The Predator’s Contract Partner

So Lucerne and Elisha followed Ilione to the villa.

The beautiful and magnificent annex was one of the largest buildings in the castle. Only two types of distinguished people could stay there for a long time: the Great Pope and members of the imperial family. Now, the imperial royal family’s knights were surrounding the outbuilding. When they saw Ilione, they stepped aside without saying a word.

The three people entered the annex using the back door.

“Everything you see from now on is confidential,”

Ilione stated.

“It looks like you noticed the portrait device.”

Lucerne remarked bluntly.

“… … Did you know?”

“The princess knew after seeing it just once.”

Elisha couldn’t understand their conversation at first. But when she entered the room, she immediately knew what they meant.

The room Lucerne and Elisha entered was right next to the emperor’s temporary study. There was a portrait of an unknown nobleman hanging on the wall. If you look closely at the portrait, you will see that it has several holes through which you can peek and hear what is happening in the next room.

Lucerne and Ilione spent their childhood in the duchy and the imperial palace, respectively. So, the secret of this old device could be discovered right away.

‘It seems the emperor has decided on disposing of Jewel.’

Elisha presumed calmly.

‘I wonder how Ilione sprouted the seeds I sowed?’

Ilione left without saying a word. But Elisha and Lucerne didn’t ask anything.

***

Elisha gazed through the portrait hole.

The first thing that caught my eye was Jewel, standing in the middle of the room, looking nervous. Soon, the emperor came striding in and started scolding him.

“It’s a good thing that this is the royal family’s vacation period! If something like this happened during the official schedule… —My head feels dizzy.”

“That’s right, Royal Father. If he couldn’t endure a few days at the Duke’s house and ended up getting into trouble with Carola, he will cause an even bigger accident next time,”

Ilione said. The empress stepped forward and appealed as if she was trying to appease the emperor.

“Calm down. Jewel is still young. Children often do foolish things.”

In reality, those words did nothing but pour fuel on a burning house. Because it made the emperor even more angry, Elisha realized that the empress, who seemed kind, was not a fool.

“Does a youth do something like this? After hearing this, I realized that you were rotten from the beginning. You look nothing like my late brother.”

“Uahhhhh-“

At that time, the sound of a child crying was heard in the room. When she peered closely, she saw that it was the small Prince Yepnen who was hidden by the furniture.

“Yepnen, when on earth did you come in?”

The empress was shocked.

“Don’t scold Brother Jewel. Older brother always plays with me.”

“Yepnen. You idiot. That’s not playing! He beats you under the pretext of sparring. Furthermore… … . Oh… . Your other leg…… .”

As Ilione spoke, she bit her lip as if she was upset.

“What does that mean?”

the emperor asked.

“It’s not me. Older Royal Brother wants to play with me, but I’m weak… … . so… … . Besides, Royal Brother always takes interest in me—”

Ilione interrupted Yepnen.

“Royal Father, this guy bullies Yepnen. Did you really not know? They beat this child with the sheath of a sword under the pretext of sparring! Jewel even went so far as to hit his crippled leg persistently before.”

Ilione shot out. Talking about Jewel’s evil deeds in detail usually would not have had much of an effect. But at this moment it could be the final blow.

The empress’s eyes changed. Elisha realized that the empress was also vaguely aware of the situation.

“Your Majesty— How can this be? I can’t have Jewel around my kids anymore. He is not normal!”

“Your Majesty! No, Royal Father. You said you would be my loving father. I have lived my life believing in His Majesty like my own father. Please trust me just once.”

Jewel pleaded.

“I was just playing around with Yepnen. You told me that the past Emperor and His Majesty often spared when they were young.”

“But even so, do you spar with a six-year-old?”

The emperor shouted, but his temper calmed down a little when he heard the words “past emperor.” The promises made to the dead were sometimes stronger than anything else. The impression of the emperor was that of a strong hunter filled with deep sorrow and pain.

“Carola, do you know what she claims? She says you molested her. Did you approach her first? Jewel?”

The emperor approached with great strides and growled at Jewel.

“Answer me!”

“No!”

At that time, Yepnen cried.

“Royal Brother and Carola like each other—Really!”

“What?”

The emperor’s movements stopped.

“They exchanged letters often! Because they like each other… … . Royal Brother didn’t do anything bad.”

Elisha recalled the scene she had seen from behind the tree last time. Jewel did not care at all about young Yepnen and acted without hesitation. Clearly, he had exchanged notes several times in front of the small prince.

Elisha was impressed by the royal family members. She now knew that no one in the royal family was truly weak. Even the child wasn’t normal.

His words had a significant effect. He had ignited the emperor’s suspicions.

“Then it is true that you have been in a long-term affair. I’m just glad it wasn’t rape. Then our royal family would have had to take full responsibility.”

The emperor let out a deep sorrowful groan.

It was then. There was the sound of the door opening.

“You came?”

Ilione spoke toward the doorway. She turned her head so she couldn’t see the face clearly from her angle.

The knights under Ilione brought with them an old, grayish courtier. Her frugal outfit and accessories suggest that she was a court maid.

“What is this again? Ilione?”

“Royal Father, not long ago, I learned something shocking. It’s related to the late empress.” read more here.