What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 185

“……!”

Ysaris understood Triennene’s words in an instant. She didn’t know how they had obtained Tennilath’s blood in the past, but the vial in his hand now—there was no doubt it belonged to Mikael.

“Clink!”

“What did you do to Mikael?! That tiny child—!”

No mother could remain calm with her son’s blood right before her eyes. She knew she had to stay rational, but—

Her teeth ground together as she glared at Triennene. In mere seconds, he had gone from suspicious to madman to mortal enemy.

“Do you truly believe you’ll walk away unscathed after laying hands on the sole prince of the Uzephia Empire?”

“If we’re never caught, then yes.”

This time, Runellia cut in, her voice dripping with smug superiority. She looked down at Ysaris with a smirk, clearly relishing the situation.

“You fainted from the teleportation spell, so you wouldn’t know—but we’ve erased all traces and relocated somewhere safe. Dark mages don’t survive this long by leaving loose ends.”

“…Fainting spell? Dark mages?”

The terms felt alien, disconnected from reality. Not just unfamiliar—unthinkable.

“Dark mages?”

“What else would you call him? A lunatic in a black robe?”

“My, to be spoken of so fondly by such beauties—I’m overwhelmed!”

“No one’s praising you. Shut up.”

As Ysaris pressed for answers, Runellia and Triennene’s banter continued like some deranged comedy. Their camaraderie made her pause, but she forced down her fury and spoke slowly.

“Since when have dark mages been active on the continent again?”

Gather information. Find an opening. Get Mikael out.

‘…Was he even unharmed? The amount of blood in the vial suggested no major injury. If they took him for his blood, they wouldn’t kill him outright. Just like how Lena used to draw mine periodically…’

“……”

‘Wait. Why did Lena take my blood?’

While Ysaris wrestled with the sudden memory, Triennene—still being scolded by Runellia—finally answered.

“We’ve operated in the shadows for a while, but I only recently approached Her Highness here. Our goals aligned so nicely! And thanks to her, we’ve hit the jackpot. Really, I could pat myself on the back!”

“Shouldn’t you be praising me for that?”

“Oh, all credit goes to Her Highness for executing the plan flawlessly! To catch both the prince and the Empress—truly, my gratitude knows no bounds!”

“Good. Keep it that way.”

Runellia preened as Triennene bowed dramatically. Their dynamic wasn’t friendship—just two twisted minds clicking.

But that wasn’t what mattered now. Ysaris, still piecing things together, spoke coldly.

“The Consort called me an ‘afterthought,’ yet you speak as if you need me.”

“Oh, we absolutely do! I was just worrying how to kidnap the Empress after securing the prince, but here you both are! Such luck!”

Triennene clapped his hands like a delighted child. A habit, it seemed, when pleased.

“Why? I thought you only needed Tennilath’s blood.”

“There’s another bloodline I’ve hunted even harder. And you, my dear, are suspiciously likely to be it. So let’s check, shall we?”

Either confident she couldn’t escape or simply careless, Triennene cheerfully pulled out a sharp dagger and another vial—identical to the one holding Mikael’s blood. His intentions were obvious.

“Time for a blood draw, Your Majesty! Just a little sting~?”

His tone was sickeningly sweet, but Ysaris’ face hardened. Who would’ve thought they’d extract blood this crudely?

The thought of Triennene forcing that dagger against Mikael’s small body made her blood boil.