Chapter 245
The Queen Echinacea that Viren remembered was a woman like midwinter.
When the Queen was still alive, the servants of the royal palace used to whisper among themselves that she was such a fierce woman that even if you pricked her with a needle, not a single drop of blood would come out.
Whenever a concubine began to grow close to the King, she would have the woman’s ankles cut and banish her from the kingdom. She frequently sent assassins and poison to the King’s other children. Those who begged her for mercy with their hands clasped had their hands cut off, and those who cried and pleaded for forgiveness had their tongues cut out. Even the people living in the distant borders had heard of the Queen’s terrible reputation.
Queen Echinacea in particular was obsessed with placing her own son upon the seat of Crown Prince. Anyone who challenged the authority of her eldest son, Viren, quietly lost their lives.
Not a single one was spared.
While Queen Echinacea was still alive, someone in the royal palace once joked like this.
‘There are only two kinds of people in the royal palace of the Hevania Kingdom. Those whom Her Majesty the Queen has killed, and those who will soon be killed.’
It was said that the coachman who made that joke in a public place disappeared without a trace a few days later.
That was the kind of woman she was. Even in Viren’s own memory as her son, Queen Echinacea had been a woman without blood or tears. Yet now that same Queen Echinacea was smiling so brightly and lively?
Viren could state with certainty that he had never once seen his mother smile while she was alive. When he was young, he had foolishly tried many things in hopes of seeing her smile, but every attempt failed.
Queen Echinacea had been a cruel and merciless woman, and she never smiled even at her own son.
And yet she now…
“What is it, Viren?”
The ghost of the Queen asked him again.
“Your Majesty the Queen… no, Mother…”
Viren rubbed the back of his neck as if loosening a suffocating knot and looked up at the ghost.
He wanted to ask. Why was she smiling so sweetly when she had never smiled like that while she lived? Why was she showing such a beautiful expression only after death?
But he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
Queen Echinacea was already dead. The one Crown Prince Viren now faced was only a fragment of the soul she had deliberately severed while she was alive. Asking her why she showed a side she never revealed in life would have no meaning.
“By the way, there is something I wish to ask you.”
The ghost of Queen Echinacea asked while maintaining a smile soft as spring.
“Where is this place?”
“Ah.”
Only then did Crown Prince Viren realize that he hadn’t properly explained things to the Queen’s ghost.
“This is… my office.”
“Your office? Why have I awakened in your office?”
“Well…”
Viren briefly explained everything that had happened.
The grave robbery that occurred a few months ago, the Queen’s magic sword that had gone missing, and Rufus Inferna who appeared claiming he knew the whereabouts of the missing sword.
After listening to Viren’s brief and clear explanation, the ghost of the Queen let out a sigh.
“So quite a chaotic series of events occurred while I was asleep.”
“…I am sorry that I failed to properly guard your grave.”
Viren’s head dropped heavily.
“I will remain vigilant from now on so that such an unfortunate incident never occurs again.”
Viren couldn’t raise his head. His shoulders felt weighed down as if heavy iron weights were hanging from them.
Was this guilt because he believed he had failed to protect his mother’s grave? Or was it shame because, despite being the Crown Prince, he had allowed the Queen’s dignity to be tarnished?
It didn’t matter which emotion it was.
Viren was afraid.
He feared that the Queen’s ghost might suddenly become angry and scold him harshly.
Considering how his mother had behaved while she was alive, it was a natural reaction.
Queen Echinacea had been excessively strict with Viren. Her ambition to make her son the next King was enforced through severe discipline. She never overlooked even the smallest mistake and would scold him relentlessly. She had even resorted to corporal punishment.
‘She will scold me again.’
Used to such a strict mother, Viren lowered his head even further without realizing it.
However, the ghost’s reply shattered Viren’s expectations completely.
“No, it is alright. This isn’t your fault.”
“…What?”
At that moment, Viren’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t help doubting his own ears.
Had he truly heard those words correctly?
The Queen had forgiven his mistake. She had told him it was alright.
That same harsh mother who never tolerated even the smallest mistake, who used to shout at him that such carelessness would make him unfit to rule this nation.
She said it wasn’t his fault. She told him it was alright.
What in the world…
What is this…
“Mother…”
Just as Viren opened his mouth to say something.
“It couldn’t be helped. His Majesty the King was determined to dig up my grave.”
Viren suddenly froze where he stood as he lifted his head. He stared at the Queen’s ghost as if he couldn’t believe what he had heard.
“What… what do you mean by that?”
His Majesty the King dug up the Queen’s grave? What could that possibly mean?
No. That cannot be true.
How could my respected father do such a thing? Why would he commit such a horrible act? To desecrate his own wife in a way even beasts wouldn’t do.
How could he…
No.
I cannot accept this. There must be some misunderstanding. His Majesty the King couldn’t possibly have done such a thing…
“I know it is hard to believe, but it is the truth, Viren.”
The ghost of the Queen showed a sorrowful expression.
“His Majesty the King… your father… gave the order to dig up my grave.”
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