What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 120

“I’m fine. But my banquet clothes are wet, so I’ll need to change.”
“You should visit Viscount Lafaro just in case. If you’re hurt, rest.”
“How could I do that at your welcoming banquet? I’ll be right back.”
“I was planning to leave early anyway. I’m feeling dizzy from the little wine I had…”
“You drank wine?”
The red gaze swiftly turned to Duke Blake’s couple. Kazhan’s brow furrowed at the sight of Temisian raising both hands with an “oops,” like someone caught in wrongdoing.
“Duke Blake.”
“Ahem, hem. I was trying to help the Empress enjoy the banquet more fully… Yes, don’t worry about that servant, I’ll handle it. Please go change comfortably.”
“Very well. I’ll address your transgression later.”
Kazhan ignored Temisian’s groan and examined Ysaris. Though her face showed a slight flush, her pronunciation and posture seemed fine – she didn’t appear too intoxicated.
“Rest whenever you’re tired. There’s no need to stay long just because it’s your banquet. Consider sending Mikael to the Crown Prince’s palace today.”
“Don’t worry about me and take care of yourself first. Someone might think I was the one who got wine spilled on them.”
“Hmm.”
Kazhan looked down at his damp clothes and nodded.
“Then I’ll be back.”

* * *

Rather than returning to his room far from the banquet hall, Kazhan headed to the changing room in the same building. It was a place used for quick changes, with several sets of clothes prepared.
Click.
Entering the room marked “Men’s Clothing,” there were luxurious banquet attire and uniquely designed clothes arranged by size. As Kazhan roughly chose one by eye and began removing his outer garment, he sensed something strange.
Throb.
“What…”
Suddenly the world turned upside down. All bodily sensations momentarily became distant before returning.
Throwing aside his clothes and hastily taking a defensive stance, Kazhan discovered smoke rising from all directions. He also noticed light softly shining through the carpet on the floor.
“A magic circle?”
A trap.
Sensing danger, Kazhan immediately tried to leave the room, but the now-locked door wouldn’t open. The doorknob wouldn’t budge at all, suggesting something beyond a simple lock.
“Damn it!”
Bang, bang!
Kazhan tried ramming the door hard but to no avail. Not only did it not shake, it seemed to repel him just before contact – the entire door appeared to be magically protected.
“Who would… ugh.”
Kazhan clutched his throbbing head and staggered. Rather than pain, his senses were scrambled, making it difficult to maintain balance.
Thud.
Finally dropping to one knee, thick smoke enveloped him. As he inhaled the pouring smoke, Kazhan’s eyes gradually became drowsy.

* * *

“He’s a bit late.”
Ysaris suddenly spoke during a break in the cheerful conversation. Though there was no context, Funeshire understood the subject and responded worriedly.
“Come to think of it, he left quite a while ago… Could he be seeing a physician for an injury? Though I didn’t smell any blood.”
“Or perhaps he left due to urgent business. His Majesty is always busy after all.”
“Still, I don’t think he would leave this banquet. He cares so much for Her Majesty.”
“True, I couldn’t leave my wife alone either. When you think about it that way, it is strange.”
At the couple’s alternating comments, Ysaris looked back at the banquet hall doors. Given the hour, people were only leaving with none entering, and worry began to rise.
He said he was just changing clothes and coming back – did something happen?
Though it seemed pointless to worry about the Emperor in the middle of the imperial palace, she couldn’t stop her thoughts. There was an odd underlying faith that Kazhan would keep his word to her.
Hadn’t he insisted several times he would return, even though she said she was fine? It was natural to be concerned when a man like that was nowhere to be seen.
“I’ll go check. Could you possibly take Mikael to the Crown Prince’s palace?”
“Leave it to us. We’ll take him there safely and make it fun.”
“Thank you, Duke. And Duchess. Thanks to you both, today was enjoyable.”
“We enjoyed it too. Rest well, Your Majesty.”
Ysaris moved away with Duke Blake’s couple seeing her off. Finally, the Empress too left the banquet hall, adding to the already empty seats of the Emperor and Empress Consort.