Chapter 122
Thanks to the Empress’s passionate performance, Arendtert received a punishment absurdly light compared to what he had actually done.
House arrest?
What Arendtert had done was serious enough to warrant dethronement, yet his punishment ended with mere reflection. The nobles did not even object to the Emperor’s decision. It was all because Cressida skillfully manipulated the mood.
“Maybe I should learn how to act well too.”
“If you do, then we should learn together.”
Euclid snorted softly. At his helpless response, Sylaria lifted her shoulders.
“In any case, Aren lost and you won. That’s enough.”
“I still feel unsatisfied.”
Euclid furrowed his brows. With hands on his hips, he spoke.
“When I think about what that bastard did to you, even hanging him immediately wouldn’t be enough. I thought this time was finally the chance. A shame.”
“There will be another chance.”
Sylaria smiled. With Arendtert’s personality, he would never forget today’s humiliation. And to make up for it, he would surely do something reckless.
All Sylaria had to do was wait.
How convenient it was. An enemy who would step onto the road of ruin on his own. Without needing a push, Arendtert would march straight into destruction.
Petty, greedy, violent, and irresponsible.
Even the title of imperial prince was too much for him.
It was only a matter of time before the entire Empire realized that.
* * *
“Uaaaagh!”
As soon as Cressida returned to the Empress’s palace, she screamed. She tore at her hair and kicked the furniture around the room.
“You made me go this far?”
Her eyes bulged as she glared at the window. Seeing the distant Second Prince’s Palace, she ground her teeth hard enough to crack them.
“I should have had more children. I shouldn’t have been satisfied with only one!”
Blood vessels burst in the whites of Cressida’s eyes. Unable to contain her rage, she swept everything off the table in one wild motion.
CRASH!
As objects shattered and fell, the maids guarding the room quickly fled. When the Empress was furious, appearing in her sight meant almost certain collateral damage.
“How dare you do this to me, Arendtert!”
Cressida bit her lip hard again and again. Even when her red lips bled, she didn’t stop. She raged for a long time, throwing furniture throughout the room.
“Mother!”
Just as she was crushing a music box on the floor with her heel, Arendtert entered, freshly washed.
“How long has it been since the imperial order for reflection was given? And you come here?”
Cressida shouted viciously the moment she saw him. Arendtert quickly knelt before her.
“I was on my way to the temple. Before going, I came to pay my respects to you, Mother.”
“When did I tell you to do such a thing? What did you do well to show your face here?”
“Thank you for saving me, Mother. If you hadn’t stepped forward, I would have been stripped of my title today.”
Cressida closed her eyes tightly as she looked down at her son’s bowed, reddened head. The moment she saw him her anger had surged, but after venting it so completely, she regained her composure quickly.
“Fine, as long as you know. So, what are you planning to do now?”
“Well…”
Kneeling, Arendtert hesitated. Cressida frowned at him. Clicking her tongue sharply, she spoke.
“If you have nothing to say, then get out.”
“Mother, can’t you help me?”
“How?”
“Open a Maw.”
At her son’s request, Cressida stiffened. She swallowed dryly as if she had heard something she should never have heard. A strange stillness filled her sitting room. When she said nothing, Arendtert grew anxious and spoke again.
“Mother, please, just one Maw…”
“Shh.”
Cressida quickly covered Arendtert’s mouth. She carefully looked around the room, then leaned in close.
“What if someone hears you?”
“I’m sorry. I spoke out of urgency.”
“And the Maw isn’t something that can be opened easily.”
“But you can do it, can’t you?”
“Well.”
At Arendtert’s question, Cressida’s eyes glinted chillingly. Smiling, she spoke.
“Of course. I can open a Maw.”
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