before, but she had never approached someone so blatantly.
The clothes she wore were practically rags.
She forced a smile onto her face, but the corners of her mouth trembled uncontrollably.
"Hawin, you goddamn bastard, I hope you rot in hell..." she muttered, her legs shaking.
Lady Aran had only one mission.
To record Rein admitting to treason. Once that was done, she could ruin the mood and leave.
The task itself didn't make her nervous. Rather, it was Hawin's behavior that worried her more.
Why?
Lady Aran knew exactly what a scoundrel Hawin was, and how he had ruined her life.
Yet, looking at his actions, everything seemed bizarre.
"He's walking into hell on purpose... giving me chances... No! That jerk threw me into the abyss!" Lady Aran muttered, holding her head.
Her amber eyes wavered, filled with confusion.
Ever since their conversation over black tea, her mind had been in a frenzy.
Hawin had tricked her into confessing to the poisoning, shattering her peaceful life.
But when she thought about it carefully...
Whether the poisoning succeeded or failed, I would have died either way.
For some reason, Hawin had spared her.
Of course, he must have kept her alive because she was useful.
But without Hawin... she would have been dead without a doubt.
Instead, Hawin kept her alive, pretending to use her under the pretext of her being "useful."
The more Lady Aran thought about it, the more her head ached.
"What on earth is going on..."
Even when they got into the carriage together, and even after passing through the Warp Gate.
Lady Aran had constantly rebelled.
She had even blurted out something as outrageous as, "What will you do if I commit treason?!"
Yet Hawin merely offered a faint, artificial smile and kept giving her chances.
To say it was just because she was useful... wasn't it too strange?
"What is he planning?"
Lady Aran stopped muttering and glanced to the side.
There stood a mirror.
Because she had dressed up elaborately to seduce Rein, a stunning beauty stared back at her.
Lady Aran gazed blankly at her reflection.
...Could it be?
Does he like me?
"Right, why else would he keep saving my life?"
Come to think of it, he gave her a handkerchief when she threw up.
He let her drink black tea.
He even told her to call him "Oppa"...
Oh my goodness!
Lady Aran's eyes widened in shock. Her face flushed bright red in an instant.
"Does he really like me?"
Suddenly, a surge of confidence filled her.
Her mind cleared, and she reverted to her usual smug, arrogant self.
She smirked, her confident laughter echoing in the room.
"Fufufu, of course... That bastard is a man, after all."
She muttered words that would have made Hawin clutch the back of his neck in frustration.
Well, she would deal with Rein quickly and then tease Hawin.
Just then.
Click.
The bedroom door opened.
Aletz von Rein walked in with a exhausted expression, only to freeze and widen his eyes upon spotting Lady Aran.
"Hello there."
"...Aran?"
"For a brave hero to be so startled by a lady, you are unexpectedly cute. Fufu. Come, sit by my side." Lady Aran smiled softly, taking Rein's hand and leading him.
Aletz von Rein sat on the edge of the bed with a dazed expression.
Lady Aran naturally poured some alcohol as she spoke, handing the glass to the bewildered Rein.
"Do you not find this young lady to your liking?"
"N-No... I like you. Ah, so that's how it is?!"
"Please, drink slowly."
"Bwahahaha! Yes, indeed, you recognize a true hero! Of course, how could I refuse a drink from a beauty!"
Rein gulped down the alcohol.
"Oh, drink slowly..."
"Kha!"
"After all, the night is still very young."