Chapter 179
Disguised as Prince Tarek, Iruel’s task was simple: use the poison to stab and eliminate Prince Camus. However, if their swords were swapped, the plan would be ruined, and worse, Iruel could end up poisoned himself.
“Tarek, is there a problem? It’s just a matter of exchanging identical swords. Why do you hesitate so?”
Prince Camus’s gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Prince Tarek.
He was suspicious.
Perhaps it was because of the prophecy from Saintess Sarubia, which declared he would die tonight. Since hearing it, Camus had been overly sensitive, watching Prince Tarek’s every move with growing unease.
“……”
Iruel loosened his tight grip on the rapier.
There was no choice.
If he refused to exchange swords, that would only raise more suspicion.
Better to go along with the switch.
The plan to poison Camus had failed. It was time to wait for another opportunity. First, he needed to get through this situation without drawing further attention.
His priority now was to avoid getting touched by the sword Camus would be wielding. The duel needed to end quickly. Even though Rufus would likely berate him later for failing to kill Camus, survival came first.
He only had one life to worry about. Staying alive was all that mattered.
Iruel obediently handed his rapier to Prince Camus.
“Let’s begin the duel.”
After exchanging swords with Iruel, Prince Camus took a ready stance, gripping the weapon in his gloved hand. The tip of the rapier was aimed directly at Prince Tarek.
‘That wretched bastard…’
Iruel gritted his teeth, glaring at Prince Camus who had just taken his sword.
Nothing else mattered right now but surviving. He couldn’t afford to let that sword touch him.
‘Rufus, if I die here, I swear I’ll haunt you in your dreams!’
Iruel silently cursed Rufus.
***
While Iruel faced off against Prince Camus, Rufus was having a private meeting with Crown Prince Viren.
“…You say you know where Her Majesty the Queen’s enchanted sword is?”
“Yes, I do.”
The location was the palace’s underground chambers, hidden away in a secret room that no one could easily find. The guards, scribes, and attendants had all been dismissed, leaving only Rufus and the Crown Prince in the room.
“Tell me. Where is Her Majesty’s sword?”
“It is in Prince Tarek’s palace.”
Hearing this, Crown Prince Viren narrowed his eyes, studying Rufus as if trying to see through him.
Noticing the Crown Prince’s intense gaze, Rufus calmly continued.
“You’re aware of Prince Tarek’s well-known fondness for drink, correct?”
“I am.”
“In the past few days, Prince Tarek has often summoned me to join him for drinks.”
This, too, was something the Crown Prince had already heard through the palace rumor mill. Reports had indicated that Rufus spent many nights with the heavily intoxicated Prince Tarek.
“One evening, while deeply intoxicated, Prince Tarek said something peculiar.”
“Peculiar?”
“Yes, something I found very strange.”
Rufus paused for a moment, allowing the tension to build before he continued in a measured tone.
“He said that the Queen’s spirit is buried within his palace.”
“……”
For a moment, the only light in the room, a single candle, flickered uneasily. Through the trembling flame, the Crown Prince’s face twisted with shock.
It was as though his expression had been contorted like a lump of clay carelessly thrown aside.
Rufus felt a strange, indescribable pleasure well up inside him.
Was the Crown Prince horrified? Was he in agony? Or was he overwhelmed by the revelation that his half-brother had desecrated their mother’s grave to steal her relic?
Yes. That’s the expression.
You look wonderful, Your Highness.
After a long, frigid silence, Crown Prince Viren exhaled deeply.
“…Has my brother Tarek really defiled my mother’s remains?”
The Crown Prince pressed a hand to his forehead, closing his eyes tightly.
“All the evidence suggests so.”
“And do you believe that Prince Tarek’s drunken words hold any credibility?”
“There’s an old saying: ‘In wine, there is truth.’ I believe this is not something to dismiss lightly.”
“……”
The Crown Prince’s lips clamped shut once more, as tight as a fortress’s gates. His mouth twitched slightly as if trembling with suppressed emotion.
“……”
Rufus watched him closely.
What was he thinking at that moment? Rage? Or perhaps sorrow?
Whatever emotions were swirling in the Crown Prince’s mind, Rufus didn’t care.
What mattered was that Viren was suffering.
Rufus hoped that Viren would be consumed by this fury, lose control, and act out of blind rage. He wanted Viren to spiral into self-destruction, driven by his unquenchable thirst for vengeance.
Of course, nothing could compare to the pain Rufus had felt when he lost Sarubia. But seeing Viren’s anguish might offer Rufus a small sense of satisfaction.
“Let me ask you one thing, Rufus Inferna.”
Crown Prince Viren stared directly into Rufus’s eyes, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
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