If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 265

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

The Grand Duke was aiming for the imperial throne. He was surely in the process of clearing away anyone who stood in his way. Among those obstacles was Cain Vernat, the Emperor’s loyal vassal.

No doubt, the Grand Duke had struggled to find a way to overcome Cain Vernat, since he could never defeat him on his own. Now that he had unexpectedly discovered this weakness, he was clearly delighted.

The only real advantage Esther had gained from a lifetime of wandering was a quick sense for reading a situation. From a single word in the Grand Duke’s speech, she pieced together the whole story.

“You’re the one who doesn’t know your place.”

“What did you say?”

“You… you’re trying to become Emperor.”

Of course. That explained all this cruelty. Humans are prone to foolish acts when they desire what they cannot have.

“You think you can do what your brother—the current emperor—did? It’s ridiculous. Foolish Grand Duke.”

She heard the Grand Duke grit his teeth in fury. Esther didn’t care; she continued to provoke him. After all, she had nothing left to lose.

Esther was determined not to let this wretch, who had slaughtered her family and now sought to destroy what little remained, get away unscathed. Even if there was nothing she could do, if she could at least leave a small wound on his pride with her words, she’d gladly do it.

“Before you can even start your rebellion, the Prince of Amasril will strike you down. I look forward to the day I can laugh over your corpse.”

She finished with a laugh, throwing her head back, a chilling contrast to her bloodied body.

Riled by her words, the Grand Duke stepped toward her wanting to beat her senseless, but when he saw her laughing like a madwoman, he faltered and stepped back.

“Crazy woman. We’ll see whose corpse is burned first.”

She was a pitiful woman he could kill with a flick of his finger, and she didn’t seem to realize that the only reason she could say such things was because he’d chosen to spare her.

The Grand Duke clenched his fists in rage.

“Well, anyone can say anything when they’re facing death. If your brother is so capable, how did he let me discover such a fatal weakness? You keep praising him, but you’re wrong. I’ll soon show you that Vernat is nothing but an over-inflated knight.”

This time, he didn’t wait for her retort. Fearing what else she might say to upset him, the Grand Duke struck Esther across the face several more times to silence her. Still not satisfied, he shoved a gag between her bruised lips.

He’d come here intending to blow off some steam, but as he stormed out of the storage room, his face was twisted with irritation. Instead of relief, he only felt more stifled anger.

Cain Vernat and the Amasril girl—he thought to himself that the blood running in their veins was thoroughly incompatible with his own as he strode away in frustration.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Once again, his petition for an audience with the Emperor was denied. This had happened several days in a row. Seeing Josef shake his head in frustration, Cain gathered his cloak and rose from his seat.

“How serious is His Majesty’s condition?”

“Who knows? He won’t leave his chambers, so all I hear are secondhand messages delivered by his envoys…”

“Has His Majesty ever refused audiences like this before?”

“No, never like this.”

“…There must be something truly wrong with him.”

The Emperor had never behaved this way. He might refuse an audience once or twice out of petty spite, but never would he hide himself away and ignore every request. If he truly didn’t want to see a particular vassal, he would have barred their entry altogether—but that hadn’t happened…

“So, either he’s so ill he can’t even get out of bed, or… perhaps he’s no longer able to communicate at all.”

“Shh. The atmosphere in the palace is tense these days. Watch what you say.”

Even talking about the Emperor’s health could be a serious crime, especially in such troubled times, with so many hidden ears nearby. Josef glanced nervously around, then leaned in close to Cain.

“Do you have other business here?”

“Other business?”

“If there’s nothing urgent, then after evening prayers at the temple, go to Bhara, across the railway bridge.”

“Why there…?”

Bhara was a slum just outside the city center—not a place for either of them. As the acting commander of the city guard, Cain had only ever visited while on patrol.

“There’s a tavern there called the One-Eyed Man. Meet me there.”

“…Right after evening prayers?”

Josef nodded, his expression unusually grave.

He meant to discuss something they couldn’t talk about within the palace, no matter how quietly they whispered. Cain left, maintaining a nonchalant expression as if Josef had said nothing important.

Bhara. The One-Eyed Man tavern.

He repeated it to himself, just in case he forgot.