What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 281

“Deep sleep?”

Did it mean she didn’t want to draw blood from someone asleep?

Lena blinked, studying Ysaris before quickly realizing that wasn’t it. There was no way Ysaris would make that face just from sleeping—something serious must have happened to Kazhan.

“I haven’t heard any news about the Emperor being in trouble.”

“They’re deliberately hiding it. The situation’s gotten… complicated.”

“So he’s dead?”

A pause.

Ysaris hesitated at the blunt question, then answered.

“Yes. His heart isn’t beating, so he should be considered dead. Though his condition is… unusual.”

As her voice trailed off, Lena raised an eyebrow.

“How ‘unusual’? Want me to take a look?”

The words “If it hasn’t been too long since death, even blood from Tennilath’s corpse might still be useful” lodged in Lena’s throat. No matter how tactless she was, she couldn’t say “I’ll desecrate your husband’s body” in front of a visibly grieving widow.

Unaware of Lena’s thoughts, Ysaris nodded after a moment of shadowed contemplation. There was no reason to hide the truth from this enigmatic woman who left no trace on the continent.

Besides, given the years Lena had lived, she might even know why he’d ended up like this. If the corpse had rotted, Ysaris would’ve accepted his death outright—but this half-state only fostered futile hope. She was too exhausted to cling to it any longer.

“Follow me. I’ll show you.”

Fortunately, it was still early morning. With time before the children arrived, it seemed safe to examine Kazhan with Lena.

‘…Wait, hadn’t she snuck in? Was it really okay to waltz into the Emperor’s palace like this?’

Just as Ysaris hesitated mid-step outside the room, Lena’s voice cut in, unconcerned:

“By the way, I’m only visible to you right now, so don’t talk to me in the hallway. Don’t even react. Unless you want weird rumors.”

“……”

Ysaris nodded silently and walked on. After all she’d heard—that this woman was the Sage’s master—nothing Lena did could surprise her anymore.

That said, she should request the Magical Tower reinforce the palace’s anti-magic barrier soon.

Click, click.

An odd procession unfolded, two people walking, but only one set of footsteps audible. The Empress’s palace was close to the Emperor’s, so they reached Kazhan’s bedroom swiftly.

Lena’s brow furrowed at the sight of the corpse on the bed.

“What the hell is this?”

Though not a question, Ysaris answered calmly.

“He’s been like this since his heart was removed. Weeks now.”

“No way… That shouldn’t be possible.”

At the expected reaction, Ysaris sighed. Even Lena wouldn’t know about such a bizarre phenomenon—

“Why’d Tennilath use the Original’s power?”

“What?”

‘What power?’

Ysaris looked to Lena for explanation, but got only muttered half-thoughts:

“I really thought he was dead.”

“What?”

“He’s alive.”

“……What?”

Ignoring Ysaris’s stunned face, Lena scowled, golden eyes glinting as she scrutinized Kazhan. Suddenly, she gripped his wrist and conjured a blade of wind, slicing his arm shallowly.

“Lena!”

“Look. This is proof it’s not just hibernation.”

Lena calmly showed the wound to a horrified Ysaris.

“The blood isn’t flowing, like it’s frozen inside—but his body isn’t actually cold. And you said his heart stopped weeks ago? Yet his blood’s still this fresh. Does that make sense?”

“……Why? How is this possible?”

Ysaris, who’d never considered harming Kazhan, felt more than curiosity—a flicker of dread. Like she’d glimpsed something she shouldn’t have.