Chapter 180
“It’s His Majesty the Emperor’s diary.”
“Huh?”
When Ysaris let out a deflated sound at the unexpected words, Runellia smiled triumphantly. Then, as if showing off, she held out the bead forward, letting the chandelier’s light illuminate the densely engraved magical circles on its surface.
“It’s a magical recording device. Only those of the registered owner’s bloodline can access it. The high nobles of Uzephia often use it to record sensitive information.”
“That… so you’re saying you stole the Emperor’s possession?”
“Stole? Would you mind calling it secretly borrowing for a moment? I’ll use it and return it before he notices.”
Is this woman truly insane?
Ysaris was becoming increasingly frightened of Runellia. The glimpse of madness in her blue-green eyes was enough to make her break into a cold sweat.
Setting everything else aside, how she got her hands on that item was questionable to begin with.
If that really was the Emperor’s diary, the security would have been incredible, so how did she manage to steal it? If it’s a lie, why choose to say things that would only invite trouble? Would she be implicated in her crime just by having this conversation here?
Seeing Ysaris’s complicated expression, Runellia snorted.
“You look deep in thought, but Your Majesty the Empress should be more concerned about what records lie dormant in here. Surely you’re not planning to throw away this chance to face the truth without a single lie, saying you’re afraid to confront the sins His Majesty the Emperor has committed?”
“…”
“I trust you won’t go to His Majesty to report me after all I’ve done for you. Well, in reality, Your Majesty the Empress needs this item, not me, so it’s obvious who the arrow would point to. I can just say Your Majesty used me to dig up the past.”
“You’re truly… petty.”
“Honestly, aren’t you curious? About what His Majesty is hiding. If it were me, I would have already searched His Majesty’s room out of curiosity. Your patience is quite something. Now as it was then.”
At this point, Ysaris had to admit. Though she was a woman to be wary of, Runellia excelled at manipulating people.
It meant that Ysaris too was swayed by her words.
“…You said only those of the owner’s bloodline can access it. Then doesn’t that mean I can’t use it anyway?”
“No. That blood is only needed to lock and unlock it. You have someone close by, don’t you? Someone who can help.”
Ysaris’s eyes trembled for a moment at the words referring to Mikael, the prince who inherited Tennilath’s blood. Having her son involved in something that could ruin her relationship with Kazhan was never her wish.
“If you tell me the exact procedure and method, I could go…”
“You seem to be misunderstanding something.”
Runellia quickly pulled back the bead, avoiding Ysaris’s reaching hand. Looking at the Empress’s questioning face while licking her red lips with her tongue, she shrugged provocatively and said:
“When did I say I would hand this over? What makes you think I would trust Your Majesty the Empress?”
“…Imperial Consort.”
Ysaris forcefully suppressed her rising emotions and took a deep breath.
“Isn’t it your goal to have me use that item?”
Her ice-cold voice came out in choppy fragments, containing her anger. The atmosphere suggested she would end the conversation immediately if even one more careless word was spoken.
Even at this sight, Runellia wasn’t intimidated at all. Rather, with a satisfied look, she gently swayed the bead.
“That’s right. So bring him. His Highness the Prince, Your Majesty the Empress, and me. These three checking this together here is my condition.”
“Such an absurd-!”
“Shh, you should lower your voice, Your Majesty. Do you want to be dragged to prison alongside me?”
Although Ysaris didn’t think she would be taken to prison if this scene was discovered, she still gritted her teeth as she didn’t want to be caught either way.
She was about to reject Runellia’s proposal, not wanting Mikael, who was devoted to Kazhan, to be hurt by him, when a voice like a ghost crept into the cracks.
“Actually, His Highness just needs to come. I just want to check His Majesty’s diary here and put it back in its place right away. After His Highness activates this, he’s free to cover his eyes, block his ears, or leave altogether.”
“Seeing how you insist on being here together, it seems you have something you need to verify as well?”
“That’s none of Your Majesty’s business, is it?”
Twitch.
As Ysaris struggled once again to suppress her anger, the arrogant voice continued.
“Make your choice. Whether to bring His Highness here now to confirm the truth together, or lose this opportunity forever.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.