Chapter 238
—Drip.
A single drop of blood fell onto the pure white marble.
It didn’t take long for him to realize what had just happened. The King had taken the sword standing beside him and hurled it at the Crown Prince.
‘Well now.’
Rufus clicked his tongue inwardly.
“Your Majesty the King.”
Viren’s voice trembled faintly.
The King’s sword, which had grazed past his cheek, was embedded in the wall of the office. The blade, propelled violently by amplified magic, had flown with such force that half of it was lodged into the wall. Fragments of cracked stone from the damaged wall crumbled down like brittle bone dust.
‘For an old man, his magic is still quite impressive.’
Rufus glanced briefly at the sword the King had thrown.
Still.
He expected the King’s emotions to flare violently, but he never imagined it would go this far. Even if his trusted son had just defied him, how could he commit such an act in front of his own subordinates?
He truly is digging his own grave.
Viren wiped the wound on his cheek with the back of his hand. Blood that hadn’t yet dried stained his pale skin.
“Your Majesty… how, how could you…”
Viren’s stumbling voice slowly cracked apart.
“Leave!”
The King shouted loudly while covering his face with one hand. Beneath the shadow cast by his hand, his tightly clenched teeth were visible.
“All of you, leave! At once!”
“Your Majesty, I—”
“What are you doing! Drive everyone out of this room!”
The King cut off Viren’s words and roared at the soldiers. At the King’s sharp command, the soldiers waiting near the door hurried inside and began dragging the people in the office out.
Rufus also allowed himself to be led outside by the soldiers without resistance.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
Rufus, who had been pushed out of the office together with Crown Prince Viren, approached him while pretending to be concerned. However, Viren couldn’t bring himself to answer.
“His Majesty the King… struck… me…”
The bloodstains that smeared Viren’s face and the back of his hand still stood out vividly. He couldn’t even bring himself to think about healing the wound with magic.
‘Now that is a face worth looking at.’
I like it. I am very satisfied.
The expression now cast across Viren’s face was the finest one Rufus had ever seen.
Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. That must have been quite a shock.
You never imagined your own father would throw a weapon at you. Even I, who deliberately provoked you into defying the King, didn’t predict that.
Throwing a sword at your only remaining son. Is he even in his right mind?
‘No, actually this works out well.’
Things were moving in a better direction than he expected. If things continued like this, the royal family’s complete ruin would only be a matter of time.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Rufus spoke words of comfort to Viren in a low voice that sounded heavy with sympathy.
“Please do not blame His Majesty the King. It seems His Majesty has not been acting rationally recently after losing two princes one after another.”
You see, Your Highness the Crown Prince. The King isn’t rational right now.
“Although the scribes and soldiers were present, it is truly fortunate that no one was injured.”
The King behaves recklessly even in front of his subordinates.
“Since His Majesty is acting with such conviction, it seems I have no choice but to yield my position.”
The King is stubborn over something utterly unnecessary. Is it not truly disgraceful?
“I will send a letter to Baroness Inferna immediately and have the Cytiro moved to the capital.”
“……”
“Although many people who have already set out on the road will end up making the journey to the border for nothing because they have not heard the news, what could possibly be more important than upholding the honor of the royal family?”
The King does not hold the well-being of the people in his heart. The only thing he desires is the elevation of his own name, the praise and worship of the people, and the eternal glory of the royal family.
Now then, Your Highness the Crown Prince.
Do you still wish to follow such a King?
“What do you think, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
Rufus slowly turned his gaze toward Viren. Viren still stood there with his lips tightly bitten.
“…I will return to my palace.”
Only after a long moment did Viren finally force out the words.
“Allow me to accompany you.”
“No. I want to be… alone.”
Alone. I want to be alone… Viren murmured those words as he began walking away with unsteady steps, suppressing the sigh that tried to escape his lips. He refused even the escort that attempted to accompany him and walked alone toward his palace.
Rufus stared intently at the Crown Prince’s retreating back.
A sigh slipped out of him without realizing it.
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